I Was Supposed to Be the Villainous Consort

Song Yunzhao understood the deeper meaning behind Madam Song’s words. After a moment of thought, she said, "Aunt, I don’t really know the Xie family, so I can’t make a final decision on this matter just yet. Let me think it over and get back to you. However, I know Linlang fairly well, and her brother, Second Young Master Xie, seems to be a man of decent character."

Madam Song nodded slightly, understanding Yun Zhao’s point. ’She doesn’t know the Xie family, so it would be unwise to get too deeply involved. But since Xie Jinshu and her brother are both decent people, they can certainly continue their business dealings.’

’That’s right. Although the Xie family are merchants, a large, deep-rooted tree has many branches. Getting too close to the entire family might not be a good thing. It would be much safer to single out one person to work with.’

Seeing that the hour was growing late, Madam Song was about to rise and take her leave when a palace attendant returned to report, "Your Highness, Madam Ding Nanbo requests an audience."

Upon hearing this, Madam Song sat back down. ’What is Madam Ding Nanbo doing here?’

She did not have a good impression of the woman. ’Just another opportunist.’

Song Yunzhao had not expected Madam Ding Nanbo to visit her either, but on second thought, it wasn’t entirely surprising. After all, the two of them were, in a manner of speaking, related by blood.

She turned to Madam Song and smiled. "When I first arrived in the Capital City, I never had the chance to meet this aunt of mine. I never expected to meet her now."

Madam Song replied directly, "Concubine, if you don’t wish to see her, you don’t have to. If you do, there’s no need to be afraid. I’m here."

’There are things Yun Zhao can’t say as the younger generation, but I can. I’m curious to see what Madam Ding Nanbo is up to.’

"I have a good idea of what she’s going to say," Song Yunzhao said with a placid expression. "Show her in."

This was not Madam Ding Nanbo’s first time entering the palace. When Consort Chu was still in favor, although she was only a stepmother, matters concerning the Uncle Mansion still required her to enter the palace and communicate with the Imperial Concubine. Thus, she was no stranger to the palace.

Consort Chu’s Yaohua Palace was just east of Changle Palace. In the past, when she entered the palace, she would follow the palace road outside Changle Palace straight to Yaohua Palace.

But now Yaohua Palace stood empty, and her route had changed. She now turned right from the palace road south of Changle Palace, passed Roufu Palace, and headed straight for Wangyou Palace.

Wangyou Palace was located in the southeastern corner of the harem. It was such a remote place that during the late Emperor’s reign, only out-of-favor concubines were sent to live here. But things were different now. Song Yunzhao lived here, so what if it was remote? It had already become the liveliest place in the harem.

Along the way, she saw many noble ladies. As they all resided in the Capital City, they were naturally acquainted, but they all went their separate ways after entering the palace.

Madam Ding Nanbo stood outside Wangyou Palace and straightened her clothes before following a Palace Attendant inside.

As soon as she entered, the first thing she saw was a long row of palace lanterns hanging from the corridor eaves. Palace Attendants were in the process of lighting them, and in an instant, the entire courtyard was as bright as day.

Madam Ding Nanbo was dazzled for a moment. She lifted her foot onto the steps and, walking in the glow of the lanterns, followed the Palace Attendant into the hall.

"Your Highness, Madam Ding Nanbo has arrived."

Madam Ding Nanbo composed herself, stepped forward, and curtsied. "This subject greets Concubine."

"Madam, there is no need for such ceremony. Please rise and have a seat."

Madam Ding Nanbo offered her thanks and rose. As she lifted her head slightly to look at Song Yunzhao, seated in the place of honor, she could not help but freeze. The truth was, Song Yunzhao’s face was completely different from that of her own sister and eldest niece.

Noticing Madam Ding Nanbo’s brief loss of composure, Madam Song sneered inwardly and said, "Madam, what are you staring at? Please, sit down."

Only then did Madam Ding Nanbo come to her senses and notice Madam Song sitting beside them. The smile on her face stiffened. "Madam Song, you’re here as well. It’s been a long time. Have you been well?"

"I am very well, thank you for your concern, Madam." Madam Song rose and offered a curtsy. In terms of rank, she was naturally inferior to a noble’s wife, so etiquette could not be neglected.

Madam Ding Nanbo knew that Madam Song and Song Yunzhao had a good relationship. She had deliberately come a little later, not expecting Madam Song to still be there. She could not help but feel a little tense.

’With Madam Song here, there are some things I can’t bring up. I can’t very well demand to know, right in front of her, why *she* was invited to the palace banquet instead of my own sister. I don’t want to completely fall out with the Song family right now; there’s no benefit in it for me.’

Song Yunzhao, for her part, was also sizing up Madam Ding Nanbo. ’For Ding Nan Bo to have chosen her as his second wife back then, she is clearly not a simple woman. Although many families look down on becoming a second wife, for a daughter of the Cai family, marrying a Master as his second wife was still a huge step up in status.’

Song Yunzhao had no good impression of either the Cai family or Madam Ding Nanbo. She looked at the woman and said coolly, "Speaking of which, in all my life, this is the first time I have met someone from my mother’s side of the family, and the first time I have met you, Madam."