I Was Supposed to Be the Villainous Consort

Chapter 179: Chapter 76: The Emperor’s Elixir

After returning to the East Courtyard, the First Madam sent for Song Jinxuan.

Song Jinxuan was quite surprised. Upon seeing the First Madam, she curtsied obediently. "Jinxuan greets First Aunt."

"Sit and talk," the First Madam said with a smile, looking at Song Jinxuan. ’Aunt Che and her daughter are clever. They still have some standing with Yun Zhao now.’ "The Concubine said that there is no rush for your marriage. We can discuss it after Bo Ming passes the academy examinations. Go tell Aunt Che to set her mind at ease. I will inform my third brother-in-law about this matter."

"The Concubine?" Song Jinxuan was stunned for a moment, then overjoyed. "The Noble Consort was promoted?"

’Concubine... Doesn’t that mean she jumped two ranks?’

"Yes," the First Madam said with a smile. "With the Concubine’s word, you can rest easy."

Song Jinxuan had been on edge recently. Because Song Qinghan’s marriage prospects were not going well, the Madam found her more and more of an eyesore, especially since she was of marriageable age. Many families had come to propose marriage, which made the lack of interest in Song Qinghan look even worse. She and her mother were now treading on eggshells, afraid that the Madam would find fault with them and use it as an excuse to deal with them.

’But now everything is fine. With the Concubine’s word, Father will surely take it to heart, and the Madam won’t dare to marry me off so easily.’

Song Jinxuan was so emotional she was on the verge of tears. She quickly took out a handkerchief to dab her eyes and said to the First Madam, "I’ve lost my composure. Jinxuan has made a fool of herself before First Aunt."

"Oh, you child." The First Madam looked at Song Jinxuan, not minding her behavior. "You may go back now. Tell Aunt Che and Bo Ming, and have Bo Ming return to Nanyu for the academy examinations with peace of mind."

Song Jinxuan thanked the First Madam and left, her heart filled with joy.

The First Madam then sent someone to inquire when the Third Master would return to the residence. After that, she sent a messenger back to her own maternal home with a letter. She planned to visit them tomorrow; she needed to ask her father to keep a close eye on things regarding Chancellor Lu.

After arranging these miscellaneous matters, she began writing a letter to her husband. She wrote down all of Yun Zhao’s instructions in detail, paying special attention to the matter of Consort Shu demoting Consort Lu. Her husband had officials from Chancellor Lu’s faction serving under him, so he would need to be extra careful this time...

After finishing the letter, the First Madam let out a slight sigh of relief. By the time her husband returned to the Capital City to report on his duties, Yun Zhao’s position in the palace would be even more secure. The officials in the Ministry of Personnel wouldn’t dare to openly cause trouble, so there shouldn’t be any major obstacles to her husband’s promotion.

’As long as he achieves some political accomplishments during his term these next few years...’

The First Madam had a headache. She ought to go to Yucheng to accompany her husband, but she was afraid that if she left, Mrs. Cai would stir up trouble and damage Yun Zhao’s reputation. So she couldn’t leave; she had to hold down the fort in the Capital City.

Besides, there was the Xie family. She still had to pass messages for her ladyship, making it even more impossible for her to leave.

After thinking it over and over, the First Madam added a few more lines to the letter. If things became too difficult, she would just have her husband take another concubine in Yucheng. That way, he would have some support there.

While the First Madam was busy running off her feet, Yun Zhao couldn’t afford to be idle in the palace either.

She had been ennobled as a Concubine, and visitors came in wave after wave to congratulate her. She was now a concubine second only to the three concubines. Apart from the three concubines, who sent their Housekeepers to deliver congratulatory gifts, the concubines from all the other palaces had to come in person to offer their felicitations.

Wangyou Palace was truly bustling with excitement. Song Yunzhao’s face was getting stiff from smiling so much.

Han Jinyi originally had something to discuss with Yun Zhao, but seeing so many people, she didn’t bring it up. ’It can wait a day,’ she thought. After a quick word with Yun Zhao, she left first.

Song Yunzhao wasn’t overly formal with her either. She said softly, "I’ll talk to you tomorrow."

Han Jinyi left with a smile. As she was leaving, Feng Xiaoyuan also bid farewell, and the two departed together.

Qin Xiyue arrived a bit later. She didn’t stay long, just offered her congratulations and left.

Song Yunzhao saw off wave after wave of visitors. To her surprise, Lu Zhixue also came.

Lu Zhixue didn’t look very happy to see Song Yunzhao, but she still managed to squeeze out a smile. After presenting her gift and offering congratulations, she added, "I must also thank the Concubine for having my confinement lifted."

Song Yunzhao knew from the book that Lu Zhixue was a clever person, but ever since entering the palace, this clever person’s intelligence seemed to have been downgraded. She was always trying to pick a fight with her. Now, after this recent setback, she seemed to have come back to her senses.

’Becoming friends with her is impossible,’ Song Yunzhao thought. But she didn’t want to make an enemy of such a clever character from the book. So, she said with a smile, "Lu Pin, you jest. I’ve always been one to clearly distinguish between gratitude and grudges. You were indeed wronged in this matter, and your confinement was because of me. So, let’s just say we’re even."

Lu Zhixue smiled upon hearing this. "The Concubine is a straightforward person. Regardless, this concubine must still offer her thanks. I will not disturb the Concubine’s rest any longer. This concubine takes her leave."

"Xiangxue, see Lu Pin out for me," Song Yunzhao said with a smile.

’I’m now a third-rank concubine. I can finally use the formal ’I’ reserved for high-ranking consorts, and in front of the Emperor, I can properly address myself as his servant.’

Thinking of this, Song Yunzhao wondered if the Emperor would visit tonight. She rather wanted to see him.

The sky gradually darkened, and there was still no word from Taiji Palace. Song Yunzhao figured the Emperor probably wasn’t coming. She was a bit tired after being busy all day, so she had Shizhu serve dinner.

She changed out of her formal attire and chose a light, soft, begonia-red blouse and skirt. The hotter the weather became, the more reluctant she was to wear the multi-layered palace gowns. So, when there was generally no one around, she dressed more comfortably.

Just as she finished changing and walked out of the bedchamber, she looked up and froze. "Emperor, what are you doing here?"

’No one even announced him. He startled me.’

Feng Yi turned his head at the sound of her voice and put down the storybook he had picked up from the table. His eyes landed on Song Yunzhao, and his gaze instantly darkened.

Song Yunzhao: ...

’I didn’t do this on purpose. This time, it’s a genuine coincidence.’

Feng Yi strode over, chuckling at her blushing face. He leaned down slightly and whispered in her ear, "Is there any part of you I haven’t seen? And now you decide to be shy."

Song Yunzhao’s face grew even redder. ’Emperor, where is your sense of propriety?’

’Ever since the Emperor started indulging his carnal side, his character has really been going off the rails.’

Seeing that she was about to turn as red as a boiled shrimp, Feng Yi stopped teasing her. He took her hand, led her to the table to sit down, and then bantered, "You seem to be in high spirits. I take it you’ve fully recovered."

Hearing this, Song Yunzhao knew the Emperor was teasing her about how her promotion had lifted her spirits. She immediately retorted, "Your Majesty had the elixir, so of course I recovered quickly."

Feng Yi: ...

’Flatter me all you want. It won’t be this easy to get a promotion next time.’

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