I Was Supposed to Be the Villainous Consort

Feng Yi found Yun Zhao’s earnest expression amusing, but he didn’t let it show. He hesitated for a moment before nodding in agreement.

The concubine selection had upset her, so if this new venture could cheer her up, it would be worth it. He hadn’t given a single thought to her actually making a profit.

’If silver were that easy to earn,’ he thought, ’the Ministry of Revenue wouldn’t be so strapped for cash.’

With Feng Yi’s permission, Yun Zhao specially requested an imperial decree. As she put it, if anyone got jealous of her profits and tried to impeach her, she would use the decree to smack them over the head.

Feng Yi actually wrote one for her. Song Yunzhao cradled it in both hands like a priceless treasure, an irrepressible smile spreading across her face.

With the imperial decree in hand, Song Yunzhao began earnestly preparing her cosmetics shop. After discussing it with a few other concubines, they settled on a name for the shop: Baozhuang Building.

Now that she had a name, she needed a storefront. She couldn’t afford to buy one yet, so she would have to rent. The products—be it rouge, face creams, or lip colors—would require a workshop for production. And it wasn’t just the quality of the products that mattered; the packaging had to be exquisite. She herself had once bought an entire cosmetics set just for the beautiful boxes it came in.

The pursuit of beauty was, after all, a delightful affair.

To show his support, Feng Yi assigned her a small workshop from the Inner Workshop, along with several dozen artisans.

The Inner Workshop, which was under the jurisdiction of the Six Departments, served as the Royal Family’s exclusive manufactory.

Just like that, the biggest of Song Yunzhao’s problems were solved. Even though Feng Yi wasn’t optimistic about her success, he still supported her, and that touched her deeply.

While Song Yunzhao was busy setting up her new enterprise, the results of the preliminary selection at Zhichun Palace came in.

She glanced over the roster sent by the Housekeeper from Zhichun Palace. Just as she had expected, both An Shutong and Xu Mingying had been selected.

Consort Shu and Princess Consort Wan also reviewed the list. While Princess Consort Wan remained impassive, Consort Shu let out a cold sneer. "What an absolute lack of surprise. What do you suppose would happen if we managed to get An Shutong eliminated during the selection?"

Princess Consort Wan frowned. "Are you trying to have a complete falling-out with the Empress Dowager?"

Although the Empress Dowager and the Emperor’s relationship wasn’t good, if she were provoked into targeting Consort Shu, the Emperor wouldn’t necessarily intervene.

Princess Consort Wan’s words clearly struck a nerve. Consort Shu huffed, "If An Shutong truly remains in the palace, I’m afraid the Empress Dowager will meddle in the harem’s affairs even more."

Princess Consort Wan said no more. She didn’t have the Emperor’s favor, so the Empress Dowager’s meddling wouldn’t have much impact on her. Besides, she wouldn’t be the target.

At this thought, Princess Consort Wan turned to Song Yunzhao. The threat to her was the greatest. ’And yet, at a critical time like this, she’s busy messing around with some shop,’ Princess Consort Wan couldn’t understand it at all. ’For a concubine of the palace to be doing something like this is truly improper.’

Seeing that Princess Consort Wan looked displeased but offered no opinion, Consort Shu turned to Song Yunzhao. "What are your thoughts?"

Song Yunzhao gave Consort Shu a faint smile. "We can eliminate one An Shutong today, but tomorrow, Gu’en Houfu might just send in another."

"What the Empress Dowager wants is for the An family to put down roots in the harem. We might be able to block one An Shutong, but can we block eight or ten of them?"

Song Yunzhao had a decent understanding of An Shutong—she knew some of the "story," after all. So, for her, An Shutong entering the palace wasn’t necessarily a bad thing. ’Know your enemy and know yourself, and you can fight a hundred battles without defeat.’

’If it were someone I knew nothing about, now *that* would be a headache.’

Hearing that even Yun Zhao agreed, Consort Shu scoffed, "You two are certainly quick to admit defeat."

Stung by Consort Shu’s taunt, Princess Consort Wan lost her composure. "What do you mean, ’admit defeat’? I’m simply accustomed to a quiet life and prefer not to stir up trouble."

With that, Princess Consort Wan rose and left. Consort Shu pursed her lips. ’Accustomed to a quiet life, my foot. She’s just afraid of the Empress Dowager.’

Once Princess Consort Wan was gone, Song Yunzhao also prepared to leave, but Consort Shu stopped her. "Are you truly not worried about An Shutong joining the harem?"

Song Yunzhao looked at her. "Sister Shu, what are you afraid of?"

"Me, afraid?" Consort Shu’s expression stiffened, her voice rising a few notches. "Why would I be afraid of *her*?"

"Of course you’re not afraid of An Shutong herself. You’re worried that with the Empress Dowager’s backing, she’ll turn the harem into a complete mess. But I don’t think An Shutong is that foolish. The Empress Dowager is certainly a powerful ally, but her relationship with the Emperor is strained. Relying on her won’t necessarily win his favor. In fact, her support might even make the Emperor more distant toward An Shutong."

Consort Shu’s eyes lit up. ’That actually makes a lot of sense.’

The viewing of the new concubine candidates was scheduled for three days later. Song Yunzhao knew many eyes were on her, waiting to see what she would do. But she deliberately did nothing at all.

She refused to give anyone any leverage against her.

On the day of the viewing, Yun Zhao assumed the full bearing of a favored concubine. She dressed exquisitely in a rose-red palace gown, its brocade fabric shimmering magnificently as she walked in the sunlight.

The journey from her palace to Jincui Garden left Song Yunzhao in a bit of a daze. She hadn’t been here in her three years at court. Feng Yi was always so busy with state affairs that he never had time for leisurely strolls in the garden.

The location of the viewing, Huayang Hall, was a familiar one to Yun Zhao. It was where she herself had been presented when she first entered the palace.

The Empress Dowager would be present today, but Feng Yi would not. He would only grace the final viewing with his presence to make the ultimate decision.

Song Yunzhao had replaced Wang Zhaorong to become one of the three high-ranking concubines. With the formidable Empress Dowager also in attendance this year, the event felt particularly bustling.

Song Yunzhao, Consort Shu, and Princess Consort Wan arrived one after another. The Empress Dowager was the last to arrive.

As the Empress Dowager entered the hall, the three concubines rose to pay their respects.

The Empress Dowager gave a slight nod. "You may all rise."

"Thank you, Empress Dowager."

The three rose and returned to their seats. The Empress Dowager’s gaze swept over them, finally landing on Song Yunzhao. She spoke slowly, her tone neutral. "I have heard that Ming Fei is occupied with some ’Baozhuang Building.’ As a concubine, your primary duty is to serve the Emperor. Do not involve yourself in such frivolous matters."

Song Yunzhao: ?

She hadn’t expected the Empress Dowager to lead with an attack on this. She immediately used Feng Yi as a shield. "Your subject is an indolent person by nature. I must rely on my sisters, Consort Shu and Princess Consort Wan, for even the simplest matters in the harem. Baozhuang Building was merely a little diversion the Emperor suggested for me to pass the time, something for all the sisters in the palace to enjoy together. I would not dare defy an imperial decree, so I had no choice but to agree."

Consort Shu struggled to keep the surprise from her face. If she hadn’t personally heard Song Yunzhao planning the whole thing herself, she might have actually believed her.

’If I hadn’t invested a share in it myself,’ she thought, ’I’d be tempted to expose her right now.’

On second thought, something felt off. ’When Song Yunzhao so enthusiastically invited me to join, was it just to shut me up?’

’How devious!’

’We might not make any money, but I’ll definitely be the one taking the fall!’

So infuriating!

The Empress Dowager was clearly unconvinced. Her gaze shifted to Consort Shu. "Consort Shu, are you aware of this matter?"

Consort Shu: ...

’I knew it!’

"Your subject does not know if this was the Emperor’s idea, but His Majesty did indeed send me an order to assist Ming Fei in this endeavor," Consort Shu said with a smile. Inwardly, however, she thought, ’Ever since I started associating with Song Yunzhao, my ability to lie has gotten smoother and smoother.’

*Sigh.*