I Was Supposed to Be the Villainous Consort

Yulu brought in the tea and presented it, then retreated to stand guard at the door. Across from her was Consort Qin’s palace maid, Fang Ping.

Song Yunzhao had no desire to beat around the bush with Qin Xiyue. She looked at her and asked directly, "Consort Qin, is there a particular reason you’ve come today?"

Qin Xiyue looked up at Song Yunzhao and saw that her complexion was rosy and her features were relaxed. It was the kind of expression one only has when living a carefree and pleasant life.

In contrast, her own life was far more stressful, completely lacking such ease.

Qin Xiyue impassively withdrew her gaze, her expression remaining gentle and soft. She said in a low voice, "Everyone in the palace is arranging flowers today. We all want to add a splash of color to the Mid-Autumn Festival banquet, so I have taken the liberty of inviting you, Concubine, to join in the fun."

Though Song Yunzhao’s expression didn’t change, her heart grew cold. ’Just as I expected, she’s after me.’

In the book, the one who had bad luck with the flower arranging was Consort Lu. Now, she had replaced Consort Lu as the greatest enemy in Qin Xiyue’s heart. She had thought there was at least a bit of goodwill between her and Qin Xiyue, and that she wouldn’t be plotted against so soon.

’But now... heh. This is quite the slap in the face.’

Song Yunzhao immediately adjusted her mindset. Since Qin Xiyue dared to plot against her, she certainly wouldn’t be polite anymore. She had previously suspected Qin Xiyue might have made a move against her, but it was only a suspicion with no proof.

’But now it’s different. She’s delivered herself right to my doorstep, and so politely too.’

"I know nothing about flower arranging, and I have no interest in it. I appreciate the sentiment, Consort Qin," Song Yunzhao said with a helpless look on her face.

Qin Xiyue had long expected that Song Yunzhao would refuse, so she said, "We call it flower arranging, but it’s really just for fun, a way for everyone to get together and celebrate the festival. If you’re worried about not doing a good job, Concubine, you can always find a helper."

Song Yunzhao looked at Qin Xiyue’s sincere expression. ’If I didn’t know the plot,’ she thought, ’I really would be fooled by this act. She was a perfectly fine female lead in the book. How did she end up like this?’

"That won’t be necessary. If word got out, people might think I was bullying others with my status," Song Yunzhao refused again. ’I know Qin Xiyue has ill intentions. If I still agree, wouldn’t that make me a fool?’

"It’s just flower arranging. How could that be seen as bullying with your status?" Qin Xiyue said with a smile. "You don’t need to worry so much, Concubine. It’s just for a bit of fun."

Hearing this, Song Yunzhao’s face showed a hint of displeasure. She looked at Qin Xiyue and said, "Consort Qin, I’ve already said I’m not interested. Your insistence that I participate... could it be you have other plans in mind?"

Qin Xiyue froze. A flicker of guilt crossed her face, but it vanished so quickly one might have thought it was an illusion.

Song Yunzhao had been staring intently at Qin Xiyue, so she certainly didn’t think it was an illusion.

"I just thought this was a rather interesting activity. Since you have no interest, Concubine, then let’s forget it." Qin Xiyue wore an apologetic expression. "In that case, I won’t disturb you any longer."

Song Yunzhao didn’t respond to that. Instead, she said, "Show her out."

Yulu heard the command and immediately entered, saying to Qin Xiyue, "This way, Consort Qin."

Qin Xiyue performed a curtsy before walking out.

Watching her retreating figure, Song Yunzhao thought, ’As expected of someone who could be the female lead. She still remembers to be perfectly courteous even at a time like this.’

’Tsk. How infuriating.’

After sending Qin Xiyue away, Song Yunzhao called Xiangxue in and asked, "How many concubines in the harem are participating in the flower arranging?"

Xiangxue, who had been ordered to secretly monitor the matter, immediately replied, "Besides the three concubines, Lu Pin, and Han Jinyi, basically everyone else is participating."

Song Yunzhao thought, ’This is also a bit different from the book. In the book, Qin Xiyue didn’t get this many people involved. It seems she’s really gone all out for this plan against me.’

She gave a cold laugh and said to Xiangxue, "Have someone keep a close watch on the people of Huayang Palace."

"Yes, you can rest assured, Concubine," Xiangxue immediately nodded in agreement.

That night, the Emperor once again did not visit the harem. Troubled by the day’s events, Song Yunzhao couldn’t sleep for a while, tossing and turning for who knows how long before she finally closed her eyes.

The next day was the Mid-Autumn Festival. She rose early. If there were an Empress or an Imperial Concubine in the palace, noble women would typically be invited to a banquet for the Mid-Autumn Festival.

But as it stood, the harem had neither an Empress nor an Imperial Concubine. The three concubines wanted to host the noble women, but the Emperor had not issued a decree, so this year’s Mid-Autumn Festival could only be celebrated by those within the palace.

’With no one truly in charge, it was a breeding ground for chaos, which gave Qin Xiyue her opportunity.’

After breakfast, Song Yunzhao went to her study. Anshun came to report that Song Bomming had received the examination papers. With the Autumn Examination just a few days away, he and Zhong Yingzhang were busy preparing. Furthermore, with the festival today, they were not planning on leaving their residence for the next few days.

Song Yunzhao nodded. It was surely the Matron’s idea. With the examination so imminent, staying put and keeping a low profile was the top priority.

Since the exam papers were in hand, Song Yunzhao had nothing more to worry about. She just had to wait until after the Autumn Examination, when Song Bomming would discover that the papers he received were nearly identical to the real exam questions. Then, her aunt could enter the palace to inform her.

Then she could begin her performance for the Emperor.

But before that, she had to solve the matter of the flower arranging first.

’Honestly, for a minor cannon fodder character like me, life is just too miserable. There’s no justice in this world!’

Song Yunzhao didn’t want to fight alone, which made her think of Feng Yunjin. The last time Feng Yunjin had come to see her, she was clearly still neutral and had not sided with Qin Xiyue.

’If that’s the case, then Feng Yunjin can still be of use.’

"Qingfeng."

"This servant is here." Qingfeng immediately lifted the curtain and entered. "Master, what are your orders?"

"Do you have any contact with the people around Feng Xiaoyuan?" Song Yunzhao asked.

Qingfeng shook her head. "Feng Xiaoyuan lives alone in Yanqing Palace, and the Palace Attendants of Qingxin Hall rarely come out. However, Feng Xiaoyuan has come to see you a few times, Master, and I have had some dealings with her attendant, Ai Ju."

Song Yunzhao wasn’t surprised. In the book, Feng Yunjin was known as Qin Xiyue’s strategist, so naturally she would have a resourceful and cautious nature. She looked at Qingfeng and said, "Find an excuse to see Ai Ju and pass on a message. Tell her this: ’Though the flowers of the Mid-Autumn Festival bloom in full splendor, what flourishes to the extreme must then decay.’"

Qingfeng quickly memorized the words. She didn’t dare ask what they meant, figuring her master had her own reasons for doing things.

Qingfeng thought for a moment, then returned to her room to grab an embroidery pattern. She headed for Yanqing Palace, and when she ran into other Palace Attendants on the way, she told them she was going to ask Ai Ju for advice on her drawing technique for patterns.

Ai Ju was well known in the palace for being skilled at drawing patterns, so when Qingfeng said this, no one grew suspicious.

After meeting with Qingfeng, a completely bewildered Ai Ju went to see Feng Xiaoyuan and repeated Qingfeng’s words verbatim.

After hearing the message, Feng Yunjin frowned slightly. She pondered for a moment, and her expression changed. She looked at Ai Ju and said, "Go and bring me the flower vase that Chen Guoji sent over yesterday. Let me have a look at it."