I Was Supposed to Be the Villainous Consort

Chapter 356: Chapter 138: Repudiate a Wife (Part 2)

’Putting everything else aside, once the Empress Dowager returns to the palace, life will be much easier if Her Ladyship can remain on such good terms with Song Jieyu.’

Nanny Wen had very complicated feelings about the Empress Dowager. She wondered if Her Majesty’s temperament had improved during her years at the traveling palace.

"Whose side are you on?" Consort Shu shot Nanny Wen a glare.

Nanny Wen smiled. "I’m not on anyone’s side, but I always hold those who can bring Your Ladyship advantages in higher esteem."

Consort Shu was finally satisfied. She said languidly, "I knew she had another move up her sleeve. See? Here it is. If you count back the hours, Song Yunzhao must have had people squatting outside Zhaoyang Palace for a while now, just waiting. The moment she saw Consort Zhuang and I have our falling out, she had them spread the rumors. Good thing I didn’t have our own people do it. Saved us the trouble."

Nanny Wen suppressed a laugh and said with a straight face, "You are right, Your Ladyship. Song Jieyu is still young and impatient. If she had waited just a little longer, we at Zhaoyang Palace would have made a move ourselves."

The words soothed Consort Shu, and her anger subsided. "Just you wait," she said to Nanny Wen. "Consort Zhuang must be absolutely furious. Trying to use other people’s silver to build up her own reputation... How did I never realize before that she was so shameless and malicious?"

’It wouldn’t have mattered even if you had noticed,’ Nanny Wen thought. ’You never used to think this much before, Your Ladyship.’ Out loud, however, she said, "Your Ladyship is simply too kind. As they say, you can know a person’s face but not their heart. Consort Zhuang has always been skilled at manipulating people and has everyone fooled."

Consort Shu thought about it and agreed. She, too, used to think Consort Zhuang was better than Consort Wan. It seemed she had really misjudged her.

"Now this is going to be a good show. I’d like to see how Consort Zhuang can still have the face to take other people’s silver!" Consort Shu was in high spirits. The memory of how Consort Zhuang had worked with Song Yunzhao to have her title stripped still infuriated her. Now it was her turn to laugh at Consort Zhuang’s expense.

"Consort Zhuang has always been obsessed with her reputation. After you’ve dragged her face through the mud over a mere one hundred taels of silver, she’s sure to back down," Nanny Wen said. Then her expression grew hesitant. "However, I had someone look into it. It’s said that Qin Wanyi was the first to publicly support Consort Zhuang. She might have played a part in this. If she tries to persuade Consort Zhuang again, things could still change."

’Qin Xiyue?’

Consort Shu looked dismissive. "Grand Tutor Qin is a spent force, and the Qin Family has no promising successors. Grand Tutor Qin went to great lengths to secure a post for his eldest son, and look what he’s done with it. If it weren’t for his father’s title... Hmph!"

Consort Shu had been displeased with the Qin Family ever since the incident with the porridge distribution. Others might be wary of Grand Tutor Qin, but she certainly wasn’t.

"That is precisely why Qin Wanyi has allied herself with Consort Zhuang in the palace. Your Ladyship, we must not let our guard down."

Consort Shu nodded nonchalantly. "I know. Don’t worry so much, Nanny. You can go about your business."

Nanny Wen could tell at a glance that her words hadn’t sunk in, and she began to worry. ’It seems we really must maintain our good relationship with Song Jieyu,’ she thought. ’With Song Jieyu around, Her Ladyship’s impulses can be reined in. She won’t be so easily goaded by Consort Zhuang and Consort Wan like she used to be.’

’As for Qin Wanyi, since Her Ladyship isn’t concerned, I’ll just have to keep a closer eye on her myself.’

The situation escalated quickly. When Qin Xiyue heard the news, she was so angry she barely touched her dinner before slamming her chopsticks down.

Nanny Zhuo watched from the side, unsure of how to comfort her. Everything had been going so smoothly. How had Consort Shu suddenly decided to pick a fight with Consort Zhuang?

The more Qin Xiyue thought about it, the more something felt wrong. She called Fang Ping in. "Go investigate if anyone paid a visit to Cuiwei Palace today."

Seeing the dark look on her mistress’s face, Fang Ping didn’t dare say another word and immediately turned to go.

"Your Ladyship, do you suspect someone instigated Consort Shu?" Nanny Zhuo asked.

"It’s not a suspicion; it’s a certainty." Qin Xiyue took a deep breath. "You know Consort Shu’s temperament. Why would she meddle in something like this for no reason? She didn’t attend Consort Zhuang’s banquet, which clearly meant she wanted no part of it. And now, she suddenly turns around and interferes? I refuse to believe it unless someone whispered in her ear."

Although Qin Xiyue didn’t name the person who had instigated Consort Shu, she already had a suspect in mind.

’Who else in this entire palace could possibly persuade Consort Shu?’

She truly couldn’t figure it out. Consort Shu and Song Yunzhao had nearly identical temperaments. How could two people like that possibly team up?

This wasn’t the first time, either. After the incident with the disaster relief funds, her investigation had revealed a connection to Song Yunzhao. She never expected that woman to ruin her plans yet again.