Chapter 52 Too Late
Song Zhimian walked with a light step.
She knew that once she got through that hurdle, the crisis of being taken away by Consort Wu would be over.
In addition, she confirmed one thing.
Ye Yunshu, the Minister of the Censorate, is likely a staunch supporter of the Crown Prince's faction.
Although everyone knew that the Inspector General did not take sides and was only loyal to the Emperor, Song Zhimian still discovered that Ye Yunshu was on the side of the Crown Prince.
Knowing that she had plotted to poison Cai Boju, Ye Yunshu remained calm and showed no reaction.
However, when the topic turned to the fact that there was also half-cooked rabbit meat on the Crown Prince's table, Song Zhimian clearly sensed anger in Lord Ye's eyes.
And then...
If this Lord Ye were biased towards Prince Zhao or completely neutral, I would probably already be in the Ministry of Justice's prison.
But it seems she's already acting like nothing happened!
This proves that his scheme to kill Cai Boju actually aligned with Lord Ye's wishes.
However, Song Zhimian was still unsure about the specific relationship between this Lord Ye and the palace.
It now seems that this Lord Ye not only oversees the Censorate, but also influences some matters within the Imperial Household Department.
What surprised Song Zhimin the most was how they arranged things for her.
That hand... it's stretched incredibly far!
However, Song Zhimin wasn't worried; she would definitely find out eventually.
The important thing now is that I don't have to go to Ronghua Palace anymore.
Hehe, that eighteen taels of silver wasn't donated in vain...
...
"Zhimian, are you sure you don't need to go to Ronghua Palace?" Lianqiao asked Song Zhimian nervously.
"Probably! I'm clumsy, and the Imperial Concubine prefers clever and quick-witted people. I'm sure I wouldn't be well-liked if I went. It's better not to go to Ronghua Palace and upset the Imperial Concubine," Song Zhimian said casually with a smile.
Lianqiao breathed a sigh of relief.
"No need to go to Ronghua Palace!"
As long as we don't go to Ronghua Palace, we'll still have a chance to meet!
"Here, this is the abdominal binder I made for you. Wear it around your abdomen for the next few days, and it will greatly reduce your abdominal pain." Lian Qiao said as she placed a newly sewn pad-like object into Song Zhimin's hand.
Song Zhimian was a little surprised.
A couple of days ago, when I wasn't feeling well, Lian Qiao noticed and I didn't expect her to remember it.
"Thank you so much, Lian Qiao! What would I do if you weren't by my side?" Song Zhimian said with a smile.
Lian Qiao smiled and casually touched Song Zhimian's knee.
Seeing Song Zhimian frown slightly, she sighed and took out a bottle of ointment from her sleeve.
"I knew your knees were going to hurt again."
Every time you kneel, your knees get bruised and purple.
Let me rub it for you!
As Lianqiao spoke, she applied ointment to Song Zhimian's knees and massaged them...
Looking at Lian Qiao's face, Song Zhimian took a closer look.
Lian Qiao was very pretty, with fair and delicate skin. Even Song Zhimian, who was standing close enough, could see the fine downy hairs on Lian Qiao's face...
Poor Lianqiao, she's the only one left in the whole family...
“Lianqiao, you’ll be going to a good place too!” Song Zhimian whispered.
Lianqiao nodded.
"Yeah! It's the same for me wherever I go, as long as I can see you often!"
Song Zhimian smiled and nodded.
Fortunately, at least within the Inner Court, I don't seem to be alone anymore...
...
Two days later, in Ronghua Palace.
Consort Wu lay half-reclined on the chaise longue, holding a fan in her hand and teasing a lion cat that was rolling around in front of the chaise longue.
The round, black lion cat was being amused by Consort Wu and was jumping around everywhere.
The head palace maid, Cai Xian, entered with a female official.
"Your Highness, the Imperial Household Department has brought over the list of candidates for this batch of female officials," Cai Xian said softly.
Consort Wu then slowly got up with Caiyin's help.
After receiving the list of candidates for female officials from Cai Xian, he began to read it carefully.
Each candidate female officer's name is followed by a description of her performance during her studies, her strengths, and her academic performance.
Consort Wu looked around, but couldn't find the name she wanted to see.
Her brows furrowed immediately.
"Are all the candidates for female officials here?" Consort Wu asked in confusion.
"Your Majesty, there are sixty-three female officials here."
"There's another female official who's already been assigned to a post, so she wasn't included in the roster," the female official who delivered the roster immediately said.
Consort Wu's face immediately darkened.
"How dare you! Your Highness is a Noble Consort, and in terms of rank, Your Highness currently holds the highest position in the palace."
"The Empress should have been the first to choose among the candidates for female officials. How could you let someone else choose first? How does your Inner Palace operate?"
Caiyin, who was beside Consort Wu, immediately reprimanded her.
The female official delivering the roster showed no fear; she simply bowed respectfully.
"This humble official dares not! The candidates for female officials were originally intended to be sent to Her Majesty for her to choose from first."
But yesterday His Majesty had Aunt Cui send over the list of candidates for female officials.
They said they wanted to select a female official to be in charge of ceremonies for the Crown Prince's Eastern Palace.
In the end, Song Zhimian, the best in etiquette among the candidates for female officials, was selected to go to the East Palace.
"The remaining sixty-three people are all here," the female official delivering the roster said calmly.
Consort Wu...
It turns out that His Majesty had already chosen the candidate...
Furthermore, everyone knows that the Crown Prince dislikes female officials serving the palace, so why is it that...
Consort Wu did not believe in any accidents or coincidences.
There have been too many unexpected coincidences lately; even a female official position is being contested. It's no wonder there's something fishy going on here!
Thinking about how Zhao Wang was currently overwhelmed with troubles because of Cai Boju's poisoning, Consort Wu's first thought was...
There's definitely something wrong with this female official...
"I see. Since His Majesty chose him for the Crown Prince, he must be the best!"
"I wonder if that lady-in-waiting is going to the Crown Prince's residence or the Eastern Palace?" Consort Wu asked with a smile.
"Serve at the Eastern Palace for now and take care of the young imperial grandson. We can go to the Crown Prince's residence later!" the female official delivering the roster said immediately.
The Crown Prince has already established his own residence outside the palace, but due to his poor health, the Eastern Palace has always been preparing for him to frequently return to stay there.
After all, this place is close to the Imperial Hospital, so if the Crown Prince is unwell, the imperial physicians can arrive quickly.
Consort Wu nodded, then casually picked someone from the roster.
"I need a female official in charge of registers here, so this one will do!"
...
After the lady-in-waiting who delivered the roster left, Consort Wu angrily smashed the fan in her hand on the ground.
"When has His Majesty ever worried about the affairs of female officials?"
"Your Majesty, please calm down. Have you forgotten that it was Eunuch Xue who arranged for Song Zhimin to enter the palace?"
"Perhaps His Majesty already had a plan by then!" Ayane and Ayane immediately knelt down.
Consort Wu also remembered this incident.
Yes, it was Eunuch Xue who arranged for Eunuch Liang to pick up Song Zhimin when she entered the palace...
"I didn't realize that the eldest daughter of the Marquis of Zhongyong's mansion was so capable!"
To be able to enter the Crown Prince's Eastern Palace...
Caiyin, deliver this message to King Zhao.
"Also, is the ginseng soup in the small kitchen ready? If it is, I will send it to His Majesty immediately," Consort Wu said with a cold laugh.
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