I Was Supposed to Be the Villainous Consort

Chapter 160: Chapter 70: A High-End Persona Doesn’t Suit a Vulgar Person

Song Yunzhao: ...

She glared at Han Jinyi, but Han Jinyi shot her a meaningful look.

Song Yunzhao trusted Han Jinyi, so she didn’t say anything more, tacitly accepting what Han Jinyi had implied.

She felt quite embarrassed to be labeled as the "sensible" one.

Feng Xiaoyuan let out a small sigh of relief. This time, she didn’t beat around the bush and said directly, "Lu Pin has a way to prove her innocence. She only hopes that the Noble Consort will not obstruct her. That is all."

Song Yunzhao scoffed. Looking at Feng Xiaoyuan, she said, "Lu Zhixue is a true villain, so she thinks everyone else is as despicable as she is. My temper may be bad, but I wouldn’t stoop to something like this. You can tell her to rest easy."

’Of course I wouldn’t resort to such childish tactics. I would just do something far more sophisticated.’

Feng Yunjin gave a bitter smile. "I am truly ashamed to come before you today with this request, Noble Consort. I am grateful for your magnanimity. I will remember your kindness today, and if I have the chance in the future, I will be sure to repay it."

Song Yunzhao was about to say it wasn’t necessary, but her mind worked faster than her mouth. ’Feng Yunjin is Qin Xiyue’s future strategist,’ she recalled. ’Getting a promise from her today is a definite win.’

She was quite pleased internally, but her expression didn’t betray a thing. She said with an air of indifference, "As you wish."

Seeing this, Feng Yunjin knew not to overstay her welcome and immediately rose to take her leave.

Song Yunzhao didn’t ask her to stay, simply having Xiangxue see her out.

Han Jinyi didn’t leave. After Feng Yunjin was gone, she said, "Feng Yunjin came to me for help. I didn’t want to bring her here at first, but she told me that Consort Shu and Qin Xiyue have been growing quite close recently. I also know that Feng Yunjin has a good relationship with Qin Xiyue, so I figured if she owed you a favor, it would be difficult for her to help Qin Xiyue work against you in the future."

What?

Song Yunzhao hadn’t expected Han Jinyi to say something like that and was momentarily stunned.

’I only knew Feng Yunjin would become Qin Xiyue’s strategist because I read the book. I never thought Han Jinyi would be able to figure it out. This is a real surprise.’

Han Jinyi smiled faintly. "Yun Zhao, you were the first of the new concubines to attend the Emperor. To this day, His Majesty has not summoned a second. Even with the three high-ranking concubines, the Emperor only paid them a visit without staying the night. In truth, everyone knows this was just His Majesty’s way of giving them face. Such overwhelming imperial favor is not necessarily a good thing for you. Winning over Feng Yunjin would be a boon, but even if you can’t, she now owes you a favor, making it difficult for her to become your enemy."

Song Yunzhao stared at Han Jinyi for a long moment before finally smiling. She spoke bluntly, "Jinyi, let me be honest with you. Being my friend might not be such a good thing."

Han Jinyi froze.

Song Yunzhao avoided her gaze, her fingers tightening on the armrest. "I’m a very solitary person. No matter how close we become, I will not pave the way for you with the Emperor. If you want his favor, you’ll have to fight for it yourself. It’s better we get the unpleasant truths out of the way now, as sisters, to avoid hurting our relationship and regretting it later."

Han Jinyi’s expression barely changed after hearing this. "From the moment we became acquainted, I knew what kind of person you are. I never expected you to pave the way for me. Yun Zhao, I will fight for what I want on my own. Our friendship won’t change because of this."

’But I can’t be so sure,’ Song Yunzhao thought. ’Countless people have turned on each other for power. Even blood brothers are known to slaughter one another, so what hope is there for a fleeting, sisterly bond like theirs?’

"You might be able to do that, but I’m not so sure I can," Song Yunzhao said.

Han Jinyi understood Yun Zhao’s meaning. She spoke slowly, "So many beautiful women in this harem have gained favor only to lose it. Favor is the most unreliable thing. If I gain it, I’m lucky; if I don’t, it’s my fate. Besides, you don’t necessarily need the Emperor’s affection to secure your place in the harem."

Song Yunzhao looked up at Han Jinyi.

Han Jinyi stood up. "Yun Zhao, neither my looks nor my standing are exceptional in the palace. I don’t want another girl from the Han Family to be sent here, so I must secure my position. Words are cheap, but time will prove what I’ve said is true. Yun Zhao, you just wait and see."

Song Yunzhao stared at Han Jinyi’s retreating figure, feeling a bit dazed. ’Is this Han Jinyi’s way of pledging her allegiance to me?’

’No, not pledging allegiance. It’s more like... proposing an alliance?’

’Han Jinyi is indeed very calm and clear-headed, and she’s right. The Emperor would never let those prominent families with ulterior motives get their way. And until he has fully consolidated his power, he won’t allow any children to be born in the harem.’

At that thought, a flash of insight struck Song Yunzhao. ’The Emperor hasn’t summoned me recently... could it have something to do with the matter of children?’

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