I Was Supposed to Be the Villainous Consort

Something seemed different, yet nothing seemed to have changed at all.

"Feng Yi."

Song Yunzhao subconsciously called out the Emperor’s name.

"I’m here."

Feng Yi answered.

Her voice was so soft and weak that he held his breath, afraid that speaking any louder might blow her away like a whisper on the wind.

Hearing his reply, Song Yunzhao felt the man before her become more solid, more real. She heard herself say, "I caused a huge scene today. Did you hear about it?"

’I really tore a huge hole in the heroine’s world today. Her entire persona has completely collapsed.’

Feng Yi was about to speak, but Yun Zhao continued, "Qin Xiyue has tried to harm me time and time again, yet I could never get any evidence. Today, the Qin Family thought they could make this all go away by simply offering up a steward. This is about two lives—mine and my unborn child’s. How could I possibly let them off the hook?"

Feng Yi saw that Yun Zhao was trembling as she spoke. He reached out and pulled her into his embrace. "Don’t be afraid. I will get you justice."

"Alright," Song Yunzhao smiled. "I’ll be waiting."

"Let me walk you back first." Feng Yi felt something was off about Yun Zhao’s current state, but he had a gut feeling that he shouldn’t ask, shouldn’t say a word about it.

"Alright. I’m tired. I want to sleep for a bit."

An inexplicable drowsiness washed over Song Yunzhao. Even as she spoke, she could barely keep her eyes open. Leaning against Feng Yi’s chest, she closed her eyes and fell asleep.

Feng Yi’s face paled in fright. He scooped her up, shouting for the Imperial Physician as he rushed back.

Song Yunzhao could clearly hear Feng Yi’s voice, but she couldn’t open her eyes or her mouth. It felt as if something was forcefully holding her down.

’This must be the rules of the book’s world. To hell with its rules! In my past life, I never hurt a soul or broke a single law. I was a model citizen! On what grounds do I deserve to be transmigrated into a book just to be someone’s cannon fodder?’

’Isn’t my life worth anything?’

’Rules, the world of the book—to hell with it all!’

’I’ve struggled so damn hard to survive for over a decade, just to live a decent life.’

’If they really won’t let me live in peace, then fine! We can all go down together. I’ll take the heroine with me!’

CRACK.

Something seemed to shatter.

In her dream, Song Yunzhao once again felt the lightness that had washed over her when she’d first altered the plot. This time, however, the sensation was far more profound. Her entire being felt ethereal, as if she were about to take flight.

"What’s happened to Song Zhaoyi? Why did she suddenly pass out?"

Song Yunzhao heard Feng Yi’s voice.

"In reply to the Emperor, Song Zhaoyi experienced extreme emotional fluctuations, which disrupted the circulation of her qi and blood, causing her to faint."

"Will this have any effect on her health? When will she wake up?"

"I cannot say for sure. Only after Zhaoyi awakens can I determine if there is any lasting harm."

Song Yunzhao was sure of it. She could hear the desolate tone of a man delivering his last will and testament in the Dean of the Hospital’s reply.

’Look how terrified I’ve made him.’

She wanted to open her eyes, but she couldn’t. She just wanted to sleep a little longer.

All the sounds faded away as she sank deep into a dreamscape unlike the usual pitch-blackness. This time, her dream was filled with a brilliant, multicolored light.

She slept very, very deeply. It wasn’t until the pangs of hunger finally roused her that Song Yunzhao slowly opened her eyes.

The first thing to greet her eyes was the familiar bed canopy. ’I’m starving,’ she thought. She opened her mouth to call for someone, but a pleasantly surprised voice spoke from beside her. "Zhaozhao, you’re awake?"

"Feng Yi?"

Song Yunzhao hadn’t expected the Emperor to still be there.

Feng Yi immediately helped her sit up. "What did you just say?"

Song Yunzhao realized she must have spoken, but her voice had probably been too quiet for Feng Yi to hear. Meeting his delighted gaze, she said, slightly embarrassed, "I’m hungry."

"Meng Jiuchang, prepare a meal!"

His shout startled Song Yunzhao. "Wh-what’s wrong?"

Seeing that he’d startled her, Feng Yi quickly composed himself. "It’s nothing," he said. "I was just worried you were starving. I’m telling them to hurry up."

Although Song Yunzhao was hungry, she felt incredibly relaxed. She smiled and said, "I’d like some water."

’I had such a long dream. I wonder how long I was babbling in my sleep; my throat feels so dry.’

Feng Yi poured a cup of warm tea from the pot by the bed and held it to Yun Zhao’s lips. Feeling too shy to accept, she took the cup herself and drank it down. The single cup of tea seemed to fill her with newfound strength.

’Instantly revived.’

Song Yunzhao’s mind began to whir, and she smiled at Feng Yi.

Feng Yi subconsciously smiled back.

Their eyes met. Song Yunzhao noticed something different in the way Feng Yi was looking at her. He seemed... dazed.

’I feel like I took one nap and the Emperor turned into a fool.’

Feng Yi: ...

Seeing her smiling so happily again, just like she used to, he finally felt his heart settle.

It was as if her strange behavior from before had all been a figment of his imagination.

Meng Jiuchang soon came in to report that the meal was ready.

Song Yunzhao immediately sat up. ’I really am starving.’

Feng Yi watched her. "Slow down. It’s not like the food is going to run away."

"I feel like I could eat a whole cow. How long was I asleep? Why am I so ravenous?"

"It’s 7:45 PM."

’So, it’s already 7:45 PM? Then I was only asleep for a few hours.’

But she knew it wasn’t just that. She said to the Emperor, "I attended Lady Wanfei’s tea party today, but I only had breakfast. Now that it’s evening, it’s no wonder I’m so hungry."

"Let’s eat first."

Song Yunzhao nodded. ’People are made of iron, but food is steel; miss one meal and you’ll starve. I’ve missed two, and with a little one in my belly, eating is definitely the top priority.’

Once she had eaten her fill and color had returned to her cheeks, Feng Yi’s heart finally settled. He had the Imperial Physician check her pulse again, and only after it was confirmed that she was truly fine did the knot of anxiety in his chest finally, truly unravel.

Watching Feng Yi’s subtle sigh of relief, Song Yunzhao felt a complex mix of emotions. She was beginning to have a faint inkling of what had happened.

’Because I completely went head-to-head with the heroine today—and won—the world of the book must have tried to "correct" its course. That’s why something strange happened on my way back.’

’At that moment, my mind was clear, but my body wasn’t under my control. My willpower was arm-wrestling with the rules of this world, and that’s why I passed out.’

’But seeing as I woke up perfectly fine... does that mean I won by cursing it out?’

’Whatever the case, it’s good to be alive.’

’And it’s even better to live as I please.’

In that instant, Song Yunzhao felt that even if she couldn’t take down Qin Xiyue this time, she could just try again next time.

Song Yunzhao noticed Feng Yi’s expression had grown somber. Her smile faded as she looked at him and said, "Has today’s affair put you in a difficult position, Your Majesty? If it’s too difficult to handle, I won’t insist on making things hard for you..."

As Feng Yi listened to Yun Zhao’s words, he realized she thought he was in a difficult position. She believed that even after being wronged and framed, she was willing to endure it and yield for his sake. Not even his own mother had ever been so considerate of him.

"Zhaozhao," Feng Yi said, looking at her earnestly, "I told you I would get you justice for this."