I Was Supposed to Be the Villainous Consort

Seeing that it was about time, Song Yunzhao had to go to Shouci Palace for the banquet. Furthermore, she and Consort Shu had to oversee the event to prevent any mishaps, so she wouldn’t have a moment of leisure.

"Perhaps we should leave the child here at Yaohua Palace for now?" Song Yunzhao said, looking at her son. "We can bring him over just before the banquet begins."

Feng Ze didn’t quite understand his mother’s words, but when he saw his wet nurse come in to pick him up, he immediately wrapped his arms around the Emperor’s neck and refused to let go.

Song Yunzhao had spent the past few months in a battle of wits with the Empress Dowager and sparring with the Six Departments, so it was inevitable that she couldn’t give her son her full attention. Thus, whenever Feng Yi was free, he would have Zhang Maoquan bring Feng Ze to Taixi Hall.

The father and son now had a very close relationship. She, on the other hand, had unknowingly been cast in the role of the strict mother, ’even though all I ever wanted was to be a gentle one.’

Moreover, Song Yunzhao had noticed something: although Feng Ze was still too young to speak, he was exceptionally good at reading people’s expressions and making his needs known. ’I’m not sure if that’s a good thing or a bad thing.’

Feng Yi stood up, still holding Feng Ze. "You go attend to your duties. I’ll take him to Taixi Hall and bring him over for the midday banquet."

The Emperor, of course, had to make an appearance at the Empress Dowager’s birthday banquet.

Song Yunzhao watched Feng Ze present her with his backside, unsure whether to laugh or cry. She could only let Feng Yi carry the child away.

’Perhaps it’s because Feng Yi himself never received much parental love as a child that he’s so tolerant and doting toward Feng Ze. It’s as if he’s trying to make up for his own regrets through his son.’

Song Yunzhao was a little worried, fearing that Feng Yi would spoil Feng Ze into becoming a good-for-nothing rake. ’Once this busy period is over, I’ll have to take charge of his upbringing myself.’

"My Lady, it’s time to go," Xiangxue reminded her.

Song Yunzhao rose and headed for Shouci Palace with Xiangxue, Shizhu, and Anshun.

Shouci Palace was already buzzing with activity. The Empress Dowager had yet to appear, but the concubines had arrived early to pay their respects and were now seated in the hall, chattering and laughing amongst themselves.

Lu Zhixue was sitting beside Han Jinyi. Feng Yunjin, who was helping to organize the banquet, was so busy she was practically flying around the room, leaving the others with only a glimpse of her shadow as she passed.

This was the Empress Dowager’s first birthday since her return to the palace, so the staff of Shouci Palace had taken it very seriously. The eunuchs had been out before dawn to sweep the courtyards, the bluestone paths were washed spotless, and the plants in the garden were neatly trimmed. The palace attendants bustling about were all brightly dressed and wore smiles, creating a cheerful and invigorating atmosphere.

Song Yunzhao was rather surprised when she entered. This display was a far cry from Shouci Palace’s usual style. ’It seems the Empress Dowager has suffered quite a few setbacks at my hands lately. Now she’s trying to put on a benevolent and approachable facade to paint me and Consort Shu as arrogant, domineering villains.’

’Interesting.’

Song Yunzhao hadn’t yet stepped into the main hall of Shouci Palace when Consort Shu arrived. She called out to Song Yunzhao, and the two entered the hall together.

Upon seeing the two of them enter, everyone in the hall rose in unison to greet them.

"Greetings, Lady Shufei, Lady Ming."

"You may all rise," Consort Shu said with a casual wave of her hand. "Today is the Empress Dowager’s birthday. The greatest service you can render is to keep Her Majesty company and in good spirits."

Song Yunzhao glanced at Consort Shu. ’It seems hitting your head against a wall enough times really can knock some sense into you. Consort Shu even knows how to say the right pleasantries now.’

Song Yunzhao immediately changed her mind. She decided to let Consort Shu take the lead and act as a silent beauty. ’It would be best if I don’t have to step forward. I’d be more than happy to have the peace and quiet.’

Consort Shu pulled Song Yunzhao down to sit, then let out a small sigh of relief. "Why hasn’t Princess Consort Wan arrived yet?"

Song Yunzhao had no idea, but considering Princess Consort Wan’s disposition, she chose her words carefully. "Perhaps she was held up."

Consort Shu didn’t believe it. Still, for the past few months, while Princess Consort Wan held a management title, she hadn’t clashed with Consort Shu, and their relationship had improved considerably. She said with some concern, "Surely she isn’t feeling unwell, is she?"

On a joyous occasion like the Empress Dowager’s birthday, if Princess Consort Wan were to fall ill, the Empress Dowager would likely be displeased and take her anger out on them.

After considering Consort Shu’s words, Song Yunzhao replied, "I doubt it. If she were truly unwell, she would have sent word to us."

’That way, we could cover for one another. After all, the Empress Dowager is our common enemy at the moment.’

"True."

Just as they were speaking, Princess Consort Wan arrived. The crowd rose to greet her once more. Princess Consort Wan came in and sat down on Yun Zhao’s other side. "I accidentally got my clothes wet just as I was about to leave, so I had to change. It delayed me a bit, but I rushed and managed to get here on time."

’So that’s what happened.’

Consort Shu breathed a small sigh of relief, then looked at Princess Consort Wan and said bluntly, "You should discipline your attendants. They’re so clumsy. It’s a good thing this didn’t cause you to be late, or you’d be the one to suffer the consequences."

Princess Consort Wan looked visibly displeased. Her attendants had been with her ever since she entered the palace, and today’s incident was truly just a coincidence.

Noticing Princess Consort Wan’s displeasure, Song Yunzhao stepped in to smooth things over. "We have so many trivial matters to attend to before leaving our residences; it’s understandable that a palace attendant might make a careless mistake. Consort Shu is just worried about you, Princess Consort Wan. A light reprimand for them later will suffice."

Before Consort Shu could say more, Yunshang hurried over. "My Lady, we’ve just received word from the Six Departments. One of the cups from the Four Gentlemen tea set was accidentally dropped and broken. They’re asking for your instructions."

Consort Shu froze. "Broken?"

"Yes. They said all the service ware was taken from the storeroom yesterday to be cleaned and dried, and was delivered to Shouci Palace first thing this morning. But during the delivery, a eunuch accidentally tripped, and a teacup rolled to the ground and shattered." Yunshang kept her voice low. To have a teacup break on the Empress Dowager’s birthday... if Her Majesty found out, she would surely be furious.

Song Yunzhao and Princess Consort Wan were sitting close enough to hear every word.

Princess Consort Wan was in a slightly better position, as she had little to do with the birthday preparations and felt less pressure. However, if the incident blew up, she couldn’t escape being charged with poor supervision.

Princess Consort Wan’s delicate brows furrowed slightly. She turned to Song Yunzhao. "What an unfortunate coincidence."

Song Yunzhao wasn’t sure if it was a genuine coincidence or deliberate, but she listened as Consort Shu instructed, "I recall there are spares in the storeroom. Get one to use as a replacement for now. If the Empress Dowager asks about it, just say that the new pattern sent over by the Six Departments is more beautiful and auspicious."

It was just a teacup; to her, a broken one simply needed to be replaced. But the omen was bad. If the Empress Dowager used this as a pretext to stir up trouble, the situation would become difficult for everyone.

Yunshang hurried out. Consort Shu’s expression was still grim, but not wanting to let it show, she forced a smile and said to Yun Zhao and Princess Consort Wan, "I’ll settle accounts with the Six Departments later."

She suspected the Six Departments had done it deliberately.

Since Song Yunzhao didn’t know the truth, she was reluctant to make any judgments. "We can ask about it later," she said. "I imagine it was most likely an accident."

’It would be best if it was an accident, so everyone can get past this hurdle smoothly.’

’But the eunuch at fault probably won’t escape punishment.’

About a quarter of an hour later, Yunshang returned to report that the matter had been handled. The Six Departments had also promised to provide a proper explanation.

The three of them breathed a collective sigh of relief. Princess Consort Wan then asked, "The noble women from outside the palace should have all arrived by now, shouldn’t they?"

Yunshang nodded hurriedly. "Once the Empress Dowager takes her seat, they will be brought in to pay their respects."

Song Yunzhao thought to herself, ’The Empress Dowager really intends to put on a full display of ceremony today and reassert her authority.’