Chapter 649 - 427: Insatiable Wolves

Chapter 649: Chapter 427: Insatiable Wolves

An Xiaoyi had no desire to follow Ming Fei to Shouci Palace, but she didn’t dare refuse. The favored concubine was all smiles at the moment, but An Xiaoyi had seen with her own eyes how quickly she could turn on someone.

Suppressing her frustration, An Shutong arrived at Shouci Palace with Song Yunzhao.

A Palace Attendant from Shouci Palace immediately went inside to announce them. After quite some time, someone finally came out to invite them in.

Song Yunzhao entered the main hall of Shouci Palace, her expression unreadable. Palace Attendants stood on either side, hands folded and heads bowed. Once inside, she saw Feng Yunjin standing in the hall. Feng Yunjin’s complexion seemed fine, and Song Yunzhao let out a small, internal sigh of relief.

She took a step forward, looked at the Empress Dowager, and said, "I greet Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager. May Your Majesty enjoy boundless fortune and health."

If you were to ask who the Empress Dowager hated most in the entire harem, Song Yunzhao would be number one, with no one daring to claim second place. Yet, even as the Empress Dowager, she couldn’t lay a hand on this vixen. Her "dear son" would likely raise hell if he found out.

Staring at that dazzlingly beautiful face, the Empress Dowager’s expression soured. "Ming Fei, why have you come so suddenly? Is there some matter to attend to?"

Of course, Song Yunzhao couldn’t say she was there for Feng Yunjin. To so blatantly deliver a slap in the face to the Empress Dowager without any open conflict would put her in the wrong, and she would likely come out worse for it.

Song Yunzhao smiled and spoke slowly. "The other day, my sister Consort Shu mentioned to me that the Empress Dowager does not wish to go to the traveling palace to escape the summer heat this year. I was thinking that it is getting rather hot in the palace, and Your Majesty’s health is of the utmost importance. Thus, I came today to seek your guidance. As the weather grows hotter by the day, for the sake of Your Majesty’s health, I would like to invite you to relocate to Jincui Garden for the summer. What does Your Majesty think of the idea?"

After hearing Song Yunzhao’s proposal, the Empress Dowager replied emotionlessly, "Though you mean well, Ming Fei, I have no desire to relocate this year. If you wish to go, feel free to take the Eldest Prince with you."

’It would be better if Song Yunzhao took her son to Jincui Garden. That way, she won’t be such an eyesore in the harem. With her gone, others might finally have a chance to stand out.’

With a perfectly calibrated smile, Song Yunzhao slowly replied, "If Your Majesty the Empress Dowager will not go to Jincui Garden, how could I possibly indulge in such leisure myself?"

As soon as she finished speaking, Song Yunzhao cast a subtle, seemingly unintentional glance toward An Shutong.

An Shutong: ...

’Why is she looking at me?’

’I don’t want to say a single word.’

However, since An Shutong had come along, she had to play her part, like it or not. Suppressing her irritation, she smiled at the Empress Dowager. "Lady Ming means well, but Your Majesty does not wish to relocate at the moment. If the weather is still this scorching in a few days, then for the sake of your health, it might be necessary to stay at Jincui Garden for a little while."

The Empress Dowager shot a look at An Shutong, her expression souring. An Shutong simply offered her a gentle smile, and the Empress Dowager refrained from saying anything further.

Song Yunzhao took the opportunity to make a graceful exit. "In that case, I shall await your word. If Your Majesty has no other commands, I will not disturb your rest any longer. I shall take my leave."

The Empress Dowager said coldly, "You may leave."

Song Yunzhao turned, took a single step, then stopped and looked at Feng Yunjin. "Feng Xiaoyuan, the Empress Dowager is about to rest. What are you still doing standing here? Come and leave with me."

"Yes," Feng Yunjin replied, moving to follow her.

The Empress Dowager: ...

The Empress Dowager was about to erupt in fury, but An Shutong quickly intervened.

Once Song Yunzhao had swaggered away with Feng Yunjin in tow, the Empress Dowager turned to An Shutong. "Fine, just fine. So now you’re in league with her, working against me."

"Aunt, how could I ever think of such a thing?" An Shutong explained hurriedly. "It was Ming Fei who sent someone to Huayang Palace to fetch me, insisting that I come along. I cannot afford an open conflict with her right now, so I had no choice but to accompany her."

The Empress Dowager was still displeased. "You certainly seem to do as she says."

"How could I possibly listen to Ming Fei? In my heart, you are the most important, Aunt," An Shutong said with a gentle smile. "Ming Fei was afraid Feng Yunjin would be mistreated after being summoned to Shouci Palace, so she rushed over to get her. Fortunately, Ming Fei has some discretion. She didn’t mention the real reason for her visit, preserving everyone’s dignity. Since she saved face for you, why should we tear it all down?"

"I get angry just looking at that Feng Xiaoyuan," the Empress Dowager said, displeased. "It hasn’t been long at all, and there have already been two incidents at her Yanqing Palace. It’s just bad luck. With such scandals, what’s wrong with me asking a few questions? But that Ming Fei comes rushing over in a panic."

An Shutong began to gently massage the Empress Dowager’s shoulders, her hands moving steadily as she spoke. "Aunt, Feng Xiaoyuan has always been close to Ming Fei. If Ming Fei had ignored this, it would have broken Feng Xiaoyuan’s heart. A rift would certainly have formed between them, and that’s a result Ming Fei surely wants to avoid."

The Empress Dowager’s gaze grew heavy. Looking at An Shutong, she asked, "What is Qin Wan Yi’s position in all this?"

Hearing the Empress Dowager suddenly bring up Qin Xiyue, An Shutong’s smile didn’t falter in the slightest. "Aunt, you know what kind of person Qin Wan Yi is. Working with her is like asking a tiger for its skin. We cannot rush things; we must proceed slowly."

"You just keep taking it slow. In another year or two, there will be new women entering the palace," the Empress Dowager said, her mood souring at the thought. "You may go as well."

An Shutong did not argue. She simply gave a curtsy, turned, and slowly departed.

Only after she had left Shouci Palace did the smile finally fall from An Shutong’s face. Her light footsteps grew heavy.

"My Lady?" Mu Qing asked, her voice filled with worry. "Are you all right?"

An Shutong sighed softly. "I don’t know when these days will ever end."

Mu Qing’s eyes reddened. ’There probably is no end,’ she thought. ’We just have to bite the bullet and press on.’

But she didn’t dare voice such a thought. Forcing a smile, she said cheerfully, "With the Empress Dowager on your side, things will surely get better and better."

’If I had heard that a few years ago, I might have believed it. Not anymore. Those are just empty words of comfort.’

"Mu Qing, how are you getting along with Fang Ping and Hua Ying? Have you managed to learn anything?" An Shutong changed the subject.

Mu Qing shook her head. "They are Qin Wan Yi’s personal handmaidens, and they’re extremely tight-lipped. I’ve secretly given them plenty of gifts, but I can’t get them to talk. I only ever hear trivial news, nothing of substance."

An Shutong wasn’t surprised in the least. She said blandly, "Of course you won’t find out anything if you just stick to the conventional methods."

Mu Qing froze. Seeing her lady walking further away, she hurried to catch up. ’What does she mean by that?’

’Does she want me to use... other methods?’

After returning to Huayang Palace and seeing her lady off to rest, Mu Qing went to find Yingxue. "What do you think Her Ladyship meant by that? Is it because I’m too useless? I... I’m just a little afraid."

Yingxue looked up at Mu Qing. "Qin Wan Yi and her people are insatiable wolves. Bribing them with gifts is useless."