I Was Supposed to Be the Villainous Consort

Chapter 344: Chapter 135: Willing to Try, Even If It’s Dangerous

Seeing the sincerity on his face, Helan Yue fell silent. He suddenly felt he understood a bit of Ji Yunting’s resignation.

Back when he was chasing after Qin Xiyue, he had always felt she was his entire world, the one person he had to marry in this lifetime. Seeing her laughing and joking with Ji Yunting would make him want to raise his fist and punch him.

But he didn’t know when it had started; whenever he thought of Qin Xiyue now, he felt none of his initial infatuation. It was as if a powerful emotion had been abruptly given to him, only to be just as quickly taken away. He felt like a clay puppet—powerless to grasp it when it arrived, and not feeling much pain when he lost it.

If he told anyone else, they’d probably call him crazy.

"Even with an external posting, you’ll still have to return to the capital every three years to report on your duties. What do you mean you won’t see anyone again?" Helan Yue stared at Ji Yunting. "You’re talking as if this is a final farewell."

"You’re right." Hearing this, Ji Yunting’s spirits lifted instantly.

"Let this cup of wine be my farewell toast to you. I wish you a brilliant future in your new post. When you’re promoted and ennobled someday, you owe me a drink."

"Good."

Their wine cups clinked together, and then they each drained them in one go.

Helan Yue stood up, walked to the door, and turned to look back at Ji Yunting. "Safe travels."

Ji Yunting stood by the window, watching Helan Yue’s retreating figure as he strode off, and smiled faintly.

’The first half of my life was a daze, like a dream. For the second half, I want to live on my own terms—truly, tangibly, a life of flesh and blood.’

「Before the Lantern Festival」

Song Yunzhao received a letter from home. It was only then that she learned Ji Yunting had arranged for an external posting and would be leaving to assume his duties after the festival.

She was truly surprised. ’In the book, Ji Yunting never took an external post. He became a scholar at the Hanlin Academy and climbed the ranks all the way up, eventually joining the Grand Secretariat and becoming a young Prime Minister—a powerful backer for the female protagonist and her son.’

’So why is he taking an external post now?’

Thinking about it made Song Yunzhao a little dazed. ’The book never seemed to specify what Ji Yunting felt for the protagonist. It only said that she regretted not confessing her feelings to him before entering the palace.’

’But it did state that after becoming Prime Minister, Ji Yunting had indeed supported the protagonist—the Empress—and the Crown Prince.’

’So, did Ji Yunting actually love Qin Xiyue or not?’

Song Yunzhao couldn’t guess. But Ji Yunting taking an external post was another deviation from the book’s plot. She didn’t know if this was a good thing or a bad thing, but either way, it had nothing to do with her.

Ji Yunting wasn’t going to support her anyway, so after a brief sigh, she stopped dwelling on it.

When she thought of it occasionally later on, she could only feel that it was for the best. ’With him gone, He Lan Yun can finally let go completely.’

’Even if you say you don’t care, that you don’t want it anymore, that you’re completely heartbroken, there’s always a small, lingering part of you that refuses to accept it.’

’But things are different now. With Ji Yunting posted externally, it would take him eight or ten years to become a capital official again—and that’s only if his performance is outstanding. If his record is merely average, the wait to return to the capital would be even longer.’

’By then, He Lan Yun’s son might even be getting married.’

With the Lantern Festival just around the corner, Song Yunzhao found herself thinking about it. Unfortunately, as a concubine, she couldn’t leave to enjoy the festivities and could only admire the lanterns within the palace walls.

They had started hanging lanterns in the palace on the thirteenth day of the month. This afternoon, the lanterns at Wangyou Palace were put up. These weren’t the same as the ones for the New Year; they were far more beautiful and elaborate, prepared specially for the Lantern Festival.

Due to the Empress Dowager’s illness, the Emperor’s mood had been visibly sour these past few days. On top of that, the courtiers had now set their sights on the matter of the Merit Stele. Even before the court officially convened, the Emperor had already received a flood of petitions, keeping him too busy to set foot in the harem.

Song Yunzhao let out a genuine sigh of relief. ’An emperor on break is like a tightly wound motor. I can barely handle all this nightly overtime.’

Stepping out of Wangyou Palace, she saw that the main road outside was also adorned with colorful lanterns. Many Palace Attendants were bustling to and fro; upon seeing Yun Zhao, they immediately bowed and moved aside.

Not wanting to disturb their work, Song Yunzhao took a smaller path toward the East Imperial Garden. It turned out they were hanging lanterns there too. There were lanterns absolutely everywhere. ’It’s going to be so beautiful when they’re all lit for the festival.’

Song Yunzhao followed the path to the Koi Carp Pond. The koi in this pond were exceptionally well-fed, each one plump and fat. ’They look like they’d be delicious braised in soy sauce.’

Xiangxue brought over some fish food. Song Yunzhao sat on a gooseneck chair and stretched out her hand, sprinkling the food onto the water. A thousand heads instantly swarmed the surface, splashing water everywhere and lifting her spirits even higher.

"This concubine greets the Concubine."

Song Yunzhao turned her head and saw a vaguely familiar face. She thought for a moment but couldn’t place her, so she glanced at Xiangxue.