I Was Supposed to Be the Villainous Consort

A conflicted look crossed the First Madam’s face. Song Yunzhao saw it and smiled. "First Aunt, please just say what’s on your mind. I know you’ve always been good to me. There’s nothing we can’t discuss."

The First Madam sighed softly. "I do not wish to sow discord between you and Third Sister-in-law, so some things are difficult for me to say."

"Is there even a need to? I doubt there’s anyone in the Capital City who doesn’t know about my relationship with Mrs. Cai." Song Yunzhao was defusing the bomb herself. This way, if she ever attained a higher rank, no one could use her "unfilial" behavior to impeach her.

’Beat the enemy at their own game. Making me suck it up and act filial toward Mrs. Cai for my own future? That would be worse than killing me.’

’Never in a million years.’

Hearing Yunzhao’s words, the First Madam felt a pang of sympathy, and her voice softened. "Third Sister-in-law acts with increasing recklessness. If she truly gets control of Jinxuan’s marriage, it will make things difficult for Bo Ming’s own marriage prospects down the line."

Song Jinxuan and Song Buming were full siblings, born of the same mother. That was an unchangeable fact. If her marriage became a liability, it would naturally affect him.

He was already the son of a concubine. If his sister’s marriage proved to be a liability on top of that, what decent young lady would be willing to jump into that fire pit?

Song Yunzhao’s expression turned grave. Looking at the First Madam, she said, "First Aunt, I understand what you’re saying."

The First Madam gave a wry smile. "If I were to openly support Aunt Che, it would give people leverage against me, and I wouldn’t be able to interfere in the Third Branch’s affairs anymore. But if I just let Third Sister-in-law continue her games and Bo Ming can’t focus on his studies because of these petty matters, his future will be ruined."

’If Song Buming can’t establish himself, who will Yunzhao use to restrain Mrs. Cai and Song Bu Yue in the future?’

The First Madam couldn’t help but consider these things. But as an aunt by marriage, she couldn’t meddle too much. She had her own children and had to mind her reputation.

This was truly a matter that Yunzhao would have to handle herself.

"Thank you for being so thorough, First Aunt. I appreciate your concern," Song Yunzhao said, her expression full of sincerity.

"Concubine, you are being too formal. We are family; of course we should help one another. If our households hadn’t been formally separated, I wouldn’t be in such an awkward position and wouldn’t need to trouble you to handle this."

"It is my duty," Song Yunzhao agreed readily. She couldn’t let Mrs. Cai cut off her only path of support. "First Aunt, who has Aunt Che chosen?"

"Aunt Che has chosen the household of the Minister of the Imperial Stables."

This didn’t surprise Song Yunzhao. She inquired further, "And what of the youngest son of the Minister of the Imperial Stables?"

"Lord Yang has a decent reputation in the Capital City, though there isn’t much room for advancement in a post like the Ministry of Imperial Stables. His youngest son, Yang Shu, earned the title of Scholar. He sat for the higher-level scholar examination once but failed. I had people look into it carefully—Yang Shu lacks any real academic ambition, so it’s unlikely he’ll ever become an official through the examination system."

Song Yunzhao frowned slightly. ’If he doesn’t pursue a career through the imperial examinations, he can’t become an official. If he wasn’t an official, he would have to depend on his family. How could he ever hold his head high?’

Seeing Yunzhao’s less-than-satisfied expression, the First Madam said softly, "While Young Master Yang has that one shortcoming, his temperament is good—he’s just a bit too fond of leisure and not much else. In fact, it’s precisely because Young Master Yang’s prospects aren’t terribly bright that Jinxuan was able to catch Madam Yang’s eye."

Song Yunzhao sighed internally. ’It can’t be helped. Jinxuan’s birth status is already a severe restriction. Unless she herself were truly exceptional—and with Mrs. Cai holding her down, she couldn’t possibly make a name for herself the way Song Qinghan had years ago.’

’If her reputation were to surpass even Song Qinghan’s, wouldn’t that be a death sentence?’

The First Madam added one last thing. "Jinxuan is the daughter of a concubine. If she marries Yang Shu, who is a legitimate son, then her children will be born into the legitimate line."

A son born to the child of a concubine, even if considered legitimate, would still be a rank below a legitimate son from an unbroken legitimate line.

Song Yunzhao understood now. The First Madam meant that by marrying Yang Shu, Jinxuan could elevate her status and that of her descendants.

’Aunt Che must have had the same idea when she chose the Yang Family.’

’And having a legitimate brother-in-law would be a good thing for Song Buming, too.’

’The distinction between legitimate and illegitimate birth... For someone like Jinxuan, the appeal of legitimacy for her children was immense.’

’Besides, Yang Shu’s overall situation was quite good. Aside from his lack of drive, he didn’t have the typical vices of a profligate young master. Even with that one flaw, Aunt Che and Jinxuan would almost certainly agree to the match.’

"Is the Yang Family’s offer firm?" Song Yunzhao asked. She wouldn’t want some unforeseen problem to arise and leave Jinxuan in an embarrassing position.

"The Yang Family initiated the proposal themselves. The wife of one of your third uncle’s colleagues came to me personally to discuss it," the First Madam explained.