I Was Supposed to Be the Villainous Consort

Consort Lu glared at Song Yunzhao.

Song Yunzhao met her gaze with a smile.

’The bribed palace maid is still kneeling outside. I have all the leverage I need.’

Consort Lu truly did not want to see Song Yunzhao’s face any longer. With a dark expression, she began to shoo her away.

Song Yunzhao knew this meant Consort Lu had agreed to investigate, so she rose, quite satisfied, and took her leave.

After Song Yunzhao left, Consort Lu said to Yunshang, "Investigate this for me. You must drag out the person behind this."

’If they dare to use me as a weapon, I’ll dare to chop off their claws.’

Yunshang quickly nodded in agreement, then said worriedly, "Your Highness, do you think Song Jieyu will stir up trouble about this in front of the Emperor?"

Consort Lu was silent.

’Who could guarantee that?’

’I can’t figure out someone with Song Yunzhao’s personality.’

Seeing her mistress’s grim expression, Yunshang said cautiously, "This servant guesses that since Song Jieyu came to inform Your Highness first, she probably won’t try to undermine you. Song Jieyu was right about one thing. With her current rank, it would be difficult for her to investigate this matter. She wants to use Your Highness’s resources to find the truth, so she probably wouldn’t shoot herself in the foot."

Consort Lu’s expression softened slightly. "What you said makes sense. Go investigate first, and we’ll talk later."

Yunshang nodded and turned to leave.

Consort Lu leaned back in her chair, her face grim. ’Song Yunzhao wants to use me, so I must get something out of it. If I can really find the true culprit, I might be able to claim credit before His Majesty. Perhaps I can even get my title back then.’

At this thought, Consort Lu’s expression brightened considerably.

’It’s not a guarantee I’ll get it back, but if I do nothing, I definitely won’t.’

’Just thinking about the smug faces of Princess Consort Zhuang and Princess Consort Wan lately makes me so frustrated I could spit blood.’

’I shouldn’t have been so impulsive back then. It’s too late for regrets now. I can only try to make up for it through other means.’

After leaving Cuiwei Palace, Song Yunzhao could hear the sound of laughter coming from the Imperial Garden in the distance. She was instantly reminded of the flower arrangement event. She immediately quickened her pace, heading away from the West Imperial Garden. She passed Changle Palace and went directly toward Wangyou Palace.

After passing Changle Palace, a short walk brought her to the now-vacant Yaohua Palace, which had belonged to Consort Chu. South of Yaohua Palace was Princess Consort Wan’s Roufu Palace. Not wanting any interaction with those from Roufu Palace, Song Yunzhao took the path by Yaohua Palace.

As she passed Yaohua Palace, she glanced at it from a distance. ’Consort Chu used to live here. The ancients considered east superior, so Consort Chu lived in Yaohua Palace, while Consort Lu, one of the three highest-ranking concubines, lived in Cuiwei Palace on the same line as Yaohua Palace, separated by Changle Palace. Now Consort Chu is dead, and the once-glorious Consort Shu has become just Consort Lu. Tsk, these two palaces don’t seem to be very good for their residents.’

’Thinking of Consort Chu inevitably brings to mind the Dingnan Bo Mansion. The Dingnan Bo Mansion helped arrange Song Qinghan’s marriage into the Marquis Wuxin Mansion, so they must have been scheming something. I don’t know what Mrs. Cai and her daughter were thinking, willingly swallowing a fruit laced with poison.’

’As for Madam Ding Nanbo, my maternal aunt... I have no strong feelings about her. If I had to say something, it would be that she’s a refined egoist.’

She continued walking and soon arrived at the eastern Imperial Garden. She had taken only a few steps when she stopped and looked up at the person across from her.

It was Lu Zhixue.

Her expression was a bit stiff, but she still stepped forward to offer a greeting. "This concubine greets Song Jieyu."

Song Yunzhao observed Lu Zhixue’s expression. ’You can see exactly how much a slap from reality hurts just by looking at her face right now,’ she thought. ’She’s even bowing to me now.’

She had no intention of making things difficult for her. "Lu Pin, there’s no need for such formalities. You may rise."

Lu Zhixue had expected Song Yunzhao to at least taunt her verbally. When she didn’t, Lu Zhixue breathed a small sigh of relief, though her feelings were also a bit complicated.

"Is Song Jieyu out for a stroll in the garden?"

Song Yunzhao was a little surprised. She hadn’t expected Lu Zhixue to initiate a conversation with her. ’The sun must have risen in the west.’

"Not exactly," Song Yunzhao replied.

Lu Zhixue looked confused. ’What does she mean, not exactly?’

’It either is or it isn’t.’

An idea occurred to Song Yunzhao, and she said to Lu Zhixue, "Did Lu Pin enjoy her breakfast this morning?"

Lu Zhixue didn’t know what Song Yunzhao meant. She nodded. "It was the same as usual." As she said this, a flash of insight struck her. "Could it be that Song Jieyu’s meal was not to her liking?"

Song Yunzhao sighed softly. "Indeed."

Lu Zhixue was stunned. ’Which blind fool in the Imperial Kitchen would dare to provoke her?’

She had repeatedly hit a wall with Song Yunzhao. Just the thought of confronting her made her head, feet, and entire body ache.

Seeing Lu Zhixue’s expression, Song Yunzhao was satisfied. "I’ll be on my way, then. I won’t disturb Lu Pin’s scenery viewing any longer."