I Was Supposed to Be the Villainous Consort

Chapter 34: Chapter 34: Why Is This Plot So Familiar?

Song Qinghan’s eyes darkened, and she glanced at Furong.

Furong trembled, quickly bowed, and backed away, not daring to say another word.

The next day, the First Madam came to discuss with Mrs. Cai the preparations of clothes and jewelry for the children entering the palace for the selection. With Song Qinghan’s previous scheme against Song Yexi, the First Madam was really twisting the knife this time.

The late spring weather was hot during the day and cool at night, so several sets of both thick and thin clothes needed to be prepared. The jewelry worn on their heads had to match the outfits, and there were also small items like shoes, socks, sachets, and handkerchiefs. All in all, the list the First Madam handed over was a thick stack.

Mrs. Cai’s face turned pale with anger. "Sister-in-law, isn’t this a bit much? Even for the selection, there’s no reason to be so extravagant."

The First Madam looked at Mrs. Cai with a serious expression. "Third Sister-in-law, what we’re preparing is nothing. I’ve heard that the young ladies from the households of the Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, the Minister of the Ministry of Justice, and the Grand Tutor Mansion not only have their own embroideresses make things for them, but they also buy a great deal from famous clothing shops. Third Sister-in-law, we can’t compare ourselves to those truly wealthy families, but the Song Family has a long and storied history. We can’t let people laugh at us, don’t you agree?"

While Mrs. Cai and the First Madam were sparring, Song Yunzhao quietly slipped out. She needed to buy a few things for self-defense and, on the way, check on the Xie’s Restaurant to see if they had started telling her story.

First, she went to the apothecary. ’In the book, this selection is really going to be lively, with all sorts of schemes and plots coming one after another. Although I just plan to slack off and get assigned a marriage, I’m self-aware enough to know this face of mine will probably attract trouble. I can’t just go around telling everyone I’m only here for show. If someone reported me, a charge of contempt for imperial authority would be enough to crush me.’

Pills couldn’t be brought into the palace. Every concubine would have their bodies and luggage inspected before entering. She planned to buy some medicinal powders, wrap them in oil paper, seal them inside a sachet, and even if it were discovered, it wasn’t anything harmful, so she wouldn’t have to be afraid.

Things for diarrhea, antidotes, insect repellents, allergy remedies, rash treatments—whatever she could think of, she bought a portion of each. She ended up spending quite a bit of silver at the apothecary alone. ’Ouch, that hurt.’

’One must not have the heart to harm others, but one must be vigilant against being harmed.’

’This money was well spent.’

As she was leaving the apothecary, preoccupied with the medicine packets in her hands, she almost collided with someone coming in. She quickly stepped back to steady herself and looked up to see a familiar face. freewebnoveℓ.com

"My apologies... It’s you? What a coincidence! Do you still remember me, sir?" Song Yunzhao hadn’t expected the newcomer to be the very same Mr. Zhe Shan she’d seen at the Three Yuan Building. Today, he was once again holding a gold-dusted fan, dressed in white robes as pure as snow on a mountain peak. His temperament was already cool and distant, and the white attire made one want to keep a wide berth.

Feng Yi nodded slightly. "Indeed, it is a coincidence. Why has the young lady purchased so many medicinal herbs?"

His voice was as pleasant as she remembered, slightly tempering his cold aura. Song Yunzhao cleared her throat. "For personal use."

Feng Yi raised a slight eyebrow and said impassively, "I see."

Song Yunzhao didn’t know him well; she had only greeted him because they’d suddenly met and nearly bumped into each other. Now that the pleasantries were over, she immediately said, "Are you also here to buy medicine, sir? I won’t disturb you then. We’ll meet again."

Feng Yi’s eyes swept over the medicine packets in Song Yunzhao’s hand as he said meaningfully, "We will meet again."

Song Yunzhao let out a long breath after leaving the apothecary, not noticing the deeper meaning in Feng Yi’s words. She had walked a few steps before it dawned on her. ’I still didn’t see his full face today. Mr. Zhe Shan’s fan really is getting its money’s worth.’

She handed the medicine packets to Jiangxiang, who was waiting by the carriage. "Put these away carefully. Don’t let anyone see them."

Jiangxiang quickly assented, storing the items in a hidden compartment in the carriage, then asked, "Miss, where to next?"

"To the Yuquan Building."

The Yuquan Building was the Xie family’s restaurant. It had been open in the Capital City for a few years but was still a step below the Three Yuan Building. However, when the carriage arrived outside the Yuquan Building today, they found it packed with people both inside and out.

Song Yunzhao didn’t get out of the carriage, instead sending a guard to inquire about the situation.

’Don’t tell me someone’s causing trouble.’

’There are so many people. Half the street is blocked.’

The carriage stopped by the roadside. Song Yunzhao lifted the curtain to look out. Her gaze swept the area, then suddenly focused. She widened her eyes and looked again. ’Isn’t that Qin Xiyue?’

’Of course. It’s never peaceful where the female lead is. Good thing I had the foresight not to get out. It’s so much better to sit in the carriage and watch the drama unfold. If I’d gotten out, my cannon fodder attribute would have probably dragged me into it.’

’Standing next to Qin Xiyue is... Ji Yunting?’

’Huh?’

’Why are those two together?’

’A glance to the side, and a closer look revealed the He Lan siblings.’

’Now, that’s more like it.’

’You can’t have a dumpster fire for the female lead without the female villain there to light the match.’

’But who’s that handsome young man standing next to Ji Yunting?’

He was dressed in dark robes, with thin lips, a straight nose, and sword-like eyebrows that slanted up toward his temples. His eyes looked like they were about to spit fire, full of impatience.

Helan Yue was saying something, but He Lan Yun abruptly shook off her brother’s arm and raised her hand to slap Qin Xiyue’s face.

’That aggressive?’

Song Yunzhao was stunned. ’This scene wasn’t in the book. The plot started with the concubine selection, and the female lead never recalled this past event later on. So I’m completely in the dark about what’s happening right now.’

Just then, Ji Yunting reached out and blocked He Lan Yun’s arm. Helan Yue seized the opportunity to pull his sister back, but he used a bit too much force, and the yank sent He Lan Yun tumbling down the steps.

Song Yunzhao: ...

’That works too?’

The steps were maybe twenty centimeters high at most. From that height, she herself would have stumbled at worst, but He Lan Yun actually took a face-plant!

Such a turn of events was truly unexpected.

He Lan Yun scrambled up from the ground, said something to her brother, and then turned and ran off.

Helan Yue then said something to the female lead—perhaps a farewell or an apology—before turning to chase after his sister.

Song Yunzhao patted her chest. ’That was close, so close. Good thing I stayed hidden in the carriage. Otherwise, I’m afraid I would have been the unlucky one.’

Just then, the guard she had sent to gather information returned.

"Third Miss, I’ve found out what happened. There was an incident at the Yuquan Building today. A poor scholar took his fiancée’s family’s silver to come to the Capital City to study under a master. As it turns out, the master took a liking to him and made him his son-in-law. The scholar’s fiancée got word of this, came to the Capital City to demand justice, and cornered him right here at the Yuquan Building. That’s why so many people have gathered to watch the spectacle."

’Hm?’

’Eh?’

’Why does this plot sound so familiar?’

’Isn’t this the exact template of the story I wrote?’

’So is this a case of truth being stranger than fiction?’

’I don’t think so. How could it be such a coincidence?’

’If not, then did Xie Jinshu hire people to act this out to deliberately create a buzz, and then use the opportunity to launch my story?’

With that thought, Song Yunzhao could no longer sit still. She immediately got out of the carriage. ’I have to go see for myself.’

’If my guess is right, then that Xie Jinshu is a real genius.’