I Was Supposed to Be the Villainous Consort

This "fleecing" was different from the ones before. If handled correctly this time, the Right Minister stood to gain a great deal.

Song Yunzhao didn’t intend to take a cut this time. However, she needed to use the Right Minister’s influence to help the Emperor pick a side in this matter.

But how to join forces with Consort Shu—that was the real headache.

After all, Consort Shu was a double-edged sword. She was a ruthless woman, the kind who wouldn’t hesitate to drag even herself into a pit. With that blade in her hands, she wouldn’t distinguish between friend and foe, and the collateral damage would be immense.

She absolutely could not let Consort Shu sense her true intentions, yet she still had to achieve her goal. She mulled it over for a long time before finally thinking of a suitable plan.

So, Song Yunzhao called Xiangxue in and had her pick out a set of plainly colored clothes. She also had her hair deliberately styled into a dispirited-looking bun, making her appear quite haggard.

Xiangxue didn’t quite understand what her mistress was up to, but she had always been loyal. Naturally, whatever her mistress said, went. She examined the reflection in the mirror carefully before asking, "Mistress, do you think this will do?"

Ever since Song Yunzhao had trained Xiangxue, the two of them—mistress and servant—were on the same wavelength. Basically, whatever she asked for, Xiangxue could deliver the desired effect. She nodded in satisfaction. "This is perfect." Then she looked at Xiangxue. "Take a trip to Cuiwei Palace. Say that I wish to pay a visit to Lady Shufei and ask if she is free."

Without asking why, Xiangxue turned and left.

Song Yunzhao knew that even if Consort Shu didn’t particularly want to see her face, with the Empress Dowager and Consort Zhuang having already joined forces, she would surely be willing to meet.

As expected, Consort Shu agreed to see her.

Song Yunzhao went to Cuiwei Palace with a haggard expression. The sight of her face gave Consort Shu such a fright that she shot to her feet. Staring at her, she said, "What’s wrong with you? I haven’t done anything, so don’t you dare try to frame me."

Song Yunzhao: "..."

’What on earth did I do to scare Consort Shu this badly before I even opened my mouth?’

Consort Shu’s heart was pounding. That pale little face... if Song Yunzhao walked out of her palace looking like that and someone saw her, Consort Shu wouldn’t be able to clear her name even if she had ten mouths.

’I just knew Song Yunzhao was up to no good. Why did I have to be so curious? I never should have agreed to see her.’

"Xiangxue, quickly help your mistress to a seat! Can’t you see how pale her face is? It’s all because you servants are so inattentive. It’s a long way from Wangyou Palace to Cuiwei Palace; why didn’t you think to bring her in a sedan chair?"

Xiangxue was momentarily stunned by Consort Shu’s tirade but obediently helped her mistress take a seat.

Song Yunzhao watched Consort Shu sit down as far away from her as possible, and her lips twitched. ’I’m not some demon from hell. Is this really necessary?’

If Consort Shu could read her mind, she would have certainly retorted, "Yes, it is!"

’When Song Yunzhao didn’t have an imperial child in her belly, I could never win against her. I lost out every single time. Now that she’s carrying a treasure, I have to keep my distance. If even the slightest thing were to happen, my reputation would be ruined.’

Consort Shu looked at Nanny Wen and said with a serious expression, "Song Zhaoyi is with child now. I hear the meals at Wangyou Palace are all specially prepared by the Imperial Kitchen. You needn’t serve any tea or snacks, lest they don’t agree with her."

Nanny Wen quickly nodded in agreement, then turned to Song Zhaoyi with an exceedingly kind smile. "Please forgive us, Song Zhaoyi. Her Ladyship truly has no experience in these matters and doesn’t know what a Zhaoyi can or cannot eat at a time like this. The imperial heir is of utmost importance, so we ask for your understanding."

’For the first time in my life, I feel like I have the potential to be a nuclear bomb.’

"Nanny Wen, you jest," Song Yunzhao said. "Lady Shufei is right. I must indeed listen to the Imperial Physician about what I eat and drink. You needn’t trouble yourself, Nanny." What else could Song Yunzhao do but go along with Consort Shu?

’After all, I’m the one asking for a favor.’

Hearing Song Yunzhao’s words, Consort Shu breathed a small sigh of relief and asked directly, "Song Zhaoyi, if you’ve come to see me about something, just say it."

’Say it and get out. As long as she’s here, my heart is in my throat, and I can’t relax for a second.’

The hall was filled only with her own and Consort Shu’s confidants, so Song Yunzhao didn’t hold back. "Lady Shufei," she said directly, "regarding our visit to pay respects to the Empress Dowager this time... you must have noticed, didn’t you?"

"I saw nothing. What do you mean by that, Song Zhaoyi?" Consort Shu wasn’t an idiot. Even if she had noticed something, she wouldn’t just say so. Song Yunzhao was as perceptive as they come, like a lotus root riddled with holes—or eyes. Who knew what kind of trap she was digging for her this time?

Song Yunzhao hadn’t expected Consort Shu to be so blunt. She could even see the look of approval in Nanny Wen’s eyes. For a moment, she was at a loss for how to continue.

’She’s truly guarding against me as if I were a wolf.’

Song Yunzhao decided to switch to a softer approach. "Lady Shufei, let us not mince words. Back at Shouci Palace, when Your Ladyship did not echo Consort Zhuang, I was truly grateful."

Consort Shu’s expression softened slightly. Although she hadn’t done it for Song Yunzhao’s sake, she was willing to accept the free gesture of goodwill. "Consort Zhuang and her petty little schemes... does she really think no one can see through them? I simply can’t stand it. Don’t take it to heart, Song Zhaoyi."

"It may have been a small matter to Your Ladyship, but to me, it was a great one. Your attitude allowed me to feel more at ease in Shouci Palace." This, Song Yunzhao said with sincerity. With Consort Shu at the forefront, challenging Consort Zhuang, her own burden was indeed lightened considerably.

Consort Shu’s eyebrows practically flew off her forehead. Looking at Song Yunzhao now, she no longer seemed like a nuclear bomb. Her tone softened a few degrees. "I have long disliked Consort Zhuang’s two-faced nature. If you only came to say this, then there’s no need for more words."

Song Yunzhao shook her head slightly. "The matter of the military parade... Your Ladyship must have received news about it, I presume?"

Consort Shu didn’t think much of it and nodded casually. "Of course I’ve heard. But what does a major affair of the military and state have to do with us in the harem?"

Song Yunzhao knew Consort Shu hadn’t grasped the gravity of the situation. She said, seemingly offhandedly, "I grew up in Nanyu, so I don’t understand such things. It’s just that I heard Chief Steward Zhang mention something today... that the Emperor was greatly disappointed and flew into a rage over the parade. There are some things I truly don’t understand, and I didn’t know who in the palace I could ask. After thinking it over, I realized I could only come to Your Ladyship. I knew only you wouldn’t look down on me."

Consort Shu blinked in confusion. ’Did I?’

’At first, I really did look down on her for coming from some backwater place. But this woman from a backwater place made me take a huge fall. Just thinking about it is depressing.’

Still, seeing Song Yunzhao show weakness now made Consort Shu feel quite pleased with herself.

’Right. I may have a bit of a temper, but at least my heart isn’t black like Consort Zhuang’s.’

"So, what is it you don’t understand?" The corners of Consort Shu’s eyes crinkled with delight. ’To have Song Yunzhao come to me for help... this is a rare occasion indeed! I can gloat about this for a whole month!’

Hearing Consort Shu’s words, Song Yunzhao let out a long, silent sigh of relief. ’Hook, line, and sinker.’