I Was Supposed to Be the Villainous Consort

If one were to picture a true beauty, it would be someone like Song Zhaoyi.

There were many women with stunning features, but someone like Song Zhaoyi was more than just beautiful. Her beauty possessed a unique allure that made her unforgettable after a single glance.

Regardless of whether they liked her, everyone present couldn’t help but think that if they were a man, they would never let such a beauty go.

At that thought, the expressions on some faces turned even uglier.

If they, as women, were so captivated, what chance did His Majesty stand?

Princess Consort Wan’s gaze swept over the pearls in Yun Zhao’s hair. Her expression faltered for a moment before she spoke. "Song Zhaoyi, you are with child. It would be best for you to sit and talk."

"Thank you, Lady Wanfei." Song Yunzhao sat down gracefully. She could feel all sorts of gazes fixed upon her and spotted Han Jinyi and her companions in the crowd.

She had just taken her seat when Princess Consort Zhuang and Consort Shu arrived.

As they were welcomed in, Princess Consort Zhuang’s eyes immediately fell on Song Yunzhao. It was impossible to miss her; she was simply too conspicuous. Staring at that face, which seemed to glow, Princess Consort Zhuang pursed her lips and averted her gaze.

’This Song Yunzhao must have entered the palace just to infuriate people,’ she thought. ’Other women don’t become more radiant and beautiful during pregnancy like she has. She’s a true fox spirit.’

Outside the traveling palace, fragrant carriages lined the roads and nobles flowed like a river. Inside, noble ladies in magnificent gowns and high coiffures gathered in droves. The serving palace attendants moved with extreme caution, not daring to make the slightest mistake.

Of the three high-ranking concubines, Princess Consort Wan was the first to host a banquet after arriving at the traveling palace. Today, a constant stream of guests arrived, each with their own agenda.

Song Yunzhao, in particular, felt as if she had become a national treasure. Everyone had to steal a glance, then another. The stares—some curious, some disdainful—were unsettling.

Ultimately, it was because her family’s status was not high enough and its foundation not deep enough. That was why these people looked down on her.

Even though she was pregnant, the child was not yet born. No one knew if it was a boy or a girl, nor how the Emperor would reward her. All these uncertainties swirled around her, making everyone’s attitude toward her delicate and complex.

Song Yunzhao understood this delicate situation perfectly. It was as if everyone had started on the same racetrack; though she had a slow start, her speed had increased exponentially. Unless she could maintain her lead until the very end, she would become a laughingstock.

No one can stay at their peak forever. Just as flowers do not bloom for a hundred days, life is not always in its spring.

Princess Consort Wan was a person of elegant tastes. Musicians were already playing their instruments, the gentle, soothing sound of strings and flutes drifting past everyone’s ears. Hearing the music without seeing the players added a touch of refined grace.

Once everyone had arrived, Princess Consort Wan had the tables set with fine wine and delicacies. She then had tea tables arranged in the center of the hall.

Soon, several long tables of pear wood were carried in. Le Chun led a team of palace attendants who, in a seamless flow, arranged a variety of teacups upon them. A whole row of white jade tea caddies was placed in the center of the tables, each labeled with the name of a different tea. On clay stoves, copper pots boiled with a CLINKING sound, steam puffing out.

It seemed the arrangement was for each guest to choose and brew their own tea, a hands-on experience from start to finish. It was a novel sight, and the atmosphere immediately livened up.

’Such a tea banquet is certainly unique,’ Song Yunzhao thought, glancing at Princess Consort Wan. ’It’s an idea only someone with refined taste could conceive.’

However, although the line of tables was quite long, they were crowded with teacups, tea caddies, and roaring stoves. As a pregnant woman, she decided it was best not to join the crowd.

So, as the guests all went to personally brew their tea, Yun Zhao remained seated, as unmoving as a mountain.

"Oh? Does Song Zhaoyi not enjoy this kind of tea banquet?"

Someone in the crowd suddenly piped up. In an instant, many eyes fell on Yun Zhao, and sure enough, they saw she was still in her seat.

There were too many people—not just imperial concubines, but also the noble madams and young ladies from various mansions. Yun Zhao couldn’t tell who had spoken.

The speaker, hidden in the crowd, had obviously shouted with this in mind and therefore felt no restraint.

The Song Family had not come today; Princess Consort Wan had only invited those with official titles.

At that moment, Marchioness Wu Xin was hidden in the crowd. She stared at Song Yunzhao from afar, an irrepressible smile on her face. She was just waiting to watch the show this Song Zhaoyi would put on.

Thinking of her increasingly difficult daughter-in-law, Marchioness Wu Xin grew agitated. Before coming to the traveling palace, Yan Liu had given birth to another son.

She had thought Song Qinghan would surely lose her composure this time. She had even deliberately sent Yan Liu to the main courtyard to announce the good news in person, hoping to provoke Song Qinghan into action so she could gain some leverage over her.

Who knew that Song Qinghan would refuse to even see her, and on top of that, had fallen "ill." Because of this illness, Third Madam Song had come to the mansion to visit. Recalling the look Third Madam Song gave her then, the Marchioness could still feel her anger rising.

If she weren’t wary of Song Zhaoyi, why would she tolerate that mother-daughter pair?

Under everyone’s watchful eyes, Song Yunzhao slowly raised her head, her smile fading slightly. "Who was it that just spoke?"

Hmm?

’Is that really the point?’ no one had expected Song Yunzhao’s first words to be a question like that.

The expressions of those present instantly became complicated. They looked at each other, but no one stepped forward.

Yun Zhao let out a soft laugh. "I wonder which family’s young lady could say something so ignorant. Forcing a pregnant woman to squeeze into a crowd... if something were to happen to the child in my womb, could you afford to take responsibility? Could your entire household afford it?"

The hall fell silent in an instant, with only the sound of music lingering in the air.

Song Zhaoyi’s words were truly harsh, making it hard for anyone to save face. The complexions of some people present had already changed. They felt she was growing arrogant from being favored and was looking down on everyone.

’She’s just a Zhaoyi,’ they thought. ’So brazen before the child is even born. Truly a case of a lesser person finding success.’

Han Jinyi saw the smile disappear from Yun Zhao’s face and immediately took a step forward. Now that she was a Noble Consort, she, at least, had the right to speak.

"Sixth Miss Huang, why have you gone quiet all of a sudden?"

Huang Mingxiu, hidden in the crowd, was suddenly called out by name. Her face couldn’t help but turn pale.

Hearing Han Guipin’s words, the Marchioness Yongjia’s expression darkened. She pulled her daughter behind her and looked up. "Han Guipin, what is the meaning of this?"

Seeing this, Mrs. Han immediately stepped forward as well, saying with a light laugh, "Marchioness Yongjia, why so nervous? Others might not recognize it, but those of us here still remember the sound of your family’s Sixth Miss’s voice. Surely you wouldn’t fail to recognize your own daughter’s voice, would you? Speaking of which, our Noble Consort truly has a good memory, remembering her after meeting Sixth Miss Huang just a few times before entering the palace."

The Marchioness Yongjia... Sixth Miss Huang...

Song Yunzhao remembered. ’So, this woman is Chu Yuying’s mother-in-law.’

With that thought, her eyes scanned the crowd. ’Oh, I don’t see Madam Ding Nanbo. It seems she didn’t attend the banquet today.’

This was rather interesting. She had no prior quarrels with the Marquis Yongjia Mansion. What kind of fit was this Sixth Miss Huang throwing?

Song Yunzhao’s gaze fell upon Sixth Miss Huang. She was a young woman with delicate and pretty features, but the look she gave Song Yunzhao was far from friendly.

’How interesting.’