I Was Supposed to Be the Villainous Consort

"What is it that An Xiaoyi wishes to say?" Song Yunzhao was quite curious what this major side character wanted to talk to her about.

Hearing Ming Fei’s cavalier tone, An Shutong knew the concubine wasn’t taking her words to heart. She didn’t get angry, only offered a bitter smile and a soft sigh before speaking slowly. "I know that for someone of my status to enter the palace... it is actually a very awkward situation."

’Hearing this, alarm bells started ringing in Song Yunzhao’s head. Generally, people who start by dragging themselves through the mud to create a pitiful atmosphere always have a greater scheme. Why else would they belittle themselves?’

"If I said I never intended to enter the palace, I suppose Your Ladyship wouldn’t believe me."

’She was right—Song Yunzhao didn’t believe her for a second. After all, from the moment she was sent to the Empress Dowager’s side to be personally groomed, a woman as intelligent as An Shutong must have known what that implied.’

’Since An Shutong hadn’t objected back then, it meant she had given her silent consent.’

’This just proved that An Shutong had wanted to enter the palace all along. However, the existence of a "bug" like herself had probably complicated her path, throwing her plans off course. Now, she was likely trying a new strategy to achieve her goals.’

An Shutong gazed at Ming Fei’s unwavering, serene smile, her lips pressing into a thin line. With her eyes downcast, she continued, "It may be embarrassing to admit, Your Ladyship, but my family was granted the rank of Marquis entirely through the Empress Dowager’s favor. The men of my house, my father and brothers, lack any real talent or ability to make their own way. That is why they sought to send me into the palace, to fight for a better future."

Song Yunzhao’s brow furrowed deeper. ’Why is An Shutong telling me all this?’

’Which woman in this palace doesn’t have a sob story?’

’She herself had it rough. Her own mother and sister had screwed her over so badly they’d nearly left her a bloody mess. Who could she complain to about that? She couldn’t even sever ties with Mrs. Cai. When her father was made a Marquis, she had to swallow her disgust and watch Mrs. Cai bask in the glory. Was she happy about it?’

’Of course not.’

’But that was just how families worked. If you wanted to break away, you had to be prepared to shed a layer of skin. Sometimes, one layer wasn’t enough—it could cost you your life.’

’Song Yunzhao saw things clearly. Her own life was far more valuable than those of Mrs. Cai and Song Qinghan. The trade-off just wasn’t worth it.’

’If she wasn’t willing to risk her life, she could only stomach the disgust. What other choice was there?’

’Even Feng Yi was the Emperor, and he still had to put up with the Empress Dowager, his own mother. Whose life was easy?’

Song Yunzhao finally understood. An Shutong was playing the pity card, trying to win her sympathy.

’Unfortunately for her, sympathy was one thing Song Yunzhao didn’t have.’

Now that she had figured it out, Song Yunzhao had no desire to waste any more time with her. She spoke directly, "An Xiaoyi, I am not interested in the affairs of Gu’en Houfu. If you feel you have been wronged, you can speak to the Empress Dowager. As your paternal aunt, she will surely see that justice is done for you. What is the use of telling me these things? I am merely another concubine in the harem. I have no interest in the family matters of others."

An Shutong froze. Before she could react, she heard Ming Fei add, "The weather is quite hot. An Xiaoyi should head back early, lest you suffer from heatstroke. Anyone who didn’t know better might think I was bullying you."

With a flick of her sleeves, Song Yunzhao turned and left. Whatever An Shutong was plotting, she refused to play along. She was immune to both pleas and pressure.

As she watched Ming Fei’s retreating figure, An Shutong’s expression was blank for a moment, then shifted to humiliation and anger, before finally settling into resigned helplessness.

’Ming Fei was even more difficult to deal with than she had imagined.’

’She had thought that if she showed a little weakness, Ming Fei would at least hesitate. Who knew the woman’s heart was made of stone.’

"My Lady, Lady Ming’s words were so callous. Why did you have to put yourself through that?" Mu Qing’s eyes welled with tears. "Your life is already difficult enough, and now you have to humble yourself before Ming Fei, only for her to completely dismiss you!"

With a grim expression, An Shutong rose and began to walk back slowly. This was not at all what she had predicted. ’Anyone else would not have been so unmoved.’

’Ming Fei...’

An Shutong was getting a real headache. ’Why is it so difficult to find a way to appeal to her? How am I supposed to carve out a path for myself?’

People who couldn’t be swayed by kindness or coercion were the most difficult to handle. This was the first time An Shutong had ever met someone like that. For all her intelligence, she was at a loss.

Back at Yaohua Palace, the more Song Yunzhao thought about it, the more amusing she found the situation. ’I really didn’t expect An Shutong to try a move like that. And she’s so shameless about it, too. How old is she, anyway? To pull something like that at her age... she’s definitely no ordinary person.’

’She herself could do it only because she’d lived two lives.’

’I’m truly humbled in comparison.’

Feng Yi arrived at lunchtime to find Feng Ze sprawled out on the daybed by the window, fast asleep. He remarked with some surprise, "Why is he sleeping now?"

Song Yunzhao replied, "He played himself tired. Nanny Qi said he also went to bed a little late last night."

Feng Yi reached out and gently pinched his son’s little cheek. When the baby didn’t even stir, he lowered his voice and said, "He eats well and sleeps well. That’s a blessing."

Song Yunzhao was speechless.

Worried they might wake their son, the pair went to the outer room to speak in hushed tones. They kept their voices low during the meal as well, and afterward, they relocated to the study to continue their conversation, leaving Feng Ze in the care of Nanny Qi and Xiangxue.

Song Yunzhao told Feng Yi about her encounter with An Shutong, summarizing with, "She’s so strange. And since she’s the Empress Dowager’s niece, I can only try to avoid her."

Feng Yi’s expression darkened at her words. "If she tries anything, you don’t have to hold back. Deal with her as you see fit. I’ll handle the Empress Dowager."

’She loved this attitude of his,’ but what she said aloud was, "An Xiaoyi is a smart woman. Why would she do something that would invite open criticism? You’re just overthinking things. Besides, the Empress Dowager isn’t in the palace right now. She’s in Huayang Palace, and I’m in Yaohua Palace. It’s not easy for us to cross paths."

Feng Yi understood what Yun Zhao meant—she still intended to keep her distance from An Shutong. The more he thought about it, the more displeased he became, and he couldn’t stop himself from saying, "I know perfectly well what the Empress Dowager had in mind, leaving her behind. You don’t need to worry."

’He would not forget what Gu’en Houfu had done in the past.’

’The rank of Xiaoyi was his final concession. If the Empress Dowager and Gu’en Houfu were still not satisfied, then he would no longer hold back.’

Song Yunzhao’s eyes sparkled as she gazed at Feng Yi, her voice soft and gentle. "Of course I believe you. I’m beautiful, clever, and so well-behaved and understanding. Why would you ever choose her over me?"

Feng Yi was left speechless.

’His Zhaozhao was getting more and more shameless, but the more he saw it, the more he liked it.’

’Every single word she spoke resonated deep within him. He’d never felt that anyone could suit his tastes so perfectly. Even when she threw a tantrum, he found her adorable and couldn’t bring himself to be the least bit angry.’

’Sometimes, he would think that perhaps because his past had been so bitter, the heavens had sent Zhaozhao to his side as a reward.’

’The more he looked at her, the more he adored her. The more time they spent together, the more he felt he couldn’t be without her.’