Song Yunzhao couldn’t fully grasp the situation—but her mind told her she understood.
She stared at the Emperor, and for the first time, she saw a trace of sincerity in his eyes.
That was practically impossible.
Her thoughts whirled in turmoil, weighing the pros and cons, but her expression remained uneasy.
She reached out, tugging at his robe, her voice soft.
“Your Majesty, my father holds a low rank. If he is suddenly promoted to deputy envoy, I fear he won’t be accepted by others.”
“The Song family once produced high-ranking officials,” Feng Yi reassured her. “The foundation is there. If he returns triumphant, I will have sufficient reason to promote him further—so you need not worry.”
Song Yunzhao understood.
A deputy envoy was merely a temporary title—after the mission, he would return to his original rank.
Unless—he achieved remarkable success.
That would open the path for real advancement.
The Emperor had learned from her that her father had flood control experience.
With the Left and Right Prime Ministers locked in battle, the Emperor needed allies to avoid their control.
Like the neutral Minister of Judicial Review.
And now—her father.
Song Yunzhao fell silent.
Had she just become the palace’s greatest disruptor?
And now—the Emperor intended to turn her father into his political weapon?
Feng Yi was bold, but more than that—he was ruthless.
Yet she couldn’t protest.
She had to express gratitude for this imperial favor.
Though she desperately wanted to curse, she had to bite her tongue.
Infuriating!
Steadying herself, she lifted her gaze, expression full of gratitude.
“I know Your Majesty is doing this for me, appointing my father out of kindness. But if he fails, won’t that mean he has ruined your plans?”
Feng Yi chuckled, his voice light.
“Only through action can we know what is possible. Even if he struggles, I would not punish him for your sake. So rest assured.”
Song Yunzhao smiled.
You certainly have the makings of a reckless ruler.
Still—this confirmed something.
The Emperor was desperate for capable, loyal officials.
Otherwise, he wouldn’t be so hasty in placing her father into such a critical role.
The Minister of Judicial Review had taken on the imperial envoy position.
It seemed the court’s power struggle had swallowed him whole—he was already too deep to escape.
Ideally, he should have stepped away entirely.
Of course—it was possible that the minister wanted to gamble.
If he succeeded, he would rise higher.
If he failed, at least he had aligned himself with the Emperor—even if he faced punishment, he might still find another chance later.
Song Yunzhao’s thoughts spun rapidly.
Then, she looked at the Emperor, wearing a thoughtful hesitation.
“Your Majesty, may I visit my Aunt?”
She had just seen her family not long ago—this request was not entirely proper.
But if the Emperor approved, it wouldn’t matter.
This time, Feng Yi agreed without hesitation.
He assumed Song Yunzhao simply wished to give her father some final instructions—so he was willing to grant her request.
Watching her worried expression, Feng Yi felt an unfamiliar sense of guilt.
He held her hand, his voice unusually gentle.
“Don’t worry. I will send protection to ensure your father’s safety.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty. With your reassurance, I can finally feel at ease,” Song Yunzhao said, her smile soft and grateful.
Feel at ease? Not at all.
Her father, a minor official, was now thrust into a battlefield, facing two powerful prime ministers—surviving between them would be no easy feat.
She had never imagined that in pushing others into the storm, she would drag her own father into it as well.
Even the Emperor’s implicit promise of her promotion couldn’t quell her unease.
Feng Yi understood her concerns, but this was court life.
One either advanced or fell behind.
After entering the palace and becoming his favored concubine, she had lost the luxury of retreat.
He would protect her, but she had to prove herself.
Once Feng Yi departed, Song Yunzhao immediately instructed Anshun to send a message to the Song family—summoning her Aunt to the palace the next day.
At the Song residence, First Madam had been preparing to visit her family when the imperial summons arrived.
She instantly knew—Yunzhao must be worried about her father.
She ordered someone to check whether her brother had returned home.
He had not yet left court.
First Madam couldn’t afford to wait, so she headed to her mother’s home first.
Her mother’s residence was closer to the imperial city.
As soon as she stepped inside, her mother was already waiting.
“Mother,” she greeted, quickly stepping forward to pay her respects.
She then greeted her two sisters-in-law, exchanging pleasantries.
First Madam’s eldest brother, Jiang Huan, was serving as a county magistrate.
Her eldest sister-in-law, Wang Shi, had family ties to the Left Prime Minister’s house, though only distant connections.
Her second sister-in-law, Hu Shi, was the daughter of Scholar Yang, and since her second brother, Jiang Xi, had never passed the imperial examination, he remained at home managing family affairs.
Wang Shi and Hu Shi were both warm and friendly, promptly welcoming her.
Their sisterly bond had always been strong, but now, with the Song family rising in status, their relationship naturally grew even closer.
Madam Jiang studied her daughter carefully.
“You rushed back in such a hurry—is something urgent?”
First Madam nodded, then turned to Wang Shi.
“Sister-in-law, you haven’t heard the news yet, have you?”
Wang Shi looked puzzled, shaking her head.
“No, what are you referring to?”
First Madam sighed lightly, then explained.
“The Minister of Judicial Review has been appointed Imperial Commissioner, and our Third Master has been named deputy envoy for flood control.”
Upon hearing this, Wang Shi shook her head.
“I hadn’t heard about it yet—Father hasn’t returned from court.”
Since her husband wasn’t serving in the capital, any updates would have to come from her father-in-law.
If he hadn’t spoken yet, she naturally wouldn’t be aware.
First Madam frowned slightly.
Her father served in the Ministry of Rites—a relatively relaxed office.
Rarely did his work delay his return home.
Wang Shi’s expression shifted upon hearing her sister-in-law’s words.
She looked at her and asked, “Third Master Song is going to assist with flood relief? And the Minister of Judicial Review is the imperial envoy? How… how is that possible?”
Hu Shi rarely involved herself in political matters, sitting quietly to the side.
However, seeing Wang Shi’s reaction, she realized something was amiss, which prompted her to pay closer attention.
Madam Jiang studied her daughter carefully.
“In recent days, the court has been fiercely debating disaster relief. Though your father serves in the Ministry of Rites, he has been drawn into several gatherings by his colleagues. But now, your Third Master has been appointed deputy envoy? Could this have something to do with Song Jieyu?”
First Madam turned to her mother, explaining,
“Mother, Third Master handled flood relief before, during his tenure as a county magistrate. But that was only on a local scale. Even if His Majesty favors Song Jieyu, he wouldn’t recklessly gamble on state affairs.”
Madam Jiang smiled lightly, then regarded her daughter.
“You make a fair point. But palace affairs are rarely as simple as they seem. His Majesty’s decision to appoint Third Master Song is almost certainly tied to Song Jieyu.”
Her expression grew serious.
“I know why you’ve come. But I fear our family may be powerless to help.”
