I Was Supposed to Be the Villainous Consort

Chapter 357: Chapter 138: Divorcing a Wife (Part 3)

This left her fuming, but for now, there was nothing she could do.

The more she thought about it, the more annoyed she became, and Qin Xiyue could barely contain her emotions. Her fingertips dug fiercely into her palm, and the sharp, piercing pain slowly calmed her down.

"Mistress." Fang Ping returned quickly. She carefully observed her mistress’s expression before speaking slowly, "Today, Song Jieyu visited Consort Shu. Not long after Song Jieyu left Cuiwei Palace, Lady Shufei went to Zhaoyang Palace."

’Just as I thought!’

Qin Xiyue pressed her lips together tightly. After a long moment, she asked, "What’s the situation at Wangyou Palace?"

"This servant found no other activity from Wangyou Palace. However, the news spread very quickly, and it started from the Laundry Bureau. For such a rumor to come from a place like that, it’s obvious someone orchestrated it," Fang Ping said.

Qin Xiyue sneered. ’No need to investigate further. There’s no way Consort Shu could have acted so thoroughly and so quickly. It must have been Song Yunzhao’s doing.’

This matter couldn’t be dropped just like that. But with Song Yunzhao sticking close to Consort Shu and watching her, she couldn’t do anything. ’If only my rank were higher, I wouldn’t be so constrained.’

At this thought, Qin Xiyue’s mood soured even further.

"You are all dismissed," Qin Xiyue said with a wave of her hand.

Nanny Zhuo and Fang Ping withdrew. As they reached the eaves of the corridor, Fang Ping said uneasily, "Nanny, will the Mistress be all right?"

Nanny Zhuo shook her head. "It’s hard to say."

Seeing Nanny Zhuo’s expression, Fang Ping grew even more worried. She said softly, "Nanny, how do you think Song Jieyu managed to persuade Lady Shufei to step in? With a temperament like Lady Shufei’s, most people wouldn’t dare involve her so recklessly."

"That just goes to show Song Jieyu’s capability," Nanny Zhuo said in a low voice. ’Ever since our mistress entered the palace, she has clashed with Song Jieyu both openly and secretly several times, but she never seems to gain the upper hand. This is very disadvantageous for our mistress.’

"Then what should we do? We can’t let this continue, can we?" Fang Ping’s brows were knitted with worry. ’If we’re constantly suppressed by Wangyou Palace, how will we ever get ahead?’

’If you can’t get ahead in the palace, your life is ruined.’

’If the mistress doesn’t prosper, what future is there for us servants?’

Nanny Zhuo glanced at Fang Ping. "This is just the beginning. The days ahead are long."

Fang Ping thought about it and agreed. ’The mistress’s father is the Grand Tutor. She’ll have her day to turn things around.’

"Nanny, are we really going to let this matter go? Our mistress didn’t even provoke the one in Wangyou Palace this time," Fang Ping said slowly. ’Are we just supposed to swallow this loss?’

’How will our mistress establish her authority in the future? Won’t everyone think she’s a pushover?’

"If Consort Zhuang won’t stand up to her, our mistress is willing but powerless. Let’s just wait and see." Nanny Zhuo had no better solution. ’It mainly depends on Princess Consort Zhuang. If Princess Consort Zhuang doesn’t go head-to-head with Consort Shu, what can we possibly do?’

’Absolutely nothing!’

Fang Ping sighed softly. "Consort Zhuang has always cherished her reputation. This time, Lady Shufei has her by the short hairs. I’m afraid..."

’She doesn’t have the confidence to oppose Consort Shu.’

Nanny Zhuo’s expression was grim as she spoke, "We can only wait for another opportunity. I refuse to believe that the one in Wangyou Palace never makes mistakes."

’As long as we seize the chance, we can deliver a fatal blow.’

’The late Emperor’s Imperial Concubine was always favored, but didn’t she fall in the end?’

’Temporary favor means nothing. What matters is who has the last laugh.’

「In Feishuang Hall」

An Fangyi was reading after her evening meal. Her Chief Palace Maid, Suyue, lifted the curtain and entered quietly.

An Fangyi didn’t look up, only asking coolly, "What is it?"

"Mistress, this servant just received news. Lady Shufei and Consort Zhuang are at odds," Suyue said.

An Fangyi was taken aback. "Over today’s incident?"

"Yes." Suyue nodded, a hint of worry on her brow. "Mistress, the Empress Dowager will be returning to the palace soon. I fear things in the harem will only get more complicated. Regarding this incident, this servant heard that it was after Song Jieyu visited Lady Shufei that Lady Shufei went to confront Consort Zhuang."

’The moment Song Jieyu made a move, Consort Shu and Princess Consort Zhuang started fighting.’ Suyue was genuinely worried that her own mistress would be dragged into it.

An Fangyi’s expression was grave. After a long moment, she said, "I understand. You may leave."

Suyue wanted to say a few more words of caution, but seeing her mistress’s dark expression, she could only hold her tongue and withdraw, her heart filled with anxiety.

An Fangyi sat lost in thought under the lamp. She didn’t know how much time had passed before she came to her senses. She lifted her head to look out the window. The courtyard was shrouded in darkness, with only a few scattered lights visible, making it difficult to see clearly from inside.

Currently, the main hall of Liu Hua Palace was occupied by Han Guipin. Although her own rank was higher than Han Guipin’s, the Emperor had let Han Guipin live in the main hall. Her dignity had been utterly trampled.