I Was Supposed to Be the Villainous Consort

Song Yunzhao was stunned when she got the news. ’He can’t perform?’

’Ji Yunting is impotent?’

’Then why does he still want to marry Linlang?’

Song Yunzhao felt something was off, but she couldn’t quite put her finger on it.

She grew a little angry. If Ji Yunting had really set his sights on Xie Linlang, the marriage was highly likely to happen, since Linlang owed him for saving her life.

Especially since she would be his wife, not a concubine. This met Xie Linlang’s highest standards for a marriage—it even surpassed them.

’What a headache.’

Although being at the traveling palace was more convenient than the harem, Yun Zhao couldn’t leave easily. And at a critical time like this, she couldn’t summon Xie Linlang either. The matter involved the Wang Family, so Princess Consort Zhuang was surely watching her like a hawk.

’I’ll have to wait for news from the matriarch.’

Song Yunzhao hadn’t figured out how to bring this up with Feng Yi. Fortunately, other major events were unfolding: Prince Zhenbei was escorting Li Kuisheng to the traveling palace, and the matter of the government treasury was wrapping up. The Wang Family was scrambling to arrange a marriage alliance to ensure Wang Xuanfan’s safety.

Knowing the Wang Family’s personalities, Song Yunzhao guessed that Wang Yunhua would definitely refuse the marriage alliance. This would introduce many new variables into Ji Yunting’s marriage prospects.

After thinking it over, she decided it was best not to bring it up yet. She would wait and see.

When Feng Yi came to visit Yun Zhao, he noticed she seemed troubled, so he sent Meng Jiuchang to find out what was wrong.

Meng Jiuchang had no choice but to hold his nose and go find Zhang Maoquan.

Zhang Maoquan practically vibrated with glee. He never thought the day would come when Meng Jiuchang would need a favor from him. Still, he didn’t have the confidence to get too cocky, so he carefully considered what to say and decided to reveal just a little.

He was no fool. After following Song Zhaoyi for so long, he knew a thing or two. Since Song Zhaoyi didn’t plan on bringing the matter to the Emperor herself, he certainly couldn’t reveal too much. He just needed to let the Emperor know something was afoot.

’As for what the Emperor does, that will depend on how he wants to please Song Zhaoyi. What’s it got to do with me?’

’Even though I’m the Emperor’s man, I’m serving Song Zhaoyi now. I can’t betray the one I serve.’

Feng Yi was taken aback by Meng Jiuchang’s report. As the Emperor, he normally wouldn’t meddle in the household affairs of his subjects, but he hadn’t expected the situation to escalate this far.

He remembered Ji Yunting well. The Left Minister’s son was exceptionally talented, gentle, and refined. To think he had suffered such a calamity.

He then recalled that Yun Zhao had never liked Ji Yunting. Now that her own family was being dragged into this, it was no wonder she was in a foul mood.

Feng Yi summoned the Imperial Physician to ask about the diagnosis in detail. After hearing the report, an odd expression crossed his face.

Meanwhile, Song Yunzhao, unaware of Feng Yi’s private inquiries, received a visit from He Lan Yun.

As soon as they met, Song Yunzhao noticed something different about He Lan Yun. She was acting shy and fidgety, a stark contrast to her usual bold and carefree demeanor. A realization began to dawn on Yunzhao.

Sure enough, after a moment’s hesitation, He Lan Yun came right out and said, "I’m going to marry Cao Jitong."

Song Yunzhao was speechless.

’Should I be shocked or not?’

’It felt both expected and unexpected at the same time...’

But she recovered almost instantly and said, "That’s truly a match made in heaven! Congratulations, congratulations."

Hearing Yun Zhao’s words, He Lan Yun visibly relaxed. "You think it’s a good match, too?"

Song Yunzhao looked at her and countered, "If you didn’t think it was a good match, why would you agree to marry him?"

He Lan Yun was at a loss for words.

’That makes sense.’

’Why wouldn’t I want to marry him?’

’There doesn’t seem to be a reason.’

’Why *do* I want to marry him?’

’There doesn’t seem to be a reason for that, either.’

He Lan Yun was completely baffled. She slapped her hand on the table. "I must have been tricked by Cao Jitong!"

Song Yunzhao facepalmed.

"What’s that supposed to mean?" He Lan Yun demanded.

Song Yunzhao looked at her. "Knowing your personality, you never would have agreed to something as important as marriage if you didn’t have feelings for Duke Qin."

"It has nothing to do with him! I just get along well with the Grand Dowager."

"That’s even better! Problems between a wife and her mother-in-law can be a nightmare, and you’ve solved that issue right from the start. Once you’re married, you and your mother-in-law will be on the same side. Duke Qin wouldn’t dare treat you poorly."

"As if he’d dare treat me poorly. Would I even need the Grand Dowager to step in?" He Lan Yun scoffed.

Song Yunzhao let out a soft laugh. "The one who is favored always has the confidence to be reckless."

He Lan Yun’s expression froze. For a moment, she was completely stunned.

Song Yunzhao reached out to refill her friend’s tea, letting her think. She watched the ripples spread across the lake’s surface, expanding in ever-widening circles. ’A person’s life is like a circle,’ she mused. ’No matter how much you wander, those who are fated to be together will always find their way back to each other.’

After a long silence, He Lan Yun looked at Song Yunzhao and said, "To be honest, I’m a little scared. I wanted to come talk to you about it."

"Go on. I’m listening."

"I know I have a difficult personality," He Lan Yun began, her expression troubled. "I’m reckless and impulsive, and even though I know my own flaws, I can’t seem to control myself."

Song Yunzhao smiled. "If I had your family standing, with a mother and relatives who fiercely protect you, I’d be able to live as freely as you do. Besides, you’re just brutally honest, not some irredeemable monster."

"But still, I know a lot of people don’t like me," He Lan Yun said hesitantly.

Song Yunzhao tilted her head. "Are you worried that after you marry Duke Qin and become the Duchess, you won’t be able to handle the role and will end up negatively affecting his reputation?"

He Lan Yun fell silent.

Song Yunzhao knew she had guessed right. She was actually quite surprised. The fact that He Lan Yun had even considered this meant she must have special feelings for Cao Jitong. It seemed that while Duke Qin might be the type to keep everything bottled up, he was surprisingly skilled when it came to courting someone.

"If you can think of that, don’t you think Duke Qin has too? Since he’s willing to marry you, he’s obviously prepared to have your back."

He Lan Yun bristled. "What’s that supposed to mean? That I’m incapable of improving?"

"Oho, so you’re already thinking about improving for his sake? Seems you’re not so indifferent to Duke Qin after all."

He Lan Yun was speechless again.

’I knew it!’

’I knew Song Yunzhao would laugh at me!’

Since things had come to this, He Lan Yun decided to just brazen it out. "I don’t know," she said bluntly. "I used to find him so boring. He could go all day without saying more than a few words—it was suffocating. Isn’t it strange? He still doesn’t talk much, but now... I actually find him easy on the eyes."

"He saved your life. How could you possibly see him the same way as before? He’s your hero now. Of course he seems different," Song Yunzhao said with a smile.

"Really?"

"I’m just kidding!"

He Lan Yun was so exasperated she wanted to hit her. "Then tell me what’s really going on!"

"Back when you were chasing after Ji Yunting like a moth to a flame, did you ever stop to think that maybe, just maybe, Duke Qin has liked you for a very long time?"

He Lan Yun was dumbstruck. "What?"

"Linlang told me that on that day, when Duke Qin jumped in to rescue you both, he didn’t even glance at her. He went straight for you. Only when a person truly holds someone in their heart do they have eyes for no one else."

"Him? That block of wood? How could he possibly like anyone?"