I Was Supposed to Be the Villainous Consort

Feng Yunjin met Lu Zhixue’s incredulous gaze and spoke slowly. "Think about it. The Emperor’s relationship with the Empress Dowager is strained. With her niece entering the palace, do you think the Emperor doesn’t know her motive? I suspect that even if Song Zhaoyi did nothing, the Emperor wouldn’t give her a second look."

Lu Zhixue considered this and saw some truth in it, but she still said, "In any case, if she stays in the palace and becomes a concubine, having the Empress Dowager’s backing will be a huge problem. We’ll have to walk on eggshells around her. Just think how infuriating that would be."

Hearing this, Feng Yunjin laughed. "You have a point, but it’s not our place to interfere in this matter."

"I don’t know what Princess Consort Zhuang is thinking," Lu Zhixue said, exasperated. "It looks like she’s trying to push this through, and it’s definitely aimed at Song Zhaoyi."

Of the three concubines, she used to think Princess Consort Zhuang was the best and Consort Shu the most detestable. Now, it was the complete opposite.

"And this whole affair with Ying Chun... I don’t think it’s that simple. It wasn’t just about implicating Han Jinyi; the ultimate target was Song Zhaoyi."

"Of course. Han Jinyi isn’t the highest-ranked, nor is she favored, so what’s the point in targeting her? Besides, about that bracelet—you said An Fangyi’s people contradicted themselves. Isn’t that a little strange?" This was the one thing Lu Zhixue couldn’t wrap her head around.

If you’re going to use a bracelet to frame someone, how could you not know exactly what it looks like?

Then again, she recalled that she herself had a few golden bracelets of similar design in her jewelry box, so maybe it wasn’t that strange.

She couldn’t remember the exact details of her own bracelets anyway, just that they were gold and rather pretty.

"Tell me about the bracelet in detail," Feng Yunjin said quickly, worried they would get sidetracked again.

Lu Zhixue explained what had happened. Seeing Feng Yunjin’s brow furrowed in concentration, she didn’t dare interrupt her train of thought.

After a long moment, Feng Yunjin spoke again. "This business with Ying Chun’s brother producing a golden bracelet... do you think Ying Chun knows about it?"

"Of course not. Ying Chun is still in the Palace Justice Department," said Lu Zhixue.

Feng Yunjin nodded slightly. "Can we get a message inside?"

"Is that a good idea?" Lu Zhixue said reflexively. "Wouldn’t that make us look guilty?"

Feng Yunjin: ...

’She had a point.’

"The golden bracelet in Ying Chun’s brother’s possession must have come from An Fangyi’s people," Feng Yunjin said slowly. "But no one ever reported a golden bracelet missing before. The origin of this bracelet is a huge issue. If it can’t be traced, this might not be good for Ying Chun."

"I agree, it’s not good," Lu Zhixue nodded. She had a bad feeling about this before, but now Feng Yunjin’s words clarified exactly what was wrong. "Song Zhaoyi said the Emperor has already sent people to investigate. It’s best we don’t do anything. If the Emperor’s men were to notice us, it would be bad."

Feng Yunjin shot Lu Zhixue a surprised glance. ’She’s not only matured, but she’s also started using her head.’ "You’re right. Since the Emperor has already sent his people, we can’t make a move."

"So we just wait?" Lu Zhixue asked. This suspense was killing her. ’Just waiting around is so frustrating!’ "I don’t even dare go see Han Jinyi. I’m afraid seeing me would only make her more anxious."

Feng Yunjin couldn’t help but laugh out loud.

Lu Zhixue glared at her. ’What’s so funny?’

Feng Yunjin cleared her throat and immediately put on a serious expression. "My point is, since the Emperor is involved, we shouldn’t do or ask anything. We just wait for the Palace Justice Department’s verdict. Coincidentally, Miss An’s birthday banquet is coming up. Let’s focus on that for now. Will you be going?"

Lu Zhixue shook her head immediately. "I’m not going."

"Even if you don’t attend, you should still send a birthday gift to keep up appearances. I’m sure Song Zhaoyi will have a gift sent as well."

Lu Zhixue sneered. "The nerve of her. She’s not even a member of the harem, yet she’s throwing a birthday banquet. I don’t know how she has the audacity. Do you think the Emperor will attend?"

Feng Yunjin didn’t dare speculate on that. She could only shake her head. "I don’t know."

’With the Empress Dowager involved, anything is possible.’

The mere thought of the Emperor attending made Lu Zhixue certain that Song Yunzhao would be upset.

"We’ll just have to wait and see," Lu Zhixue said, standing up. "I’ve told you everything I came to say. If that’s all, I’ll head back. If anyone asks you to pass an invitation to me, please turn them down."

Feng Yunjin nodded, knowing Lu Zhixue was referring to An Shutong’s birthday banquet. "I can refuse on your behalf, but someone else might approach you directly. If Princess Consort Zhuang herself delivers the invitation, don’t be so obstinate."

If she were to confront Princess Consort Zhuang directly, Lu Zhixue’s lower rank would put her at a distinct disadvantage.

Lu Zhixue left, her face grim.

While the Palace Justice Department was working around the clock, the day of An Shutong’s birthday banquet arrived. Feng Yunjin had been right: Princess Consort Zhuang did indeed deliver the invitation to Lu Zhixue personally. Recalling Feng Yunjin’s advice, Lu Zhixue held her nose and accepted. After sending the messenger away, she remained in a foul mood for the rest of the day.

She was choking on her frustration; the feeling was suffocating.

When Song Yunzhao heard about it, she sent Nanny Yu over to Lu Zhixue’s residence. ’It’s not that big of a deal. Is it really worth getting so worked up over?’

Perhaps because she already knew the outcome from the book, Song Yunzhao, though displeased, was mentally prepared.

As for Feng Yi saying he wouldn’t attend the banquet, Song Yunzhao knew it was impossible. In the book, the Emperor had gone.

The Empress Dowager had her ways of making the Emperor attend, but she, Song Yunzhao, was no pushover.

On the day of An Shutong’s birthday banquet, Song Yunzhao woke early. But instead of her usual routine of dressing up and applying makeup, she remained in her under-robe with her hair down, leaning against a daybed to read.

She only had a few sips of congee for breakfast before having it sent back to the Imperial Kitchen untouched. At a quarter past the Si hour, she returned to her bedroom and sat before her dressing table, meticulously applying her makeup in the mirror.

She darkened the circles under her eyes and drew the corners downward to make herself appear listless. She painted her eyebrows on faintly and applied no rouge to her lips. Instead, she lightly dusted them with white powder, making them look dry, chapped, and pale.

"Your Highness, Chief Steward Zhang has returned," Xiangxue reported, hurrying inside.

Song Yunzhao nodded, rose, and lay down behind the bed curtains. "Any news from the Emperor’s side?" she asked.

"The Empress Dowager did indeed send someone to Taiji Palace, but this servant was unable to find out whether the Emperor will attend the banquet," Xiangxue replied. "Our people are too conspicuous to be seen near Taiji Palace right now."

If they were spotted, everyone would immediately suspect their mistress of plotting to intercept the Emperor.

Song Yunzhao chuckled softly. ’This is the first time I’ve so blatantly tried to steal a man from the Empress Dowager’s grasp. The Empress Dowager wants the Emperor to lend An Shutong prestige and build momentum for her to remain in the palace. If I do nothing, wouldn’t my image as the domineering, beloved concubine completely crumble?’

’That simply won’t do!’