Chapter 307 - 125: She Is a Lone Wolf Player
"Then tell me about it. I’m quite curious," Song Yunzhao said.
Feng Yunjin looked at Song Jieyu’s eyes, sparkling with gossip, and couldn’t help but laugh.
Song Yunzhao laughed too. "Know your enemy and know yourself, right?"
"You’re right, Jieyu." Feng Yunjin agreed wholeheartedly and began to carefully explain the history between the Emperor and the Empress Dowager, that mother and son pair.
Song Yunzhao listened to Feng Yunjin’s version. It was more or less the same as what was in the book; the basic timeline matched up. "Are you saying the Empress Dowager will return to the palace next year?"
’It was written in the book, so it’s definitely set in stone.’
’Still, I have to ask.’
Feng Yunjin nodded. "After the new year, the six-year period will be over. The Emperor will surely bring the Empress Dowager back to the palace. Jieyu, you must be very careful then. The relationship between the Empress Dowager and the Emperor is tense. I’m afraid that what the Emperor likes, the Empress Dowager may not."
Song Yunzhao was speechless.
’I’m definitely going to have to take the fall for the Emperor again!’
’No wonder he agreed to my request so readily that day. That dog of an Emperor, he makes me so mad!’
Song Yunzhao seethed internally, but she had to maintain the haughty air of a favored concubine as she said to Feng Yunjin, "I’m not afraid. As long as I do nothing wrong, can the Empress Dowager really twist right into wrong?"
’The Empress Dowager really could!’
Thinking about the plot in the book where Qin Xiyue battled the Empress Dowager, Song Yunzhao started to get a headache.
’Qin Xiyue won over the Empress Dowager with love and sincerity. In my case, I’m afraid it’ll take a shotgun and a longsword.’
’It’s impossible for me to let the Empress Dowager walk all over me. But she’s the highest-ranking woman in the harem. The Emperor is bound by filial piety, putting her in a position of power. For me, it’s like being Sun Wukong forced to wear the golden fillet. Just thinking about it is a hassle.’
’In the book, the Emperor was no good, letting the female lead take the front line against the Empress Dowager while he sat back and watched the show.’
’Now that it’s my turn on the battlefield, there’s no way the Emperor is going to be a mere spectator. I’ll make sure to drag him into the fray as my ally.’
Song Yunzhao looked at Feng Yunjin and smiled. "I come from a humble background, and I alone have the Emperor’s favor. As of now, I haven’t been able to bear him an heir, so it’s no surprise if the Empress Dowager dislikes me. However, whether she likes me or not isn’t important. As long as the Emperor likes me, that’s enough."
’Feng Yunjin has boarded my ship, so I have to give her some reassurance.’
Hearing this, Feng Yunjin’s expression indeed relaxed. She had been afraid that Song Jieyu would lose her nerve at the prospect of facing the Empress Dowager. In that case, the battle would be lost before it even began, and the road ahead would be incredibly difficult.
But now, Song Jieyu was full of fighting spirit, unafraid of the Empress Dowager’s authority. This was the person she wanted to follow.
"I have heard that when the Empress Dowager was at the traveling palace, the Palace Attendants around her were often replaced. Even if you are confident, Jieyu, you should still be careful," Feng Yunjin advised.
Song Yunzhao was naturally aware of the Empress Dowager’s temperament, though only from what was written in the book.
But hearing Feng Yunjin say it, she still sighed softly. Frequently replacing the attendants serving her meant the Empress Dowager enjoyed punishing those around her, showing she had a very difficult personality.
’Qin Xiyue is an expert at seizing every opportunity. She’ll definitely use the Empress Dowager’s hand to get rid of me, her enemy.’
’Consort Shu can’t tell friend from foe. Princess Consort Zhuang certainly sees me as a major threat now. And Princess Consort Wan has a mercurial temperament, but thankfully, she loves to read and rarely gets involved in things, making her the least troublesome of the three concubines.’
’This time, it’s really a wolf at the front door and a tiger at the back.’
Seeing that Song Jieyu didn’t look well, Feng Yunjin thought that she wouldn’t be in a good mood either if she were in her shoes. After a moment’s thought, she said softly, "Perhaps you could join forces with Consort Shu, Jieyu. If one of the three concubines could advance and retreat with you, your situation would be better."
’Allied with Consort Shu? I’d rather be a lone wolf.’
’The side effects of teaming up with Consort Shu are more dangerous than facing the Empress Dowager. That woman can’t tell friend from foe and jumps into every trap she sees. Partnering with her would be exhausting.’
’I refuse.’
But she couldn’t say that to Feng Yunjin. After some thought, she said tactfully, "Consort Shu is of a pure and straightforward character."
Feng Yunjin understood instantly. After a long silence, she said slowly, "Your considerations are reasonable, Jieyu. However, it would still be good to be on friendly terms with Consort Shu."
’No need to be allies, but absolutely no need to be enemies either.’
Song Yunzhao agreed on this point; it matched her own thoughts. It wasn’t that she was afraid of making an enemy of her, just that it would be too much trouble. She couldn’t let herself be besieged on all sides.
’Even if I’m a human weapon, I still get tired.’
’Besides, I won’t let myself get that mentally exhausted. Otherwise, what’s the Emperor for?’
Just as they were talking, Han Jinyi arrived.
Han Jinyi came in, saw Feng Yunjin, and said with a smile, "I knew it. I went to Yanqing Palace and didn’t see you, so I figured you must be here."
Feng Yunjin smiled and said, "I had something to ask of the Jieyu, so I came over. What brings you here? Is something the matter?"
After taking a seat, Han Jinyi finally spoke. "I just received news that some courtiers have submitted a memorial, petitioning for the Empress Dowager to return to the palace."
Huh?
’Well, speak of the devil,’ Song Yunzhao thought. ’Feng Yunjin and I were just talking about the Empress Dowager, and now courtiers are already petitioning?’
"The new year is approaching, and the Empress Dowager originally said she would only return to the palace after mourning the late Emperor for a full six years. That six-year period is almost up, so some people are saying that the Emperor is a man of utmost filial piety, and since the new year is a time for family reunions, he should invite the Empress Dowager back to the palace early."
Feng Yunjin frowned. "Why would someone suddenly bring this up?"
Han Jinyi shook her head. "I don’t know for now."
"If the Empress Dowager returns to the palace early, this new year..." Feng Yunjin shook her head. ’I’m afraid no one will have a good holiday.’
Song Yunzhao glanced at Feng Yunjin. She knew from the book that although the Empress Dowager had publicly claimed she was voluntarily going to copy scriptures for the late Emperor for six years, the truth was that the Emperor had forced her to do so.
It was impossible to hide such a terrible relationship between mother and son from everyone. Therefore, this was a reaction to the Emperor’s recent moves in court. Some people were unhappy and wanted to bring the Empress Dowager back to stir up trouble for him.
Han Jinyi looked at Song Yunzhao. "If the Empress Dowager really does return to the palace, you absolutely must be careful, Jieyu."
The Emperor doted on the Jieyu, but the Empress Dowager was at odds with him. She disliked everything he liked, so she would definitely cause trouble for Yun Zhao.
’That’s the Empress Dowager. Up against her, Yun Zhao can only be at a disadvantage.’
Han Jinyi thought, ’If the Jieyu had an heir, she would have some backing. But unfortunately...’