I Was Supposed to Be the Villainous Consort

’But as the female lead’s foil, to have such a noble quality used against her... Song Yunzhao can’t help but feel helpless.’

’But helplessness doesn’t mean admitting defeat. That’s absolutely out of the question. We’ll just have to see who has the last laugh.’

’Song Yunzhao had figured out Qin Xiyue’s current plan: protect the last of the connections Grand Tutor Qin left her in the palace, get on good terms with the Empress Dowager, and then, after An Shutong enters the palace next year, incite her to fight me to the death. That way, she can reap the rewards while we destroy each other.’

’An Shutong has the Empress Dowager’s backing, so it won’t be easy for me to suppress her. That’s why Qin Xiyue sees a glimmer of hope. She can use the opportunity to make some small moves and try to stage a comeback.’

All of Song Yunzhao’s current glory came from Feng Yi. If she wanted to protect herself and her son, she had to hold fast to her ultimate patron: the Emperor.

’Therefore, the female lead’s plan must not be allowed to succeed.’

’The first step is to cut off her arms and legs, so to speak. She wants to protect the people Grand Tutor Qin left for her, but has she even considered whether the Emperor would agree to that?’

After Feng Ze learned to roll over, she had her hall rearranged to be exceptionally spacious and bright. The decorative screens were removed, and the windows were fitted with new lattices and fresh gauze. She chose a sky-blue color, which felt refreshing just to look at during the summer.

The new window gauze was a recent tribute from the south. ’Though it’s no match for the screens of later generations,’ she thought, ’it’s much more transparent and cooler than window paper or cloth curtains.’ Propping open the window and gazing at the scenery outside cultivated a certain tranquility.

A cooling mat woven from fine, ivory-colored bamboo strips was spread over the large daybed by the window. During the day, Feng Ze would roll around on it, which kept him from getting too hot. As the child was still very young, few ice basins were placed in the hall, so Yun Zhao always had a fan in hand.

Because of the war, no one had gone to the summer retreat this year, making the summer difficult for everyone. Each palace had a set ration of ice; if they used more, they had to buy it with their own Silver. Yun Zhao received a double ration for herself and her son. But since her child was too young to be around too much ice, she couldn’t use her full allotment. So, she distributed the surplus among Wang Zhaorong and three other concubines.

Feng Yunjin and the others were managing, but it was different for Wang Zhaorong. She had once held the rank of a high concubine and was accustomed to a comfortable life. Now, demoted to a Zhaorong and with the Wang Family’s fall cutting off support from home, the scorching summer was truly hard for her to endure. Yun Zhao’s extra provisions made her life a bit more bearable.

After the midday meal, Feng Ze grew drowsy, gurgling as he demanded Yun Zhao hold him while he slept.

Yun Zhao didn’t want to hold him; in this sweltering heat, they would both be drenched in sweat in moments. To coax her son, she had the Six Departments fashion a small recliner for him. She placed a thick cushion on it, then added a cooling mat woven from fine bamboo threads. After setting her son down, she sat beside him, slowly rocking the chair and fanning him while telling a story. In less than a quarter of an hour, the child fell fast asleep.

Once he was fast asleep, a wet nurse carried him back to his room, and only then could Yun Zhao finally catch her breath and rest.

She rolled the bamboo curtain halfway up and reclined against a soft pillow under the southern window. The eaves of the corridor blocked the direct sunlight, and the afternoon breeze, still carrying a hint of the day’s heat, swept through the curtain. With her eyes half-closed, she soon drifted off to sleep as well.

Xiangxue waited until her mistress was sound asleep before lowering the bamboo curtain and securing the window. She added more ice to the basins and had a little palace maid take over, fanning the ice to circulate cool air. A pleasant chill slowly began to permeate the hall.

When Zhang Maoquan returned, braving the scorching heat, Shizhu quickly pulled him aside. "Her Ladyship is still napping," she whispered. "Don’t disturb her unless it’s important."

Zhang Maoquan pulled out a handkerchief and wiped at his profuse sweat. He shook his head and said, "Then I’ll wait. It’s scorching out there, like a rain of fire."

"There’s cooling tea in the small tea room. Chief Steward Zhang, you should go have a bowl to cool off," Shizhu said. After years of experience in the palace, her temperament had become far more thoughtful and tactful; her words were no longer so blunt as to offend.

Zhang Maoquan thanked her and headed for the small tea room.

Seeing him enter, Qingfeng quickly poured a bowl of cooling tea and handed it over. Zhang Maoquan took the bowl and downed it in two or three large gulps, finally feeling some relief.

Qingfeng poured him another bowl. "Drink this one slowly, Chief Steward Zhang. We also have a plate of snacks. Would you like some to tide you over? Her Ladyship will likely be sleeping for a while longer."

"Then I must thank you, Miss Qingfeng. I really am hungry," Zhang Maoquan said with a smile. He had been running around all morning without a moment’s rest. His clothes had been soaked with sweat, dried, and soaked through again, leaving him parched and famished.

Anshun returned a bit later, just as Yun Zhao was waking up.

The two men went in to give their report. Sipping her tea, Song Yunzhao frowned slightly. "Causing trouble?"

"One of them was shouting about how they had served the late Emperor and couldn’t be dismissed so easily," Zhang Maoquan said, his expression grim. "He claimed that even if they made mistakes, it was all in the past. They’ve been fined and beaten for it, so how could they be driven out of the palace now? They’re just a few old scoundrels using their seniority to deliberately cause a scene."

Hearing this, Song Yunzhao looked at Zhang Maoquan. "How do you think we should handle this, Chief Steward Zhang?"

"It wouldn’t be difficult," Zhang Maoquan replied. "Everyone has skeletons in their closet. These people only dare to act up now because they have backing. As long as we find some leverage on them, they can be dealt with."

He made it sound simple, but while dealing with the troublemakers themselves was easy, the person backing them would not be. It all depended on whether Song Yunzhao was capable enough to handle it.

"Since they don’t know what’s good for them, I’ll have to make an example of them," Song Yunzhao said bluntly. "What were their past offenses that got them punished and put on record?"

"None of them were major crimes, or they wouldn’t have been allowed to live and stay here," Zhang Maoquan said. "It was mostly verbal disputes or petty theft."

Those who committed truly grave offenses, like betraying their masters for personal gain or getting involved in sordid affairs, were beaten to death on the spot.

"Have you checked if they’ve slipped up at all in recent years?"

"I have. Two of them work in the Imperial Garden, but their hands are still dirty. They’ve been secretly taking flowers from the garden to sell for Silver."

"Selling flowers?"

Song Yunzhao was surprised. She’d heard of people stealing and selling antiques or paintings, but never flowers.

"Yes," Zhang Maoquan said. "The flowers in the Imperial Garden are all rare, high-quality varieties that are hard to find on the outside. Of course someone would buy them. Frankly, there’s nothing from the palace that can’t be sold."

Song Yunzhao felt like she’d learned something new. ’So that’s also a thing.’ "Do you have proof? You have to catch a thief red-handed. We can’t make empty accusations."

"I do. I checked the Imperial Garden’s recent reports on damaged and lost flowers, and I’ve also uncovered the routes they use to sell them and the people who provide them with cover. We have both witnesses and physical evidence."

Song Yunzhao nodded, impressed by Zhang Maoquan’s competence. "Then go deal with it. Gather all the Palace Attendants in the second batch scheduled for dismissal and make them watch. Let them see the consequences of ganging up to cause trouble. Also, keep a close eye on the accomplices of those two. After this show of force, some of them might be willing to come over to our side."

Zhang Maoquan’s eyes lit up. "Yes, Your Ladyship. I will be sure to handle this matter perfectly."