Chapter 49 - I had special persuasion skills

“Do you think there is a high possibility that Ji’s Family could replace Gongxiang’s Family?” Yun Fenghuang didn’t panic when she heard this. She only narrowed her eyes and asked back.

Yuan Lianniang suddenly changed her face and scolded, “It’s absolutely impossible! Gongxiang’s Family settled the country in the troubled times, and contributed to the people. Since the family took over the crown, all the former Emperors have worked hard and aroused all their efforts to make the country prosperous. Although His Majesty has never been in power so far, he has always been gentle, cherishing the people and compassionating the lower-grade… The royal family still has great blessings. How is it possible that Ji’s Family could seize the throne?!”

Yun Fenghuang said, “That’s it. First of all, Ji’s Family may not be able to win. Secondly, even if Ji’s Family won, considering the status of Duke Yi’s Mansion, do you think I could affect the final decision even if I can share some suggestions with Her Highness? Or do you think Her Highness weights greatly in Ji’s Family?”

Mentioning this, Yuan Lianniang felt proud and elated, curled her lips and said, “Ji’s Family won’t believe in Empress Ji. They just want her to be a well-behaved Empress!”

Yun Fenghuang was very curious. She wondered why the people of Ji’s Family were so wary of their carefully cultivated legitimate daughter.

There was a patriarchal tradition in the world today and people preferred men than women, and they thought a woman was not a member of her natural family any more once she got married… But the blood relationship still existed. Even if they less weighted her than their sons and grandsons, she was still their legitimate daughter, right?

In particular, the former Empress was the daughter of Ji’s Family. Thanks to her, Ji’s Family began to be prosperous. Based on this, it was only reasonable if people of this family thought highly of this daughter who was the Empress now.

But why did they get suspicious of each other and made their contradiction well-spread?

But now was not the time to inquire about this, so she suppressed the desire to question further and said, “You got that right. Even if Ji’s Family has the upper hand, Her Highness might not be able to voice her opinions on how to dispose of Duke Yi’s Mansion, let alone me? But Jie Yu, you are different at this point. As long as His Majesty is in power, you can decide everything as you wish.”

Yuan Lianniang kept admonishing herself that the bitch Yun Fenghuang just said these sweet words to please her, and she shouldn’t take it seriously, but she couldn’t help but feel a burst of joy.

After all, she had been always suppressed by Empress Ji and others since she joined the Imperial Harem. Although she had hoped that Emperor Chunjia would be in power one day, she really became desperate as years went by.

Yun Fenghuang’s words made her subconsciously depict such a day in her imagination… When Emperor Chunjia was in power, she took charge of the Imperial Harem, and the Emperor loved her sincerely. By then, who dared to show her long faces, make her unhappy or contend with her for her beloved Ji (Emperor Chunjia) again?!

After being intoxicated for a while, Yuan Lianniang forced herself to wake up from this beautiful feeling and sneered, “But since you joined the Imperial Harem, you have aimed at the me again and again. Now you want to rely on me to revenge. Why should I help you?”

Yun Fenghuang thought to herself, “Because it’s super easy for me to get you to your death now…”

But this Emperor’s childhood sweetheart was indeed more useful to be alive. Besides, Yun Fenghuang didn’t want to be the target of Yuan’s Family, Queen Mother Yuan and Emperor Chunjia now. Therefore, she didn’t care about Yuan Lianniang’s attitude, saying, “First, Jie Yu, you are not my only choice. As you said, I have now turned to Her Highness, and Her Highness is also good to me. Although I would like to see everyone in Duke Yi’s Mansion die like dogs immediately… I prefer to live a comfortable life in this Imperial Harem. I’m not like you who always looks for trouble deliberately!”

“Second, of course, you can refuse me. I am not that kind of person who likes to force others!”

“However, Jie Yu, presumably you should also know that I am a person who does not stand to take a beating. I would like the whole Duke Yi’s Mansion to die for what they did to me, let alone you?”

Yun Fenghuang said with an indifferent smile, “Jie Yu, if you promise me this, I will still be willing to help you at the critical moment even if we will fight against each other superficially.”

“But if you don’t agree, there’s nothing left to say. We will be enemies in the future.”

She sat back while speaking, and there was a leak of homicidal intents in her eyes, “Jie Yu, I was ordered by Her Highness to supervise you to copy scriptures… Please conduct yourself well and don’t make me vexatious! Or…”

She pointed to the stack of colored papers, and the threat was self-evident.

Yuan Lianniang couldn’t say anything.

Indeed, she had been defeated by Yun Fenghuang for so many times in the past days. So, she said the above just now, hoping to earn herself some dignity. But her main reason was to force Yun Fenghuang to hand over an oath of the outlaw or the like. However, Yun Fenghuang was such a shameless person that she didn’t gain any benefit.

“… You said that you were willing to help me at the critical moment. Are you helping me now?” Yuan Lianniang didn’t want to speak anymore, but she was indeed worried about Emperor Chunjia. Therefore, after she remained silent for a while, she still asked, “You just said His Majesty’s situation was dangerous, but you haven’t told me the countermeasures yet.”

“Jie Yu, since Auntie Zhu came here recently, you have lived a hard life, right?” Yun Fenghuang did not answer the question directly but asked back.

Yuan Lianniang was a little wary and said, “How could it be? My aunt sent her here. Don’t you know that? She has long served me to grow up, so how is it possible that she makes me feel wronged?”

Yun Fenghuang said with a smile, “You think I want to trick you into something?”

She pouted towards the outside and lowered her voice, “I wonder how you were taught in Fuyang County to be so slow-witted? If you go on like this, even if His Majesty is in power in the future and you become Her Highness, how can you take charge of this huge Imperial Harem?”

Yuan Lianniang curled her lips and said, “At that time, none of you are allowed to stay in the Imperial Harem… Without you bitches who are good at being taletellers and being jealous, this Imperial Harem would be peaceful and quiet.”

Yun Fenghuang wanted to slap her again…

“When you were arrogant and importunate, and acted like a drag, Yuan’s Family and Queen Mother Yuan did not send anyone here to watch you, but now they suddenly send Auntie Zhu, the one you are afraid of. Although they said she was here to assist you at Ning Bi Hall, it was quite possible that she was here to deliver messages for your aunt and His Majesty.” Considering the big picture, Yun Fenghuang finally decided to spare Yuan Lianniang this time, and sneered, “This matter has long been heard by Her Highness, so she suspects that His Majesty discontents with his lot… Don’t lose your temper first and don’t interrupt me!”

Yun Fenghuang glanced dissatisfiedly at Yuan Lianniang, “Although Yuan’s Family is a great noble clan in Fuyang County, it is nothing in Dijing City. If His Majesty wants to succeed, in the final analysis, he still has to count on a great minister like Duke Yi.”

Yuan Lianniang frowned, “So?”

“So, you have to die!” Yun Fenghuang said leisurely, “After all, you have gained such a reputation that His Majesty loves you so much, and you have hatred toward all the concubines in this Imperial Harem, especially Duke Yi’s daughter Noble Consort Shu! If you don’t die, although Duke Yi is super loyal, how can he rest assured to work himself to the bone for His Majesty?”

Given the favoritism that Emperor Chunjia had shown to Yuan Lianniang in recent years, Duke Yi would surely feel worried. If the Emperor listened to Yuan Lianniang to frame Yun’s Family, then no matter how they worked like a horse and pledged their lives for him, they would still fail to get the power they wanted.

Yuan Lianniang’s face was dark, “His Majesty will not agree to kill me.”

“So, Auntie Zhu came here.” Yun Fenghuang sneered, “She comes from your natal family, Yuan’s Family in Fuyang County, right? If Yuan’s Family kills you, what does it have to do with Duke Yi’s Mansion?”

As for the reason why the people of Yuan’s Family were willing to kill their own daughter, “Since you joined the Imperial Harem for so many years, you’ve been fraught with grievances and troubles. Not to mention help Yuan’s Family, I’m afraid that you have implicated Yuan’s Family a lot in recent years, the same way you did to His Majesty and Queen Mother Yuan. If I had a daughter like you, I would want to kill you, too! Besides, there are so many people in Yuan’s Family. Even if your father, mother and legitimate brothers and sisters were willing to protect you, how is it possible your relatives are not tired of you after everything you have done?”

“Of course, you were once the fiancée of His Majesty after all, and His Majesty still likes you.”

“If you are killed secretly, it’s not worthwhile.”

Yun Fenghuang had a faint smile on her face, “If I were a member of your family, I would make my resolution to Duke Yi by killing you, this unfilial daughter. By doing so, they would dispel misgivings of Duke Yi, letting him wholeheartedly pledge his life to His Majesty… Then, I would choose a scapegoat from Ji’s Family, General-in-chief of the Cavalry or Prince Regent to pay for your death! In this way, Duke Yi can use this as an excuse to launch an attack.”

“Even if His Majesty doesn’t agree, anyway, they are your closest families, and they sacrificed their daughter for him. His Majesty is general and kind. Could he bear to make it difficult for them by then?”

“Your families will at the most weep and confess their mistake, and then shirk all responsibilities onto Ji’s Family.”

“When His Majesty is mollified, they will then pick a few daughters whose appearances and characters are like yours from your clan to replace you to serve His Majesty, give birth to children, and become Her Highness… In this way, the future of your whole clan will be stable, right?”

“If so, it’s worth for your family to give birth to you, raise you and boil you for so many years, right?”

Yuan Lianniang thought, “… Auntie Zhu had said that if I died, Yuan’s Family would just send a few more legitimate daughters to join the Imperial Harem…” After she recalled this, emotionally, she still could not accept her natal family which gave birth to her and raised her would be so cruel to kill her one day, but she admitted intellectually that it was possible!

She only felt cold all over her body, and subconsciously retorted, “My families won’t treat me like this…”

“Then tell me why they sent Auntie Zhu here?” Yun Fenghuang asked back, “If she was here just to put up advice and make plans for helping His Majesty be in power, she could hide in Chun Yong Palace. Based on the means of Queen Mother Yuan, she can ensure that no one will get any evidence even if they have suspicion afterwards! Since Auntie Zhu came to Hu Zhu Palace, she has spent all her time in dealing with messes for you. How can she have time to do something else?”

Yuan Lianniang said, “But you said just now that she was here to report to His Majesty…”

“Did she frequently go to Chun Yong Palace after she came to Hu Zhu Palace?” Yun Fenghuang sneered. “I just said it casually, but you bought my lie. You are really… Since she barely went back to Chun Yong Palace, how could she report? Besides, if it is only for this reason, although His Majesty likes to come here, it is impossible for him to be with you every day. Why didn’t your aunt arrange her directly in Tai Chu Palace? Is it possible that Tai Chu Palace does not need anyone to serve His Majesty?”

Yuan Lianniang was speechless and muttered, “I will tell these to His Majesty!”

She couldn’t tell if Yun Fenghuang’s words were true, but Emperor Chunjia was so handsome, brilliant and brave… so he could definitely tell!

Besides, if the people of Yuan’s Family in Fuyang County, Queen Mother Yuan and Auntie Zhu all gave her up… the only one who could save her would be Emperor Chunjia!

“His Majesty may die with you if you tell him.” At this moment, Yun Fenghuang said coldly, “After all, since Yuan’s Family in Fuyang County has started to deal with you, it can be seen that their patience has reached the limit. It’s reasonable. You have been living hard for these years with the protection of His Majesty and Queen Mother Yuan in the Imperial Harem, let alone Yuan’s Family who came to Dijing City hurriedly without much preparation. You must have felt that you can’t stand it recently, right? How long do you think your family will endure?”

“They have now decided to give you up to help His Majesty be in power. If they make it, they must have a rapid advancement in their official career!”

“But if His Majesty fails to leave them a promising vision, you really think your family are so loyal that they are willing to waste their time with His Majesty until they have nothing at all and even lose their reputation until the last day?”

“You are a daughter of a great noble family, but you don’t even understand the roots of the continuation of the family… That is, they will never be desperate until they have no choice! Yuan’s Family has only two choices now. Either they find ways to support His Majesty to be in power; or they directly give up the path and compromise to Ji’s Family!”

“After all, they have been a noble clan in Fuyang County for many years. The main branch has left the county and followed you to Dijing City for less than ten years. At this time, if they are willing to compromise to Ji’s Family, Ji’s Family will certainly not make it too difficult for them for the sake of the big picture, and may even enfeoff them to comfort them…. If they go back to Fuyang County, their family is still a notable family and great clan, and they suffer no loss!”

She carefully looked at Yuan Lianniang’s increasingly pale face, and smiled lightly, “But if they persist this stalemate, they won’t get any benefit in the Imperial Court, and their influence in Fuyang County will gradually fade with time. It can be said that they will have nothing to rely on at that time. Is that possible that your father and brothers are fools who will make the great family fall into such a situation? Yuan’s Family is not an impoverished family, which is not afraid of everything and dares to take the future of the clan to gamble… In fact, it’s probably Queen Mother Yuan who was behind this and kept them enduring until now. Otherwise, if I were your father, I would have left Dijing City several years ago!”

Anyway, there were Queen Mother Yuan and Yuan Lianniang in the Imperial Harem. If Emperor Chunjia was in power one day, what could other forces do to Yuan’s Family?

If Emperor Chunjia didn’t be in power all his life, Yuan’s Family was in Fuyang County, far away from Dijing City, and had nothing to do with it, so it would not be affected.

Making an appropriate decision according to the situation, and never putting the clan in danger of overturning were the choices of a wise family owner.

Speaking of this, Yun Fenghuang seemed to think of something, “It seems that I still underestimated Queen Mother of Mercy before. Your aunt is more powerful than I thought!”

Seeing that Yuan Lianniang’s lips creeped and she was about to say something, Yun Fenghuang chuckled, “Of course, it further proves that my speculation is right. Since your aunt can coax the whole Yuan’s Family to come to Dijing City and gamble the fortune of the clan for His Majesty, isn’t it possible for her to sacrifice you, such a troublesome nephew?”

Yuan Lianniang had always been arrogant and full of grievances on account of wrongs, but now she was pale and disappointed. Seeing her expression, Yun Fenghuang raised her sleeves to cover her lips and smiled smugly, “I have told everything to you… Although Her Highness has little discourse power in Ji’s Family, fortunately, I’m still young and beautiful. If His Majesty falls from power, who knows if there is a high-weight man in Ji’s Family liking me? At that time, maybe it’s also a good choice to persuade the man by my own to make Duke Yi’s Mansion fall?”

“So, Jie Yu, if you want to tell His Majesty, just do it. Even if you want to tell your aunt or Yuan’s Family… that’s fine!”

Then she stood up and left leisurely, “Well, it’s time for me to have a meal. Jie Yu, think about it slowly and carefully, and don’t wrong yourself!”