I Was Supposed to Be the Villainous Consort

Chapter 334: Chapter 132: A Cold Shoulder for Her, a Warm Heart for the Emperor

Song Yunzhao rose and walked toward the bath chamber. There was truly nothing more blissful than soaking in a hot bath.

A layer of petals floated in the bathing tub, and a floral fragrance filled the air. Song Yunzhao disrobed and settled in. Xiangxue massaged her shoulders, loosening her tired muscles, while Shizhu scrubbed her back. It was so comfortable that she closed her eyes, wishing she could sleep straight through until dawn.

Tonight’s palace banquet was the first grand one she had attended since entering the palace, and it was utterly exhausting. The exhaustion came from having to consider everyone she met—their family background, their position as friend or foe, their clan’s connections—and ensuring that every word she spoke was perfectly appropriate.

’My brain is fried. It’s just so draining.’

Halfway through her bath, she suddenly heard voices outside. Song Yunzhao opened her eyes, and just as she was about to ask what was happening, Feng Yi pushed open the door to the bath chamber and strode inside.

Song Yunzhao was speechless.

Xiangxue and Shizhu were also stunned. Before they could react, they saw the Emperor wave his hand at them, and the two had no choice but to bow and withdraw.

Any trace of drowsiness vanished. Leaning against the edge of the tub, Song Yunzhao looked at Feng Yi. "What brings you here at this hour, Your Majesty?"

’That was fast,’ she thought. ’I figured the Emperor would just stay the night in Taiji Palace. Traveling on such a cold day is such a hassle.’

Feng Yi took a step forward. The petals on the water’s surface swayed slightly, obscuring her form below. He casually shrugged off his outer robe, looked at Song Yunzhao, and said, "Weren’t you the one who said you would keep the New Year’s vigil with me?"

Song Yunzhao froze. She had been so dog-tired all evening that she had completely forgotten.

But it wasn’t her fault she’d forgotten. Her words tumbled out, "I didn’t forget! I was just thinking that since Your Majesty had such a long night, you might stay over in Taiji Palace."

The words had barely left her mouth when the Emperor stepped into the bathing tub, causing water to instantly overflow and splash onto the floor.

Song Yunzhao was speechless.

’Putting in overtime again tonight. A girl has no rights around here, I swear.’

Forced to "work overtime," Song Yunzhao shared a lovers’ bath with the Emperor. By the time they returned to the bedchamber, it was already past 9 p.m. Song Yunzhao, wrapped in a silk quilt and hiding behind the bed curtains, felt too embarrassed to face anyone. Even though Xiangxue and the other maids kept their heads bowed as they went in to tidy up, she still felt a little mortified.

In all the time she had been attending to him in bed, this was the first time they had bathed together. Meanwhile, the Emperor was complaining that the tub had been too small and uncomfortable.

’Well, if you were Tang Ming Huang and built me my own Huaqing Pool, I wouldn’t complain,’ Song Yunzhao thought. ’Who wouldn’t want to enjoy that kind of luxury?’

’I’d be up for it, the Emperor would be up for it, but I’m afraid the Ministry of Revenue’s coffers wouldn’t be.’

’What am I even thinking about? I should just go to sleep. In dreams, anything is possible.’

Before midnight, Song Yunzhao forced herself to stay awake. Leaning against Feng Yi, she recounted what Qin Xiyue had said to her, almost as if she were telling a joke.

She couldn’t figure out Qin Xiyue’s true intentions, but she decided it was best to be on guard. By bringing the matter to the Emperor’s attention now, she would have a way out if something were to happen in the future. Having given him a heads-up, she’d be covered.

"Your Majesty, what on earth do you think Qin Wan Yi is planning? I really don’t get it. Considering our relationship, how could she possibly want to team up with me? Isn’t that like a mouse offering to be a cat’s tour guide?"

Hearing Yun Zhao’s words, Feng Yi turned his head to look at her. "A mouse being a cat’s tour guide? What’s that supposed to mean?"

"She’s serving herself up on a platter."

’Serving up on a platter?’

Feng Yi chuckled. Her words were strange, but after a moment’s thought, he found them amusingly apt. Who knew what went on in that head of hers to make such peculiar phrases just tumble out.

"You refused her outright?"

Song Yunzhao nodded, grabbing the Emperor’s hand as it began to wander restlessly toward her waist. ’Is this man a perpetual motion machine?’ she wondered. ’Doesn’t he ever get tired?’

’I’m exhausted.’

When Yun Zhao grabbed his hand, Feng Yi just smiled, smoothly enveloping it within his own palm. ’I’ve been working so hard,’ he thought, ’but there’s still no news from Yun Zhao’s belly. It seems my fortune with children is truly thin.’

But it was the New Year, so the thought flashed through his mind and was gone. He didn’t voice it, not wanting to make Yun Zhao even more anxious and insecure.

"Grand Tutor Qin’s health has been poor lately," Feng Yi said. "Perhaps Qin Wan Yi has other plans."

Hearing this, Song Yunzhao inwardly scoffed. ’A creaking gate hangs longest. People who are on medicine all year round tend to live longer. It’s always the ones who look perfectly healthy who can’t get back up once they fall.’

"Even so, it’s ridiculous for her to approach me for an alliance. She’s always trying to steal you from me, and now she wants to team up? What is she thinking? Does she take me for a fool?"

Feng Yi couldn’t hold back his laughter. He pulled Yun Zhao down onto the bed, hugging her. "You really just say whatever comes to mind, don’t you?"

"I’m only saying this to you, not to anyone else. I’m not an idiot, don’t worry," Song Yunzhao said. This was one of her little tricks: making the Emperor feel he was privy to all her secrets, which would subtly draw them closer.