I Was Supposed to Be the Villainous Consort

Consort Shu said nothing, only motioning for Yun Zhao to open it and take a look.

Song Yunzhao picked up the booklet and opened it. She glanced down and froze for a moment before looking up at Consort Shu. "Where did this come from?"

Consort Shu scoffed. "What, Marquis Wenxin’s Mansion didn’t send you a copy?"

Song Yunzhao shook her head. "The Song Family has held its title for less than a year. How could we know about these things?"

Hearing this, Consort Shu felt a bit awkward. She cleared her throat and said, "I wasn’t trying to show off. I just wanted to give you a heads-up."

Song Yunzhao smiled as well. "I really didn’t expect there would be so many concubine candidates from the Capital City this year."

The Beauty List sent to the palace before was for candidates from outside the Capital City. This one, however, was a list of daughters from the capital’s influential families.

The previous list hadn’t been a major cause for concern, but this one was different. It felt heavy, carrying significant weight.

On this list, she saw the name An Shutong.

Consort Shu looked at Song Yunzhao. "At the Eldest Prince’s first birthday banquet, the ladies of the various houses will probably take the opportunity to bring their daughters into the palace."

Song Yunzhao: ...

Consort Shu averted her gaze, not wanting to look at Song Yunzhao’s face.

’I was just giving a kind reminder. I really didn’t mean to gloat.’

"Thank you for the tip, Sister Shu," Song Yunzhao said, almost through gritted teeth.

Consort Shu immediately stood up. "No need for thanks. Isn’t our friendship worth more than a little booklet? You get some rest. I’ll be on my way."

Consort Shu slipped away as if her soles were greased. Song Yunzhao pressed her forehead, not knowing whether to laugh or cry.

’It seems many people are watching me. Otherwise, Consort Shu wouldn’t have gone to the trouble of getting this booklet to warn me.’

’She might be enjoying my predicament a little, but her intentions are mostly good.’

Song Yunzhao let out a long sigh. ’What can I do?’

The concubine selection was a matter of state, not something she could control or stop just by saying no.

Even Feng Yi couldn’t do that right now.

Lately, Feng Yi had been so busy with the spring plowing that his feet barely touched the ground. The two of them hadn’t seen each other in days.

Song Yunzhao summoned Zhang Maoquan.

Zhang Maoquan was now officially on duty at Yaohua Palace. Seeing Ming Fei, he immediately stepped forward and bowed. "Your Highness, what are your orders?"

"Go to the front and ask if the Emperor is free tonight," Song Yunzhao said.

"Yes." Zhang Maoquan acknowledged the order and headed for the front.

Xu Sixi saw him and made a snide remark, but Zhang Maoquan ignored him. The two had long been at odds. He went directly to find Meng Jiuchang, which made Xu Sixi so angry he stomped his foot.

’Let’s see how long you can stay smug. Once the new women enter the palace, who knows if Ming Fei will have the last laugh. When that time comes, Zhang Maoquan will get what’s coming to him.’

Without even looking back, Zhang Maoquan knew Xu Sixi was up to no good. When he saw Meng Jiuchang, he relayed the message.

Meng Jiuchang had just returned from delivering a decree and had only just caught his breath. Hearing Zhang Maoquan’s words, he frowned and said, "The Emperor is not in a good mood right now. You wait here, I’ll go in and ask."

Now that Zhang Maoquan was officially assigned to Yaohua Palace, he could no longer enter Taixi Hall as he pleased. He could only wait outside.

Inside the hall, Feng Yi was in a thundering rage. Lu Shiqi stood to the side with his head bowed, the Left and Right Ministers remained silent, and several men were kneeling in the middle of the room. Seeing the situation, Meng Jiuchang didn’t dare to approach just yet and simply waited on the side for an opportunity.

After venting his anger, Feng Yi noticed Meng Jiuchang cowering and asked him, "What is it?"

Meng Jiuchang hurried forward a few steps, bowing low as he replied, "Lady Ming sent Zhang Maoquan over."

Feng Yi’s expression softened. "What did Zhang Maoquan say?"

"Zhang Maoquan said that Lady Ming asks if the Emperor is free this evening," Meng Jiuchang reported, then lowered his head.

Feng Yi was taken aback. This was the first time in nearly a month that Yun Zhao had asked such a question. He looked at Meng Jiuchang and said, "Go back and tell her that We will be there later."

’Just as I thought,’ Meng Jiuchang knew. ’Even if thunder and lightning were crashing down in the court, a single word from Lady Ming would have the Emperor running to Yaohua Palace.’

The Right Minister stared straight ahead, the Left Minister frowned slightly, and Lu Shiqi kept his head down in silence. The officials kneeling on the floor let out a slight sigh of relief.

Feng Yi tossed the memorials in front of them. "Rewrite them."

"Yes, Your Majesty." The men kowtowed hastily, picked up their memorials, and retreated with bowed backs.

The battle against Beiming before the new year had concluded. Great Chu had won a minor victory, driving the Beiming forces back to their garrisons.

Ji Yunting, Chu Donghui, Qin Shu’an, and others had all earned merit. Yet, not long after the new year, memorials were submitted impeaching them for various misdeeds during the campaign.

Feng Yi had yet to fully cultivate his own protégés, and now people were already trying to ruin them. How could he not be furious?

The Right Minister hadn’t managed to get a piece of the pie from this affair, so being summoned this time, he was hoping to see the Left Minister made a fool of. Ji Yunting had accompanied the army on this expedition, and as the Left Minister’s son, he naturally drew a great deal of attention. It was no surprise he was being targeted.

In the past, no one would have dared to directly challenge the Left Minister. But as the Emperor’s control over the court tightened, the Right Minister, a Prime Minister himself, gradually found his own position in court becoming more strenuous.

The Emperor was suppressing them, so he would naturally support others. But with so many courtiers in the court, each with their own agenda, it was inevitable that some would try to fish in troubled waters.

After leaving Taixi Hall, the Right Minister walked slowly beside the Left Minister, his hands clasped behind his back as he moved forward step by step.

The Left Minister’s face was grim and he said nothing, but his steps were somewhat heavy.

He was getting on in years. The Emperor was promoting new talent with clear intentions of elevating them. It seemed old-timers like them would have to make way.

This was only the beginning.

"Old friend, care to join me for a drink?" After leaving the palace, the Left Minister looked at the Right Minister and extended the invitation.

The Right Minister shook his head. "Not at a time like this. Let’s talk about it some other day."

Ji Yunting was a hot potato right now; anyone who touched him would get burned. He’d better keep his distance.

The Right Minister strode away, and the Left Minister, his face dark, also boarded his carriage back to his mansion.

After finishing his work, Feng Yi made his way to Yaohua Palace under the cover of night. Yun Zhao had just finished dinner with Feng Ze, and mother and son were playing a little game on the large couch. Hearing footsteps, she turned her head and saw Feng Yi parting the curtains as he walked in.

She started to rise to salute him, but Feng Ze, upon seeing his Imperial Father, scrambled to his feet and toddled toward Feng Yi.

Song Yunzhao’s face went pale with fright—they were on the couch! She quickly reached out to grab her son, but Feng Yi was faster, scooping the boy up into his arms.

Feng Ze, unaware he had almost fallen, was delighted to be picked up by his Imperial Father. He giggled and babbled an unclear "Papa..."

Song Yunzhao’s heart was pounding. It took a long while after she sat down for her to calm down. Feng Yi had already scolded Feng Ze. The little boy didn’t understand the words, but he could tell his Imperial Father was angry. He turned his head, stretched out his arms, and demanded a hug from his mother.

’The little rascal.’

Yun Zhao reached out to take him, but Feng Yi pulled her into his embrace along with their son.

Song Yunzhao didn’t move. Instead, she wrapped her arms around Feng Yi’s waist.

Feng Yi looked down at her, but Song Yunzhao didn’t look up.

Feng Ze threw himself toward his mother’s arms, crying out, "Hug, hug..."

Song Yunzhao couldn’t help but laugh, reaching out to take her son.

Watching them, Feng Yi’s mood instantly brightened, and the dark clouds weighing on his heart slowly dispersed.