Chapter 51 - How to betray teammates without alliances?

Yuan Lianniang, who was glaring at Xi Jing, instantly widened her eyes, “What did you just say?”

Then she immediately gave a gasp of astonishment, “Are you crazy? Absolutely not!”

“Absolutely not?” Yun Fenghuang looked at her with a faint smile, and waved her hand to sign Xi Jing and Xi Le to leave. After that, she said leisurely, “Then Jie Yu, please tell me, is His Majesty able to fight with Ji’s Family now?”

Before Yuan Lianniang answered, she continued to say, “If he is able to do it, how can you be degraded to be Jie Yu? His Majesty is still dormant, but Ji’s Family has already been suspicious. What should he do now? Fight with them? If he fights with them, the result will be what I just told you. Even if Noble Consort Gui can’t give birth to a boy this time, according to what they had done eight years ago, they can select a few ignorant children among so many Princedoms, right?”

“Given the situation, he can only take a step back and continue to endure.”

There was a light flashed in Yun Fenghuang’s eyes, and she said softly, “In fact, your father, Queen Mother of Mercy and His Majesty are right to choose this opportunity to take actions now. Noble Consort Gui is pregnant, and Mr. Ling Shan enters the Prince Regent’s Mansion as a tutor. It’s the time that the balance of the Imperial Harem and Imperial Palace is broken. As long as they operate well, they will benefit greatly, and even gain the power then!

“But now Queen Mother of Honor and the Empress are already in doubt…”

Yuan Lianniang said nervously, “They are just in doubt! They have no evidence! People of Ji’s Family don’t like Queen Mother Ji and Empress Ji to interfere the political affairs the most, and they will not believe what they would say at all.”

Yun Fenghuang refuted, “Do you even believe this kind of bullshit? Queen Mother Ji and Empress Ji are the offspring of Ji’s Family. They only earned their current identity and status because of Ji’s Family, not the grace and favor of the Emperor! They won’t be stupid to abandon Ji’s Family but favor His Majesty?! Usually, Ji’s Family may not like the women in their family to interfere the political affairs, but how can they not be cautious about the big affairs that could decide their fates!”

She sneered again, “Maybe Ji’s Family is using such rumors to cheat others at the criminal moment!”

“You are just a girl from a humble family. You know nothing!” Yuan Lianniang said upset, “When Emperor Shenzong died, Emperor Xiaozong just ascended the throne. He didn’t like Ji’s Family to domineer, so he wanted to suppress Ji’s Family. However, because he was young and didn’t have great foundation in the Imperial Court then, his plan was immediately discovered by Ji’s Family… Afterwards, he failed to get his wish anyway. During the process, because the Empress Dowager loved her son, she gave Emperor Xiaozong much partial favor, and even convinced Queen Mother of Honor to help Emperor Xiaozong… But Ji’s Family won in the end, and even Queen Mother of Honor finally turned her coat and stood the same side with her family…”

“Despite this, Ji’s Family still thought that women were like the water being splashed out of the door once they got married, and they couldn’t be trusted!”

“In order to avoid a similar situation, people of Ji’s Family took the lead in not allowing women of the Imperial Harem to interfere the political affairs. They not only gained a good reputation, but also prevented the daughters in their family from helping Gongxiang’s Family to fight against them!”

Yun Fenghuang finally understood how the situation developed like this. No wonder that Empress Ji tried her best to repay her family, but she was not trusted… However, it was too much for Ji’s Family to abandon food because of choking. The Empress Dowager was the biological mother of Empress Xiaozong, and it was human nature that a mother loved her son than her natal family. However, neither Queen Mother of Honor nor Empress Ji had a son.

Although Yun Fenghuang was not clear the affections between Queen Mother of Honor and Emperor Xiaozong, as for those between Empress Ji and Emperor Chunjia…

Anyway, Yun Fenghuang didn’t think the Empress preferred the Emperor than her tribe.

As Yun Fenghuang thought about it, Yuan Lianniang continued to say, “However, Queen Mother of Honor and Empress Ji are both restless. Apart from taking charge of the Imperial Harem, they always try to interfere the political affairs in the Imperial Court… Duke Ye, Marquess Haixi and Marquess Minyang are very annoying about this. Even at the palace banquet the year before, they openly advised the Empress Dowager to restrain her daughter-in-law and grand-daughter to obey their duties… So…”

“So, why are these two women still monitoring and suspecting His Majesty?” Yun Fenghuang interrupted her leisurely. In fact, she still wanted to hear more information, but she couldn’t. If she allowed Yuan Lianniang to continue, Yuan Lianniang’s confidence would gradually increase, and the effect of her previous formidable speech would be greatly reduced.

It was reasonable that the lobbyists in ancient times always liked to intimidate someone in the beginning if they wanted to convince the one.

Yun Fenghuang must keep Yuan Lianniang maintaining the fear and awe toward the situation and her, so that every word she said could make a vivid impression in Yun Lianniang’s mind, and she could maintain her authority. At this moment, she deliberately sneered and said, “The two women’s current status and powers both rely on Ji’s Family. If Ji’s Family really wants to control them, can’t they make it?”

“But how about the results?”

“They were warned from time to time, and even someone advised that women of the Imperial Harem were not allowed to interfere the political affairs, but now what? These two still tirelessly keep interfering the political affairs like men?”

“If you really believe the fake scene they created, I have nothing to say… I can only say that Lord Fuyang’s offspring does not have the blessings to see the Emperor in power!”

Yuan Lianniang’s face was very dark, “Well, even if Ji’s Family has believed these two women’s words and have already doubted His Majesty, why should my dad die?”

“If His Majesty wants to do something at this time, besides your father and Duke Yi, who else can he rely on?” Yun Fenghuang sneered. “It’s a big thing. Just admitting mistakes and declaring where the Emperor stands are not enough to dispel Ji’s Family’s suspicion! How can Ji’s Family rest assured if the Emperor doesn’t sacrifice a person of enough weight? If your father doesn’t die, do you expect Duke Yi to suicide? My following words may sound uncomfortable. Not to mention that Yun Zhao wouldn’t do it, even if he is really so loyal, you must prevent this from happening if you still love His Majesty!”

“After all, with regard to the importance to His Majesty, your family is not comparable to Duke Yi’s Mansion!”

“But that’s my dad!” Yuan Lianniang said sullenly. “You mean I should kill my father for His Majesty?! Are you still a human!?”

Yun Fenghuang said, “Do you have any other choice? They are too stupid. As the old saying goes: if a monarch is not cautious enough, he will lose his trusted officials; and if an official is not cautious enough, he will lose his life. I’m just a lady, but I know such a simple reason. They are so many of them, but none of them is clever. They deserve this miserable ending!”

She further said, “Besides, how can it be called killing your father? Since it’s the case, do you really think that even if you don’t agree, your father will be able to survive? Think about it carefully. If you were a member of Ji’s Family, what would you do? His Majesty is an Emperor at least. Noble Consort Gui hasn’t given birth to a child yet. Ji’s Family must make a plan for selecting the next emperor first so as not to fall into passiveness, so it is not appropriate for them to fight with His Majesty for the time being. As for Duke Yi’s Mansion, Ji’s Family also wants to deal with it! But Yun’s Family enjoys a high identity and great power, including the military power now, so Ji’s Family dares not fight with it now.”

“Then who is the best choice for them to punish someone as a warning and destroy His Majesty’s plan?”

Of course it was Earl Xingning’s Mansion!

Yuan Lianniang’s lips squirmed and she answered silently in her mind.

Earl Xingning was the title of her father, Yuan Qihuai.

Because she was not the Empress, and the dynasty did not have the custom of conferring the title on the father of a concubine. Yuan Qihuai only relied on Queen Mother Yuan to be titled as the uncle of the Emperor. Originally, the dynasty generally titled the uncle of the Emperor as a Duke, but under the pressure of all parties, he was only titled as an Earl in the end… Not to mention the specific official position, he was only a dispensable official in a yamen (a government office in feudal China).

Superficially, he had the right to discuss political affairs in the Imperial Court, but in fact, he was greatly suppressed by Ji’s Family, monitored by the General-in-chief of the Cavalry and Prince Regent, and isolated by scholars who had always been dustless and never stood the same side with Ji’s Family… In short, as the Emperor’s relatives, Earl Xingning could only be a follower of Duke Yi and dared not contradict him.

So, when other forces needed to warn Duke Yi, no, the Emperor, Yuan’s Family would be the best and most efficient choice.

Yuan’s Family had week foundation in the Imperial Court and was easy to be dealt with. Also, it was also known that the family had a close relationship with the Emperor, so it was an effective warning to make the Emperor lose face.

The most important thing was that because of the grievances between Yuan Lianniang and Noble Consort Shu, Yuan’s Family and Duke Yi’s Mansion would not become enemies, but they wouldn’t be in good relationship. If others said that Duke Yi’s Mansion would protect Yuan’s Family at this critical moment… Yuan Lianniang wouldn’t believe it even if she was super naive.

In fact, it would be kind for Yun’s Family not to hit the family when it was down.

Yuan Lianniang just felt that her eyes were black. She squeezed her palms hard, and when she spoke again, her voice became very low and week, “You… you do have a way to get rid of the situation, right?”

She seldom praised other women of Emperor Chunjia, “You are so clever and powerful, and you have done so many things only within a few days after joining the Imperial Harem, so you must have a way to save my father’s life, right?! If you can do it, I will obey any of your orders in the future!”

“You think I’m an immortal or something?” Yun Fenghuang refused immediately, “Your father will die sooner or later, no, within a few days. These days, both the Imperial Court and the Imperial Harem are unstable, so how can Ji’s Family not interfere? Neither the Prince Regent nor General-in-chief of the Cavalry is easy to be messed with, so Ji’s Family must free up enough manpower and energy to fight with them… Therefore, they will surely slash other messes as soon as possible! Your father will die soon. I only tell you these to let you carefully think about how to gain some benefit from your loss!”

Yuan Lianniang’s mouth was dry and she leaned over to pull Yun Fenghuang’s sleeve, “Even if Ji’s Family is going to punish someone as a warning, that man is not necessary to be my father… I mean we have other people in Yuan’s Family, so why do my father have to be the one?”

“Because your father Earl Xingning is the head of Yuan’s Family.” Yun Fenghuang sneered, “As soon as he dies, your brothers must bring your father’s coffin, return home, and resign from office! And other people of Yuan’s Family will also follow them, mourning or observing filial piety regarding their relationship with your father. Originally, Yuan’s Family’s foundation is weak in the Imperial Court, and after such a lot of tossing, there will be almost no place for Yuan’s Family in the Imperial Court… If someone else in Yuan’s Family dies, how can such effect be achieved?”

“Then who can His Majesty rely on afterwards?! Originally His Majesty is short of supporters. If my family falls, won’t Duke Yi’s Mansion be the only single support?” Yan Lianniang suddenly became angry and said sternly in a low voice, “You are hoping that His Majesty will never be in power!”

That was right!

That was exactly what Yun Fenghuang thought!

Yun Fenghuang silently endorsed her in her mind, but she could definitely not admit them, “If I hope that His Majesty will never be in power, am I necessary to talk so much with you here?!”

Before Yuan Lianniang accused her again, she continued, “Besides, even if Yuan’s Family is intact, is it useful? If it is useful, why is His Majesty still unable to be in power now? If I were you, I would take advantage of this opportunity to win over other allies. If so, your father’s death will be worthful… Just like what your father and your family think, you can die, but you can’t die worthlessly, right?”

The last sentence made Yuan Lianniang silent for a long time, and finally she said, “You are… really frenzied! I don’t want to listen to you.”

“Whatever.” Yun Fenghuang said indifferently, “There will be ample time. I don’t think I have to rely on you to deal with Duke Yi’s Mansion. I’m even a little regretful to try to rely on you based on your unmatured actions.”

She changed the topic to the point, “Since Her Highness said you have to copy scriptures, you still have to copy some pages. Otherwise, if I can’t report on my mission, it would be difficult for me to be polite to you. We are both just concubines, so don’t embarrass me, okay?”

“…” Yuan Lianniang did not quarrel with her this time, but walked silently to the desk where the four treasures of the study were placed, spread paper and grinded ink, and randomly picked up a scripture book to copy. After coping a few words, she was worried. She stopped suddenly, just looked at the scattered writings in front of her without looking back, and asked in a low voice, “What kind of allies do you think can be drawn at this time?”

Yun Fenghuang said a name with a smile. Hearing the answer, Yuan Lianniang couldn’t help shaking her hands, almost overturning the inkstone. She threw the ink brush on the rice paper at will, raised her sleeves to cover her lips, and asked inconceivably, “How is it possible?”