Chapter 89 Zhao Jieyu, with a Guilty Heart

She composed herself, maintained her bowing posture, and slowly replied:

"Your Majesty, the late Marquis Yongjia, Shen Ruyi, is indeed my grandmother. I have served on the frontier for seven years and am about to return to the capital to inherit the title. This matter... surely Your Majesty is unaware of it?"

“Song... Remembering... Autumn”

Zhao Jieyu used all her strength to slowly utter these three words.

The color drained from his face, and his eyes were filled with a complex mix of emotions.

Shock, fear, and even a hint of... terror.

In her eyes, it was no longer Song Yiqiu, but through Song Yiqiu, she saw the shadow of another person.

The person who has long since passed away, yet has never faded from her memory.

Princess Xingrong was startled by her mother's violent reaction. Seeing Zhao Jieyu's still trembling hands, she worriedly tugged at her sleeve:

"Mother? What's wrong? Are you feeling unwell again?"

Zhao Jieyu was brought back to her senses by her daughter's voice. She took a deep breath and suppressed her surging emotions.

Song Yiqiu took in her lapse in composure, which deepened her suspicions. She seized the opportunity and stepped forward:

"Judging from what Your Majesty just said... it seems you know my grandmother?"

"I don't know him!"

Zhao Jieyu blurted out, her voice shrill, and waved her hand urgently.

"How could I possibly know that kind of...that kind of vulgar person who brandishes knives and guns and hangs out with other men!"

Upon hearing this, even Princess Xingrong was stunned, and subconsciously whispered a reminder:

"Mother...be careful what you say! General Shen is a founding hero, and Father often remembers his achievements and ordered him to be honored..."

Although she was arrogant, she knew what was important. If her slander of a deceased veteran general with outstanding achievements were to reach her father's ears, her mother would also be punished.

Zhao Jieyu also realized that she had spoken carelessly in her haste, which was seriously inconsistent with her public image.

Her expression changed, and she quickly forced a stiff smile, trying to salvage the situation:

"What I mean is that General Shen's reputation is widespread. I have lived in the inner palace for a long time, but I have only heard of his name and admired his achievements, but I have never had the chance to meet him. I spoke carelessly just now, Miss Song... please don't take it to heart."

This explanation seems weak and unconvincing.

Song Yiqiu sneered inwardly, but remained respectful on the surface, curtsying once more:

"Your Majesty is too kind. I dare not presume. My grandmother dedicated her life to the country, and it is an honor that Your Majesty has heard of her. However, I will soon inherit my grandmother's title, and I hope to carry on her aspirations, live up to the Emperor's grace, and also live up to my grandmother's illustrious name."

"Inheriting the title?!"

Zhao Jieyu was incredulous. She stared intently at Song Yiqiu's face, which resembled Shen Ruyi's, especially those shrewd eyes, and murmured uncontrollably.

"It's you?? So many children in the Song family... how could it be... how could it be you of all people? And you, who look most like her, are the one to inherit this title!!!"

These words were almost squeezed out between her teeth; her nightmare was approaching her again in a different form.

Song Yiqiu said no more and respectfully returned to her seat.

Zhao Jieyu was clearly in a state of mental turmoil and could no longer maintain her composure. She held her forehead, said a few words to Princess Xingrong under the pretext of feeling unwell, and then hurriedly left her seat with the help of palace servants.

Watching Zhao Jieyu's departing figure, Bai Mei couldn't help but lean close to Song Yiqiu's ear:

"Miss, isn't this Consort Zhao too strange? Hearing the old lady's name, she acted as if she had seen a ghost in broad daylight! And what were those words she just said? How dare she belittle General Shen like that! His Majesty has clearly decreed that she be respected, isn't she afraid of getting into trouble for her words?"

Qingzhu frowned and said softly:

“Miss, Consort Zhao’s reaction… is not as simple as just hearing about it. The way she looked at you just now, besides fear, seemed to… also harbor hatred?”

Song Yiqiu picked up the teacup in front of her and calmly took a sip.

How could she not know? After this close-quarters probing, she was now fully aware of the situation.

Watching Song Yiqiu return to her seat unharmed, He Jianren whispered with lingering fear:

"Given Zhao Niangniang's usual temperament, if she had offended the princess, she would have been punished with at least a few lashes. Why did she let Song Yiqiu off so easily? What kind of sorcery did she use?"

Ruan Jiawen's face also turned a little pale, and she gently tugged at Song Sangyu's sleeve:

“Sister Sangyu, maybe we should just give up… I always feel that Song Yiqiu’s gaze is as cold as a venomous snake, I… I’m a little scared.”

Song Sangyu flung her hand away, her eyes flashing with ruthlessness:

"Useless thing! We can't touch her, but there are others who can! She might have gotten away with it once, but can she be so lucky every time?"

She glanced at the direction of the venue and calculated the time.

"Judging by the time, His Majesty and the male guests should have finished their first round of archery and horsemanship, and will soon be moving over to watch the women's performance. Our plan will proceed as scheduled! This time, we'll make sure she suffers a crushing defeat before the Emperor!"

...

The emperor, accompanied by the crown prince and nobles, took their seats in the main positions on the high platform.

The atmosphere in the venue immediately became even more intense, and an invisible pressure was added to the air.

A servant dressed in the attire of a master of ceremonies strode into the center of the hall, faced the ladies, and announced the rules in a loud voice:

"Your Majesty, Your Highness, ladies, wives, and young ladies, the next event will be a demonstration of female archery and horsemanship to enhance the enjoyment."

"The rules are as follows: each lady must ride her horse around half the field and fire three arrows in quick succession while moving. The one who hits the target the most and most accurately will be the best."

"It aims to show that the noble ladies of our dynasty are not only well-versed in traditional virtues, but also possess remarkable heroism."

This equestrian archery event follows the tradition of the Da Jin Dynasty, which established its nation through military force and expanded its territory.

Emperor Taizu once said, "The way of civil and military affairs is a balance of tension and relaxation." At the beginning of the founding of the country, he vigorously promoted military merit and encouraged women to learn martial arts and go into battle. There are many stories of women being granted titles for their military achievements.

However, after decades of peace, the political climate in the court has gradually shifted, with civil officials rising in status and a growing trend of valuing civil officials over military ones. Many self-proclaimed scholars and literati have privately come to regard military officers as vulgar.

The women's horseback archery at the autumn hunt became a microcosm of this contradictory era, both a respect for ancestral traditions and a part that was considered unseemly by some civil officials' families.

Therefore, the reactions of the ladies in the audience were clearly divided as soon as the rule was announced.

A few women from military families were eager to try, while most daughters of civil officials looked hesitant or complained in hushed tones, feeling that such an act was beneath their dignity.

Their fathers and brothers, along with some civil officials at the banquet, though their expressions were not outwardly obvious, revealed a hint of disapproval in their eyes.

After the attendant finished reading, he subconsciously looked at the daughters of the highest status among those seated.

Song Sangyu sensed the gaze, but only slightly raised her chin, her gaze sweeping over the servant with a subtle disdain unique to a daughter of a civil official.

The other noble ladies from scholarly families mostly shared similar attitudes.

Just then, a clear and calm voice rang out:

"I would be grateful if you could explain the rules in detail, sir."