Chapter 745: Chapter 522: Too Scared to Even Cry
However, the Zhao Family proved to be far more patient than Yun Zhao had anticipated. Mr. Zhao even submitted a memorial of apology, claiming it was his failure to raise his daughter properly that led her to misbehave in the palace, and he begged Your Majesty for punishment.
When Song Yunzhao heard the news, she found her feelings hard to put into words. A knot of frustration tightened in her chest, making it hard to breathe.
The Zhao Family was certainly patient. Not only that, but with Mr. Zhao’s petition, they made her, the Imperial Concubine, appear all the more arrogant, domineering, and unreasonable.
They had effectively slapped a nasty label on her.
Tsk.
’As expected, they’re a handful.’
Song Yunzhao wasn’t angry. Her reputation was already polarized; it was excellent because of the Treasure Pearl Building, but it plummeted whenever matters of harem rivalry were involved.
A strange phenomenon had emerged. Courtiers and commoners alike seemed to separate the Imperial Concubine of the harem from the one who had opened the Treasure Pearl Building.
What could she do? She hadn’t expected them to be so insistent on compartmentalizing her identity, and there was no way to change it for now.
Zhao Ling’e’s demotion by three ranks sent huge waves through the harem. Zhao Liangren, in particular, had been frightened into illness.
Perhaps because her ailment was born of anxiety, it struck with a vengeance. Within just a few days, she could no longer eat or drink.
Upon receiving the news, Song Yunzhao went directly to Qingyan Palace. The moment she stepped inside, she was hit by a thick medicinal smell. A little palace maid was brewing medicine under the eaves of the corridor.
Lamps were lit in Yu Jin Hall, but there was no sound from within. Across the way, the lights in Moon Night Palace were out, though the main hall still held a faint glow. When Ning Ji heard from her palace maid that the Imperial Concubine had arrived, she hastily changed her clothes and came out to receive her.
"This concubine greets the Imperial Consort." Ning Ji stepped forward to curtsy, her face etched with weariness.
Song Yunzhao saw the exhaustion on Ning Ji’s face and the dark circles under her eyes. It was clear she hadn’t been resting well. "There’s no need for such ceremony. Please rise. You’ve had a difficult few days. How is Zhao Liangren now?"
At the mention of this, a bitter taste filled Ning Ji’s mouth. The residents of their hall were practically invisible in the palace. For years, they had kept a low profile, content to live their days in peace.
Others might call the Imperial Concubine domineering, but as long as they stayed out of trouble, their daily meals, seasonal wardrobes, and festival rewards were never lacking. No one dared to skimp on their provisions.
Concubines like them might not have felt overwhelmingly grateful, but they knew their comfortable lives were thanks to the Imperial Concubine.
Who would have thought Zhao Liangren would be capable of such a thing? Her initial confinement was one thing, but after the incident with Zhao Cai Ni, both Ning Ji and Wang Xuan of Moon Night Palace had been on edge for days.
But then, at this critical juncture, Zhao Liangren had to fall ill—and so violently. How could they not be terrified?
The woman was still under confinement. If she were to die just like that, how would they ever explain it to the Imperial Consort?
The two of them had been taking turns watching over Zhao Liangren for days, leaving them physically and mentally exhausted. It was no wonder their spirits were low.
Just then, Wang Xuan arrived in a hurry. Seeing the Imperial Concubine, she rushed forward to pay her respects.
From Wang Xuan’s disheveled state, Yun Zhao could tell she had been hastily woken by her attendants. "Since you were already asleep, you should have stayed in bed," she said. "Why get up? You have both worked hard these past few days. I will be sure to ask His Majesty for a commendation on your behalf."
’Good work should be recognized; it’s the only way to motivate people to do more in the future.’
Surprise lit up Ning Ji’s and Wang Xuan’s faces. They hadn’t expected such a fortunate turn of events, and their reverence for the Imperial Concubine grew even deeper.
After listening to them explain Zhao Liangren’s situation in detail, Yun Zhao had a clearer picture. "I’ll go in to see her," she said. "You two don’t need to follow. Go back and get some rest."
Ning Ji understood that the Imperial Concubine must have something to discuss with Zhao Liangren in private, making it inappropriate for them to be present. She and Wang Xuan bowed and took their leave.
Watching them leave, Yun Zhao thought, ’Qingyan Palace has been so peaceful these last few years, and Ning Ji deserves most of the credit for that.’
Zhao Liangren’s Palace Attendants were already waiting. Seeing the Imperial Consort approach Yu Jin Hall, they quickly bowed. "This servant greets the Imperial Consort."
"Rise," Yun Zhao said, walking inside. "How is Zhao Liangren at the moment?"
"She just took her medicine a moment ago. She’s awake right now."
The moment Song Yunzhao stepped into the hall, the medicinal odor grew even stronger. Even with the windows opened for ventilation, the smell clung to the air.
The bedchamber was even worse. Because of Zhao Liangren’s illness, the windows were kept shut, and the smell was even more foul.
Zhao Liangren’s attendants were on edge, afraid the Imperial Consort would blame them for the stench. To their surprise, however, the Imperial Concubine seemed utterly unconcerned and walked straight to the bed.
When Zhao Liangren saw the Imperial Concubine, she struggled to sit up and pay her respects. Yun Zhao reached out and gently pressed her shoulder, frowning as she took in the other woman’s sallow complexion. She was so thin she was almost unrecognizable.
"Your Highness..." Panic flickered across Zhao Liangren’s face. She clasped her hands together tightly, her entire body tensing up.
Song Yunzhao looked at her. "The Imperial Physician said this started as a minor ailment. That you are now bedridden is only because you have been dwelling on your worries."
At these words, the color drained from Zhao Liangren’s face. Her body began to tremble, her lips turned a dusky shade, and tears welled in her eyes, yet she refused to speak.
Song Yunzhao hated dealing with people like this—so evasive and mealy-mouthed. They would say one thing and expect you to guess a hundred different meanings.
"Your ’illness’ is just fear that Zhao Cai Ni will implicate you, isn’t it?" Song Yunzhao asked, staring intently at Zhao Liangren.
At that, Zhao Liangren’s face turned deathly pale.
Song Yunzhao knew she was right. A cold smile touched her lips. "When Zhao Cai Ni came to incite you, did you not consider the consequences? You are from the same clan, after all. Everyone understands that you are branches of the same tree. But you’ve endured in this palace for so many years. Why did you feel the need to wade into these muddy waters?"
Zhao Liangren slumped back against the bed. She truly had been bewitched at the time. Seeing Zhao Cai Ni’s face and hearing her tempting promises... that’s why...
"What could Zhao Cai Ni have promised you? A promotion for your father? A higher rank for yourself? But you didn’t stop to think. Your father serves in the Hanlin Academy, where advancement depends on seniority and ability. Without real skill, even if he were promoted, he would inevitably be demoted. The only alternative would be for your father to leave the Hanlin Academy.
"But he has spent all these years compiling books in the Hanlin Academy, accustomed to a prestigious and leisurely life. Do you think it would be a good thing for him to take up an official post elsewhere? And you—have your days in the palace all these years been so bitter? After I gained the Emperor’s favor, did I ever bully you? Did I ever shortchange you?
"Last time, when you were spreading idle gossip, I took into account your many years of good behavior in the palace and merely ordered you confined. Was I not merciful enough? Zhao Liangren, what are you afraid of? That day Zhao Cai Ni came to see you, what did she say to you?"
The Imperial Concubine’s speech made a cold sweat break out on Zhao Liangren’s back. She was just an ordinary woman; how was she supposed to know about such perilous matters? Her tears fell even more furiously.
But when she heard the Imperial Concubine’s final question, she was too frightened to even cry.