Song Yunzhao carefully stored the silver and calculated her savings. Combined with the allowance her father had given her, her treasury was quite abundant.
However, as a concubine managing a palace full of attendants, her expenses were significant. To eat well beyond the standard dishes provided as part of her monthly allowance, she needed to pay extra for dishes from the imperial kitchen. If she didn’t spend, she’d be stuck with the repetitive standard menu.
The seasonal allowance menu only included a limited variety of dishes that rotated quarterly. Anyone would tire of eating the same meals year after year.
From clothing to food, from housing to expenses—everything in the palace required money. While others might view the life of a concubine as glamorous, they couldn’t understand the hidden hardships. For instance, seasonal clothing was distributed according to rank, consisting of four outerwear sets and four undergarments each season, with a fixed number of shoes and socks as well.
For someone like Song Yunzhao, who wanted to appear stunning in front of the Emperor every day, relying on just the standard wardrobe wasn’t enough. She needed to commission additional pieces, and these hidden costs were substantial.
However, Song Yunzhao wasn’t afraid of the challenges ahead. She had no intention of contributing to the palace departments, especially after encountering some minor conflicts there. She planned to rely on the Emperor’s resources instead.
“His Majesty has arrived!”
Song Yunzhao paused in surprise. Speak of the devil—she had just been thinking of him, and here he was. She immediately rose to greet him. Luckily, she hadn’t gone to rest yet and was dressed impeccably.
Exiting her bedchamber and entering the main hall, she saw the Emperor striding in. She hurried forward to greet him, “This concubine greets Your Majesty.”
This was the first time Feng Yi had visited Wangyou Palace since Song Yunzhao moved in. “Rise. I happened to be passing by and thought I’d check on you.”
Song Yunzhao’s eyes sparkled as she broke into a delighted smile. “Really? This concubine is deeply grateful for Your Majesty’s concern—what a delightful surprise.”
Feng Yi turned to look at her. “Are you that happy?”
“Of course! To be remembered by someone is a truly joyous thing,” Song Yunzhao replied earnestly.
Feng Yi recalled how Song Yunzhao had been mistreated by Cai Shi in the Song family, expecting her to be in low spirits today. Yet her mood seemed good.
Being remembered by others—having someone to remember you—was indeed a source of happiness.
What might be trivial for others was rare and precious for him and Song Yunzhao.
With this thought, Feng Yi couldn’t help but recall the Empress Dowager still residing in the other courtyard, and his expression darkened slightly.
“Sit and talk.” Feng Yi gestured to the seat opposite him after sitting down.
Song Yunzhao obeyed and sat. She could sense the Emperor’s mood shift after she spoke those words.
It was no wonder he reacted differently. She and the Emperor shared certain unfortunate similarities, and such sentiments naturally resonated.
The first step to developing affection was finding common ground—shared topics, mutual recognition, and resonance.
Such emotions were unique and difficult for others to disrupt.
When Feng Yi raised his head, he saw Yunzhao looking at him intently. Instinctively, he asked, “What are you staring at?”
“Your Majesty is handsome,” she replied.
“Stop your nonsense!” Feng Yi glared at Song Yunzhao. As the ruler of a nation, he wouldn’t tolerate frivolous remarks like that.
Song Yunzhao didn’t believe a word of it. Feng Yi might have been reigning as Emperor for five years, but at twenty years old, he was still a young man in his prime. She couldn’t believe he wasn’t pleased by compliments—what young man doesn’t enjoy being praised for his looks?
“I’m being honest. There is no one like the noble gentleman, as polished as jade, as refined as a gem. In my heart, Your Majesty’s graceful demeanor is unparalleled, as radiant as jade under moonlight.”
Feng Yi: …
He began to suspect that Song Yunzhao might not be in her right mind.
However, her flattery did make him feel a little pleased. If nothing else, she at least had a good eye.
“You don’t believe me? Just looking at your face, I could eat three bowls of rice.”
“What?”
“You’re appetizing.”
Feng Yi fell silent. He didn’t quite understand but chose not to ask further.
Song Yunzhao continued cheerfully, “Other people need dishes to pair with their rice, but I don’t. With Your Majesty, I’ve got all I need! Doesn’t that show how important you are to me?”
Feng Yi felt a breath catch in his chest. Thank you, but no thanks.
Her playful banter improved the Emperor’s mood. The more she interacted with him, the more she realized he was nothing like the Emperor depicted in the book. That version was steady, self-restrained, and patient, but also vindictive and petty. The Feng Yi before her, however, seemed somewhat endearing, almost making her feel guilty for teasing him.
Forgive me, Buddha.
Feng Yi regretted coming. Just as he rose to leave, he heard Song Yunzhao speak again: “Thank you, Your Majesty, for sending me the gifts. Without them, I would’ve had nothing for my family today. That wouldn’t just embarrass me—it’d tarnish Your Majesty’s reputation too. Luckily, Your Majesty thought it through. I’m so touched by your care.”
Halfway standing, Feng Yi sat back down, frowning. “Have the Six Departments been shortchanging you?”
“No.” Song Yunzhao smiled. They might have wanted to, but she wouldn’t give them the chance. After the embarrassment caused by the Department of Wardrobe, others would think twice before offending her—it was practically begging for retaliation.
She was currently the Emperor’s favored concubine, practically rocketing to prominence. The Six Departments, ever pragmatic, would avoid offending favored concubines, preferring to shortchange those out of favor.
Though her position was somewhat superficial—after all, the Emperor hadn’t shared her bed—she already had plans.
Thinking of how Consort Shu and others were all bark and no bite in the novel, fiercely protecting their positions, amused her to no end.
Feng Yi looked at her skeptically. “Then why were you short on gifts to give?”
Song Yunzhao froze for a moment, studying the Emperor’s expression. He seemed genuinely surprised.
Lowering her gaze, she pondered briefly before raising her head with a deliberately exaggerated tone: “Your Majesty doesn’t understand my struggles. I’m just a Noble Concubine with a pitifully small allowance—barely enough for myself. How could I have extras to give away?”
“Small?”
“Yes.”
Seeing the Emperor’s disbelief, Song Yunzhao didn’t waste words. She went into her quarters, brought out her jewelry case, and placed it on the table.
Opening the first layer, she explained, “As a Noble Concubine, I receive two golden hairpins inlaid with gemstones, six jade hairpins, six pairs of hairpins, combs, and pearl ornaments, as well as earrings, bracelets, rings, and necklaces—all together they don’t even fill this jewelry box. Tell me, with these meager supplies, how could I have anything left to give?”
The Emperor, who had never paid attention to such matters, suddenly found himself interested. “Is this really not enough?”
How many heads does she have to wear all this?
“How could it possibly be enough? I can’t wear the same things every day. Even if I don’t get bored, wouldn’t you get tired of seeing me in the same look every day?” Song Yunzhao puffed up her cheeks in mock indignation. “We concubines rely entirely on our looks! But beauty doesn’t come out of nowhere—it needs effort and adornment.”
Hearing this, Feng Yi suddenly recalled her attire when he summoned her to accompany him —it was indeed different from her current appearance.
“And there’s more than just this. There’s makeup, fabrics, and other essentials, all of which get used up quickly. For someone like me, who loves dressing up, the monthly makeup allowance is far from enough. And those fabrics won’t turn into dresses on their own. Hiring the Department of Wardrobe to make clothes costs money, doesn’t it?”
Feng Yi found her words oddly compelling. “That makes sense.”
Song Yunzhao: …
Sigh, it’s harder than I thought to extort the Emperor.
Seeing Song Yunzhao fall silent, Feng Yi urged, “Go on.”
Only now did he realize how many hidden issues there were in the Six Departments. He had never been aware of these trivial matters before because no one had told him.
Song Yunzhao took a deep breath, maintaining her smile as she continued, “I only earn 260 taels annually—21 taels per month. That amount isn’t even enough for tipping people, let alone buying makeup, commissioning clothes, or having jewelry made. Your Majesty, my situation is truly difficult.”
Feng Yi finally understood—she was complaining about her lack of funds.
Well, she certainly had the nerve.
Over the years of his reign, many had come to him complaining about being financially strapped, but those were all veteran politicians in the court.
Song Yunzhao was the first among his concubines to do so.
Hearing her out, it did seem like her circumstances were somewhat constrained.
Feng Yi looked at Song Yunzhao with a stern expression. “There are rules in the palace. I can’t raise your monthly stipend—that would disrupt the system. Noble Concubine Song, if others can manage, then so can you. Be more frugal and don’t overspend. I have official duties to attend to, so I’ll take my leave. Rest well.”
Feng Yi turned and left, leaving Song Yunzhao utterly stunned.
What a miser he was!
Zhang Maoquan, having insisted on accompanying the Emperor to Wangyou Palace today—even ignoring glares from Meng Jiuchang—felt fortunate for his decision. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have witnessed such a delightful performance.
Noble Concubine Song was truly talented. In the harem, no one survived solely on their monthly stipends unless they came from impoverished families.
Even consorts like Consort Shu, Consort Zhuang, and Consort Wan, as well as those less favored by the Emperor, like An Fangyi or those practically in exile such as Zhao Liangren and Qin Cainu, lived comfortably thanks to financial support from their families.
Zhang Maoquan had expected the Emperor to be annoyed. Yet, when the Emperor left Wangyou Palace, his lips were curled into a smile. Zhang couldn’t understand what His Majesty was thinking.
Still, it was clear that Noble Concubine Song had a unique skill—managing to make such complaints and still leave the Emperor amused. Truly remarkable. Zhang decided to observe her more closely; perhaps he could learn from her and one day secure the position of First Steward.
Upon returning to Taiji Palace, Feng Yi found himself smiling more and more at the thought of Song Yunzhao’s antics. He understood her little schemes but indulged her on purpose just to tease her.
With this in mind, he turned to Zhang Maoquan. “Send a box of gold nuggets to Noble Concubine Song.” After a pause, recalling that she had gifted the jewelry he’d sent her to her family, he added, “Include a box of jewelry from the treasury as well.”
“Yes, Your Majesty, I’ll see to it immediately.” Zhang Maoquan couldn’t help but marvel internally. He had thought the Emperor’s swift departure from Wangyou Palace signaled his reluctance to spend money. Who would have guessed that, upon returning, the Emperor would give her an even greater reward?
Noble Concubine Song was truly impressive. She dared to complain and even managed to turn her complaints into rewards. This was a first for him, an eye-opening experience.
Wanting to curry favor, Zhang Maoquan carefully selected two large boxes from the Emperor’s private treasury. He personally carried them to Wangyou Palace, making sure to open and display the items before Noble Concubine Song, earning her gratitude before departing cheerfully.
Good deeds shouldn’t go unrewarded, and having Noble Concubine Song’s gratitude was worth it.
Song Yunzhao was nearly blinded by the dazzling box of gold nuggets. When she opened the box of jewelry, it seemed far less impressive in comparison—its contents were standard pieces befitting her rank, nothing extraordinary.
By contrast, the gold nuggets were far more to her liking.
Indeed, pride gets you nowhere. If she hadn’t played the “poor me” card, where would these rewards have come from?
Did she want the rewards?
Of course.
But most importantly, she wanted the Emperor to know how poorly she was doing!
Why didn’t others complain? Because their families sent them money. Her struggles, on the other hand, stemmed from the Song family’s lack of spare funds to support her.
By highlighting this disparity, she had successfully planted the impression of the Song family’s integrity in the Emperor’s mind.
As for her manuscript royalties, they were money she had earned through her own abilities. This was her personal stash, and she had to keep it hidden—there was no way the Emperor could find out.
After all, she still planned to write storybooks for the Emperor.
The palace servants, including Xiang Xue, were beaming with joy upon seeing their mistress receive yet another reward from His Majesty. It was a great honor for Song Yunzhao to receive such favor.
Among the newly entered concubines, none of the others had been rewarded yet, but their mistress had already been rewarded twice. It was a source of pride.
For several days, the palace was bustling with activity as the newly entered concubines busied themselves meeting their families. During this time, no one stirred up any trouble, and Song Yunzhao enjoyed a few peaceful days.
During this period, the Emperor neither summoned her to accompany him nor stayed overnight in the harem. He only visited Consort Shu and a few others for tea every few days before leaving.
This gave rise to rumors that Song Yunzhao had fallen out of favor, especially since the Emperor had gone to the residences of the three consorts but not to Wangyou Palace.
Song Yunzhao had a faint feeling that the Emperor was plotting something, but she remained unmoved. She stayed within Wangyou Palace, refusing to leave and giving no one the opportunity to target her.
When Feng Yi heard about this: …
How lazy can she be!
Song Yunzhao, however, was happily reading storybooks. Yes, she had spent money to buy popular storybooks written by others and brought them into the palace.
Building stories in isolation was not the way to go—she needed to stay in tune with current trends and grasp key themes to ensure her works resonated with the masses.
Was it easy? Absolutely not.
She was willing to pave the way for the Emperor, but she wasn’t about to take over the heroine’s job. She certainly wouldn’t act as the Emperor’s “trash sweeper.”
Thinking about this, Song Yunzhao suddenly remembered the box of gold nuggets and jewelry. Feeling a bit guilty, she decided she should do something to justify her rewards, even if only minimally.
With this in mind, she called out, “Xiang Xue.”
“This servant is here.” Xiang Xue immediately entered. “What does the mistress require?”
“I heard that the imperial garden has been lively lately?” Song Yunzhao asked.
Xiang Xue replied, “That’s because the mistress doesn’t like going out. In this weather, everyone likes to go to the garden to cool off, so naturally, it’s crowded.”
“Prepare my clothes and do my hair. We’re going for a walk,” Song Yunzhao said with a smile as she sat at her dressing table.
Xiang Xue quickly called Shi Zhu in to pick out clothes for the mistress, while she began untying the mistress’s hair to redo it. As she combed through her hair, Xiang Xue said, “I’ll give you a single spiral bun today—it’s elegant and refreshing.”
Song Yunzhao thought for a moment and agreed. “That works.”
A single spiral bun was a hairstyle that required a well-shaped face to pull off. Fortunately, her facial features were flawless, but for others, attempting this style might have been a disaster.
In no time, Xiang Xue had styled the bun beautifully and added hairpins and ornaments. When Song Yunzhao looked in the mirror, she was quite pleased.
Xiang Xue then began applying makeup. Given the heat, she avoided heavy powders. Thankfully, the mistress had fair skin, so she used a light touch to accentuate her brows, applied peach blossom blush lightly to her cheeks, and finished with a touch of rouge on her lips.
Song Yunzhao was more than satisfied. Xiang Xue’s skilled hands were truly a treasure—many would envy them. Not only was her aesthetic sense impeccable, but her creativity after learning from Song Yunzhao made her even more remarkable.
Song Yunzhao had taught her various makeup techniques, and she had practiced diligently. She’d even heard from Shi Zhu that Xiang Xue spent her free time experimenting with makeup in her room, constantly improving her skills.
Who wouldn’t appreciate such a talented and dedicated subordinate? To reward her efforts, Song Yunzhao had ordered extra makeup supplies and shared them with her attendants.
Their joy translated into harder work, fostering loyalty and reducing the likelihood of betrayal. Spending a bit of money to avert bigger issues was well worth it.
Money couldn’t be taken with you after death. Spending it to make life more comfortable was far better than hoarding it for no reason.
Shi Zhu returned with a light yellow gown. “Mistress, how about this outfit?”
The delicate yellow color suited someone of her age perfectly—another few years and it might not. Song Yunzhao nodded approvingly.
After changing, she admired her reflection in the mirror. Stunning!
Song Yunzhao then stepped out, bringing along her attendants Qing Feng and Yu Lu. Xiang Xue and Shi Zhu were given the day off to rest after their night shifts.
In the courtyard, Anshun was leading a group of servants in cleaning. When he saw Song Yunzhao, he quickly stepped forward to bow and handed his task to another so he could accompany her.
“Mistress, where shall we go?” Yu Lu asked excitedly.
“Wherever the crowds are,” Song Yunzhao replied, glancing at Anshun.
Anshun immediately said, “The Western Garden has the largest crowd.”
Song Yunzhao nodded, “Then let’s head to the Western Garden.”
Anshun was not particularly talkative but was reliable in his work—especially when it came to gathering information, which greatly pleased Song Yunzhao.
The group made their way toward the garden. Why was the Western Garden bustling?
Because the heroine lived in the Western Palace, along with Consort Shu and Consort Zhuang. Meanwhile, the Eastern Palace, which had been lively with Imperial Noble Consort Chu, had quieted since her passing. Only Consort Wan resided there, but she wasn’t fond of mingling, leaving the Eastern Palace somewhat subdued.
The entire harem was divided into the Eastern and Western Palaces, separated by Changle Palace, where the Empress resided. The overall layout was somewhat reminiscent of the Forbidden City, though the harem depicted in the story was much larger than the real Forbidden City.
In the Forbidden City’s Imperial Garden, conversations from the eastern side could easily be heard on the western side—it was indeed quite small.
Here, however, the gardens of the Eastern and Western Palaces were truly royal landscapes, each at least three to four times larger than the Forbidden City’s Imperial Garden.
The harem’s palaces were scattered among mountains, stones, and flowers, creating an exceptionally beautiful environment. Truly, the world in the story deserved admiration.
After all, real palace layouts rarely offered such deliberate opportunities to bump into the Emperor, stage accidental falls in his presence, or orchestrate dramatic scenes like falling into the water while feeding fish.
All for palace intrigue—the author had certainly put in great effort.
Strolling leisurely and admiring the scenery, they soon reached the Western Garden. Barely had they entered when the sounds of laughter reached their ears.
Rounding a faux rock formation, the scene opened up to reveal an octagonal pavilion filled with people. Each held a fan—whether palm-leaf or round—and their lively chatter filled the air.
As Song Yunzhao stepped onto the corridor leading to the pavilion, the laughter inside faltered upon spotting her.
She ascended the steps and entered the pavilion, immediately spotting Consort Shu seated at the head. The consort wore a three-tailed phoenix hairpin, the golden tassels cascading gracefully to her ears, radiating an aura of grandeur.
Beside her sat Consort Zhuang. Compared to Consort Shu’s bold and vibrant demeanor, Consort Zhuang exuded maturity and steadiness. Known for her reputation as virtuous and refined, she avoided the path of flashy arrogance, presenting herself with understated elegance that still commanded respect.
“This concubine greets Consort Shu and Consort Zhuang,” Song Yunzhao said as she stepped forward to pay her respects.
Consort Shu’s gaze lingered on Song Yunzhao, her brow furrowing slightly as her eyes settled on the younger woman’s radiant complexion. Her mood soured, and she felt an urge to find fault. She said indifferently, “Why is Noble Concubine Song out and about today? Ever since you entered the palace, it’s been nearly impossible to catch a glimpse of you.”
Hearing this, the surrounding individuals—including Qin Xiyue—remained silent. Among the newly entered concubines, Song Yunzhao stood out, inevitably earning the resentment of many.
Without Han Jinyi present, there was no one to speak on her behalf.
Song Yunzhao couldn’t help but inwardly light a candle for herself—her social connections were, undoubtedly, lacking.
Since she had no intention of talking to others, she wasn’t likely to make many friends in the palace.
Noticing that Consort Shu had no intention of allowing her to rise, Song Yunzhao stood up anyway and replied, “This concubine prefers peace and quiet and dislikes crowds, which is why I rarely visit the gardens. If Consort Shu wishes to see me, she could simply send word—it won’t be too difficult.”
With neither submission nor aggression, Song Yunzhao pushed back. You’re not the Empress—why would anyone kneel before you all the time? If I dared to show up, would you even dare to accept me?
All eyes turned to Song Yunzhao as she rose, visibly startled. Consort Shu hadn’t granted her permission to stand, had she?
Song Yunzhao pretended not to notice the peculiar looks and calmly seated herself to one side, fanning herself as her gaze swept over the group with a cheerful smile.
The crowd quickly averted their eyes. Song Yunzhao laughed to herself—such timid people, hoping to watch a spectacle.
Consort Shu, meanwhile, was seething, her expression sour. She couldn’t afford to cling to the matter of Song Yunzhao seating herself—it would expose her own intent to make things difficult.
Still, Song Yunzhao’s apparent disrespect irritated her. She remarked, “Noble Concubine Song certainly has a sharp tongue.”
When did “sharp-tongued” become a compliment?
Yet looking at Song Yunzhao’s completely self-assured expression, everyone felt like their horizons had been broadened.
Consort Shu was so infuriated she nearly suffered internal injuries. This Song Yunzhao was truly unyielding!
“What does Noble Concubine Song usually do for leisure?” Consort Zhuang inquired.
Song Yunzhao turned to Consort Zhuang. Her tone was gentle and soft, matching the polite demeanor of the question. She replied just as calmly, “Replying to niangniang—I’m afraid you’ll find it laughable, but I simply enjoy reading storybooks.”
The smile on Consort Zhuang’s face faltered slightly. Not a single person present would have admitted something so simple. Each would usually cite a renowned book or classic text to elevate their image.
Song Yunzhao, the ultimate conversation killer, at her finest!
