I Was Supposed to Be the Villainous Consort

Chapter 79: Chapter 48: Definitely Up to No Good (Part 2)

’Didn’t these people see how I was so unforgiving with the person who pushed me and caused my injury, getting her eliminated and expelled from the palace?’

’Shouldn’t a normal person think I’m a villain for causing another concubine to lose her bright future over a minor injury?’

’What exactly is wrong here?’

Song Yunzhao thought about it until she was about to go bald, but she still couldn’t figure it out. In the end, she just gave up.

’The world inside a book isn’t something a normal person can get involved in.’

’There’s no problem in the world that can’t be solved by giving up. That saying is so true. I should just lie flat.’

’Perhaps only someone with a powerful protagonist’s halo, like the female lead, can maintain a consistent persona. I shouldn’t hope for that.’

Anyway, since the selection began, Qin Xiyue had stood out among the group of concubines with her maxed-out skill points, dazzling everyone and leaving the rest in the dust.

Lu Zhixue followed closely behind her, while Han Jinyi and Feng Yunjin were not to be outdone. What surprised her was that Fan Qingru—who had always been neutral and had a weak presence in the book—was also performing exceptionally well this time. And of course, Song Qinghan was hot on their heels.

The reason she was able to catch up as a rising star was that her distant familial connection to the late Consort Chu had somehow spread.

Song Yunzhao knew full well what was happening. Song Qinghan saw her holed up in her room with an injury, which meant she couldn’t scheme against her or use her as a stepping stone. Since she couldn’t bear to watch the others get ahead, she’d released this bit of news herself.

The Dingnan Bo Mansion had indeed originally chosen her to be recommended for the palace, so she had the confidence to spread this news.

Claiming a connection to the deceased Consort Chu naturally gave her more weight.

Just as she was thinking this, she heard the sound of laughter and conversation from outside. Soon, the door was pushed open, and Song Yexi and He Lan Yun walked in together.

Song Yunzhao had saved some strawberries for them and quickly invited them to sit down.

He Lan Yun said sourly, "You’re certainly living the good life."

Song Yexi, afraid that someone might see them and start gossiping, quickly closed the door behind her before walking to the table to sit down. freёwebnoѵel.com

Noticing their troubled expressions, Song Yunzhao immediately asked, "What’s wrong? Did you get scolded?"

"You’re the one who got scolded!" He Lan Yun retorted after eating a strawberry.

"Then why the long face?"

Song Yexi said, "During the scripture copying today, our ’dear sister’ received praise from the Housekeeper."

Song Yunzhao, who had thought it was something serious, said, "All those years of practicing calligraphy at home weren’t for nothing. At least she has one skill to show for it."

He Lan Yun looked at Song Yunzhao, who didn’t seem angry at all, and asked curiously, "Why aren’t you angry?"

"Why should I be angry?" Song Yunzhao asked in return.

"Is that even a question? Song Qinghan treats you poorly. How can you be happy seeing her in the spotlight?"

"The Housekeeper only praised her once. Ahead of her are people like Miss Qin, Miss Lu, and Miss Han, who are all outstanding. I’ll save my anger for when she actually beats all of them to take first place."

He Lan Yun fell silent for a moment after hearing this, then said, "That... actually makes some sense."

Song Yexi was inwardly delighted to hear Princess Ming’an getting tangled in Yun Zhao’s logic again, but she had to give the County Princess some face, so she didn’t let it show. She quickly changed the subject. "I heard the review date has been moved up. There’s only half a month left. A few more concubines were sent away today. I think it’s only going to get stricter from here on out."

With every competition, more concubines would be eliminated. The numbers would keep dwindling until the finalists were decided.

The four arts of zither, Go, calligraphy, and painting—Song Yunzhao wasn’t particularly outstanding in any of them. She was at that upper-middle level: not bad enough to be called bad, but not good enough to actually win first place.

’That domineering ’I can do it, so I’ll take the lead’ attitude typical of transmigrated heroines is nonexistent in me. A person has to recognize their own limitations.’

And she had always been very clear about hers.

’No pain, no gain.’

’I don’t want to suffer too much, so I just have to accept that my skills aren’t up to par.’

"So, what’s the competition tomorrow?" Song Yunzhao asked.

"Zither skills," Song Yexi said.

Song Yunzhao maintained her smile. ’Nope! Thankfully, I can continue to recuperate from my injury.’

"And the day after tomorrow?"

"Go skills, and painting the day after that."

Song Yunzhao glanced at her knee. ’I can probably avoid the Go competition, but I likely won’t be able to get out of painting.’

Seeing Song Yunzhao’s subtle expression, He Lan Yun was reminded of Song Yunzhao’s embroidery. Judging from that, her painting skills were probably a lost cause.

Sensing He Lan Yun’s faintly disdainful gaze, Song Yunzhao fell silent.

He Lan Yun’s mood instantly improved. Feeling like she had finally won one over on her, she returned to her own room with her head held high and chest puffed out.

Song Yexi didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. After He Lan Yun left, she said to Song Yunzhao, "Song Qinghan has been seeking me out these past two days, trying to get closer to me."

Song Yunzhao frowned. "I knew she wouldn’t give up. Since she has no opportunity with me, she was bound to go after you."