I Was Supposed to Be the Villainous Consort

Chapter 362: Chapter 140: A Show of Force

Consort Shu arrived one moment, and Princess Consort Zhuang and Princess Consort Wan arrived the next. The other Concubines stepped forward to greet them. Song Yunzhao’s gaze swept over Princess Consort Zhuang’s face, then flickered to Qin Xiyue standing behind her before she looked away.

The incident where Shouci Palace was struck by lightning didn’t seem to have much effect on their relationship. Or perhaps the two of them were just excellent actresses; at least on the surface, there was no sign of anything amiss.

Princess Consort Wan, however, still looked listless, projecting an air of wanting to ignore everyone. Her eyes met Song Yunzhao’s for a moment, but she almost instantly averted her gaze.

"Since everyone is here, let’s get going. We mustn’t be late and keep the Empress Dowager waiting. No one here can afford that offense," Consort Shu said after glancing at the crowd. Then, ignoring Princess Consort Zhuang, she simply started walking forward.

The smile on Princess Consort Zhuang’s face froze. She pursed her lips before following after her.

Song Yunzhao walked along, enveloped in the crowd, with Lu Zhixue beside her. She heard Lu Zhixue whisper, "The look on Consort Zhuang’s face was priceless."

Song Yunzhao glanced at her just as Feng Yunjin, who was also nearby, spoke in a hushed voice, "Lu Pin, you should say less. With so many people around, loose lips can cause trouble."

Lu Zhixue huffed, clearly unconvinced, but she didn’t say anything more.

Feng Yunjin and Han Jinyi both breathed a sigh of relief. Song Yunzhao smiled faintly. Leading the way at the front was Consort Shu’s head steward. When they reached the outer hall of Taiji Palace, Zhang Maoquan came forward to receive them. After the formal greetings, he led the group to wait at the gates of Taiji Palace.

By noon, the sun was growing hotter, and beads of sweat had formed on Song Yunzhao’s forehead. However, the Empress Dowager’s procession, which was supposed to arrive in half an hour, was still nowhere to be seen. Naturally, the expressions on the faces of Consort Shu and the others were not pleasant.

Song Yunzhao, however, was prepared for this. This was the Empress Dowager’s way of putting them in their place.

The murmurs among the crowd gradually grew louder. Zhang Maoquan stood unmoving under the blazing sun, his head slightly bowed, as if he couldn’t hear a thing.

Consort Shu dabbed at the sweat on her forehead with a handkerchief. Dressed in her formal attire under such a fierce sun, her inner clothes were already soaked with sweat, and the sticky feeling was anything but comfortable.

"Chief Steward Zhang, why hasn’t the Empress Dowager’s procession arrived yet?"

Hearing Consort Shu’s voice, Zhang Maoquan immediately took a step forward. Without raising his head, he replied with it still bowed, "Replying to Your Highness, this servant is also unaware. I will send someone to check immediately."

Consort Shu huffed, her expression displeased.

Zhang Maoquan immediately beckoned someone over and gave a few instructions. The eunuch scurried away at a trot.

Princess Consort Zhuang observed this scene, then turned to the grim-faced Consort Shu and said in a soft, gentle voice, "It is quite hot today. I wonder if the Empress Dowager can bear it on the road. Consort Shu, don’t be anxious. Let’s just wait a bit longer."

Song Yunzhao raised a slight eyebrow. Princess Consort Zhuang’s words sounded harmless, but upon closer reflection, something felt off. She sneered internally. ’What a master of passive-aggression. She’s just trying to provoke Consort Shu.’

Princess Consort Wan seemed uninterested in their conversation. Her eyes were fixed on a single spot, lost in thought.

Song Yunzhao stood ramrod straight. ’With the Empress Dowager pulling these kinds of stunts,’ she thought, ’I wonder what Feng Yi’s mood is like right now. He’s probably suppressing a furious temper.’

The more she thought about it, the more Song Yunzhao felt that the Empress Dowager had made a terrible move. ’Her reputation was already poor, and now she’s causing such a scene. This is going to be fun to watch.’

Perhaps because Song Yunzhao was so calm and composed, Feng Yunjin and the others also remained quite steady. Even Lu Zhixue, who had the shortest temper, was managing to keep a straight face.

Qin Xiyue was on the opposite side of the group from Song Yunzhao. She glanced over from a distance, then slowly averted her gaze.

Song Yunzhao noticed but didn’t spare her a glance. ’The female lead from the book has completely abandoned the plot and is forging a new path. If she truly joins forces with Princess Consort Zhuang in this matter, she’ll be repeatedly testing the Emperor’s limits.’

’As long as I can seize evidence against her in one fell swoop, I’ll have a chance to take her down.’

’Whom the gods would destroy, they first make mad. I have all the patience in the world to wait.’

Another quarter of an hour passed before the eunuch who had been sent away was seen hurrying back. He walked quickly to Zhang Maoquan and said something, and Zhang Maoquan’s expression became rather peculiar.

Song Yunzhao thought, ’Here she comes, here she comes, returning with the Empress Dowager’s borrowed authority!’ Her spirits immediately lifted, ready to watch the drama unfold.

Zhang Maoquan dismissed the eunuch and then walked toward the group. Song Yunzhao saw him quickly glance at her, giving her a swift, subtle look. If she hadn’t known him a little, she would have missed the signal entirely.

’Zhang Maoquan is a real piece of work,’ Song Yunzhao thought. She gave a slight nod in response to him.

Zhang Maoquan immediately looked away as if he had done nothing at all. He walked up to the three concubines, bowed, and then said, "I’ve just received news. The Empress Dowager is feeling unwell. The Emperor, concerned for her health, has ordered her to rest where she is. It will be approximately another half an hour before she arrives."

Half an hour?

The expressions on everyone’s faces were a spectacular, colorful sight. The timing was just perfect.

If they went back to rest, they would probably have to turn around and come back before their seats were even warm. If they didn’t go back, they would just have to stand here for another half an hour.

These delicate concubines, accustomed to a lack of strict rules due to the absence of an Empress in the harem, were already struggling to endure standing for so long. Now they had to continue, and their faces turned grim.

All eyes fell on the three concubines. Even Song Yunzhao had to suppress her excitement as she looked over, eager to see what they would decide.

As she looked at Princess Consort Zhuang, she also swept a glance over Qin Xiyue. Nothing could be read from the latter’s expression. ’Tsk, as expected of the female lead. She’s a tough one.’

Princess Consort Wan was indeed not in good health, and she was starting to waver. Hearing they had to wait another half an hour, her body swayed slightly, and her hand unconsciously tightened on Le Chun’s arm.

Le Chun, her face full of worry, immediately steadied her mistress, her eyes filled with concern.

Song Yunzhao thought, ’It seems Princess Consort Wan’s illness isn’t fake this time. Her face is as pale as paper. She truly possessed that delicate beauty, as if she might be toppled by a cool breeze. A pity the Emperor isn’t here to appreciate it.’

Princess Consort Zhuang looked at Consort Shu. "Consort Shu, what do you think we should do?"

Consort Shu turned to look at Princess Consort Zhuang. ’She’s trying to use me as a pawn again,’ she thought. ’I won’t fall for it.’ She immediately said, "Princess Consort Zhuang, you and I are both of the concubine rank. Do what you want to do. Why ask me? It’s not like I can control you. Besides, it’s only half an hour. It’s not like I can’t wait. If you can’t wait, then feel free to go back."

Princess Consort Zhuang was choked by Consort Shu’s words, unable to respond, and felt quite embarrassed in front of everyone. Her expression couldn’t help but harden. "I was merely trying to discuss it with you. Why must you be so aggressive and say such harsh things? Besides, among the three of us, you are in the best health. I wasn’t asking for myself, but I see that Princess Consort Wan’s complexion is truly poor, and I’m afraid she can’t hold on..."

"If Princess Consort Wan can’t hold on, doesn’t she have a mouth of her own?" Consort Shu was most disgusted by Princess Consort Zhuang using others to highlight her own supposed kindness. ’Pah!’