I Was Supposed to Be the Villainous Consort

Chapter 118: Chapter 59: Turning Around and Digging a Pit

’What was my opinion supposed to be?’

’I didn’t want to have an opinion at all!’

But now, she had no choice. With the Emperor fanning the flames, everyone present turned to stare at her.

Of all the people here, why did His Majesty single out Consort Song?

Song Yunzhao saw Consort Shu and Princess Consort Wan, who had just rushed over, glaring at her. Then she met Princess Consort Zhuang’s calculating gaze. ’This fire the Emperor has lit is burning me so brightly,’ she thought, ’if I don’t get immolated and reborn right here on the spot, I’ll be letting down His Majesty’s "deep affection" for me!’

"In response to Your Majesty, your concubine is merely curious about one thing," Song Yunzhao said, a beaming smile on her face as she addressed the crowd. "With so many flowers in this garden, how did Beauty Zhen have the good fortune to pick the very one grown by Consort Zhuang? It seems far too coincidental." As she spoke, she seemed to inadvertently glance at Qin Xiyue, but her eyes were lowered, concealing their expression.

"Now that my dear consort mentions it, I am also a little curious," Feng Yi said. He found it gratifying to see Song Yunzhao bristling with indignation yet forcing herself to remain composed.

’Of all the women in the harem, she was the only one he had chosen himself. He had certainly made the right choice.’

Song Yunzhao heard the Emperor giving her an opening, and she was one to always seize an opportunity. She immediately turned the tables, placing him on a pedestal. "That Your Majesty values me so highly brings me to tears of gratitude. It is a pity that I have only just entered the palace and am ignorant of many things. I am truly unable to resolve this matter for Your Majesty and feel utterly terrified. However, I am certain that with Your Majesty’s brilliant and divine insight, you will uncover the truth."

Feng Yi: ...

’She turned right around and dug a trap for me. Impressive!’

Feng Yi gave Song Yunzhao a long, hard look. Song Yunzhao maintained a smile that was both helpless and sincere.

’Game on. Let’s see who breaks first.’

Feng Yi slowly withdrew his gaze. When he turned back to Beauty Zhen, his expression was neutral again. "Beauty Zhen, explain yourself."

Beauty Zhen endured the pain and straightened her back. After composing herself, she began, "In response to Your Majesty, I... After breakfast this morning, I was feeling rather bored. My palace maid, Cuiju, suggested I come to the gardens to pass the time. I thought it was a good idea. On the way, I ran into Dong Guiren, so we came together. When we arrived at the Imperial Garden, we met Chen Guoji and began admiring the flowers with her..."

As she listened, Song Yunzhao began to draw a map in her mind. Beauty Zhen lived in the West Wing of Lin Hua Palace, and Dong Guiren lived in the East Wing, so it wasn’t strange for them to meet. Chen Guoji lived in the East Wing of Qingyun Palace. And where was the West Garden located?

It was situated between Lin Hua Palace, Qingyun Palace, Yanqing Palace, and Cuiwei Palace. The four palaces essentially enclosed the West Garden. So, if Chen Guoji had also come to the West Garden to see the flowers, meeting the other two there was perfectly normal. So far, her story was plausible.

"The three of us were strolling through the garden when we saw several hydrangea bushes in full bloom. I truly had no idea they were grown by Consort Zhuang. If I had known, I wouldn’t have dared to touch them, not for anything!" The more Beauty Zhen spoke, the more wronged she felt. ’If the flowers belonged to Princess Consort Zhuang, why wasn’t anyone guarding them? Just leaving them out like that... how was anyone supposed to know they were hers? Wasn’t this just a trap?’ ƒreeωebnovel.ƈom

But Beauty Zhen didn’t dare voice a single one of these complaints.

Princess Consort Zhuang came from a powerful family and was favored by the Emperor. As a new, low-ranking Beauty, how could she dare to say such things?

But just because she didn’t dare to speak up didn’t mean she didn’t feel wronged. As she continued, tears began to stream down her face.

Song Yunzhao watched Beauty Zhen, at a loss for words. ’After all that talking, she hasn’t made a single coherent point. All beauty and no brains. No wonder she was chosen as the scapegoat.’

Feng Yi had been secretly observing Song Yunzhao. Seeing her hide her mouth behind her fan, her eyes darting about mischievously, he knew she was definitely mocking someone in her head.

Although the Emperor enjoyed watching the drama, he had no intention of getting involved himself. His gaze shifted, landing on Consort Shu. A faint, gentle smile touched his lips. "Consort Shu, what is your take on this?"

’Consort Shu and Princess Consort Zhuang have never seen eye to eye,’ he thought. ’She’ll surely be willing to muddy the waters.’

Consort Shu’s eyes lit up. ’The Emperor truly does value me most!’ she thought. She immediately smiled and said, "Your Majesty, I find Beauty Zhen’s account to be quite muddled. How can we find the truth this way? Why not allow me to ask her a few questions?"

Feng Yi nodded slightly. "I’ll leave it to you, my dear consort."

Song Yunzhao: ...

’What a masterful way to pass the buck,’ Song Yunzhao thought. ’And Consort Shu took the bait so happily. From the look on her face, she actually thinks the Emperor is showing her favor.’

She glanced over at Princess Consort Zhuang, whose expression remained unchanged, and found the whole situation fascinating. ’The actual truth of the matter is no longer important. The Emperor has dragged Consort Shu into the fray, turning this into a match between her and Princess Consort Zhuang. And all of us newcomers are just pawns charging the front lines.’