I Was Supposed to Be the Villainous Consort

Chapter 330: Chapter 131: Who Can’t Be Passive-Aggressive?

’Looks like she’s really being watched closely. Otherwise, how would such a trivial matter reach her ears?’

As if not detecting the barb in Yun Zhao’s words, Princess Consort Zhuang smiled and said, "Song Jieyu is deeply favored by the Emperor. It’s nothing for the Six Departments to treat you a little better."

Song Yunzhao scoffed inwardly at these words. ’She’s trying to make the noble women present wary of me, isn’t she? After all, their own daughters in the palace are still without favor.’

"Consort Zhuang, you entered the palace many years before me, so it seems you have deep experience. I imagine the Six Departments must have been exceptionally attentive to you in the early years. Although I haven’t felt any particular favoritism from the Six Departments, since you’ve brought it up, Your Highness, I really must inquire carefully, lest I fail to appreciate their kind intentions." Song Yunzhao looked at Princess Consort Zhuang. ’The people from the Six Departments are not to be trifled with. Didn’t I have to grit my teeth and let them make their black heart silver off me back when I wasn’t powerful enough?’

Song Yunzhao’s words were quite cutting. The phrase "exceptionally attentive to you in the early years" was a deliberate jab, implying that Princess Consort Zhuang had now fallen from favor and the Six Departments couldn’t be bothered to curry favor with her anymore.

Was she willing to spend Innocent Silver?

Of course not.

Is it that the Emperor doesn’t know the Six Departments are black-hearted?

That’s not it either.

Why hasn’t he made a move against them?

The court is not yet stable; how can he allow a fire to break out in the harem?

In the Emperor’s eyes, the Six Departments are naturally not as important as the court. Once the Emperor has a firm grasp on the power of the court, how could the Six Departments possibly escape?

Song Yunzhao was, of course, moving in step with the Emperor. So when Princess Consort Zhuang used the Six Departments to make her a target, she truly wasn’t afraid. Not only was she not afraid, but she also turned around and gifted Princess Consort Zhuang a "special package" of her own.

Princess Consort Zhuang couldn’t afford to offend the people of the Six Departments right now either. Although she held the rank of a concubine, she wasn’t one of the concubines who held real power over the harem. Even if the people of the Six Departments had to give face to Vice Minister Wang, if Princess Consort Zhuang went too far, they were not to be trifled with.

Hearing this, Madam Song breathed a small sigh of relief. ’That child, Yun Zhao, has become more and more composed. She didn’t lose the verbal spar, nor was she disrespectful in a way that could be used against her. She even managed to display the confidence that comes with being favored.’

’Well done.’

Princess Zhenbei sighed with admiration in her heart. She recalled her own family’s lavish praise for Song Yexi. ’I never expected the Song Family to be so skilled at raising their children. This Song Jieyu truly cannot be underestimated.’

Moreover, Princess Zhenbei viewed things from a different angle than others. While others only saw how Song Yunzhao counterattacked, she saw that there seemed to be a problem among the three concubines. Princess Consort Zhuang and Princess Consort Wan had joined forces, while Consort Shu remained a bystander.

Furthermore, whether it was Princess Consort Zhuang or Princess Consort Wan, when confronting Song Jieyu, they were clearly hesitant, lacking the confidence to crush her completely.

On the contrary, Song Jieyu showed no fear when facing the two concubines. This showed how much confidence she had, and it would likely force Princess Zhenbei to reassess the situation.

Besides, the Song Family’s prospects were excellent right now. Song Jieyu’s father had earned merit in two consecutive disaster relief efforts, the family had produced a third-place scholar, and even Madam Song’s son-in-law had become an Advanced Scholar. The entire Song Family was on a clear upward trajectory.

’Producing one outstanding person in a generation is nothing special, but when a family produces one exceptional descendant after another, that is what’s truly admirable.’

"The Emperor has arrived!"

Song Yunzhao felt a little regretful. ’If the Emperor had arrived just a bit later, the look on Princess Consort Zhuang’s face would have been even better.’

Everyone rose in unison to welcome His Majesty.

"This concubine pays her respects to the Emperor."

"Your subject pays her respects to the Emperor."

Following the Emperor were Civil and Military Officials, members of the Imperial Family, and important ministers from various regions, all attending the feast. However, during the late Emperor’s time, the fight for the throne had led to brutal fratricide. Now, the Emperor’s generation was sparse, and few members of the Imperial Family had survived. The book barely mentioned these people; they were practically invisible.

Song Yunzhao glanced at them once before looking away. These people hadn’t helped Feng Yi when he was a prince, so now that Feng Yi was the Emperor, he naturally wouldn’t give any special treatment to these so-called relatives.

Song Yunzhao cast a subtle glance and saw her father from a great distance. His position wasn’t high, so he naturally couldn’t stand in the front rows. Their eyes met, and Song Yunzhao offered a faint smile.

Song Nanzhen smiled back before quickly looking away. One had to remain serious in the great hall.

Everyone offered their congratulations, the Emperor said a few conventional words, and the banquet dishes were brought out like a flowing stream.

The Emperor sat high on his throne, with no one beside him.

Only the Empress was permitted to sit beside the Emperor.

With no Empress in the harem, the Emperor could only be by himself.

The three concubines’ seats were closest to the Emperor, followed by Song Yunzhao’s. She tilted her head slightly to glance at the Emperor, observing his appearance in the Dragon Robe. ’He really is so handsome,’ she thought.

’With the Emperor being this good-looking, coming to the palace was worth it after all.’