I Was Supposed to Be the Villainous Consort

Chapter 342: Chapter 134: The Emperor Has Made Great Progress

’Still, it was a blessing in disguise that my imperial father disliked me. It allowed me to avoid the struggle for the throne. Who could have imagined I would be the one to ascend it in the end?’

’It was almost funny, remembering the Empress Dowager’s claim that my ascension was all thanks to her.’

’The late Emperor’s coffin hadn’t even been buried, and she was already demanding that I promote the An Family, even pushing for the title of Marquis Gu’en. The thought alone made me lose my appetite. If not for the custom dictating a new Emperor must ennoble his mother’s family, I wouldn’t want to spare the An Family a single glance.’

’Since the Empress Dowager wasn’t in the Capital City, Marquis Gu’en was never on the guest list for the annual palace banquets. But not wanting to be accused of being cruel, I always sent people from the Gu’en Houfu to the traveling palace to celebrate the festivals with her.’

’Her eagerness to return this time... I’m sure the An Family had a hand in it.’

Feng Yi mulled it over and decided against bringing the Empress Dowager back to the Capital City early. Since she was ill, a bumpy journey would be inadvisable. Sending an Imperial Physician to the traveling palace to treat her would suffice.

The very next morning, Feng Yi dispatched an Imperial Physician to the traveling palace. Consequently, news of the Empress Dowager’s illness began to spread.

「Left Minister’s Mansion.」

The Left Minister and his son, Ji Yunting, were in the middle of a game of Go. The two had been playing for an hour, the black and white stones locked in a fierce battle on the board, which had now reached a tense stalemate.

"How are things at the Hanlin Academy?" the Left Minister asked, looking at his son.

Unlike Song Buran, who had received a provincial posting, Ji Yunting had passed the exam to become a scholar and remained in the Capital City.

"Everything is fine, Father, you don’t need to worry," Ji Yunting said, placing a stone on the board.

The Left Minister placed a stone in turn. "Don’t be arrogant in the Hanlin Academy. You must be humble. It’s not easy to distinguish yourself there. However, once you do, the path to becoming a grand minister is much smoother than for officials with provincial postings."

"I know," Ji Yunting replied with a nod.

The Left Minister looked up. "We must start thinking about your marriage as well. Your mother says she’ll begin looking for suitable candidates after the new year, and you’re not to put it off this time. Your engagement to Princess Ming’an was a complete farce that damaged your reputation. You must get engaged to a young woman of impeccable reputation and learning this time, only then can you salvage your good name."

Ji Yunting’s hand, holding a game piece, tightened. He hesitated, the words of refusal on the tip of his tongue, but in the end, he couldn’t bring himself to say them. "Marriage is a serious matter. I will defer to Father and Mother’s judgment."

The Left Minister saw his son’s hesitation, but since he had agreed, he assumed Ji Yunting had come to his own conclusions. There was no need to press the matter. He simply said, "The political climate at court is shifting. The Emperor is growing more assertive. You need to mature quickly; you can’t afford to be as you were before."

Hearing this, Ji Yunting looked up. "Father, for that very reason, a provincial posting is actually the best option for me."

’He hadn’t wanted to become a scholar in the first place; he had wanted a provincial post. Everyone in the Hanlin Academy had more seniority than him. It wouldn’t be easy to get ahead. It would be better to be posted outside the capital, where he could earn merits and get promoted faster.’

’Staying in the Capital City had become meaningless after breaking his engagement with He Lan Yun. He desperately wanted to leave and clear his head.’

The Left Minister looked at his son. "Why the sudden desire for a provincial posting? Did someone say something to you?"

Ji Yunting shook his head. "I simply feel that while the Hanlin Academy is certainly a fine institution, if I want to distinguish myself and become a grand minister like you, Father, it might take twenty years. Rather than just biding my time to gain seniority in the Academy, it’s better to be sent out. At least then I will learn what it means to govern a place, how the common people actually live. If the Emperor were to question me on policy in the future, I couldn’t bear to be utterly clueless."

"That’s ridiculous," the Left Minister said, frowning at his son. "Are you saying one can’t learn these things without a provincial post?"

Ji Yunting didn’t look away, meeting his father’s piercing gaze. He spoke slowly, "My desire to leave the Capital City is also related to the broken engagement with the County Princess. My reputation has suffered because of this matter. It would be better to go away. When I return in a few years, no one will remember it."

’So, it was about that after all.’

The Left Minister’s face darkened, and he remained silent. Arranging the engagement with the Prince Zhenbei Mansion had been his idea. Who could have known that, by some strange coincidence, that Qin Family’s daughter would write a letter to his son, and by an even stranger twist of fate, the Prince Zhenbei Mansion would find out? The whole affair had become an utter mess.

At the thought of Qin Wan Yi, the Left Minister’s expression grew grim. "I have told you, that Qin Family’s daughter is now the Emperor’s Wanyi. You are to have absolutely no contact with her. If it weren’t for her, how could the engagement with the Prince Zhenbei Mansion have fallen through? If you’re still thinking about people you shouldn’t be, then you might as well give up on being an official. If a real scandal erupts, this entire family will pay with their lives because of you!"

"I’ve told you, Father. Ever since she entered the palace, I have had no contact with her. Yes, she wrote that letter, but it was not at my behest," Ji Yunting said, his face ashen. ’I can’t get out of this quagmire.’ "Even before Qin Wan Yi entered the palace, there was nothing improper between us."

’He truly had no idea how the rumors about him being in love with Qin Wan Yi had even started.’

The Left Minister said coolly, "If it was not at your behest, why didn’t you make that clear to the County Princess at the time?"

Ji Yunting fell silent. "I truly felt no romantic affection for the County Princess."

The Left Minister was silent for a long moment before he finally spoke again, slowly. "Think about it for yourself. In this whole affair, what have you gained, and what have you lost? You did nothing wrong, yet in the end, you took all the blame. If you enter the world of officialdom like this, you’ll be eaten alive. Rather than wait for that day to come, you might as well stay home where I can ensure your safety."

Ji Yunting said nothing. He had no way to refute his father’s words.

’Thinking back carefully, he wasn’t even sure what his feelings for Qin Xiyue truly were. Love? He didn’t seem to feel that kind of impulse.’

’But every time he ran into Qin Xiyue and He Lan Yun together, the same strange scene seemed to play out, and he found himself trapped in it, unable to break free.’

’He knew he was at fault, but he never imagined things would escalate to such a point.’

’When Qin Xiyue entered the palace, he felt no sorrow. When he was engaged to He Lan Yun, he felt no joy. It seemed his life simply lacked a certain passion when it came to romance.’

’But he knew that even if he tried to explain, no one would believe him.’

’Because, whenever He Lan Yun and Qin Xiyue argued over him, he had always been the one to side with Qin Xiyue.’

’Even he found it baffling now, looking back. But his actions were his own. Unable to make sense of them, he could only remain silent.’

"Father, I want a provincial posting."

The Left Minister frowned.

Ji Yunting let out a soft sigh. "Staying in the Capital City... every time I see anyone, I feel like a joke. It would be better to let me go. I will be a good official and won’t bring shame upon you."

The Left Minister looked at his favorite eldest son and finally sighed. "If you want to go, then go. However, I will not interfere with how you get posted or where you end up. You made this decision, so you will bear the consequences. If you truly get assigned to some harsh, remote frontier, I will not speak a word on your behalf."

’If he wanted to go out and make his own way, he had to be ready to face the consequences.’