I Was Supposed to Be the Villainous Consort

Silence fell between them. Zhang Maoquan and Meng Jiuchang had already slipped out the moment Song Yunzhao produced the letter.

Knowing things you weren’t supposed to know tended to have a major impact on one’s lifespan.

And both of them cherished their lives.

"Your Majesty..." Song Yunzhao began hesitantly, wondering how to bring up her little request.

Feng Yi looked at her, a smile on his face. "What is it you wish to say?"

"I was hoping to ask Your Majesty for a favor."

"Go on."

"Princess Ming’an was dragged into this because of me. I’m worried that after her engagement to Ji Yunting is broken, there will surely be a lot of malicious gossip about her in the Capital City. Her life will be difficult. Therefore, I would like to ask Your Majesty to bestow a good marriage upon the princess."

Breaking an engagement always damages the woman’s reputation more. Besides, they couldn’t reveal the truth about Ji Yunting and Qin Xiyue, as that would involve the Emperor’s honor.

This meant He Lan Yun would have to suffer this injustice in silence. Song Yunzhao felt that He Lan Yun was truly unfortunate and had indeed been dragged into this because of her, which was why she wanted to find a way to make it up to her.

Feng Yi watched Song Yunzhao. ’So that’s what this was all about,’ he thought. Song Yunzhao had never asked him to arrange a marriage for any of her own sisters, yet here she was, speaking up for Princess Ming’an.

’She’s so soft-hearted. No wonder she was always bullied by the Song Family.’

"I will inquire about Prince Zhenbei’s thoughts on the matter later, but we must wait until after the two families have officially broken the engagement," Feng Yi said.

If he intervened now, it would stir up trouble and implicate Yun Zhao in the process.

Song Yunzhao nodded quickly. "Of course. Otherwise, people might think the princess was the one who wronged Ji Yunting, and that would be a terrible injustice."

Feng Yi looked at her. ’How can she be so selfless, always thinking of others instead of herself?’

Having reported on Qin Xiyue and secured a favor for He Lan Yun, Song Yunzhao’s mood lifted considerably, her eyes shining brightly. She finally found a moment to ask about the other matter. "Your Majesty, has the examination cheating case been concluded?"

"Almost," Feng Yi replied. "Why? Do you have some thoughts on the matter?"

"What thoughts could I possibly have?" Song Yunzhao said, waving her hands dismissively. ’People with too many ideas tend to die young.’ "I just wanted to know the outcome. With Your Majesty presiding, justice will of course be served for the scholars. But I also know that matters at court are rarely so simple."

Feng Yi smiled. "You needn’t worry yourself over it. This time, it’s largely thanks to you that I received the news in advance. The outcome will be favorable."

Now, with both the Left and Right Ministers implicated, and with Song Buran and Zhong Yingzhang leading the scholars in demanding justice, they were truly being held over a fire.

The Left Minister had originally intended to use this incident to take down the Right Minister. Who would have thought the Left Minister’s own hands weren’t clean? His subordinates had also been up to some mischief.

Feng Yi watched the turmoil from a safe distance, occasionally adding fuel to the fire. It was then that he truly began to appreciate the joys of being Emperor.

’What is the way of an Emperor?’

He was beginning to understand.

’Discord between the ruler and his officials, or strife among the ministers themselves, will sooner or later lead to chaos in the realm. As the Emperor, why should I clash with my ministers directly? I only need to master the art of maintaining balance.’

The cheating scandal would inevitably intensify the political conflict between the Left and Right Ministers. Having served together at court for many years, they knew each other’s weaknesses intimately. This time, neither would back down without taking a pound of flesh from the other.

Song Yunzhao had no idea that by bringing the cheating scandal to the Emperor’s attention, she had handed him a weapon he would use to weaken the power of his top ministers. The gentle flutter of a butterfly’s wings had unleashed a cyclone in the imperial court.

With everyone’s attention fixed on the cheating scandal, the broken engagement between the Prince Zhenbei Mansion and the Left Minister’s Mansion passed almost without a whisper. The Prince Zhenbei Mansion was resolute, and the Left Minister, bogged down by the Right Minister over the scandal, had no energy to spare for his son’s betrothal. He reluctantly agreed to the cancellation.

Ji Yunting hadn’t expected He Lan Yun to demand an end to their engagement. He went to the Prince Zhenbei Mansion, hoping to see her and at least explain himself, but it was Helan Yue who came out to meet him.

Helan Yue and Ji Yunting had always been at loggerheads over Qin Xiyue, but today, Helan Yue was far more composed. He had initially opposed his sister’s decision to break the engagement, a stance for which his father had given him a lashing.

His sister, too, was no longer the impetuous girl she once was. She had sought him out and carefully explained her reasons for calling it off. Helan Yue had lain awake the entire night, his eyes open until dawn. Looking back, his years of pining after Qin Xiyue felt like a complete farce.

His father was right. Qin Xiyue had been ambiguous with both him and Ji Yunting, only to turn around and enter the palace. And even after that, she had arranged for Ji Yunting to be engaged to his sister. Why?

For military power.

His father had called him a fool, played like a pawn. Did Qin Xiyue ever truly have feelings for him? ’No,’ he thought, ’she had feelings for the Prince Zhenbei Mansion’s military authority!’

After the lashing and the scolding, Helan Yue felt like a complete joke.

Now, standing before Ji Yunting, his usual restlessness had vanished. He faced him with a rare sense of peace. "Young Master Ji, I’m sure you know full well how the engagement between my sister and you came about. You may not like my sister, but you will not humiliate her. From this day forward, our families will go their separate ways."

Ji Yunting froze. "Helan Yue, what do you mean?"

Helan Yue stared at him. "Ji Yunting, why play dumb with me? I’m leaving some things unsaid to grant you a final shred of dignity."

Ji Yunting’s face paled. "It’s not what you think," he finally said. "There’s been a misunderstanding."

"What misunderstanding? The one where you completely ignored my sister after the engagement, avoiding her like the plague?"

Ji Yunting lowered his gaze for a long moment before looking up again. "You’re right. I was in the wrong first. I can’t blame the princess. I just..." He trailed off, shaking his head, then met Helan Yue’s eyes again. "I hope the princess finds a man who will treasure her."

"Of course she will." With that, Helan Yue turned and walked back into the Prince Manor.

Ji Yunting stared at the plaque above the Prince Zhenbei Mansion’s gates for a long time before finally boarding his carriage and departing.

Helan Yue rounded the spirit screen and saw his sister standing in the courtyard. He stepped forward. "Sad to see him go?"

He Lan Yun looked up at her brother. "Were you sad to part with your sweetheart?"

Helan Yue’s face turned grim. "I was foolish before, and Father has already taught me my lesson. Don’t you ever bring it up again. I don’t have a sweetheart. Got it?"

He Lan Yun huffed, then said softly, "Brother, from now on, we have to stick together. We can’t let people treat us like a joke."

"You’re the joke!" Helan Yue said, roughly ruffling the top of his sister’s head before turning tail and running.

He Lan Yun stomped her foot in anger and gave chase. Who would even want such an infuriating brother? She certainly didn’t!

Hearing his sister’s enraged shouts, Helan Yue felt the last trace of stifling frustration in his chest finally dissipate.

Hmph. ’A true man never worries about finding a wife,’ he thought. ’I’ll definitely marry someone far better suited for me!’