I Was Supposed to Be the Villainous Consort

Chapter 333: Chapter 132: Giving Her the Cold Shoulder, Warming the Emperor’s Heart

Song Yunzhao looked at the crowd filling the hall. Everyone wore a broad smile, but who knew what they were really thinking.

The banquet didn’t end until 7:45 PM. The Emperor, surrounded by his courtiers, headed for Taiji Palace. Back in Qinghua Hall, the three concubines of the highest rank were the first to depart. Song Yunzhao, Han Jinyi, and the rest of their group followed close behind, while the noble women were led out of the palace one after another by Palace Attendants.

Seeing how late it was, Yun Zhao worried something might happen, so she had Anshun personally escort her mother out of the palace. As for her father, he had gone to Taiji Palace, an affair she couldn’t interfere with.

The small group of four walked through the night. A blast of cold air hit them as they stepped out of the hall, where warm sedan chairs were already waiting. Since Song Yunzhao’s Wangyou Palace was the closest to Qinghua Hall, she decided not to take one. After seeing the others into their chairs, she began her slow walk back to Wangyou Palace under the cover of night.

Xiangxue and Shizhu followed closely on either side, while Nanny Yu had already gone ahead to make preparations.

"Song Jieyu, please wait a moment."

Song Yunzhao hadn’t taken more than a few steps when she suddenly heard someone call out to her. She turned slowly and saw a figure in the distance, carrying a palace lantern and heading her way.

Only when the person drew closer did she see that it was, of all people, Qin Xiyue.

’No wonder the voice sounded familiar. The heavy cloak must have muffled it, so I didn’t recognize it at first.’

Song Yunzhao had no patience for a conversation with Qin Xiyue, but she was also curious to know what the story’s heroine wanted with her, so she waited for her to draw near.

"What can I do for you, Qin Wan Yi?" Song Yunzhao asked, her own expression unsmiling as she noted the other woman’s serious face. ’I’ve been smiling all night; don’t my facial muscles deserve a break?’

Qin Xiyue paid no mind to Song Yunzhao’s cold expression and said softly, "May I have a private word with you, Jieyu?"

Song Yunzhao replied, "There are no outsiders here. If you have something to say, Qin Wan Yi, just say it directly."

’Xiangxue and Shizhu are my people. After all this time, I know they’re loyal to me. Bribing them would cost a fortune.’

Hearing Yun Zhao’s words, Qin Xiyue paused for a moment before slowly speaking. "I sought you out tonight, Jieyu, to call a truce."

Song Yunzhao was so shocked that what little buzz she had from the wine vanished completely. ’A truce?’

"You must be joking, Qin Wan Yi. It’s not as if there’s some deep-seated hatred between us," ’yeah, right,’ "so why is there any talk of making peace?" Song Yunzhao’s mind raced, trying to figure out what Qin Xiyue was up to now.

"I heard about the matter with Chen Chengyi."

Song Yunzhao gazed at her with a calm expression. "So that’s what this is about. Do you intend to blame me for being meddlesome, Qin Wan Yi?"

"Of course not." Qin Xiyue shook her head. "I just never expected someone in the harem would spread a rumor that I instructed the Imperial Hospital not to treat Chen Chengyi. I’ve been truly wronged in this matter. I’m merely a Wanyi; how could I possibly have that much power?"

Song Yunzhao looked somewhat puzzled, but inwardly she wondered, ’Is this really what Qin Xiyue wants to talk to me about? On New Year’s Eve of all nights?’

’If this was really about Chen Chengyi, why not say something before the New Year celebrations? Why wait until tonight?’

Seeing that Song Yunzhao remained silent, Qin Xiyue let out a soft sigh. "I imagine you know that the Empress Dowager is returning to the palace after the New Year, Jieyu. You and I are both new concubines, and we will both have to face the Empress Dowager. Rather than let others divide us, why don’t we form an alliance?"

’So her true goal is about the Empress Dowager?’

Song Yunzhao suspected that wasn’t the whole truth. ’The heroine in the book isn’t one to ally with others so easily. Why would she suddenly want to team up with me?’

’The memory of what she did to Lu Zhixue—crushing her so badly she almost couldn’t recover—is still vivid. I’d have to be a fool to agree to this.’

"You certainly have a sense of humor, Qin Wan Yi. When the Empress Dowager returns, all we need to do is serve her respectfully. I’m the type who prefers to stay out of things, so I’m afraid I can’t ally with you," Song Yunzhao refused her outright.

’Since the heroine and I are destined never to be friends, and given that strange law that governs heroines and their supporting female characters, it’s safer for me to keep my distance from her.’

Qin Wan Yi sighed, a touch of disappointment in her voice. "I came in good faith. Since you’re not interested, Song Jieyu, let’s just forget it."

Song Yunzhao was speechless.

’She didn’t even try to be persuasive. The moment I refused, she gave up. It seems my sense of danger was right on the money. The heroine must have had another reason for seeking me out; perhaps she was using the Empress Dowager and Chen Chengyi to test me.’

Song Yunzhao couldn’t be bothered to play games with her. "Take care, Qin Wan Yi. It’s truly cold on New Year’s Eve. I’ll be going ahead."

Qin Xiyue watched Song Yunzhao’s retreating figure. After a long moment, she smiled, then turned and boarded her warm sedan chair to leave.

Back in Wangyou Palace, Song Yunzhao shed her elaborate outfit and undid her coiffure. Her scalp instantly relaxed, and her whole body felt lighter.

"My Lady, you should bathe first. The hot water has been prepared."