Chapter 27: Never Once Lost a Battle of Wits

Hearing these words, Xiong Tianqiang’s expression turned solemn, even though he had previously dismissed the matter.

What was the point of hoarding silver if not to spend it? If one had the life to earn it but not the life to enjoy it, then all that hoarding was for nothing!

Xiong Tianqiang gnashed his teeth, his eyes fixed fiercely on Song Shiyu. "What do you want?"

"It is always pleasant to speak with a clever person," Song Shiyu said, leaning forward slightly. "I want the gambling debts of the Li family from Sweetwater Lane."

Xiong Tianqiang’s eyes flickered, his face darkening significantly. "Are you... a member of the Li family?"

Song Shiyu remained composed, her heart rate steady. "Who I am is not important. What matters is that I can save your life."

Xiong Tianqiang was skeptical. He examined Song Shiyu with a cold, contemptuous gaze. "You? Based on what?"

Song Shiyu leaned back, speaking slowly. "In ten days at most, you will see the results." She narrowed her eyes, adding in an enigmatic tone, "If you wish to live, you must treat that person with the utmost care over these next ten days. Do not let them be mistreated to death while I still have a way to save you; that would be the end of everything."

Xiong Tianqiang was torn between belief and doubt. Seeing Song Shiyu’s air of absolute certainty made him anxious. After weighing the options, he finally said, "You know the methods of our Chengfeng Casino. You wouldn't want to end up without a burial ground, would you?"

Song Shiyu was unfazed by his threat, maintaining her calm demeanor. "Once you have verified that my words are true, it will not be too late to settle the Li family’s gambling debts with me."

Xiong Tianqiang hesitated for a moment. Calculated this way, even if this woman were deceiving him, he would lose nothing. He nodded and extended his right hand. "It’s a deal."

Song Shiyu slapped her palm against his with force. "It’s a deal."

After Song Shiyu departed, Xiong Tianqiang ordered his henchman, "Follow her."

Song Shiyu was well aware that Xiong Tianqiang would send someone to track her and uncover her identity, but she had no intention of hiding anything. In fact, she wanted to lay her current identity out in the open. By doing so, she would appear even more unfathomable and unpredictable, allowing her to act with even greater audacity.

***

Ever since returning to the capital from Wanfo Temple, Zhao Yizhen and Empress Dowager Wen had not seen each other. Even during the morning greetings, Zhao Yizhen would merely bow from across the palace gates of Chuihua Palace. To those in the dark, it appeared as though a rift had formed between the Jing Emperor and Empress Dowager Wen.

With conflict brewing between the Emperor and the Empress Dowager, the entire palace was shrouded in a heavy atmosphere. Everyone was anxious and walking on eggshells, terrified that a single wrong word or step might draw imperial wrath. Among them, the most miserable were Yu Zhong and Shaoyin. With their respective masters on the verge of a falling out, these personal attendants were at a loss as to how to intervene.

Yu Zhong sighed toward the heavens, bitterly and sternly reprimanding his disciples and subordinates, warning them to keep their heads down—if they wanted to court disaster, they were not to drag him down with them!

As the Hour of the Bo drew to a close and the night deepened, the study remained brightly lit. Yu Zhong stared at the flickering shadows of the trees in the distance and heaved another heavy sigh. Just as he was about to risk his life to enter the study and urge the Emperor to rest, he saw several bright yellow lanterns swaying toward him. On the lead lantern, the words "Chuigong Palace" were clearly inscribed.

His expression tightened, and he hurriedly bowed to welcome them. "Oh, Your Grace, the night is deep and the dew is heavy; why have you come?"

Empress Dowager Yang, known as the "Junior Empress Dowager," had been a Consort Shu to the late Emperor. Having no children of her own, she had helped Empress Dowager Wen raise Zhao Yizhen. After Zhao Yizhen ascended the throne, both palaces stood side by side; Empress Dowager Wen was titled the "Senior Empress Dowager," and Empress Dowager Yang the "Junior Empress Dowager."

Though titled "Junior," Empress Dowager Yang wielded considerable power. Having cultivated her influence in the inner palace for years, her strength was not to be underestimated. Yu Zhong understood this clearly and showed her the utmost respect, supporting her by the hand as he guided her toward the study.

Empress Dowager Yang leaned on Yu Zhong’s hand, gazing at the brightly lit but tightly closed study. "Has the Emperor been like this for several days?"

Yu Zhong nodded with a bitter smile. "Your Grace, this old servant is deeply worried, but the Emperor is in a foul mood, and I dare not press him too hard. Fortunately, you have come. Please, Your Grace, urge the Emperor to rest."

Empress Dowager Yang, who had never given birth, was remarkably well-preserved. Though she was forty, she looked barely thirty. Her voice was soft and clear. "If the Emperor wears himself out like this, what shall become of his health?"

She spoke aloud toward the door, "Your Majesty, I have brewed some bird's nest soup. Please open the door and have some."

As soon as she finished speaking, the door creaked open. Zhao Yizhen hurried out, steadying Empress Dowager Yang’s hand. He glanced at Yu Zhong and rebuked, "How could you let the Empress Dowager wait outside!"

Yu Zhong promptly offered his apologies. Zhao Yizhen waved him off. In this palace, he might disregard anyone else, but he could never treat the Junior Empress Dowager with anything less than grace.

Empress Dowager Yang patted Zhao Yizhen’s hand. "It is fine. I was the one who feared disturbing your state affairs and told him not to announce me." She instructed Zhiting to place the white porcelain bowl on the table, and as she lifted the lid, a rich aroma wafted out.

"Come, Your Majesty, have a taste." Empress Dowager Yang personally ladled a bowl and placed it by Zhao Yizhen’s hand.

Zhao Yizhen froze. It was not bird's nest soup in the bowl, but shrimp congee. After a long silence, he let out a low, wistful laugh. "Empress Dowager, you still remember. Because of this bowl of congee, you were punished by the Senior Empress Dowager with three days of confinement."

"Eat while it’s warm," Empress Dowager Yang said with a smile. "You were small then, suffering from phlegm and wind. The imperial physician cautioned against certain foods, but I saw how you craved it and snuck it to you. Though it satisfied your hunger, your condition worsened. The Senior Empress Dowager stayed by your side day and night until you recovered, but she fell ill herself from the exhaustion."

Zhao Yizhen did not respond. He tasted the congee and nodded repeatedly. "Your skills have not changed at all, Empress Dowager."

Seeing that Zhao Yizhen was avoiding the topic, Empress Dowager Yang did not press it. Instead, she brought up Yang Changsheng, who had died at Wanfo Temple. "Your Majesty, although Yang Changsheng was my nephew, he dared to commit such an act of treason. You need not save face for me; punish him as the law requires."

Zhao Yizhen said solemnly, "Empress Dowager, Yang Changsheng’s death was suspicious. I also feel he had no reason to do such a thing. Rest assured, I will investigate the matter thoroughly. I will neither wrong him nor let him die in vain."

Upon hearing this, a look of sorrow crossed Empress Dowager Yang’s face. "I know you have a sincere heart. Although the Yang family is my kin, they have indeed acted inappropriately over the years, relying on my influence. If the Emperor needs to discipline them, do not hold back."

Yu Zhong, listening from the side, couldn't help but twitch his mouth. Empress Dowager Yang’s words were truly masterful. The Yang family had never held significant power in the court; they held only minor, idle positions with empty titles. If eating and drinking a bit too well counted as "acting inappropriately," then most of the officials in the court were guilty of far worse. If one were to be strictly fair, the Yang family was actually quite restrained.

The Empress Dowager’s words were heavy with subtext!