I Was Supposed to Be the Villainous Consort

Hearing Yan Yu admit her fault directly without making excuses, Song Yunzhao wasn’t surprised in the least. ’If she weren’t here to apologize, what would be the point of her visit?’

"Palace Supervisor, you overstate the matter. It’s only a few palace attendants. It’s not as if I have no one to serve me. Even if arrangements are a bit lacking, it just means Nanny Yu and the others will have to work a little harder."

Hearing this, Yan Yu thought, ’The rumors are true. Song Jieyu is not one to suffer a slight.’ She immediately adopted a sincere expression and said, "For Your Ladyship to be inconvenienced is this servant’s failure. However, it was not intentional. The Palace Justice Department is truly short on available palace attendants."

Song Yunzhao said nothing upon hearing this, merely watching Yan Yu in silence.

Without waiting for Song Yunzhao to inquire further, Yan Yu continued, "The Emperor, in his consideration for the common people, waived the selection of new palace attendants last year. As a result, the Palace Justice Department is indeed short-staffed. With the new ladies entering the palace after this year’s selection, the shortage has become even more acute. A few days ago, the department managed to gather a few attendants. Just then, Qin Wan Yi was promoted, and Huayang Palace came asking for staff. I had just finished selecting a few people and found it difficult to refuse, so I had to let Huayang Palace take them first."

Song Yunzhao had not known the story behind this. She tilted her head slightly to glance at Nanny Yu, who gave a subtle nod. It was true, then.

Song Yunzhao looked at Yan Yu. "If that’s the case, then I can hardly blame you, Yan Gongzheng."

"Your Ladyship’s understanding is this servant’s blessing. This time, Nanny Yu mentioned you need two attendants skilled with needlework. I have specially selected two newly arrived embroideresses from the Fashion Bureau for you. If Your Ladyship finds them suitable, you may keep them. If not, I will select others to send over."

Hearing this, Song Yunzhao asked, puzzled, "I thought you said the selection of palace attendants was waived. How are there new embroideresses entering the palace?"

Yan Yu smiled. "Embroideresses are different from other palace attendants. Every year, the palace allows older embroideresses to retire and brings in younger ones to replace them. The creation of clothing for all the ladies of the palace cannot be delayed, so the selection of embroideresses is the one exception."

Song Yunzhao understood. ’Newly arrived embroideresses wouldn’t have chosen a side yet, nor would they have been bought. Yan Yu has handled this matter quite well.’

"Since Yan Gongzheng herself has chosen them, they must be excellent. We’ll keep them," Song Yunzhao said magnanimously. ’My reputation isn’t the best. For Yan Yu to dare send them means she isn’t afraid of me investigating. I can’t speak for others, but these two she delivered personally must be clean.’

Yan Yu hadn’t expected Song Jieyu to say that, but she quickly responded, "To have earned Your Ladyship’s trust is this servant’s honor."

Song Yunzhao simply smiled and said nothing more.

Nanny Yu spoke up from the side. "Yan Gongzheng has always been known for her fairness. The people you’ve brought are surely excellent, so of course our Lady trusts you."

Having navigated the meeting with Song Jieyu, Yan Yu felt a wave of relief. Seeing that her business was concluded, she took her leave, and Nanny Yu saw her out.

Once she had left, Xiangxue remarked, "That Yan Gongzheng certainly has a way with words."

Shizhu, who had a fiery temper, said irritably, "She was in the wrong for letting Huayang Palace pick their staff before our Lady. She was afraid you’d hold it against her, so she brought two skilled embroideresses to make up for it. She really knows how to play the game. No wonder she’s the Palace Supervisor."

Song Yunzhao chuckled at their comments and said to Shizhu, "Go take a look at those two embroideresses. Show them the clothing design I sketched the other day and see if they can make it. Observe them for a few days, get a sense of their temperaments. If they lack composure, send them back."

’My Wangyou Palace is already in the hot seat. Anyone without a steady nerve won’t last here.’

Shizhu quickly agreed and went to get the new embroideresses settled. Xiangxue asked worriedly, "My Lady, are you sure we don’t need to investigate them?"

"An investigation would likely turn up nothing. Besides, for Yan Yu to have become the Palace Supervisor, she must be far from simple. There’s no reason for her to offend me over two people."

"You have a point, My Lady." Xiangxue thought it over and agreed. ’If she truly had ill intentions, this would be like personally handing you leverage against her. Yan Gongzheng isn’t that foolish.’

When it was time for the evening meal, Zhang Maoquan arrived, all smiles. "My Lady," he announced, "the Emperor summons you to Taiji Palace to attend him."

Song Yunzhao glanced at the sky. ’It’s nearly dark. What could he want me to attend to now?’

Grumbling aside, she still changed her clothes, made herself presentable, and headed for Taiji Palace.

The autumn sunset painted half the sky, a fiery blaze from a distance. The crimson clouds resembled a phoenix of fire, spreading its wings to soar into the heavens.

She took it as a good omen, and her mood lifted, her steps growing lighter.

When she arrived at Taiji Palace, Meng Jiuchang hurried out from the main hall. He darted before her, offered a bow, and said, "The Emperor is waiting for you, Lady. Please follow me."