Chapter 747: It’s Time for Lady Ding to Repay the Favor

Chapter 747 -524: It’s Time for Lady Ding to Repay the Favor

She had always wondered why Zhao Ling’e was so desperate.

Now, Lu Zhixue’s comment about “tucking one’s tail between one’s legs” had cleared the clouds from her mind. That was it. The Zhao Family was so desperate because they wanted to leave Linfeng.

Could it be that the Zhao Family had run into some trouble in Linfeng?

Unfortunately, that part wasn’t in the book.

When the book mentioned Zhao Ling’e, the Zhao Family was even more illustrious than they were now, and they had even produced a Crown Princess Consort. There was no mention of them ever running into any trouble.

‘So, is it because Grand Tutor Qin fell from power? Did the Zhao Family lose their eyes and ears in the Capital City, causing them to hit a wall? Is that why they had no choice but to send their daughter into the palace, to try and replicate my path of winning favor and then carry the Zhao Family out of some danger?’

Song Yunzhao’s heart began to race. She felt she was probably right.

But how could she verify it?

She suddenly thought of Lady Ding!

‘Lady Ding owes me a favor. It’s time for her to repay it!’

She really should have thought of it sooner. Last year, Lady Ding had done some work for the Zhao Family. That must have been when the Zhao Family’s troubles started.

But because she knew from the book that Zhao Ling’e would give birth to a daughter who would become the Crown Princess Consort, she had subconsciously assumed the Zhao Family had deep roots and an unshakable position in Linfeng, and wouldn’t encounter any major difficulties.

‘Talk about not seeing what’s right under your nose. This is a perfect example.’

Song Yunzhao looked at Lu Zhixue. “You all have fun. I have something to take care of, so I’ll be leaving first. We can have tea some other time.”

Seeing that Yun Zhao’s expression was grim, Lu Zhixue quickly said, “Go on and take care of your business. The tea can wait.”

Song Yunzhao nodded and left quickly.

Meanwhile, Honorable Lady Qin watched the Imperial Concubine’s hastily retreating back, feeling a bit lost.

When Lu Zhixue came over, she hurriedly asked, “Ms. Lu, why did the Imperial Consort leave?”

Lu Zhixue said nonchalantly, “The Imperial Concubine suddenly remembered she had something to do. It’s nothing. Let’s continue. Later, when you’ve finished your flower arrangement, have someone send a vase over to Yaohua Palace so the Imperial Consort can see your skill.”

Honorable Lady Qin knew that Lu Fenyi was giving her a chance to make a good impression on the Imperial Consort. She quickly expressed her thanks and began arranging the flowers with great care.

Meanwhile, Yun Zhao returned to Yaohua Palace and immediately summoned Zhang Maoquan. “Go to the Duke Qin Mansion and ask the Duchess of Qin to come to the palace.”

“Yes.” Seeing that Her Ladyship’s expression was grim, Zhang Maoquan didn’t dare say more. He bowed, retreated, and headed straight for the Duke Qin Mansion outside the palace.

Song Yunzhao composed herself and forced herself to calm down. She mentally pieced together the sequence of events, and the more she thought about it, the more she felt her theory made sense.

“Nanny Yu, call Shunzi in,” Yun Zhao called out through the window.

Shunzi was Zhang Maoquan’s apprentice. He had been by his side for several years but had only just started to become a presence in Yaohua Palace this year. It was the first time Yun Zhao had even known he existed.

‘For Zhang Maoquan to bring him before me, he must be reliable.’

Shunzi arrived quickly. “Your Ladyship, what are your orders?”

Shunzi was not very old. Being summoned by the Imperial Concubine this time made him feel a bit apprehensive, and his whole body was tense.

“Shunzi, go to Taixi Hall, find Manager Meng, and pass on a message. Say that I am asking if His Majesty is free to join me for lunch.” Song Yunzhao needed to discuss this with Feng Yi in detail; it was no small matter.

“Yes, I’ll go right away.” Shunzi had been to Taixi Hall many times with his master, so he wasn’t intimidated. He turned and ran.

Yun Zhao’s mind was in a jumble, so she got up to go see Feng Yun.

Feng Yun wasn’t there; he had been taken to the garden to play by his wet nurse.

Song Yunzhao had no choice but to return by herself. Unable to sit still, she stood under the eaves of the corridor, gazing at the sky.

It was a beautiful day. The sky was high and the clouds were vast, with a clear, bright breeze. This time of year was the most comfortable of all four seasons—not too cold, not too hot, with a gentle spring wind.

Her heart gradually calmed. Song Yunzhao even began to wonder, now that Zhao Ling’e had been demoted to the rank of concubine, if the Zhao Family wanted to restore her position, what would they do?

Or rather, how would Zhao Ling’e save herself in the palace? With her intelligence, she would surely come up with a plan.

However, Feng Yi had grown to detest her this time. Trying to get back into the Emperor’s good graces was temporarily impossible for Zhao Ling’e, so she would have to find another way.

Who else in this harem had that kind of power?

The Empress Dowager.

Song Yunzhao almost laughed in exasperation. Why did every single matter in the harem eventually circle back to the Empress Dowager?

Tsk.

‘Every female supporting character has a destined arch-nemesis. My enemy isn’t Qin Xiyue or Zhao Ling’e. As it turns out, it’s the Empress Dowager.’

Song Yunzhao then wondered, if Zhao Ling’e were to use the Empress Dowager to make a comeback, how would she do it?

What could she use to win over the Empress Dowager?

The Empress Dowager was the Emperor’s mother, already the most revered woman in the world. Her only weakness was probably her relentless support for her maternal family, and the utter incompetence of the Gu’en Houfu, who were like mud that could never be plastered onto a wall.

‘What a perfect match.’

If she were to start with the Gu’en Houfu, what would be the most effective approach?

The Empress Dowager wanted the Emperor to heavily rely on and support her maternal family, bestowing upon them titles and ranks so they could enjoy wealth and glory. For the Empress Dowager, her family’s prestige was her own greatest source of dignity.

Although Song Yunzhao couldn’t quite comprehend the Empress Dowager’s way of thinking, she understood one thing: women in ancient times did indeed take pride in their maternal families.

‘But first, your maternal family has to be capable.’

‘Those people from the Gu’en Houfu—what are they capable of besides eating, drinking, and idling away their time?’

At this thought, Yun Zhao let out a soft laugh. If An Shutong had been born a son, perhaps the Gu’en Houfu might have had a chance to climb a little higher.

What a pity.

Thinking of An Shutong, Song Yunzhao’s eyes gleamed. This major supporting female character from the book now lived in the same palace as Zhao Ling’e, and word was that they did not get along at all.

Last time, it was Consort Shu who told her that Zhao Ling’e was bypassing An Shutong to frequently visit the Empress Dowager. The Empress Dowager was an interesting one, too. She disregarded the dignity of her own niece and had even exclusively rewarded Zhao Ling’e several times.

Since the Empress Dowager herself had trampled on her own niece’s dignity, how could Zhao Ling’e possibly hold An Shutong in any regard?

An Shutong was now basically being roasted over a fire.

She guessed the Empress Dowager wanted An Shutong to bow her head, but because of the incident last year when Duchess Gu En brought An Ling into the palace, An Shutong was very displeased with her family and refused to yield.

Therefore, to the Empress Dowager, Zhao Ling’e was a blade used to force An Shutong to submit. She also wanted to see if Zhao Ling’e had the ability to drag her, the Imperial Concubine, down with her.

Unfortunately for the Empress Dowager, she was disappointed.

‘I’ve already cut Zhao Ling’e down in the first round. Whether she can strike back in the second round will depend on how capable she really is.’

As she thought about it, Song Yunzhao found herself amused.

She and the Empress Dowager had been fighting for so many years. They were like two unkillable cockroaches; neither could get rid of the other. All the concubines in the harem had learned to be smart, especially with the cautionary tales of Zhu Cairen, Chen Guoji, Qin Xiyue, and Xu Mingying before them.

See? As long as they weren’t certain of victory, those who failed basically ended up becoming one with the yellow earth.

‘Who would willingly close their eyes for good if they could stay alive?’

And yet, Zhao Ling’e just wouldn’t accept it.

The moment Feng Yi walked in, he saw Yun Zhao sitting in the sunlight, lost in thought, a smile blooming on her face like a flower.