First Madam must not have discovered this yet—otherwise, she would have mentioned it when they met.
Han Jinyi was just as puzzled.
“I can’t understand it either. A family like that—anyone with a shred of sense would never agree to marry into it.”
The two women exchanged looks.
Then Han Jinyi said, “Song Qinghan has never shown any sisterly affection toward you, so you don’t need to worry about her. Given how shrewd she is, she must be gaining something from this marriage. Otherwise, she wouldn’t suffer such a loss without getting something in return.”
Song Yunzhao hadn’t expected Han Jinyi to see through Song Qinghan so clearly.
She nodded.
“I agree—the only thing I don’t know yet is what she stands to gain.”
“I still think your family should investigate this matter closely. Otherwise, you might end up at a disadvantage.”
Han Jinyi’s impression of Song Qinghan was terrible.
With her ruined reputation, what could the son of Marquis of Wuxin possibly see in her?
They were most likely targeting Yunzhao instead.
“I will, thank you for the warning.”
Song Yunzhao sighed.
“If you hadn’t mentioned it, I wouldn’t have known about the Marquis household’s messy affairs.”
Han Jinyi waved it off.
“Even if I hadn’t told you, you would have found out sooner or later. Once the families start discussing the marriage, there’s no way to keep these things hidden. I’m just curious—who arranged this match? Who acted as the matchmaker?”
Song Yunzhao, expression blank, replied,
“Countess Dingnan.”
Han Jinyi stared in shock.
“Her? Isn’t she Song Qinghan’s own Aunt?”
This… was beyond comprehension.
The Song family had just arrived in the capital.
They wouldn’t have known about the Marquis of Wuxin’s issues—but Countess Dingnan certainly should have.
Song Yunzhao gave a solemn nod.
“It was her.”
Han Jinyi exhaled sharply.
“Unbelievable. What kind of grudge must she have, to throw her own niece into the fire?”
A deep grudge indeed?
Song Yunzhao’s eyes flickered at the thought.
When she first arrived in the capital, both Cai Shi and Song Qinghan had guarded her against visiting Countess Dingnan’s estate.
Later, however, First Madam had mentioned that after Song Yunzhao was granted the rank of Noble Concubine, Countess Dingnan had complained that Cai Shi had never brought her to visit.
Now that she had been promoted to Jieyu, Countess Dingnan’s household couldn’t rely on her influence—so surely, there had to be resentment brewing.
Not to mention, Countess Dingnan’s estate was home to Chu Yuying—someone who wasn’t easy to deal with.
Song Qinghan had suffered greatly at her hands.
Chu Yuying had never been satisfied with Countess Dingnan, her stepmother and this was too good of an opportunity to miss striking at her.
With all these forces at play, Countess Dingnan was unlikely to have peaceful days ahead.
If Count Dingnan himself grew dissatisfied with her, she would need a way to make amends.
She knew that Song Yunzhao and Song Qinghan were at odds—if arranging Song Qinghan’s marriage could appease Song Yunzhao, helping her let go of her displeasure, then it wasn’t out of the question.
Song Yunzhao was momentarily startled by her own speculation.
Would Countess Dingnan really stoop so low?
Han Jinyi, seeing Yunzhao’s unsettled expression, felt a twinge of sympathy.
For someone as good as Yunzhao to end up with such a sister was truly unfair.
“Ah—right.”
Han Jinyi suddenly brightened, wanting to lift Yunzhao’s spirits.
“Qixi Festival[mfn]In the previous chapter 87 the author said it was a spring festival. These are definitely two different festivals, I am not sure if there was a mistake[/mfn] is coming up soon—do you have any plans?”
“Qixi Festival?”
Song Yunzhao blinked, then recalled—in the novel, the palace always celebrated it.
She had been so busy, she hadn’t even thought about it.
“That’s right.”
Han Jinyi grinned knowingly.
“The three consorts will host the Qixi Festival banquet, and His Majesty will be there as well.”
Meeting Han Jinyi’s teasing expression, Song Yunzhao immediately understood.
The Qixi Festival banquet would surely be a grand spectacle—a night of competing for imperial favor.
It was in the novel too where the protagonist outshone everyone, taking center stage.
But not this time.
No way was she handing over her prized cabbage—if anyone wanted it, they could fight for it themselves.
With that thought, Song Yunzhao stopped worrying about Song Qinghan’s marriage.
With First Madam holding the fort, she could rest easy.
“Exactly!”
Han Jinyi grinned, teasing.
“I heard everyone’s preparing spectacular performances for the banquet.”
Song Yunzhao paused—what could she do?
She wasn’t exceptional at music, chess, calligraphy, or painting.
Performing those at the Qixi Festival banquet would only invite others to overshadow her.
That kind of blunder was out of the question.
Singing? Dancing? Acrobatics?
Not a chance—with her stiff waist, she wouldn’t even dare to think about it.
So what else?
She realized she had no special talents to display.
Awkward.
Ah— she was a true side character.
Then she looked at the protagonist, who mastered not just eighteen arts, but nineteen.
Giving up? Impossible.
She’d have to take an unconventional approach.
After discussing the Qixi Festival, Han Jinyi lowered her voice slightly.
“I just received a letter from my father,” she said.
“He asked me to inform Jieyu that your father is highly knowledgeable in flood control. This southern mission will ensure he is put to good use.”
Song Yunzhao felt a wave of satisfaction.
That was the mark of someone truly capable—the Minister of Judicial Review’s position wasn’t earned lightly.
This was a clear message—her father’s talents would be fully recognized, and he wouldn’t steal the credit.
She understood—the Minister was acknowledging her previous gesture, repaying the favor.
“With your father overseeing matters, I can rest assured.”
She smiled politely.
“We can only hope they return safely.”
Han Jinyi also wished her father well.
She didn’t dare to ask for merit—as long as he completed his duty and returned unharmed, that would be enough.
Both women had their own concerns—Han Jinyi for her father, Song Yunzhao for Third Master Song.
They exchanged a glance, feeling a shared understanding.
After sending Han Jinyi off, Song Yunzhao turned her focus to the Qixi Festival.
With the Minister of Judicial Review stepping forward to handle the Emperor’s burden, resolving the self-criticism edict, shifting the blame from the Emperor to the ministers—
Was this truly heaven’s warning to the Emperor?
Are you sure?
Who was the one who defied opposition to push through the dam construction last year?
Why did the dam fail so easily upon impact?
The court allocated enough silver, yet why was the resulting structure so fragile?
Even if there is blame, it certainly does not fall on the Emperor!
At this point, who would even dare to investigate?
If they dug deeper, how many officials in court would truly be clean?
With a stance like a pig resigned to boiling water, the Minister of Judicial Review refused to back down—if they wanted to use him as a scapegoat, he was determined to drag everyone down with him.
And so—the self-criticism edict was suppressed.
Without the edict looming over him, the Emperor could finally relax, allowing him to enjoy Qixi Festival in the harem with leisure and indulgence.
Song Yunzhao thought it over.
Talents? No path forward there.
She would have to rely on her greatest strength.
She carefully selected fine fabrics from her storeroom, personally sketched designs, then had Xiang Xue and the palace servants craft her gowns.
If she couldn’t rely on talent, she would rely on beauty.
Before absolute charm, all skills were nothing but paper tigers.
Author’s note:
Here’s the palace ranking chart you all requested:
Palace Ranks:
Highest Rank:
- Empress
First Rank:
- Imperial Noble Consort
Second Rank- 3 consorts:
- Consort Shu
- Consort Wan
- Consort Zhuang
Second Rank, lower than the consorts (Secondary Consorts):
- Zhaoyi
- Zhaorong
- Zhaoyuan
- Xiuyi
- Xiurong
- Xiuyuan
- Chongyi
- Chongrong
- Chongyuan
Third Rank:
- Jieyu
Third Rank (Secondary Titles):
- Wanyi
- Fangyi
- Fenyi
- Deyi
- Wenyi
Fourth Rank:
- Noble Concubine
Fourth Rank (Lower Titles):
- Concubine
Fifth Rank:
- Xiao Yi
- Xiao Yuan
Fifth Rank (Lower Titles):
- Noble Ji
Sixth Rank:
- Ji
Sixth Rank (Lower Titles):
- Noble Person
Seventh Rank:
- Talented Lady
- Beauty
Seventh Rank (Lower Titles):
- Liangren
Eighth Rank:
- Attendant
Eighth Rank (Lower Titles):
- Lady
Ninth Rank:
- Chongyi
