I Was Supposed to Be the Villainous Consort

Several days had passed before Song Yunzhao heard the news about the exam papers circulating everywhere.

This time, it wasn’t just Han Jinyi who came; Lu Zhixue was trailing behind her.

Song Yunzhao was surprised to see this pairing. She shot Han Jinyi a silent look, asking, ’What’s going on?’

Han Jinyi looked helpless. "Lu Pin heard about what’s happening and asked her family for news," she said. "That’s how she found out the exam papers are all over the city."

"All over the city?" Song Yunzhao genuinely didn’t know. ’What does she mean, all over the city?’

Seeing the astonishment on Song Yunzhao’s face, Lu Zhixue felt a subtle sense of triumph. "My family made detailed inquiries," she said. "It was the owner of Yuquan Building who printed the leaked exam papers. Now, nearly every scholar in the Capital City has a copy."

Song Yunzhao...

’I never expected Xie Jinshu to be so capable. Of course, why didn’t I think of that?’

’No wonder the Xie family’s business keeps growing. This is truly wonderful news.’

Seeing Song Yunzhao’s delighted surprise, Lu Zhixue couldn’t stand to see her so triumphant. She huffed and said, "Don’t be so impressed by all the commotion. It could all just fizzle out in the end. Things like this have happened before. I heard that not only did Mr. Song hand in a blank exam, but he’s also leading the scholars to cause a scene. He must have gotten his courage from you, Concubine, didn’t he?"

’They’re both such troublemakers. Just as you’d expect from cousins.’

Song Yunzhao caught the underlying meaning in Lu Zhixue’s words and gave her a strange look. ’Is she actually giving me a veiled warning? Considering our relationship, there’s no reason for her to do that, is there?’

Song Yunzhao couldn’t quite figure out Lu Zhixue’s game, but she knew it was best to be cautious. She immediately retorted with righteous indignation, "What do you mean, I gave him the courage? Did I? My cousin has a chivalrous heart! He wants to seek justice for himself and for all the candidates in the realm! Do you have any idea how hard it is to study for these exams? Other people might not, but how could our families not know? Even the sons of the rich and noble toil over their books, to say nothing of the scholars from poor and humble homes. They’ve studied their hearts out for years, only to find the exam papers being sold for a fortune. How could they possibly stand for that?"

Lu Zhixue was speechless.

’I never thought that Song Yunzhao, the most shameless person I know, could say something like that.’

Lu Zhixue was still unconvinced. "An arm can’t out-wrestle a thigh," she whispered.

"Even the Foolish Old Man was able to move mountains. As long as the scholars stand together, their combined will can become a fortress."

Lu Zhixue was speechless.

’Song Yunzhao always has a comeback. It’s exhausting. I don’t want to say another word.’

Han Jinyi looked from one to the other and couldn’t help but laugh. "Concubine, you may not know this," she said softly, "but Lu Pin told her family that this matter is of grave importance and that the Lu Family shouldn’t get involved rashly."

Song Yunzhao looked at Lu Zhixue. "Your intentions are good, but I’m afraid your words were spoken in vain."

Lu Zhixue’s temper flared up again. "What do you mean, in vain?"

"I’m just stating the facts, not targeting you," Song Yunzhao explained considerately. "Lord Lu has always followed the lead of the Right Assistant Prime Minister and the Right Minister. This time, the Right Minister is also the chief examiner. Whether he was involved or not, he can’t escape a charge of dereliction of duty."

’They’re like gourds on the same vine. Unless Lord Lu turns on the Right Minister and bites back, it won’t be easy for him to extricate himself from this.’

Lu Zhixue froze. She hadn’t thought that far ahead. She then recalled that her mother did indeed associate frequently with Mrs. Yao and Lady Lu, and her mood instantly soured.

Han Jinyi couldn’t help Lu Zhixue at this moment. Besides, her Han Family wasn’t in the same political camp as the Lu Family. Not kicking them while they were down was already a sign of great character.

"My father wasn’t involved in the imperial examinations. He definitely won’t be implicated," Lu Zhixue said, as if trying to bolster her own spirits.

Song Yunzhao twisted the knife. "Are you sure he wasn’t involved in selling the exam questions for a fortune?"

Lu Zhixue couldn’t be sure.

Song Yunzhao saw that she had nearly argued Lu Zhixue to tears and felt a pang of guilt. ’Why should I feel guilty, though?’ It was just that seeing Lu Zhixue’s reddening eyes made her feel a little sheepish.

’It was a strange feeling.’

’The bonds between people really are strange.’

"It’s no use for us to talk about it anymore. We can’t interfere in matters outside the palace anyway. All we can do is burn a few more sticks of incense before the Buddha," Han Jinyi said, trying to smooth things over. ’If I’d known it would turn out like this, I wouldn’t have been so soft-hearted as to bring Lu Zhixue along,’ she thought. ’Look at her, all downcast. It makes me feel guilty.’

’Yun Zhao’s tongue is really merciless.’

Lu Zhixue took a deep breath, and then another. She looked at Song Yunzhao and asked, "Suppose—and I’m just saying suppose—if my father is unlucky enough to get implicated, what should we do?"