I Was Supposed to Be the Villainous Consort

Consort Shu was in high spirits, looking at Song Yunzhao as if she were a precious treasure. ’How did I never think of this move?’

This move was great, absolutely brilliant! Hahaha!

Consort Shu, now with a guiding light, immediately went on the offensive, borrowing the tiger’s might. Wielding the Empress Dowager’s decree, she threw her weight around the Six Departments and the Imperial Kitchen.

The Empress Dowager: ...

It would have been a miracle if the Empress Dowager in Shouci Palace was in a good mood. Who knows how many teacups and vases she had smashed!

On the day of the Empress Dowager’s birthday, Consort Shu rose early to dress and do her makeup. Beaming, she said to Nanny Wen, "I’m afraid the Empress Dowager will have to grit her teeth and bear it today."

Hearing this, Nanny Wen said worriedly, "This has caused such a huge stir, and you’ve gravely offended the Empress Dowager. Your Highness should be careful."

Consort Shu scoffed. "And if I were to endure it and yield to her, would the Empress Dowager stop making things difficult for me?"

Nanny Wen was speechless. Consort Shu had a point.

Facing the mirror, Consort Shu inserted a Three-tailed Phoenix Hairpin into her hair. Fine tassels dangled from the phoenix’s beak, and its eyes and tail were inlaid with fingernail-sized jewels that complemented Consort Shu’s radiant face.

Consort Shu was in a good mood. She said to Nanny Wen, "The ones with the worst luck this time are the Six Departments and the Imperial Kitchen. Any resentment they have can’t be blamed on me. Speaking of which, that move of Song Yunzhao’s was truly ruthless."

’Her Highness is still so naively cheerful,’ Nanny Wen sighed internally. ’Ming Fei made a move, and both the Six Departments and the Imperial Kitchen were brought to their knees. But Her Highness, in her excitement, insisted on leading the charge herself. Ming Fei hid behind her, never showing her face or offending anyone, yet she reaped plenty of benefits. But what about my own mistress? Sigh.’

Consort Shu glanced over and saw Nanny Wen’s worried expression. She knew the nanny felt it was unfair to her. A flicker of warmth went through her heart, and she said lightly, "Nanny, think about it. Why did Song Yunzhao drag me into this?"

"Of course, it’s because Lady Ming herself didn’t want to offend so many people," Nanny Wen said immediately.

Consort Shu scoffed. "Nanny, how can you be so muddled? I don’t have the Emperor’s favor; I rely solely on my rank. The Emperor pampers and protects Song Yunzhao, afraid she might even lose a single hair. If I don’t lead the charge in matters like this, I’ll become useless in the Emperor’s eyes. And what good end is there for a useless person in this palace?"

Nanny Wen’s heart trembled. "Your Highness..."

"I know you dote on me and want to protect me, Nanny, but I know myself best. Aside from monopolizing the Emperor, Song Yunzhao is actually easy to get along with. I lost interest in the Emperor long ago, so don’t you see? The two of us teaming up is just perfect, isn’t it?"

’Is that so?’

Nanny Wen was in a daze. ’Listening to it like this, it seems she’s right.’

"But Lady Ming has already given birth to the Eldest Prince. She can’t just deny the other concubines in the harem even a single chance. That’s too tyrannical." Nanny Wen still felt it was unfair to her mistress. ’Her Highness is still young and beautiful, but in a few more years, she really won’t have any more chances.’

"Nanny, have you forgotten? Before Song Yunzhao entered the palace, when the Emperor came to my chambers... did he ever truly touch me?"

Nanny Wen’s face paled. ’That’s right... Ming Fei’s monopoly on his favor has lasted for so long that I only thought Her Highness couldn’t get close to the Emperor because Ming Fei was too domineering. I forgot that it was like this even before...’

Seeing Nanny Wen’s face, pale with a tinge of green, Consort Shu chuckled lightly. "Nanny, I’ve already come to terms with it, so don’t feel sad for me. I finally understand it now. Our Emperor has a mind of his own. I’m afraid even Song Yunzhao is just a pawn in his hand. We’ll see what happens in a few more years."

Nanny Wen’s heart ached. Seeing the smile still on her mistress’s face made her feel even worse.

’What woman in this world wouldn’t want to be cherished by her husband?’

"How do I look?" Consort Shu asked those around her, clearly in a good mood.

Yunshang and Hong Xiu, who hadn’t dared to speak earlier, now hurriedly began to praise her nonstop.

Her palace gown, made of pearlescent red brocade, shimmered with a dazzling luster. A Kesi silk sash cinched her slender waist. Consort Shu smiled at her reflection; she was indeed beautiful today.

’And that was enough.’

「In Yaohua Palace」

Song Yunzhao was also busy with her preparations. Feng Yi, having returned from the morning court session, had just picked up a mischievous Feng Ze. Xiangxue’s comb flew up and down, with Shizhu assisting her. Qingfeng and Yulu took out the clothes for the day, checked them over one last time, and hung them up after ensuring they were perfectly ironed.

Feng Yi held Feng Ze in his arms and couldn’t help but be amused watching Yun Zhao, who looked as if she were facing a formidable enemy.

Hearing his laughter, Song Yunzhao looked up and met Feng Yi’s teasing gaze. She tilted her head up slightly and said deliberately, "A woman’s battlefield is not to be underestimated. What is the Emperor laughing at?"

"I shall beat the drums to herald your might."

Song Yunzhao: ...

Xiangxue and the others lowered their heads, stifling their laughter, not daring to make a sound.

Once Song Yunzhao’s preparations were complete and Xiangxue and the others had withdrawn, she rose and walked over to Feng Yi. Feng Ze immediately struggled out of his father’s arms, wanting her to hold him.

Song Yunzhao couldn’t risk wrinkling her formal attire. She picked up her son for a moment, then stuffed him right back into Feng Yi’s arms.

Feng Yi: ...

Feng Ze: ?

Meeting her son’s surprised and confused gaze, Song Yunzhao felt a little guilty and averted her eyes. She turned to Feng Yi and said, "Who knows how many people will be staring at me today. I can’t afford even the slightest mistake. This dress can’t get dirty or wrinkled, or I’ll become the laughingstock of the entire Capital City."

Feng Yi took his son back and pinched his nose. "Your mother is going off to war today," he said. "We can’t cause trouble for her."

Hearing this, Song Yunzhao huffed lightly. "The Empress Dowager has certainly been very displeased with me lately. If she really targets me at every turn during the banquet, Emperor, what do you think I should do?"

Feng Yi raised an eyebrow at her. ’You’ve already done the deed, and now you want me to clean up the mess for you?’

Song Yunzhao avoided his gaze.

Feng Yi hadn’t expected the Empress Dowager to cause such a fuss either. He had originally intended to pay a visit to Shouci Palace, but Yun Zhao stopped him. She said that such incidents would likely only increase in the future, and she couldn’t have him, the Emperor, cleaning up her messes every time, could she?

Feng Yi thought about it and realized she had a point. He could just consider this practice for Yun Zhao.

Once their child was a bit older, once the Song Family had accumulated more merits, and once they had another child, Yun Zhao’s rank would certainly have to rise. She did indeed need to learn how to wield power within the harem.

"It’s the Empress Dowager’s birthday. She’ll have her own reputation to consider, so she won’t go too far. If she does become aggressive, you don’t have to swallow your anger and endure it at every turn," Feng Yi said seriously.

That made Song Yunzhao happy. She said, "I’m someone who considers the bigger picture. I won’t bring shame upon the Emperor."

Feng Yi squeezed Yun Zhao’s hand. "Still, be careful. Don’t let your guard down."

"With those words from you, I’m not afraid anymore." Song Yunzhao knew what Feng Yi was worried about. ’Even though he’s the Emperor, he’s not some tyrant from a brainless novel who can do whatever he wants.’

’Which of the truly enlightened monarchs in the history books didn’t exhaust their minds with countless worries, constantly balancing forces left and right?’

’At today’s banquet, it’s time to show them what Song Yunzhao is truly capable of.’