I Was Supposed to Be the Villainous Consort

Qin Xiyue’s breathing grew ragged, and her palms were covered in a fine sheen of sweat. A piercing pain throbbed in her mind, and a voice seemed to be telling her to run.

’I went to so much trouble to set up today’s trap. How can I leave now?’

’Who is that speaking in my mind? Who wants me to leave?’

The sweet fragrance in the room was cloying. She knew it was an aphrodisiac, one the Empress Dowager had specifically prepared for An Shutong.

She knew that as soon as the Emperor set foot in the hall, the aphrodisiac, combined with the wine he’d had earlier, would take effect almost instantly.

By then, the Emperor’s mind would be clouded, and she could take An Shutong’s place to receive his favor...

’I’ve planned everything perfectly. I know this will anger the Empress Dowager, but I have no other way to win the Emperor’s affection. I can’t wait any longer.’

But now, a sudden, unbearable pain flared in her head.

She could already hear footsteps outside; she knew it had to be the Emperor. But her thoughts were in turmoil. Countless images flashed through her mind, and the stabbing, needle-like pain made it almost impossible to remain rational.

In those fragmented images, Qin Xiyue even saw a glimpse of Song Yunzhao—saw her failing the selection and leaving the palace...

’What’s happening?’

Qin Xiyue felt something was terribly wrong, but she couldn’t pinpoint what it was. Her instincts screamed that there was no time to investigate, so she scrambled back out the window she had used to sneak in.

Fang Ping and Hua Ying were startled and rushed forward to catch her.

Before they could speak, Qin Xiyue endured the stabbing pain and ordered, "Back to my chambers."

Seeing her condition, the two didn’t dare ask any more questions. They hastily supported their mistress along a side path to the dressing chamber, then passed through it to retrace their steps.

"Qin Wan Yi?" Princess Consort Wan was astonished to see her, her eyes scrutinizing the other woman. ’What’s going on?’

’Didn’t Nanny Nie say Qin Xiyue was in the rear hall?’

By now, the stabbing pain in Qin Xiyue’s head had mostly subsided, but the color wouldn’t return to her pale face so quickly.

Her pupils contracted when she saw Princess Consort Wan, but she quickly composed herself. Trembling, she said, "Your Highness, an old ailment of mine has suddenly flared up, and I have a terrible stomachache. Please forgive my breach of decorum."

Nanny Nie, standing behind Princess Consort Wan, felt her own expression shift slightly. ’Could Nanny Yu have lied to me?’

’No, what good would it do for Nanny Yu to lie to me about something like this?’

’Then what is going on?’

Princess Consort Wan couldn’t quite process the situation. Before she could speak, Qin Xiyue added, "Is Your Highness also here to use the dressing chamber? I won’t delay you any further."

Princess Consort Wan watched Qin Xiyue step aside. She wondered if it was her imagination, but Qin Xiyue’s face seemed even paler now.

However, since Princess Consort Wan hadn’t caught her red-handed, she couldn’t very well accuse her of anything. She pursed her lips and said, "Qin Wan Yi, you look terribly unwell. You should go back and rest."

"Thank you, Your Highness." Qin Xiyue curtsied, her steps a little unsteady. Hua Ying rushed forward to support her mistress.

Princess Consort Wan still felt something was amiss but could find no proof. It wouldn’t do to just stand there, so she had no choice but to proceed, vexed.

The moment Princess Consort Wan left, Qin Xiyue’s legs went weak, and she sagged against Hua Ying. After catching her breath for a moment, she regained some strength. "Let’s go."

Nanny Nie took a few steps before glancing back, just in time to see the retreating figures of Qin Wan Yi being supported by a palace attendant.

Nanny Sun saw it too and quickly spoke up. "Your Highness, since Qin Wan Yi was here, it means the situation may have changed. Should you still proceed?"

A change in plans could be good or bad; the outcome was now uncertain.

Princess Consort Wan hesitated. "Who called away the palace attendant leading our way just now?"

Nanny Sun thought for a moment. "It was Yourong, one of the Empress Dowager’s attendants."

Nanny Nie caught up just in time to hear this. She mused, "Your Highness, are you suggesting this is a trap set by Qin Wan Yi and the Empress Dowager?"

Princess Consort Wan said nothing, but the situation was clearly wrong. She was now in a dilemma, caught between moving forward and retreating.

’Qin Xiyue is gone. If I go over now, I’ll only catch the Emperor with An Shutong. If I expose them, won’t I be playing right into the Empress Dowager’s hands?’

While Princess Consort Wan had no desire to thwart the Empress Dowager’s schemes, she refused to be used as a pawn.

"Well now, what is Princess Consort Wan doing here?"

Princess Consort Wan hadn’t yet come to a decision when she heard Consort Shu’s voice. Her eyes lit up instantly, and she whispered to Nanny Sun, "When you sent the tip to Consort Shu, you made sure no one knew it was you, right?"

Nanny Sun shook her head. "I did not."

Princess Consort Wan breathed a small sigh of relief. Turning to face Consort Shu, she said coolly, "I am merely on my way to the dressing chamber. Does Consort Shu intend to manage such things as well?"

Consort Shu strode over. She didn’t believe for a second that Princess Consort Wan was here simply to use the dressing chamber. While one existed here, it was out of the way. ’She’s probably here for the same reason I am.’

Consort Shu’s eyes darted playfully. "I just thought I’d join you," she said with a smile.

Princess Consort Wan thought, ’Who wants to join you!’

Consort Shu paid no mind to Princess Consort Wan’s reluctance, walking right up beside her. "Speaking of which," she said, "Miss An has been away for quite some time. She still hasn’t returned. Has Princess Consort Wan seen her?"

Princess Consort Wan could barely maintain her composure. Consort Shu’s intentions were so transparent she couldn’t even hide them, blurting them out so brazenly. It was absurd.

But this very directness made it impossible for Princess Consort Wan to feign ignorance or change the subject.

How infuriating was that?

"Perhaps we should call a palace attendant and ask," Princess Consort Wan said slowly, forcing herself to remain calm. "This is Shouci Palace, after all."

"A fine suggestion, Princess Consort Wan. Let us do as you say." Consort Shu looked at Yunshang. "Go find a palace attendant and inquire."

Yunshang quickly complied. Turning her head, she spotted a little palace maid and beckoned her over.

"Do you know where Miss An went? It has been some time since we’ve seen her, and Their Highnesses are quite worried," Yunshang asked with a smile.

The little palace maid hastily curtsied to Consort Shu and Princess Consort Wan before replying, "Miss An drank a bit too much and felt unwell. She is in the rear hall sobering up right now."

’The rear hall?’

Princess Consort Wan and Consort Shu exchanged a glance.

Consort Shu spoke directly. "Lead the way. Princess Consort Wan and I will go see for ourselves. If Miss An is unwell, has an Imperial Physician been summoned?"

The little palace maid wouldn’t know such details and quickly shook her head, saying she did not.

The two consorts followed the little palace maid toward the rear hall. They passed through a long corridor and rounded a corner. When they looked up, they saw the Emperor standing right ahead. Zhang Maoquan was bent at the waist, reporting something. It was unclear what he said, but the Emperor’s expression was chillingly cold.

Even Consort Shu, who was known for her boldness, was taken aback and stopped in her tracks.

When Princess Consort Wan saw the Emperor, her own expression turned grim. But for some reason, seeing him standing outside the door, she felt a subtle sense of relief.

’The Emperor hasn’t entered the hall yet. The Empress Dowager’s plot hasn’t succeeded.’