I Was Supposed to Be the Villainous Consort

She heard the Emperor calling her, but her brain had a mind of its own and went right back to sleep.

Seeing this, Feng Yi simply lay back down, pulling her into his arms and closing his eyes.

Besides, there was no court session to attend. He had worked hard all year; it was about time he had a proper rest.

There was still no movement from the bedchamber. Meng Jiuchang’s face was a mask of indecision, wondering if he should wake them. But there was no court session, and considering the considerable... activity in the chamber last night, he ultimately didn’t dare to call out.

He watched as the sun climbed higher in the sky. It wasn’t until high noon that he finally heard someone being summoned from inside the hall.

’Sigh, His Majesty is normally so self-disciplined, but meeting Song Jieyu has changed him.’

Meng Jiuchang grumbled internally, but his feet moved quickly as he hurried inside to help His Majesty get dressed.

Xiangxue and the other maids bypassed him and entered the bedchamber. Through the gauze curtains, he could faintly see figures moving about.

He deftly helped His Majesty dress while asking, "Emperor, shall I have lunch served now?"

Feng Yi hadn’t expected to sleep until lunchtime either. He chuckled and asked Song Yunzhao through the curtain, "What do you want for lunch?"

Meng Jiuchang froze for a moment. ’The Emperor is actually asking Song Jieyu what she wants to eat?’

’Shouldn’t it be that Song Jieyu eats whatever the Emperor eats?’

"Anything is fine. The Emperor can decide." Song Yunzhao was in no mood to order anything specific. She was starving and just wanted to get some food in her stomach.

Hearing this, Feng Yi looked at Meng Jiuchang and instructed, "Have the Imperial Kitchen prepare whatever they see fit."

Meng Jiuchang understood. ’Song Jieyu doesn’t order, so the Emperor just goes along with it. He’s spoiling Song Jieyu way too much.’

"Yes, this servant will send word at once." Meng Jiuchang complained inwardly, but he didn’t dare let any of it show on his face. He had to go and make the arrangements with a broad smile.

When Song Yunzhao emerged from the bedchamber, fully dressed, she saw the Emperor was wearing the clothes she had prepared for him—the sapphire-blue set she loved. Her eyes instantly lit up. She hurried over, circled the Emperor once, and said with a smile, "It really is handsome."

Feng Yi shot her a look. Who ever says whether an emperor is handsome or not?

Song Yunzhao just pressed her lips into a smile and tilted her head slightly to look at the Emperor.

Feng Yi gazed at her. Her eyes seemed to be filled with brilliant stars, and when she smiled, he couldn’t help but smile back.

Song Yunzhao’s face grew a little hot under Feng Yi’s gaze. She felt that the Emperor’s eyes were a bit too warm today, so scalding she could hardly bear it.

Feng Yi noticed Yun Zhao’s discomfort and saw her crimson cheeks. He smiled, averted his gaze, and took her hand to lead her to the outer chamber for their meal.

Meng Jiuchang had already led the servants in setting out lunch. Seeing the Emperor and Song Jieyu emerge, he quickly stood aside.

The two sat down. Song Yunzhao’s eyes immediately fell on the golden pumpkin congee. She ladled a small bowl, placed it beside the Emperor, and then served one for herself. With the first spoonful, the sweet fragrance of millet and pumpkin blended together. It was absolutely delicious.

"Tomorrow is New Year’s Eve."

Song Yunzhao looked at the Emperor. "It is. Do we have to keep vigil?"

Feng Yi paused. Keeping vigil held no meaning for him. Other people had company when they stayed up, but he was always alone.

Just as he was thinking this, he heard Song Yunzhao say, "Emperor, let’s keep vigil together. I used to do it alone and would always fall asleep. With the Emperor accompanying me, I definitely won’t fall asleep."

’So Yun Zhao was always alone, too.’

"Alright, I’ll accompany you."

Hearing the Emperor use the word "I," Song Yunzhao’s eyes flickered, and the smile on her face deepened. ’It seems I’ve become even more important in the Emperor’s heart. My efforts haven’t been in vain.’

"Then it’s settled. Just the two of us."

"A promise is a promise."

Song Yunzhao was overjoyed.

Meng Jiuchang’s face was wooden. Before the Emperor ascended the throne, he always spent New Year’s Eve alone in his room. After his ascension, he would have dinner with the concubines of the harem on New Year’s Eve, but he would still return to Taiji Palace alone.

But now, the Emperor was actually willing to keep the New Year’s vigil with Song Jieyu!

It was only at this moment that the way Meng Jiuchang looked at Song Jieyu truly, fundamentally changed.

’This was a woman who could make the Emperor keep vigil with her.’

Song Yunzhao had no idea Meng Jiuchang was having such a dramatic internal monologue. She only knew from the book that the Emperor always kept vigil alone. ’How lonely it must be for one person,’ she thought. ’Two is just right.’

’If she wanted to be the special one by the Emperor’s side, she naturally had to do special things.’

After lunch, both of them felt quite energetic and didn’t need an afternoon nap. So, they donned their cloaks and left Wangyou Palace for a walk along the palace path to aid their digestion.

Unexpectedly, they had only taken a few steps when they ran into Princess Consort Wan, who was leaning against a railing and admiring the scenery.

’What luck!’

Wangyou Palace was next door to Princess Consort Wan’s Roufu Palace, but Princess Consort Wan rarely went out. She never expected to run into her today!

Apparently, Princess Consort Wan hadn’t expected to meet the Emperor and Song Jieyu here either. Her eyes fell involuntarily on their joined hands, and the expression on her face stiffened.

’The Emperor had never held her hand, let alone walked hand-in-hand with her in public like this.’

Le Chun saw her mistress freeze and quickly gave her a gentle nudge. This was no time to be dazed in front of the Emperor.

Princess Consort Wan came to her senses, moved forward with graceful steps to curtsy, and said, "This concubine greets the Emperor. May the Emperor be well."

"Rise," Feng Yi said with a nod.

Song Yunzhao waited for Princess Consort Wan to rise before curtsying herself. "This concubine greets Lady Wanfei."

Princess Consort Wan wanted to force a smile, knowing she shouldn’t lose her composure in front of the Emperor, but she simply couldn’t. She could only say, "Song Jieyu, there is no need for such ceremony."

She truly couldn’t look at Song Yunzhao with any sense of peace or calm.

While curtsying, Song Yunzhao had smoothly withdrawn her hand from the Emperor’s grasp. Now she stood demurely by his side, looking nothing like the arrogant and domineering woman others in the palace perceived her to be.

The more she acted this way, the more of an eyesore Princess Consort Wan found her.

Suppressing the bitterness and jealousy in her heart, she was unwilling to let this chance encounter with the Emperor slip by. She forced a smile and said to him, "This concubine did not expect to meet the Emperor here. The Emperor looks a bit thinner. Though state affairs are demanding, you must also take care of your health."

Song Yunzhao looked at Princess Consort Wan in surprise. ’So Princess Consort Wan isn’t so proud in front of the Emperor after all. It’s hard to believe such considerate words are coming from her.’

Feng Yi felt a rare sense of awkwardness, especially with Song Yunzhao right beside him. His eyes flickered sideways, unintentionally glancing at Song Yunzhao’s face. Seeing her solemn expression, his heart skipped a beat.

The Emperor was in no mood to deal with Princess Consort Wan. After hearing her words, he said, "Song Jieyu has been constantly sending nourishing soups to Taiji Palace for Us to drink. Not only have We not lost weight, We’ve even gained some. Princess Consort Wan, your eyesight must be failing."

Princess Consort Wan: "..."

Song Yunzhao: "..."

Song Yunzhao was stunned. ’The Emperor actually said something like that! How much hatred is he trying to draw to me? Princess Consort Wan is about to be driven to tears by him!’