I Was Supposed to Be the Villainous Consort

Feng Yi stepped forward and bowed to the Empress Dowager. "I greet you, Mother Empress. I wish you peace and good health."

The Empress Dowager was displeased to hear the Emperor’s bland birthday wishes. The fact that he was holding Feng Ze made the gesture seem less solemn. But with so many noble women present, she didn’t let her feelings show, saying only faintly, "There’s no need for such ceremony, Your Majesty. You work hard managing the affairs of the court; you must also take care of your own health."

Feng Yi smiled in acknowledgment and took Feng Ze to their seat.

Only after Feng Yi was seated did he bid everyone to rise. The assembly offered their thanks and returned to their seats.

Song Yunzhao’s eyes fell upon Feng Ze. ’The little guy is being so quiet right now,’ she thought, ’held so obediently by his father.’ Perhaps it was the bond between mother and son, but just then, Feng Ze turned his head. His eyes locked onto Yun Zhao’s, and he immediately stretched out his little arms, reaching for her.

Feng Yi watched his son practically lean out of his arms and couldn’t help but laugh. ’This little guy forgets all about his father the moment he sees his mother.’

Song Yunzhao hesitated, debating whether to rise and take the child. ’I can’t be rude and give people reason to criticize me at an occasion like this.’ As she was thinking, Feng Yi stood up and brought their son to her, carefully placing Feng Ze in her arms. "The moment he sees you, this little guy wants nothing to do with Us."

Song Yunzhao stood to take her son, her eyes meeting Feng Yi’s. ’Listen to him,’ she thought, ’I wonder who he’s saying that for. In any case, I’m quite happy right now.’ She cradled her son and curtsied to Feng Yi. "Your Majesty needs to offer birthday wishes to the Empress Dowager. The Eldest Prince must have been afraid of disturbing you, which is why he came looking for me."

Feng Yi laughed heartily. "My son is so thoughtful."

Everyone in the hall: ...

’What could such a young child possibly know?’ But since the Emperor and Ming Fei wanted to build a good reputation for the Eldest Prince, everyone in attendance naturally chimed in with endless praise.

Song Yunzhao: ...

Even she, with her thick skin, found this a bit much.

She had only been playing along, riffing on what Feng Yi had said.

Feng Yi, for his part, looked thoroughly pleased. As the courtiers rejoined their wives at their seats, they watched the Emperor’s display—a welcome sight for some, and a worrying one for others.

The eyes of Marquis Gu’en and his wife, Duchess Gu En, were fixed on the Eldest Prince. The Duchess, in particular, radiated deep displeasure. Afraid of being noticed, she shot a quick glance before lowering her head.

However, Princess Fuke, who was seated opposite them, saw it all clearly. Her gaze shifted to An Shutong, whom Duchess Gu En had brought with her, and the corners of her lips curled into a mocking smile.

’Considering the relationship between the Empress Dowager and the Emperor, it’s truly fascinating that Gu’en Houfu still deludes itself into thinking their daughter can marry into the imperial family. The nerve of that family is something else. They must have all forgotten what they did to the Emperor back then.’

In his mother’s arms, Feng Ze became even more restless. His large eyes darted about the hall. People frequently glanced his way, but not only was he unafraid, he would even smile at them, causing many of the ladies to laugh in amusement.

Song Yunzhao: ...

Watching this, Princess Fuke grew even more delighted. Ignoring the Empress Dowager’s darkening expression, she soon walked right up to Yun Zhao. "Eldest Prince, how about you let your Imperial Aunt hold you for a bit?"

Yun Zhao rose with the child in her arms. "He’s quite heavy, Your Highness. You’ve only just recovered; I wouldn’t want him to be a bother."

Princess Fuke had been ill with a cold recently. Since Yun Zhao was not the Empress, she couldn’t officially send anyone to visit. However, she had managed to have Feng Yi send some restorative supplements to the Princess on her behalf as a small token of her well wishes.

"Nonsense. I can still manage a child this small," Princess Fuke laughed, reaching out to take Feng Ze.

Song Yunzhao trusted Princess Fuke, and seeing Madam Changning hovering attentively nearby, she handed her son over.

Yun Zhao’s ready agreement clearly pleased Princess Fuke, who immediately took off the white jade pendant she was wearing and gave it to Feng Ze to play with. Then, holding the boy, she returned to her seat.

Feng Ze, seeing the Jade Pendant, grabbed it to play with and went along without a fuss.

’What more could I say?’ Just then, Princess Consort Wan, who was seated beside her, suddenly remarked, "Does the Eldest Prince like jade? I have a case full of little trinkets I can send over for him to play with later."

Before Song Yunzhao could refuse, Consort Shu spoke up. "As his mother, you shouldn’t be so stingy. The Eldest Prince is His Majesty’s firstborn son; he should have whatever he likes. I’ll have some things sent over later. We mustn’t let the child feel neglected."

Neither Princess Consort Wan nor Consort Shu lowered their voices, so everyone nearby heard them clearly. The gazes of the officials and their wives in the hall frequently landed on the faces of Chancellor Lu and Vice Prime Minister Yao.

Chancellor Lu’s expression didn’t so much as flicker. Vice Prime Minister Yao’s mouth twitched, though a faint smile remained on his face. Both appeared completely unbothered by the exchange, but who could know what they were truly thinking?

The Eldest Prince was the Emperor’s firstborn. Consort Shu and Princess Consort Wan had both been in the palace for years without bearing children, so it was hardly surprising that they were now trying to curry favor with him.

The Empress Dowager watched as everyone seemed to be lining up to sing Song Yunzhao’s praises. ’This is *my* birthday banquet,’ she fumed inwardly, ’yet I, the host, have been completely upstaged. How could I possibly be happy?’

Seeing the Empress Dowager’s foul expression, Feng Yi immediately rose and took the lead in toasting her. The moment the Emperor moved, the courtiers followed suit, and the atmosphere in the hall instantly became lively.

Song Yunzhao pressed her lips together. ’I know what Feng Yi is doing. He wants to show everyone how much he treasures and adores our son and me, but he doesn’t want me to be publicly humiliated by the Empress Dowager’s redirected anger. So he’s stepping in to smooth things over.’

’How could I not be grateful that he would go to such lengths for me? Never mind ancient times—even in the modern era, plenty of men can’t balance the relationship between their wife and their mother.’

’Of course, in the Empress Dowager’s eyes, I don’t count as a daughter-in-law. At most, I’m just one of her son’s concubines.’

As she received a continuous stream of birthday toasts, the Empress Dowager’s expression finally softened. Duchess Gu En found Ming Fei an eyesore, but with the Emperor present, she didn’t dare make trouble for her. Forced to hold her tongue, her own expression soured.

An Shutong sat quietly beside her mother the entire time. Aside from a few glances toward the Empress Dowager, she never once looked at the Emperor—not even for a second.

Watching from a distance, Song Yunzhao was inwardly impressed. ’As expected of the villain from the book who battled Qin Xiyue to the very end. Not just anyone can learn that level of restraint.’

Meanwhile, Qin Xiyue was keeping an even lower profile, to the point where she was practically invisible at the banquet. Wang Zhaorong, on the other hand, seemed to have relaxed and was happily chatting and laughing with those around her.

Fine wine and delicacies were served, and music filled the air. Consort Shu kept a watchful eye on the proceedings, ensuring no mistakes were made. Song Yunzhao, however, wasn’t so tense. ’This is the Empress Dowager’s own banquet, an important arena for our rivalry. She wouldn’t sabotage her own event to get at me.’

’Even if the Empress Dowager were to make a move against me, she would wait for another, more opportune time.’

Song Yunzhao’s prediction was correct. The Empress Dowager’s banquet concluded without incident. Making no attempt to hide his preference, Feng Yi left directly with Feng Ze and Yun Zhao in tow. After that, the courtiers and noble women departed the palace, and the harem concubines dispersed.

Song Yunzhao walked beside Feng Yi, still surprised. She hadn’t expected him to walk right up to her, take her by the hand, and leave with their son just like that.

’The seating arrangements must have displeased him, so he had to annoy the Empress Dowager one last time on his way out.’

But she was delighted.