Chapter 393 - 171: Filing a Complaint, She Relentlessly Seizes Every Opportunity

Chapter 393: Chapter 171: Filing a Complaint, She Relentlessly Seizes Every Opportunity

This matter wasn’t major, but it wasn’t trivial either. The central figure was Ying Chun, but behind Ying Chun was Han Jinyi, and behind Han Jinyi was Song Yunzhao.

If Song Yunzhao couldn’t protect Ying Chun, it would reflect poorly on her. At the very least, her credibility and standing in the eyes of everyone in the harem would decline.

As Song Yunzhao had predicted, Feng Yi came over that very night.

The two hadn’t seen each other in several days. At the sudden sight of him, Song Yunzhao was a bit dazed. The Emperor looked as if he’d been indulging in debauchery, sleepless for days on end. If she didn’t know he had been diligently handling state affairs in Taiji Palace, she might have suspected him of some sordid business.

Song Yunzhao immediately feigned concern, quickly stepping forward and looking him over as she spoke, "Your Majesty, you don’t look well. What have you been so busy with these past few days to end up like this? Where is Meng Jiuchang? What’s the point of having him around!"

Feng Yi saw the displeasure clouding Yun Zhao’s face. He took her hand and led her into the inner chamber. "Court affairs have been rather demanding lately, but my health is fine. You don’t need to worry."

"How could I not worry seeing you like this? Your Majesty, I know you are in good health and full of vigor, but you can’t keep abusing your body like this." ’Song Yunzhao was taking this very seriously. The Emperor was her one and only lifeline in the harem, an irreplaceable pillar of support for years to come. He absolutely could not afford to have any health problems.’

She had even used the word "abuse." Feng Yi was half exasperated, half amused. Then he noticed Yun Zhao’s hand was trembling slightly. He was stunned for a moment, not expecting her to be so frightened. After a brief pause, he came to his senses. Looking at her red-rimmed eyes, he said softly, "Alright, it’s my fault. I’ll be more careful next time."

Hearing this, Song Yunzhao tilted her head, feigning embarrassment as she burrowed into Feng Yi’s embrace. "I’ve lost my composure. Please don’t be cross with me, Your Majesty."

"I won’t," Feng Yi said, gently patting Yun Zhao’s back to soothe her. "Zhang Maoquan told me you’ve run into a bit of trouble?"

’Zhang Maoquan really is tactful and clever,’ Song Yunzhao thought. She said softly, "It’s nothing major. Your Majesty is already overwhelmed with court affairs; there’s no need for you to trouble yourself with such a trivial matter. Since you’ve come to Wangyou Palace, you should just rest."

Feng Yi chuckled softly, a strange emotion swirling in the depths of his dark eyes. Song Yunzhao was the first person to ever put him first, always and without fail. To her, he was the most important person in the world.

The sensation was new to Feng Yi, and it filled him with a warmth that was mixed with an indescribable emotion, churning in his heart.

"Your problems are my problems," he said. "I know your character. Since you believe Noble Consort Han’s attendant did not steal anything, I believe you."

’Song Yunzhao was stunned. Just listen to that! What kind of doting, foolish ruler says things like that... Bah! What kind of divine sweet nothings are these?’

’Oh, my fluttering heart. I can hardly contain it.’

’Now that the Emperor had made his stance so clear, of course she had to give him the chance to be her hero.’ So, she immediately adopted an aggrieved tone and said, "Ultimately, this undeserved disaster for Noble Consort Han might have been caused by me."

The hand Feng Yi was using to pat Yun Zhao’s shoulder paused. "Don’t say that," he said a moment later. "This principle applies not just in the harem, but to the officials in the court as well. If you encounter a storm you cannot withstand, regardless of the reason, it is a sign of your own weakness. Noble Consort Han is close to you; she should have been prepared for this long ago."

Song Yunzhao: ...

’Holy crap, those are the words of a true scumbag.’

’But I love it.’

"Noble Consort Han and I became good friends right after entering the palace. She’s different from the others, so I can’t just stand by and do nothing this time. Fortunately, I was quick-witted and immediately called the Palace Supervisor to investigate."

Hearing Yun Zhao’s smug tone, Feng Yi also smiled and immediately praised her, "You are absolutely right. There’s no need for you to get involved in such a trivial matter. Otherwise, what’s the point of having a Palace Supervisor?"

’No wonder everyone wants to be a favored concubine,’ Song Yunzhao thought. ’This feeling of being spoiled so shamelessly feels incredible.’

’Good thing I’m not a petty person or a villain. Otherwise, Feng Yi might really turn into a doting, foolish ruler.’

Song Yunzhao looked up at Feng Yi, her face beaming with joy, her eyes practically shining. "Your Majesty and I are truly of one mind. I thought the same thing. Besides, my rank is low, so I can’t confront Consort Zhuang head-on. I can only maneuver indirectly."

’This is a hint for the Emperor: ’Promote me after I have this baby!’’

A slight frown creased Feng Yi’s brow. He hadn’t expected Consort Zhuang to get involved either. He said, "Zhang Maoquan is already investigating this matter. You don’t need to worry about the Palace Supervisor, either. I’ll have Meng Jiuchang keep an eye on it."

Of course, Song Yunzhao had no intention of staying out of it, but in front of Feng Yi, she immediately hugged his arm coquettishly. "Your Majesty is the best. With you here, I’m truly not afraid of anything. Your Majesty, you should have seen it! Back at Liu Hua Palace, when Consort Zhuang, Qin Wanyi, and An Fangyi were all ganging up on me, I was a little scared. But the moment I thought of you, I wasn’t afraid of anything anymore."

’Might as well lodge a complaint while I’m at it. How could I let only Consort Zhuang take the heat? Qin Xiyue and An Fangyi aren’t getting away with this either.’

Feng Yi nodded thoughtfully. "I’ve had people look into your uncle’s situation, and we’ve found some leads. It’s connected to Qin Yuanjing. It seems the Qin siblings have been planning this for some time."

Song Yunzhao froze. After a moment of thought, she remembered. Wasn’t Qin Yuanjing the brother of Qin Xiyue?

’The Qin Family was behind what happened to my uncle?’

’That was a bit of a surprise. I thought it was Consort Zhuang and the Empress Dowager working together. I never suspected the Qin Family.’

’See? That’s the power of the female lead for you. She always finds a way to stab you where you least expect it. It’s infuriating!’

’No wonder the female lead, Qin Xiyue, has been so unshakable in the harem. She was taking a different route to deal with me.’

’Tsk.’

Song Yunzhao’s mind raced. She could also hear the Emperor’s dissatisfaction with Qin Yuanjing in his voice. She looked up at him, her face a mask of genuine shock and surprise, and spoke as if muttering to herself, "Why would the Qin Family do this? My uncle never offended them, and Qin Wanyi and I haven’t had any major disagreements in the palace..."

Seeing Yun Zhao like this, Feng Yi’s heart ached for her. He pulled her into his embrace, the tenderness in his eyes so thick it was almost tangible.

Yun Zhao didn’t know the reason, but he had an idea.

It was because Yun Zhao was pregnant.

"I will have Meng Jiuchang investigate this to the very end," Feng Yi said. "I will see that you get justice."

Song Yunzhao wrapped her arms around the Emperor’s waist, which had grown thinner. "I trust that Your Majesty can bring my uncle justice. Though my uncle’s rank is not high, he has served his post with diligence and dedication. This calamity befell him because of me... how can I possibly face my uncle and aunt now? Your Majesty, my family background may not be as illustrious as Qin Wanyi’s, but that gives her no right to attack me so unscrupulously."

When it came to lodging a complaint, she seized every opportunity and showed no mercy.