I Was Supposed to Be the Villainous Consort

"Anshun, you heard what the Imperial Physician said, right? Are you really going to just watch Song Zhaoyi continue on like this?" Zhang Maoquan chuckled softly. "As servants, we have to be sharp sometimes. We need to know what we can and cannot do, when we should and should not speak. Don’t you agree?"

Anshun’s face was a mask of misery, his brow furrowed so tightly it seemed twisted into a knot. His eyes betrayed his inner struggle. Finally, he gritted his teeth and said, "Even if my mistress blames me, I’ll accept it. Chief Steward Zhang is right. This can’t be kept secret any longer."

Zhang Maoquan adopted a listening posture and didn’t press him to continue.

Anshun sighed. "A few days ago, people started saying that the Emperor’s visits to Wangyou Palace were becoming less and less frequent. They said that since the Zhaoyi is pregnant and can’t serve him at night, the Emperor would probably start favoring other concubines. Although everyone in Wangyou Palace keeps a tight lip, the Zhaoyi sometimes goes out for a walk and inevitably heard some of these rumors. Ever since then, she’s been... Chief Steward Zhang, our mistress is an incredibly proud person. She knows perfectly well that she can’t share the Emperor’s bed, so why would she ever try to stop him? Those people are just infuriating."

Zhang Maoquan’s eyebrow shot up. ’No wonder. Someone’s deliberately spreading these rumors to Song Zhaoyi, using words to provoke her and cause trouble for her.’

’But Anshun definitely hasn’t told me everything.’

’Song Zhaoyi isn’t just proud, she’s also domineering. Her inability to serve the Emperor at night is a critical weakness for someone so arrogant. If she were to insist on keeping the Emperor at Wangyou Palace, she would never get away with it, not with the Empress Dowager around.’

’Before the Empress Dowager returned to the palace, Song Zhaoyi, with her personality, wouldn’t have been afraid of anyone. But she can’t ignore the fact that the Empress Dowager is here now.’

Zhang Maoquan understood.

He patted Anshun’s shoulder, then turned and left without another word.

Anshun watched Zhang Maoquan’s departing figure and breathed a small sigh of relief. He carefully recalled their conversation and, finding no mistakes, concluded he had said everything Nanny Yu had instructed him to. Only then did he feel at ease.

’Now it’s all up to Chief Steward Zhang’s abilities.’

Zhang Maoquan made his way to Shouci Palace, only to be stopped at the entrance.

"Chief Steward Zhang, you’re here! It’s a fine day, why not join us for a drink?"

The sight of Zhao Yousheng made Zhang Maoquan’s heart sink. This man had served the Empress Dowager for decades; even someone like him didn’t dare to offend him lightly. He immediately stepped forward with a smile and said, "Greetings, Manager Zhao. It’s been a while. I heard you were unwell some time ago. Are you all better now?"

Zhao Yousheng chuckled. "The young ones below me were just making a fuss over nothing. It was only a cold. A few doses of medicine and I was fine."

"I’m glad to hear it’s nothing serious. I was planning to visit you in a day or two, once I’m less busy. I have some business to report to the Emperor, so I won’t disturb you any further, Manager Zhao." Zhang Maoquan said with a smile, clasping his hands. He then made to walk inside.

Zhao Yousheng grabbed his arm. "If it’s not a major issue, let it wait. The Empress Dowager is in high spirits today. We can’t go spoiling Her Majesty’s mood, now can we?"

’What was there not to understand?’ Zhang Maoquan thought. ’Zhao Yousheng is just acting as a watchdog here, afraid someone might come and call the Emperor away.’

With this thought, a bad premonition surfaced in Zhang Maoquan’s mind, but his smiling expression didn’t falter. He spoke slowly, his tone casual. "What major business could I possibly have? Manager Zhao, you know the Emperor has assigned me to serve at Wangyou Palace. Song Zhaoyi hardly steps out of the palace these days, and she isn’t one to order people around much. I’ve been so idle day after day that I’m actually getting a little restless."

Hearing this, Zhao Yousheng was inwardly surprised. ’So it wasn’t Song Zhaoyi who sent him.’ His eyes darted thoughtfully before he smiled and said, "Chief Steward Zhang is highly regarded by the Emperor. With Song Zhaoyi pregnant, once she gives birth to a Prince, your merits will be undeniable. You’ll have to treat us to a celebration then."

"I’ll take you up on those auspicious words. If that day comes, I’ll definitely host a banquet." Zhang Maoquan’s face was glowing with pleasure. Then, his tone shifted as he looked at Zhao Yousheng and said in a low voice, "I don’t have any business myself, but there’s a matter from Taiji Palace that must be reported to the Emperor. Do you think you could make things convenient for me?"

Zhao Yousheng couldn’t tell if Zhang Maoquan was telling the truth or not. He recalled the Empress Dowager’s instructions, and the bribe he had accepted, and chuckled slyly. "It’s not like the sky is falling. Waiting a little longer won’t hurt, right? Come, come, we rarely get to see each other. Let’s have that drink..."

Zhang Maoquan found himself being dragged by Zhao Yousheng toward the gatehouse. His heart sank. ’It seems something really is going on in Shouci Palace today.’

’At this point, for the Emperor’s sake, he, Zhang Maoquan, would have to brave this dragon’s den and tiger’s lair.’

"Manager Zhao, it’s not that I don’t want to give you face, but this matter is truly urgent. You had better announce me. Otherwise, if the Emperor’s important business is delayed, who do you think could bear that responsibility?" Zhang Maoquan’s smile vanished completely.

Seeing this, Zhao Yousheng was inwardly displeased, but his expression remained unchanged. He said with a jovial laugh, "I wonder what it could be that has Chief Steward Zhang in such a hurry?"

"Manager Zhao, these are matters of the imperial court. You may dare to ask, but I certainly don’t dare to answer."

Zhao Yousheng’s expression stiffened, and he looked up at Zhang Maoquan.

Their eyes met, and sparks seemed to fly between them.

Zhao Yousheng let out a dry laugh. "If that’s the case, please wait a moment, Chief Steward Zhang. I’ll go make the report at once."

"Much obliged," Zhang Maoquan said with a smile.

Zhao Yousheng turned and left, and Zhang Maoquan’s smile vanished. If this had been anywhere but Shouci Palace, he would have forced his way in long ago.

It wasn’t that Zhang Maoquan didn’t dare to barge in; he was afraid his own rash actions would cause trouble for the Emperor. That was the only reason he had to play games with Zhao Yousheng.

’That bastard must have taken a bribe from someone to be blocking me here.’

As Zhang Maoquan waited, his expression grew darker and darker. A quarter of an hour had passed just to relay a message, and there was still no sign of anyone. How could he not realize by now that Zhao Yousheng had played him for a fool?

At this thought, Zhang Maoquan found himself in a dilemma. Zhao Yousheng had put him in an impossible position.

Glancing at the eunuchs in the gatehouse, who didn’t even dare to raise their heads, Zhang Maoquan sneered. He took a step back out, beckoned to a eunuch in the distance, and ordered, "Go to Taiji Palace. Tell them I can’t handle this task and to ask Manager Meng to come personally."

The one who had accompanied the Emperor to Shouci Palace today was Xu Sixi, while Meng Jiuchang had remained in Taiji Palace to handle matters for the Emperor. This complicated things. Xu Sixi and he didn’t get along; even if he managed to force his way in, he would probably have a hard time getting past Xu Sixi.

But it would be a different story if Meng Jiuchang came. Although Zhang Maoquan was usually resentful of his authority, at a time like this, he had to admit that Meng Jiuchang’s face carried more weight and was worth more than his own.

The thought made his expression even uglier.

He chalked this grudge up to Zhao Yousheng and Xu Sixi.

Back in Taiji Palace, Meng Jiuchang was so busy he was practically spinning in circles. He was stunned when he suddenly received the message.

’What is Zhang Maoquan trying to do?’

His first instinct was to ignore him, but then he remembered that Zhang Maoquan was serving at Wangyou Palace, and he hesitated.

’This is a trap, whether I get involved or not.’