I Was Supposed to Be the Villainous Consort

Chapter 183: Chapter 77: The Four

Song Yunzhao recalled what the First Madam had said yesterday. ’The First Madam really has the bearing of a family matriarch,’ she thought. ’If she hadn’t told me those things yesterday, I’d be quite anxious today.’

So, she looked at Han Jinyi and said, "My eldest uncle has always been upright and cautious as an official, and my father’s position is too low to be of any consequence. I’m not worried on that front."

"That’s good." Han Jinyi let out a sigh of relief. "As long as your family is stable, your position in the palace will be secure. You have the Emperor’s favor now. If you could deliver some good news, that would be even better."

Song Yunzhao saw Han Jinyi glancing at her stomach and was at a loss for words. She could only put on an embarrassed expression to brush it off.

’Who can say for sure when it comes to pregnancy? Earning a promotion through a child is a shortcut, but for me, that shortcut would just be the icing on the cake.’

’What I need is for the Emperor to truly hold me in his heart. Only then will my position be truly secure.’

Han Jinyi didn’t press the matter. She looked at her and said, "That day, I happened to be feeling unwell and was resting. I had no idea you had a confrontation with Consort Lu in the Imperial Garden. Thank goodness you’re alright."

"It was bound to happen sooner or later. Consort Lu has disliked me for a long time and has been looking for a chance to target me," Song Yunzhao said. "Besides, even if you had been there and tried to speak up for me, you might have just incurred Consort Lu’s wrath. With so many people present, who would have dared to stick their neck out? I understand your intentions, but it’s best not to make a pointless sacrifice in situations like that."

Han Jinyi felt a complex mix of emotions upon hearing this. She hadn’t expected Yun Zhao to be so protective of her. "You’re a Concubine now, a rank higher than An Fangyi. These past two days, I’ve noticed that even An Fangyi, who rarely leaves her residence, has been out and about. You’ve really become the talk of the palace."

’An Fangyi?’

If Han Jinyi hadn’t brought her up, she would have completely forgotten about her. "Speaking of which, it seems An Fangyi didn’t show up that day."

"Yes. I’ve shared a palace with An Fangyi for so long, and I rarely see her go out. So, seeing her constantly out and about these past two days makes me think your double promotion has had a huge impact on people."

"Back when the incident with Beauty Zhen happened, An Fangyi actually made an appearance," Song Yunzhao said, looking at Han Jinyi.

After hearing what Yun Zhao said, Han Jinyi thought for a moment and nodded. "Now that you mention it, I wouldn’t have remembered. It is strange, looking back. An Fangyi isn’t one to meddle in other people’s affairs."

"How does she treat you?" Song Yunzhao asked.

"An Fangyi’s rank is higher than mine, but she has never given me any trouble, nor does she require me to go and pay my respects. We get along peacefully and harmoniously," Han Jinyi said.

Song Yunzhao nodded. "That’s good."

"Lu Zhixue came to my place last night."

"Lu Zhixue?" Song Yunzhao was a little surprised.

"Yes, I was surprised too. I think she’s changed a lot after these last two incidents," Han Jinyi said with a sigh.

These young ladies from the Capital City’s elite families all had some connection to one another. Lu Zhixue’s former temperament wasn’t as competitive and aggressive as it became after entering the palace. It was just that she always seemed to lose her head when she was up against Yun Zhao.

"She learned her lesson after hitting a wall," Song Yunzhao said expressionlessly. "Did Lu Zhixue come to you to complain? She’s always been on good terms with Consort Qin. Shouldn’t she have gone to her?"

Speaking of which, Han Jinyi’s expression turned a little strange. "Logically, yes. But Lu Zhixue didn’t mention Consort Qin in front of me. It seems there’s some friction between them."

"You weren’t there that day. Princess Consort Zhuang asked Consort Qin about Lu Zhixue sending me a congratulatory gift, and Consort Qin claimed she knew nothing about it. There were so many people there. Even if she truly didn’t know, she should have said a few words in Lu Zhixue’s defense. But she didn’t."

The smile vanished from Han Jinyi’s face. She knew Yun Zhao wouldn’t lie to her. She never expected Qin Xiyue to act that way.

"She wasn’t like this before," Han Jinyi sighed. ’Everyone changes after entering the palace.’ "No wonder Lu Zhixue came to me. She must be heartbroken after finding out about this."

"Whether she’s heartbroken or not has nothing to do with me. In any case, be careful yourself when you encounter Consort Qin in the future." Song Yunzhao couldn’t say more; she could only offer a small warning.

"We haven’t interacted much since entering the palace. As I’ve grown closer to you, I’ve drifted apart from them," Han Jinyi said with a smile. "If we can get along, we’ll interact more. If not, it’s fine as long as we can coexist peacefully."

’It’s not like I’m a pushover.’

"Huh? Speaking of which, last time Lu Zhixue had Feng Xiaoyuan pass a message to me. Why didn’t she go to her this time?" Song Yunzhao suddenly thought of this and asked.

Han Jinyi shook her head. "I don’t know either."

But Song Yunzhao felt something was off. This was completely different from how things unfolded in the book, giving her a sense of impending danger.

Seeing Song Yunzhao fall silent, Han Jinyi thought for a moment and said, "Why don’t I go talk to Feng Xiaoyuan and see if I can find anything out?"

Song Yunzhao shook her head. "Don’t go. Feng Xiaoyuan is a smart person. Since Lu Zhixue didn’t go to her, it’s possible their transaction was a one-time deal."

Han Jinyi understood. Feng Xiaoyuan must have owed Lu Zhixue a favor, or perhaps the Feng family owed the Lu Family. This incident was the repayment of that favor.

’Once the favor was repaid, there was no need for them to remain tied together.’

Han Jinyi sighed softly. In the past, everyone at least put on a show of harmony. Now, it was every woman for herself.

"I heard some courtiers are bringing up the matter of appointing an Empress."

"Appointing an Empress?" Song Yunzhao was stunned. ’This did happen in the book, but it was supposed to be much later. The courtiers only brought it up when Qin Xiyue and the three concubines were at each other’s throats and about to flip the table, as a way to suppress Qin Xiyue.’

’At that time, Grand Tutor Qin, still vigorous in his old age, backed his daughter, confronting the families of the three concubines at court. The Emperor used the situation to make them weaken each other, gradually seizing more and more control over the government.’

’But that strategy won’t work with me right now, because the Song Family has no one standing in the court.’

A cold sweat suddenly broke out on Song Yunzhao. ’If the Song Family has no one at court, then the Emperor can’t play his games of political maneuvering. That means I’m now facing Grand Tutor Qin and the four great families of the three concubines’ maternal clans!’

’How could I have not thought of this?!’

Song Yunzhao was horrified. How could she have forgotten something so crucial?

Seeing the color drain from Song Yunzhao’s face, Han Jinyi asked with concern, "Yun Zhao, what’s wrong? Are you feeling unwell?"

Song Yunzhao shook her head, her eyes landing on Han Jinyi. ’That’s right. The Song Family has no one at court for now, but there’s still the Minister of the Ministry of Justice.’

’From what Jinyi said, the Han Family still has a friendly attitude towards the Song Family, and they would even give us advance warning of danger.’ Thinking of this, Song Yunzhao tried to recall more details. ’I remember that in the book, the Minister of the Ministry of Justice faces a disaster.’

’But what was it exactly? I can’t quite remember the details. The book only mentioned it in passing, but this could be my golden opportunity to win over the Han Family!’

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