The Girl Who Struggled Through Palace Intrigues to Become the Empress

Chapter 117

Xiao Jingyan's words were utterly outrageous.

"You want me to be a thief?"

Song Zhao was quite surprised, as if she had heard an unbelievable joke. She smiled helplessly and said,

"With your status as a prince, why would you need to steal any rare treasures? You just have to utter a word, and countless treasures will be delivered to you on a silver platter. As a mere palace concubine, what can I do to help you?"

"You're right, but what I need this time can only be obtained with the help of someone influential like you."

Xiao Jingyan leaned in closer to Song Zhao, lowering his voice and murmuring, "Because what I want is the Empress Dowager's Tianji Secret Order."

His warm breath poured into Song Zhao's ears, sending shivers down her spine.

It wasn't because of his deep and captivating voice, but rather the mention of the "Tianji Secret Order" that made Song Zhao's scalp tingle with fear.

"Are you out of your mind?" Her expression turned serious, and her voice was even lower than Xiao Jingyan's. "The Tianji Secret Order is the only key that can control the Tianji Office. They obey the orders but not the person. The Empress Dowager keeps it close to her. How can I..."

"The influential can find a way," Xiao Jingyan interrupted Song Zhao, smiling calmly. "The Empress Dowager is unwilling to get close to anyone except for someone influential. Amongst the entire palace, only someone as clever as you can stealthily steal the Tianji Secret Order without anyone noticing. Don't worry, I will take just two days, and I guarantee that it won't cause any trouble for you, my lady."

Even if Xiao Jingyan talked until he was blue in the face, there was no way Song Zhao could help him in this matter.

Asking her to be a thief was already beyond belief, but to ask her to steal something from the Empress Dowager?

If anything went wrong, not only would she be in danger, but even Xiao Jingyan, the prince, wouldn't survive!

This person was simply a madman!

"I can't do this task, nor do I have the ability to do it. Your Highness, you should seek help elsewhere."

Song Zhao firmly refused Xiao Jingyan. Just as she was about to leave, she heard Xiao Jingyan mutter under his breath from behind her,

"Alright, since the influential lady is unwilling to help, then I can only go and tell the emperor. I'll let him know that the influential lady's stepmother was whipped to death by her own hands."

"You..." Song Zhao sharply turned around, her sharp gaze meeting Xiao Jingyan's playful eyes, leaving her momentarily speechless.

A mysterious chill crept into her collar, spreading through her body, chilling her to the core.

The young man in front of her was about the same age as her, with a carefree expression and a smooth tongue.

But how could such a rascal, as described by others, know so many of her secrets?

Song Zhao couldn't help but take in a cold breath:

When did he start keeping an eye on her?

Xiao Jingyan wanted the Tianji Secret Order, so he must have started secretly watching Song Zhao as soon as he learned about her connection to the Empress Dowager.

The Hot Spring Villa was located outside the palace and didn't have the same level of strict security.

If a nobleman truly had the intention, it wouldn't be difficult to assign secret guards to watch someone for twelve hours a day.

So...

During Song Zhao's time at the Hot Spring Villa, had everything she did been completely exposed to Xiao Jingyan?

She had thought she had been cautious enough,

But she could defend against an open attack, not a hidden enemy.

Her journey to contend for power and position in the harem had just begun.

If Xiao Jingyan were to go to Xiao Jingheng now and talk nonsense, not only would she lose favor, but her head might also be at risk of relocation!

Fortunately, at this moment, Xiao Jingyan still had a request for her, so he wouldn't act recklessly.

Xiao Jingyan pretended to shiver under Song Zhao's icy gaze and jokingly said, "Your expression is as if you want to kill me. Rest assured, there are ways for the people in the palace to survive, and I don't really care what you do as long as you can keep it hidden from the Crown Prince. I promise you, as long as you help me this time, in the future, you can go your own way and I'll go mine. I won't bother you anymore."

Xiao Jingyan's every word and action exuded an untimely ruffian air, completely devoid of any imperial dignity.

It was precisely because of this that Song Zhao understood even more clearly that if she didn't go along with him today, she would definitely not have a good outcome.

After thinking for a while, she calmly said, "Alright, I agree."

"Great~" Xiao Jingyan clapped his hands with a smirk, "Then, I'll be waiting for good news from you, my lady~"

Having said that, he called out to Ah Huan and intended to leave with his 'big cat'.

Song Zhao acted quickly and swiftly grabbed the jade pendant that Xiao Jingyan had tied around his waist.

Xiao Jingyan's movement was a beat slow, and he furrowed his brow and reached out to Song Zhao, saying, "Give it back."

Song Zhao smiled lightly and played with the jade pendant in her hand. "There are some floral patterns on this. When I was at home, my father mentioned it by chance. The late emperor obtained a jade pendant with floral patterns, with translucent jade and rare craftsmanship. It is a unique treasure in the world. My father, who loves pleasure, once asked the late emperor for it, but the late emperor had already given it to the prince before him.

The prince wants me to do something for you, so he must give me some assurance. If I help the prince and he breaks his promise afterward, wouldn't I have no means to deal with the prince at all?

If the prince gives me this jade pendant, in the future, if the prince breaks his promise, I will have someone throw this jade pendant into a brothel and set the brothel on fire, leaving the blame on the prince."

Xiao Jingyan paid no attention to what she was saying and rolled up his sleeves, preparing to snatch it back.

Meanwhile, Song Zhao held the jade pendant high and threatened him, saying, "If the prince approaches again, I will smash this jade pendant. We'll just part ways immediately."

She smiled at Xiao Jingyan, raised an eyebrow calmly, and said, "Do you want the Tianji Secret Order or the jade pendant, Your Highness? Choose for yourself."

"Roar!"

Ah Huan arched its body and let out a low roar toward Song Zhao.

Before it could display its power, Xiao Jingyan forcefully patted its head,

causing Ah Huan to cry out in pain and shrink behind Xiao Jingyan with a pitiful look.

"Alright, let's go with your idea," Xiao Jingyan readily agreed and added, "Today is the 20th, and ten days from now is New Year's Eve. I'll give you ten days. On the night of New Year's Eve, there will be a palace banquet. When I enter the palace to attend the banquet, I hope you can deliver the Tianji Secret Order into my hands."

Song Zhao calmly responded, "Understood."

Having said that, she securely tucked away the jade pendant and quickly distanced herself from Xiao Jingyan.

Later that day, when Song Zhao returned to her residence, she didn't blame Xiao Fuzi for his incompetence, nor did she mention anything about what happened earlier at all.

How could she blame Xiao Fuzi for being careless?

After all, even she had exposed herself completely in front of Xiao Jingyan. If anyone is to blame, it can only be her own negligence and lack of caution.

Tonight was supposed to be the night Song Zhao would attend to Xiao Jingyan, but Xiao Yinzi came and said that Xiao Jingheng and the Prince of An had gotten drunk, so they retired early for the night.

As Song Zhao lay alone on the bed at night, she tossed and turned, unable to fall asleep no matter what she did.

Whenever she closed her eyes, she would see the handsome yet detestable face of Xiao Jingyan in her mind!

What does he want as a carefree and idle king with the Tianji Secret Order in his possession?

Fortunately, the Tianji Secret Order can only govern the imperial consorts and has no influence over the court's affairs.

If he wants it, then let him have it. It won't cause any major commotion.

However, Song Zhao has always disliked being threatened.

She thought to herself:

In the future, I must come up with a plan.

I have to make that scoundrel submit before me, only then can I finally relieve the pent-up frustration in my chest...