I Was Supposed to Be the Villainous Consort

Besides, the most important person in today’s plan had slipped away. ’Why wasn’t Qin Xiyue here?’

’This shouldn’t have happened. Where did things go wrong?’

Song Yunzhao couldn’t figure it out. The heroine of the book had come up with this plan herself. The only difference was that in the book, An Shutong had entered the palace through the official selection process. She wasn’t in this current awkward position of having an unconfirmed status.

However, unlike in the book, Qin Xiyue hadn’t received the Emperor’s favor yet either. She was still in a period of waiting. So, between Qin Xiyue and An Shutong, they were both in the same boat.

’One wants to stay in the palace, and the other wants to win the Emperor’s favor. Both are facing enormous risks for enormous rewards. With Qin Xiyue’s personality, how could she give up so easily?’

Song Yunzhao couldn’t figure it out right now, but that didn’t stop her from putting the finishing touches on the matter.

Especially since all their plans were aimed at her. She was the victim, a helpless woman who couldn’t fight back.

And Song Yunzhao was going to ruthlessly exploit this, widening the rift between the Emperor and the Empress Dowager so that the Empress Dowager could no longer force the Emperor to back down so easily in the future.

Feng Yi looked down at Yun Zhao.

’She’s always so happy and bright, seemingly filled with endless energy. But now, she’s listless and haggard, with a sorrow in her eyes that she can’t hide.’

’Even so, she hadn’t made things difficult for him over this. Every word she spoke was meant to soothe him.’

Feng Yi pulled her into his embrace, and Song Yunzhao leaned against his chest. She let her body go soft, as if she were wholeheartedly devoted to him, trusting him to shelter her from harm.

"Zhaozhao..."

"Emperor, let’s just let what happened today go," Song Yunzhao said, tilting her head up to smile at him.

Feng Yi looked down, and his gaze met hers. Her gentle, loving smile made him swallow the words that were already on the tip of his tongue.

’He’d rarely been this flustered.’

’In the end, he was the one who had broken his promise to her.’

’He knew Yun Zhao was letting it go because she didn’t want to put him in a difficult position again. But things couldn’t end like this. Even if Yun Zhao didn’t demand it, he would get justice for her.’

Seeing the look in the Emperor’s eyes, Song Yunzhao knew she had played her cards right. ’The more I downplay this, the guiltier he’ll feel, and the less likely he’ll be to simply let it drop.’

’The only shame is that Qin Xiyue got away with it.’

’But knowing the heroine’s personality, if she failed this time, there would surely be a next. All I have to do is wait. I’ll drag her out into the open sooner or later.’

Song Yunzhao sat up from the Emperor’s embrace, slipped on her shoes, and pulled him by the hand, leading him out. As they walked, she said, "I have something to tell you, Emperor."

Seeing Yun Zhao’s sudden enthusiasm, Feng Yi felt his heart lighten. ’It seems she really hasn’t taken it to heart.’ He allowed Yun Zhao to lead him outside.

Song Yunzhao produced a stack of librettos, set them on a table, and looked at the Emperor with a smile. "Emperor, look."

Feng Yi stepped forward and casually picked one up. He immediately recognized the title. At the bottom of the page was the name of the Derong Opera Troupe. He picked up a few more and scanned them—they were all librettos from the Derong Opera Troupe. His heart suddenly leaped. He looked up at Yun Zhao. "What are you showing me these for?"

Song Yunzhao feigned embarrassment. "My expenses in the palace are not insignificant. I can’t always rely on the Emperor to supplement my funds. If word of that gets out, certain people definitely won’t be pleased."

’He knew exactly who "certain people" was without Yun Zhao having to say it: the Empress Dowager.’

"You don’t need to concern yourself with that. You are my woman. No one can say a thing if I give you Silver to spend."

"It’s not scarcity that causes strife, but inequality," Song Yunzhao said with a soft sigh. "I know you treat me well, Emperor. I know that. But I already have you all to myself. If I monopolize everything else, of course people will be unhappy. I just want to live a good life with you. Nothing else is important to me."

Feng Yi was taken aback.

’Yun Zhao is someone who loves money. Is she really willing to give that up for my sake?’

"Besides," she added, "I can earn my own money."

The sudden change in topic left Feng Yi a little bewildered. "Earn your own money?"

"That’s right," Song Yunzhao said, her face beaming. "You know of my connection to Yuquan Building, Emperor."

Feng Yi arched an eyebrow at Yun Zhao. She had mentioned it during the disaster relief efforts, and the Xie family had indeed put forth a great deal of effort.

Yun Zhao deliberately avoided the Emperor’s gaze, affecting a look of simple delight. "My relationship with Miss Xie is quite good, and thanks to the favor you showed, Emperor, the Xie family profited considerably from the disaster relief."

Feng Yi had indeed granted certain boons to the merchants who aided the court, but whether they could capitalize on them was up to them. ’From the sound of it,’ he thought, ’the Xie family not only capitalized on them but did exceedingly well.’

"The Xie family knows I put in a good word for them, and they want to thank me for it."

Feng Yi understood. ’The Xie family wants to give Yun Zhao Silver.’ He looked at her. "And what are your thoughts on that?"

Song Yunzhao immediately said, "But I am your woman, Emperor! How could I accept Silver from the Xie family for free? If word of that got out, wouldn’t I bring shame upon you because of it?"

Feng Yi looked at Yun Zhao’s self-righteous expression and burst out laughing. "You do see things clearly, don’t you?"

"Even though we’re related by marriage, and I’m on good terms with Miss Xie, you are of course more important than any of that, Emperor. I’m not a fool. I know that free things are often the most expensive. If they give me Silver, it’s because they’re hoping to get something of even greater value from me in return."

At this, Feng Yi’s expression gradually grew serious. He seemed to be catching on. "What do you have in mind?"

"I’ll earn it myself, using my own abilities, of course."

"Your own abilities?" That stumped Feng Yi. "You live deep within the palace. How do you plan on earning money?"

Song Yunzhao pointed to the librettos on the table. "Emperor, I’ve read so many of these things. I’m sure I could write them myself."

Feng Yi was speechless.

’How much money could librettos possibly make?’

But seeing how excited she was, he didn’t have the heart to crush her enthusiasm.

Still, he worried she would be heartbroken if she didn’t earn any money. After some thought, he looked at her and said, "You’re pregnant now, so you shouldn’t tax your mind. How about waiting until after the baby is born?"

"That’s exactly why! I’m pregnant and can’t go out, so I get bored being cooped up in the palace all day. Writing librettos would be the perfect way to pass the time. Don’t you think it’s a wonderful idea, Emperor?"

Song Yunzhao’s eyes were incredibly bright, as if two flames burned within them, searing Feng Yi’s heart with their warmth.

’In the past, he could never do what he wanted or say what he wished. If he ever tried, his hopes would inevitably turn to ash.’

’Once upon a time, he had looked at the world with that same light in his eyes.’

He couldn’t bear to let Yun Zhao suffer the same disappointments he had. He replied almost instantly, "Alright."

"I knew you’d think it was a good idea!" Song Yunzhao said with a triumphant little look. "When I’ve earned my own Silver, I’ll be sure to buy you the best gift."

Song Yunzhao’s face lit up with joy, but inwardly, she heaved a long sigh of relief. ’By getting my collaboration with the Xie family approved right under the Emperor’s nose, I’ve just made things much more convenient for the future.’