I Was Supposed to Be the Villainous Consort

’Marchioness Wu Xin?’

Song Yunzhao had a poor impression of the entire Marquis Wuxin Mansion. How could a mother not be responsible for raising a son like Xu Anxing?

Song Yunzhao had recently sent someone to investigate the internal affairs of the Marquis Wuxin Mansion, only to discover it was rife with conflict.

First of all, because Xu Anxing had made an enemy of her, Ming Fei, disagreements had arisen within the Marquis Mansion.

The Marchioness blindly sided with her younger son, angering her eldest son, Xu Anchen, and his wife. As the Princely Heir and future head of the Marquis Mansion, they naturally wanted the family to cultivate a good relationship with a favored concubine like her, especially since they were family by marriage.

However, because the Marchioness defended her younger son, indulging his neglect of his wife in favor of a concubine, their relationship with Marquis Wenxin’s Mansion was extremely poor.

The two families were the Marquis Wuxin Mansion and the Marquis Wenxin’s Mansion. Xu Anchen even suspected that when the Emperor bestowed the title upon Song Nanzhen, the name itself held a deeper meaning—a warning to the Marquis Wuxin Mansion.

But Marchioness Wu Xin and Xu Anxing paid it no mind. They even accused Xu Anchen, the eldest son, of not caring for his younger brother. Xu Anchen’s wife, Mrs. Pan, had long been displeased, not just with Xu Anxing, but also with Song Qinghan.

’As a wife, she doesn’t even know how to win her husband’s heart. Every move she makes is a Pyrrhic victory. I’ve never seen anyone so stupid.’

’That Yan Liu is merely a concubine. There are a hundred ways to deal with her, yet she chose to make a huge public spectacle of it. It’s painful just to watch.’

’I really don’t understand how someone as brilliant as Ming Fei could have such a foolish sister.’

’Life in the palace is far more difficult than in our Marquis Mansion. Yet look at Ming Fei. Not only has she been promoted steadily since entering the palace, but she also safely delivered the Imperial First Son.’

’That’s the Emperor’s first son, and with no Empress in the palace. In such a short time, she has already attained the rank of Consort.’

’A concubine who has a son—the Emperor’s first son, no less—what kind of future awaits her in a harem without an Empress?’

’With a connection like that, instead of figuring out how to mend the relationship and get on her good side, the family keeps provoking her. It’s truly... unbelievable.’

Mrs. Pan didn’t dare talk back to her mother-in-law. As a daughter-in-law, she couldn’t risk being seen as unfilial. But when she returned to her maiden home, she couldn’t help but vent her frustrations to her mother.

Although Lady Pan was the wife of a military general, her own father taught at the Imperial College. His official rank wasn’t high, but he came from a scholarly family. Lady Pan had been educated by her father from a young age. After marrying, she not only helped her husband manage the household, but because he was a military officer with a rough-and-ready manner, she often had to be by his side to persuade and guide him. That was how Lord Pan had managed to rise, step by step, to the position of Central Army Commander.

After listening to her daughter’s complaints, Lady Pan gave her some advice. No matter what her mother-in-law and brother-in-law did, she and her husband could not afford to make an enemy of Ming Fei. It would be best to resolve the conflict, but if that wasn’t possible, they at least had to avoid earning her animosity.

Mrs. Pan, who always listened to her mother, thought this advice was sound. After returning to the mansion, she set about persuading her husband. Naturally, she didn’t mention that the idea came from her mother, lest her husband become resentful of his mother-in-law. She simply said that she had given it careful thought: Ming Fei’s prospects were excellent, and even if they couldn’t befriend her, they absolutely could not antagonize her.

Xu Anchen had already had this idea, and he and his wife were in perfect agreement. Thus, for the Empress Dowager’s birthday banquet, Xu Anchen deliberately found a pretext to have his mother bring his wife into the palace.

Since the recent trouble with her younger son had been so severe, Marchioness Wu Xin felt rather guilty toward her eldest son and agreed to the request.

Mrs. Pan had been secretly observing Ming Fei, growing more astonished the more she watched. The Empress Dowager had deliberately tried to embarrass Ming Fei, but she showed no sign of being affected. Instead, she simply turned to chat happily with Consort Shu and Princess Consort Wan, effortlessly neutralizing the Empress Dowager’s attempt to sow discord among them.

’If Song Qinghan had half this skill, would Yan Liu still be getting away with her antics today?’

’She looks intelligent enough, but she never uses her brain where it counts. She was dealt a good hand and played it into the ground.’

’And then there’s Ming Fei. They’re sisters, yet the difference between them is staggering.’

Mrs. Pan kept her eyes fixed on Ming Fei. When she saw Ming Fei leave to freshen up, she immediately followed, keeping out of sight.

’There won’t be many chances. I have to seize this one.’

Song Yunzhao was washing her hands after freshening up when someone emerged from the adjacent room. Before Song Yunzhao could speak, the woman stepped forward and curtsied. "This servant, Mrs. Pan, greets Lady Ming. May Your Ladyship enjoy good health."

’Mrs. Pan?’

For a moment, Song Yunzhao couldn’t recall which family’s young madam Mrs. Pan was. Xiangxue stepped forward and whispered a reminder in her ear.

Seeing the hint of surprise on Ming Fei’s face, Mrs. Pan felt a pang of embarrassment, but she kept her expression neutral.

Song Yunzhao dried her hands. As she started walking, she noticed Mrs. Pan following. She smiled and said, "Ah, so you are the Young Madam of the Marquis Wuxin Mansion. Forgive me, I didn’t recognize you for a moment."

"Your Ladyship is a noble personage. This servant is of low standing and rarely enters the palace, nor would I dare to impose on you with greetings. It is only natural that Your Ladyship would not recognize me."

Song Yunzhao raised an eyebrow slightly. ’I never expected the Young Madam of the Marquis Wuxin Mansion to have such a disposition,’ she thought. ’No wonder she can remain as unshakable as a mountain in that household, even with a mother-in-law like Marchioness Wu Xin.’

Song Yunzhao’s only real connection to the Marquis Wuxin Mansion was through Song Qinghan. But since she had washed her hands of her sister, she didn’t truly hold a grudge against the Marquis’s family.

However, from the way Mrs. Pan spoke, she could tell that the Princely Heir and his wife were afraid she would take her anger out on them and were therefore trying to make amends.

Song Yunzhao was amused. ’Looks like the Marquis Wuxin Mansion is already starting to fracture from within,’ she thought. ’That’s certainly unexpected.’

Mrs. Pan’s father was the Central Army Commander, and her maternal grandfather taught at the Imperial College. Her family was a pillar of the court. Since Mrs. Pan was extending an olive branch, Yunzhao had no desire to make an enemy of her.

’This must be the ’favored concubine effect’.’

Song Yunzhao accepted Mrs. Pan’s overture. When Mrs. Pan returned to the main hall, she let out a long sigh of relief. ’I can’t believe Lady Ming is so approachable, nothing like the rumors at all. And the difference between her and my sister-in-law, Song Qinghan, is like night and day.’

’No wonder the Emperor dotes on her so much. It all makes sense now.’

Princess Fuke, with her daughter-in-law from the Zheng family—also known as Madam Changning—by her side, had a calculating look in her eyes. She whispered to her, "Later, when the banquet is in full swing, go strike up a conversation with the Princely Heir’s wife from the Marquis Wuxin Mansion."

Madam Changning was taken aback for a moment before agreeing. "Yes, I will do as you say, Mother. But our family has never had any dealings with the Marquis Wuxin Mansion..."

She didn’t understand her mother-in-law’s intentions.

Princess Fuke took a sip of tea and murmured, "Just now, the moment Ming Fei stepped out, Mrs. Pan followed her."

A look of understanding dawned on Madam Changning. "Yes, I understand now."

Princess Fuke was pleased with her daughter-in-law’s reaction. She had understood perfectly.

Just then, Meng Jiuchang’s voice rang out from outside. "His Majesty, the Emperor, has arrived!"

Everyone rose to respectfully welcome His Majesty.

Feng Yi entered the hall carrying Feng Ze, and the entire assembly froze in astonishment.

Everyone knew the Emperor doted on the Eldest Prince, but to bring him to the Empress Dowager’s birthday banquet—and to be carrying him, no less... This was...

Everyone was well aware of the relationship between the Empress Dowager and Ming Fei. In that instant, meaningful glances flew across the hall.