Chapter 772: I Just Want to See Them Hopping with Rage

Hearing First Madam’s words, Yun Zhao thought to herself, ‘I’ve already been extremely careful.’

Ye Xi looked at Yun Zhao, hesitated for a moment, then said, “I heard from Princess Zhenbei that the Zhao Family, who recently came to the Capital City, have been privately visiting many people. Mrs. Zhao is witty and humorous, knowledgeable and well-read. She handles people and matters with perfect propriety, and her reputation is already spreading throughout the capital.”

Song Yunzhao was speechless.

‘So while Zhao Ling’e suffers setbacks in the palace, the Zhao Family is desperately working on the outside to cover her shortcomings.’

‘With a family like that backing her, who wouldn’t be confident?’

Yun Zhao let out a soft laugh. “Is that so? In that case, let’s give them a hand and help them burnish that good reputation of theirs.”

“Your Highness means…?” First Madam had a faint idea.

Xie Linlang chimed in, “Having a lofty reputation isn’t necessarily a good thing. It can become a shackle. Since the Zhao Family loves their good name so much, they will eventually be burdened by it. Her Highness is right; we should indeed give them a good hand.”

Yun Zhao chuckled. “Indeed. Everything is a double-edged sword. If the Zhao Family wants a good reputation so badly, then let’s give it to them. We’ll see if they can handle it.”

First Madam and her two companions did not stay long. They rose, took their leave, and went to Nanxun Hall to wait.

Yun Zhao had Xiangxue escort them out, and just then, Zhang Maoquan came to report.

“We’ve received a message from Xu Sixi’s side. He said they found a little eunuch. When An Pin fell into the water, he happened to be approaching from a distance. He got scared when he heard the commotion and hid. He vaguely saw someone attack An Pin and her servant. The stray cat was also found, but it had been hanged from a tree.”

Yun Zhao’s expression hardened. “Hanged?”

“Yes. A thin cord was passed through the cat’s neck and it was hung from a sweet osmanthus tree. It was long dead by the time it was discovered,” Zhang Maoquan said in a low voice. “Your Highness, this must have been done deliberately. Xu Sixi is continuing the investigation. He’ll track the culprit down sooner or later.”

A chill went through Yun Zhao’s heart. ‘Hanging the cat from a tree… this is a declaration of war against me.’

‘Otherwise, there are so many ways to get rid of the cat’s body. Why specifically hang it from a tree?’

Yun Zhao looked at Zhang Maoquan. “Then keep investigating. With so many people in the traveling palace, it’s impossible that not a single pair of eyes saw anything. Pass on my orders: if anyone comes forward with evidence or an accusation, I will reward them with five hundred taels of silver.”

She paused for a moment, then looked at Zhang Maoquan and added, “In addition to that, I will also grant the informant one wish. As long as it doesn’t break the law, violate palace rules, or go against common decency, I will grant it.”

‘They want to play these games with me? I’m not afraid!’

‘Great rewards will surely bring forth brave men. I refuse to believe no one will be tempted by such a generous offer.’

Zhang Maoquan’s heart trembled; he almost wished he was the one who had found the clue. “Your Highness, this is an excellent method. With such a heavy reward, someone is bound to be tempted. I will go at once.”

Yun Zhao suppressed all her thoughts and summoned Anshun, instructing him to take his men to protect Feng Yun and not to leave Hua E Building unless absolutely necessary.

Anshun accepted the order. “Rest assured, Your Highness. I will guard the Second Prince without leaving his side for a moment. I won’t even blink.”

Yun Zhao rose and started walking out, saying as she went, “You have been by my side for many years, so I trust you. Anshun, the traveling palace is not safe right now. I’m entrusting the Second Prince’s safety to you.”

“Yes,” Anshun replied with a solemn expression.

Yun Zhao left Hua E Building with her attendants and headed for Nanxun Hall. As soon as she was gone, Anshun shut the palace gates of Hua E Building. From then on, no one could enter or exit without a waist token.

The distance from Hua E Building to Nanxun Hall was not short, so Yun Zhao chose to go by boat.

Crossing Long Lake would cut the travel time in half. This was also the first time she had taken a boat since arriving at the traveling palace.

The painted pleasure barge was exquisitely and luxuriously built, with two levels. Sitting on the upper deck and gazing into the distance, she saw the vast sky and wide water. Far away, she could still see the roof of Nanxun Hall, its colorful glazed tiles glittering brilliantly in the sunlight.

Boatwomen were already waiting on the shore. Yun Zhao disembarked from the barge and immediately boarded a soft sedan chair. The ride was comfortable and swift, and she soon arrived outside Nanxun Hall.

After stepping down from the sedan chair, Yun Zhao walked inside, supported by Shizhu’s hand.

High above hung the two words “Nanxun Hall,” painted in gold lacquer with forceful, hook-like strokes, exuding a certain imposing air.

“The Imperial Consort has arrived!”

The eunuch’s announcement carried far into the hall, and the once bustling and noisy Nanxun Hall fell silent in an instant.

The three concubines led the other women of the harem in rising to greet her, while the noble women who had come to the palace for the banquet parted to form a path on both sides.

The Imperial Concubine stepped into the hall, silhouetted against the light. She wore a silver-red palace gown with a phoenix pattern, its long train trailing on the floor. Tucked into her jet-black chignon was a three-tailed phoenix hairpin that looked as if it were about to take flight. From the phoenix’s beak dangled fine golden tassels, from which fingernail-sized pearls swayed beside her ears.

The Imperial Concubine, clad in her magnificent attire, walked past the crowd. The outfit was luxurious and vibrant; on anyone else, it would have looked utterly vulgar, yet the color only served to enhance the Imperial Concubine’s beautiful features and astonishing presence.

It was as if Nanxun Hall itself had brightened in that moment.

Once the Imperial Concubine was seated, Consort Shu immediately led the others forward. “We greet the Imperial Consort.”

The noble women followed suit. “We pay our respects to the Imperial Consort.”

Seated high above, Yun Zhao looked down at the crowd and said slowly, “Everyone, please rise. You may all be seated.”

As the Imperial Concubine spoke, it was as if the crowd collectively let out a breath they had been holding, and they all returned to their seats.

Zhao Ling’e stood at the very back of the group of concubines. She tilted her head slightly to gaze at the Imperial Concubine, seated high in the distance. In that moment, she felt that the Imperial Concubine was very, very far away from her.

When the Imperial Concubine wore a solemn expression, no one dared to speak loudly.

But when she smiled gently and chatted with the various noble women, her entire being seemed to be enveloped in a soft glow, making her appear approachable and easygoing.

The Imperial Concubine seemed to be quite familiar with the ladies of every family. No matter whom she spoke to, she could accurately broach a topic of conversation without the slightest hint of unfamiliarity.

Zhao Ling’e was slightly alarmed. This Imperial Concubine was completely different from the one she had heard about.

Everyone said the Imperial Concubine was lofty and arrogant, looking down on everyone. But the Imperial Concubine before her now was all smiles and laughter, getting along harmoniously with the noble women.

As Yun Zhao chatted and laughed with the guests, her gaze seemed to unintentionally sweep in Zhao Ling’e’s direction, but the distance was too great for her to see the other woman’s face clearly.

‘Zhao Ling’e prides herself on her good reputation and wants to use it to trample me underfoot.’

‘So I’ll just have to fight fire with fire. I understand the rules of social interaction perfectly well. I simply didn’t want to play along before, but now… now I’ve found a new source of amusement.’

‘What the Zhao Family works so painstakingly to achieve, I can obtain just by bending down to pick it up.’

‘I just want to see the look on Zhao Ling’e’s and Mrs. Zhao’s faces when they’re hopping mad.’

Consort Shu was the most perceptive. Sensing that the Imperial Concubine was unusual today, she exchanged a look with Princess Consort Zhuang. There was a peculiar glint in both their eyes, but they tacitly agreed to play along and support the Imperial Concubine.

‘In any case, no matter what the Imperial Concubine did, they would support her.’

First Madam sat there, feeling quite shocked but also slightly relieved.

‘That child, Yun Zhao, she truly sees the whole picture from the smallest details. It seems she’s decided to confront the Zhao Family head-on.’