I Was Supposed to Be the Villainous Consort

Chapter 165: Chapter 72: Song Yunzhao, Good for You

Wangyou Palace had been completely quiet for days. Yet today, as soon as Consort Shu came to keep him company, Song Yunzhao rushed over. Feng Yi suspected he was starting to see through Song Yunzhao’s little ploy.

Recalling the mess Chancellor Lu had made, he decided not to spare Consort Shu’s feelings this time. He would let Song Yunzhao compete for his favor right in front of her.

"As long as it makes Your Majesty happy, it’s no trouble for me at all," Song Yunzhao said with a sweet smile. She personally placed the ginseng soup before the Emperor and thoughtfully handed him the spoon.

Feng Yi: ...

Still, he had to indulge her.

So he picked up the ginseng soup. The moment the familiar taste touched his lips, he remembered she had brought him the very same thing last time, and he couldn’t hide the smile in his eyes.

Consort Shu stared blankly at the scene, momentarily lost in a daze. She was always so cautious in the Emperor’s presence, terrified of doing anything that might displease him.

’But how could Song Yunzhao be so brazen before the Emperor?’

Noticing from the corner of her eye that Consort Shu’s expression was darkening, Song Yunzhao rejoiced. ’To go after my family and the family of my close friend Han Jinyi just because you can’t defeat me... You’re utterly shameless. Being polite to someone like that would be an insult to myself.’

Song Yunzhao expertly began to grind the inkstick. With a slight movement of her wrist, the fragrance of fresh ink filled the air.

Feng Yi glanced at Song Yunzhao, who flashed him a brilliant smile.

Feng Yi: ...

’So she’s planning on staying.’

’Fine by me.’

’She walked right into this. She can’t blame me for not going easy on her.’

"Don’t be so rough," Feng Yi said with a straight face. "You’re so clumsy, you’re going to splash ink everywhere."

"Who are you calling clumsy? I was raised a proper lady, you know! These hands have only ever ground ink for Your Majesty; I’ve never even done it for myself. If the Emperor criticizes me again, I’ll..."

"You’ll what?"

"I’ll... I’ll just grind a new one!"

"Go ahead!"

"You don’t feel sorry for me one bit, Your Majesty."

Consort Shu couldn’t bear to watch any longer. But without the Emperor’s permission, she dared not leave. She could only glare at Song Yunzhao, who was deliberately fawning over the Emperor right in front of her. It was more than just irritating; she wished she could slap the woman and send her flying out of the room.

’So this is how Song Yunzhao behaves in front of the Emperor? And not only is he not displeased, he’s actually joking with her? How could someone with the Emperor’s temperament do such a thing?’

’Is it just because she’s Song Yunzhao?’

’What a vixen!’

Having successfully drawn Consort Shu’s ire, Song Yunzhao didn’t linger. She feigned embarrassment and anger, covered her face, and fled.

Feng Yi: ...

Consort Shu: ...

Consort Shu watched as Song Yunzhao just... ran off.

’How dare she?’

’She actually dared!’

Consort Shu was still in a daze. When she finally looked over at the Emperor, she saw him wearing a smile that was both resigned and indulgent. In that instant, her heart plummeted.

’She had never taken Song Yunzhao seriously before—just another low-born woman who had climbed the ranks with her pretty face. Once the Emperor’s fascination faded, how hard could it be to deal with her?’

But now, she no longer believed that.

For the first time, Consort Shu felt an immense sense of danger.

Feng Yi looked up, catching the expression in Consort Shu’s eyes. He immediately looked away and said with a touch of displeasure and distance, "Consort Shu, you may go back as well."

Seeing how differently the Emperor treated her compared to Song Yunzhao, Consort Shu’s vision swam. She forced herself to remain composed, curtsied, and said, "Yes, Your Majesty."

Her mind was in turmoil; she needed to return to her palace and think things through.

After Consort Shu left, Feng Yi looked at the absolute mess Song Yunzhao had made of the ink. The inkstone was splattered all over. It was a complete eyesore.

’Grinding ink for him? More like she came to pester him.’

At this thought, Feng Yi’s gaze darkened slightly. He hadn’t expected Song Yunzhao to show up today.

’It seems she already knows. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have deliberately targeted Consort Shu today.’

Feng Yi picked up a silk cloth to wipe the inkstone. The jet-black ink immediately stained the pristine white fabric. By the time he had cleaned the edges of the inkstone, the cloth was completely blackened.

He tossed it aside. Then, Feng Yi picked up the inkstick himself and began to slowly grind it, watching the ink swirl in the well of the stone.

The sky gradually darkened. Meng Jiuchang entered cautiously. "Your Majesty, it is time for dinner."

Without looking up, Feng Yi said, "Prepare the carriage. We are going to Wangyou Palace."

"Yes." Meng Jiuchang’s heart skipped a beat. ’Lady Shufei was reprimanded today, and Consort Song came to stir up trouble. And His Majesty still plans to go to Wangyou Palace tonight?’

’Will he even return after dinner?’

Meng Jiuchang hurried off to deliver the imperial order. Meanwhile, upon receiving the news, Song Yunzhao smiled in satisfaction.

’Just as I expected, the Emperor is coming. I served him a perfect opportunity to slight Consort Shu and Chancellor Lu on a silver platter. How could he possibly pass it up?’

Song Yunzhao immediately began preparations to receive him. When she reached the entrance of Wangyou Palace, she saw the Emperor alighting from the Imperial Carriage. She hurried forward and curtsied. "This concubine greets Your Majesty."

Feng Yi stepped forward and helped Song Yunzhao to her feet himself. "Rise. Why did you come all the way out here?"

"I was so overjoyed to hear Your Majesty was coming, so..." Song Yunzhao trailed off, putting on a bashful expression as she took the Emperor’s arm.

Feng Yi glanced down at his arm where her hand rested, then turned and took her hand in his. He saw her shoot him a surprised look before quickly lowering her gaze as their eyes met, which made him chuckle.

They entered the hall hand in hand. Dinner was already laid out, and the two of them sat down.

Song Yunzhao personally filled a bowl with rice for the Emperor, saying with a smile, "Your Majesty works so hard managing the affairs of the state. You must eat well."

Feng Yi picked up a dish with his chopsticks and placed it in the small bowl before her. "You should eat more as well, my dear."

Song Yunzhao looked down at the chilled, diced lotus root in her bowl. The last time she had eaten with the Emperor, she’d found the dish so refreshing that she had taken a few extra bites. She never thought he would remember.

Although their relationship was mostly an act, this sudden, small gesture of sincerity left her feeling genuinely flattered.

"Thank you, Your Majesty. I didn’t think you knew I liked this," she said. For once, Song Yunzhao’s surprise was genuine.

Feng Yi smiled. "I noticed you enjoyed it last time, so I made a note of it."

Watching from the sidelines, Meng Jiuchang glanced again at Consort Song and clicked his tongue inwardly. ’Consort Song truly lives up to her harem-wide reputation as a siren. She certainly knows how to bewitch the Emperor’s heart.’

After a pleasant dinner, Feng Yi naturally stayed the night. ’Just as I predicted,’ Song Yunzhao thought.

When word that the Emperor was spending the night at Wangyou Palace reached Cuiwei Palace, Consort Shu could no longer contain her rage. She smashed every ornament in the room to smithereens.

Song Yunzhao!

You’ve got some nerve!

’Both she and Song Yunzhao had gone to Taiji Palace today, yet the Emperor ended up not only having dinner at Wangyou Palace but staying the night. What was left of her dignity?’

’She knew the Emperor was taking his anger over her father’s actions out on her. But what had her father done wrong? Her family had put in a great deal of effort to help the Emperor ascend the throne, and her father had continued to assist him faithfully ever since. Was the Emperor just going to cast them aside now that their purpose was served?’

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