I Was Supposed to Be the Villainous Consort

After sending Consort Shu off, Princess Consort Wan shut herself in her hall. She took out the letter from her family and read it carefully once more, a scornful smile suddenly appearing on her face.

’That’s right.’ The letter from her family urged her to use this opportunity to regain favor, arguing that Ming Fei couldn’t possibly suppress everyone.

’How could concubines who have already borne children possibly compete with the new beauties entering the palace?’

Princess Consort Wan had a falling out with her mother before. Her family knew what her life in the palace was like, yet now they were still urging her to fight for favor. She had a faint feeling this wasn’t just because new women were entering the palace from the concubine selection, but that it was also related to the Baozhuang Building.

Although she hadn’t publicized it, Song Yunzhao hadn’t taken credit for her contribution. In fact, Yunzhao had been telling everyone about the origin of the formula.

’So, my family wants me to use this matter, along with the concubine selection, to scheme before the Emperor and bring Song Yunzhao down?’

Princess Consort Wan recalled Consort Shu’s words. ’Yes, before Song Yunzhao entered the palace, our prestige was merely superficial.’ The Emperor, wary of their families’ power, had never touched her, nor would he have let her bear a Prince.

She used to think she was the only one in this situation. But after mulling over Consort Shu’s words today, she suspected it was the same for all three high-ranking concubines.

Otherwise, it just didn’t make sense. ’She couldn’t conceive, and neither could Wang Yunyi or Consort Shu?’

It wasn’t that they were barren, but that the Emperor simply wouldn’t touch them. Why was Song Yunzhao able to have a child?

’It’s because the Song Family poses no threat to the Emperor.’

’Consort Shu is right.’ Princess Consort Wan thought of Wang Yunyi again. She had once been the slick and charming Princess Consort Zhuang, as glorious as one could be. But look what the Wang Family’s downfall had reduced her to.

Consort Shu was right about one thing: if the two of them suffered Wang Yunyi’s fate, they would never be able to bow their heads. They weren’t like Wang Yunyi, who could be so resilient.

What did the Emperor’s implementation of new policies at court have to do with her? She was just a concubine with an empty title and no favor. Her family wanted her to compete for favor, but what could she possibly use to compete against Song Yunzhao?

She couldn’t win against her before, and she wouldn’t be able to win now.

Besides, thanks to the Baozhuang Building, she was on pretty good terms with Song Yunzhao. ’If someone has to ascend to the position of Imperial Concubine in the future,’ she thought, ’Song Yunzhao would be the better choice.’

After all, aside from matters concerning the Emperor, Yunzhao truly wouldn’t make things difficult for them. She wouldn’t use her power to bully or suppress them. On top of that, she had even found them a pastime that earned them Silver.

Princess Consort Wan took a deep breath, tore her family’s letter to shreds, and threw the pieces into a copper basin. Then, she took out a flint and set them on fire.

’They clearly know I can’t win, yet my family still wants me to fight...’

Princess Consort Wan tossed and turned all night, unable to fall asleep.

Meanwhile, Song Yunzhao was making delightful progress. She had put on a show of lodging a complaint and, while she was at it, stayed for dinner at Taixi Hall. She covertly tried to find out what ranks the Emperor planned to give the new women so she could prepare in advance.

How could Feng Yi not see through her little scheme? He played along the entire time, but he couldn’t help laughing to himself.

After dinner, remembering her son was still at Yaohua Palace, the two of them skipped the sedan chairs and walked back, aiding their digestion along the way.

Feng Yi naturally stayed the night at Yaohua Palace. Song Yunzhao was in high spirits, thinking that the Empress Dowager’s mood must be quite sour.

She was thrilled because Feng Yi had only granted An Shutong the initial rank of Xiaoyi.

But on second thought, Feng Yunjin was still just a small concubine. ’Although both are fifth-rank positions, Xiaoyi is the higher of the two, meaning Feng Yunjin is still a step below An Shutong.’ Thinking of this made her unhappy again.

However, the Emperor had no intention of granting promotions throughout the Six Palaces, so there was no opportunity to promote Feng Yunjin. She could only continue to let her accumulate merits and wait for a chance to get her a promotion.

Song Yunzhao knew what she was doing. She wouldn’t bring this up with Feng Yi. Favors had to be used at the most critical moments. The less she mentioned it now, the better it would be to cash in all at once and secure a good outcome for Feng Yunjin and the others when it was time for promotions in the Six Palaces.

That way, Feng Yi wouldn’t be annoyed or take a disliking to them.

The more she thought about it, the more certain she was that this was the right approach. Song Yunzhao didn’t fall into a deep sleep until the middle of the night.

Feng Yi could naturally sense that the person beside him had something on her mind tonight. Yun Zhao didn’t say anything, and he didn’t ask. ’Was there even a need to ask?’

’It must be about the new concubines about to enter the palace. She’s worried, isn’t she?’

’But she doesn’t want to say it out loud, probably because she’s afraid of losing face.’

After Yun Zhao’s breathing became steady and she was fast asleep, Feng Yi pulled her into his arms. ’How could I ever bear to let her be sad?’

’That’s why the implementation of the new policies is imperative.’

Song Yunzhao had gone to bed late, and by the time she woke up, Feng Yi had already left for the morning court session. She could faintly hear her son’s voice; the wet nurse must have been playing with him outside.

She sat up and rubbed her forehead. Having slept so late, her head felt a little heavy.

As she got up and walked out, Xiangxue and the other maids heard her and hurried in to attend to her.

"My Lady, a message came from Feng Xiaoyuan, asking when you might be free."

Song Yunzhao paused for a moment, then said, "Send word back to her. Tell her to come over in an hour."

She hadn’t had breakfast yet. She could meet with her right after eating.

Shizhu quickly acknowledged and went out to pass on the message. Xiangxue continued combing her hair. "Zhang Maoquan also has something to report. He left the palace early this morning. He said there’s been a problem with some of the procured items."

Song Yunzhao’s brow furrowed. "A problem?"

"Yes. This servant saw that he was in a great hurry, and he didn’t look well," Xiangxue said, a little worried.

Song Yunzhao wasn’t surprised, however. Or rather, she was already prepared for it. ’How could there not be people trying to cause trouble?’

’They were just watching from the sidelines. Now that they’ve gotten a measure of the Baozhuang Building and the Treasure Pearl Building, they’re bound to make a move.’

"We’ll talk about it when he gets back."

Song Yunzhao got up and went to eat first. ’This is no small matter. It’s not just ordinary business competition; it’s entangled with the affairs of the court.’

After breakfast, Song Yunzhao met with Feng Yunjin first.

Feng Yunjin arrived right on time. After greeting Yun Zhao, she got straight to the point. "Two of the shop assistants were bribed. They tried to mix something into the Rouge. Luckily, you were one step ahead and had them watched closely, so they were caught red-handed. But before we could question them, they committed suicide."

Feng Yunjin’s expression was grave, tinged with unease.

This was the first time in her life she had ever encountered something like this. Right off the bat, two lives were lost.

It would be a lie to say she wasn’t scared.

Song Yunzhao was also surprised. "They’re dead?"

She hadn’t expected them to commit suicide just to prevent the truth from being discovered.

’This matter is not so simple, then.’

"How did those two get hired in the first place?"

"One was recommended by Lady Wanfei, the other by Lady Shufei."

Song Yunzhao was speechless.

’Aren’t they trying to wipe our entire group out in one fell swoop?!’

’It’s an old trick, this attempt to sow discord, but it’s effective.’

If she didn’t understand Consort Shu and Princess Consort Wan to some extent, she would definitely suspect them. And wouldn’t that lead to internal conflict?

’If internal conflict breaks out, how could her Baozhuang Building possibly survive?’

Song Yunzhao let out a cold laugh. "Xiangxue!"

"This servant is here."

"Go and invite Lady Shufei and Lady Wanfei. Tell them I have something important to discuss."

She, Song Yunzhao, was never one to engage in internal strife. No matter who the mastermind was, she was going to break their claws!