I Was Supposed to Be the Villainous Consort

Three days passed, and all was quiet.

Just when everyone thought the matter was going to blow over, news suddenly spread that Grand Tutor Qin had fallen ill and was retiring from his post.

It all happened very suddenly. Grand Tutor Qin’s illness was severe this time, a fact confirmed by an Imperial Physician who had personally taken his pulse.

Song Yunzhao looked at Feng Yi, who sat across from her. She was very surprised by this outcome.

"Grand Tutor Qin is, after all, a veteran official who has served three reigns. He did indeed support me when I first ascended the throne. Allowing him to leave the court by retiring and departing the Capital City is a way to honor our past relationship."

Song Yunzhao asked doubtfully, "Grand Tutor Qin is just admitting defeat so willingly?"

If it were that easy, Grand Tutor Qin wouldn’t have stubbornly held onto his position in court at his advanced age.

"I’ve obtained evidence of the Qin Family’s crimes spanning many years."

Song Yunzhao was speechless.

’One move to checkmate the enemy. Just what I’d expect from you!’

"So, was Grand Tutor Qin scared into sickness by this?"

Feng Yi didn’t deny it, and Song Yunzhao’s feelings were a little complicated.

’With Grand Tutor Qin retiring to his hometown, Qin Xiyue’s greatest backer has fallen!’

’Without her backer, how is the female lead supposed to get by?’

’The plot isn’t just collapsing—it’s been utterly shattered.’

’This wasn’t my doing, it was the male lead’s!’

’As expected, only the protagonist of the book’s world can completely destroy the plot.’

Song Yunzhao was suddenly ecstatic, her eyes practically glowing.

Seeing her look so happy, the last trace of worry in Feng Yi’s heart vanished. He had thought she would be upset that Grand Tutor Qin was merely retiring to his hometown, but he hadn’t expected her to be this delighted.

If Song Yunzhao had known what Feng Yi was thinking, she would have been utterly shocked.

’How could I possibly be dissatisfied with this?’

’The plot has been wrecked beyond recognition. The female lead’s path forward will surely be fraught with hardship. As long as I don’t fall, she’ll never be able to get ahead again. I couldn’t be more satisfied.’

Without Grand Tutor Qin, what kind of trouble could Qin Xiyue possibly stir up?

"I knew the Emperor was the best to me." Song Yunzhao immediately started flattering him. "I truly didn’t expect you to go this far. I’m so moved. What have I, your concubine, done to deserve the Emperor going to such lengths and trouble for my sake? How can I ever repay Your Majesty?"

Feng Yi was speechless.

’Her acting is too over-the-top. Bad review!’

Seeing the restrained look on Feng Yi’s face, Song Yunzhao couldn’t help but burst out laughing. After she’d had her laugh, she hugged his arm and said softly, "I really am happy. Without Grand Tutor Qin backing her, Qin Wan Yi is a toothless tiger. I’m not afraid of her anymore."

’I don’t recall you ever being that afraid of her before,’ Feng Yi thought.

"What about that Chen Ran?" Song Yunzhao asked, remembering the scapegoat.

"Public execution by beheading, to serve as a warning to others."

Song Yunzhao wasn’t surprised. Since Grand Tutor Qin couldn’t be punished, Chen Ran had to bear the full force of the Emperor’s wrath.

In a way, he was truly loyal to his master to the very end. His death served its purpose.

Song Yunzhao didn’t pity him. If he had succeeded back then, she would have been the one to suffer. In a matter of life and death, one naturally couldn’t show mercy.

"The main branch of the Qins will be moved out of the Capital City. Qin Yuanjing has long since been dismissed from his post. As for the other Qin clan members, I imagine they won’t be gloating for long," Feng Yi said, looking at Yun Zhao.

Song Yunzhao understood. Regarding the letter her mother had sent back to the Capital City for her father, her father would surely investigate the evidence of the Qin Family’s crimes. Feng Yi wasn’t punishing the other collateral branches of the Qin Family because he was leaving them for the Song Family to finish off, establish their might, and let her vent her anger.

’I mean, how can a person be so meticulous, so thorough, so considerate?’

’Is this the charm of the male lead?’

’He’s simply too amazing, too outstanding.’

Song Yunzhao hugged Feng Yi’s waist tightly, speechless for a moment.

Feng Yi noticed something was different about Yun Zhao. "What’s wrong?"

"I was so moved by the Emperor that I can’t help but wonder... if one day the Emperor no longer likes me, what would I ever do? I surely couldn’t go on living."

Feng Yi was speechless.

’She’s a little demoness sent from the heavens specifically to torment me!’

"Nonsense!" Feng Yi chided her. "You just say whatever comes into your head, good or bad."

"I’m speaking from the heart. If the Emperor doesn’t believe me, so be it." Song Yunzhao huffed.

’It really does take magic to defeat magic. Dealing with Qin Xiyue was always so difficult for me. Even when things should have been straightforward, I could never get ahold of any leverage against the female lead. She always managed to escape, leaving me frustrated and exasperated every time.’

’But when the male lead makes a move, it’s a different story. He took them down so easily.’

’So, in a protagonist’s world, only another protagonist can deal with them, right?’

’Now that the female lead has lost her backer and the male lead’s protection, does that mean she’s lost her protagonist’s halo, too?’

’So if Qin Xiyue dares to plot against me again in the future, I’ll definitely be able to take care of her.’

Thinking of this, Song Yunzhao looked at Feng Yi and asked, "Then what about Qin Wan Yi?"

’Are you just letting her off the hook this time?’

"Grand Tutor Qin claimed he planned the whole affair. I also found no evidence implicating Qin Wan Yi, and Chen Ran reported directly to the Grand Tutor. Moreover, Grand Tutor Qin’s only condition for his willingness to resign and retire was that Qin Wan Yi not be implicated. I agreed, but only for this one time."

Song Yunzhao was speechless.

’Using his last bit of strength to protect the female lead one more time before the plot completely collapses... I’m truly impressed!’

’Isn’t that just infuriating?’

’Of course it is!’

Fortunately, this was the last time. She forced herself to swallow her indignation. "I’ll let it go, for the Emperor’s sake!"

Hearing the sound of her gritting her teeth, Feng Yi reached out and pinched her cheek. "It’s not that I don’t want to punish her, but I truly couldn’t obtain any proof that Qin Wan Yi acted personally. Both Grand Tutor Qin and Mrs. Qin did everything to protect her, willing to confess to the crimes themselves."

Song Yunzhao understood. Unless they could get their hands on irrefutable evidence, like a letter in Qin Xiyue’s own handwriting, there was really no way to make her confess.

Concubines were allowed to meet with their families. Given Qin Xiyue’s cautious nature, how could she be foolish enough to leave a trail of evidence by writing letters?

"Shall I accompany you for a walk?" Feng Yi asked with a smile.

"I don’t want to." Song Yunzhao shook her head, still feeling disgruntled.

"How about a game of chess, then?"

For a terrible player like her, the Emperor being willing to play chess was a genuine attempt to cheer her up. Song Yunzhao’s mood brightened instantly.

’When someone is willing to put in the effort to make you happy, that’s something to be cherished.’

’The Emperor is still young and has the patience to humor her like this. In a few more years, when the weight of his imperial majesty grows and his power is consolidated, he certainly won’t have this kind of mindset or patience anymore.’

"Alright." Song Yunzhao agreed cheerfully. She had to take advantage of this perfect time, having met each other in the prime of their lives, to do all the wonderful things they could and deepen their emotional bond. That way, in the future, even if her beauty gradually faded and the Emperor grew tired of her face, at least these beautiful memories would still count for something.

Song Yunzhao had someone bring a chessboard and adopted the posture of a serious player.

’See? This is her self-serving nature. No matter the situation, she will always put herself first and position herself in the most advantageous spot.’

’To speak of love under Imperial Authority, to talk of romance with an Emperor... even if she possessed a face that outshone all others, she lacked the ability to contend with time.’

’To be a Beauty is a blessing, but also a curse.’