I Was Supposed to Be the Villainous Consort

Song Yunzhao returned from the study to her private chambers. Just as she sat down, Feng Yunjin arrived.

"I pay my respects, Song Jieyu."

"Rise, Feng Xiaoyuan," Song Yunzhao said with a smile, motioning for Yulu to help her up.

Feng Yunjin thanked her and rose. "Please forgive my unannounced visit, Song Jieyu."

Song Yunzhao observed Feng Yunjin’s simple and plain attire. ’She’s a cautious one, paying such close attention to her dress just to see me. I’m not actually that petty.’

’But now everyone in the palace says that I, the favored concubine, am vindictive, prone to jealousy, and obsessed with my appearance. Thanks to that Dancing Girl, I’ve become the number one troublemaker in the harem.’

"Nonsense," Song Yunzhao laughed. "I simply prefer not to go out. I’m delighted you came. Please, have a seat."

Feng Yunjin took a seat and looked up at Song Jieyu. She saw that the concubine was wearing a pale yellow dress, plain and unadorned with any complex embroidery. It was a very different look from the one she presented to others.

Xiangxue led Shizhu in to serve tea and refreshments, and then they both quietly withdrew.

Feng Yunjin had her own palace maid withdraw as well. She then smiled at Song Yunzhao. "I didn’t intend to disturb you, Song Jieyu, but someone entrusted me with a message for you, so I had to take the liberty."

Song Yunzhao was speechless.

’Has she gotten addicted to being a messenger?’

Perhaps Song Yunzhao’s expression was too obvious, as Feng Yunjin gave a resigned smile. "It’s no one new. It’s Lu Pin again."

Song Yunzhao had to hand it to her.

Feng Yunjin found Song Jieyu to be a truly interesting person; the expressions on her face were remarkably vivid. She chuckled softly. "I didn’t want to agree, but Lu Pin insisted that one shouldn’t bother two different people with the same task. Since I delivered her message last time, she asked me to make the trip again."

Song Yunzhao snorted. "If she were sincere, why didn’t she come herself?"

"Lu Pin knows she was in the wrong. She’s ashamed to face you directly," Feng Yunjin said with a look of resignation.

’I don’t want to be the middleman, either,’ Feng Yunjin thought. ’This sort of thing is always a thankless task. It’s a good thing Song Jieyu isn’t the type to take her anger out on the messenger, or I never would have dared to come.’

Song Yunzhao didn’t mince words. "The last time you delivered a message for her was to repay a favor your family owed the Lu Family. What’s the reason this time? I don’t buy that nonsense about not wanting to bother a second person."

Feng Yunjin wasn’t surprised by Song Yunzhao’s directness. ’My impression of Song Jieyu has always been that she’s a straightforward person who prefers to settle matters immediately rather than putting them off.’

"Lu Pin came to me. She told me she was goaded into her previous actions by someone else. She feels she owes you an explanation, but she’s too ashamed to see you in person. So, she asked me to deliver a message for her. It’s also to thank you for speaking on her behalf, which allowed her to be released from confinement early."

’There’s more to this than meets the eye,’ Song Yunzhao mused. ’Has Lu Zhixue had a falling-out with Qin Xiyue?’

’If so, my efforts weren’t in vain. Today is just one piece of good news after another.’

"What’s the message?" Song Yunzhao asked.

"Ji Yunting and Princess Ming’an are betrothed."

Song Yunzhao froze for a second. ’He Lan Yun is really going to marry Ji Yunting?’

Feng Yunjin had known since her time in Zhichun Palace that Song Yunzhao and He Lan Yun were on good terms. She chose her words carefully. "The matter hasn’t been publicly announced yet, but I hear the engagement was not without complications."

Song Yunzhao looked at Feng Yunjin. "Stop beating around the bush, Feng Xiaoyuan. Just tell me what Lu Pin is really trying to say."

Feng Yunjin smiled. "There are no women from the Left Minister’s Mansion in the harem. You and Princess Ming’an are close. I assume you know a bit about the history between her and Young Master Ji. Now that their two families will be joined by marriage, Lu Pin asked me to tell you to be careful."

Song Yunzhao’s expression darkened. "The Prince Zhenbei Mansion and the Left Minister’s Mansion are being joined by marriage. What should I be worried about? I’m merely on friendly terms with Princess Ming’an. I have no connection to the Left Minister’s Mansion or the Prince Zhenbei Mansion."

"That may be true, Song Jieyu, but while you may think that, others might not see it the same way."

Song Yunzhao looked at Feng Xiaoyuan. "If the engagement hasn’t been announced, how does Lu Pin know about it?"

"Lord Lu is on good terms with Vice Prime Minister Yao, and Vice Prime Minister Yao is aligned with the Right Minister’s faction. So, naturally, he keeps a close watch on the affairs of the Left Minister’s Mansion."

Song Yunzhao glanced at Feng Yunjin. ’Lu Zhixue just asked her to deliver a message, but she’s explaining it all so thoroughly. It seems she’s trying to get on my good side.’

’But I have no intention of sharing the Emperor’s favor,’ Song Yunzhao thought. ’If other women can win him over, that’s their own skill. But asking me to introduce them to him? That’s absolutely impossible.’

’For that reason alone,’ she thought, ’Feng Yunjin and I could never be so-called ’friends’.’

"I understand." Song Yunzhao lifted her teacup, a clear signal for her guest to depart. Since she couldn’t give Feng Yunjin what she wanted, there was no need for further association.

’Otherwise, if I only accept favors without offering any benefits in return, we’re bound to have a falling out eventually. It’s better not to enter into such a transaction in the first place.’

Feng Yunjin rose to take her leave, and Song Yunzhao had Xiangxue escort her out.

Outside Wangyou Palace, Ai Ju walked beside her mistress. Noticing her heavy expression, she asked with concern, "Your Ladyship, did Song Jieyu make things difficult for you?"

Feng Yunjin shook her head. ’I didn’t expect Song Yunzhao to be so difficult to handle. I made an overture of goodwill, but she completely shut me down. I don’t know what to do now.’

Hearing this, Ai Ju said softly, "Your Ladyship, you were only passing on a message for Lu Pin. Song Jieyu is at the height of her favor in the harem right now. It’s a blessing she didn’t take her anger out on you."

Feng Yunjin knew Ai Ju had misunderstood. "Song Jieyu was perfectly civil to me," she said. "Don’t read too much into it. To Yihua Palace."

In fact, it was that very civility that she found so vexing.

’How can someone be so utterly unyielding?’

Ai Ju didn’t know what was troubling her mistress, so she hurried to lead the way. Yihua Palace was located just behind Wangyou Palace, a walk of only a few minutes.

Feng Yunjin went to see Lu Zhixue, but this time she didn’t allow Ai Ju to follow her inside.

Lu Zhixue was waiting for Feng Yunjin. The moment she entered, Lu Zhixue asked, "Did you deliver the message?"

Feng Yunjin nodded. "I did."

Seeing Feng Yunjin’s troubled expression, Lu Zhixue’s heart sank. "What is it? Did Song Jieyu give you a hard time?"

Feng Yunjin shook her head. "No, not at all. I just don’t think your plan is going to work. Song Jieyu can’t be swayed by either threats or favors. She completely ignored my overture of goodwill. It’s clear she has no intention of allying with you."

Lu Zhixue pressed her lips together, her expression souring.

Seeing her reaction, Feng Yunjin recalled her family’s advice and added, "If you’re serious about allying with her, I’m afraid you’ll have to go to her in person to show your sincerity."

Lu Zhixue’s expression grew even darker. She said nothing, her face grim.

’If I could bow my head so easily,’ she thought, ’I wouldn’t have needed to trouble Feng Yunjin to make this trip for me in the first place.’

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