I Was Supposed to Be the Villainous Consort

Chapter 349: Chapter 136: Lightning Strike (3)

"I know." Song Yunzhao couldn’t feign ignorance. Feng Yunjin’s visit couldn’t be kept secret; it would be discovered with a simple investigation. "Is the Emperor angry about this?"

Feng Yi looked at her. "What do you think?"

Song Yunzhao frowned slightly and said in a low voice, "If you’re asking me, I don’t really have much of an opinion. I just think Shouci Palace has been quite the spectacle lately, and I’m glad I stayed out of it."

Feng Yi: ...

’So blunt. That’s exactly the kind of thing she would say.’

Seeing the Emperor’s expression flicker between pale and grim, Song Yunzhao realized she might have struck a nerve. She put on a look of surprise and asked, "Don’t tell me I actually hit the mark?"

Feng Yi looked at her. "An iron rod was discovered not far from one of Shouci Palace’s side halls."

’A thunder rod,’ Song Yunzhao’s heart skipped a beat. ’People from this era certainly play for keeps. But most people don’t know the connection between an iron rod and lightning.’ She hesitated, wondering if she should pretend not to understand, but then decided against it. ’Given my current relationship with the Emperor, trying to deceive him would just make me look guilty.’

As she gathered her thoughts, trying to figure out how to respond, Feng Yi spoke again. "The late Emperor’s Imperial Concubine once used an iron rod to draw lightning to strike the Empress’s main hall. The matter was suppressed by the late Emperor, and very few people know about it."

Song Yunzhao’s heart leaped. ’The book never mentioned this, nor did it say the conflict between the late Emperor’s Imperial Concubine and the Empress involved something like this. The damage to the eaves of Shouci Palace is much worse this time than what was described in the book. Don’t tell me I’ve triggered a hidden plotline?’

"Everyone involved back then was beaten to death to silence them. Very few people know that an iron rod can attract lightning."

Song Yunzhao understood the Emperor’s implication, and her heart sank. She lifted her head to meet his eyes, only to see a ruthless glint in their cold depths. Her hands tightened into fists, and her heart began to race.

"Emperor, you mean...?" ’The Palace Attendants who knew were all beaten to death, but that doesn’t mean everyone who knew is dead.’

’Even though the Empress Dowager wasn’t favored, she still gave birth to a Prince, so her status was far above that of a Palace Attendant. If the Emperor knows about this secret, the Empress Dowager probably does too.’

’If the Empress Dowager colluded with someone in the harem to deliberately orchestrate this lightning strike on Shouci Palace, what could she possibly be after?’

Song Yunzhao’s expression turned as dark as the Emperor’s. ’If my suspicion is correct, the Empress Dowager has really pulled off a shocking stunt this time!’

Seeing the sudden change in Yun Zhao’s expression, Feng Yi knew she had likely figured it out. "Stay out of the affairs of Shouci Palace. I will handle it."

Song Yunzhao nodded. "I am only a Concubine. How could I possibly interfere in the affairs of Shouci Palace? The Emperor thinks too highly of me."

Feng Yi knew Yun Zhao was deliberately using such playful words to appease him. He sighed softly. "Ever since the New Year, it’s been one thing after another at court. I haven’t had time to pay attention to the harem."

’So, it just won’t do to leave the harem without a leader. But I’m even more reluctant to let one of the three concubines take charge. And because of that, something like this had to happen, forcing me to re-evaluate the situation.’

"In your opinion, who should be put in charge of the harem?"

Song Yunzhao: ...

’Me, of course.’

’But could she dare to say that out loud?’

’With her current rank? Even if the Emperor were willing to act like a doting fool, the courtiers would raise an uproar at court and have her impeached.’

’Still, judging by this incident, the Emperor clearly feels the harem can’t be left to run itself anymore. If the Empress Dowager is truly involved, then who did she team up with? What kind of deal did they make? And who is the ultimate target of this plot?’

’These were questions that couldn’t be ignored.’

’This time, the Emperor acted decisively, preventing the situation from escalating by purging all the Palace Attendants at Shouci Palace. It was like cutting off the fuse before it reached the powder keg, but it wasn’t a permanent solution.’

’Ultimately, with no one at the helm of the harem, there was no one to take the blame. The Emperor had no outlet for his anger.’

’Realizing this, she was determined not to be the one to take the fall.’

"I have no good solution. I can only listen to the Emperor. I will do whatever the Emperor commands." Song Yunzhao decided it was best to lay low.

Feng Yi looked at her, both exasperated and amused. He didn’t press her further, simply saying, "I think it’s best to have the three concubines manage the palace affairs collaboratively."

Song Yunzhao immediately raised her hands in enthusiastic agreement. "The Emperor is absolutely right! I also think that is an excellent plan."

’With the three concubines keeping each other in check, she could breathe a little easier.’

’However, this arrangement had its pros and cons for her. But you can’t have everything, and for now, there was no better solution.’

Feng Yi looked at Yun Zhao. "The courtiers have submitted a petition for the Empress Dowager to return. I plan to bring her back to the palace in the middle of the fourth month."