Chapter 69 Sixth Bureau Meeting
Yun Zhao sat upright at the bottom, her eyes on her nose, her nose on her heart, as if the invisible sword lights and shadows in the hall had nothing to do with her.
She just wanted to be a quiet background and leave this suffocating meeting hall as soon as possible.
However, how could she easily escape from the vortex of power?
The Palace Mistress Wu Lingyi's stern gaze was like a probe, accurately locking onto her. Her voice carried an undeniable sharpness, "Mister Yun," she paused deliberately, directing everyone's attention to Yun Zhao. "Why are you so silent? You are now the most favored person by His Majesty's side, deeply trusted by the Emperor. Don't you have any insights into the affairs of the six palaces?"
In an instant, several gazes, some inquiring, some jealous, and some scrutinizing, pierced Yun Zhao like thorns.
Yun Zhao slowly raised his eyes, his expression calm, as if he was only being asked about the weather today.
The corners of her lips curled up in a faint, distant arc. "Thank you, Concubine Wu, for your kindness. However, the affairs of the harem are complicated and intricate. The six concubines each have their own responsibilities and should fulfill their duties and help Your Majesty solve problems."
Her tone was calm, yet her voice was clear and undeniable. "Commanding the six palaces and coordinating all the bureaus has always been the responsibility of the Shanggong Bureau. Shanggong Wu is highly respected and experienced, so naturally we all follow her lead. The other four bureaus (Shangyi, Shangfu, Shangqin, and Shanggong), while each has their own responsibilities, also rely on the Shanggong Bureau to coordinate and coordinate in order to keep everything in order."
[Power? It's just a hot potato! Whoever wants it can take it! Just one Shangshi Bureau is enough to keep me busy! And from time to time I have to be pulled to fill the vacancies of Shangqin, Shangyi, and even Shanggong! Whoever wants to be this popular person can take it!]
She sneered in her heart, but her face became more respectful.
As soon as he finished speaking, Zhao Lianyue from the Shangqin Bureau immediately interjected, her voice tinged with a barely perceptible hint of bitterness: "Mr. Yun, you're too modest! How can we compare to you? My work in the Shangqin Bureau now relies heavily on your constant help and support. I'm truly grateful!"
Immediately afterwards, Shangyi Jiang Qingying's cold voice rang out, like ice beads falling on a jade plate, with obvious sarcasm: "What Zhao Shangqin said is absolutely right. Now, my Shangyi Bureau has also been relieved a lot because of Yun Shangshi's 'hard work and great contributions'. Those who know it think Yun Shangshi is capable, and those who don't know it..."
She deliberately dragged out the last syllable of her words, her eyes sweeping over Wu Lingyi before finally landing on Yun Zhao's face. "...I thought the head of the Six Palaces had already changed hands and become the Imperial Food Bureau!"
This big hat of "usurpation" is put on so harshly and viciously!
Yun Zhao felt nothing at all, and even found it a little ridiculous.
She put down the teacup with a crisp sound, and calmly met Jiang Qingying's provocative gaze. Her voice was not loud, but every word was clear, with a kind of indifference that showed a deep understanding of the world: "Jiang Shangyi, what you said is wrong. Where you are, what department you are in charge of, whether you live or die, honor or disgrace..."
She paused slightly, her eyes sweeping over everyone present, "—isn't it all just a matter of thought, Your Majesty?"
She looked at Jiang Qingying's suddenly stiff face and said with a tone that was almost cruel and blunt: "His Majesty has given orders, and those of us who work here can only obey orders. Could it be that... when His Majesty assigned her an assignment, Jiang Shangyi dared to say 'no'? Or Zhao Shangqin, do you have the courage to refuse His Majesty's order?"
These words, like an icy tide, instantly flooded the entire meeting hall! The air was dead silent, and you could hear a pin drop.
Jiang Qingying and Zhao Lianyue, who had just been exchanging sharp words, now looked pale, as if their throats were being strangled, unable to utter a single word. Wu Lingyi's eyes also darkened.
Yun Zhao seemed oblivious to everyone's embarrassment. He leisurely picked up the teacup, took another sip, and then slowly said:
"Since we're sitting here today, I'm sure you're all thinking about how to do your respective jobs better and relieve His Majesty of his worries." She put down her teacup, her eyes clear. "Why bother sorting out what's important, what's high or low? In my opinion, Concubine Wu should take the lead and coordinate, and we should all stay in our positions, perform our duties, and accept His Majesty's orders."
She stood up calmly, her eyes sweeping over the exquisite tea and snacks on the table. "The delicate tea and snacks used for today's meeting were provided by my Imperial Food Bureau. The entire arrangement and cleaning of this meeting room were done by the palace maids under Consort Jiang. If it weren't for Consort Wu summoning us, how could we all be gathered here?"
She nodded slightly, "Your Majesty will soon be awake from his afternoon nap, and the Imperial Food Bureau still needs to prepare afternoon tea and snacks. I will take my leave first."
After saying that, Yun Zhao no longer looked at anyone. She turned around, her skirt slightly lifted, and she walked out of the suffocating meeting hall with steady steps.
His back was straight, with a kind of determination and detachment that showed he didn't want to get entangled.
Wu Lingyi looked at Yun Zhao's departing back, feeling mixed emotions.
She had thought Yun Zhao would be spoiled by her favor, but she hadn't expected him to not only push the power back but also defend the Shang Gong Bureau's position in every way he spoke, praising her on a pedestal. This "praise" surprised her and left her feeling a little uneasy.
She gathered herself and said in a deep voice, "Yun Shangshi is absolutely right. Let's call it a day. Everyone, go back and do your duties conscientiously. Don't cause any trouble! Disband!"
Yun Zhao could no longer hear the murmurings and speculations that were going on behind the scenes.
Her mind had already flown back to the familiar stove and chopping board in the Shangshi Bureau.
Afternoon tea... Your Majesty was in a rage yesterday and dealt with a lot of trouble. I need something refreshing and invigorating...
She quickened her pace, thinking quickly of new pastry recipes in her mind, as if the meeting that had just been filled with murderous intentions was just a gust of insignificant wind.
Outside the meeting hall, on the long palace road.
Jiang Qingying's face was so gloomy that water seemed to drip out of it. Her steps were hurried and the handkerchief in her hand was almost torn to pieces.
Wu Lingyi caught up from behind and looked at Jiang Qingying's expression. She couldn't help but scold her in a low voice, her voice filled with the harshness of a person who was disappointed in her:
"Jiang Qingying! You're also an old hand in the palace! After all these years of ups and downs, how come today you're not as patient as a newcomer who just made a name for himself?!"
Jiang Qingying paused, but did not look back.
Wu Lingyi walked to her side and lowered her voice. Every word was like a knife, piercing through her pitiful pride:
"She's the legitimate daughter of Duke Yun! A daughter of a military family! Entering the palace to serve as the Imperial Chef is truly a 'lowering of status'! Your Majesty employed her because of the Yun family's military power and her clear-headed attitude of 'not fighting'!"
She stared at Jiang Qingying's instantly pale face, her tone even colder. "What about you? What's your background? A palace maid who grew up in misery! To be able to climb to the fifth rank of Shangyi is already a blessing earned through several lifetimes! You compare yourself to her? What can you compare with?! What she said today seemed to be a denial, but in fact, every word reminded us of our position! If you can't even see through this simplest foundation of life, you have really wasted all these years!"
Wu Lingyi's words were like a poisoned ice cone, piercing deep into Jiang Qingying's heart!
She clenched her fists violently, her nails digging deep into her palms. Her eyes were filled with humiliation, unwillingness, and a hint of completely awakened, cold fear and... a deeper hatred.
She gritted her teeth, said nothing, and quickly disappeared around the corner of the palace road, leaving behind only a back full of resentment and ambition.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
