I Was Supposed to Be the Villainous Consort

What Princess Fuke didn’t say was that as long as she had the chance, Song Yunzhao—with a son to back her—would have a better shot at the empress’s throne than anyone else in the harem. When that time came, the princess would naturally support her.

But it was too early to say such things. The world was unpredictable, and some words could not be spoken lightly, lest they be used against her.

"You are right, Your Highness," the First Madam said, her face full of gratitude. "My own insight is shallow. I am fortunate to have your guidance."

Princess Fuke smiled and changed the subject to Song Buran. "You’ve raised that boy, Bo Ran, very well. He hasn’t even arrived in the Capital City yet, but his gifts of local delicacies came ahead of him. I had the kitchen prepare a few dishes, and they were quite unique. Duan Jing also found them delicious."

The First Madam smiled. "It’s only what he ought to do. Once he returns to the capital and finishes his debriefing, he will come to pay his respects to you in person, Your Highness."

The First Madam didn’t impose on the princess for long. After a brief chat, she stepped away. She was just about to find an opportunity to speak with Mrs. Yao when she heard a Palace Attendant announce, "Lady Shufei, arriving! Lady Wanfei, arriving! Wang Zhaorong, arriving! Qin Wan Yi, arriving..."

The concubines had all arrived at once.

Consort Shu led the way, with Princess Consort Wan entering the hall at her side.

Everyone stepped forward to pay their respects. After the concubines were seated, Consort Shu bade everyone rise and invited the ladies to take their seats.

Guided by the Palace Attendants, the ladies present returned to their seats, and order was instantly restored to the hall.

Princess Consort Wan was as gentle and elegant as ever. Her palace gown was exquisite without being overly extravagant, and she carried a scholarly air about her.

Consort Shu was the complete opposite. Her pomegranate-red gown was embroidered with gold and silver thread, and the jewels in her hair glittered dazzlingly. As always, she was a high-profile presence.

Consort Shu wasn’t one for pleasantries or feigning an approachable demeanor. She first exchanged a few words with Princess Fuke. And though Princess Fuke had a proud streak, she was always tactful and considerate, able to converse happily even with someone like Consort Shu.

Just as everyone was wondering why Ming Fei had yet to arrive, an announcement sounded from outside.

Song Yunzhao stepped into the hall and instantly felt countless eyes land on her.

The hall fell silent as everyone stared at the arriving Ming Fei.

They were already familiar with Ming Fei’s beauty, but today, in her formal court robes, she seemed less a delicate beauty and more a figure of solemn dignity. Her entire aura had undergone a significant transformation.

At least, upon seeing her now, no one would think of the two words "Evil Concubine." Instead, they felt that Ming Fei possessed a deeper allure after childbirth, and she now carried an air of solemnity.

Song Yunzhao’s seat was level with those of Consort Shu and Princess Consort Wan. The thrones at the head of the hall were reserved for the Empress Dowager and the Emperor.

"Greetings, Lady Ming," the crowd chorused, snapping out of their daze and rising to pay their respects.

Only after taking her seat did Song Yunzhao speak. "There is no need for such ceremony, ladies. Please, be seated."

Consort Shu glanced sideways at Ming Fei. "Well, now. What a grand entrance, Ming Fei. Putting on such airs and arriving so late on your own special day."

The crowd was stunned into silence.

’Is Consort Shu starting a fight to show her displeasure?’

’Are they about to fight?’

Everyone’s eyes lit up with anticipation.

The corner of Lady Lu’s mouth twitched. She quickly bowed her head, not wanting anyone to see her expression.

’This daughter of mine and her big mouth...’

Song Yunzhao looked at Consort Shu. "Just before I was to leave, the Emperor sent Manager Meng to fetch the Eldest Prince. That’s what delayed me. I hope you won’t hold it against me, Sister Shu."

Only then did Consort Shu realize it. ’That’s right, the Eldest Prince isn’t here!’

She was instantly disappointed. She had been waiting to see the baby.

The expression on Consort Shu’s face was so transparently disappointed that Princess Consort Wan suddenly spoke up from the side. "Today is the Eldest Prince’s full moon banquet. It’s only natural that the Emperor would want to bring him out to be seen."

Song Yunzhao glanced at Princess Consort Wan, surprised that she had come to her defense.

She had been a little worried and nervous while preparing for the full moon banquet. Feng Yi had even laughed at her, for which she’d pinned him down in their curtained bed and given him a good pummeling.

Ever since Feng Yi had returned to the capital and made that secret, early visit to see her, their relationship had changed. They had grown much closer.

The proof was in his actions: to ensure she recovered properly, Feng Yi would endure his morning arousal and get out of bed rather than have her attend to him at night.

His ability to exercise such restraint convinced her that Feng Yi truly had genuine feelings for her. Because of that, she was now actively adjusting her own attitude and allowing herself to feel more for him.

Hearing Princess Consort Wan’s words, Song Yunzhao turned to her with a smile. "I have no idea what he’ll end up grabbing. When he returns, you and I can see for ourselves, Sister Wan."

Princess Consort Wan was speechless.

’Are she and Song Yunzhao that close?’

’For her to speak to me with such familiarity... I’m not used to it at all.’

Watching Ming Fei’s actions, Feng Yunjin’s heart gradually settled. The crisis of next year’s concubine selection was just around the corner; Her Ladyship was preparing to win over Princess Consort Wan.

Although Princess Consort Wan had the pride of a scholar and sometimes acted on a whim without considering the consequences, she wasn’t a malicious person. She was rarely involved in the conflicts of the harem.

Her Ladyship was on good terms with Lady Shufei. If she could also win over Princess Consort Wan, then as long as the three high-ranking concubines stood united, they would have nothing to fear from next year’s selection.

Han Jinyi turned to Feng Yunjin and whispered, "Just as you predicted. It looks like we can rest a little easier now."

Before Feng Yunjin could reply, she saw Lu Zhixue lean in as well. "It’s still too early to tell," Lu Zhixue murmured. "Let’s just wait and see. Princess Consort Wan has a difficult temperament; she could change her tune any day now."

The three of them spoke in hushed tones. Across the hall, Qin Wan Yi glanced their way a few times, but her gaze inevitably drifted back to Song Yunzhao. The woman before her was a far cry from the Song Yunzhao who had first entered the selection.

Back then, Song Yunzhao’s father had been just a minor official in the Capital City. Among all the concubine candidates, she had nothing to offer but a pretty face; in every other respect, she was lacking.

But now?

Song Yunzhao had been elevated to the rank of Consort, given birth to the Eldest Prince, and the Song Family had ridden her coattails, their entire household elevated when they were granted the title of Marquis.

And yet, her own father had retired to his hometown in disgrace.

Qin Wan Yi lowered her eyes, forcing herself to stop looking at Song Yunzhao. She didn’t know why, but whenever Song Yunzhao was in the room, she couldn’t stop staring at her.

An Shutong had returned to the Gu’en Houfu. After the Empress Dowager had lost several clashes against Song Yunzhao, An Shutong could do nothing but lie low.

She could only watch as Song Yunzhao basked in glory.

"The Empress Dowager, arriving!"

"Greetings, Empress Dowager."

Leaning on Nanny Yao’s arm, the Empress Dowager took her seat on the main throne. Only then did everyone else rise and sit.

Song Yunzhao and the Empress Dowager loathed the sight of each other. Song Yunzhao refused to even glance in her direction, afraid she might lose control and roll up her sleeves for a fight.

The Empress Dowager was even less willing to look at Song Yunzhao’s face; the very sight of it was infuriating. She therefore addressed only Consort Shu and Princess Consort Wan, treating Song Yunzhao as if she were invisible.

As the onlookers witnessed this, they were all left to their own private speculations.

Rumors of the clashes between Ming Fei and the Empress Dowager had long ago spread beyond the palace walls. Now, seeing it with their own eyes, they realized the tales were likely true.

Still, Ming Fei was truly audacious to so openly disregard the Empress Dowager. It just went to show how much confidence having the Emperor’s backing gave a person.

If Song Yunzhao knew what they were all thinking, she would have nodded in agreement. Having someone in your corner certainly made all the difference.