I Was Supposed to Be the Villainous Consort

Anshun and his men escorted Feng Ze away. Feng Ze knew Jincui Garden well, having spent a long summer retreat there, so with a quick turn, he darted away.

Song Yunzhao paid no mind to the subtle glances from the surrounding concubines. She watched her son leave, then turned to Consort Shu and Princess Consort Wan beside her and said with a smile, "The Eldest Prince is still too young. It would be terrible if he entered the Buddhist Hall and offended the Buddha."

Princess Consort Wan knew Song Yunzhao’s words were meant for the Empress Dowager. She nodded and agreed, "A child this young is at his most playful. It’s better not to restrain him and just let him go play."

Consort Shu glanced at the Empress Dowager’s expression and immediately added, "Ming Fei is so thoughtful. With people watching over the Eldest Prince, you have nothing to worry about. We should head to the Buddha Fragrance Pavilion first." After speaking, she looked at the Empress Dowager. "Your Majesty, allow me to support you."

The Empress Dowager said coolly, "Consort Shu, you should look after yourself first. Having An Xiaoyi is enough for me."

Consort Shu was just making a gesture. ’As if I really wanted to support the Empress Dowager. It’s so tiring!’ Hearing the Empress Dowager’s words, she was secretly delighted and looked at An Shutong. "An Xiaoyi, you must be careful while attending to Her Majesty."

An Shutong obediently replied, "Rest assured, Lady Shufei. I will be most careful."

Leaning on An Shutong’s hand, the Empress Dowager impatiently walked on ahead. The rest of the retinue followed slowly behind. The Buddha Fragrance Pavilion wasn’t particularly high, and the steps weren’t steep. The path was lined with flowers and trees, surrounding them with lush greenery and waves of refreshing coolness.

The group ascended the stairs, one after another. The Empress Dowager led the way, with the three consorts right behind her, and the rest following in procession.

Climbing a mountain on the Double Ninth Festival was supposed to be a joyous occasion, but no one looked particularly happy. The Emperor wasn’t there, they had to climb a mountain under the blazing sun, and it was tiring, arduous, and without any reward. Who could possibly be happy?

Before they even reached the Buddha Fragrance Pavilion, the scent of incense was already wafting over. Song Yunzhao looked up, but from her angle, she couldn’t really see anything. All she could make out was a corner of a red wall, partially hidden amidst the greenery.

The abbot of the Buddha Fragrance Pavilion had been waiting. Spotting the procession from afar, he came down to greet them. Song Yunzhao had been at the summer retreat for two months but had never come to the Buddha Fragrance Pavilion to burn a single stick of incense, so she had truly never met this abbot.

Clad in a kasaya robe, he had a kind and benevolent face. He greeted the Empress Dowager with his palms pressed together, discussing Buddhist teachings with her as he led the group up the path.

A sheen of sweat had already formed on Song Yunzhao’s forehead. She took out a handkerchief and dabbed at it gently. Leaning on Xiangxue’s hand, she ascended the final steps and finally stood before the Buddha Fragrance Pavilion.

It wasn’t just Song Yunzhao; the other concubines’ complexions were not much better. Their faces were glistening with sweat, and they were all discreetly using their handkerchiefs to tidy their appearance.

Song Yunzhao even faintly heard Lu Zhixue complaining, but Han Jinyi quickly quieted her after just a few words.

The view from this spot was breathtaking—a distant, shimmering lake with small boats swaying on its surface and vast fields of lotuses flaunting their beauty. It was a sight that soothed the soul and broadened the heart.

After the Empress Dowager finished her discussion on Buddhist teachings with the abbot, she entered the Buddhist Hall to pay respects to the Buddha.

The others followed. Song Yunzhao knelt on a prayer cushion, looking up at the statue of the Buddha. The light inside the hall was dim, making it impossible to see the statue’s face clearly. The way it was half-hidden in shadow, however, made it all the more awe-inspiring.

Song Yunzhao had once believed in neither Buddhism nor Daoism. ’Life is all about your own hard work and struggle,’ she used to think. ’What’s the use of believing in all that ethereal nonsense?’

But then, she had transmigrated.

’Who knew if there was some connection in the mysterious workings of fate?’

She piously kowtowed to the Buddha. ’If it’s possible, please send me back.’

’It would be even better if I could take my kid with me.’

Song Yunzhao had just finished her kowtow and her wish when, before she could pull herself from her thoughts, she heard the Empress Dowager say, "Since you have come to worship the Buddha, you must do so with a sincere heart. When you return, each of you will copy a roll of Buddhist Scripture to offer before the Buddha and accumulate blessings."

Song Yunzhao’s mind cleared instantly. She finally understood why the Empress Dowager had been so insistent on coming.

She looked up at the Buddha and sneered internally. ’Look at your devotee, using your name to harm others. If you were truly divine, you’d deliver some justice.’

The Empress Dowager had spoken with such self-righteousness, and her reasoning was so sound that not even Yun Zhao could easily refute it. Besides, copying scriptures for the Buddha was an offering. Even if word got out, no one would think the Empress Dowager was deliberately making things difficult for them.

’The name of Buddhism really is so convenient to use.’

Song Yunzhao’s face showed nothing. She replied, "Yes," along with the others, swallowing her anger for the time being.

After leaving the Buddha Fragrance Pavilion, they proceeded to Longevity Mountain for the climb. The Empress Dowager clearly enjoyed being the center of attention and demanded that everyone accompany her.

Song Yunzhao maintained her smile, sent Xiangxue to check on Feng Ze, and then continued forward with the group.

As they climbed the mountain, the group’s formation began to break. Those with more stamina walked faster, while those in poorer shape moved more slowly.

Not wanting to spoil her mood by looking at the Empress Dowager’s face, Song Yunzhao deliberately fell behind, climbing slowly with Lu Zhixue.

Consort Shu, who had remained by the Empress Dowager’s side, was practically green in the face.

Song Yunzhao had slipped to the back. Princess Consort Wan, being in poor health, had already excused herself to rest halfway up. ’Among the three senior consorts, only I am left. I can’t very well just abandon the Empress Dowager.’

’I’ve made up my mind,’ she thought. ’When we get back, I’m going to make those two treat me to a banquet.’

Song Yunzhao hadn’t walked much farther when she saw Princess Consort Wan, who was sitting in a stone pavilion halfway up the mountain. Her face was flushed, and she was panting slightly; she didn’t look well.

By contrast, Yun Zhao was neither red-faced nor out of breath, which made her feel slightly guilty.

Princess Consort Wan: ...

Song Yunzhao greeted Princess Consort Wan, then made a quick getaway with Lu Zhixue.

After she left, Princess Consort Wan sighed to Le Chun, "Ming Fei really lives so freely."

’Even with my poor health, I wouldn’t dare just fall behind like that. I have to wait until I truly can’t keep up before I can excuse myself. With my family’s fall from grace, I don’t have the backing to stand up to the Empress Dowager.’

’But Ming Fei is different. Her family’s power is on the rise. Her father was not only ennobled as a Marquis but also serves as Chief of Staff. Her eldest paternal uncle, though retired, was granted the title of Ning’an Bo. On top of that, Ming Fei’s elder cousin, the son of Ning’an Bo, was personally selected by the Emperor as the third-place scholar in the imperial examinations. With such a promising future, he also married the daughter of Princess Fuke.’

’The Song Family is like the rising sun, and Ming Fei has the Eldest Prince to secure her position.’

’I remember when Ming Fei first entered the palace. Among all the newcomers, what did she have to compete with besides her pretty face? And look at her now.’

’For the Song Family to be where it is today, Ming Fei deserves at least half the credit. The other half is due to the Song Family’s own efforts.’

’And then there’s my family...’

Princess Consort Wan was a sensitive soul, and her heart grew heavier with sorrow. Once, her Yao family had also been one of the most prominent families in the Capital City.

’Still,’ she thought, ’compared to Wang Zhaorong, whose father lost his position entirely, my father was only demoted to a remote region. At least he still holds an official post.’

’All I can hope for now is that my brothers will distinguish themselves and that the Yao family might one day see a resurgence.’

Suddenly, a cry of alarm echoed from the distance. Princess Consort Wan’s heart leaped in shock. She quickly stood up and asked, "What’s happened?"