Song Qingshu was startled and hurriedly helped her up. "Madam, what are you doing? Please, get up."
"I won't get up unless you promise me." Chen Yuanyuan shook her head.
Song Qingshu said gravely, "Leaving aside the fact that A'ke is my friend, I wouldn't stand by and watch her die for the sake of our friendship alone. Get up quickly and tell me what happened to A'ke."
At the word "friendship," Chen Yuanyuan recalled some enchanting scenes, and her cheeks flushed slightly. After rising with his help, she answered, "Since Prime Minister Han was killed, the officials from his faction have suffered all kinds of persecution. A'ke was recommended to the palace by Prime Minister Han, so naturally she could not escape it either. Jia Sidao's power is now overwhelming, and Consort Jia's position in the palace is rising higher and higher. Not long ago, A'ke was sent to the Cold Palace..."
Song Qingshu gave a surprised sound. "Zhao Gou sent A'ke directly to the Cold Palace? That makes no sense. Even if she has fallen out of favor, he should still consider her father..."
Chen Yuanyuan smiled bitterly. "Her father has been beaten back again and again by the Qing court. His downfall is only a matter of time. Naturally, Zhao Gou no longer has any reason to be wary."
Only then did Song Qingshu recall hearing about the situation of the Rebellion of the Three Feudatories. Dongfang Muxue had already suppressed the three feudatories almost completely. Yet he was equally puzzled. Could Zhao Gou really allow Jia Sidao's family to dominate alone? He had even granted Consort Jia exclusive favor in the inner palace, going so far as to completely cast A'ke, Consort Jia's former rival, into the Cold Palace?
No, there was definitely something wrong here.