I Was Supposed to Be the Villainous Consort

Chapter 348: Chapter 136: Struck by Lightning (Part 2)

Feng Yunjin saw that Song Jieyu remained composed and said with a grave expression, "The entire corner eave of the West Wing has been completely split apart."

"What?"

Song Yunzhao was stunned. A problem with the entire corner eave couldn’t be compared to just a few dislodged tiles.

Feng Yunjin sighed softly. "I went to see it myself. A section of the eave broke off and fell to the ground, and tiles are scattered everywhere. No one dares to clean it up. Consort Zhuang has already gone to request an audience with His Majesty."

Song Yunzhao: ...

’It clearly wasn’t this serious in the book.’

"Why would something like this happen?" Song Yunzhao asked, looking at Feng Yunjin.

Feng Yunjin shook her head, then said, "I’m not very clear on the details either, but I heard from the palace attendants at Shouci Palace that the roof of the West Wing was just inspected yesterday. Logically, something like this shouldn’t have happened. Some people are also saying..." She hesitated and lowered her voice. "They’re saying the Empress Dowager wasn’t sincere in mourning for the late Emperor, so Heaven sent down this punishment."

Song Yunzhao was stunned. ’A warning from Heaven... a classic tactic favored by the ancients.’

’This is trouble.’

She didn’t want the Empress Dowager to return, but with something like this happening, she was afraid the courtiers would think the Emperor had orchestrated it.

’This is clearly meant to intensify the conflict between the sovereign and his subjects.’

Song Yunzhao’s expression turned grave. She looked at Feng Yunjin and asked, "What about the palace attendants who inspected the roof yesterday? Who arranged for it?"

Feng Yunjin shook her head. "I don’t know either. But I heard that Qin Wanyi is helping Princess Consort Zhuang investigate the matter."

Song Yunzhao fell silent.

Seeing Song Jieyu’s unhappy expression, Feng Yunjin said softly, "For something like this to happen right before the Empress Dowager returns to the palace, I’m afraid someone will use it to stir up trouble. It’s a good thing you haven’t been to Shouci Palace at all recently, Concubine."

Song Yunzhao’s gaze fell on Feng Yunjin. "Even if I didn’t go, I might not be able to get out of this. You and I are on good terms, and you’ve been to Shouci Palace quite a few times recently. To drag me down with them, they might target you. I think you should go back and check if anything is amiss."

Feng Yunjin’s brow tightened, and her expression grew grave as well. As if she had thought of something, her eyes flashed with a sharp light. "I’ll go back right now."

"Don’t be afraid," Song Yunzhao added. "If something really does happen, send someone with a message immediately."

Feng Yunjin quickly agreed and hurried away.

Song Yunzhao had a major headache. ’The Emperor must be having a terrible headache right now, too. It’s not appropriate for me to show my face. I’d better wait and see.’

Song Yunzhao’s guess was correct. When Princess Consort Zhuang requested an audience and explained the situation to the Emperor, Feng Yi’s expression changed on the spot. He immediately rose and headed for Shouci Palace.

It was one thing for him to dislike the Empress Dowager returning to the palace and causing trouble for him, but for something like this to happen now wasn’t necessarily a good thing for him as the Emperor, either.

A heavenly warning was never a good omen, whether for the imperial court or the harem. Just look at the examples in the history books—not a single one ended well.

Song Yunzhao had a strange intuition that this incident was aimed at her, but she had no proof. So, to be on the safe side, she decided not to show her face at Shouci Palace at all unless the Emperor summoned her.

An unknown amount of time passed before Xiangxue rushed in. "Mistress, the Emperor has punished all the palace attendants who were originally stationed at Shouci Palace."

Song Yunzhao looked up at Xiangxue. "All of them?"

"Yes."

Song Yunzhao pressed her lips together. "Is there any news from Feng Xiaoyuan?"

"Not yet."

Before Song Yunzhao could say anything more, she suddenly heard a flurry of footsteps outside. Her heart leaped. She stood and started walking out, but before she had taken more than a few steps, the brocade curtain was lifted, and a figure stood before her.

The Dragon Robe clung tightly to Feng Yi’s body, revealing broad shoulders, long legs, a narrow waist, and powerful arms. A few stray strands of hair clung to his temples, making his gloomy face seem even colder, sharper, and more intimidating.

"Emperor."

Song Yunzhao was startled by the Emperor’s dark expression. Forgetting everything else, she immediately stepped forward and took his hand. It was ice-cold, and she couldn’t tell if it was from the chilly weather or a chill within him.

"Quick, bring my hand warmer," Song Yunzhao ordered hastily.

Shizhu quickly brought the hand warmer over. Song Yunzhao took it and pressed it into the Emperor’s hands. She waved her hand to dismiss the attendants, then said in a gentle voice, "We’re having a late spring cold spell this year. It’s still very chilly at this time. Emperor, let’s go inside and warm up."

Feng Yi gazed at Yun Zhao’s gentle face, her eyes filled with deep concern. The tension that had been wound tight in his heart instantly dissipated. He gave a slight nod and stepped into the inner chamber.

Song Yunzhao followed him inside. The two of them sat down on the heated couch, and only then did she ask, "Emperor, what’s wrong? Who made you so angry?"

Feng Yi looked up at Yun Zhao. "You still don’t know what happened at Shouci Palace?"