I Was Supposed to Be the Villainous Consort

Nanny Yu immediately stuffed a handkerchief into Nanny Chen’s mouth, while Xiangxue and Shizhu tightly bound her with a rope.

Princess Consort Zhuang couldn’t bear to watch any longer. Her face was as dark as iron. ’Song Yunzhao is going too far! What does she take us three concubines for?!’

Princess Consort Wan’s brow furrowed as she looked at Song Yunzhao with hesitation.

Consort Shu, however, remained perfectly composed. ’This drama is satisfying from head to toe.’

Qin Xiyue’s gaze swept over the three concubines, a trace of unease in the depths of her eyes. She glanced at Princess Consort Zhuang and saw that, despite her obvious displeasure, she was forcing herself to hold it in.

Qin Xiyue slowly retracted her gaze. Not far from her sat An Shutong.

From start to finish, this Miss An had not uttered a single sound, remaining utterly silent.

Qin Xiyue grew increasingly agitated. She wanted to find a chance to slip away, but with Princess Consort Zhuang to her left and An Shutong to her right, she could only sit there and wait with forced patience.

Song Yunzhao, however, was perfectly composed, sitting as still as a statue.

The ladies whispered among themselves, but no one dared to speak up. Even Marchioness Yongjia, after seeing the Imperial Physician off, had returned instead of staying with her daughter.

The rash wasn’t fatal, just itchy and uncomfortable for a few days. Of course, she wanted to be by her daughter’s side, but she was more determined to find out who was responsible.

The Marquis Yongjia Mansion was not to be trifled with.

Marchioness Yongjia’s face was grim. Nearby, Marchioness Wu Xin wanted to say something, but several people sat between them. She was desperately hoping Song Yunzhao would meet her downfall today.

But seeing how things were unfolding, she had a feeling she was going to be disappointed.

’The three concubines act so high and mighty on a daily basis, but what’s the use? They can’t even handle a single Zhaoyi.’

’So what if she’s carrying a potential heir? Even if something did happen, there’s safety in numbers. Is the Emperor really going to kill everyone here?’

Marchioness Wu Xin’s heart felt like it was sizzling in a hot pan. She wished she could take the place of the three concubines and lunge forward herself.

Mrs. Han, who was beside her, frowned slightly at the sight. Without a word, she shifted her position, taking a small step forward to place herself half a pace ahead of the marchioness, subtly boxing her in.

Lady Lu noticed Mrs. Han’s movement and glanced over. At first, nothing seemed out of the ordinary, but when her eyes swept across Marchioness Wu Xin’s face, she paused, her own expression growing wary.

’Why is she staring at Consort Shu?’

Lady Lu had been worried the whole time, afraid that Princess Consort Zhuang and Princess Consort Wan would incite her daughter to confront Song Zhaoyi. There was something uncanny about this Song Zhaoyi; even her own husband had warned her to steer clear of the woman when she was in the palace. Considering her own family’s situation, Lady Lu couldn’t agree more.

After a full hour, Zhang Maoquan arrived with Anshun, trailing a bound man behind them.

"This servant greets you, my ladies," Zhang Maoquan said, stepping forward to pay his respects.

Before Song Yunzhao could speak, Princess Consort Zhuang addressed Zhang Maoquan. "Chief Steward Zhang, you must be aware of what has transpired. Song Zhaoyi’s conduct has been rather extreme. If word of this were to reach the Emperor and the courtiers, I fear it would be most improper."

Consort Shu rolled her eyes. "Princess Consort Zhuang, why are you being so passive-aggressive? If you have something to say, why not go and say it to the Emperor’s face?"

"Consort Shu, I am merely concerned for the reputation of the harem."

"Reputation? You must be joking. Isn’t a thorough investigation the only way to uncover the truth and restore everyone’s good name with justice and fairness?"

Princess Consort Zhuang was so angry her chest ached. ’This Consort Shu can’t even tell friend from foe!’

Consort Shu paid Princess Consort Zhuang no mind and turned to Princess Consort Wan. "This is your tea party, isn’t it? You’ve been recuperating for half a year and finally made an appearance, only to have your moment ruined and your face slapped. Aren’t you going to say something?"

Princess Consort Wan wished she could faint on the spot. ’Is my life easy?’

’So Consort Shu remembers it’s my tea party now? When Song Yunzhao was threatening to beat and kill, why didn’t any of you speak up and say this was my event?’

’Now that Zhang Maoquan has arrived, you’re all suddenly playing the good guy.’

’Hmph!’

With a wooden expression, Princess Consort Wan looked at Zhang Maoquan and said, "As for what happened, I imagine Chief Steward Zhang is already aware."

Zhang Maoquan smiled. "This servant heard a little from Anshun, but the truth of the matter is for you, my ladies, to determine."

Princess Consort Wan’s head was pounding. ’If I had known it would come to this, why would I have ever hosted a tea party? Wouldn’t it have been better to just read a book in peace?’

"I have never been one for worldly affairs. Chief Steward Zhang, please handle this as you see fit." Princess Consort Wan pushed the responsibility onto him. ’Zhang Maoquan is the Emperor’s man. Entrusting it to him can’t be wrong.’

Zhang Maoquan didn’t dare to accept the task. He simply smiled and turned directly to Song Zhaoyi. "This servant made some inquiries. The day before yesterday, Nanny Chen left the traveling palace and met with someone at her home. This is the very man I have brought with me." He then looked at Nanny Chen. "Nanny Chen, lift your head. Do you recognize him?"

Nanny Chen had already snuck a peek. Her face was now deathly pale, her expression a mask of terror.

All eyes turned in unison to the man Zhang Maoquan had brought with him.

Song Yunzhao studied the man as well. He was middle-aged, slightly plump, with unremarkable features. She certainly didn’t recognize him. "Who is this?"

Zhang Maoquan said in a low voice, "You may not recognize him, Lady Zhaoyi, but someone here does."

"Speak," Song Yunzhao commanded.

Zhang Maoquan turned to look in a particular direction. "Qin Wan Yi is surely no stranger to this man."

Qin Xiyue’s face showed a flicker of confusion as she looked at Zhang Maoquan. "A good question, Chief Steward Zhang. I was just wondering the same thing. Why has the steward of my family’s household been brought here?"

’Oh?’

’The Qin Family’s steward?’

Song Yunzhao glanced at her in surprise. ’For Qin Xiyue to keep up the act at a time like this... not just anyone could pull that off.’

She had long suspected there was more to today’s plot. And since the words and actions of the three concubines raised no alarms, her suspicions had fallen on Qin Xiyue.

But she never expected Zhang Maoquan to actually bring the steward from Grand Tutor Qin’s Mansion.

The chief steward of the Grand Tutor Mansion, Chen Ran, kept his head slightly bowed. Even though Qin Wan Yi had spoken, he showed no intention of looking up or speaking.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Maoquan looked at Qin Wan Yi and said, "This servant was ordered to investigate. I discovered that Nanny Chen arranged for Lanxiang’s sister to be bought out of her servitude, and she did so by entrusting the task to Chief Steward Chen. Therefore, I brought him here."

Qin Xiyue turned to Chen Ran. "Steward Chen, why would you buy out the contract of Lanxiang’s sister?"

Only then did Chen Ran raise his head, his expression perfectly calm. He began, "My lady is blessed with both talent and beauty, and her character is noble. Yet, ever since she entered the palace, she has been constantly suppressed and targeted by Song Zhaoyi. Song Zhaoyi is domineering and jealous. Not only does she monopolize the Emperor’s favor and sow discord in the harem, but she has also repeatedly tried to harm you. I could no longer bear to see you targeted by such a petty villain, and so I took matters into my own hands and orchestrated this plot."

After finishing his speech, he turned to Song Yunzhao. "Song Zhaoyi, I alone am responsible for this. It has nothing to do with my lady. Whether you kill me or torture me, I am at your mercy!"