I Was Supposed to Be the Villainous Consort

"All these ’what ifs’ are useless. You can’t make decisions for your father, and he won’t necessarily listen to you anyway." Song Yunzhao thought she was speaking honestly, but seeing Lu Zhixue actually start to cry, she quickly added, "But it’s not like there’s nothing we can do."

Lu Zhixue’s eyes lit up. She stared at Song Yunzhao and asked, "What is it?"

Although her father was a Minister, what did that count for before the Left and Right Ministers? If the Right Minister truly wanted a scapegoat, the Right Assistant Prime Minister and her father were the most suitable candidates.

If something happened to her father, what would become of their large family? Her own days in the palace would become even more difficult.

"Just have Lord Lu state his position and support the court in thoroughly investigating this matter."

Lu Zhixue almost choked. That was easier said than done.

Her father was part of the Right Minister’s faction. If he did this, it would be tantamount to betraying the Right Minister. If the Right Minister didn’t fall from power over this incident, then her father would be the one to suffer.

Given her father’s cautious nature, how could he so easily make an enemy of the Right Minister?

Lu Zhixue felt as if her heart were being roasted over a blazing fire. ’Why does everything have to be so difficult?’

After saying this, Song Yunzhao fell silent. It was already a bit unscrupulous of her to encourage Minister Lu to backstab the Right Minister. If she were too obvious about it, Lu Zhixue, with her inability to keep a secret, would likely have the truth pried out of her by Minister Lu with just a few words. While Minister Lu couldn’t do anything to her in the palace, the Song Family was on the outside.

Han Jinyi was even less likely to offer any persuasion. Her father was still in the south and had not yet returned. He had already offended many ministers at court with this disaster relief effort, and she didn’t want to cause him any more trouble.

Minister Lu had held his position securely in the Ministry of Personnel for so many years; he wasn’t made of paper, ready to topple at the first gust of wind.

Lu Zhixue knew her own family’s predicament best. After leaving Wangyou Palace, her vision swam, and she felt faint. ’What am I going to do?’

Trying to persuade her father with gentle words probably wouldn’t work; he might not listen or even believe her.

But if she didn’t try, and something terrible really did happen, she couldn’t just stand by and watch her father become a scapegoat.

At this thought, Lu Zhixue suddenly thought of Qin Xiyue, but after a moment’s hesitation, she suppressed the urge to go consult her. She had suffered at Qin Xiyue’s hands before; if she asked for her advice, she might just end up harming her father instead.

With a heavy heart, Lu Zhixue returned to Yihua Palace, closed the door, and tried to think of a plan.

’Since entering the palace, Song Yunzhao has done so many things. Anyone else would have been utterly crushed by now, but she’s not only fine, she’s even been promoted step by step.’

’That woman has some real ability. I hate to admit it, but it’s a fact.’

’Since Song Yunzhao said it, she must have her reasons. She knew it seemed impossible, yet she still said it. Maybe this is a path to survival through what looks like certain death?’

Lu Zhixue didn’t sleep all night. Before dawn, she went to her study with dark circles under her eyes to write a letter home.

’My father won’t listen to me, so I’ll have to lie in a way that he has no choice but to believe me.’

So Lu Zhixue wrote that she had heard news from the imperial court. She claimed the information was absolutely certain and urged her father to act with the utmost caution.

For once, Lu Zhixue was thinking clearly. She didn’t tell her father what to do, only that she had received news that the Emperor intended to strictly investigate the exam leak case and that there was no room for wishful thinking.

It was the first time in her life she had lied to her father. Lu Zhixue’s heart was pounding with anxiety, and afraid she would regret it, she immediately sealed the letter and had an attendant deliver it to the Minister’s Mansion.

Once the letter was sent, Lu Zhixue, adopting a "what’s done is done" attitude, simply went back to sleep.

She had done all she could. Besides, it wasn’t necessarily a lie. Song Yunzhao’s cousin had dared to lead the protests by turning in a blank exam paper, and the Xie family, who were on good terms with her, had also jumped in to muddy the waters. Someone as protective of her own as Song Yunzhao would never stand by and watch her family get into trouble.

With this thought, Lu Zhixue calmed down. ’With Song Yunzhao at the forefront, what do I have to fear?’

While Lu Zhixue, her mind at ease, went back to sleep in Yihua Palace, over in Cuiwei Palace, Consort Lu was so angry she was practically jumping up and down.

’What kind of mess is this?’

’How could my father have gotten dragged into something like this?’

’It’s bad enough that he’s involved, but he had to be the chief examiner.’

Hearing that the ones leading the protests were Song Yunzhao’s cousin and cousin-in-law, Consort Lu’s vision went black, and she nearly fainted from rage. ’Why is it that nothing good ever happens when Song Yunzhao is involved?’

She had already suffered a loss over the Imperial Kitchen incident. It was true that someone from her palace had tampered with things, but it hadn’t been on her orders—she had been made a scapegoat. The little palace maid who came forward had committed suicide the day after being questioned, making it difficult for her to investigate further.

To appease Song Yunzhao, she had gone to great lengths with the Imperial Kitchen, ordering them to ensure Wangyou Palace was well taken care of with the best food and drink.