Chapter 738 - 516: Displaced Anger

Chapter 738: Chapter 516: Displaced Anger

Song Yunzhao was able to suspect Zhao Ling’e right away because she had a "golden finger"—she knew Zhao Ling’e’s plotline from the book and could deduce the Zhao Family’s ambitions.

As for Consort Shu and Princess Consort Zhuang, for now, they only saw Zhao Ling’e as someone from a family of upper-middle standing. Her father was quite renowned in literary circles, she herself was stunningly beautiful, had a good temperament, and was kind to others. After entering the palace, she had maintained friendly relations with many concubines.

Her overall score was an eight out of ten or higher.

However, Yun Zhao’s dislike for Zhao Ling’e—or rather, the Empress Dowager’s favoritism toward Zhao Ling’e—was seen by them as the reason for Yun Zhao’s animosity.

They were clearer than anyone about the grudges between Yun Zhao and the Empress Dowager.

It was perfectly logical that she would transfer her anger.

Therefore, although they had a decent impression of Zhao Ling’e, they never thought of getting close to her or having any dealings with her.

Overall, Zhao Ling’e’s impression in the eyes of the three concubines was actually quite good.

After a careful comparison, Yun Zhao couldn’t help but be amused.

’As expected of the woman who, in the book, could maneuver her daughter onto the throne of the Crown Princess Consort. She can quickly find an opening from a disadvantageous position and turn the tables with incredible speed.’

Yun Zhao didn’t mention this to Feng Yi yet. He had been busy with the military provisions case these past few days. Every day, ministers were sent to the Three Judicial Departments for questioning, and a state of panic and suspicion gripped the court. Feng Yi was naturally in a foul mood, so he had sent word that he wouldn’t be visiting the harem for a while.

Yun Zhao understood. When a person was in a towering rage, it was always difficult to calm their emotions.

Feng Yi was afraid of frightening her and Feng Yun. As for Feng Ze, that kid was so bold that there was no need to worry about him.

There was still no news from Zhang Maoquan, but Yun Zhao learned from Nanny Yu that Fu Shiyin, the Minister of Industry, had also been taken away for questioning.

Song Yunzhao was very surprised. "What does the Ministry of Industry have to do with the border city?"

The involvement of the Minister of Industry was very strange.

Nanny Yu said softly, "The specifics aren’t very clear, but I heard it’s related to the construction in the border city."

If that was the case, then there really was a connection.

Yun Zhao frowned. The number of people being implicated was truly growing, and she began to feel a faint sense of unease.

’In any case, when I read the book, there wasn’t this much commotion.’

But on second thought, it made sense. In the book, Grand Tutor Qin was still secure at court, the Left and Right Ministers were evenly matched, the new policies weren’t implemented so quickly, and the incident with Ling Yunhe delivering grain never happened. So, one thing had led to another, creating the current situation.

Song Yunzhao: ... ℴ

’It seems the first gust of wind that stirred the butterfly’s wings started with me.’

It was precisely because of Xie Jinshu and Ling Yunhe’s grain purchase that the curtain was pulled back on the illegal resale of military provisions from the border city.

In truth, being an emperor was far from easy. The great Emperor Kangxi fought for eight years to suppress the Revolt of the Three Feudatories and endured for years to eliminate Oboi. Not to mention, of all the emperors in history renowned for their civil and military achievements, which one of them had everything go their way?

A plot where you breeze through everything on easy mode only works in books.

Unfortunately, Song Yunzhao had transmigrated into the book, and in her struggle to survive, many plotlines had already changed.

’An easy-mode plot... for a side character like me? Am I even worthy?’

’In any case, my journey to this point has been filled with countless tears and hardships.’

She still clearly remembered the story of the filial and fraternal Zhang Gongyi of Yunzhou from the *Old Tang Book*. The book recorded that Zhang Gongyi of Yunzhou lived with nine generations of his family under one roof. The entire household numbered a hundred people, with fathers being kind and sons filial, brothers living in harmony, husbands and wives being amicable, and sisters-in-law having no disputes.

When Emperor Gaozong was on his way to perform the Feng and Shan sacrifices at Mount Taishan, he passed through Yunzhou and made a special visit to the Zhang family to ask about their method of managing the household.

How did Zhang Gongyi answer?

Oh, he wrote the character for "endurance" over a hundred times and presented it to the Emperor.

See? No matter how glorious they appeared on the outside or how splendid their reputation, even such families had a hundred kinds of suffering within.

If a single family was like this, let alone an entire nation.

It’s easy to be a fatuous ruler; you just do whatever you want.

Unfortunately, Feng Yi wanted to be a wise ruler, and that was not easy.

Ever since Qin Xiyue disappeared from her world, Yun Zhao knew that if she wanted to go further and secure her son’s leading position, she too had to adapt to the changing environment.

She was already quietly managing her reputation. She had established the Baozhuang Building and paid taxes to the state, and she had established the Treasure Pearl Building without competing with the common people for profit. All of this was to reverse her public image among the populace.

She couldn’t spend her whole life as just an Imperial Concubine who jealously monopolized the Emperor. If she wanted her son to legitimately become the Crown Prince, she had to ascend to the empress’s throne.

A good reputation was something that money couldn’t buy.

But Zhao Ling’e was born at the finish line. The Zhao Family had a spotless reputation accumulated over generations. Why would they mobilize the entire clan to send her into the palace in the Zhao name?

’Surely it wasn’t for her to become some irrelevant minor concubine.’

Song Yunzhao sighed. It was as if this world of the book was determined to make her stick to the path of the villainous side character, pitting her against a family like the Zhaos and a person like Zhao Ling’e.

’Competing with them on reputation—isn’t that just pitting my weakness against their strength?’

’I would definitely be the one to lose out.’

Song Yunzhao opened a storybook in her study, hoping to clear her head, but she couldn’t read a single word.

Her mind was completely filled with the current incident and how she should respond to it.

"Your Highness, Chief Steward Zhang has returned."

Song Yunzhao’s eyes lit up. She immediately rose and walked outside, where she saw Zhang Maoquan already waiting in the hall.

"Your Highness, this servant has made inquiries. Mr. Zhao is indeed from a collateral branch of the Jiangnan Zhao Family, but the connection is very distant, almost beyond the five degrees of mourning," Zhang Maoquan reported.

The other shoe that Song Yunzhao had been waiting for finally dropped. She let out a long sigh of relief, and the color returned to her face.

’I knew it. Zhao Liangren was practically invisible in the palace for years. Why has she suddenly become active again? So, she thinks she’s found a powerful backer.’

’The Jiangnan Zhao Family...’

Song Yunzhao sneered. She was a villainous side character, and since this book world insisted she stay on this path, she might as well fight to the end.

’So what if it’s the Zhao Family?’

’Others might not know the Zhao Family’s true face, but I do!’

No matter how well Zhao Ling’e disguised herself, she couldn’t hide the Zhao Family’s ambition.

With this thought, Song Yunzhao actually felt more relaxed.

’Bring it on.’

"After Beauty Zhao entered the palace, she befriended quite a few concubines. Zhao Liangren was one of them. It didn’t seem conspicuous, and there was nothing out of the ordinary," Zhang Maoquan added.

Song Yunzhao wasn’t surprised. She looked at Zhang Maoquan and said, "Spread the news about the relationship between Beauty Zhao and Zhao Liangren. The two of them have been associating for so long, yet no one in the palace even knows they’re from the same clan."

’When this news gets out, what will people think?’

’A relationship almost beyond the five degrees of mourning is distant, but it’s not something that needs to be hidden. Why didn’t Zhao Ling’e ever mention it?’

"Wait." Song Yunzhao called Zhang Maoquan back. "Also, spread the reason why Zhao Liangren was placed in confinement. Remember, first let people know that Beauty Zhao and Zhao Liangren are from the same clan, and then bring up the matter of Zhao Liangren spreading rumors."

With this cause-and-effect established, no one in the palace was a fool. They would naturally be able to guess a few things.

’If Zhao Ling’e wants a good reputation, she’ll have to get past me first!’