I Was Supposed to Be the Villainous Consort

Chapter 354: Chapter 137: Goading the Two Concubines to Fight

I don’t get it. I just don’t get it.

Feng Yunjin mused, "Perhaps it has something to do with Song Jieyu."

Song Yunzhao: "..."

Meeting Song Yunzhao’s strange gaze, Han Jinyi’s gloomy mood lifted a little. She looked at Feng Yunjin and said, "Go on, then. Tell us why it has to do with the Concubine."

Song Yunzhao also leaned in to listen, curious herself.

Feng Yunjin met their gazes and said directly, "Before our group of concubines entered the palace, the three concubines were in a state of mutual balance. No one was stronger or weaker than the others. But ever since the Concubine gained favor, Consort Zhuang has tried to suppress her several times, only to fail. Under these circumstances, if she wants to suppress the Concubine, she has to borrow someone else’s strength. In this palace, that can only be the Empress Dowager."

Because only the Empress Dowager can restrain the Emperor.

As long as the Empress Dowager keeps the Emperor in check, dealing with the Concubine will naturally be twice as effective with half the effort.

"So, to curry favor with the Empress Dowager, Consort Zhuang doesn’t mind a little damage to her reputation. Besides, even if word of this gets out, so what? People will only praise Consort Zhuang for being considerate and respectful of the Empress Dowager."

As for whose credit it is in the Empress Dowager’s heart, will anyone else care?

They won’t.

Only the concubines who lost their silver will care. But those concubines are of a lower rank than Consort Zhuang, have no favor, and no one to back them up. They can only swallow this loss and suffer in silence.

Song Yunzhao thought it made a lot of sense. She looked at Feng Yunjin and asked, "Is there a way to break this situation?"

Feng Yunjin hesitated for a moment before saying, "Perhaps only if Lady Shufei steps in can it be done legitimately."

Although the Concubine is favored, her rank is lower than Consort Zhuang’s, so she is naturally at a disadvantage.

"But convincing Lady Shufei to get involved won’t be easy," Han Jinyi said with a frown.

Song Yunzhao thought for a moment and said, "It’s not that difficult."

Feng Yunjin wasn’t surprised to hear the Concubine say this, but Han Jinyi was a bit taken aback. She asked, "Are you going to step in, Concubine?"

"It’s not out of the question." Of course, Song Yunzhao couldn’t just watch Consort Zhuang forge a weapon to use against her. The priority now was to dismantle her forge; nothing else mattered. "However, you two need to help me spread a message."

"That’s no problem, but if you confront Consort Zhuang like this, Concubine, I’m afraid she’ll target you even more in the future," Han Jinyi said worriedly.

Feng Yunjin countered, "Even if the Concubine behaves herself and keeps a low profile, do you think Consort Zhuang will let her off the hook?"

Of course she wouldn’t. As long as Song Yunzhao was favored by the Emperor and stood in her way, they were enemies.

"Then there’s no time to lose. We’ll split up and act immediately," Feng Yunjin said.

Han Jinyi nodded immediately. "Alright."

But Song Yunzhao stopped them. "In whose name will you spread the news?"

Her words stunned them both.

Song Yunzhao glanced in the direction of Cuiwei Palace. "You two go back and wait for my news. You can start by leaking a few hints to those you’re friendly with. Just say that Lady Shufei is displeased with Consort Zhuang’s actions. Don’t say anything more for now."

Feng Yunjin understood at once. "This concubine will await your good news, Concubine."

Han Jinyi, a bit slow on the uptake, also understood. To drag Lady Shufei into this, they couldn’t just throw her in the water; they had to make her jump in willingly.

Thinking this, Han Jinyi felt a little guilty.

Once outside Wangyou Palace, she whispered to Feng Yunjin, "If we do this, what if Lady Shufei takes her anger out on the Concubine?"

"If she weren’t confident, why would the Concubine have brought up Lady Shufei?" Feng Yunjin smiled. "Lady Shufei definitely won’t just stand by and watch Consort Zhuang bask in the Empress Dowager’s glory."

This was the balance of power among the three concubines.

It wasn’t that she hadn’t thought of this idea before, but she couldn’t persuade Consort Shu to make a move.

But the Concubine was different. She always felt that Lady Shufei treated the Concubine differently from others, though she couldn’t quite put her finger on why.

Having made up her mind, Song Yunzhao deliberately changed into a bright, magnificent dress and headed straight for Cuiwei Palace with her attendants.

Inside Cuiwei Palace, Consort Shu was speaking with Nanny Wen. She had clearly heard about Consort Zhuang’s move and was visibly unhappy. Upon hearing that Song Yunzhao had arrived, her mouth twitched, and she said to Nanny Wen, "A visit at a time like this definitely means trouble."

Nanny Wen smiled. "You’re right, Your Ladyship. But if Song Jieyu has come because of Consort Zhuang, it might not be a bad thing."

"Let her in," Consort Shu said, her face taut.

"Yes." Nanny Wen went out with a smile and quickly ushered her in.

"This concubine greets Lady Shufei. May Your Ladyship be well." Song Yunzhao entered the hall and bowed in greeting.

Consort Shu felt a headache coming on the moment she saw Song Yunzhao, but she still said, "Song Jieyu, what a rare guest. What brings you to my palace today? Have a seat and talk."

Song Yunzhao took her seat and offered her thanks, then said directly, "As for why this concubine has come, I imagine Your Ladyship has already guessed."

Consort Shu didn’t beat around the bush either. She looked at Song Yunzhao and said, "If you’ve come about Consort Zhuang’s affair, I don’t have any bright ideas."

Song Yunzhao: "..."

’Your mouth is quick to refuse, but your eyes are telling a different story.’

Song Yunzhao put on a show of sighing, then said, "Since Your Ladyship puts it that way, this concubine has nothing more to say. It’s just that when the Empress Dowager returns to the palace, Consort Zhuang’s actions will surely make her the concubine most praised by the Empress Dowager. If she wins the Empress Dowager’s admiration, Consort Zhuang’s influence will inevitably rise to another level. At that point, I’m afraid Lady Shufei and Lady Wanfei will be put in a difficult position."

Consort Shu knew full well that Song Yunzhao’s words were meant to sow discord, but she was still unhappy hearing them. She looked at her and said, "So what?"

"Since Lady Shufei doesn’t mind being ranked beneath Consort Zhuang, then please pretend this concubine never said a thing." Song Yunzhao rose as she spoke. "The three of you have been equals in the palace for many years. Since Your Ladyship is so open-minded about it, then Yun Zhao has been petty. In that case, I won’t disturb Your Ladyship any longer. This concubine bids farewell."

"Stop!" Consort Shu watched Song Yunzhao, who was ready to leave at a moment’s notice. ’This girl’s temper is worse than mine! I just ask one question and she throws a fit and tries to leave!’

Song Yunzhao looked back over her shoulder. "Does Your Ladyship have any other instructions?"

"Sit down."

Song Yunzhao hesitated for a moment but sat back down.

Seeing her act like this made Consort Shu even more irritated, but it wouldn’t be good to anger her into leaving again. ’Even though I know she’s just posturing, what if she’s actually serious?’

’If I let her leave in a huff and then have to invite her back, what would become of my pride?’

"Since you came, you must have a plan. Let’s hear it."

Song Yunzhao looked at Consort Shu’s stifled expression and truly couldn’t understand. ’This is clearly a mutually beneficial situation. What on earth did Consort Shu imagine to get herself so worked up?’

"This concubine’s idea is simple. Consort Zhuang’s fundraising violates palace rules. As one of the three concubines, Lady Shufei ought to seek justice for the suffering concubines."

Song Yunzhao’s intention to incite her to fight with Consort Zhuang was completely undisguised. ’How can she say something so shameless with such a righteous and solemn tone?’