Chapter 5: Pretending to be Foolish

Chapter 5: Pretending to be Foolish

In the moment of their gaze meeting, the air seemed to solidify.

This was the first time Song Zhao felt awed by a woman's aura,

Consort Ying's piercing gaze seemed to see right through her.

This was different from her past dealings with Lady Jiang and Song Yue in the Song mansion,

Song Zhao was acutely aware that any woman who had risen to the rank of a consort in the palace was far from simple.

She knelt down, bowing deeply, performing the full etiquette of the kowtow,

"I, Song Zhao, a mere attendant, pay my respects to Consort Ying. Wishing you a thousand years of blessings, prosperity, and golden peace."

During the kowtow, lower-ranked concubines must not look directly at higher-ranked ones,

Although Song Zhao kept her head bowed throughout and did not look directly at Consort Ying, she could feel Consort Ying's sharp gaze scrutinizing her.

After a long moment, Consort Ying finally spoke, "No need for such formality, rise."

Once everyone stood up, Consort Ying took her seat at the head, sitting upright and spoke calmly:

"It was supposed to be the Emperor to summon you, but the Empress's heart ailment relapsed, and the Emperor went to Fengluan Palace right after the court session. So, the Empress asked me to meet you all."

She paused, then suddenly let out a cold laugh, her eyes turning fierce, "But I didn't expect to witness such a spectacle!"

Saying this, she sharply slapped the table, causing a tremor in everyone's heart.

"The Emperor is rigorously investigating corruption in the front court, yet you new entrants to the palace are bribing eunuchs in the inner court? Coming from respectable families, where did you learn such sordid behavior!?"

Seeing her anger, including Song Zhao, all four of them knelt down simultaneously.

"Lady Ying, please calm your anger. I realize my mistake..."

Lady Ying glanced at them from the corner of her eye, her tone slightly softer,

"I understand that having entered the palace without family, you seek to make connections here for support. It’s natural, and I wouldn’t be overly harsh. But if you take the wrong approach and follow the wrong path, it's your maternal families who will suffer the consequences."

Lady Li, kowtowing loudly, repeatedly said, "You are right, Your Highness. I acted foolishly and made a grave mistake. I beg for your forgiveness and a chance to correct my ways."

Xiaochangzai and Liuchangzai also said, "Please, Your Highness, grant us a chance to reform."

Song Zhao, of course, didn't just stand idly; she followed suit in what others said.

Lady Ying, seeing Song Zhao also admitting fault, found it odd,

"Song Daying, you didn’t give him any gratuity. Why are you admitting fault as well?"

Song Zhao respectfully replied, "I didn’t offer Xiaogonggong any gratuity, not because I didn't want to, but because... I had nothing substantial to offer.

Although Xiaogonggong didn’t accept my gratuity, I indeed harbored improper intentions. Your Highness’s admonishment is correct; if I am at fault, I admit it without reservation, and adding more wrongs won't help."

Lady Ying seemed very satisfied with her response, smiling and nodding, then gesturing for everyone to rise,

"Considering this is your first offense, I will forgive you this time and won't inform His Majesty or the Empress Dowager. I hope you will learn to follow the rules and refrain from such thoughts in the future."

Everyone, as if granted amnesty, hurriedly thanked Lady Ying for her mercy.

Later, Lady Ying murmured a few inconsequential admonishments, then ordered the palace maids to lead them back to their respective chambers.

Song Zhao was assigned to the Yaohua Palace, where Lady Li also resided,

Lady Li, who was talkative, lectured Song Zhao on the way back to their chambers,

"Honestly, you’re too naive. Lady Ying didn't even know about your gift, and you went ahead and admitted it yourself. With your simplicity, you might struggle to protect yourself in the palace."

Song Zhao looked puzzled, "Didn’t Lady Ying just forgive us? I thought everything was settled then?"

"What do you know?" Noble Lady Li lowered her voice, whispering in her ear. "Although Consort Ying seems to have let this go, she actually now holds leverage over us. If we gain the Emperor's favor in the future, she'll likely use this incident to blackmail us."

Saying this, she glanced at Song Zhao and frowned, "Tsk, tsk, looking at you, it seems you won't be receiving any favor. Of course, you won't have such worries."

Song Zhao nodded gently, "I'm inferior to sister in both looks and family background, and not as clever as you. Living together in the same palace, I hope sister can take care of me."

Her words made Noble Lady Li beam with pride, lifting her chin arrogantly,

"Naturally, we are different. If you're willing to follow me as an attendant, when I become a concubine or consort, I might well take care of you."

Song Zhao smiled, "Then I thank you, sister."

Yaohua Palace was also home to the primary consort, Consort Yao, but she was not present today due to the Empress's sudden illness, which had caused all the consorts to rush to Fengluan Palace.

Noble Lady Li was assigned to the eastern wing of the palace, and Song Zhao to the west. They went their separate ways upon entering Yaohua Palace, each returning to their quarters.

As soon as they entered the western wing, Yunshan quickly closed the palace doors, then mysteriously pulled Song Zhao aside,

"Miss, although Noble Lady Li's words are unpleasant, they do make some sense. Consort Ying didn't suspect you, so why did you admit to attempting to give a bribe? And earlier, when I asked why you didn’t give Eunuch Shun a gift, why did you say... he wouldn’t live to take it?"

Song Zhao leisurely adjusted her sleeves and said nonchalantly,

"The Emperor is dealing with corrupt officials in the front court, a matter often discussed by father at home. Since the front court is being reformed, the inner palace must also be cleansed of such behavior.

When Noble Lady Li and the others were giving silver to Xiao Shunzi, I noticed a palace maid lurking and peeking into the hall from beneath the window. They’re all new to the palace; what was there to see?

So, I guessed she might be someone sent by the Emperor or another high-ranked consort to monitor us."

Yunshan, resting her chin on her hands, looked puzzled and asked, "But Miss, you saw that and still offered your silver earring to Eunuch Shun?"

Song Zhao replied, "Think about it. If everyone else gave and I didn’t, what would Consort Ying say about me?"

Yunshan replied, "She would have praised you in front of everyone."

Song Zhao nodded with a smile, "If she had praised me, Noble Lady Li and the others would have seen me as cunning, and wouldn’t let their guard down around me.

When Noble Lady Li spoke to me earlier, she treated me like a fool. That’s exactly the effect I wanted."

Everyone thinks I'm foolish, so they won't guard against me, or vigilantly monitor me, seeing me as a thorn in their side.

Even if Lady Ying were to report this matter to the Emperor and the Empress, all four selected beauties made the mistake together. If there is punishment, it will be collective. They all come from influential families; for such a minor issue, the Emperor wouldn’t offend their maternal homes. The principle of 'the law does not punish the masses' applies here."

Yunshan then had an epiphany, realizing that all this was within her mistress's calculations.

Her eyes sparkling with admiration, she exclaimed, "Wow! You are so clever, Miss! Is this what the master often refers to as... uh... 'playing the fool to outsmart others'?"

Song Zhao scoffed, shaking her head dismissively, "If my father truly understood what it means to 'play the fool to outsmart others,' he wouldn’t have sent me to the palace."

Yunshan, puzzled, said, "Miss, you’re speaking beyond my understanding again..."

Song Zhao gently patted her head, smiling warmly, "It doesn’t matter if you don’t understand. Just remember, the real drama has only just begun."