I Was Supposed to Be the Villainous Consort

Nanny Zhuo looked like she wanted to roll up her sleeves and hit someone. Her face was dark as she said stiffly, "Every word I’ve said is true. If you have any doubts, Concubine, you are free to have someone investigate."

"Nanny Zhuo, why be so angry? The Noble Consort being poisoned is no small matter. Of course, we must investigate thoroughly and get to the bottom of things. I was only making an offhand comment; there’s no need for you to be so agitated," Song Yunzhao said at a measured pace.

She couldn’t care less who was behind the poisoning. Her focus was on one thing and one thing only: she would never, under any circumstances, allow Qin Xiyue to use any pretext to poach on her territory.

"You have a point. I didn’t want to believe it myself, either. I fear there is a hidden story here, and can only hope the Emperor will uncover the truth," Qin Xiyue said, letting out a faint cough.

That one cough made her face even paler, creating a truly pitiable sight.

Hearing how Qin Xiyue’s every word was meant to draw the Emperor in and bring them closer, Song Yunzhao knew she had been right to tag along. If the Emperor had come alone, he might very well have fallen into Qin Xiyue’s honey trap.

With a quick glance, Song Yunzhao turned her eyes to the Emperor and said with a worried expression, "Your Majesty, if there is truly such a ruthless and vicious person in the harem, you must find them. Otherwise, I’ll be too afraid to even take a single step out of my own doors. It’s a good thing I was feeling lazy and skipped the flower arranging. If I hadn’t, who knows who might be lying there today."

Feng Yi knew Song Yunzhao was faking it, but his expression darkened at her words all the same. "I have never seen someone curse themselves like that," he chided. "Don’t you ever say such things again."

Song Yunzhao put on a helpless expression and muttered quietly, "I was just speaking from the heart."

Nanny Zhuo shot Song Jieyu a look of surprise. ’She dares to talk back?’

But when she saw that the Emperor wasn’t angry, but merely looked resigned—as if he were clearly used to this sort of thing—alarm bells went off in Nanny Zhuo’s mind. She became even more wary of Song Jieyu.

Feng Yi looked at Qin Xiyue and said, "Since this matter involves Chen Guoji and Beauty Zhen, I will have Consort Zhuang investigate it thoroughly. Your body has been weakened. You should focus on getting well and not worry about these things."

"Thank you for your consideration, Your Majesty. With Consort Zhuang looking into it, I can certainly rest easy," Qin Xiyue said quickly, her face filled with gratitude and emotion at the Emperor’s concern.

Feng Yi glanced at the unhappy-looking Song Yunzhao, then rose to his feet. "You should rest and recover," he said. "I have official matters to attend to. We’ll talk again after Consort Zhuang finds something."

A hint of disappointment flickered in Qin Xiyue’s eyes. She hadn’t expected the Emperor to leave so quickly, but she still stood and bowed respectfully to see him off.

Song Yunzhao, of course, prepared to leave with the Emperor. Just before she left, she smiled at Qin Xiyue and said, "Do take care and get well, Noble Consort."

"Thank you, Concubine."

As Song Yunzhao left with the Emperor, she thought to herself, ’There’s no need for thanks. It’s not like I’m going to stop my little shovel from digging at her foundation anyway.’

After seeing the Emperor off, Qin Xiyue sat back down on the chaise lounge, her face etched with exhaustion.

Nanny Zhuo hurried in and said worriedly, "Your Ladyship, perhaps we should have the Imperial Physician come take another look. This prescription doesn’t seem to be working. Maybe we should get a different one."

Qin Xiyue shook her head. "I’ll be fine. I just need to rest a bit."

Nanny Zhuo quickly fetched a blanket to cover her and whispered, "That Song Jieyu has no shame. What was she doing tagging along when the Emperor came to visit you?"

She keeps such a tight leash on the Emperor. It’s suffocating just to watch.

Qin Xiyue closed her eyes at Nanny Zhuo’s words. Not a single word Song Yunzhao had said since arriving had been wasted. The image she’d tried so hard to build in front of the Emperor had been shattered by a few simple sentences.

She knew Song Yunzhao had a difficult personality, but she hadn’t expected her to be so calculating and tenacious.

She had underestimated her.

Anyone else would have been too embarrassed to tag along with the Emperor, but of course, *she* had no such qualms.

It left her so frustrated she was at a complete loss.

"Go to Consort Zhuang’s residence," Qin Xiyue said with a wave of her hand. "Show her the evidence we’ve gathered."

Nanny Zhuo gritted her teeth. "I can’t believe Chen Guoji is so ungrateful! If not for Your Ladyship’s patronage, how could she live so glamorously in the harem? And yet she still turns around and tries to harm you. It’s true what they say: you can know a person’s face, but not their heart."

"Just go. And when you see Consort Zhuang, make sure to give her a thorough account of what happened today."

Nanny Zhuo paused, then a look of understanding crossed her face. "Yes," she said at once. "I should indeed have a good talk with Consort Zhuang. Song Jieyu is far too domineering. Imagine, following the Emperor even when he comes to visit you. If everyone were to follow her example, wouldn’t the entire harem be thrown into chaos?"