I Was Supposed to Be the Villainous Consort

"It’s hard to say right now. We’ll only know after an investigation," Song Yunzhao said. She had her suspicions, but she had no proof. And given Princess Consort Wan’s fear that the Yao family might be involved, she certainly couldn’t make any wild accusations.

"It must be investigated. Baozhuang Building’s business is so successful that many people must be envious. It’s entirely possible someone is trying to sabotage us behind the scenes." Consort Shu’s tone was grim. "In any case, we can’t let this go. I say we report it to the authorities."

If they were going to investigate, it should be done out in the open.

Princess Consort Wan’s expression tensed. "Surely it hasn’t come to that," she said, turning to look at Yun Zhao.

Yun Zhao knew what Princess Consort Wan was worried about. She thought for a moment and said, "Princess Consort Wan, I don’t think the Yao family is necessarily involved, even though they sent the staff. Just think, this matter concerns you directly. Why would your family try to harm you? I’m more inclined to believe the Yao family was tricked as well. What do you think, Princess Consort Wan?"

Princess Consort Wan didn’t dare to think so optimistically. She knew her family had always detested Yun Zhao. Hearing Yun Zhao defend them, she was overcome with complicated emotions and, for a moment, was at a loss for words.

"So, should we report it to the authorities or not?" Consort Shu asked, looking at the two of them.

Song Yunzhao shook her head. "Since Princess Consort Wan is worried, I think it’s best we don’t report this to the authorities for now. We should investigate it ourselves first. If it turns out to be something serious, we can prepare in advance."

Consort Shu gave Song Yunzhao a long look. "You’re certainly kind-hearted."

’I’m not being kind-hearted,’ Song Yunzhao thought. ’I plan to use this to pressure the Six Departments and the Inner Workshop. This is no coincidence. It might even be a coordinated attack from three sides. I have no proof, but as long as I can break one link in the chain, the rest will be easy to resolve.’

’For instance, the procurement of raw materials is an excellent place to start.’

"It has nothing to do with kindness. I’m simply stating the facts," Song Yunzhao said with a smile.

Consort Shu rolled her eyes. ’She’s just putting on an act!’

"So what do you plan to do next?" Consort Shu asked.

"Do either of you know any merchants in this line of business? If you have someone reliable to recommend, we wouldn’t have to rely on the Six Departments and the Inner Workshop for our supplies."

Princess Consort Wan shook her head. She didn’t know any merchants.

Consort Shu had been a pampered young lady at home, paying no mind to such mundane matters. Besides, a mere merchant would never have been granted an audience with her. Who could she possibly know?

Song Yunzhao then asked, "Then what about asking your families?"

Princess Consort Wan shook her head almost immediately. With the deaths at the shop still under investigation, she really didn’t want her family getting any more involved.

Consort Shu, however, hesitated for a moment. "Should I ask?"

"There’s strength in numbers, so of course. I’ll ask around for a reliable merchant on my end as well. As long as we can secure another supply source, it won’t matter what kind of trouble the Six Departments and the Inner Workshop stir up. They won’t be able to affect us."

Consort Shu frowned. "They’re so brazen, and we’re just going to let them off the hook?"

’That would be letting them off too easily!’

"Do you have a better idea, Consort Shu?"

"No."

Song Yunzhao’s face remained impassive.

Consort Shu said with righteous indignation, "I may not have a plan, but we can’t just let them bully us. We have to get back at them."

"You have a point," Song Yunzhao agreed with a nod.

"Ming Fei, you’ve always been full of ideas. You come up with a plan, and I’ll be sure to back you up."

This was exactly what Song Yunzhao had been waiting for Consort Shu to say. She looked at the two of them and said, "The Six Departments and the Inner Workshop only dared to meddle with our raw materials because they’re certain we have no other source. So, how about this? To let you both vent a little, let’s spread the word. We’ll say that since the Six Departments and the Inner Workshop are finding it so difficult, we won’t trouble them anymore. We’ll solve the issue of supplies ourselves."

Consort Shu eyed Song Yunzhao with suspicion. "Can you really find someone to handle this?"

’If I were a noble lady born and raised in this era, I really wouldn’t know what to do,’ Song Yunzhao thought. ’But I’m not.’

’There are countless merchants in this world. With money, is there anything you can’t buy?’

’I refuse to believe the reach of the Six Departments and the Inner Workshop extends over the entire Capital City. If it did, they’d truly have a death wish.’

"It should be possible," she said aloud. "We have money. Is there anything we can’t buy?"

"That’s true, but..." Consort Shu frowned. ’Who would we buy from?’

’Can we trust the people we find? Will the quality of their goods be any good?’

’Princess Consort Wan is so particular about her materials. What if she isn’t satisfied?’

’There are just too many complications.’

When Consort Shu voiced her concerns, Song Yunzhao replied, "In that case, let’s have Princess Consort Wan draw up a list of specifications detailing the quality of materials she requires. We’ll purchase accordingly. If a seller’s delivery doesn’t meet the requirements, we’ll simply refuse it."

Hearing Yun Zhao make it sound so simple, Consort Shu asked doubtfully, "Is that all it takes?"

"Of course not. We’ll still need to draw up a proper agreement. For instance, we’ll need to define the payment schedule—how many installments and how much each time. There also need to be clear terms for delivery and what happens if the goods pass or fail inspection. Ultimately, the arrangement must be satisfactory for everyone involved."

Listening to Yun Zhao, Consort Shu found it all terribly complicated. She knew she couldn’t handle it anyway. Waving her hand dismissively, she said, "You figure it out."

’I can manage things inside the palace, but I really don’t understand the world outside.’

’Wait, how does Song Yunzhao know all this?’

Consort Shu’s expression stiffened. The more she thought about it, the more unsettled she became. She shot Song Yunzhao a glare. ’She must have been secretly learning from someone behind my back.’

Song Yunzhao was baffled by the glare. ’What’s gotten into her now?’

After settling matters with the other two, Song Yunzhao began to take action.

First, she wrote a letter to Xie Jinshu, asking if he knew any merchants in this line of business and, if so, to recommend a suitable one.

Next, she arranged for Baozhuang Building to send the bodies of the two treacherous clerks back to the Lu and Yao Families. Of course, out of consideration for Consort Shu and Princess Consort Wan, she didn’t completely sever ties. She merely presented the evidence that the two were about to carry out a malicious act. The rest would depend on the two families’ good faith.

If the Lu and Yao Families were innocent, they would surely do everything they could to prove their innocence.

’And if they weren’t... then they would certainly have to clean up their mess. The moment they made a move, my people would be watching in the shadows.’

Song Yunzhao was busy the entire day. Meanwhile, Zhang Maoquan was so anxious his mouth broke out in sores. He truly hadn’t expected the Six Departments and the Inner Workshop to be so brazen. He even considered going to Taixi Hall—’the Emperor can’t just stand by and watch Lady Ming be wronged’—but if he couldn’t even handle a small matter like this, what use was he?

’The Emperor wouldn’t keep a useless person in Yaohua Palace.’ Just as he was racking his brains for a way to make trouble for the Six Departments and the Inner Workshop, a summons came from Ming Fei.

When he went over and heard what his mistress had to say, his eyes lit up.

’Of course! Why didn’t I think of that?’

’That bunch of bastards from the Six Departments and the Inner Workshop would never have expected Her Ladyship to come up with such a plan, would they?’

’You sons of bitches, just you wait. You’re going to get what’s coming to you!’