I Was Supposed to Be the Villainous Consort

Nanny Nie wasn’t swayed by much, but one thing Nanny Yu had said struck a chord: who wouldn’t want to leave the palace safe and sound?

She wanted that, too.

Instead of returning to Roufu Palace, Nanny Nie headed straight for Shouci Palace.

When she arrived at Shouci Palace, she couldn’t help but feel that the palace attendants at the gate looked a bit strange for some reason. But she couldn’t dwell on it now. She stepped forward to announce that she was requesting an audience with Princess Consort Wan, and to her surprise, no one gave her any trouble and simply let her in.

Nanny Nie found this even stranger. ’Are the people of Shouci Palace always this accommodating?’

Nanny Sun had often grumbled about how difficult the people at Shouci Palace were to deal with. ’Was she lying?’

Nanny Nie kept her head slightly bowed as she walked inside. The birthday banquet was in full swing; even before entering the hall, she could hear the sounds of music and dancing.

’It seems the Empress Dowager is truly determined to promote An Shutong,’ she thought. ’She’s certainly put a lot of effort into this banquet.’

"Excuse me, ma’am. Who are you looking for?"

Lost in thought for a moment, Nanny Nie was stopped in her tracks. She looked up at the palace attendant before her and said with a smile, "I’m from Roufu Palace. I have something to report to Princess Consort Wan."

Upon hearing she was from Roufu Palace, the attendant’s expression softened. "You look unfamiliar, ma’am."

’They’re questioning me quite thoroughly,’ Nanny Nie thought, ’as if they’re on guard against someone.’ But her words were deferential. "It’s no surprise you haven’t seen me, miss. I’m just a gatekeeper at Roufu Palace. I wouldn’t have been sent on this errand if we weren’t so short-staffed today. I’ve been on pins and needles this whole way, terrified I might offend one of the masters. If you could just do me a small favor, miss, I’ll go in, say a quick word to my lady, and be on my way."

Seeing Nanny Nie’s flustered expression, which didn’t seem like an act, the palace attendant said, "Go in through the side door. Be quiet, and don’t disturb anyone."

"Yes, of course. Thank you, miss." Nanny Nie thanked her profusely and quickly entered the hall through the side door.

The sounds of laughter and conversation from the hall filled her ears. Nanny Nie didn’t dare to look around too much, only stealing a glance from a distance. The Empress Dowager and the Emperor were seated on the high dais. She saw the Emperor turn his head slightly as the Empress Dowager said something that made her beam with smiles.

’If you didn’t know their relationship was strained, you’d think they were a picture of mother-son harmony.’

She didn’t dare to look any longer. She quickened her pace and soon found her mistress’s seat.

After taking just five or six more steps, she saw the Emperor rise and head toward the rear hall. Recalling Nanny Yu’s words, Nanny Nie’s expression changed, and she hurried forward.

Princess Consort Wan was already in poor health, and the clamor of the music and dancing today made her look even paler. But with the Empress Dowager presiding over the event, she couldn’t very well leave early. Once the Emperor arrived, she forced herself to remain seated. She would occasionally glance up at him, but the Emperor never looked her way.

Princess Consort Wan felt a pang of disappointment, her mind drifting to the way the Emperor was whenever he was with Song Yunzhao.

"Your Highness."

Princess Consort Wan started, turning to look at Nanny Sun. She frowned slightly. "What is it?"

"Nanny Nie is here." Nanny Sun was reluctant to relay the message. She and Nanny Nie were not on good terms. After her mistress had punished Nanny Nie by sending her to guard the gate, she had become the number one attendant by her side. ’Now that Nanny Nie is here,’ she thought, ’it can’t be good news.’

"What is she here for?" Princess Consort Wan disliked Nanny Nie, who was always lecturing her. That was why she had sent her away—out of sight, out of mind.

"I don’t know. Nanny Nie said she has something important to report." Nanny Sun practically spat the words through clenched teeth. ’She didn’t tell me because she was afraid I’d steal her credit.’

"Have her come over," Princess Consort Wan said coolly. Though she disliked Nanny Nie’s lectures, she knew her character. For her to come at a time like this, it must be for something important.

Nanny Nie hurried over, bowing low. "Greetings, Your Highness."

"Speak. What is it?" Princess Consort Wan asked, glancing at Nanny Nie.

Nanny Nie glanced around and, sure enough, saw that Qin Wan Yi’s seat was now empty. She had also been looking for An Shutong earlier and couldn’t find her. This confirmed that Nanny Yu’s words were at least seventy or eighty percent true.

Not daring to delay any longer, she half-knelt and whispered in Princess Consort Wan’s ear, "I just received news. The Empress Dowager is paving the way for Miss An and has deliberately lured the Emperor to the rear hall."

Princess Consort Wan wasn’t surprised. The Empress Dowager’s intentions were hardly a secret; almost everyone in the harem had guessed as much.

"Is that all?" Although Princess Consort Wan was unhappy about the Empress Dowager’s actions, she wasn’t about to openly oppose her. ’One more woman in the harem, or one less, it makes no difference.’

"Your Highness, Qin Wan Yi also went to the rear hall," Nanny Nie said.

Princess Consort Wan was stunned. She instinctively looked for Qin Xiyue and, sure enough, saw that Qin Xiyue’s seat was empty. The color drained from her face.

"What is she doing there?"

"The news I received is that she’s planning a substitution."

Princess Consort Wan was speechless.

She was so startled she almost jumped out of her seat.

"Is this true?" Princess Consort Wan asked, looking at Nanny Nie.

Nanny Nie shook her head. "I cannot be one hundred percent certain, but I am at least sixty percent sure."

Princess Consort Wan’s expression wavered, and she pressed her pale lips into a thin line.

Nanny Sun was also stunned. Fearing they would be overheard, she cautiously glanced around. Everyone was engrossed in the performance, and no one was paying them any mind. Only then did she breathe a sigh of relief.

"Why are you telling Her Highness all this? Whatever Qin Wan Yi is planning, what does it have to do with our mistress?" Nanny Sun demanded.

Nanny Nie shot her a look. "If Qin Wan Yi succeeds, it will certainly not be a good thing for Her Highness."

Consort Shu has a sharp temper that few dare to provoke. Her father, the Right Minister, nearly suffered a major setback last year but managed to regain his footing. With that kind of power behind her, no concubine would lightly cross Consort Shu.

Even if you could win against Consort Shu, you could never win against the Right Minister.

Princess Consort Zhuang and Princess Consort Wan are on equal footing. Furthermore, Qin Wan Yi has always been close with Princess Consort Zhuang. If Princess Consort Zhuang helps Qin Wan Yi win the Emperor’s favor, then among the three concubines, her own mistress will become the weakest.

Even if Princess Consort Wan didn’t usually compete for favor, she would never be willing to be the one at the very bottom of the hierarchy.

Princess Consort Wan shot to her feet. Looking at Nanny Nie, she said, "Come with me." Then she turned to Nanny Sun. "You will discreetly get this information to Consort Shu."

’If there’s going to be a scene, I can’t cause one by myself. I’ll have to drag Consort Shu into it.’

’With Consort Shu’s temper, she definitely won’t let this slide.’

When the Empress Dowager paved the way for An Shutong, they could only grit their teeth and endure it. After all, she was the Empress Dowager.

But who did Qin Wan Yi think she was? Even with Grand Tutor Qin backing her, she couldn’t just trample all over her!

Princess Consort Wan could feel her blood boiling. It had been a long time since she had felt such a surge of emotion. She glanced back at Qin Xiyue’s seat one more time; it was still empty.

Princess Consort Wan led Nanny Nie toward the rear hall but was stopped halfway. Supporting Princess Consort Wan’s arm, Nanny Nie put on an anxious expression. "My lady is feeling unwell and needs to freshen up. This is the closest place. Please, be so kind as to let us pass."

Nanny Nie immediately took out a silver ingot and discreetly pressed it into the attendant’s hand. The palace attendant hesitated; this silver felt too risky to accept.

Seeing the hesitation, Nanny Nie added, "If you’re worried, why don’t you accompany us?"

’With one of the Empress Dowager’s own people present, they’ll serve as the perfect witness.’

Meanwhile, Qin Xiyue was hiding behind a screen. On the bed in the chamber lay a figure. Through the thin gauze canopy, her face could be mostly made out—it was An Shutong.