Chapter 630 - 408: A Great Disturbance

Chapter 630: Chapter 408: A Great Disturbance

Perhaps it was because all of Ji Yunting’s skills were outstanding. Although there were always signs of political disagreement between the Left Minister and the Emperor, Ji Yunting’s methods were completely different from his father’s. Feng Yi found him quite effective; no matter what task was assigned, he always performed it well.

Even though Feng Yi strongly disliked the Left Minister, he didn’t take that anger out on Ji Yunting.

Song Yunzhao tsked inwardly. ’The author really favors this Ji Yunting character, giving him exceptional looks, plenty of intelligence, and ample charm.’

’It’s a good thing he made a clean break with Qin Xiyue. Otherwise, no matter how outstanding he was, if he opposed me, I’d have to deal with him.’

’Now that he and Xie Linlang are on good terms, he’s practically on my side. As long as he doesn’t work against me, I can turn a blind eye.’

After the Emperor returned to the palace, the harem remained calm. After all, the Emperor was incredibly busy with state affairs. He rarely even visited Yaohua Palace, more often having the Eldest Prince brought to Taixi Hall instead.

As for Taiji Palace, Song Yunzhao was now intentionally avoiding it and rarely went over.

The final outcome of the Marquis Wuxin Mansion affair left her impressed. Xu Anchen had convinced Marquis Wuxin, and the Marquis Mansion had divided its household.

As the eldest son, Xu Anchen naturally remained in the Marquis Mansion. Xu Anshi was born of a concubine, and his birth mother, Aunt Zhao, had long since fallen out of favor. However, because of their long-standing intimacy, she and Marquis Wuxin still shared some affection, so life for the mother and son was still decent.

Marchioness Wu Xin naturally disliked them, but because Marquis Wuxin looked after them, their life was manageable. Although Xu Anshi wasn’t particularly accomplished, the Marquis had secured an official post for him and he had married a wife. Now that they were splitting off from the main household, they would live a comfortable life on their own.

The most displeased person was Xu Anxing. As the youngest son, he had always been doted on by his mother and was strongly against dividing the household. However, Marquis Wuxin had made up his mind. Still, he was the youngest child, one the Marquis had cherished as he grew up, and he was born of the official wife. So, to appease Xu Anxing, the Marquis gave him a large residence in a good location.

Xu Anxing initially didn’t want to move out, but Yan Liu was delighted. Once they separated, the Third Young Master would be the master of his own house, no longer constrained by the Marquis and Marchioness. She herself had borne him two sons, and although she had been constantly suppressed by the Marchioness and had yet to be officially promoted to concubine, that would change. Once they moved out, the Third Young Master would be in charge, and she could quickly become a proper concubine.

So, Yan Liu began her pillow talk. She argued that if they stayed in the Marquis Mansion, they would be viewed with suspicion by the Princely Heir, and the Third Young Master wouldn’t be able to make his own decisions about his own household’s affairs. It would be better to move out and be their own masters. Then, the Third Young Master could do whatever he wanted.

As for the unfavored Third Young Mistress, Yan Liu paid her no mind at all. ’Once we move out,’ she thought, ’I’d better give birth to another son. All of the Third Young Master’s sons will be mine. The Third Young Mistress will be nothing more than an empty shell with a title.’

’Then, when I find a way to seize control of the household management, her title as "Mistress" will be an even bigger joke.’

’The enmity between me and Song Qinghan runs deep. I can’t possibly let her make a comeback. If she does, there will be no place left for my sons and me.’

’Only by moving out will I have the chance to completely crush her.’

With Yan Liu’s persuasion, Xu Anxing finally agreed to the household division and moved into the new residence in a sulk.

When Song Yunzhao heard about this, she couldn’t help but think that this Yan Liu was truly formidable. ’To be able to make a comeback even now... Last time, Song Qinghan nearly crushed her, but here she is, full of life again.’

’I know better than anyone what kind of character Song Qinghan is. To think she’d run into someone like Yan Liu in this life... How interesting.’

’The two of them are really two of a kind, evenly matched.’

’If Song Qinghan is losing, her only disadvantage is the lack of any emotional foundation with Xu Anxing. Furthermore, she was too hasty in trying to get rid of Yan Liu right after she married in, which made Xu Anxing grow to detest her.’

’It’s not impossible for her to turn the tables. Moving into a separate residence is an opportunity. It all depends on whether she can seize it.’

’I’m certainly not going to give her any hints. The only reason I haven’t dealt with her already is for her father’s sake.’

The matter in Yan City kept everyone busy for over a month. When Ji Yunting returned from his investigation, it caused a huge uproar in the court, as it turned out to involve a military corruption case.

Song Yunzhao only had Zhang Maoquan send a pot of soup to Taixi Hall every day. The soup was different each time; she had the head chef of the Imperial Kitchen create a menu of nourishing soups, but she herself no longer went.

Before the first snow of winter, Feng Yi used the Yan City granary case to conduct a major purge of the military. Even Prince Zhenbei was implicated and reprimanded by the Emperor. Prince Zhenbei took the opportunity to plead for his crimes and offered to resign his military post, which the Emperor naturally did not accept.

But Song Yunzhao knew. ’Prince Zhenbei is retreating in order to advance. He’s setting an example for everyone in the military to see.’

’Tsk.’

’So how could a man like this possibly have that pair of troublesome children from the book? For the siblings He Lan Yun and He Lan Yue to meet such an end... you can’t just blame it on a lax upbringing. This is purely a case of the author nerfing their intelligence.’

’Now, He Lan Yun has avoided the disaster that is Ji Yunting, married Duke Qin, and is living a sweet and happy life. He Lan Yue has also married and been thrown into the army by his father to be tempered. I hear he’s very motivated. If he gets a chance to go to war and earn military honors, he’ll be promoted smoothly.’

’Official posts in the military are few and far between. To get promoted, you have to achieve merit.’

’I figure that Prince Zhenbei is cooperating with the Emperor to establish authority and clean out the rot in the military precisely to pave the way for his son’s future. With the Emperor’s upcoming northern tour, he must have designs on Beiming. If war breaks out, the Emperor will turn a blind eye if the Prince slips his son into the ranks.’

Song Yunzhao smiled faintly. ’It seems that by avoiding the pitfall that is the female protagonist, the lives of all these supporting characters have become much smoother.’

’The only one who’s still in a daze is Song Qinghan. Whether she can turn things around this time will depend on if she can establish herself after moving into her own residence.’

"My Lady, Noble Lady Xu has fallen ill," Xiangxue said, her expression grave. "Someone from Lady Shufei’s side came to pass on a message. They said if she hadn’t been discovered early, things might have turned out very badly."

Song Yunzhao put down the account book in her hand and turned to look at Xiangxue. "Wang Zhaorong didn’t notice anything unusual?"

’Knowing Wang Zhaorong’s personality, how could she not have noticed anything at all?’

’Something’s definitely off.’

Xiangxue shook her head. "Should I make a trip to Zhaoyang Palace, then?"

Her master was now one of the three concubines; if something truly happened to Noble Lady Xu, she would have to bear some of the responsibility.

Song Yunzhao nodded. "Go quietly. First, talk to Wang Zhaorong and find out what’s going on." She rose to her feet as she spoke. "I’ll make a trip to Cuiwei Palace."

’Once the Marquis Wuxin Mansion divided its household, it meant they wouldn’t be joining forces with the Empress Dowager. The Empress Dowager would surely take her anger out on Xu Mingying, but I didn’t expect Xu Mingying’s misfortune to arrive so quickly.’

’But it’s not yet certain if the Empress Dowager was behind this. I need to find out the truth first.’

The master and servant split up. Song Yunzhao left Feng Ze in the care of Nanny Qi and Nanny Yu, then wrapped herself in a thick cloak and headed out into the biting wind.