Chapter 391 - 169: As Expected of You

Chapter 391: Chapter 169: As Expected of You

Song Yunzhao looked at An Fangyi and said slowly, "Of course I can’t."

An Fangyi raised an eyebrow slightly. "So, when Your Highness asked me that, were you deliberately trying to make things difficult for me?"

Princess Consort Zhuang smiled at Song Yunzhao. "Song Zhaoyi, I know you have always been close with Han Guipin, but you can’t be so obviously biased."

Consort Shu couldn’t stand Princess Consort Zhuang’s attitude and immediately retorted, "Princess Consort Zhuang, why does it sound to me like every word you say favors An Fangyi? You talk about being impartial, but your actions don’t match. Where’s the impartiality?"

The smile on Princess Consort Zhuang’s face stiffened. She turned her head to look at Consort Shu. "Consort Shu, I am merely discussing the matter at hand."

"And so am I," Consort Shu shot back, holding her head high. She absolutely refused to be outdone.

Just then, someone suddenly interjected, "Since you two cannot come to a decision, why not ask the Empress Dowager to preside over the matter?"

Song Yunzhao immediately looked up and saw Qin Xiyue with a perfectly composed smile on her face. Her eyes were fixed on Princess Consort Zhuang and Consort Shu, looking the very picture of sincerity.

’Ask the Empress Dowager to intervene?’

’What’s the difference between that and bending the law for personal gain? The Empress Dowager can’t stand me, so naturally, she dislikes Han Jinyi, who’s close to me. Besides, the Empress Dowager’s character is hardly what you’d call upright and impartial. Entrust it to her?’

’Heh, Qin Xiyue sees that I’m about to turn the tables for Han Jinyi, so she’s immediately dragging the Empress Dowager into this to shut me down!’

’This mind of hers is worthy of a female lead, much quicker than Princess Consort Zhuang’s.’

"Qin Wan Yi, the Empress Dowager has been dedicating herself to Buddhist prayer ever since she returned to the palace. Besides, the Palace Justice Department is here for harem affairs, so there’s no need to trouble Her Majesty the Empress Dowager." After speaking, Song Yunzhao didn’t give Qin Xiyue a chance to respond and immediately looked at Yan Yu. "Yan Gongzheng, what do you say?"

’If Yan Yu dared to suggest letting the Empress Dowager handle it, what authority would the Palace Justice Department have left in the harem?’

’It would be one thing if this matter had been in the Empress Dowager’s hands from the start. But to drag her in halfway through... Qin Xiyue’s motive was painfully obvious. Song Yunzhao would absolutely not let her get her way.’

Once Qin Xiyue’s words were out, Princess Consort Zhuang felt a pang of regret. Why did she bother bickering with Consort Shu and Song Yunzhao? She should have just summoned the Empress Dowager from the very beginning. With the Empress Dowager here, even Consort Shu would have to tone it down, let alone a mere Song Zhaoyi, who would have to tuck her tail between her legs instead of being so brazen.

’It was a true misstep.’ Thinking of this, she also felt a bit of dissatisfaction. ’Qin Xiyue should have given her a reminder earlier.’

Yan Yu took a step forward, smiled at the crowd, and said, "Your Highnesses, please calm yourselves. There are still many aspects of this case that require investigation. For example, the matter of Ying Chun’s brother coming to collect the Silver needs to be verified. The origin of the golden bracelet, the circumstances of its disappearance, and how it was ultimately found must all be thoroughly investigated. This involves people like An Fangyi’s storeroom housekeeper and Han Jinyi’s palace attendants. The Palace Justice Department must summon them all for questioning. To prevent them from colluding on their stories, I must also take them away separately for interrogation. Therefore, the final outcome of the case can only be reported to you, my ladies, after I have completed my inquiries."

Song Yunzhao gave Yan Yu a deep look and immediately said, "Yan Gongzheng makes a good point. If we are to investigate a case, it must be done properly. To prevent collusion, separate interrogations are indeed necessary."

Consort Shu now understood Song Yunzhao’s underlying meaning. She shot a displeased glance at Qin Xiyue, who was only good for stirring up trouble. At that moment, Princess Consort Zhuang spoke up.

"It’s just a minor theft. There’s no need to make such a big fuss. It’s just a matter of asking a few questions."

Although Consort Shu wasn’t always the sharpest, seeing Princess Consort Zhuang’s contradictory attitude made her realize something. She immediately said, "Princess Consort Zhuang, if it’s just a minor theft, then what are you doing standing here?"

If it was such a trivial matter, then her standing here was hardly appropriate.

Feng Yunjin glanced at Han Jinyi from a distance and gave her a look. Han Jinyi nodded slightly, then immediately spoke up, "This concubine believes Yan Gongzheng’s words are reasonable. Since there’s to be an investigation, let it be thorough. No matter how you investigate, I will cooperate completely." After speaking, she looked at An Fangyi. "An Fangyi, what do you say?"

An Fangyi’s face darkened. She was in a bind, and forcing herself to go along with it, she said stiffly, "Naturally."

Yan Yu then looked toward Princess Consort Zhuang and Consort Shu.

Consort Shu said irritably, "Yan Gongzheng, why are you looking at me? You are the Palace Supervisor; just do what you must. Princess Consort Zhuang, don’t you agree?"

Princess Consort Zhuang: "..."

Yan Yu immediately nodded in agreement, had her people take Wanqiu, Ying Chun, and all involved personnel from both palaces away, then bowed and withdrew herself.

Once Yan Yu left, the atmosphere wasn’t as tense, but neither Han Jinyi nor An Fangyi looked pleased.

Princess Consort Zhuang glanced at Consort Shu and was about to say something when she heard Consort Shu declare, "Since the Palace Justice Department has taken over, we just have to wait for news. Everyone is dismissed."

Princess Consort Zhuang: "..."

Consort Shu took the lead and swept away with her attendants. With her magnificent robes, elaborate coiffure, and bold expression, who would dare to stop her?

With Consort Shu gone, Princess Consort Zhuang couldn’t stay either and left in a huff.

Song Yunzhao glanced at Qin Xiyue, who was looking down with her head slightly bowed, her expression hidden. It was impossible to know what she was thinking.

Whatever she was thinking, Song Yunzhao had no interest in finding out. Among those remaining, she held the highest rank. She made no effort to hide it, walking directly to Han Jinyi’s side and announcing, "I’ve been sitting for so long I’ve grown thirsty. I’m going to your hall to ask for a cup of tea, Han Guipin."

Han Jinyi immediately agreed and turned to lead the way.

The remaining people looked at each other uncertainly. An Fangyi’s expression was the foulest of all. Ignoring Qin Xiyue beside her, she stormed back to Feishuang Hall.

Seeing this, Qin Xiyue turned and left as well. The rest of the crowd quickly dispersed.

Feng Yunjin watched Lu Pin head toward the main hall, thought for a moment, and followed her.

Lu Zhixue had been forcing herself to stay quiet just now, afraid her big mouth would only make things worse for Han Jinyi. Now that they were inside the hall with no outsiders present, she couldn’t hold back anymore. "This whole thing is obviously a setup! A blind man could see it! But I don’t get what An Fangyi has against Han Jinyi. It’s not like she dug up her family’s ancestral graves!"

Everyone: "..."

’That’s our Lu Zhixue, all right!’

Han Jinyi deliberately placed a soft cushion behind Song Yunzhao’s back. Hearing Lu Zhixue’s outburst, she invited everyone to sit before speaking slowly, "Right now, I can’t guess An Fangyi’s motive either. We’ve always minded our own business. If I had to pinpoint a reason, it’s probably because I live in the main hall."

Feng Yunjin shook her head slightly. "Living in the main hall was His Majesty’s decree. Besides, although An Fangyi’s rank is higher than yours, she angered His Majesty before we even entered the palace. If it weren’t for Duke An’s sake, she wouldn’t have even kept her title as Fangyi. Any concubine of the fourth-rank or higher can be the master of a palace. An Fangyi is third-rank, so she could have moved into a main hall long ago, yet she has always remained in Feishuang Hall. Why? It must be His Majesty’s will. Therefore, even if you are now living in the main hall as a Noble Consort, An Fangyi has no grounds to take her anger out on you."

"Feng Yunjin has a point," Lu Zhixue nodded. "Anyway, I’ve always found An Fangyi to be passive-aggressive. The way she looks at people is unsettling too. It must have been so hard for you, having to live with her for so long."