I Was Supposed to Be the Villainous Consort

After sitting down, Consort Shu looked directly at Song Yunzhao and said, "I’ve heard that Princess Fuke may be coming to the traveling palace. Did you know about this?"

Song Yunzhao shook her head. "I only heard that Princess Fuke’s husband, the Prince Consort, passed away from illness and that she submitted a petition to return to the Capital City to live out her years. I didn’t know anything about her coming to the traveling palace."

Consort Shu glanced at Song Yunzhao. ’Being pregnant is useless. Look at her. With the Song Family’s low status, they can’t help her much with news from inside or outside the palace.’

With this in mind, Consort Shu looked at Madam Song and said, "As you move about outside the palace, you should be more attentive."

Song Yunzhao was speechless.

Madam Song couldn’t quite grasp what Consort Shu meant, but she still agreed respectfully. It wasn’t that she didn’t want to gather information for Yun Zhao; rather, with the Song Family’s current standing, there were many events she couldn’t attend, so news was naturally delayed.

There was nothing to be done about it.

Seeing that Madam Song’s attitude was acceptable, Consort Shu’s expression softened. She turned back to Song Yunzhao and said, "This matter is likely already decided. We should be able to see her in another five or six days. I came here specifically to give you a warning: Princess Fuke has an old grudge with the Empress Dowager. You didn’t grow up in the Capital City and don’t know much about these things, so don’t let yourself be easily dragged into this mess."

Song Yunzhao found this even stranger. ’Consort Shu made a special trip just to tell me this?’

’Someone with her personality would have just sent a messenger to pass on the word.’

’When things are this unusual, something must be afoot.’

’Consort Shu must have another reason for being here.’

Just as she was thinking this, she heard Consort Shu say to Madam Song, "I hear the second young master of your household is not yet betrothed. I wonder if you have any young lady in mind for him?"

Madam Song’s heart skipped a beat. She was surprised that Consort Shu wasn’t asking about her legitimate eldest son, but about the illegitimate son, Buchang.

"Your Ladyship," Madam Song said after some thought, "Buchang’s studies are not yet complete. My husband’s intention is to wait until after he sits for the examinations to arrange a betrothal." A faint suspicion was forming in her mind, making her increasingly cautious.

Consort Shu seemed not to notice the polite refusal in Madam Song’s words and said directly, "As it happens, I have a younger sister who is lovely and charming, raised by my own mother. I think she and the second young master of your house would be quite a good match."

Song Yunzhao was speechless.

Madam Song was speechless.

Song Yexi and the others were also stunned. ’Is Consort Shu trying to force a marriage?’ Listening to her tone, it sounded as if the engagement was a foregone conclusion.

After speaking, Consort Shu looked at Yun Zhao again. "If the Left Minister’s family and the Wang Family truly form a marriage alliance, it will not be a good thing for either you or me."

’So, Consort Shu is insisting on a marriage alliance with our family to counter the Left Minister and the Wang Family?’

Song Yunzhao had no desire for such a political bond. She looked directly at Consort Shu and said, "My second cousin is still pursuing his studies. If we wait to discuss marriage until after he takes the examinations, the young lady from your house might have to wait two years. I’m afraid that wouldn’t be appropriate."

The Song Family was offering an illegitimate son, while the Right Minister’s house was offering an illegitimate daughter. It was clearly the Song Family who would be marrying up. However, Song Yunzhao had a decent impression of Song Buchang and didn’t want to casually decide the fate of someone else’s marriage like this.

"What’s the big deal? We can simply arrange the betrothal first." Consort Shu could clearly see Song Yunzhao’s reluctance, but she paid it no mind. "Song Zhaoyi, discuss this matter thoroughly among yourselves. I will wait for your news."

Having said her piece, Consort Shu rose and left, coming and going in a great hurry.

As soon as Consort Shu left, Madam Song looked at Yun Zhao. "What are your thoughts, Zhaoyi?"

Song Yunzhao looked at Madam Song and said, "I’m not actually keen on forming a marriage alliance with the Right Minister’s house, but Consort Shu was right about one thing—the current situation is indeed not good. How about this: you first inquire about the character of Consort Shu’s illegitimate sister. If that Miss Lu is indeed a good person, then this marriage isn’t out of the question."

Madam Song nodded upon hearing this. "Normally, a match like this would be a rare find. But Buchang’s studies have always been excellent. Once he passes the examinations, it won’t be difficult for him to find a good match. For the Lu Family to suggest an alliance with us, they must have already inquired about Buchang. I feel that Consort Shu proposing this marriage at this particular juncture was no spur-of-the-moment decision."

Song Yunzhao felt a twinge of guilt. Speaking of which, although she’d never had any direct dealings with the Right Minister, she had often used her connection to Consort Shu to get his help—on a mutually beneficial basis, of course.

From this perspective, she rather admired the Right Minister’s way of doing things. He was pragmatic and flexible, knowing when to advance and when to retreat. In any case, in the book, the conflict between the Left and Right Ministers wasn’t resolved until near the grand finale.

After all, once the female lead dominated the harem, Ji Yunting became her right-hand man, and the Left Minister’s Mansion naturally rose with the tide.

Consort Shu and the Right Minister were the clear-cut villains, so of course, they were defeated.

Now, however, it was hard to say.

In the struggles of the court, you couldn’t always distinguish good from bad based on right and wrong alone.

"The Right Minister’s Mansion must have had this in mind for a while," Song Yunzhao said to Madam Song. "It’s just that our family has always acted with propriety. They knew an unsolicited proposal of marriage would surely be rejected."

Song Yexi then said, "I’ve actually met that Miss Lu once."

Song Yunzhao’s interest was instantly piqued. "What was she like?"

Xie Linlang had also seen her once, but given her own status, she figured Miss Lu wouldn’t have known who she was.

Song Hongjiao’s husband had yet to secure an official position, so in her social circles, she wouldn’t have encountered anyone from the Lu Family. Thus, she was completely unfamiliar with this Miss Lu.

"In terms of looks, she doesn’t compare to the noble and grand presence of Consort Shu. Fortunately, she has a lively personality, with delicate and animated features. As for her character, having only met her once, it’s hard to say," Song Yexi said.

Still, for an illegitimate daughter to be raised under Lady Lu’s own roof, she must have some ability.

Buchang was certain to become an official in the future. The wife he married couldn’t be petty or awkward, otherwise, how would she socialize with the wives from other prominent families?

Marriage alliances between prominent families were commonplace, using the bond of kinship to build bridges. This was true not only for ordinary official families but even for the Royal Family.

Although Yun Zhao disliked this method, she also knew that Consort Shu had likely proposed this matter because of the impending marriage alliance between Princess Consort Zhuang’s family and the Left Minister.

The Left and Right Ministers had always kept each other in check. Now that the Left Minister’s side had gained Princess Consort Zhuang, this balance would inevitably be disrupted, which was why Consort Shu wanted to join forces with her.

This kind of arrangement had its pros and cons. ’Did the advantages outweigh the disadvantages, or was it the other way around...?’

At this thought, she looked at Madam Song. "Aunt, this is a matter of great importance. I think you should write to Uncle and see what he has to say."

Madam Song had the very same intention. Seeing the hesitation on Yun Zhao’s face, she guessed that Yun Zhao was not pleased with this proposed alliance.

"For major family matters, we must naturally ask for my husband’s decision. I’ll go back and write a letter to send to Yucheng right away."

So the matter was settled for now, pending a reply from the head of the family.

Song Yunzhao didn’t have a very deep impression of Song Buchang, but she knew that he had played a large part in Song Buming and Song Bu Yue being able to go south to pursue their studies.

’For an illegitimate son to be held in such high regard by his aunt, his character must be quite good. His marriage should be handled with extreme caution. I just feel that an alliance with Consort Shu’s family is not the best course of action.’

But since Consort Shu had brought the matter up in front of Madam Song, Yun Zhao couldn’t make the decision for the main branch of the family. It would still come down to the wishes of the family head.