I Was Supposed to Be the Villainous Consort

"Thank you, Manager Meng." Song Yunzhao nodded. She found it amusing to catch a glimpse of Zhang Maoquan fuming in the corner of her eye.

The moment she entered the hall, she saw the Emperor with his head bowed, focused on something. He didn’t even look up at the sound of her footsteps, but said with a smile, "You’re here."

Song Yunzhao stepped forward and curtsied. "Greetings, Your Majesty."

"You may rise." Feng Yi set down his brush and looked up at Yun Zhao, a pleasant smile still on his face.

Song Yunzhao found this quite rare. Usually, nine times out of ten when she came to Taiji Palace to see the Emperor, he was in a foul mood.

Song Yunzhao rose and slowly ambled over. "Are you not busy right now, Your Majesty? Otherwise, you wouldn’t have had time to summon me."

Feng Yi reached out, pulling her to his side. "The successful resolution of the cheating scandal is in no small part thanks to you, my dear."

Song Yunzhao was inwardly smug, but she said, "I was only doing my duty. I can’t imagine who would bother Your Majesty with such matters."

Feng Yi looked at Song Yunzhao. "What do you want?"

Song Yunzhao froze, her heart instantly filling with joy. ’Oh, this is a rare treat. He’s actually asking me what I want.’

’I want to be Empress, but would he give me the throne?’

"Are you really going to reward me, Your Majesty?" Song Yunzhao asked, a look of pleasant surprise on her face.

"I am a man of my word. Of course it’s true."

"Then share a meal with me, Your Majesty," Song Yunzhao said with a smile.

Feng Yi froze. ’With such a golden opportunity, all she wants is for me to eat with her?’

"Is Your Majesty unwilling?" Song Yunzhao said, deliberately feigning disappointment.

Feng Yi couldn’t help but laugh. "Haven’t I dined with you often enough? Is this what you really want?"

"Your Majesty should count the days. How long has it been since you last dined with me?" Song Yunzhao sighed. "It’s been eighteen days."

Feng Yi was at a loss for words, and then his expression faltered for a moment.

When he was busy with matters of the court, he had no time for the harem, not even for Yun Zhao.

He hadn’t expected her to have kept such a clear count of the days. He was deeply moved. Standing up, he took Yun Zhao’s hand and started walking out. "Very well. I will have dinner with you."

Song Yunzhao beamed. "Your Majesty truly is a man of your word."

Feng Yi burst into laughter.

Meng Jiuchang: ...

’You really have to hand it to her,’ he thought. ’The Emperor is a different man when he’s with Song Jieyu. You’d never hear him laugh like that before.’

Feng Yi didn’t release Song Yunzhao’s hand even after they left Taiji Palace. The guards kept their heads bowed. Song Yunzhao herself wasn’t bothered, but their averted gazes made her feel as if she were doing something illicit.

The two walked hand-in-hand all the way back to Wangyou Palace, seen by who knows how many palace attendants. Before dinner was even served at Wangyou Palace, news that the Emperor had summoned Song Yunzhao to attend him and was now joining her for the meal had already spread throughout the harem.

Since the cheating scandal erupted, the Emperor hadn’t set foot in the harem for more than half a month. To think his first visit would be to Wangyou Palace of all places.

No, that wasn’t quite right. The Emperor had summoned Song Jieyu to Taiji Palace to attend him, and then he had personally escorted her back to Wangyou Palace to dine with her.

The highly favored Song Jieyu had once again proven that her position was as secure as ever.

In the nearby Huayang Palace, Qin Xiyue’s expression was grim. She was suddenly overcome with an indescribable sense of helplessness.

It seemed that no matter how hard she tried, it was all for naught.

’Why does the Emperor favor Song Yunzhao so much?’

Her mood had been terrible ever since her older brother was impeached. She had just received a reply from her father today. Although the letter was vague on some points, it confirmed that her brother had indeed accepted bribes. If the Emperor decided to launch a thorough investigation, she didn’t know how she would face the consequences.

Hua Ying entered the hall cautiously. She saw the Wanyi standing by the window. Though her expression was placid, Hua Ying could detect a hint of sorrow. She knew it was because the Emperor was dining with Song Jieyu.

’A while ago, Her Ladyship was promoted to Wanyi, and we thought the good days for Huayang Palace were finally coming. Who would have thought that even after her promotion, the Emperor still wouldn’t visit? It’s truly disheartening.’

’Then there’s Wangyou Palace. The comparison is infuriating. Not only did the Emperor summon Song Jieyu to attend him, but he even personally escorted her back to dine with her.’

’If he was going to end up at Wangyou Palace anyway, why did the Emperor have to make Song Jieyu go all the way to Taiji Palace first?’

’Song Jieyu must have pestered the Emperor to go to Wangyou Palace. She was just putting on a show for the rest of the harem.’

Though Hua Ying thought this, she didn’t dare say it aloud. Her heart ached for her mistress. She said softly, "My Lady, I’ve heard that Song Jieyu often sends Nourishing God Soup to Taiji Palace. Perhaps we should send some to the Emperor as well?"