I Was Supposed to Be the Villainous Consort

Song Yunzhao was all smiles at Zhichun Palace, but her face fell the moment she returned to Yaohua Palace.

’Could the Empress Dowager be any more obvious? She’s deliberately targeting me. Isn’t this just to clear the path for An Shutong?’

’In the book, even someone as formidable as Qin Xiyue had to battle An Shutong for over half the story before finally getting rid of her.’

Song Yunzhao didn’t want to be locked in a constant struggle with An Shutong. The harem was only so big. What kind of life was it to be fighting day in and day out? No wonder so many concubines suffered from depression.

The more she stewed on it, the unhappier Yun Zhao grew. By the time Feng Yi arrived, her expression still hadn’t softened.

"What’s wrong? Did someone give you trouble?" Feng Yi’s internal radar went up instantly. Given his recent experience of being at odds with Yun Zhao, he knew it was best not to let things fester. ’I should just ask directly.’

Song Yunzhao looked up at Feng Yi, unsure of what to say. Her expression was conflicted. ’If I speak now without getting my emotions in check, we’ll just end up arguing.’

Seeing the look on her face, Feng Yi debated whether he should go see their son first to give her space to cool down, or if he should sit and comfort her right away. He didn’t hesitate for long before sitting down beside her.

"So what happened? Just tell me." Feng Yi felt helpless. He had just remembered that today was the viewing at Zhichun Palace. ’It must be about that.’

’If I’d known, I would have just hidden in Taixi Hall today.’

’Sigh, even an emperor can’t know everything in advance.’

Song Yunzhao wasn’t an unreasonable person, but what the Empress Dowager did today was completely out of line. She couldn’t hold it in and let the whole story tumble out.

Feng Yi: ...

"So, a lot of them were chosen to stay?"

"A lot of beauties, each one more stunning than the last."

Feng Yi’s expression turned serious.

Song Yunzhao fixed her eyes on him.

Feng Yi: ...

’Why do I feel so guilty?’

’I didn’t pick the beauties, and I wasn’t the one who decided they would stay. So why do I feel guilty?’

’When it came down to it, he just didn’t want to see Yun Zhao upset.’

’The Empress Dowager starts these things, but aren’t I the one who ends up in a tough spot?’

Feng Yi quickly assessed his priorities. Frowning slightly, he said, "I am so swamped with state affairs that even you and our son don’t get to see me every day. What time would I have for some new beauties? Keeping so many of them in the palace is just a waste of their youth. I’ll have a word with Consort Shu and cut the number of chosen candidates by half."

’Song Yunzhao knew perfectly well that Feng Yi was just saying that to appease her. But that’s just how people are. Even when you know the truth, it’s still nice to hear the words.’

’She was an ordinary person, after all. She was no exception to the rule.’

Seeing the slight upward tilt of Yun Zhao’s lips, Feng Yi felt he had successfully navigated the crisis.

"Don’t worry so much. If you don’t want to go, I’ll have Consort Shu and Princess Consort Wan go instead."

"Absolutely not," Song Yunzhao refused. ’If I don’t go, the Empress Dowager will think I’m scared of her.’ "Besides, this is my responsibility. How could I possibly shirk it?"

Feng Yi didn’t call her out on it. Seeing her mood improve, he quickly changed the subject. ’Who gets chosen to stay in the palace has nothing to do with me anyway,’ he thought. ’These days, I wake up before the roosters and go to bed after the dogs. I have neither the energy nor the time to waste on other women.’

’He could barely keep one Yun Zhao happy as it was. Between beauties and his empire, the empire was obviously more important.’

’Too many beauties would only stir up trouble. One Yun Zhao was more than enough.’

’It’s just that my authority as Emperor isn’t absolute yet. In a few years, when I can truly command respect both within the court and beyond, it’ll be my decision alone whether we even hold these selections.’

"How are the preparations for your shop coming along?"

Hearing this, Song Yunzhao immediately perked up and told him about roping Princess Consort Wan into her venture today.

Feng Yi: ?

’He never expected Yun Zhao to actually persuade Princess Consort Wan to join in. She really was a woman of great talent. With her help, maybe Yun Zhao’s shop could actually succeed.’

"What do you think if I label Baozhuang Building’s products as ’From the Inner Workshop’?"

"From the Inner Workshop?"

"Yes! With the mark of the Inner Workshop, the noblewomen in the Capital City would certainly be willing to spend their silver to try it out. Then, when they discover our products are genuinely effective, they’ll become loyal customers. That’s how we can ensure sustained profits."

"Will that really work?" Feng Yi had never run a business, so he didn’t understand the concept of a trendsetter.

’In the future, people always want to buy the newest models, limited editions, collaborations, or the exact same items celebrities use. Information isn’t as widespread now, but things from the Imperial Palace have always been the ultimate trendsetter for noblewomen.’

’It was just like back at home, when Song Qinghan would always brag about the rouge, the silks and satins, or the gold and silver jewelry Mrs. Cai had bought for her—all the most fashionable items of the day.’

’As someone who had witnessed the mad rush for products in the future, Yun Zhao didn’t personally care for such things, but she certainly understood the psychology behind it.’

’Products from the palace, whether good or bad, give people a sense of prestige just by having that "Inner Workshop" mark.’

Song Yunzhao summed up the effect simply: "It’s the ’I must have what everyone else has, and I *must* have what nobody else has’ mentality."

Feng Yi: ...

’He was suddenly starting to get it.’

’It was just like when he was a prince. The other princes got to see the late Emperor often, but he couldn’t. The other princes lived in spacious palaces, attended by numerous palace attendants, but he had none of that. It wasn’t that he wasn’t envious; it was that those things were simply out of his reach.’

’If he’d had the power to obtain them, he absolutely would have.’

’He got it!’

Feng Yi hadn’t realized Yun Zhao had such a knack for business. After a moment’s thought, he said, "How about I compose the calligraphy for Baozhuang Building’s sign?"

"Really?" Song Yunzhao was ecstatic. ’If the sign is in the Emperor’s own calligraphy, could there be any better advertisement?’ "I knew you were the best to me, Your Majesty! I’ll be sure to earn lots of money for you, pay plenty of taxes, and make you proud!"

Feng Yi’s mood soared as he listened. ’It didn’t matter whether she actually made money; the fact that Yun Zhao had this desire to help was enough.’

’Other women only thought about vying for his favor, but she was thinking about how to ease his burdens.’

The next morning, Yun Zhao made a point of waking up early to see Feng Yi off to morning court. Feng Yi found the gesture quite novel. After he left, Song Yunzhao went back to her study and started strategizing.

’Princess Consort Wan is the most scholarly. I’ll put her in charge of developing the formulas. Women of her talent have their own unique ideas, and the things they create are exceptionally elegant. They’re sure to match the tastes of the noblewomen.’

’Consort Shu has a thunderous personality, making her perfect for managing personnel. She’ll have no trouble keeping people in line.’

’Feng Yunjin is meticulous and thoughtful. She’ll be great at handling the day-to-day operations of the shop.’

’Wang Zhaorong is the most enthusiastic about this venture, since her desire to earn silver is the strongest. I can probably put her in charge of promotion. I’ll give it a try.’

’Han Jinyi and Lu Zhixue can help me with the back-end logistics. Someone needs to manage and oversee the workshop at the Inner Workshop, and their personalities—one assertive, one gentle—should complement each other and work well together.’

’I’ll start with this arrangement for now. If any part of it doesn’t work out, I can make adjustments later.’

After breakfast, Song Yunzhao carried her son and went to see Princess Consort Wan.

’The formulas were crucial—the very first step before production could begin. I need to discuss the details with Princess Consort Wan.’

The mother and son’s sudden arrival at Roufu Palace startled Princess Consort Wan. She hurried out to greet them, her eyes immediately falling on Feng Ze.