I Was Supposed to Be the Villainous Consort

Feng Yi hadn’t announced he was coming for supper, so the Imperial Kitchen had to rush his portion over to Yaohua Palace. Song Yunzhao added another soup to the meal. By now, Feng Ze could eat quite neatly all by himself.

Song Yunzhao had the Inner Workshop craft him his own set of bowls and plates. They were child-sized, small but exquisite, and Feng Ze adored them. Now, not only did he not fuss about eating, he was quite interested in it and loved to feed himself.

As Feng Ze ate with gusto, Yun Zhao occasionally placed a helping of food into his small bowl. She then took the opportunity to tell Feng Yi what had happened to Xu Mingying.

Throughout her explanation, she maintained a fair and impartial tone so that Feng Yi wouldn’t sense any bias. She laid out the details of the matter with perfect clarity.

Feng Yi’s expression naturally soured. Noble Lady Xu was the daughter of the Marquis Wuxin. It seemed the Empress Dowager was finally taking out her anger on the daughter for the trouble the Marquis Wuxin Mansion had caused before.

Song Yunzhao feigned a sigh. "Noble Lady Xu truly has it rough. It’s been one misfortune after another for her lately. I think it would be best if she just stayed indoors to recuperate for the rest of the winter and didn’t leave her residence."

’If she were first confined under the pretext of recuperating—by the Emperor’s decree—the Empress Dowager wouldn’t dare summon her for more torment.’

Feng Yi looked at Yun Zhao. "The Marquis Wuxin Mansion has never been kind to you, yet you speak up for their daughter."

Song Yunzhao immediately adopted a serious expression to profess her loyalty. "My issue with the Marquis Wuxin Mansion is a personal grudge. Now, I am one of the three concubines in charge of palace affairs. How could I let my private feelings interfere with my public duties? Besides, Noble Lady Xu has been nothing but proper and has never overstepped her bounds since entering the palace. I have no quarrel with her. Moreover, it was you, Your Majesty, who elevated me. If I were to mix public and private matters, wouldn’t that give people reason to talk? It’s one thing if it’s about me, but I cannot allow Your Majesty’s reputation to be sullied in any way because of this."

’Even if they were close, she couldn’t skip out on the necessary flattery. He was the Emperor, after all.’

’The thought of having to flatter him for the rest of her life made her feel a little hopeless. This life wasn’t easy.’

Feng Yi chuckled, amused by Yun Zhao. She was always so considerate of him.

"I think your earlier suggestion is an excellent one. Let Noble Lady Xu recuperate in Zhaoyang Palace until the New Year." Feng Yi agreed with Yun Zhao’s wishes. She had a kind heart, and he was willing to protect that kindness. "As for the Empress Dowager..."

Before Feng Yi could finish his sentence, Xiangxue hurried in, her expression troubled. "This servant greets the Emperor and Your Ladyship."

Seeing Xiangxue’s troubled expression, Song Yunzhao asked urgently, "What’s happened that you’re in such a rush?"

Xiangxue didn’t dare delay and reported at once, "Consort Shu summoned An Xiaoyi to Mingguang Palace and made her stand outside. Just now, An Xiaoyi fainted."

Song Yunzhao: ...

Feng Yi: ...

’Song Yunzhao truly hadn’t expected Consort Shu to do something like this. But it was a brilliant move. She had long found An Shutong unbearable, but now that she herself had a son, she couldn’t make any rash moves without giving people cause to talk.’

’But what would Feng Yi think?’

Song Yunzhao immediately began to defend Consort Shu. "Your Majesty, Sister Shu was likely just furious about what happened to Noble Lady Xu and took her anger out on An Xiaoyi. An Xiaoyi was at Shouci Palace yesterday, and she is the Empress Dowager’s own niece. If she had been willing to put in a good word for Noble Lady Xu, to try and persuade the Empress Dowager, perhaps Noble Lady Xu wouldn’t have become so gravely ill. Sister Shu has always been a person of clear-cut loyalties and enmities. I’m afraid she was truly incensed this time. After all, it’s a matter of Noble Lady Xu’s life."

Feng Yi glanced at Yun Zhao. She spoke with such earnest sincerity; one could hardly believe these two used to fight like cats and dogs.

"I’m not angry," Feng Yi said irritably. "It’s just that Consort Shu is far too impetuous."

’Song Yunzhao thought to herself, ’If one repays injury with kindness, with what does one repay kindness?’’

’Though having a son gave her more standing, it had also put a leash on her. Everything she did now had to be for the sake of her son and the Emperor’s reputation. She couldn’t act recklessly. It wasn’t nearly as satisfying as what Consort Shu had just done.’

’It was so gratifying. She would have to get Wang Zhaorong and Princess Consort Wan together with Consort Shu for a celebratory drink later.’

"Standing outside for two hours in this cold... never mind a delicate woman like Noble Lady Xu, even a battle-hardened soldier might not be able to withstand it." Song Yunzhao sighed. "Today it’s Noble Lady Xu. Who knows who it will be tomorrow? Sister Shu did this to put a stop to this trend. She may have been a bit hasty, but her heart is in the right place."

"Alright, I get it. You can stop defending Consort Shu. I’m not going to punish her." Feng Yi didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. Still, there was some truth to what Yun Zhao said. Since Consort Shu had already acted, he could use this as a pretext. He turned his head to look at Yun Zhao. "You should stay here. I will go handle this matter."

’If Yun Zhao were to get involved, the Empress Dowager would likely direct all her fury at her.’

’Of course Song Yunzhao didn’t want to go. The moment she appeared, she’d become a lightning rod for hatred. The Empress Dowager would see her and fixate on her, pinning all the blame on her head.’

Song Yunzhao said quickly, "Finish your supper first. There’s no rush."

’She’s fainted, but there are Imperial Physicians for that. The Emperor isn’t a doctor.’

Feng Yi resumed his meal. He looked up to see his son’s big eyes darting slyly back and forth between him and Yun Zhao. He reached out, picked up a meatball, and placed it in the boy’s bowl. "Eat up," he said.

Feng Ze’s attention immediately fixed on the meatball. Yun Zhao smiled and refilled Feng Yi’s bowl with congee. "You don’t know how late you’ll be tonight. You should eat more."

Feng Yi didn’t refuse her kind gesture. After he finished his meal, he departed for Mingguang Palace with Meng Jiuchang and his retinue.

After seeing him off, Song Yunzhao immediately summoned Xiangxue. "Send people to listen in on what’s happening over there. Have them report back immediately if anything happens. Make sure they aren’t noticed by anyone from Shouci Palace. Tell them to be careful."

"Yes, Mistress, rest assured. I’ve already sent a few little palace maids over." Xiangxue’s face was too recognizable; she’d be identified the moment she arrived.

Song Yunzhao nodded. She went to play with Feng Ze for a while to help him digest his supper, then coaxed him to go to sleep.

Feng Ze had developed a habit of listening to a short story before bed, and Monkey Sun was his current favorite. Song Yunzhao had already transcribed half of *Journey to the West* from memory for him.

’She wasn’t a true genius with a photographic memory, so she couldn’t possibly transcribe the original book word-for-word. But she told the stories vividly, and that was enough.’

After they played for a while, Nanny Qi took the Eldest Prince for his bath and changed him into his sleep clothes. Yun Zhao then took her freshly-written storybook to tell her son a tale. Halfway through, Feng Ze could no longer fight off his drowsiness and drifted into sleep.

Song Yunzhao tucked the covers around her son, instructed the Palace Attendants to watch over him carefully, and then departed.

She had just returned to her rooms when Xiangxue came to report. "The Empress Dowager went to Zhaoyang Palace to hold Consort Shu accountable! She’s arguing with the Emperor and demanding an explanation. The Emperor, in turn, told the Empress Dowager to first give a clear account of what happened to Noble Lady Xu. They’re in the middle of a huge fight right now."

’Song Yunzhao gave the Empress Dowager a mental thumbs-up. Being his birth mother certainly gave her confidence.’

’She just wondered how many more times she could get away with causing trouble like this.’