I Was Supposed to Be the Villainous Consort

Chapter 173: Chapter 75: Promotion and a Raise (2)

After returning to Huayang Palace, Qin Xiyue went straight to the inner chamber and waved her hand to dismiss everyone. She began to replay the day’s events in her mind. Thinking it over now, she realized that while Song Yunzhao had appeared to be making a huge fuss—as if she’d lost her temper and was about to cause a scene—every word she spoke and every action she took had systematically pushed Zhu Ruolan and Consort Lu into a corner.

’Brave but witless?’

’Just a pretty face?’

A wry smile touched Qin Xiyue’s lips. ’How could someone who supposedly relies on just a pretty face humiliate Consort Lu time and again, leading to today’s utter defeat and even the revocation of her title?’

’I was the one who underestimated Song Yunzhao. I never seriously considered her a rival.’

Thinking of the letter from her family, Qin Xiyue’s brow furrowed once more.

Her family was urging her to find a way to win the Emperor’s favor soon. After today’s commotion, the Emperor probably had no one but Song Yunzhao on his mind. It would be incredibly difficult to gain his attention anytime soon.

"My Lady."

Qin Xiyue looked up. "What is it?"

"A palace attendant from Lu Pin is here to see you."

Qin Xiyue paused for a moment. "Tell them I’m already asleep."

"Yes."

Qin Xiyue leaned against a soft pillow and closed her eyes. She couldn’t see anyone from Lu Zhixue’s side right now. She knew what Lu Zhixue had sent her attendant for. For the time being, she couldn’t do what was asked... and she *mustn’t*.

***

In Wangyou Palace, the Imperial Physician diagnosed Song Yunzhao with an ailment caused by extreme fright and prescribed a calming soup.

Song Yunzhao had only been pretending to faint, but being carried all the way back by the Emperor had jostled her so much that she now felt genuinely dizzy.

She felt herself drifting in and out of a heavy slumber. She should have been awake, but she couldn’t open her eyes. Her consciousness felt untethered, as if floating in mid-air, which was extremely uncomfortable.

’Countless fragments flashed through her mind, memories of her past and present lives jumbled together. She wanted to break free, to live properly, but she felt trapped, as if imprisoned.’

"Yun Zhao..." Feng Yi suddenly felt the woman on the bed begin to struggle violently. ’She must be having a nightmare,’ he thought. Her eyes were squeezed shut, her face deathly pale. Her normally rosy lips now held a bluish tint. She was muttering something, the sounds coming out fast but low and indistinct.

Seeing she was clearly caught in a nightmare, Feng Yi quickly bent down and gathered her into his arms, patting her back gently. "Shh, don’t be afraid. I’m here. I am the True Dragon, the Son of Heaven. No evil spirits or demons can harm you."

Pulled into Feng Yi’s embrace, Song Yunzhao slowly opened her eyes. Her heart, which had been pounding as if it would burst, gradually steadied. The black fog that had clouded her vision began to recede, and her mind started to clear.

"Your Majesty..."

"You’re awake?" Feng Yi quickly looked down at the woman in his arms. "Do you feel unwell anywhere?"

’This is all my fault,’ he thought. ’I assumed Yun Zhao was pretending, but she was truly afraid. She looks so pale and weak. Consort Shu must have genuinely terrified her today.’

Song Yunzhao looked up at Feng Yi. Seeing the deep concern in his eyes, she felt for a moment that he was genuinely worried about her.

"I’m just a little thirsty." Song Yunzhao’s mouth was parched. The chaotic, endless dreams had left her feeling oppressed and awful. She felt like a dried fish tossed onto the shore, desperate for moisture.

Feng Yi helped her lean back against the soft pillows. He turned, poured a cup of water from the small bedside table, and held it to Yun Zhao’s lips. "Here, drink."

Song Yunzhao was speechless.

’This really isn’t necessary.’

’With the Emperor treating her so attentively, it felt like he was sending her off to her execution.’

She reached for the cup, but Feng Yi gently pushed her arm down. "Go on, drink. You said you were thirsty, didn’t you?"

Song Yunzhao felt completely drained and didn’t have the energy to argue, so she drank the entire cup of water while the Emperor held it for her.

"More?"

Song Yunzhao nodded.

Feng Yi poured her another cup. When she had finished, he said, "You just woke up, so don’t drink too much at once, or you’ll upset your stomach."

Song Yunzhao smiled. "I’ll listen to Your Majesty."

Looking at Song Yunzhao’s weak smile, Feng Yi felt a complex emotion stir in his heart.

’She was always so full of vitality.’

"Today’s incident must have frightened you," Feng Yi said softly, looking at her. "I was too late."

’Huh?’

Song Yunzhao looked at the Emperor, genuinely surprised. She shook her head. "What does this have to do with you, Your Majesty? It was Consort Shu who wanted to get rid of me and intentionally framed me. If it hadn’t been today, it would have been tomorrow. Honestly, I didn’t expect you to come. I’d already figured out what I’d do—if Consort Shu really tried to have me beaten to death, I’d just bolt and run straight for Taiji Palace. I knew Your Majesty would definitely save me."

Feng Yi pictured the scene and thought it was exactly the kind of thing she would do. After a moment’s pause, he said, "That’s the right way to think. You were framed. If I hadn’t been able to get there in time, you couldn’t just wait to die. Running was the correct choice."