Chapter 771: Showing Weakness

The next morning, Yun Zhao learned that An Shutong had awoken. Princess Consort Zhuang came to see her after breakfast to report on their conversation from the previous night.

Yun Zhao read through the transcribed testimony, her brow furrowed in thought.

“Your Highness, is something amiss?” Princess Consort Zhuang asked.

Yun Zhao shook her head. “I’m just curious. Lady Zhao wanted to cook something herself. Would a young woman from such a refined and noble family really know her way around a kitchen?”

“Does Your Highness not know how?” Princess Consort Zhuang asked with a smile.

Song Yunzhao shook her head. Across two lifetimes, she had never managed to master the art of cooking. She wasn’t a complete disaster, but whatever she made was decidedly average.

She had clearly put her heart into learning, but for some reason, it never turned out right.

“Actually, I know how to cook.”

Song Yunzhao looked at Princess Consort Zhuang in surprise. “Really?”

“Your Highness must be surprised. I didn’t actually set out to learn. My mother just enjoyed cooking occasionally, and as a curious child, I picked up a few things from her. I never continued learning after that, but you never forget what you’ve learned.”

“It’s always good to have more skills. If you’re ever interested in pursuing this hobby again, I’ll have a small kitchen added to your palace once we return.” Yun Zhao chuckled. “Then if you whip up anything new and delicious, I can be the first to try it.”

“Of course.” Princess Consort Zhuang thought it was a fine idea. “In that case, Your Highness will have to give me fewer assignments so I can find the time.”

At this, Yun Zhao’s expression went blank. She looked at Princess Consort Zhuang and said slowly, “I think there’s no need to rush the development of your interests. A few years from now would be fine.”

Princess Consort Zhuang burst out laughing.

Once her laughter subsided, Yun Zhao looked at her and said, “Have someone go to the kitchen and ask about this. The palace banquet today will be crowded and chaotic, so news about An Pin is bound to spread. When it does, keep a close eye on everyone’s reactions.” She paused. “And pay special attention to Lady Zhao.”

“Your Highness suspects Lady Zhao?” Princess Consort Zhuang asked.

Yun Zhao shook her head. “It’s hard to call it suspicion without any proof. I’m just considering that she and An Pin live in the same courtyard, and according to the testimony, they had some minor disagreements. So there’s a motive. Perhaps I’m overthinking it, which is why I’m asking you to just keep an eye on her for now.”

Princess Consort Zhuang nodded in acknowledgment. Then she heard the Imperial Concubine add, “The Emperor has already ordered a thorough investigation of the traveling palace, so we may have news soon. We can compare our findings then.”

‘Yun Zhao suspected Zhao Ling’e because she knew from the book that Zhao Ling’e was an incredibly capable person.’

‘But she couldn’t reveal that, so she had to find an excuse to have Princess Consort Zhuang monitor her.’

As expected, Princess Consort Zhuang wasn’t suspicious and committed the task to memory.

There was much to do that day, so Princess Consort Zhuang had no time for idle chat with the Imperial Concubine. After finishing her report, she departed.

After seeing Princess Consort Zhuang off, Yun Zhao received a message from Consort Shu. Due to the investigation into An Pin’s fall, many palace attendants at the traveling palace had been summoned for questioning. This would affect the day’s duty roster, so Consort Shu was asking Yun Zhao for instructions.

Yun Zhao took out the staff register and had Nanny Yu go coordinate with Consort Shu in person.

The number of shifts and staff couldn’t be changed, but they could adjust the duty schedule based on the order of the interrogations.

Beyond An Pin’s situation, Yun Zhao was even more vigilant about every detail of the upcoming banquet.

Once she had finished with these urgent matters, the First Madam of the Song Family arrived with Song Yexi and Xie Linlang.

Madam Ji couldn’t bear to leave her grandson behind in the Capital City, so only Xie Linlang had come to the traveling palace. With Madam Ji absent, Xie Linlang went to see the First Madam and decided to accompany the Song Family.

Everyone was delighted to see each other.

The First Madam studied Yun Zhao’s expression and asked with concern, “You don’t look well. Is something the matter?”

There was no reason to hide it, so Yun Zhao explained what had happened to An Pin. The First Madam and the two young women were stunned.

Song Yexi and Xie Linlang exchanged a look, neither having imagined something so perilous could have happened the night before.

Xie Linlang asked softly, “An Pin is all right now, isn’t she?”

“She has regained consciousness, but the attacker hasn’t been caught. Many people will surely be discussing this today, so just be mindful of it.”

‘Many people would certainly try to get information from the Song Family.’

Song Yexi looked at Yun Zhao with concern. “An Pin is the Empress Dowager’s own niece. After something like this, the Empress Dowager didn’t take her anger out on you, did she?”

At her words, both the First Madam and Xie Linlang turned to Yun Zhao with worried expressions.

The Empress Dowager and Yun Zhao had never seen eye to eye; she might very well use this to cause trouble for her.

Yun Zhao scoffed. “The Empress Dowager always targets me, but it’s fine. She forbade me from interfering in this matter, and I’m more than happy to be free of it.”

Xie Linlang immediately said in a cool tone, “In that case, we should make sure everyone today knows just how much the Empress Dowager cares for An Pin.”

Song Yexi instantly understood Xie Linlang’s meaning. She nodded and said, “Exactly. Ever since Lady Zhao entered the palace, the Empress Dowager has doted on her. There are rumors outside the palace that An Pin isn’t as favored by the Empress Dowager as Lady Zhao. This incident all but confirms it.”

For the Empress Dowager to be so headstrong as to forbid the Imperial Concubine from investigating the truth of such a serious matter shows that her niece, An Pin, isn’t very important to her after all.

Since even the Empress Dowager doesn’t care, no one else can criticize the Imperial Concubine if she doesn’t handle things perfectly.

The First Madam looked at the two girls. “When you speak of this, don’t be too forceful. Be more subtle.”

‘In other words, play the victim.’

‘After all, they were the family of the Imperial Concubine, who was being bullied by the Empress Dowager. As the wronged party, what choice did they have?’

Xie Linlang smiled. This was her forte.

Song Yexi decided to follow Xie Linlang’s lead and do exactly as she did. After all, when it came to this sort of thing, she simply wasn’t as gifted as Xie Linlang.

After cautioning the two girls, the First Madam turned to Yun Zhao and said, “Back in the Capital City, the branch of the Zhao Family that recently established itself there sent a formal calling card to our estate.”

This was the first time Song Yunzhao had heard of this. “Aunt, did you meet with this Mrs. Zhao?”

“I did. It would have been unwise not to. I didn’t want the Zhao family going around saying you’re arrogant, or that our Song Family uses the Imperial Concubine’s position to look down on others,” the First Madam said with a cold laugh.

‘So, the Zhao Family really isn’t planning on lying low after arriving in the Capital City.’

“After meeting her, what was your impression, Aunt?” Yun Zhao asked.

The First Madam thought for a moment before replying, “Zhaozhao, the ones who came to the Capital City are just one branch of the Zhao clan. However, this Mrs. Zhao is extremely polished in her speech and actions. Our conversation was substantive and quite witty. She never once mentioned Lady Zhao’s demotion and acted so familiar with me, as if our two families were the closest of friends.”

Yun Zhao looked at her aunt. “For you to speak of her like that, Aunt, this Mrs. Zhao must be quite a formidable woman.”

“She is. That’s why I think if Mrs. Zhao can be so perfectly composed—knowing full well the animosity between our families, yet still conversing with me without a hint of awkwardness—then Lady Zhao, who comes from the main branch of the Zhao family, is likely even more formidable.” The First Madam looked at Yun Zhao. “You must be extremely careful.”