I Was Supposed to Be the Villainous Consort

Princess Consort Zhuang was very pleased with Qin Xiyue’s tact. She looked at her and said, "I originally just wanted to invite you over for some tea and a chat, but as it happens, I just received the guest list for the new year’s banquet."

Rouge immediately stepped forward, handing the list to Qin Wanyi. "Please take a look, Wanyi."

Qin Xiyue took it with a smile. The list, upon entering the harem, would naturally be given to the three concubines first. She knew this list existed, but with her rank, it was impossible for her to get it so quickly.

Taking the list, she read it carefully. As she did, she noticed something wasn’t right. Her eyes fell upon Madam Song’s name. Her hand holding the list tightened slightly, then she came to her senses and relaxed her grip.

Princess Consort Zhuang’s eyes swept over Qin Xiyue’s fingertips. The corners of her mouth curled up slightly. She leisurely sipped her tea, calm and composed.

Qin Xiyue placed the list on the table and then looked up at Princess Consort Zhuang. The expression on her face had already returned to normal as she said slowly, "I see nothing wrong with the list. The only thing is that the one from the Song Mansion attending the banquet is Madam Song. That part is a bit surprising."

"Indeed. Filial piety has always been held as high as the heavens. I wonder why Song Jieyu’s mother is not on the palace banquet list. In my opinion, with Song Jieyu being so favored now, it wouldn’t be a problem for one more person from her household to attend," Princess Consort Zhuang said with a soft laugh, speaking slowly.

’Just as I expected,’ Qin Xiyue thought. ’Princess Consort Zhuang wants to use me to lead the charge.’

Although she was unwilling to be used as that blade, she couldn’t let this matter go either. Her relationship with Song Yunzhao was unchangeable. As long as Song Yunzhao was around, she would forever be suppressed by her, unable to get ahead.

Naturally, she was unwilling to accept that.

"Your Highness is right, but I am of humble rank. How could I be qualified to speak on such an important matter?" Qin Xiyue said with a helpless look. "Speaking of which, for this year’s palace banquet to require all three of you Highnesses to host together... this is also a first for our dynasty."

Princess Consort Zhuang knew Qin Xiyue wouldn’t take the bait so easily. Hearing her words, she let out a seemingly unintentional sigh. "After the Imperial Concubine passed away, there’s been no one to manage the palace. The position of Empress is now vacant, and if this goes on, I’m afraid the courtiers will also start advising the Emperor to appoint a new one. This vast harem can’t remain like a heap of loose sand forever."

"That is true," Qin Xiyue agreed with a smile.

That’s what she said, but inwardly she thought: ’The Empress? Princess Consort Zhuang sure is ambitious. She hasn’t borne a child for the Emperor, nor has her father performed any great service for the court. On what grounds could she possibly take the Empress’s throne?’

The three concubines only looked glorious on the surface. After the Imperial Concubine’s death, the Emperor hadn’t appointed a new one, which showed that his affection for the three concubines wasn’t as deep as they made it seem.

However, she was currently just a Wanyi, not even close to touching the rank of concubine, so naturally, she only dared to think these things and wouldn’t let a single word slip out.

Not only that, but Qin Xiyue also had to agree with Princess Consort Zhuang. It would be best if Princess Consort Zhuang really did fight for the Empress’s position. If the three concubines didn’t fight amongst themselves, how would there be any chance for others to be promoted?

The positions in the harem were all filled; one person to a post. If the ones already there didn’t move, how could those behind them ever move up?

Qin Xiyue and Princess Consort Zhuang each had their own plans. They smiled and spoke with great warmth and cheer, but inwardly they were both on guard against each other, even hoping to push the other to make the first move.

When Song Yunzhao received news that Princess Consort Zhuang had invited Qin Xiyue for tea, she didn’t think much of it for the time being. ’What could they possibly do by getting together? It’s probably about the palace banquet list.’

’Once the official decree is sent out from the palace, anything they want to do will be useless.’

"Chen Chengyi is ill?" Song Yunzhao asked, looking at Feng Yunjin in surprise.

Feng Yunjin had visited suddenly, and Song Yunzhao hadn’t expected her to bring up something like this.

Feng Yunjin nodded helplessly. "I am just a small concubine; how could I manage Chen Chengyi’s affairs? But the palace attendant serving her came to me, begging for help to get an Imperial Physician to see her. I did send someone to the Imperial Hospital, but they couldn’t get anyone to come."

Song Yunzhao looked at Feng Yunjin, a little surprised. "Couldn’t get anyone? The Imperial Hospital can’t even spare a single Imperial Physician?"

Feng Yunjin looked up at Song Jieyu and sighed softly before speaking. "Back then, Chen Chengyi was demoted and sent to the Cold Palace for poisoning Qin Wanyi. The Imperial Hospital doesn’t dare offend Qin Wanyi, so they didn’t send an Imperial Physician, only a Medical Woman to make a token visit."

A Medical Woman’s duty in the Imperial Hospital is to assist the Imperial Physicians. They can’t treat serious illnesses and aren’t very good with minor ones. They are, however, very skilled at giving the concubines Tui Na massages. It’s not their area of expertise, so the Medical Woman was put in a difficult position.

Clearly, she was being sent to take the fall.

Back when Chen Guoji was demoted from her position of Noble Consort to Chengyi and sent to the Cold Palace over the flower arrangement incident, it had been so long that Song Yunzhao barely even remembered her. After all, she had no real friendship or dealings with Chen Guoji. While not complete strangers, they were close to it.