I Was Supposed to Be the Villainous Consort

If she was going to do this, she had to do it right. She couldn’t let the Concubine’s efforts be for nothing.

And Feng Xiaoyuan’s contribution couldn’t be ignored either. Why had Chen Chengyi’s maid gone to Feng Xiaoyuan for help?

It was, of course, because Feng Xiaoyuan was a good person too.

’There’s no problem with a bunch of good people flocking together.’

Nanny Yu immediately agreed. She then brought up the matter of the Empress Dowager. "Although the traveling palace isn’t too far from the Capital City, the weather is brutally cold. I’m afraid a journey like this would be too much for the Empress Dowager’s health. Besides, the Empress Dowager once swore a solemn oath to mourn the late Emperor for a full six years and copy the Buddhist Scripture throughout those six years. How can these courtiers force the Empress Dowager to be someone who breaks her word?"

Song Yunzhao looked at Nanny Yu, pleased. "You have a point, Nanny. We absolutely cannot allow the Empress Dowager to become the kind of person who goes back on her promises."

’The older, the wiser.’ Nanny Yu’s words were sound; she had seized the moral high ground.

The courtiers could talk all they wanted about reuniting the Empress Dowager with the Emperor to enjoy familial bliss, but what about the Empress Dowager’s reputation?

An idea formed in Song Yunzhao’s mind. But she couldn’t just run to the Emperor and say this. Wouldn’t that be protesting too much, a dead giveaway?

The image she had so carefully crafted in the Emperor’s mind could not be allowed to crumble. Besides, the Emperor was furious with the courtiers. He would probably come looking for her to vent his frustrations, so all she had to do was wait.

Nanny Yu went to handle the matter regarding Chen Chengyi. Spreading news was a delicate art; it couldn’t look intentional, yet it had to become common knowledge. That would take some effort. This time, Nanny Yu enlisted Anshun’s help.

Song Yunzhao spent some time in her study reading storybooks. Zhang Maoquan had delivered quite a few this time. Because of the recent snow disaster, people couldn’t go out to work, so many new stories had accumulated. They were a good way for her to pass the time.

As the sky gradually darkened, she rose and returned to her bedchamber. She changed into a warm-hued dress; its pale yellow color looked gentle and soft under the lamplight.

She took down her hair, having Xiangxue style it into a bun that looked deceptively casual yet did nothing to diminish her beauty. She then selected the jade hairpin the Emperor had given her on his last visit and pinned it in place.

Looking at her reflection—casually elegant yet exquisitely detailed—she nodded in satisfaction. After a final thought, she selected a pair of pearl earrings. The pearls, the size of a thumbnail, dangled beside her cheeks, adding another touch of softness to her look.

Xiangxue carefully put the other accessories away in a jewelry box and tidied the vanity. Just as she finished, she heard the sounds of formal greetings from outside and quickly rose to exit.

Song Yunzhao had expected the Emperor might come, but she hadn’t been certain. Now that he was actually here, she couldn’t suppress the wave of joy that washed over her. She fluttered toward him like a butterfly. "Your Majesty, you arrived without sending word! This servant could have prepared."

Feng Yi had been in a foul mood all day. But upon seeing Song Yunzhao’s face, her delight so genuine it seemed to spill from her very eyes, his own icy thoughts began to thaw.

"I wanted to see you, so I came," Feng Yi said, shrugging off his outer cloak. Zhang Maoquan immediately stepped forward to take it, then bowed his head and retreated from the room.

Song Yunzhao took the Emperor’s hand. It was a bit cold, so she cradled it in both of hers. "The weather is so cold. If Your Majesty wishes to see me, you only need to send a messenger. I can go to the front hall."

Hearing this, Feng Yi looked at Song Yunzhao. "And you wouldn’t be cold, walking all that way?"

"I can take a warm sedan chair. Your Majesty would surely find it too troublesome and refuse to ride in one," Song Yunzhao said.

The chill from Feng Yi’s fingertips slowly faded in the warmth of Yun Zhao’s palm. ’If only everyone were as considerate as she is,’ he thought, ’my life as Emperor would be much more pleasant.’

"I couldn’t bear to let you suffer the cold, either," Feng Yi said with a smile.

Song Yunzhao: ...

’That line was good enough to pass!’

"Has Your Majesty had dinner?"

Feng Yi nodded. "I had a little something, but I didn’t have much of an appetite." He then looked at Yun Zhao. "And you?"

"This servant didn’t know Your Majesty was coming, so I ate some time ago," Song Yunzhao said with a smile. To maintain her figure, she usually ate very little for dinner. However, when the Emperor came, she would always eat a bit more to keep him company.

"Then just sit and talk with me for a while."

Song Yunzhao nodded. ’The designated confidante is now on duty.’

"Did something happen, Your Majesty? You don’t seem very happy," Song Yunzhao asked with concern. "Is it about the Empress Dowager’s return to the palace?"

The Emperor glanced sideways at Song Yunzhao. "You’ve heard?"

Song Yunzhao nodded. ’The harem is as porous as a sieve; it’s not at all difficult to find things out.’

’The Emperor has no intention of cleaning up the harem at the moment. He’s clearly not planning to act now, which means he must be saving up for a big move.’