I Was Supposed to Be the Villainous Consort

Chapter 129: Chapter 61: This Isn’t Over

The newly arrived concubines wouldn’t know, but those who had been in the palace for a few years knew that while His Majesty was generous with gold, silver, and silks, he rarely gifted food. Song Yunzhao had been in the palace for such a short time, yet she had received a soup bestowed by the Emperor himself, leaving everyone with incredibly mixed feelings.

"Dried bamboo and ham soup? Do you think I care about the soup itself? It’s the special favor the Emperor is showing Consort Song!" Consort Shu was simmering with rage, so furious she smashed her teacup on the floor. "I’ve been in the palace for so many years and have never once received a bowl of soup from His Majesty! The only other time was back when Consort Chu was still alive. The Emperor gifted her one once, and she flaunted it until the day she died!"

Consort Shu clutched her chest, gasping for breath. At the mention of Consort Chu, her expression became slightly unnatural.

Hearing this, Nanny Wen gently tried to soothe her from the side. "Your Highness, why let it bother you? She’s merely a Consort. For the Emperor to favor her so much isn’t necessarily a good thing. As they say, beauty and tragedy often go hand in hand. If Consort Song stands out too much, she’ll be the first to fall."

Consort Shu’s anger subsided slightly at these words. She scoffed and said, "Our Emperor truly does whatever he pleases."

Nanny Wen didn’t dare comment on the Emperor. After a moment’s thought, she said, "Your Highness, I’ve made some inquiries. This Consort Song has some connection to the late Consort Chu. Do you think that might be why His Majesty is paying her special attention?"

It always came back to Consort Chu. The mere mention of her name irritated Consort Shu. She frowned and said, "The Song Family is only connected to Consort Chu through a string of marriages. To say they’re related is a stretch; the connection is distant at best."

’Rather than believing the Emperor values such a tenuous family tie, I’d sooner believe he’s simply taken with Song Yunzhao’s pretty face.’

"Your Highness needn’t worry too much," Nanny Wen continued. "I’ve heard that His Majesty is preoccupied with state affairs lately, so he certainly won’t have time for the harem. So what if Consort Song is in the spotlight for a moment? The Emperor won’t be summoning her to his bedchamber anytime soon. In a few days, this whole affair will blow over. A little more time, and His Majesty might not even remember who Consort Song is."

Consort Shu knew Nanny Wen was only trying to placate her, but the words were indeed a comfort. "Keep a close watch on Princess Consort Wan and Princess Consort Zhuang." She paused, then added, "And that Consort Qin. She’s a Consort, same as Song Yunzhao, but she didn’t receive any soup from the Emperor. There’s no telling what she’s thinking or what she might do. When the time is right, I want you to fan the flames."

’You can make waves even on a calm sea. I refuse to believe those women can simply sit back and do nothing.’

"Yes, Your Highness. Rest assured, I will handle everything perfectly," Nanny Wen replied with a smile.

Elsewhere, Meng Jiuchang brought in the tray of tooth cards, each bearing the name of a harem concubine.

Feng Yi, intending to keep the harem in check for a while, had no desire to choose anyone. He waved a dismissive hand. "Take them away."

Meng Jiuchang quickly assented, sighing internally. ’All the ladies of the harem will be disappointed tonight. And I suppose the one who’s been causing such a stir, Consort Song, will be disappointed too.’

After Meng Jiuchang left, Feng Yi intended to review a few more memorials but suddenly lost interest. He rose and headed for his bedchamber, with Zhang Maoquan immediately following.

’That old coot Meng Jiuchang... I wonder whose silver he took. His Majesty already said he wouldn’t be visiting the harem for the next few days, yet he still came running with those tooth cards. Pathetic!’

"Your Majesty, I’ll have someone bring water for your bath," Zhang Maoquan said with a smile.

Feng Yi gave a casual nod and, upon entering the bedchamber, slumped against the soft pillows.

Zhang Maoquan immediately ordered the little eunuchs to bring in the bathwater. The Emperor was a stickler for cleanliness, insisting on bathing and changing his clothes daily. When he visited one of the concubines, he would even bathe again in the middle of the night. On this matter, Zhang Maoquan dared not be negligent in the slightest.

After his bath, Feng Yi lay on the Dragon Bed, but sleep wouldn’t come. His mind was consumed with the soup Song Yunzhao had sent.

’Heh. I knew it. She refuses to suffer the slightest disadvantage.’

’Recalling her behavior from before she entered the palace, she must have figured out a part of my plan. That’s why she deliberately sent that soup as a "return gift." I put her in the eye of the storm, and she turned right around and dragged me in with her.’

The more he thought about it, the more displeased Feng Yi became. ’Song Yunzhao’s scheme isn’t even subtle. She’s making it blatantly clear that this was intentional.’

’This is infuriating!’

Feng Yi sat bolt upright. ’No one has ever been this audacious with me.’

’No, this isn’t over.’

With that thought, Feng Yi lay back down, a sense of satisfaction washing over him. ’She dares to plot against me? I’ll have to make sure Song Yunzhao understands just whose territory she’s on.’

The next day, Feng Yi attended the morning court looking refreshed and in high spirits. After the session concluded, he said to Zhang Maoquan, "Take a trip to Wangyou Palace. Tell Consort Song to come and attend me."

Zhang Maoquan: ?!

"Yes! I’ll go at once!" Zhang Maoquan was ecstatic. ’My bet was a good one after all!’

’Consort Song is truly incredible!’

Zhang Maoquan felt like he was floating on air. He hurried to Wangyou Palace to deliver the imperial summons, only to find it surprisingly lively. There was quite a crowd.

Song Yunzhao was not in a good mood. Han Jinyi had just left after a brief chat, and now Feng Xiaoyuan had arrived with Zhu Cairen and Chen Guoji in tow. Her quiet palace had suddenly become a bustling hub.

Of course, Song Yunzhao couldn’t just throw them out. ’Am I supposed to wage war against every woman in the entire harem?’

She understood the importance of forming alliances.

But she hadn’t expected Zhang Maoquan to show up at this particular moment.

"This servant greets Consort Song, Feng Xiaoyuan, Chen Guoji, and Zhu Cairen. May all you ladies be well," Zhang Maoquan said, stepping forward to offer his respects. ƒreewebɳovel.com

This was the Emperor’s own General Manager. Feng Xiaoyuan and the others were visibly ill at ease. Song Yunzhao, being more familiar with him, felt no such discomfort. "Chief Steward Zhang, please rise," she said with a smile. "What brings you here at this hour?"

Hearing the familiar tone between Consort Song and Chief Steward Zhang, the minds of Feng Xiaoyuan and the others raced, their expressions revealing a flurry of calculations.

Zhang Maoquan rose and smiled at Consort Song. "His Majesty summons you, Consort, to attend him."

"What?" Song Yunzhao was stunned. ’What is it with him? Is the Emperor addicted to messing with me?’

"High-ranking Consort, we should go now. It wouldn’t be good to keep His Majesty waiting," Zhang Maoquan gently prompted with a smile.

Song Yunzhao had no time for internal complaints. Forcing a smile, she said, "Please wait a moment, Chief Steward Zhang. I’ll just go change my clothes."

Zhang Maoquan naturally agreed, standing aside to wait patiently.

Feng Xiaoyuan and the others were also stunned by the news. The Emperor had summoned Consort Song to attend him? A storm of emotions brewed within them. Consort Song had ascended to the heavens in a single leap.

It was no longer appropriate for them to stay, so the group rose and took their leave.

Once they were out of Wangyou Palace, Chen Guoji turned to Feng Xiaoyuan. "I never expected the Emperor to favor Consort Song so much. It seems that among those of our rank, she’ll now be first."

Feng Xiaoyuan detected the sour note in Chen Guoji’s tone but had no desire to get involved. "Consort Song is beautiful; it’s hardly a surprise," she said with a smile. "I’ll be on my way. We can chat again some other time."

Feng Xiaoyuan walked off without another word. Chen Guoji pursed her lips and glanced at Zhu Cairen. Just as she was about to speak, Zhu Cairen said in a soft voice, "Sister Chen, I should be getting back as well. I’ll invite you for tea when I have a free day."

Chen Guoji: ...

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