I Was Supposed to Be the Villainous Consort

Song Yunzhao barely ate anything, merely putting on a show.

The Empress Dowager was clearly hostile toward her, and she had no intention of testing anyone’s goodwill.

Yunzhao put down her teacup with a practiced air. As she looked up, her gaze met Qin Xiyue’s, who smiled at her, her eyes twinkling.

Song Yunzhao: ...

’As expected of you, the female lead.’

She, for one, could never do that.

Song Yunzhao averted her gaze, her expression wooden. ’People who can be the female lead must be incredibly strong-willed,’ she thought. ’I’m no match for that.’

There were many guests at the banquet today. Yunzhao didn’t see her aunt, but she wasn’t particularly concerned. If the Empress Dowager thought she could crush her spirit and self-esteem this way, she had seriously misjudged her.

The constant gazes from those around her were also getting on her nerves, yet she had to patiently remain seated.

Marchioness Wu Xin’s stare was particularly blatant. Song Yunzhao figured it was surely because of Song Qinghan. However, the bond between the two sisters was as thin as paper. Whatever the Marchioness Wu Xin hoped to achieve by watching her, she was destined for disappointment.

She wouldn’t kick Song Qinghan when she was down, but she wouldn’t offer a helping hand either.

As the dinner portion of the evening wound down, the atmosphere grew even more lively. After all, the guests hadn’t come just for the food.

Before long, An Shutong appeared, having changed into a dancing dress. Cradling a pipa, she personally took the floor to perform. The crowd immediately burst into applause and cheers, giving the Empress Dowager ample face.

A faint smile touched Song Yunzhao’s lips. ’The Empress Dowager has really gone to great lengths for An Shutong.’ Having her perform in front of all these noble ladies was undoubtedly a move to build her a reputation for being multi-talented.

Song Yunzhao was itching to leave. There was truly no point in staying here. But the Empress Dowager wasn’t like the three concubines; she couldn’t just get up and go as she pleased.

"Song Zhaoyi, life at the traveling palace is much more fun than back in the main palace. It’s rare for things to be so lively. Why not join us for a game?"

Song Yunzhao turned to look at Qin Wan Yi. She was holding dice in her hand, and the card table next to her was already set up, just waiting for her to take a seat.

As Qin Wan Yi called out Song Yunzhao’s name, she drew the attention of most of the guests, whose eyes glinted with the desire to watch a good show.

Song Yunzhao didn’t move a muscle, but her face feigned surprise. "I had no idea Qin Wan Yi was skilled in such arts. What a pleasant surprise. Unfortunately, my family was very strict with me growing up. I was never allowed to touch these things, so I’m afraid I’ll have to disappoint you."

Qin Xiyue’s smile didn’t falter in the slightest as she added softly, "Song Zhaoyi, you misunderstand. I had never played before either, but I just recently started learning. A woman as clever as yourself would surely pick it up much more easily. Besides, it’s just a bit of fun."

Others in the crowd immediately chimed in to support Qin Xiyue. "That’s right, Song Zhaoyi, there’s no need to be nervous. It’s just for amusement. You can just play casually."

One after another, their words were clearly meant to pressure Song Yunzhao toward the table step by step. Song Yunzhao saw Han Jinyi and the others looking extremely displeased, ready to stand up for her, but she gave them a slight shake of her head.

Supporting her belly, Song Yunzhao slowly rose to her feet. She looked at the crowd and said deliberately, "The Imperial Physician has advised me to rest quietly during my pregnancy. The continuous travel from the Capital City to the traveling palace over the past several days was already exhausting. Tonight, I came to the banquet without a moment’s rest. You are all strong and healthy, but I’m afraid my body just can’t keep up."

With that, she turned to face the Empress Dowager on her high seat. "Empress Dowager, please forgive me. It has been a great effort for this concubine to last even this long. I must beg my leave to depart first. I pray for Your Majesty’s permission."

Song Yunzhao hadn’t wanted to confront the Empress Dowager directly, but this banquet was clearly aimed at her. If she didn’t stand up for herself now, Han Jinyi and the others would fall into the trap. She couldn’t give the Empress Dowager an opportunity to establish her dominance.

She had the confidence to do so because she carried an imperial heir, but her friends did not have that protection.

The atmosphere instantly grew tense. An Shutong’s pipa fell silent as she took a small step back, moving to the side with a look of startled helplessness.

Consort Zhuang saw the Empress Dowager’s dark expression, then looked at Song Yunzhao. After a moment of silence, she was the first to speak. "Song Zhaoyi, the Empress Dowager means well. She wanted everyone to have some fun upon arriving at the traveling palace. Why else would Her Majesty, at her advanced age, go to such trouble to host this banquet? Ultimately, it’s for everyone’s benefit, don’t you agree?"

By emphasizing the Empress Dowager’s age, Consort Zhuang was trying to counter Song Yunzhao’s claim of pregnancy.

"Since Consort Zhuang has put it that way, why don’t you lead by example and play a round yourself? That would spare you from accusations that you’re all talk and unwilling to humble yourself." Song Yunzhao was wary of the Empress Dowager, but she wasn’t afraid of Consort Zhuang. If Consort Zhuang was going to use the Empress Dowager to pressure her, she was more than capable of fighting back.

The phrase "humble yourself" instantly put Consort Zhuang on the spot.

Consort Shu let out a soft laugh. "Song Zhaoyi has a point. Consort Zhuang, you can’t just criticize others without being willing to participate yourself. That simply won’t do."

Seated on her throne, the Empress Dowager’s expression was grim. She hadn’t expected Song Yunzhao to be so bold, nor had she imagined she would dare to drag Consort Zhuang into the fray.

’Consort Zhuang is useless,’ she thought, ’letting herself get cornered so easily by a few words.’

The noble ladies exchanged glances, but none of them dared to speak. Even Marchioness Wu Xin kept her mouth shut for the moment. Her eyes, however, darted back and forth, eagerly hoping to see Song Yunzhao taken down a peg.

She had originally thought that by marrying Song Qinghan, the Marquis Wuxin Mansion could somehow leverage the power of this favored concubine. But not only had they failed to gain any advantage, the sisters’ falling out had brought shame upon the Marquis Wuxin Mansion as well.

Especially now. Who knew what Madam Song had said to Song Qinghan, but it had become very difficult to find any fault with her. She didn’t even seem to care about her husband anymore, which was definitely not a good thing.

Although Marchioness Wu Xin knew the sisters’ relationship was poor, she didn’t dare to be too harsh with Song Qinghan. What if Song Zhaoyi decided to intervene for the sake of the Song Family’s honor?

So, one can imagine the Marchioness’s current mood. The more she looked at Song Qinghan, the more irritated she became, yet she couldn’t easily discipline her. Since she couldn’t ride Song Zhaoyi’s coattails, she naturally wished for her downfall.

Once Song Zhaoyi fell from grace, she would have no more reservations about dealing with Song Qinghan.

That was what she was thinking, hoping the Empress Dowager would be more formidable. But she herself was unwilling to take any risks, so she kept her mouth shut and stared at Song Yunzhao.

The mothers of Han Jinyi and her friends had not been invited to the banquet, but the Right Minister’s Wife was present. She sat there quietly, also watching Song Zhaoyi.

Since Consort Shu had spoken up to help, her mother, Lady Lu, could only sigh inwardly. Precisely because her daughter had already intervened, she, as the mother, could not make any further moves.

The tension in the air continued to mount. Just as it looked like the Empress Dowager was about to lose her composure, a voice suddenly announced from outside, "His Majesty the Emperor has arrived!"