I Was Supposed to Be the Villainous Consort

Chapter 159: Chapter 70: A Sophisticated Persona Doesn’t Suit the Unrefined (Part 2)

Feng Yunjin looked embarrassed. "My visit is rather abrupt. My apologies for disturbing you, Noble Consort."

"Nonsense. I’m delighted you came—it’s nice to have company." Song Yunzhao led them into the main hall to sit down. She had Xiangxue bring them tea, and once host and guests were settled, she added, "Please, try this year’s new tea."

The two of them lifted their cups for a sip. After setting hers down, Han Jinyi remarked, "Not many in the palace get to drink early spring tea. You’re certainly thriving, Noble Consort."

Song Yunzhao glanced at Han Jinyi. "Don’t be so snarky with me. If you have something to say, just say it."

Han Jinyi smiled and glanced at Feng Yunjin before speaking slowly. "Zhu Cairen of Yihua Palace was beaten. Were you aware, Noble Consort?"

Song Yunzhao truly didn’t know. ’Even though Yihua Palace isn’t far from my Wangyou Palace, I dislike Lu Zhixue, and she’s confined anyway, so I haven’t paid much attention to what goes on there.’

’To think something would happen in just a few days.’ She looked at Han Jinyi. ’She isn’t one for stirring up trouble, and saying this in front of Feng Yunjin today... this can’t just be about spreading gossip.’

’In the book, Feng Yunjin was Qin Xiyue’s strategist, so I’m naturally a little wary of her.’

"I was not aware of this. Why was Zhu Cairen beaten? Though Lu Pin has a difficult personality, she wouldn’t beat someone for no reason," Song Yunzhao said, her expression placid.

Feng Yunjin was slightly surprised to hear this. ’Considering the animosity between Consort Song and Lu Pin, I thought she would detest her. I never expected her to say something like this in her defense.’

Han Jinyi glanced at Feng Yunjin.

Feng Yunjin then spoke up. "I came today on behalf of someone else. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have been so bold as to disturb you, Noble Consort."

Song Yunzhao wasn’t surprised. She looked at Feng Yunjin and smiled. "Though we’ve had few interactions, I know you to be a fair person. You must have a reason for coming to me. However, let me be blunt—you both know my temperament. If it’s something that will put me in a difficult position, I will absolutely refuse."

Feng Yunjin, not expecting Consort Song to be so blunt, felt a little awkward. She quickly replied, "I would hardly presume to make things difficult for you, Noble Consort. I am merely here to relay a message."

With that, Feng Yunjin no longer hesitated. Looking at Song Yunzhao with a very sincere expression, she said, "To be honest with you, Noble Consort, Lu Pin and I had something of a friendship outside the palace. A palace attendant of hers passed a message to me, saying that the matter of the plain silver brocade was not her doing."

Here, Feng Yunjin hesitated for a moment before continuing, "Lu Pin had a message sent to me. She said that no matter how foolish she might be, she would never do something like this to harm herself. After the incident, she investigated and discovered it was connected to Zhu Cairen. It was Zhu Cairen who secretly switched the brocade."

Song Yunzhao looked at Feng Yunjin, her face full of suspicion. "Feng Xiaoyuan, it’s not that I don’t believe you, but how would a mere talented person dare to do such a thing? And why would something belonging to Lu Pin ever pass through Zhu Cairen’s hands?"

At this, Feng Yunjin sighed. "Zhu Cairen lives in the same hall as Lu Pin. She was always very fawning toward her, even personally helping her dress and wash. By acting so humble, Lu Pin never took her seriously. She visited Lu Pin’s quarters so frequently that Lu Pin’s attendants thought nothing of it. Over time, they stopped being on guard around her, which eventually gave her the opportunity to make her move."

Song Yunzhao hadn’t expected such a twist. ’If this is true and Lu Zhixue’s name is cleared, will I be implicated? Will I get a reputation for being unable to tell right from wrong?’

At this thought, Song Yunzhao’s expression toward Feng Yunjin cooled. "Feng Xiaoyuan, why don’t you tell me why you’re really here? If you’ve come to plead for Lu Pin, then you’ve come to the wrong place. The decision to punish Lu Pin was His Majesty’s. I merely reported the gift I received to His Majesty truthfully. That is all."

’As long as I distance myself quickly, no one can turn this back on me.’

’Even if there’s blame to be assigned, the Emperor will have to bear it. What does it have to do with me?’

How could Feng Yunjin not hear the coldness in Consort Song’s words? She fell silent for a moment before slowly saying, "How could I do such a thing? I had no such intention."

Hearing this, Song Yunzhao’s expression softened slightly, but she did not reply.

Having listened from the side, Han Jinyi finally spoke up. "Yun Jin, just say what Lu Pin wants. You don’t need to cover for her or make things awkward for yourself. The Noble Consort is a reasonable person; she won’t make things difficult for you."