I Was Supposed to Be the Villainous Consort

The hunting ground was in the mountains, where the forest was filled with tall trees and dense, flowering foliage.

The grasslands at the foot of the mountain, however, were the complete opposite—a wide-open, flat plain. Many young scions of noble families were galloping their horses furiously while a crowd cheered them on, creating a lively and boisterous scene.

The two of them hadn’t brought anyone else, just two guards, and had changed into plain clothes. They didn’t stand out on the field, so they were able to walk through the crowd for a while without being recognized.

Everyone was too busy watching the handsome men on horseback.

Just as they were about to step forward to get a better look at the riders’ gallant forms, a voice drifted over. "I wonder who’ll win this race. Who do you think it’ll be, Duke Cao or Heir Chu?"

"Heir Chu, probably? Duke Cao rarely participates in things like this after becoming a Duke. He naturally can’t keep up with the likes of Heir Chu."

Song Yunzhao’s eyes darted about. She turned to Feng Yi and whispered, "The Duke Cao they’re talking about... is he the one who inherited his title at such a young age?"

Feng Yi nodded. "You know of him?"

’Song Yunzhao’s feelings were complicated. This was the man who, in the latter half of the book, supported the female protagonist and her son.’

’His role wasn’t major, but he held the title of Duke, he was young, and he was quite capable. He carried some weight in the court, mainly thanks to his prestigious title.’

’Heir Chu was Chu Donghui, the Princely Heir of the Marquis Guangxiang Mansion. I sort of know him. But he’s an Imperial Guard now. Why isn’t he by the Emperor’s side, protecting him? Instead, he’s out here horse racing.’

"I know a little. After all, he became a Lord Duke at such a young age. When I first arrived in the Capital City, I heard that many families wanted to marry their daughters to him. He’s quite famous, so how could I not have heard of him? This is my first time seeing him in person, though. Still, he’s nowhere near as handsome or dashing as you, Your Majesty, and his aura isn’t nearly as noble."

Feng Yi chuckled softly.

Song Yunzhao inwardly breathed a small sigh of relief. Her gaze fell on Chu Donghui’s back as she asked curiously, "Why was Heir Chu promoted to Imperial Guard? It’s surprising for the heir of a marquis mansion to become a guard."

Feng Yi watched as a dozen horses shot forward, neck and neck, like a bolt of lightning. He gave Yun Zhao’s palm a gentle squeeze before whispering, "I need to promote a few capable men from the younger generation of the great noble families."

’Got it.’

Song Yunzhao thought about Chu Donghui’s character profile from the book and said to the Emperor with a straight face, "You truly have a discerning eye for talent. The man you’ve chosen is truly impressive."

At that moment, Chu Donghui was overpowering the competition and holding the lead.

Feng Yi heard her words and glanced at Yun Zhao. He saw her eyes shining as she stared intently at the racers on the field. Suddenly, he found the horse race had lost all its appeal.

Suddenly, Feng Yi’s gaze fixed on something. He leaned down slightly and whispered in Yun Zhao’s ear, "See that man in the red robe?"

Song Yunzhao’s eyes shifted, and she nodded. "I see him. He doesn’t seem to be doing very well, though. He’s already fallen to the back of the middle pack."

"You don’t know who he is?"

"I don’t know everyone. I entered the palace not long after arriving in the Capital City. I barely had time to recognize any faces, let alone get to know people. Who is he?"

’Anyone the Emperor singles out must be someone of note.’

"Xu Anxing."

"Who?" Song Yunzhao looked surprised. "The one from the Marquis Wuxin Mansion?"

’Song Qinghan’s husband!’

Feng Yi nodded. Meeting Yun Zhao’s astonished gaze, he chuckled. "What’s with that look on your face?"

Song Yunzhao said with deep meaning, "No wonder a lecher like him is such a pretty boy."

’He’s certainly good-looking, but he has the look of someone utterly debauched. No wonder he’s doing so poorly in the race.’

’Feng Yi felt that Yun Zhao’s wit would be the death of him one day. She was so brazen with her insults.’

"You and your older sister don’t get along, yet you’re sticking up for her."

"I’m just calling it as I see it. This has nothing to do with her. If the Marquis Wuxin Mansion can produce a descendant like Xu Anxing, I’m afraid the whole family is rotten to the core. I’m not sticking up for Song Qinghan. I just think it’s a waste for any young lady to marry into a family like that."

’Marchioness Wu Xin had targeted her repeatedly and even deluded herself into thinking she could use her. Song Yunzhao was no Buddha; of course she was going to expose their true colors to the Emperor.’

Feng Yi didn’t seem to think much of Yun Zhao’s words, merely commenting lightly, "It’s the norm for the fortunes of a great noble family to decline after three generations."

’Song Yunzhao couldn’t agree more. These renowned families built their standing on their titles, but the system of diminishing inheritance was a set of shackles. If, after three generations, the family produced no promising heirs, the court would reclaim their plaque, and their former glory would vanish.’

Song Yunzhao and Feng Yi had grown accustomed to a certain intimacy in the palace. Whenever they were together, she was always making small, affectionate gestures—holding his hand, tugging on his sleeve, just being endearingly clingy.

As they spoke, they grew more animated. Feng Yi began telling her about the backgrounds of the men on the field, and she listened with rapt attention. For every name that had been significant in the book, she now put a face to it. ’So that’s him... It’s really him! Huh, he doesn’t quite look the part... Wow, this one is a perfect match!’

She existed in a state halfway between her book and reality, so excited she practically glowed. In her happiness, she instinctively grabbed Feng Yi’s hand and held on tight. If his voice was too low for her to hear, she would tug on his sleeve, prompting him to lean down.

Gradually, people in the crowd began to recognize the Emperor. And as for the person beside him... was there even a need to guess?

Everyone said the Emperor doted on Song Zhaoyi, but no one had ever witnessed it. Now, they were seeing it with their own eyes.

They were... utterly shocked.

They watched, wide-eyed, as Song Zhaoyi excitedly pointed to one of the riders, and the Emperor would explain his background. When Song Zhaoyi couldn’t see, she would stand on her tiptoes, and the Emperor would thoughtfully place a hand on her waist to steady her.

Then they saw Song Zhaoyi give a light tug on the Emperor’s sleeve, and the Emperor would immediately lean down to speak with her.

The expressions on the faces of the onlookers flickered through a range of emotions. For a moment, all chatter died down, leaving only the incessant, thundering sound of hooves from the racetrack.

Only then did Song Yunzhao belatedly realize that something was amiss. She turned to survey her surroundings, and then she fell silent.

The crowd watched as Song Zhaoyi, who had been completely without airs just moments before, flicked her sleeves in an instant, straightened her posture, and lifted her chin slightly. A perfectly measured smile appeared on her face, and the full aura of a favored concubine radiated from her.

The crowd: ...

’Her ability to change her demeanor was second to none.’

Feng Yi was taken aback for a second, then he raised an eyebrow. Realizing what had happened, he watched Yun Zhao’s prim and proper act and couldn’t help but laugh out loud.

Song Yunzhao: ...

’Does he have to expose me like that?’

Feng Yi nonchalantly took Yun Zhao’s hand and began to lead her away.

Song Yunzhao paused. "We’re leaving already?"

Feng Yi smiled. "Did you want to stay?"

Of course Song Yunzhao didn’t want to be a monkey on display for a crowd. She immediately shook her head. "Let’s go, let’s go. We can go look over there. If I’d known we’d be recognized so quickly, I would have dressed up more. Now everyone’s just going to say that Song Zhaoyi is nothing special after all."

Feng Yi: ...

’Aren’t her priorities a bit skewed?’

’Song Yunzhao tried to recall if she had done anything too unseemly.’

’Probably not.’

The moment she turned and saw He Lan Yun, the joy of reuniting with a long-lost friend made her instantly forget all those trivial details. She also forgot the Emperor, and walked right past him toward her friend.

Feng Yi: ?