I Was Supposed to Be the Villainous Consort

Nanny Yao’s expression softened a bit at the sight of her. "Today is your birthday, Miss An. The Empress Dowager has said that you should be happy, so please, go and enjoy yourself. Just leave the rest to this old servant."

Without another moment to spare, Nanny Yao gave a curtsy and hurried away.

An Shutong watched Nanny Yao’s departing figure, the guilt and unease on her face gradually vanishing. A faint light glinted in her deep eyes before she quickly turned and left as well.

As An Shutong approached the side hall, she slowed her pace slightly. Her calm, composed expression instantly morphed back into one of anxiety and apprehension. She walked inside, tightly wringing a handkerchief in her hands.

Anyone who saw her would have assumed she was uneasy about her birthday banquet, and their expressions toward her softened considerably.

’After all, An Shutong is just following the Empress Dowager’s orders, and Consort Zhuang was the one who took the initiative to arrange the banquet. What can a young lady like her do? Her words carry no weight. She’s just a poor, pitiable thing.’

Everyone from the harem had arrived, with the sole exception of Song Yunzhao. Just then, Consort Zhuang and Consort Shu arrived together.

An Shutong paid no mind to her guests and immediately went out to welcome them.

Everyone in the hall rose in welcome. Lu Zhixue watched An Shutong’s back, resisting the urge to roll her eyes. She whispered to Han Jinyi, "If she were truly unwilling, do you really think the Empress Dowager could have forced her?"

Startled, Han Jinyi quickly said, "You’d better shut your mouth."

Lu Zhixue was speechless.

Feng Yunjin, who was standing nearby, also glanced at Lu Zhixue. Lu Zhixue’s mouth twitched. ’Fine, I’ll shut up. So what?’

Feng Yunjin breathed a small sigh of relief when she saw Lu Zhixue had the sense to fall silent. ’Even though she whispered,’ she thought, ’we’re in someone else’s territory. What if someone overhears her?’

Consort Shu and Consort Zhuang walked in side-by-side with An Shutong following closely behind. At once, everyone bowed in greeting.

"Greetings, Lady Shufei, Consort Zhuang."

Without so much as a glance at the crowd, Consort Shu walked directly to the seat of honor on the left and sat down. Consort Zhuang had no choice but to take the seat opposite her. The left is traditionally the side of honor, and Consort Shu had never known the meaning of humility.

"Please rise, sisters," Consort Zhuang said with a smile. "Today is Miss An’s birthday. Consort Shu and I certainly can’t steal her thunder. Please, enjoy yourselves as you see fit."

The moment Consort Zhuang spoke, someone immediately started to curry favor.

Han Jinyi looked at Feng Yunjin. "Only Song Zhaoyi is absent. Even the concubines from Qingyan Palace are here. Do you think the Empress Dowager will be displeased?"

Feng Yunjin whispered, "She’ll definitely be displeased, but since the Zhaoyi is with child, the Empress Dowager won’t do anything openly."

"I saw Nanny Yao heading toward Taiji Palace earlier," Lu Zhixue added.

"She must be on her way to invite His Majesty under orders," Feng Yunjin said.

Han Jinyi was filled with worry. "Why do I feel so unsettled?"

’I just feel like something is going to happen.’

Feng Yunjin turned to Ai Ju and instructed in a low voice, "Keep an eye on what’s happening outside. If anything seems unusual, report to me at once."

Ai Ju gave a slight nod and quietly slipped away.

Feng Yunjin had the distinct feeling that Song Zhaoyi was extremely wary of Qin Wan Yi. Although from her perspective, Qin Wan Yi didn’t pose much of a threat to Song Zhaoyi right now, Song Zhaoyi herself clearly felt differently.

If Song Yunzhao knew what Feng Yunjin was thinking, she would have given her a warning: stories centered on a strong female protagonist always have a twist. A character like herself—beautiful, venomous, and doted upon—was typically the vicious female supporting character in the early stages of a novel. The more glorious such a character’s beginning, the more tragic their end.

Palace attendants bustled in and out of Shouci Palace. Today, it wasn’t just the palace’s own staff, but also the servants brought by the many concubines of the harem. The hall was incredibly lively.

Ai Ju weaved through the crowd, greeting people left and right. She seemed able to strike up a conversation with anyone. With her smiling eyes and gentle voice, she had the look of someone good-tempered and easy to talk to. A person like that was never short on connections.

After making a full circle through the crowd, Ai Ju’s smile faded slightly. She swept a discreet glance around the area before returning to the hall.

After hearing Ai Ju’s report, Feng Yunjin’s expression soured. "Are you certain?"

"A servant of Ning Ji from Qingyan Palace told me. A short while ago, on her way back from fetching something for Ning Ji, she happened to see a palace attendant from Zhaoyang Palace keeping watch on Wangyou Palace."

Feng Yunjin’s brow furrowed. ’What is Consort Zhuang trying to do?’

’Song Zhaoyi already sent her birthday gift, which means she definitely isn’t coming. So why keep watching Wangyou Palace?’

"Qin Wan Yi’s maid, Fang Ping, has also disappeared. I looked all over but couldn’t find her," Ai Ju added in a whisper. "Should I have someone search for her discreetly?"

Feng Yunjin shook her head slightly, her expression growing solemn. "Just keep a quiet watch for Nanny Yao. When she returns, see if you can find out whether the Emperor is coming."

"Yes," Ai Ju acknowledged.

After sending Ai Ju on her way, Feng Yunjin turned her gaze impassively toward Consort Zhuang. The consort was speaking with An Shutong, her face wreathed in a warm, friendly smile. A crowd had gathered around them, making the scene appear exceptionally lively.

Consort Shu sat in her own seat, exuding an air of someone who disdained to get involved, her natural arrogance plain to see.

Qin Wan Yi was also surrounded by a few people, laughing and talking. Her eyes were bright, her smile radiant, and she seemed to be getting along wonderfully with everyone.

Everything appeared perfectly normal.

The Empress Dowager had yet to appear. ’She’ll probably wait until the banquet begins to show herself,’ Feng Yunjin mused.

As for His Majesty... Feng Yunjin couldn’t begin to guess.

She hoped His Majesty wouldn’t come, but with the Empress Dowager present, he would likely have to make an appearance regardless.

Perhaps that was precisely what everyone was thinking, which would explain today’s unusually full attendance. After all, opportunities to see His Majesty were rare.

Who would willingly miss such a prime opportunity?

Even concubines who had been demoted for past mistakes had come, as long as they were allowed out. This only made Feng Yunjin more anxious.

Fang Ping slipped in from outside, her expression perfectly ordinary. She came to a stop behind her mistress, assuming a posture of dutiful attendance.

Qin Xiyue caught sight of Fang Ping from the corner of her eye. After chatting and laughing a while longer, she made an excuse about needing to change her clothes and stepped outside.

Once outside the hall, Qin Xiyue lowered her voice and asked, "Well?"

"Mistress, Song Zhaoyi did send someone to check on the situation at Taiji Palace, but they only lingered at the crossroads for a moment before heading back," Fang Ping reported softly, her head bowed.

A slight smile touched Qin Xiyue’s lips. ’I knew someone with Song Yunzhao’s temperament wouldn’t be able to sit still.’ "Has word been sent to Zhaoyang Palace?"

"It has been sent according to your instructions. I was very careful, Mistress. I made sure Rouge didn’t find out it was I who had the message delivered," Fang Ping said.

"Have you learned anything about Nanny Yao’s progress?" Qin Xiyue’s expression became unreadable.

’The Empress Dowager has set a trap today using An Shutong. She had no intention of letting this golden opportunity slip by.’