I Was Supposed to Be the Villainous Consort

Chapter 331: Chapter 131: Who Doesn’t Know How to be Sarcastic?

Feng Yi couldn’t shake the feeling that a pair of brazen eyes were staring at him. He subtly shifted his gaze and, sure enough, it was Song Yunzhao. He had never seen anyone bolder.

Caught red-handed by the Emperor, Song Yunzhao immediately retracted her gaze and put on an innocent expression.

Feng Yi: ...

The Music Department had long prepared the song and dance. As the orchestra began to play, singers filed into the room. Their sleeves billowed, their bodies as light as swallows. Their fair hands moved with lingering grace, and their skirts fluttered. The sight of their slender waists twirling was truly a feast for the eyes.

Song Yunzhao stared at the waists of the group of Dancing Girls. This time, they were wrapped up tightly, with brocade sashes at their waists, as if terrified of the slightest bit of skin showing...

A peculiar look crossed her face.

It wasn’t just Song Yunzhao whose expression was strange; the other concubines didn’t look too pleased either. After all, the disastrous incident sparked by a Dancing Girl was still fresh in their minds.

Song Yunzhao kept a straight face, adopting the philosophy that if she refused to be embarrassed, then someone else must be. With that, she calmly enjoyed the performance of the dancing Beauties.

Even Feng Yi couldn’t resist glancing at Yun Zhao. Seeing her deadpan expression, he couldn’t guess what she was thinking.

Perhaps because the exchanged glances among the concubines were too obvious, many of the noble women began to take notice. It was unclear who started it, but whispers of how Yun Zhao had once caused a huge scene over a Dancing Girl began to spread.

The hall was filled with the sound of drums and music, and Song Yunzhao didn’t have superhuman hearing, so she naturally couldn’t know what others were saying. However, she could feel more and more eyes turning to her.

’What’s happening behind my back now?’

Song Yunzhao couldn’t guess, nor did she want to. She tilted her head slightly, and her eyes met Feng Yi’s. He gave her a smile, but to Song Yunzhao, it looked utterly bizarre.

’Why is everyone staring at me instead of eating the fine food, drinking the good wine, and appreciating the dancing Beauties?’

This was the first time Song Nanzhen had heard of his daughter’s infamous exploit. He lowered his head, silent. Upon reflection, ’It does sound like something she would do.’

’Sending my daughter into the palace was truly unfair to her,’ he thought. ’As her father, I couldn’t give her a powerful family background, nor can I support her. She can only rely on herself to move forward in the palace.’

As the song and dance continued, courtiers began to step forward to toast the Emperor, and the hall instantly grew lively. This was the first time Song Yunzhao had witnessed such a scene. Listening to the silver-tongued courtiers offer an endless, unrepeating stream of auspicious words—wishing well to the Emperor, the world, and the coming year—was an experience.

It made her feel quite ashamed. ’Compared to them, I’m a complete dunce,’ she thought.

’No comparison, no comparison at all.’

"Greetings, Song Jieyu."

Song Yunzhao suddenly heard someone address her. She looked up to see a noble woman she didn’t recognize. She smiled and said, "May I ask your name, Madam?"

The lady smiled and replied, "My husband’s family name is Yue."

Song Yunzhao understood immediately. This was the Yue Family that Song Yexi had married into. The smile on her face instantly became more genuine. "Ah, so it is Lady Yue. We have not had the pleasure of meeting. My apologies for not recognizing you."

Lady Yue laughed at her words. "Concubine, you make me feel ashamed. I originally didn’t want to disturb you when I came to the palace, but when Ye Xi learned I was attending the New Year’s banquet, she asked me to send you her greetings."

"Is my cousin well? We haven’t had a chance to see each other since she married. I do miss her." Song Yunzhao spoke warmly, but inwardly she was thinking, ’Lady Yue definitely didn’t approach me just to pass on a message from Song Yexi.’

Lady Yue was Princess Zhenbei’s sister-in-law from her maiden family, but no one from the Prince Zhenbei Mansion had approached her yet. Lady Yue’s visit likely had a deeper meaning.

"Ye Xi is filial to her elders and harmonious with her sisters-in-law. The whole family is very pleased with her. Shao’er says that getting such a wonderful wife means he’s blessed with good fortune, and he tells everyone he meets."

Song Yunzhao: ...

The praise was so over the top that even her thick skin couldn’t quite handle it. She cleared her throat and said, "It is my cousin’s good fortune to have earned the high regard of you and the Yue Family."

Hearing this, Lady Yue thought that Song Jieyu was actually quite an eloquent person. When she was willing to converse properly, she was very pleasant to be around. Lady Yue tactfully raised her cup for a toast and then returned to her seat.

Lady Yue broke the ice. In an instant, the area around Yun Zhao became as lively as the one before the three concubines, with a constant stream of people coming to offer toasts.

Lady Yue didn’t return to her own seat. Instead, she chatted with a few ladies she was friendly with, exchanging New Year’s greetings and auspicious phrases. After making the rounds, she finally walked over and sat down next to Princess Zhenbei.

Princess Zhenbei had just returned from visiting the three concubines. Seeing the crowd around Song Jieyu, she decided not to go over just yet. After sitting down, she asked, "Sister-in-law, how was it?"

Lady Yue nodded slightly. "Your judgment was correct. This Song Jieyu is no simple character. I praised Ye Xi to the high heavens, but she showed no arrogance. In fact, she praised our family instead."

Princess Zhenbei chuckled softly. "Then you can set your mind at ease."

Lady Yue nodded slightly. "Others might think it’s a good thing to be associated with Song Jieyu, but I was the only one with a worried heart. Seeing her in person today has finally put half my worries to rest."

’I was afraid that Song Jieyu was as domineering and unreasonable as the rumors claimed. Plenty of women in the palace gain favor, but how many of them can maintain it for long?’

’When forming ties through marriage, you can’t just look at the advantages and ignore the disadvantages.’

"Judging by Song Jieyu’s conduct today, she faces situations without fear and handles matters without arrogance. It’s no wonder the three concubines can’t get the upper hand with her. A Beauty who is not only gorgeous and charming but also knows when to advance and when to retreat... if it were you or I, we would be fond of her too."

’Let alone a man.’

Lady Yue agreed completely. Then she said, "I won’t go over to the three concubines. With my status, they might not even give me the time of day. You go on with your business. We can talk properly when you return to the family home on the second day of the New Year."

Princess Zhenbei picked up her wine cup, stood, and nodded to her sister-in-law before walking toward Song Yunzhao.

Madam Song was also there, with Mrs. Han standing beside her. Yun Zhao was speaking with them when she saw Princess Zhenbei approaching. The princess looked vaguely familiar, and after a moment’s thought, it clicked.

"Greetings, Concubine. My young daughter has mentioned you often. It is a pleasure to finally meet you today," Princess Zhenbei said with a smile.

Madam Song and Mrs. Han greeted Princess Zhenbei, then picked up their wine cups and excused themselves so as not to interrupt their conversation.

Song Yunzhao watched them leave before turning to Princess Zhenbei with a smile. "I recognized you the moment I saw you, Your Highness. The County Princess bears a strong resemblance to you."

Princess Zhenbei was delighted. With a sincere expression, she said, "To be honest, I have been wanting to thank you, Concubine. If it weren’t for your advice, I’m afraid Yun’er would still be acting foolishly."

Song Yunzhao thought to herself, ’If Princess Zhenbei really wanted to thank me and form a connection, she would have approached me much earlier.’