I Was Supposed to Be the Villainous Consort

"That’s hard to say." Song Yunzhao shook her head. "It depends on Yan Gongzheng’s progress. I can’t be seen asking too many questions, or Consort Zhuang will use it against me."

At this, Song Yunzhao looked at Lu Zhixue. "If you really want to know, you could go to Cuiwei Palace and ask Lady Shufei for advice."

Lu Zhixue gave up immediately. "Then never mind."

Song Yunzhao was inwardly amused. ’Lu Zhixue’s prickly personality meeting someone as blunt as Consort Shu... the scene would certainly be something to behold.’

Lu Zhixue, unaware that Yun Zhao was deliberately teasing her about Consort Shu, was still a bit worried about the matter. She stood up and said, "I’ll go ask Feng Yunjin."

Song Yunzhao: ...

’It’s a good thing Feng Yunjin is so good-natured.’

After leaving Wangyou Palace, Lu Zhixue really did go straight to Feng Yunjin’s residence, only to unexpectedly run into Qin Xiyue there as well.

The moment Lu Zhixue saw Qin Xiyue, her expression soured.

Qin Xiyue’s smile didn’t falter in the slightest when she saw Lu Zhixue. Instead, she spoke in the same friendly tone as always, "Lu Pin, you’re here too. What a coincidence."

Lu Zhixue really wanted to make a few sarcastic remarks, but then she remembered her current rank was lower than Qin Xiyue’s. If they had a falling out, she would be the one to lose out. Having hit a few walls recently, she knew when to back down. There was no shame in it.

’Even someone with Song Yunzhao’s temperament has to feign civility with Princess Consort Zhuang. This is nothing for me.’

Then another thought occurred to her. ’What is Qin Xiyue doing here at Feng Yunjin’s?’

’Feng Yunjin is too good-natured to refuse anyone. She can’t let Qin Xiyue take advantage of her.’ With that thought, Lu Zhixue’s desire to leave faded. She plopped down in a seat, looked at Qin Xiyue, and said coolly, "It is quite a coincidence. I didn’t expect to see Qin Wan Yi here. I heard you’ve been busy helping Consort Zhuang with Miss An’s birthday banquet. Why aren’t you there today?"

Hearing the sarcasm in Lu Zhixue’s words, Qin Xiyue smiled without a change in expression. "What help could I be? It’s just that when Consort Zhuang summons me, it’s not my place to refuse."

In the past, Lu Zhixue would have believed her, but this time, she didn’t believe a single word.

"Is that so? For someone with Qin Wan Yi’s abilities to be so put-upon... that’s truly a rare sight."

Qin Xiyue’s smile faltered for a moment before she quickly recovered. She looked at Feng Yunjin and continued their previous conversation. "Feng Xiaoyuan, please think about my proposal. This isn’t just about one person. We all live in the same palace, so it’s best not to make things awkward."

Feng Yunjin smiled. "Then please allow me to think it over."

Not wanting to stick around and listen to Lu Zhixue’s snide remarks, Qin Xiyue stood up and took her leave.

After seeing her out, Lu Zhixue looked at Feng Yunjin and asked, "What was she here for? She wasn’t asking about Ying Chun’s situation, was she?"

Feng Yunjin shook her head. "She didn’t mention Ying Chun at all. That’s not why she came."

Lu Zhixue’s expression was grim. "Don’t be fooled by her. Look how terribly she set me up before. She didn’t ask you about Ying Chun because she probably knows that with your friendship with Han Jinyi, she wouldn’t get anything out of you."

Feng Yunjin smiled. "You’re right, Lu Pin. That’s what I thought as well."

Lu Zhixue’s expression softened. She looked at Feng Yunjin and said, "Call me petty or small-minded, I don’t care. In my book, Qin Xiyue is not a good person. Besides, last time at Liu Hua Palace, even though she didn’t get too involved, every word she said was in support of An Fangyi."

"I think so too. We’re on the same page." Feng Yunjin personally poured a cup of tea for Lu Zhixue and looked up at her with a smile. "Lu Pin, was there something you came here for?"

Only then did Lu Zhixue remember her reason for coming. "It’s about Ying Chun. Have you heard about her brother?"

Feng Yunjin shook her head. "What about him?"

"You’re usually so well-informed. How could you not know this time?" Lu Zhixue looked at Feng Yunjin, quite surprised.

Feng Yunjin sighed. "I’ve been watched closely these past two days."

"Qin Xiyue?"

Feng Yunjin looked resigned. "It’s still about Miss An’s birthday banquet."

"She came to ask you to attend?" Lu Zhixue understood immediately and asked, displeased.

Feng Yunjin nodded. "Yes."

Lu Zhixue frowned. No wonder Qin Xiyue had told her to "think about it." For once, Lu Zhixue didn’t immediately start cursing. After a moment’s thought, she said, "Your rank is low, and you can’t afford to offend her. You should probably go."

Feng Yunjin looked at Lu Zhixue in astonishment.

Lu Zhixue looked a bit uncomfortable. "What are you looking at me for? I’m not an idiot. I know there are some things in this palace that you just have to hold your nose and do."

Feng Yunjin chuckled softly. "If Mrs. Lu heard you say that, she could finally rest easy."

’Not necessarily,’ Lu Zhixue thought. ’My mother would probably just keep pushing me to fight for favor.’

’And she doesn’t even consider how territorial Song Yunzhao is. Could I ever win against her?’

’Besides, the Emperor doesn’t even have eyes for me. I have my pride; I’m not going to go and make a fool of myself in front of him.’

’If the Emperor would just give me one more glance, show even a little interest, I’d be willing to fight for it. Even if I couldn’t win against Song Yunzhao, I could at least put up a good fight.’

’But the Emperor won’t even look at me. What’s the point? It’s more interesting to interact with Song Yunzhao anyway.’

Lu Zhixue didn’t want to speak ill of her mother in front of Feng Yunjin, so she changed the subject. "If Qin Xiyue came to persuade you, she can persuade others too. She seems to be enjoying her role as Princess Consort Zhuang’s lackey."

This is the kind of thing Princess Consort Zhuang wouldn’t stoop to do herself. Qin Xiyue, on the other hand, truly has no shame.

’Thinking about it, the Qin Xiyue of today is completely different from how she was outside the palace. Then there’s the ever-disagreeable Song Yunzhao, who hasn’t changed a bit.’

’You really can’t judge a person by their appearance.’

’I learned that the hard way.’

Fortunately, Feng Yunjin had posted a guard at the door. She said to Lu Zhixue, "You must be extremely careful what you say outside."

"I know. I’m only saying this to you." Lu Zhixue pouted. "Why do you think Princess Consort Zhuang is throwing such a grand birthday banquet for Miss An? What’s she after? For an unmarried girl with no engagement, staying in the palace this long is not a good thing."

Feng Yunjin understood the implication in Lu Zhixue’s words. She mulled it over and said, "The Empress Dowager hasn’t been back in the palace for long. Miss An accompanied her at the traveling palace for quite some time, so it’s possible she’s grown attached and can’t bear to be parted from her just yet."

Lu Zhixue scoffed. "You have a point. She’d better not have any other ideas. Otherwise, Song Zhaoyi is not someone to be trifled with."

But Feng Yunjin shook her head. "I don’t think Song Zhaoyi will care, no matter what plans are in store for Miss An."

’How is that possible?’ Given Song Yunzhao’s possessive and domineering nature, even a mere Dancing Girl was enough to make her raise hell. If the Empress Dowager’s own niece were to become one of the Emperor’s concubines, it would be a huge disadvantage to her no matter how you look at it. How could she just let it happen?