I Was Supposed to Be the Villainous Consort

Though Song Yunzhao was no business genius, she at least understood the basics. The sales figures in the account books were dropping month after month, which was clearly not right.

Business in the Capital City was booming, and even the distribution business in the surrounding Prefecture and County that she had entrusted to Xie Jinshu was doing very well. So how could things change so drastically in the southern territories managed by the Ling Family?

Song Yunzhao figured there had to be a problem, but she wasn’t yet sure where it was.

With this in mind, she summoned Zhang Maoquan and asked him to recommend someone to go south and investigate the situation.

After Zhang Maoquan heard Ming Fei explain the matter, his expression soured. He mulled it over and said, "This servant has met Mr. Ling a few times, and he didn’t seem like a treacherous person. Since something is amiss, I will certainly help Your Ladyship resolve this problem. I have a man under me named Ma Sifang. He’s capable and cautious. He’s the right person for the job."

Song Yunzhao nodded. "Then send him. Tell him that no matter what he finds, he must secure evidence and not alert our target."

She had been planning to pay more taxes at the end of the year to bring the Emperor some glory. But with the Ling Family causing trouble like this, that was probably going to be difficult.

Entrusted with this important task, Ma Sifang left the Capital City that very night with a few men and headed south.

Song Yunzhao refused to believe Ling Yunhe was innocent. Even if he wasn’t directly involved, it was unlikely he was completely unaware.

Song Yunzhao wrote a letter to Xie Jinshu, asking him to sound out Ling Yunhe.

Xie Jinshu’s business had been growing ever larger. While one couldn’t call him the sole hegemon of the Capital City’s taverns and theaters, he held the largest market share and had the most famous name. As a result, his status in the Xie family had skyrocketed, and he had quietly become the leader of the younger generation.

All of this was thanks to Song Yunzhao, so Xie Jinshu took matters concerning Ming Fei very seriously. After reading the letter, his expression turned ugly. ’I was the one who recommended Ling Yunhe to Ming Fei, and now this is happening?’

Suppressing his anger, Xie Jinshu went directly to Ling Yunhe’s residence to find him, only to learn he wasn’t home. He asked a member of the Ling Family and found out that Ling Yunhe had left the capital half a month ago.

Xie Jinshu was a smart man and faintly sensed something was wrong. He left a message for the Ling Family, telling Ling Yunhe to find him for a drink after he returned to the Capital City.

Xie Jinshu first wrote a letter to inform Ming Fei that Ling Yunhe had left the city. He also guaranteed that he would investigate the matter thoroughly and not disappoint Her Ladyship’s high hopes. He then entrusted the letter to Madam Song to be delivered into the palace.

When the letter from the Song Family arrived, Song Yunzhao did not get to see Madam Song. With the Emperor out of the capital and the Empress Dowager keeping a close eye on Yun Zhao, Madam Song didn’t want to cause her any trouble. So, she avoided drawing attention by entering the palace at such a time. Instead, she had the letter given to Zhang Maoquan to pass along.

Song Yunzhao was a bit surprised after reading the letter. ’Ling Yunhe left the capital half a month ago? Then who from the Ling Family delivered the account books to the palace?’

Xie Jinshu’s letter stated clearly that the members of the Ling Family remaining in the Capital City appeared to be acting normally, as if Ling Yunhe’s departure was just another business trip.

However, Song Yunzhao had a gut feeling that things were not as simple as they seemed.

She would just have to wait until Ling Yunhe returned to the capital. She could afford to wait that long. Besides, the men she had sent out also needed time to investigate and return with the truth.

The Mid-Autumn Festival was fast approaching. Since the Emperor was not in the palace this year, Song Yunzhao, Consort Shu, and the others discussed it and decided against holding a palace banquet. The Emperor’s northern tour was arduous and dangerous; how could they possibly host a banquet and enjoy themselves in the Capital City?

Given the bad blood and deep-seated animosity between the Empress Dowager and Song Yunzhao, if Song Yunzhao were to go to Shouci Palace, the Empress Dowager would likely insist on holding the banquet just out of spite. Princess Consort Wan was someone who didn’t get involved in matters, so only Consort Shu could make the trip.

Consort Shu was left speechless.

The Empress Dowager had just set a trap for her, and now she had to go and greet her with a smile. It was hard to put her current frustration into words.

’Ever since I started associating with Song Yunzhao, my temper has really mellowed out.’

Consort Shu had to give herself a thorough pep talk. ’This isn’t about bowing to the Empress Dowager. It’s for my own reputation and to curry favor with the Emperor. It costs nothing to lower my head for a moment.’ With that, she held her head high and marched to Shouci Palace.

In Shouci Palace, An Xiaoyi was also present. Upon seeing Consort Shu, she immediately came forward to pay her respects.

Looking at An Xiaoyi, who had returned to the palace so quietly, Consort Shu thought, ’She probably doesn’t want to show her face lately. She’s become a laughingstock, so of course she has to lie low for a while.’

’I remember how her face was wreathed in smiles when she left the capital with the Emperor’s entourage. Now, her face looks swollen with shame.’

’Sigh, that’s life. You really have to keep your eyes open and think long-term.’

"An Xiaoyi, there’s no need for such ceremony. You may rise. Has the Empress Dowager not yet risen for the day?" Consort Shu asked as she took her seat.

An Shutong replied with her head lowered, "The Empress Dowager has been feeling unwell these past few days, so her afternoon nap has been a bit longer. Nanny Yao has already gone in to announce you. Lady Shufei, please wait a moment."

Consort Shu had no intention of making things difficult for An Shutong. As long as she wasn’t provoked, they could all get along peacefully.

An Shutong had tea served and sat beside her. She listened as Consort Shu asked if the scenery on the road from the palace was nice. It didn’t sound malicious, just a simple question about the views outside. She breathed a small sigh of relief and said respectfully, "I was in a carriage the entire way and truly had no time to get out and enjoy the scenery. Please forgive me, Your Ladyship."

An Shutong was telling the truth. The Emperor traveled on horseback, which was much faster than a carriage. With the Emperor moving so quickly, how could she, a mere concubine, leisurely trail behind? She could only push on desperately to keep up.

Thinking back on those days, An Shutong felt so wronged she wanted to cry. She never wanted to ride in a carriage again for the rest of her life.

Consort Shu said with a touch of regret, "I’ve never been to the north. I hear the scenery in the Northern Land is vastly different from the Capital City, with wide-open skies, vast clouds, and herds of cattle and sheep. What a pity."

Hearing this, An Shutong gave a bitter smile. "It is I who was not so fortunate."

Consort Shu glanced at An Shutong and said slowly, "It’s not your fault. Beiming suddenly stirred up trouble, and the Emperor was busy taking command of the situation. He sent you back to the palace because he was worried you might be in danger. An Xiaoyi, there’s no need to blame yourself."

An Shutong froze, looking up at Consort Shu. It was hard to reconcile the person comforting her now with the Consort Shu she had first met.

These days, Consort Shu was living a comfortable life. She had money, leisure, and power. Aside from the Empress Dowager, who annoyed her, there was no one else to make her unhappy. When a person’s life is going well, they tend to be a bit more tolerant of everyone.

Therefore, Consort Shu didn’t pay much mind to An Shutong’s surprised gaze.

Just as An Shutong was about to say something more, the Empress Dowager emerged, supported by Nanny Yao’s hand.

Consort Shu and An Shutong rose to greet her. "We pay our respects to the Empress Dowager. May Your Ladyship enjoy good health."

The Empress Dowager sat down with a stern expression. Only then did she speak. "Consort Shu, what a rare guest. You may rise."

Listening to that sarcastic tone, Consort Shu thought, ’No wonder Song Yunzhao didn’t want to come. If she had, she would have probably started a fight with the Empress Dowager on the spot.’