TSNCWEM Chapter 80

TLs note:

I apologize for the lack of updates, but I haven’t been feeling my best lately. I hope I can get back to it soon 😎

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Having lodged her complaint and secured the Emperor’s favor, Song Yunzhao returned to Wangyou Palace. If the Minister of Judicial Review played along, tomorrow’s court session would be a spectacle.

Before she reached Wangyou Palace, she spotted Consort Wan taking a leisurely stroll.

A coincidence?

Song Yunzhao didn’t believe it for a second.

“I pay my respects to Consort Wan,” Song Yunzhao greeted, stepping forward gracefully.

Consort Wan swept her gaze over the food container carried by Xiang Xue, then spoke lightly, “Song Jieyu is certainly attentive.”

How could she not hear the undercurrent of sarcasm?

Clearly, it was a jab—mocking how frequently she had visited Taiji Palace.

Song Yunzhao’s smile was radiant, nearly blinding.

“His Majesty said that the soup I prepare suits his taste perfectly. Since His Majesty enjoys it, it is only natural that I devote myself fully.”

After dragging the Emperor into the conversation—did Consort Wan really plan on going to verify it with him?

Hearing such a direct, nearly boastful response, Consort Wan paused, momentarily at a loss.

She was accustomed to interacting with people who spoke with subtlety—who restrained their words just enough.

But Song Yunzhao?

She was straightforward, cutting to the heart of the matter without hesitation.

Watching Consort Wan’s expression—which now resembled someone in deep digestive distress—Song Yunzhao felt amused.

For women who pride themselves on being aloof intellectuals, the best tactic was a clean, precise strike.

Indulging in their mind games only played into their hands.

Competing in someone else’s arena would only lead to failure—and Song Yunzhao refused to make such a foolish mistake.

If someone wanted to challenge her, they had to do it on her terms.

With this thought, her eyes flickered slightly, and she smiled at Consort Wan.

“Is niangniang heading to the imperial garden?”

Consort Wan nodded absently, her expression less than pleasant.

Song Yunzhao’s smile warmed instantly. “I was thinking of taking a stroll myself. Would you mind if I accompanied you?”

Consort Wan studied Song Yunzhao suspiciously.

Could she really say no?

She didn’t want to, but if she refused outright, wouldn’t that give people something to gossip about?

Holding back her irritation, Consort Wan reluctantly agreed.

Song Yunzhao matched her stride, commenting as they walked, “I’ve always admired niangniang’s talents. To be able to walk alongside you today—this is truly my good fortune.”

Consort Wan glanced at her and responded slowly, “Song Jieyu need not be so modest.”

Hearing this, Song Yunzhao smiled inwardly, then dismissively replied, “You flatter me—I merely have a pleasant face, nothing more. When it comes to true scholarly brilliance, I could never compare to you. While serving His Majesty, I have often heard him praise your vast knowledge.”

Consort Wan’s steps faltered slightly, but she quickly recovered, feigning indifference. “Is that so?”

“How could I dare to fabricate things?” Song Yunzhao smiled. “While attending to His Majesty, I even saw niangniang’s handwritten Heart Sutra, offered in prayer. That exquisite calligraphy—I could never hope to match it.”

She had, after all, read about it in the novel.

Hearing this, Consort Wan’s heart stirred.

She had indeed transcribed a Heart Sutra for His Majesty.

If Song Yunzhao had seen it, then that meant His Majesty had placed it somewhere visible.

Consort Wan felt instantly at ease, and her gaze toward Song Yunzhao softened slightly.

“Practicing calligraphy requires dedication,” she remarked. “Song Jieyu should spend more time refining her skills.”

Song Yunzhao took the opportunity to continue discussing calligraphy, keeping the conversation light and pleasant—easing her companion’s mood bit by bit.

The exchange gradually deepened, topics flowed naturally, until finally, Song Yunzhao casually let slip:

“On my way back from Taiji Palace, I overheard people mentioning something about a self-reproach edict. Niangniang, I don’t quite understand—what exactly is a self-reproach edict?”

Consort Wan glanced at her, then asked in return, “Where did you hear that?”

“From many people, really—there are so many attendants passing through Taiji Palace, I can’t quite recall who said it. I heard that His Majesty was furious, and that some even claimed the court ministers were shirking responsibility. What is a self-reproach edict? It sounds terrifying.”

Initially, Consort Wan had been skeptical of Song Yunzhao’s words.

But considering that Song Yunzhao had not grown up in the capital, and her father was merely a low-ranking official, how could she possibly understand court matters?

She likely viewed Consort Wan as someone highly knowledgeable, coming to her seeking guidance.

Realizing this, Consort Wan finally replied, “Song Jieyu, it’s best not to inquire about court affairs. It could bring trouble upon you.”

Song Yunzhao responded with a mix of confusion and defiance, her expression subtly shifting.

“But isn’t it common knowledge? How could it bring trouble?”

The message had already been delivered. At this point, no matter what Consort Wan said, Song Yunzhao no longer cared.

Consort Wan gave her another glance—her words seemed logical, yet something felt off.

She couldn’t pinpoint what.

As their conversation continued, they reached the Imperial Garden, which was vibrant in summer’s full bloom.

Despite the picturesque scenery, Consort Wan felt uneasy, her mood was clouded.

Even the flowers did little to lift her spirits.

Turning, she caught sight of Song Yunzhao, seemingly relaxed and enjoying herself—which only made her irritation worse.

“Ah? Consort Zhuang?” Song Yunzhao’s eyes lit up as she saw Consort Wan settle into a stone pavilion to rest.

She had no desire to listen to this literary intellectual drone on about abstruse topics, so she continued admiring the flowers, planning to slip away after a short while.

Yet unexpectedly, she ran into Consort Zhuang.

“I pay my respects to Consort Zhuang.”

Consort Zhuang smiled warmly, her tone carrying familiarity.

“Song Jieyu, it’s rare to see you in the Imperial Garden. What brings you here today?”

The last time she had come to the Imperial Garden, Consort Lu had lost her title.

Would someone unfortunate meet their fate again today?

Song Yunzhao offered Consort Zhuang a bright smile.

“I was returning from Taiji Palace, and happened to run into Consort Wan—so we came to admire the scenery together.”

Consort Zhuang’s eyebrow arched slightly, her focus narrowing to one key detail—Consort Wan.

“Consort Wan? Now, isn’t that an interesting coincidence,” she remarked.

She didn’t believe it for a second.

Neither of them was fond of leaving their quarters, yet here they were, out together?

Something was off.

Reaching the stone pavilion, Consort Zhuang’s suspicions were confirmed—there sat Consort Wan.

Consort Wan also caught sight of Consort Zhuang, who was chatting amiably with Song Yunzhao.

She had found their last encounter strange—but seeing them like this again, the feeling only deepened.

Their closeness seemed unusual.

Back when Consort Lu lost her title, Consort Zhuang had played a pivotal role—had she and Song Yunzhao been secretly working together all along?

The thought settled uneasily in Consort Wan’s mind.

Meanwhile, Consort Zhuang noticed that Consort Wan’s expression stiffened the moment she saw her.

Was she hiding something?

Could she also be trying to win over Song Yunzhao?

Otherwise, how could someone like Consort Wan, who rarely wandered the gardens, suddenly be out strolling—with Song Yunzhao, no less?

It didn’t add up.

With Song Yunzhao now enjoying imperial favor, the idea of Consort Wan seeking an alliance wasn’t far-fetched.

The thought made Consort Zhuang hesitate—then she decided not to leave.

She stepped into the pavilion and sat down.

The atmosphere shifted instantly—growing charged and intricate.

Song Yunzhao adjusted her skirt and was about to sit when Consort Wan spoke.

“Consort Zhuang, where have you come from? You look troubled—has someone angered you?”

Song Yunzhao was surprised by Consort Wan’s sharp tone—she hadn’t expected her to speak so bluntly.

On the other side, Consort Zhuang felt the tension immediately.

The way Consort Wan phrased her words—did she have something to hide?

She replied calmly, “Consort Wan, your words sound rather strange. Could it be that you were the one annoyed, and that’s why you came here to unwind?”

Song Yunzhao blinked in confusion—what had happened between them that had set off such tension?

She swore—she hadn’t even started stirring up trouble yet.

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