Chapter 648 - 426: Asking An Xiaoyi for a Favor

Chapter 648: Chapter 426: Asking An Xiaoyi for a Favor

"Go and investigate who Lingshuang has been in contact with recently," Song Yunzhao said to Shizhu. "Find out who in the palace she held a grudge against, or who she was close to. Start your investigation from before the fire. Also, have Zhang Maoquan look into whether she has any family left. If she does, find out if she’s contacted them recently."

People always leave traces.

"Go see if Feng Xiaoyuan is free right now. If she is, please ask her to come here," Song Yunzhao added.

Shizhu acknowledged the order and turned to leave. Xiangxue, noticing her mistress’s troubled expression, whispered, "Mistress, do you suspect this wasn’t an accident?"

Song Yunzhao nodded slightly. "How can there be so many accidents in this world? And for the same person to be involved twice... that’s too much of a coincidence."

"But I secretly investigated Lingshuang after the fire, and there was truly nothing unusual about her," Xiangxue said, unable to understand why.

Song Yunzhao’s heart sank further. "The fact that we can’t find anything is the most terrifying part. Perhaps Lingshuang really is innocent, but there’s definitely a hand guiding things from behind the scenes. We just can’t see it yet."

Xiangxue grew worried as well. "Both incidents targeted Feng Xiaoyuan. Mistress, if there really is a mastermind, I’m afraid they’re actually aiming for you."

Now that she was facing the situation head-on, Song Yunzhao was no longer afraid. She let out a cold laugh. "If they have the guts, let them come for me. I’d like to see what kind of monster they are. I don’t care if they’re human or ghost—if they dare to reach out, I’ll dare to chop their hand off."

’What’s the use in being afraid?’

’The only solution is to drag them out into the open.’

More than half an hour later, Feng Yunjin arrived in a hurry, her face etched with fatigue. "I greet Your Ladyship."

"Please, sit and talk," Yun Zhao said quickly, then had Xiangxue bring tea. "Have some tea first. You don’t look well."

Feng Yunjin cast aside her decorum and gulped down the tea in one go. The temperature was just right, a testament to Xiangxue’s attentiveness.

The warm tea settled in her stomach, and she finally felt a bit better.

Xiangxue stepped forward to refill her cup before retreating to the side.

"What did Consort Shu have to say?" Song Yunzhao asked.

At the mention of this, Feng Yunjin’s expression soured further. "Lady Shufei said the heavy rain washed away all the evidence, so it can only be ruled an accident. However, that’s just the official story. She’ll still have people investigate secretly, but there’s no telling what they might find."

Song Yunzhao was a bit surprised. "Consort Shu is actually willing to keep investigating?"

Feng Yunjin nodded and gave a helpless smile. "Lady Shufei probably thinks my luck has been terrible lately, getting caught up in two major incidents like this. She even laughed and told me to go to a temple and burn some incense to get rid of the bad luck."

’A temple?’

A glint appeared in Song Yunzhao’s eyes. She looked at Feng Yunjin and asked, "Has there been any news about Xu Ji from the Imperial Awakening Temple?"

Feng Yunjin was a little surprised that Yun Zhao had suddenly brought up Xu Mingying. She shook her head and said, "My mother sent word that Xu Ji is doing as usual at the Imperial Awakening Temple. She attends morning and evening prayers with the temple residents, often copies scriptures to offer before the Buddha, and hasn’t contacted anyone from the outside world since she entered the temple."

Song Yunzhao’s brows furrowed tightly. ’Could I really have been wrong?’

"She’s adapted that well?"

"Yes, it sounds a bit incredible, doesn’t it? Before entering the palace, Xu Ji was the apple of her family’s eye," Feng Yunjin said.

Song Yunzhao looked at Feng Yunjin. "You think something’s not right, don’t you?"

Feng Yunjin gave a faint smile. "For someone who has never known hardship to be able to do all this without the slightest sign of distress... it is indeed a bit hard to believe."

"If that’s the case, then I’m afraid there’s something we aren’t seeing," Song Yunzhao said with a frown.

"I’ve already sent a letter home, asking them to keep an eye on her," Feng Yunjin said. She couldn’t be sure if Xu Mingying was involved yet; it was only a suspicion.

"Alright. Let’s feed some information to the Imperial Awakening Temple," Song Yunzhao said lightly. "Just say that Lingshuang fell into the water but was lucky enough to be rescued."

Feng Yunjin was stunned for a moment, then clapped her hands and laughed. "That’s an excellent idea! If Xu Ji isn’t involved, she certainly won’t pay any attention to this news."

On the other hand, if Xu Mingying was involved, she would surely be shocked that Lingshuang survived. If they bribed Lingshuang, they would have to worry about what she might say.

And once they start to worry, they are bound to make a move.

Using false information to fish for a reaction was a clever tactic.

"But how do we get the news to her without arousing suspicion?" Feng Yunjin asked with a frown.

"Since there have been so many incidents in the palace lately, we should invite the abbot of the Imperial Awakening Temple to perform a ceremony to dispel the bad luck," Song Yunzhao said, looking at Feng Yunjin. "I will report this matter to the Emperor and request he issue a decree."

Feng Yunjin nodded. "I will handle the other arrangements. Should we inform Lady Shufei?"

Song Yunzhao shook her head. "The situation is still unclear. This matter goes from my mouth to your ears, and no one else needs to know."

Feng Yunjin’s expression turned grave. "I understand. I’m sorry to have troubled Your Ladyship with my affairs."

Song Yunzhao looked at Feng Yunjin. "You don’t have to say that. The mastermind might be targeting me, and you were merely caught in the crossfire because of me."

Feng Yunjin smiled and shook her head. "No matter what, I will get to the bottom of this."

People were trying to walk all over her, one after another, but she wasn’t one to be trifled with.

Feng Yunjin quickly stood and took her leave. Yun Zhao sent someone to deliver a message to Taixi Hall.

Just as Feng Yunjin left Yaohua Palace, she was summoned by people from Shouci Palace.

Yun Zhao received the news shortly after. She knew the Empress Dowager was going to use this as a pretext to make trouble. Not knowing how long she’d have to wait for Feng Yi to be free, she headed directly for Shouci Palace herself.

However, just as she was about to reach Shouci Palace, Song Yunzhao paused and said to Xiangxue, "Go see if An Xiaoyi is in Feishuang Hall right now. If she is, ask her to come."

"Yes."

Xiangxue immediately headed for Huayang Palace. Before long, Yun Zhao saw Xiangxue returning with An Shutong.

An Shutong stepped forward to greet Song Yunzhao. "I greet Lady Ming."

"An Xiaoyi, there’s no need for such formalities. Please rise," Song Yunzhao said.

An Shutong rose. "May I ask what instructions Your Ladyship has for me?"

"The Empress Dowager has summoned Feng Xiaoyuan to Shouci Palace. I’m afraid Her Majesty is displeased about the Yanqing Palace maid falling into the water. I was thinking that since An Xiaoyi is the Empress Dowager’s own niece, it would be better if you were willing to put in a good word for her," Song Yunzhao said with a helpless expression.

An Shutong was slightly taken aback. She hadn’t expected Song Yunzhao to do this for Feng Yunjin—to be willing to lower herself before her for Feng Yunjin’s sake. This filled her with complicated feelings.

"Since Your Ladyship has commanded it, I am naturally willing to do my best. However, my words carry little weight. If I cannot achieve what Your Ladyship desires, I beg for your forgiveness."

"Of course. Rest assured, An Xiaoyi. I am not the type to misplace my anger."

Hearing Song Yunzhao’s veiled accusation, An Xiaoyi’s chest tightened. ’Isn’t she just saying the Empress Dowager is the one who misplaces her anger?’