Chapter 17: The Complaint
“Imperial Physician, what is the condition?”
The Empress asked with a face full of concern.
“Your Majesty, though this young lady’s injury seems minor, she must be well cared for and must not be exposed to cold winds, lest it develops into a chronic ailment. The pain will last for a while, and she should avoid getting wet as much as possible,” the Imperial Physician carefully advised.
The Empress sighed and instructed, “Keep this matter confidential. Prepare the prescription immediately.”
“Yes, Your Majesty. I take my leave,” the physician replied.
Upon seeing Zhao Jiao’s wound, the physician roughly guessed how it had been inflicted. Such methods were truly...
“Thank you, Empress Dowager—Your Majesty, you must help me!”
Zhao Jiao’s tearful, quiet plea was heart-rending.
“Enough, enough, don’t cry. You heard what the Imperial Physician said. Follow the medical advice. This matter...”
The Empress looked troubled, hesitating to speak.
“...such insolence, and such ruthless methods. Jiao Jiao is also a daughter of an official family. To be bullied like this in the palace without cause—Your Majesty, you are responsible for this selection. It is your duty to inquire about this matter,” Yin Sumo said, not leaving. Since the Empress had misunderstood, it wouldn’t hurt to say a few more words.
The Empress’s gaze flickered between them before she sighed helplessly, “Very well. Since the injury happened in the palace, I cannot turn a blind eye. But Nian Zhao is from the Princess’s household and deeply favored by the Princess, so even I cannot act rashly. Here’s what we’ll do: today, you will stay here in my quarters to avoid gossip and trouble when you return. At tomorrow’s palace banquet, I will report to the Empress Dowager and let her decide for you.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty, for your kindness and mercy!”
Zhao Jiao was grateful and made a gesture to kneel, but the Empress hurriedly helped her sit down.
“Don’t thank me too soon. Whether the Empress Dowager believes you is uncertain. You must carefully consider what you will say to her. If Nian Zhao denies it and the Empress Dowager does not believe you, then even I will be powerless. Do you understand?”
“I understand! I understand, Your Majesty! I will not implicate you. I will tell the Empress Dowager myself. She will surely see these wounds on me...”
Zhao Jiao understood perfectly; the Empress was only trying to use someone else’s hand to solve this. If it worked, great. If not, the worst would be accused of disturbing the Empress Dowager with hearsay.
For the sake of her son, the Empress was willing to take this small risk.
“Alas, poor thing... There’s a maid named Silver Button who came from outside. Is she here to serve you?”
“Yes!”
The Empress nodded, “Then let her stay and attend to you. I will send someone to inform Caivei Palace. Rest well and think about how you will speak to the Empress Dowager tomorrow.”
---
“Thank you for your great kindness, Your Majesty. I will remember your grace forever.”
Zhao Jiao thanked her again. Being close to the Empress was part of the plan! Who exactly was using whom was still unclear.
“She’s an honest child!” The Empress said, then glanced at Yin Sumo with a frown. “Why don’t you come with me? What, you don’t trust being here with me? You want to watch over her yourself?”
“Yes, Your Majesty!”
Yin Sumo obediently lowered his head and followed. From time to time, he couldn’t help but stare intently at Zhao Jiao, causing the Empress to shake her head in amusement.
Once outside, the Empress couldn’t help but ask, “What is your relationship with her? The Emperor is worried about your marriage prospects. If you and she... Tell me honestly, and I might be able to help. If it weren’t for your sake today, I wouldn’t have taken on this hot potato. Your royal aunt is not easy to deal with...”
“Your Majesty is kind and will not ignore this! Nian Zhao’s actions did cross the line, and precisely because your royal aunt favors her, she must be properly managed. Otherwise, who knows what trouble she might cause in the future? That would damage the royal reputation and your aunt’s honor!”
Yin Sumo spoke with solemn seriousness.
The Empress nodded thoughtfully, “I’ve considered that too. That’s exactly why... Wait, don’t change the subject. I’m asking about your relationship with her. No dodging!”
Her tone was unusually affectionate, as if speaking to her own son.
Yin Sumo lowered his head shyly, “I just feel she’s different from other women, very... simple. Since the Emperor asked you to help us, everything is up to you.”
Though not a direct confession, it was hard not to misunderstand. The Empress smiled knowingly, “Now I understand. Come, sit a while longer before you go. Since you returned, I’ve wanted to talk properly but never found the right time. I remember you as a well-behaved child who loved the jujube cakes I made. It’s a pity you left for your fiefdom so young. It must have been lonely. Thankfully, your father remembered you and brought you back. Sister Dan would be comforted if she knew.”
Yin Sumo nodded in agreement and responded appropriately, preventing the Empress from talking alone.
After about half an hour, Yin Sumo left Fengxiang Palace.
By then, the snow had stopped. Instead of taking a carriage, Yin Sumo walked all the way. For some reason, he just wanted to walk.
“Your Highness, if you speak to the Empress like that, she will surely misunderstand. What if she ends up arranging this marriage for you?”
Lingdang was anxious.
“What’s wrong with this match? It suits me best. If she were from a prestigious family, do you think the Empress would be so eager to arrange it? If I truly married a noblewoman with a powerful maternal clan, how many would worry? How many would be eyeing me? Just one Star-Picking Tower has made them restless.”
Yin Sumo walked in the snow, hands behind his back. His father insisted he marry within a year precisely for the sake of the Star-Picking Tower.
Otherwise, he might never have grown up safely in the fiefdom, let alone been brought back.
“Do you really want to marry her? Do you truly fancy her?”
Lingdang seemed to have uncovered a great secret.
Yin Sumo smiled deeply, “Investigate further and see if we missed anything. I just feel something isn’t right.”
---
“What’s not right? Miss Xu? Even I think so...”
“She even sacrificed herself to drag others down, acting as if she’s invincible. It’s surprising she thought of this. At tomorrow’s palace banquet, I want to see what act she will put on and whether these wounds are worth it!”
Lingdang’s eyes widened in disbelief. “Are you saying… all this was Miss Xu’s self-inflicted ploy? What does she gain from this? How did she predict Princess Nian Zhao would cause trouble? Just because of the ‘Zhao’ in her name?” This was the first time she had truly invited trouble upon herself!
“That’s what we need to ask her... and also investigate that princess!”
“Yes!”
“Also...” Yin Sumo suddenly stopped mid-sentence.
“Hm?”
“Nothing more.” He gave up. The Empress trying to manipulate others behind the scenes would certainly be working quietly as well.
That woman dared to scheme against anyone, brazenly use him, outwit the Empress, and challenge the Princess’s household. What was there she wouldn’t dare? If someone said tomorrow she’d poke a hole in the sky, he might believe it.
Her entire plan was deeply layered, and he suddenly realized he might have underestimated it.
Using the Empress against Nian Zhao, she must have been thinking of the Prince of Separation. And last time she said he was heartless and ungrateful. Now his fourth brother’s relationship with Nian Zhao wasn’t ordinary...
He understood. She hadn’t acted on a whim but seized the opportunity to vent for Feng Zhaozhao. To think of this move, even anticipating the Empress’s thoughts, showed she truly mastered human nature.
Yin Sumo felt a chill run down his spine. This woman was truly terrifying!
“Your Highness, don’t laugh like that... it’s creepy!”
Lingdang hugged her arms exaggeratedly and rubbed them.
“Is she truly loyal and fearless, or does she have other motives? The more inscrutable she is, the more I want to see how this unfolds. Fascinating indeed,” Yin Sumo said to himself.
Lingdang pouted, “Isn’t this just addiction?”
An inadvertent remark that hit the mark.