I Was Supposed to Be the Villainous Consort

Chapter 345: Chapter 135: Willing to Try Despite the Danger

Xiangxue immediately said, "Mistress, it’s Ning Ji from Qingyan Palace."

Ah. Song Yunzhao recognized the name. ’One of the losers from the conflict with the three concubines.’ She rarely left Qingyan Palace, so it was a surprise to run into her here.

She smiled at Ning Ji. "Are you also out enjoying the scenery, Ning Ji? These koi are quite amusing. Would you like to feed them?"

The three women living in Qingyan Palace never caused any trouble in the book. Perhaps the author didn’t pay them much mind, so they were rarely mentioned. Whenever they were, it was simply as a collective of those defeated by the three concubines.

Since Song Yunzhao had entered the palace, she had only ever seen the three of them from a distance at banquets. She truly never saw them otherwise, as they rarely left Qingyan Palace.

Ning Ji glanced at Song Jieyu. She knew the woman had a temper and was not to be provoked, but right now, she seemed surprisingly pleasant. After a moment’s hesitation, Ning Ji said, "This concubine is afraid of disturbing your enjoyment, Jieyu."

"It’s no bother at all." Song Yunzhao looked at Xiangxue. "Give half of the fish food to Ning Ji."

Xiangxue smiled and agreed, stepping forward to hand the fish food to Dan Yun, the palace maid beside Ning Ji. Dan Yun hurriedly accepted it with a word of thanks.

Ning Ji took some of the food from Dan Yun’s hand, walked over to Song Jieyu’s side, and leaned against the crimson railing. She reached out and sprinkled the food into the water, and couldn’t help but laugh as she watched the koi scramble for it.

"No wonder you enjoy feeding them, Jieyu. It really is quite fun."

Song Yunzhao nodded with a smile. "These koi are so well-raised. They’re fat and healthy. It seems the artisans of the Imperial Garden haven’t been slacking."

Hearing this, Ning Ji’s eyes curved into crescents as she smiled. ’I never would have thought Song Jieyu’s private personality was like this.’

The two weren’t very familiar with each other and didn’t have much in common, so they just exchanged a few words now and then while amusing themselves with the fish.

Once the fish food was gone, Song Yunzhao finally looked at Ning Ji and smiled. "It’s getting late, I should be heading back. You should go back soon too, Ning Ji. It will only get colder."

Ning Ji smiled and nodded. "This concubine will see you off, Jieyu."

Song Yunzhao smiled and departed. As she walked, she thought, ’Ning Ji seems so gentle. I wonder how she managed to offend the three concubines to end up in such a state.’

Dan Yun watched until Song Jieyu was far in the distance, then stepped forward to support her mistress. "Mistress, let’s go back," she said softly.

Ning Ji glanced one last time at the koi, which had already scattered in the pond, before turning to walk back. As she passed through the garden, she saw that all the palace lanterns had been hung. Though they weren’t lit yet, she could already imagine how beautiful they would be once they were.

"Life in the palace is the same, year after year, day after day. It only ever gets a little lively during the festivals," Ning Ji said softly.

A pang of sadness hit Dan Yun upon hearing this. "Mistress, look at Lu Pin. She offended Song Jieyu so terribly, but now she interacts with her all the same. You could also come out for walks more often in the future. Don’t always stay cooped up in Qingyan Palace."

Their Qingyan Palace was currently the only fully occupied residence in the harem. Besides her mistress, there were also Zhao Liangren and Wang Cai Ni. Their relationships weren’t exactly harmonious. Given her mistress’s gentle nature, if it weren’t for her higher rank, she would likely be bullied quite often.

Ning Ji stopped in her tracks. "We’ll see. The Empress Dowager is returning to the palace. Who knows what sort of waves that will stir up."

Once she heard that, Dan Yun didn’t dare press the matter. The memory of the Empress Dowager’s unpleasant clash with His Majesty at the traveling palace was still frightening to recall.

The sky gradually darkened. Wherever palace lanterns were hung, eunuchs began to light them. The entire harem seemed to be submerged in an ocean of light, as if the stars themselves had fallen to the mortal world.

The next day was the Lantern Festival. Early in the morning, Song Yunzhao received a lantern, delivered by Zhang Maoquan.

"His Majesty said this Glazed Carp Lamp is for you to enjoy, Jieyu."

Song Yunzhao couldn’t help but smile. She had just fed the koi yesterday, and today the Emperor sent her a koi lamp. If a lamp like this could be made in a single day, she would have thought the Emperor was deliberately trying to cheer her up.

After rewarding Zhang Maoquan, Song Yunzhao asked casually, "Is the Emperor busy today?"

Zhang Maoquan hesitated for a moment before replying softly, "The Emperor has summoned several courtiers to discuss matters."

Song Yunzhao was quite surprised. ’The Emperor really is a model of diligence,’ she thought.

Zhang Maoquan had just left when Nanny Wen arrived, personally delivering another lantern for Yun Zhao. It was a rotating lantern, and the paintings on it were so lifelike it was clear a great deal of effort had gone into it.

"Her Ladyship said this is to add to the fun for you, Jieyu. She said you can light it tonight for your enjoyment."

"Lady Shufei is too kind. This concubine is overwhelmed by this favor." Song Yunzhao truly hadn’t expected Consort Shu to send her a lantern. As she spoke, she had someone reward Nanny Wen.

Nanny Wen thanked her with a broad smile and added, "According to tradition, the Emperor will leave the palace for the Lantern Festival. Her Ladyship says that if you are free tonight, Jieyu, you may come to Cuiwei Palace to admire the lanterns."