I Was Supposed to Be the Villainous Consort

Chapter 175: Chapter 75: Promotion and a Raise

Xiangxue nodded and said no more. For a palace attendant, the best one could hope for was to leave the palace safely one day and marry into a good family.

Shizhu took the other one-hundred-tael silver note and went to find Anshun with great fanfare. She wanted everyone in Wangyou Palace to know about their master’s generous reward. When people had something to look forward to, their loyalty would naturally grow stronger.

After receiving the silver note, Anshun came specifically to kowtow his thanks. Song Yunzhao offered him a few words of praise and added an instruction, "Tomorrow, only allow my aunt to enter the palace. Also, please pay my respects to my father on my behalf."

Anshun committed it all to memory before leaving the palace.

After talking for so long, Song Yunzhao surprisingly felt a bit tired. ’That fainting spell must have left some lingering effects.’

She didn’t eat much for her evening meal and went to bed early.

Han Jinyi came to visit in the evening. She was quite surprised to learn Song Yunzhao was already asleep, as the sky hadn’t even fully darkened. Knowing she was asleep, however, she didn’t disturb her and returned to her own palace.

Not long after Han Jinyi left, the Emperor issued a decree lifting Lu Pin’s confinement.

Zhu Ruolan had framed Lu Zhixue. If Song Yunzhao hadn’t spoken up, how would the Emperor have ever known?

And yet, Lu Zhixue’s confinement in the first place had also been because of Song Yunzhao.

She was the reason for the confinement, and she was the reason for the release. One couldn’t help but marvel at how Consort Song could stir things up so much. Single-handedly, she had turned the harem into a pot of boiling water, bubbling and churning without pause.

In Yihua Palace, the newly freed Lu Zhixue sat with a blank expression.

Yu Xiu and Yinshuang attended to her cautiously. Seeing that their master showed no signs of happiness despite her confinement being lifted, both grew worried.

After an unknown period of silence, Lu Zhixue finally spoke, "You may all go and rest."

"Master..." Yinshuang began worriedly.

Lu Zhixue shook her head, and Yinshuang had no choice but to fall silent.

After helping their master retire for the night, the two slipped out quietly. Yinshuang looked at Yu Xiu. "What do you think Master is thinking? Is she just going to let this go? Are we really not going to Wangyou Palace to offer our thanks?"

Yu Xiu looked at Yinshuang. "This whole thing started because of Consort Song. If it weren’t for her, why would our master have been confined in the first place?"

Yinshuang frowned. "You can’t say that. If Zhu Cairen hadn’t been causing trouble, how would this disaster have struck us? Thankfully, His Majesty has already dealt with Zhu Cairen. But Master’s confinement was lifted this time because Consort Song mentioned it to His Majesty, which is why Master was released early."

Yu Xiu was still unconvinced. Then Yinshuang added, "Have you forgotten that Master previously asked Feng Xiaoyuan to pass a message to Wangyou Palace?"

Yu Xiu pressed her lips together. "Master never said she was going to go."

"That’s why, as her servants, we must do our best to offer a reminder when necessary. Don’t forget, we both serve in Yihua Palace. We can only do well if our master does well."

Yu Xiu looked up toward Wangyou Palace and finally sighed. "How can that one be so lucky? She had such a huge fight with Consort Lu today, yet the Emperor still protected her. If it weren’t for Chancellor Lu, I’m afraid Consort Lu might not have even been able to remain a concubine."

"Lucky?" Yinshuang looked at Yu Xiu. "Do you really think it was luck?"

Yu Xiu fell silent.

Yinshuang said, "The one from Huayang Palace was supposedly on good terms with our master, but what good did it do? You heard what Consort Qin said yesterday, didn’t you? If she had any regard for their past friendship, she should have put in a good word for our master with His Majesty. But no, she couldn’t distance herself fast enough. Master sent me to Huayang Palace today, and I didn’t even get to see her. With Consort Qin acting like this, how could our master not be heartbroken?"

Listening to the conversation outside, Lu Zhixue slowly closed her eyes.

***

Early the next morning, Song Yunzhao was up and about. A full night’s sleep had fully restored her. She felt like she could take on an ox.

After breakfast, she began waiting for Madam Song to enter the palace. There were many questions she wanted to ask.

Unexpectedly, before Madam Song arrived, Meng Jiuchang came bearing an imperial decree.

She received the decree in a daze. It was only when she heard the cheers from everyone in Wangyou Palace that she finally came to her senses. She was now Song Jieyu!

"Congratulations, Concubine."

Song Yunzhao’s heart pounded. ’That cheapskate Emperor not only gave me a promotion, but he jumped me two ranks at once. I must be seeing things!’

"Rewards! Rewards for everyone!" Song Yunzhao was ecstatic.

Meng Jiuchang took a step forward. "Congratulations, Concubine."

"Thank you for your trouble, Manager Meng." Song Yunzhao was in high spirits from the good news, and even Meng Jiuchang looked much more agreeable to her. She was just a bit curious why Zhang Maoquan hadn’t been the one to come today.

Little did she know that Zhang Maoquan was in Taiji Palace at that very moment, poking a small effigy and cursing how Meng Jiuchang had shamelessly stolen his assignment.

Anshun stepped forward and slipped a pouch into Meng Jiuchang’s hand. Meng Jiuchang accepted it with a smile and said to Song Yunzhao, "Last night, the Emperor was busy with urgent matters, so he was unable to visit you, Concubine. He will likely come for the midday meal today."

Song Yunzhao felt the pouch had been well worth it. After seeing Meng Jiuchang off, Wangyou Palace immediately burst into celebration.

Song Yunzhao was in an excellent mood. ’A promotion and a raise are two of life’s greatest joys. Yesterday’s fight wasn’t in vain after all.’ She was a little surprised by the Emperor’s compensation.

’Tsk, so much for the inspirational heroine’s path. Toiling for half a lifetime just to get what you want? Look at me, I’m completely different!’

’I never would have guessed the Emperor was a man of hidden passions. To think he’s into my type.’

"Master, Madam Song has arrived."

Song Yunzhao was overjoyed. "Quickly, show her in."

The moment Madam Song entered Wangyou Palace, she could sense the festive atmosphere. She didn’t know what had happened, but it was clearly a happy occasion, and she couldn’t help but feel pleased as well.

Upon entering the hall and seeing Yun Zhao, she stepped forward to curtsy. "This subject greets the Noble Consort."

"Madam Song, you’ll have to change your form of address," Shizhu said cheerfully. "Our master is now a Concubine."

Madam Song was overjoyed. "Really? This is wonderful news! This subject greets the Concubine."

Song Yunzhao rose and personally helped Madam Song up, smiling. "Aunt, please, sit down."

Madam Song was genuinely happy. In such a short time, their Yun Zhao had jumped two ranks to become a Concubine.

Madam Song carefully studied Yun Zhao’s expression. Seeing her rosy complexion and high spirits, she was finally able to relax. "Concubine, for you to summon me to the palace so suddenly, is there something you require?"

Song Yunzhao glanced at Xiangxue and the others, who quickly bowed and withdrew.

Only then did Song Yunzhao lower her voice and say, "Aunt, I only just found out that Uncle and Father were impeached because of me. I was worried about the situation at home, so I asked you to come."

When Madam Song heard this was the reason, she looked at Song Yunzhao in surprise. "How did you find out, Concubine?"

The family hadn’t sent word to the palace precisely because they didn’t want to worry her.

Song Yunzhao told her aunt, "It was Han Xiao Yi who informed me."

Madam Song breathed a sigh of relief. ’Ah, the daughter of the Minister of the Ministry of Justice.’