I Was Supposed to Be the Villainous Consort

Chapter 57: Chapter 42: No Such Thing as Too Much Drama

Just as she was thinking this, she heard Lu Zhixue speak up. "Miss Han, what a coincidence. If I had known you were staying across from me, I would have paid you a visit last night."

Song Yunzhao thought, ’I knew it was her.’

Han Jinyi smiled and said, "It was too dark last night, so I didn’t notice you were across the way either. Otherwise, I certainly would have dropped by."

At that moment, Qin Xiyue also chimed in, "This is truly a coincidence. I never expected we’d all be staying here together. Now we have company." After speaking, she introduced Song Yunzhao to the other two. "This is Miss Song. We’ve met a few times. She has a rather chivalrous heart."

When they saw Song Yunzhao’s face, Lu Zhixue and Han Jinyi couldn’t help but exchange a glance before smiling and greeting her.

How could Song Yunzhao not see their perfunctory attitude? ’Qin Xiyue called me chivalrous... that’s an interesting choice of words. It’s hard to tell if she meant it as a compliment or a criticism.’ She returned their half-hearted greeting, briefly introduced Song Yexi, and then took her leave, walking on ahead of them.

Lu Zhixue watched the backs of the two Song sisters, then said thoughtfully, "Xiyue, that Miss Song is truly stunning."

Qin Xiyue smiled and nodded. "Yes, she’s a truly rare beauty." freēwēbηovel.c૦m

Hearing this, Han Jinyi watched their retreating figures and suddenly remarked, "There’s another Miss Song over in the Autumn Rooms. I wonder if she’s related to those two." freeweɓnøvel.com

"How do you know that?"

"Feng Yunjin is staying over there. I went to visit her last night, and she mentioned it," Han Jinyi said.

Lu Zhixue was taken aback. "No way! Three sisters from the same family are all here for the selection?"

Qin Xiyue frowned slightly. "We don’t know for sure that they’re sisters. They might just share the same surname. Besides, there are other instances of sisters from the same family participating in this selection."

"But three is a bit much."

"There are also cousins. If the families have formally separated, they aren’t considered the same household," Qin Xiyue said with a smile, then changed the subject. "We should get going too, or we’ll be late."

Lu Zhixue pouted and said to Han Jinyi, "I don’t know what kind of spell that Song Yunzhao cast on Xiyue for her to defend her like that. With a bewitching face like hers, she doesn’t look like someone who’s easy to get along with."

Hearing this, Han Jinyi just chuckled. "Don’t judge a book by its cover. I think she seems fine."

Lu Zhixue herself was the glamorous type, and seeing that Song Yunzhao was cut from the same cloth, she couldn’t help but take an instant dislike to her.

After Song Yunzhao and Song Yexi had walked some distance away, Song Yexi spoke up. "How do you know that Miss Qin?"

Those young ladies looked like they came from excellent families. They had a particular air about them that couldn’t be cultivated by an ordinary household.

"I ran into Miss Qin when she was in some trouble, and I just happened to help her out," Song Yunzhao explained simply. She then warned Song Yexi not to provoke He Lan Yun.

Song Yexi’s brows knitted together. She had heard of this Princess Ming’an’s reputation. "Mother also told me about the people in the Capital City I should be wary of. That princess is indeed not someone to be trifled with."

Qiushui Pavilion was quite a distance from where they were staying. By the time they had walked all the way there, their noses were beaded with sweat. When they arrived, they found the pavilion was already crowded.

He Lan Yun was also surrounded by a crowd of people. Someone must have said something amusing, as she was all smiles.

The moment Song Yunzhao stepped inside, He Lan Yun’s smile vanished.

Song Yunzhao: ...

Song Yexi also noticed He Lan Yun’s hostile glare. Her brow furrowed slightly, and she shifted to block the line of sight, pulling Song Yunzhao to sit on the other side.

Qiushui Pavilion was surrounded by water on three sides. From there, one had a panoramic view of Kunlun Lake, making it a perfect spot to enjoy the scenery.

After sitting down, Song Yunzhao looked at Song Yexi, surprised that she would do that.

Meeting Song Yunzhao’s gaze, Song Yexi said, looking a bit awkward, "My mother told me that you’re young and impulsive, and that I should look after you."

"Then I really must thank my dear aunt." Song Yunzhao honestly couldn’t tell if that was a compliment or an insult.

Song Yexi also felt that what she’d said hadn’t come out right. She quickly cleared her throat and changed the subject. "Look, Song Qinghan is here too. The girl with her seems to be the same one from yesterday. The two of them seem to be getting along well."

Song Yunzhao noticed many eyes in the room landing on her. She knew it was because of her face. Yesterday, Song Yexi had shielded her in a corner, so not many people had noticed her, but today was different.

She pretended not to notice the furtive glances and looked toward Song Qinghan. It was indeed the same girl as before. The two of them were standing very close, appearing to be on excellent terms.

At that very moment, Song Qinghan looked up and met her gaze. Then, Song Yunzhao watched as Song Qinghan said something to the girl beside her, and they both started walking over.

Song Qinghan had clearly taken great care with her appearance today. She approached them with a broad smile. "Xixi, Third Sister, this is my friend, Zhao Xiaoyu."

Zhao Xiaoyu?

’The original book never mentioned this name,’ Song Yunzhao thought, studying the girl. Her looks weren’t exactly stunning, but she had the demure prettiness of a girl from a respectable family.

"Miss Zhao," Song Yunzhao greeted, showing no intention of making small talk.

Song Yexi nodded as well, listening as Song Qinghan introduced them to Zhao Xiaoyu.

Zhao Xiaoyu’s gaze was friendly enough when she looked at Song Yexi, but it turned hostile when it landed on Song Yunzhao. She gave only a perfunctory greeting, and Song Yexi’s expression instantly soured.

Song Qinghan’s eyes remained on Song Yunzhao, her smile unwavering. She said softly, "Third Sister, I went to find you this morning, hoping we could walk over together, but you had already left. Mother instructed me to take good care of you..."

Hearing Song Qinghan’s hypocritical act, Song Yunzhao instantly clapped back, giving her no chance to sling mud. "Eldest Sister, you should really think before you speak. Don’t just spout nonsense, assuming others are ignorant of our family’s situation. If you’re not afraid of losing face, then I have nothing to fear either."

’Worst case, I’ll just make a scene and we’ll see who ends up embarrassed!’

Song Qinghan’s smile froze. She hadn’t expected Song Yunzhao to be so brazen in a place like this. For a moment, she was stuck in an awkward position, unsure if she should continue. What if Song Yunzhao really did air all their dirty laundry?

Hearing Song Yunzhao’s words, Zhao Xiaoyu, who was standing to the side, spoke up disapprovingly. "Third Miss Song, Qing Han is your older sister, after all. You should at least show her some respect."

"Does your family oversee the rivers, Miss Zhao?"

"What?" Zhao Xiaoyu had no idea what she meant. Her family had nothing to do with rivers.

"Then why do you concern yourself with matters so far from your own banks? You neither witnessed what happened nor have any real proof. I advise you to use your head before you open your mouth," Song Yunzhao scoffed.

"You... I was only trying to be helpful! Why must you be so sarcastic and cruel?" Zhao Xiaoyu trembled with anger.

He Lan Yun, hearing the commotion, sauntered over, clearly ready to enjoy the drama unfolding around Song Yunzhao.