I Was Supposed to Be the Villainous Consort

Chancellor Lu looked at Lu Zhongqi. "The Left Minister’s people are definitely involved in this. Spread the word immediately. Say that I will protect the one who leaked the exam questions to the death."

Lu Zhongqi was shocked. "Prime Minister?"

"This is the only way to force those muddying the waters from behind the scenes to show their hand. When they do, you’ll lay a net. The Left Minister wants a show? Well, even if it doesn’t destroy him, we’ll make sure he gets caught in the filth."

Lu Zhongqi’s heart leaped with joy. "I’ll go make the arrangements at once."

If only the Right Minister’s faction suffered losses in this matter, the Left Minister’s camp would certainly seize the opportunity to crush them. But if they could drag the Left Minister’s people down with them, both sides would be on equal footing. If the Right Minister then selflessly handed over the culprit, he could certainly salvage some of his reputation in the Emperor’s eyes.

Compared to that, the crime of dereliction of duty would pale in comparison.

Anyone who could become a chancellor was hardly a simple man. Both the Right Minister and the Left Minister had held their positions for many years, wielding real power but lacking the Emperor’s trust. The new Emperor had been on the throne for five years, slowly laying his plans. By making such a grand spectacle of the examination case this year, he was clearly demonstrating his imperial might and authority to the world.

Although Lu Zhongqi was a Chief of Staff, he knew firsthand just how difficult the situation was.

The more fiercely the Right and Left Ministers fought, the better. If they both ended up battered and bruised, he might have a chance to get ahead in the future.

He Lan Yun had asked Song Yexi out for tea today, and they met at the Yuquan Building.

Xie Linlang happened to be managing things at the Yuquan Building, so when she got word, she came to greet Song Yexi. Song Yexi then took the opportunity to introduce Xie Linlang to He Lan Yun.

He Lan Yun sized up Xie Linlang with a critical eye, though there was no real malice in her gaze. Seeing Xie Linlang’s clear eyes and dignified bearing, neither servile nor overbearing, she nodded. "No wonder you caught Yun Zhao’s eye. Since you’re here, why don’t you sit and chat with us?"

"You’re too kind, County Princess. Linlang is truly flattered." Xie Linlang certainly wasn’t going to pass up this opportunity. Princess Ming’an was close to Yun Zhao, so she must have had a reason for inviting Ye Xi for tea. The biggest uproar in the Capital right now was something the Xie family was mixed up in, and she wanted to glean some information from the County Princess. So, she shamelessly took a seat.

Song Yexi gave Xie Linlang a reassuring look, then turned to He Lan Yun with a smile. "If Yun Zhao knew the three of us were having tea together, she’d definitely be jealous. I’ll have to write her a letter later and tell her all about it."

He Lan Yun’s thoughts shifted. She looked at Song Yexi and asked, "I’d like to write a letter to Yun Zhao. Could you help me get it to her?"

"Of course," Song Yexi agreed with a nod. It was a small favor. Since Princess Ming’an and Yun Zhao were such good friends, she was happy to help.

He Lan Yun sighed. It was so inconvenient not having an Empress. The only chance to meet people in the palace was during the grand New Year’s court assembly. If there were an Empress, the palace would host more banquets. With her status, she would surely be invited, making it much easier to see Yun Zhao.

He Lan Yun thanked her, then looked at Song Yexi and said, "I invited you out this time... I imagine you can guess why."

Song Yexi forced herself not to look at Xie Linlang. ’The Xie family is in deep this time,’ she thought. She didn’t know which side the Prince Zhenbei Mansion was on. He Lan Yun might be close to Yun Zhao, but that was a personal friendship. In the face of family interests, personal feelings meant little.

"I have a few guesses," Song Yexi said with a sincere smile. "Why would you be asking about this, County Princess? The Prince Zhenbei Mansion has never concerned itself with such matters."

He Lan Yun was unconcerned, looking directly at Song Yexi. "I’m just worried about Yun Zhao. Your own brother is the one leading the protests. With things getting so heated, won’t Yun Zhao be implicated?"

Song Yexi was speechless.

’So in the County Princess’s eyes, we’re just a bunch of relatives dragging her down!’

Of course, Song Yexi couldn’t admit that her brother and Yun Zhao had planned this together. She could only say ambiguously, "Yun Zhao and my brother have similar temperaments."

That was precisely why He Lan Yun was worried. She was afraid Song Yunzhao would go through fire and water for this cousin of hers.

She then turned to Xie Linlang. "After this incident, the Xie family has certainly made a name for itself in the Capital. I hear many of the scholars are now staying at the Yuquan Building. But the more prominent you become, the greater the danger. You must understand that."

Xie Linlang was speechless.

’If it weren’t for the fact that the County Princess was doing this out of concern for Yun Zhao, I’d really want to flip the table,’ she thought. Of course, that was as far as it went. She couldn’t afford to offend the Prince Zhenbei Mansion.

Gritting her teeth, Xie Linlang said, "Please rest assured, County Princess. We won’t be a burden to the Concubine."

He Lan Yun looked at Xie Linlang and nodded in satisfaction. ’At least she’s sensible.’ "Doesn’t your Yuquan Building have some sort of opera troupe? In a few days, for the Double Ninth Festival, our manor is hosting a private performance. Have your troupe come over."