Chapter 661 - 439: So Young, Yet So Ambitious

Chapter 661: Chapter 439: So Young, Yet So Ambitious

What else could Song Yunzhao say? Bad luck always seemed to take a detour when it came to her.

"Did you see the palace maid’s face?"

"To avoid being discovered, she didn’t dare get too close. The palace maid had her back to her while speaking with Qin Wan Yi, so she couldn’t see her face."

"Would she recognize her if she saw her again?"

’She didn’t see the face, but maybe the silhouette would be of some use.’

Nanny Yu shook her head. "It was too brief, so I can’t say for sure if she’d be able to recognize her. The palace maids are all of a similar height and build. Unless you’ve known someone for a long time, it’s hard to identify them just from their back."

Song Yunzhao knew this was true. She sighed softly and said, "What a pity. Even if she can’t identify her right away, she must have some impression. Have her walk around the gardens more often and see if she can find the person. Also, send another sharp one to secretly watch Qin Wan Yi. Now that contact has been made, there’s bound to be a next time."

"That’s all we can do," Nanny Yu nodded. "The only question is when Qin Wan Yi will make her next move."

’That woman is incredibly patient.’

"What about Xu Ji? Still no movement from her?"

"Not for now. But she did send a letter to her family. Marchioness Wu Xin is preparing to visit Xu Ji in the next couple of days."

"Tell the Feng family to pay close attention. It would be best if they could find out what they talk about," Yun Zhao said. ’It’s difficult to plant people inside the Imperial Awakening Temple, and the servants attending Xu Ji are the ones who went with her from the palace.’

’Trying to bribe someone under these circumstances would be too conspicuous.’

"As soon as I got the news, I sent word to the Feng family," Nanny Yu said with a smile. "But Mrs. Feng must already know about this. Even if we hadn’t said anything, she would be paying attention."

Song Yunzhao felt more at ease. "Then let’s wait."

’Qin Xiyue is extremely cunning and cautious. Luring her out won’t be easy. One careless move could tip her off.’

’If we startle her, who knows how long we’ll have to wait for her to make another move.’

’So, we can’t act rashly.’

Song Yunzhao was no longer anxious. Things had already come this far, and she now had a faint inkling that perhaps Qin Xiyue’s ultimate goal was to come to Jincui Garden for the summer retreat.

But what the purpose of this summer retreat was, she still couldn’t guess.

After all, this was a plotline that didn’t exist in the book. She could only rely on her own abilities to contend with her.

Although An Fangyi and Qin Xiyue didn’t interact frequently, they had always been in contact. When An Fangyi fell ill this time, Yun Zhao should have realized it then.

’I was too careless. An Fangyi’s illness was just a pretense. The real goal was to bring about this summer retreat to Jincui Garden.’

From the Empress Dowager’s move against Xu Ji, to Xu Ji leaving the palace, to the fire at Yanqing Palace, Lingshuang’s drowning, and then An Fangyi’s illness... piece by piece, these events seemed unrelated, but upon closer reflection, they were not without a connection.

’Qin Xiyue must have played a key role in all of this.’ Song Yunzhao now suspected that perhaps Qin Xiyue had even had a hand in the Empress Dowager’s initial decision to single out Xu Ji.

That evening, after everyone in Yaohua Palace had gathered, Song Yunzhao specially called them all together. She warned them not to be careless while working in the garden. Furthermore, at Qingyao Palace, the number of people on duty could never be an odd number. This was especially true for those guarding the palace gates, who were not to leave their posts for any reason.

"If something comes up, you must find someone to cover for you. Otherwise, if something goes wrong, I want you to think not just about your own lives, but about your families as well."

It wasn’t that Yun Zhao was threatening them. At such a critical juncture, and given Qin Xiyue’s uncanny protagonist halo, she was genuinely afraid an accident might happen.

’I’m no saint, so naturally, I’ll do whatever it takes.’

’So what if I threaten them?’

’As long as they remain loyal, aren’t bought off, and don’t collude with outsiders, I’ll ensure they return home in glory and splendor when they leave the palace.’

Song Yunzhao looked at Anshun. "This applies especially to the Eldest Prince’s side. No matter where the Eldest Prince goes, not a single person attending him can be missing. I’ll say it again: if you feel unwell or have an emergency, you must find a replacement. Otherwise, if anything happens to the Eldest Prince, none of you will escape. Don’t think that if one person makes a mistake, the others can get away with it. Everyone on duty together will be held accountable."

This was akin to collective punishment. It was harsh, but very effective.

People on the same shift would now secretly watch their colleagues. If someone was really bought off and their shift-mates discovered something, they would immediately deal with the threat for their own safety, rather than hang back and claim it was none of their business.

Only by tying all of them tightly to the same boat could her and her son’s safety be guaranteed.

This was the first time they had seen Her Highness so severe since they began serving her. But no one thought it was excessive. As long as they didn’t betray their master, what did this matter?

Everyone answered in unison.

Song Yunzhao nodded in satisfaction. "You will all have to work hard during this summer retreat in the garden. When we return to the palace, I will reward you handsomely."

Everyone cheered, overjoyed.

Seeing that no one was resentful, Yun Zhao was pleased. She immediately had Nanny Yu reward each person with ten taels of silver and then ordered the Clothing Bureau to make an extra set of clothes for each of them.

Now everyone was even happier, their voices ringing out with endless thanks.

Yun Zhao breathed a sigh of relief. ’As long as the fence is built tight, no pests will be able to sneak in.’

After dismissing everyone, Yun Zhao held a private meeting with Anshun, Zhang Maoquan, and Nanny Yu. Xiangxue and Shizhu listened in. The main point was that as her trusted confidants, they needed to be even more careful with their words and actions, remain vigilant, and watch over everyone else.

They shouldn’t let anyone be bullied, nor should anyone turn out to be a traitor.

By the time she was done, Feng Ze had woken up from his nap. He now remembered fishing and started clamoring to go.

He even insisted that Yun Zhao go with him.

Song Yunzhao was starting to realize her son was a classic case of sweet on the outside, cunning on the inside. He knew she was terrible at fishing and wanted her to come along just so he could show off his skills.

’He’s not very big, but his ego sure is.’

But Yun Zhao still happily went with her son. Being a fishing companion—she was an expert at that.

Today, Song Yunzhao didn’t even bother with a fishing rod. She just sat under a parasol, eating and drinking, while watching the little guy’s hands work as if he had the Midas touch. One fish after another landed in the bucket.

Watching this, Song Yunzhao suddenly felt amused.

’Even though I’m fated to be a supporting character, my son’s luck is so good. Maybe his destiny in this novel’s world will be better than mine.’

After all, he was a person who didn’t originally exist in the book. But now he was here, and he was the Emperor’s Imperial First Son. His status and position gave him a much higher starting point than hers.

’I wonder if, by piggybacking on the luck of the male lead and my son, I’ll be able to completely take down Qin Xiyue this time.’

’I have to be extremely careful with my plans this time. If I let Qin Xiyue get away again, I might as well just run into a wall and transmigrate back.’