I Was Supposed to Be the Villainous Consort

"You’ve said everything that can be said. What do you expect me to say?" Feng Yi’s rational mind told him he shouldn’t have followed her, but he had come anyway.

Song Yunzhao said softly, "Tonight was supposed to be a happy occasion, but it ended up in this mess. If Princess Consort Wan hadn’t deliberately targeted me, I would never have made a scene. Even if I share some blame, she was the one who was in the wrong first. What did I do to deserve any of this?"

"Now that things have escalated to this point, how do you intend to resolve it?" Feng Yi asked, looking at Yun Zhao.

Song Yunzhao: ...

’How am I supposed to resolve this?’

’Is this something I can even resolve?’

’Of course, the Emperor has to be the one to handle it.’

’But from the way he’s talking, it sounds like the Emperor is testing me.’

She huffed. "If I had done nothing at that moment, Your Majesty, would you believe me if I said that by the next day, the palace would be buzzing with rumors? They’d be talking about ’that dancing girl with a waist as slender as Song Jieyu’s,’ or even that ’the dancing girl’s waist is more slender than Song Jieyu’s.’ In short, whenever anyone mentioned me in the future, they would think of that dancing girl, and whenever they mentioned that dancing girl, they would think of me. She wants to lump me in with a dancer to destroy my reputation. Her methods are truly vicious."

Song Yunzhao herself didn’t actually look down on dancing girls. After all, she came from a future era and wasn’t so narrow-minded.

But in this era, it was a different story. Dancing girls were considered to be of the lowest social class. If she had truly done nothing today and let them lump her in with a dancer, how could she possibly secure her footing in the palace going forward?

So it wasn’t a matter of whether she looked down on them or not; it was a matter of her needing to stand her ground.

After listening to Yun Zhao, Feng Yi looked at her and said, "That dancing girl has already been dealt with. What Princess Consort Wan did was indeed inappropriate, but it doesn’t merit an official punishment. We’ll leave it at that for now."

Song Yunzhao sighed. "I know Your Majesty is doing this for my own good. My rank is lower than Princess Consort Wan’s, so if I were to confront her directly, I would inevitably be at a disadvantage."

Feng Yi’s brow furrowed slightly, but her words were sound. Moreover, she had just been promoted to Jieyu, and he had no intention of raising her rank again this year.

Another promotion would be akin to throwing her into a fire pit.

Feng Yi found himself reluctant to do so.

At this thought, Feng Yi paused, slightly taken aback, and lowered his gaze to Song Yunzhao.

Song Yunzhao’s head was slightly bowed, her eyelashes fluttering and her red lips pressed into a thin line. The sight made him laugh in spite of his frustration.

’She’s so fierce when she’s confronting Princess Consort Wan. Why does she turn into this when she’s with me?’

Feng Yi stood and took Song Yunzhao’s hand. "Let’s go outside and enjoy the moonlight. It’s a waste to spend such a beautiful night cooped up indoors."

Song Yunzhao rose obediently but said, "The Qixi Festival is a day for lovers. Your Majesty has so many Beauties, and I am merely one of them."

Feng Yi led her out by the hand. He had heard what she said but offered no reply.

’This Emperor’s heart is harder than stone,’ Song Yunzhao sighed to herself.

’Good thing I gave up on that idea quickly.’

The Palace Attendants of Wangyou Palace had all tactfully withdrawn. The two walked under the moonlight in silence.

After walking for about fifteen minutes, Song Yunzhao came to a halt.

Feng Yi stopped beside her and turned his head. "What’s wrong?"

"I forgot something." Song Yunzhao smiled. "I prepared a gift for Your Majesty today. Please wait for me a moment."

Feng Yi watched Song Yunzhao run back. She quickly returned, cradling a small, palm-sized box.

His eyes fell upon the box as Song Yunzhao asked, "Aren’t you going to open it, Your Majesty?"

At her words, Feng Yi reached out and opened the box. Inside, illuminated by the moonlight, lay a Jade Pendant. As he picked it up, it unexpectedly separated into two pieces. A closer look revealed that it was, in fact, a matching pair.

"Do you like it, Your Majesty? I braided the cord myself, and I chose this Jade Pendant with great care." Song Yunzhao took one piece from the Emperor’s hand and tied it to his waist, then fastened the other to her own.

Feng Yi watched as Song Yunzhao gave a little spin under the moonlight. The pendant flashed, making her smile seem all the more brilliant.

"Is it beautiful, Your Majesty?"

Feng Yi reached out, pulled her into his arms, and broke into a smile.

"Beautiful."

’A Mandarin Duck Pendant... It’s against protocol for the two of us to wear these. Only the Empress is permitted to do so.’

’But looking at Song Yunzhao’s radiant smile, it’s clear she doesn’t know the rule. She’s been through enough today, so I won’t bring it up. It’s fine to just let her be happy.’

’He actually put it on and didn’t even scold me,’ Song Yunzhao thought. ’It seems the Emperor’s tolerance for me is quite high.’

’Still, he probably won’t wear this Jade Pendant again after tonight.’

’But that’s okay. My objective has been achieved.’

’Now I’m truly happy.’