Chapter 19: Scheming Against the Li Family.

Chapter 19: Scheming Against the Li Family.

"Cunning as always, Zhang Jiugui left these words before scurrying away with a limp."

"As soon as the Luánmíng Chéng'ēn sedan arrived, Lady Li eagerly stood at the doorway watching."

"Yun Shan and Zhang Jiugui spoke in hushed tones at the palace gate, their voices so low that bystanders couldn't hear what they were saying."

"Lady Li only saw Zhang Jiugui leaving and thought he must have heard about Song Zhao's illness and hurried back to report to Xiao Jingheng, possibly to have Song Zhao's green head card removed."

"After all, wasn’t her own green head card removed by the Bureau of Ceremonies when she caught a cold?"

"Pleased with this thought, Lady Li blocked Yun Shan's path, smirking repeatedly:"

"'What? Your mistress is ill and still dreams of serving the Emperor? What a fanciful thought!'"

"Yun Shan had no intention of engaging with Lady Li, quickly bowing and attempting to leave,"

"But unexpectedly, Lady Li lost her temper and slapped Yun Shan across the face."

"Yun Shan, clutching her reddened cheek, looked at Lady Li, who was haughtily looking down her nose at her,"

"'A maid serving a concubine of low birth doesn't know her place! I am a Noble Lady, and even Song Zhao, a mere concubine, should listen respectfully when I speak. Who do you think you are?'"

"Yun Shan felt wronged internally, but what could she do?"

"In the harem, rank and status were as crucial as official titles in court – higher rank overpowers the lower."

"No matter how aggrieved she felt, she had to endure it to avoid bringing trouble to Song Zhao."

"'Noble Lady Li, please calm your anger. I understand my mistake. I did not intend to slight you, but I am anxious about my mistress's illness and wish to return to her side quickly.'"

"'Hmph, it's just a cold; it's not like she's dying. Playing the weak and garnering sympathy in front of the Empress all day, isn’t that enough acting for one day?'"

Lady Li, while pushing Yunshan aside, spoke harshly, "Go back and tell your mistress, I despise people who play the victim! She better restrain herself! Now leave!"

Yunshan, holding back tears, nodded in agreement. Outside the door of the western side hall, she quickly wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes, took a deep breath to compose herself, and only entered when her expression appeared normal.

She reported to Song Zhao, "My lady, I relayed your message to Eunuch Zhang as you instructed. You were right, the shadowy figure at the palace gate last night was indeed him."

Song Zhao lay weakly on the couch, nodding feebly.

Yunspruce touched her forehead, which felt significantly hotter than in the afternoon, and anxiously suggested, "Young mistress, shouldn’t we call for the imperial physician? Continuing to burn like this isn’t good."

Song Zhao spoke calmly, "No need for us to summon him; the physician will arrive shortly on his own." Feeling thirsty, she turned to Yunspruce, "Could you get me some... What happened to your face?"

She then noticed that Yunspruce's left cheek was slightly swollen, as if she had been hit.

Yunspruce quickly turned away, avoiding Song Zhao's gaze, and stammered, "It's nothing, I just... bumped into something myself..."

"Nonsense. You have eyes on your forehead, yet you bumped your face while walking?" Song Zhao's dark eyes shifted as she asked, "Was it Lady Li?"

With the secret out, Yunspruce reluctantly shared the events that had occurred in the courtyard.

She didn’t dwell on her own grievance, instead reassuring Song Zhao, "Don't take it to heart, young mistress. Lady Li is just jealous of your favor and speaks out of spite."

"A dog can't spit out ivory; let her say whatever she wants. I won’t stoop to arguing with a mad dog," said Song Zhao, gently caressing Yunspruce’s cheek, her voice tinged with concern, "But she shouldn’t have hit you."

Yunspruce pressed her lips together and shook her head, "I’m fine, young mistress. Don’t worry about me. As a servant, who doesn’t endure some scolding and beating? It's your health that matters. Let me get you some warm water to soothe your throat."

Returning with the water, Yunspruce helped Song Zhao sit up. After taking just a small sip, Song Zhao said:

"Lady Li has offended so many since entering the palace a month ago. I had no intention of dealing with her, preferring to let her self-destruct. But since she’s digging her own grave, why shouldn’t I oblige?"

She glanced out the window. It was dinner time, and the palace servants were bustling, carrying streams of food to the main hall.

The main hall was occupied by Yao Consort, the principal consort of Yaohua Palace.

She enjoyed lively gatherings, and usually invited Song Zhao and Lady Li to join her for lunch or dinner in her hall.

After pondering, Song Zhao instructed Yunspruce, "Inform Yao Consort that I'm feeling terribly unwell and fear passing my illness to her and Lady Li, so I won't attend dinner." After a pause, she added, "Go after a quarter of an hour."

Yunspruce thought to herself that even if Song Zhao didn’t attend the meal, Yao Consort was unlikely to inquire about her.

Besides, considering that dinner in the main hall was about to start, if she went after a quarter of an hour, Yao Consort and Lady Li would probably have finished eating. Was the trip even necessary?

However, since her mistress had instructed so, there must be a reason. Therefore, without questioning, Yunspruce stayed with Song Zhao for a quarter of an hour before heading to the main hall.

As expected, when she arrived, Yao Consort and Lady Li were nearly done with their meal.

Yunspruce announced, "Greetings to Yao Consort and Lady Li. My young mistress is severely ill and fears transmitting her illness to you both, so she won't be joining you for dinner tonight."

Upon hearing this, Lady Li scoffed coldly, "If she doesn't come, so be it. No one invited her anyway. Does she think she's so important?"

However, Yao Consort’s heart sank slightly.

Song Zhao was, after all, under her care. If she didn't even make a cursory inquiry and something serious happened to Song Zhao, she could face reprimand.

Pretending to be concerned, she said, "I thought Song Zhao was recovering. Has her illness worsened?"

She took a handkerchief to wipe her mouth and stood up, saying, "I will go see her."

With Yao Consort planning to visit Song Zhao, Lady Li, eager not to miss the opportunity to mock Song Zhao, hurriedly followed along.

As the two entered the western side hall, Consort Yao sat in front of Song Zhao's bed, holding her hand and expressing concern:

"Poor thing, how did such a delicate girl get burned like this? Why didn’t you inform me? I could have sent for the imperial physician to examine you."

Song Zhao, feigning weakness, propped herself up slightly and replied respectfully, "Thank you for your concern, Consort Yao. My health is not a bother, a good rest will suffice."

Lady Li, having caught a cold herself a few days earlier, received no inquiry from Consort Yao. She thought more bitterly of Song Zhao's apparent play for sympathy.

She glanced at the spruce standing beside her and, seeing a smirk on his face, felt more certain of her suspicions.

Without regard for Yao Consort's presence, she let her temper flare at Song Zhao.

"What are you pretending for? When others fall ill, so do you. Why do you act as if you've caught a terminal illness just because of a common cold?"

Spruce explained, "Noble lady, it's not right to say that. Everyone has different constitutions. My master has always been frail since childhood at home. She..."

"Who are you, a mere servant, to interrupt when the master speaks?"

Lady Li gave Spruce a sidelong glance and interrupted her, continuing, "Your master is of humble origin, never favored at home. Yet she lived well for over a decade, didn't she? How come she survived at home, but becomes so fragile once entering the palace, unable to withstand wind or sun?"

Yao Consort, finding Lady Li's words harsh, felt compelled to interject, "We all live under the same roof, Lady Li, you shouldn't be so harsh."

Seeing Lady Li about to give up, Song Zhao deliberately coughed twice, feigning even greater frailty.

"Cough, cough... Sister Li misunderstands me. If I've inadvertently done something to upset you, just tell me, and I'll change."

Song Zhao acted so frail as if she might cough up blood at any moment, infuriating Lady Li even more, who scolded:

"Are you ever going to stop? If you're really dying, call for the imperial physician! Aren't you just afraid that the physician will expose your exaggeration? Whose sympathy are you trying to gain now? Don't think that you..."

"The Emperor has arrived!"

Lady Li's vulgar rant was cut short by the announcement of the eunuch from outside the door.

Hearing this, Song Zhao couldn't help but laugh inwardly.

Of course, her display of vulnerability was meant for Xiao Jingheng's eyes.

And now, as expected, the spectator of this drama had arrived.