Chapter 388 - 166: Theft

Chapter 388: Chapter 166: Theft

"It’s about what just happened. I was on my way to the Laundry Bureau and was passing by when I heard the news. I didn’t even continue to the Bureau; I just rushed right back." Yulu knew her master was on good terms with Han Guipin, so naturally, she would come back to report something like this first.

As Song Yunzhao headed out, she asked, "Do you know what it’s about?"

"I was in such a hurry to get back that I didn’t ask for details."

Song Yunzhao’s face grew grim. She knew of An Fangyi. ’Although the book never explicitly stated she was in league with Qin Xiyue, An Fangyi definitely lent a hand when Qin Xiyue later brought down Consort Shu.’

At this thought, Song Yunzaho immediately got into her sedan chair and headed for Liu Hua Palace.

When Shizhu heard the news, she hurried to catch up and immediately sent Anshun to find Chief Steward Zhang.

As they passed through Yihua Palace, she was surprised to see Lu Zhixue walking up ahead. Song Yunzhao called out to her.

The moment Lu Zhixue saw Song Yunzhao, she understood at once and asked, "Zhaoyi, are you also on your way to Liu Hua Palace?"

Song Yunzhao nodded. "Are you going over to check on things, too?"

Lu Zhixue replied, "I just heard the news and thought I should go see what’s happening."

Song Yunzhao had her bearers stop the sedan chair. She disembarked and began walking with Lu Zhixue. "What’s this all about?" she asked as they went. "I still don’t have any of the details."

Lu Zhixue shook her head. "I’m not too clear on the details, either. It seems to be some dispute among the palace attendants at Liu Hua Palace. Knowing Han Guipin’s personality, I’m worried she’s no good at arguing and will end up on the losing end. Otherwise, I couldn’t have been bothered to make the trip."

Song Yunzhao smiled. ’Ever since Lu Zhixue ran into a brick wall a few times, she’s preferred to just hole up in Yihua Palace and not venture out. At most, she’ll take a walk over to my residence. For her to come out now for Han Jinyi, it’s clear their friendship is truly special.’

"If it’s really just about a few palace attendants, why would it cause such a commotion?" Song Yunzhao asked, a little hesitant.

Lu Zhixue couldn’t figure it out either and sighed. "Who knows? In any case, I find An Fangyi odd. We’d best be careful."

Song Yunzhao was a little surprised to hear Lu Zhixue say this. ’I know there’s a problem with An Fangyi because I read the book, but it’s unexpected that Lu Zhixue can also sense something is wrong.’

The two of them arrived at Liu Hua Palace to find it unexpectedly bustling with activity. Song Yunzhao spotted Consort Zhuang at a glance, and her brow furrowed slightly. She immediately beckoned Yulu over. "Go to Cuiwei Palace at once and ask Lady Shufei to come here."

’This was the drawback of having a lower rank. If Consort Zhuang decided to throw her weight around, Song Yunzhao would be at a disadvantage.’

’So, her only option was to call for reinforcements. She just didn’t know if Consort Shu would be willing to make the trip.’

Yulu turned and left. Song Yunzhao led Lu Zhixue forward. Spotting Consort Zhuang from a distance, she called out in a loud voice, "What is happening here? Greetings, Consort Zhuang. I didn’t expect to see Your Ladyship."

Though she was addressing Consort Zhuang, her gaze swept to Han Jinyi at the side. She saw that Han Jinyi’s expression was grim but that she was otherwise unharmed, and she breathed a small sigh of relief.

When Han Jinyi saw Yun Zhao and Lu Zhixue, her heart eased slightly. In the crowd, Feng Yunjin also breathed a sigh of relief. Consort Zhuang’s rank was far higher than theirs. Even with her quick wits, Feng Yunjin lacked the confidence to openly defy Consort Zhuang when the latter clearly didn’t want her to speak.

To be honest, Consort Zhuang was a little surprised to see Song Yunzhao. This woman was so focused on her pregnancy that she rarely ever stepped foot outside Wangyou Palace. "What brings Song Zhaoyi here? You’re quite a rare guest. Ever since becoming pregnant, you’ve seldom left Wangyou Palace."

Hearing the subtle barbs in Consort Zhuang’s words, Song Yunzhao simply smiled. "It’s not that I never go out. I occasionally take walks to enjoy the scenery in the Imperial Garden. It’s just that Your Ladyship’s Zhaohua Palace is quite far, so our paths simply haven’t crossed. The weather was so lovely today, I decided to take a stroll. I ran into Lu Pin along the way, and after walking for a while, we became a bit thirsty. We thought we’d stop by Han Guipin’s for a cup of tea. I never imagined Liu Hua Palace would be so crowded. Isn’t it a surprise?"

Consort Zhuang listened to Song Yunzhao’s string of lies without letting it show on her face. She looked at Song Yunzhao and said, "What a coincidence indeed."

Song Yunzhao smiled but paid Consort Zhuang no more mind. She turned her head to scan the crowd and saw An Fangyi, and standing not far from her, Qin Xiyue. She drew her gaze back, finally letting it rest on Han Jinyi. "Han Guipin, is there some happy occasion in Liu Hua Palace today?"

Han Jinyi immediately stepped forward, her face stern. "Greetings, Zhaoyi. To answer your question, this is no happy occasion. Rather, my handmaiden is being falsely accused of theft."

The smile on Song Yunzhao’s face vanished. ’Theft?’

’What an unsophisticated, yet highly damaging, tactic.’

’For the other party to make such a scene, they must be confident they can make it stick. They probably have both witnesses and physical evidence ready. This situation is undoubtedly very disadvantageous for Han Jinyi.’

Song Yunzhao’s mind raced, and she spoke almost instinctively, "If that’s the case, then the Palace Supervisor should have been summoned. How come I don’t see him?"

’Professional matters should be left to the professionals. If An Fangyi was truly framing Han Jinyi, it would be extremely difficult for amateurs to investigate. But if it were handed over to experts, that would be another matter entirely.’

As soon as she said this, Song Yunzhao felt a hush fall over the scene. She feigned surprise and glanced around. "What? Was I wrong?" Then she looked to Consort Zhuang. "Consort Zhuang, what are your thoughts?"

Consort Zhuang fixed her gaze on Song Yunzhao. "It’s merely a trivial matter. There’s no need to trouble the Palace Justice Department with a trip."

The moment Song Yunzhao heard that, she knew Consort Zhuang was up to no good. Just as she was about to retort, she heard Consort Shu’s voice ring out. "What do you mean, ’trouble the Palace Justice Department’? What is the Palace Justice Department for? If we’re afraid of troubling them to do their jobs, then what use are they?"

’Tsk. Coming from Consort Shu, those words really carry some weight!’

Song Yunzhao clicked her tongue. ’It really comes down to rank. It’s not that I couldn’t confront Consort Zhuang directly, but with the Empress Dowager in the palace now, things are more restrictive. Besides, if it escalated, the Emperor would have to be the one to clean up the mess. But with Consort Shu here, things are different.’

"Lady Shufei is right," Song Yunzhao immediately chimed in, laying on the flattery. "The very purpose of the Palace Justice Department is to investigate misconduct within the palace and enforce discipline. Since a theft has occurred, how can the Palace Justice Department possibly ignore it?"

The corner of Consort Shu’s mouth twitched. Without even looking at Song Yunzhao, she put on an air of being unacquainted with her. She walked directly to Consort Zhuang’s side, then looked over the crowd and asked casually, as if unconcerned, "Han Guipin, since you are the senior concubine of Liu Hua Palace, why don’t you tell us what exactly is going on."

Qin Xiyue’s brow had furrowed the moment Consort Shu appeared, and An Fangyi’s lips pressed into a thin line. Upon hearing Consort Shu’s words, An Fangyi stepped forward and addressed her, "Lady Shufei, although Han Guipin resides in the main hall, her rank is lower than mine. I’m afraid it is improper for you to ask her to speak on this matter."

Consort Shu looked at An Fangyi with feigned surprise. "Oh? You’re out and about as well? I seem to recall you dislike such worldly affairs. I thought you hadn’t even come."