I Was Supposed to Be the Villainous Consort

’Qin Xiyue is bathed in the light of a protagonist’s halo, and I know the plot. I guess that makes us even.’

Feng Yi didn’t know her cousin or her husband, but seeing Song Yunzhao’s cheerful mood as she spoke of them, he could tell they must have a good relationship. He smiled and asked, "You’re very close with your older cousin?"

Song Yunzhao nodded and said with a smile, "Your Majesty knows my mother dislikes me. When I was a child, if my older cousin found out I was being punished, she would come and help me. After she got married, it became difficult for us to meet. We’ve only seen each other once since her wedding. So of course I’m happy that she can come to the Capital City."

Feng Yi already knew that Song Yunzhao had a poor relationship with her mother. At the time, he hadn’t thought much of it, merely feeling that she was similar to him in that regard. But hearing her mention it again now, he felt a flicker of displeasure.

Looking at her, Feng Yi said, "I can have your cousin come to the palace to meet you."

Song Yunzhao shook her head. "Let’s wait until after my cousin-in-law’s Autumn Examination. We can have a joyful reunion then."

"Are you so certain your cousin-in-law will pass?" Feng Yi asked, deliberately teasing her.

Song Yunzhao stated matter-of-factly, "I don’t know. But it’s not like every young scholar can pass on the first try; many have to take the exam multiple times. So, even if he fails, it’s no big deal. He can just try again next time."

Feng Yi was speechless.

’Well, she’s certainly taking it in stride.’

"Your Majesty, I heard from my aunt that my cousin-in-law is a very diligent student. He skipped the last examination to temper his disposition and further his studies. I think he must be quite confident this time."

Seeing Song Yunzhao’s gleeful expression, Feng Yi knew she had been deliberately messing with him again. He didn’t know whether to be angry or amused.

The moment Song Yunzhao saw the look on the Emperor’s face, she threw herself into his arms and began to wheedle, "I was just joking with Your Majesty. You aren’t angry, are you? A man as magnanimous as you wouldn’t bicker with a little woman like me, would he?"

Gritting his teeth in frustration, Feng Yi simply carried her behind the bed curtains. It wasn’t as if he didn’t have other ways to handle her.

Song Yunzhao was speechless.

’The Emperor fights dirty!’

’How outrageous!’

The next day, Song Yunzhao rose while clutching her aching back and resentfully pounded the bedding. As the two of them became more and more... *harmonious*... behind the curtains, she discovered the Emperor was growing increasingly shameless.

’There’s just no competing with him. I’m the old guard, and he’s the new blood destined to make me obsolete.’

After rising, dressing, and eating breakfast, Song Yunzhao’s mind was completely occupied with the Autumn Examination. She paid little attention to the upcoming Mid-Autumn Festival banquet in the palace, as the exam was scheduled for right after it.

She was also worried about the matter of the exam questions, wondering if Song Bomming had discovered anything. She was so preoccupied she couldn’t even bring herself to read her favorite storybooks.

"My Lady, Han Jinyi is here."

Song Yunzhao was feeling restless, so having someone to talk to was a welcome distraction. "Quickly, show her in."

Han Jinyi curtsied the moment she entered. Song Yunzhao waved her hand. "There’s no one else here. Come and sit."

Han Jinyi completed her curtsy before rising to take a seat. She smiled and said, "You don’t seem to be in a good mood. Is something wrong?"

"Not at all. I was just getting restless all by myself. You came at the perfect time," Song Yunzhao said with a smile.

But Han Jinyi didn’t believe her; Yun Zhao was the most patient person she knew. She smiled and said, "Well, I just heard an interesting little story, so I came to share it with you."

"What is it?" Song Yunzhao’s eyes lit up.

Han Jinyi smiled at her reaction. "Noble Consort Chen has recently taken a liking to flower arranging. She picks flowers from the Imperial Garden every day to practice, and I hear she even wants to arrange a few vases to brighten up the Mid-Autumn Festival banquet."

"Flower arranging?" Song Yunzhao blinked. ’Tsk, there’s that protagonist halo again. The minor cannon fodder characters are always proactively creating plot points for the female lead.’

Seeing Yun Zhao’s apparent interest, Han Jinyi smiled and asked, "Do you like it too?"

"I don’t," Song Yunzhao said immediately. ’Are you kidding me? I can’t just jump in and become another stepping stone for the protagonist.’ "I don’t have the patience for that sort of thing. Such an elegant pastime should be left to those with more refined interests."

Han Jinyi couldn’t help but laugh. She glanced at Yun Zhao and said, "Everyone in the palace is talking about flower arranging now. A lot of people are learning. If nothing else, I bet the Mid-Autumn Festival banquet will be filled with flowers."

Song Yunzhao nodded cheerfully. "In that case, I’ll just look forward to admiring them."

’Admire them, yes. Touch them? Absolutely not.’

’Tsk.’

"Do you think I should try to learn?" Han Jinyi asked hesitantly. She was on the fence; if she didn’t join in, she might seem unsociable.

Song Yunzhao couldn’t just stand by and watch Han Jinyi walk into trouble. "Actually, I have something I need your help with," she said immediately. "I think you should stay away from this whole flower arranging business."