I Was Supposed to Be the Villainous Consort

Princess Consort Wan’s eyes darkened. "But what other choice do we have right now?"

No matter how sincere Princess Consort Zhuang was, her words held some truth. If they really waited until Song Yunzhao conceived an imperial heir, the three concubines would truly lose all standing.

The New Year was almost here. Once it passed, they would all be another year older. Who could be content to let their best years waste away in this palace?

Princess Consort Wan was certainly not content. Although she had been sent to the palace by her family, she had genuinely come to adore the Emperor.

Unfortunately, his heart was like iron; she hadn’t been able to warm it after all these years. In contrast, Song Yunzhao had been showered with unparalleled glory from the moment she entered the palace, not only capturing His Majesty’s affection but monopolizing it completely. The Emperor used to visit her frequently, but now, she often went an entire month without a single glimpse of him.

How could she possibly be content?

Fearing her mistress would do something foolish, Le Chun quickly tried to reason with her. "My Lady, why the rush? It won’t be too late to decide after the Empress Dowager returns to the palace. With Song Jieyu so brazenly monopolizing his favor, the Empress Dowager will surely not tolerate her. Why would you risk displeasing His Majesty over the likes of Song Jieyu? It is not worth it in the slightest."

Princess Consort Wan paused and turned to look at Le Chun. "You have a point."

Le Chun quietly sighed in relief. "Princess Consort Zhuang’s words are pleasant, but she’s close with Qin Wan Yi. I heard that Chen Chengyi nearly died of illness in the Cold Palace, and that it was Qin Wan Yi’s handiwork. If she didn’t have someone backing her, where would Qin Wan Yi get such courage?"

Of course, Princess Consort Wan knew about Chen Chengyi’s illness—after Wangyou Palace had spread the news, who didn’t? But to think there was such a rumor... She looked at Le Chun. "Who did you hear this from?"

Le Chun replied, "My Lady, you love your books and pay little mind to such worldly matters, but I dare not be so negligent. I inquired carefully with Qiuge, and this information isn’t just an empty rumor. Even though Chen Chengyi was thrown into the Cold Palace, she still holds her rank. The staff there might mistreat her, but they wouldn’t dare go that far unless someone ordered them to."

Princess Consort Wan’s steps grew heavy. She felt Le Chun’s words made perfect sense. "So you suspect Princess Consort Zhuang?"

"I only dare to think it to myself. Without proof, how could I make such an irresponsible claim? But in this entire palace, how many people could possibly back Qin Wan Yi? Judging by Consort Shu’s demeanor today, she clearly has no dealings with Qin Wan Yi. Furthermore, with the Right Minister and Grand Tutor Qin at loggerheads over the snow disaster, why would Consort Shu help her?"

Princess Consort Wan’s expression shifted uncertainly. After a long moment, she said, "Princess Consort Zhuang!"

’It was one thing to drag me into a plot against Consort Shu, but to be pulling these petty tricks behind my back? Does she really take everyone for a fool?’

’I might not get too involved in palace affairs, but that doesn’t mean I pay attention to nothing at all.’

Seeing that her mistress had figured it out, Le Chun quietly let out a sigh of relief. She had been afraid her mistress would be persuaded by Princess Consort Zhuang to do something she shouldn’t.

’All the palace veterans knew the Empress Dowager’s temperament. They feared that after she returned, the palace would no longer be as peaceful as it had been this year. *That* was when things would become truly difficult.’

’So why go after Song Jieyu now? Next year, the Empress Dowager will naturally deal with her. Why should My Lady be the one to play the villain?’

’Princess Consort Zhuang has ill intentions, and as a servant, I can’t just stand by and watch my mistress make a foolish mistake.’

Song Yunzhao and the Emperor were busy for an entire day. The next day, she simply gave orders without going over herself. Feng Yi made a symbolic trip to Shouci Palace, delegated the tasks to Meng Jiuchang, and then also returned to Wangyou Palace.

As soon as he entered the hall, he saw Song Yunzhao standing before the heated couch, which was covered in clothes. Judging by the style, they were his. He walked over with a smile. "What’s this? Are you managing my clothes now, too?"

Song Yunzhao replied without looking up, "I wouldn’t dare steal work from Chief Steward Meng. Manager Meng still handles the Emperor’s clothes at Taiji Palace. I had the Fashion Bureau make these specially for you, to use for changing clothes here at Wangyou Palace. It’ll save the trouble of hauling things back and forth from Taiji Palace."

Feng Yi looked at Yun Zhao. ’Is she already finding me to be a hassle?’

Yun Zhao didn’t realize anything was wrong with what she had said. She picked up a sapphire-blue informal robe with a coiled dragon pattern and held it up against the Emperor, sizing it up. "Looks like my eyes are pretty good," she said as she measured. "I estimated the size correctly. Someone with a darker complexion could never wear this sapphire blue. Only a handsome man like the Emperor can pull it off."

Feng Yi: ...

Song Yunzhao put that one down and picked up another, a bright-yellow informal robe with a writhing dragon pattern. This piece was more eye-catching than the previous one, and the embroidered dragon was grander and more majestic.

Then, she pulled out a stack of undergarments, with tops and trousers in separate piles. She showed them off, saying, "Look, I embroidered the pattern on the corner of this garment myself. It took a lot of effort. I also made a few pairs of socks for the Emperor. Socks are simple to make, but the ones the Fashion Bureau makes for you are beautifully embroidered. My skills are just average, so you’ll have to make do."