I Was Supposed to Be the Villainous Consort

Chapter 365: Chapter 143: Pregnant

Song Yunzhao felt a pair of strong arms wrap around her waist and lift her up. Her head rested against a familiar chest as the sound of rushing wind filled her ears. She knew it was Feng Yi carrying her as he ran outside.

In that moment, her emotions were in turmoil. She was faking her faint, but Feng Yi didn’t know that.

She had never expected Feng Yi to carry her and run himself. With so many palace attendants around, were they all just for show?

As Song Yunzhao’s thoughts drifted hazily, the jostling from the Emperor’s running made her already dizzy head spin even more. Unsure if it was the wind or her own heartbeat, her ears began to ring, and she truly fainted.

Shouci Palace was thrown into chaos. The Emperor had run off carrying Song Jieyu, leaving everyone else behind, including the Empress Dowager. Besides the few people close to Yun Zhao, how could anyone else present feel at ease?

The Empress Dowager’s face was a terrible sight, her expression darker than the bottom of a pan.

Consort Shu had no patience for the Empress Dowager’s dark mood. She rose and said, "Empress Dowager, you must be exhausted from your journey. I will not disturb your rest any further and will take my leave."

Once Consort Shu left, the others took the cue and also excused themselves. Princess Consort Zhuang could not very well stay behind and left with the others, her expression not much better than the Empress Dowager’s. ’That Song Yunzhao is an impossible woman,’ she thought. ’I’m sure she was faking it!’

But since the Emperor had carried the woman away himself, there was nothing she could do to expose her on the spot.

At this thought, Princess Consort Zhuang’s expression grew even more grim. ’Does the Emperor truly hold Song Jieyu in such high regard now?’

The sound of footsteps approached from behind, but Princess Consort Zhuang did not stop, continuing forward with a sullen face.

"Princess Consort Zhuang, a moment."

Princess Consort Zhuang stopped and turned her head slightly to look at Qin Xiyue, who had caught up to her. "Qin Wan Yi?"

Qin Xiyue gave Princess Consort Zhuang a faint smile. "I’ve just come upon some excellent tea. I was hoping to ask if you would honor me by coming to taste it. Do you have a moment to spare?"

Princess Consort Zhuang sighed lightly. "Song Jieyu has collapsed, and we still don’t know how she is. I’m hardly in the mood for tea."

Qin Xiyue adopted a worried tone as well. "Yes, I’m very worried as well. Perhaps it would be better if we waited for news together? If we have each other for company, the wait won’t feel so unbearable."

With that, Princess Consort Zhuang finally agreed and followed Qin Xiyue to Huayang Palace.

Hua Ying led the palace attendants in to serve the new tea, then bowed and retreated, gently closing the doors to the main hall.

Princess Consort Zhuang picked up her teacup and took a light sip. "This tea is rather good."

"If you like it, I’ll have some sent to your residence later," Qin Xiyue said with a smile.

Princess Consort Zhuang nodded noncommittally. "Qin Wan Yi, there’s no one else here. If you have something to say, just say it."

Qin Xiyue met Princess Consort Zhuang’s eyes, a hint of helplessness on her face. "Since you put it that way, I will be direct. You saw what happened today. The Emperor dotes on Song Jieyu to such an extent. If this goes on, there will be no place left for us in this palace. Surely you don’t want to see her rise above you, do you?"

Princess Consort Zhuang sneered. "Song Jieyu comes from a humble family. It won’t be easy for her to be promoted to the rank of Consort."

"What if Song Jieyu becomes pregnant?"

"He’s doted on her exclusively for so long, and she still hasn’t conceived. I’m afraid we have a long wait." At first, Princess Consort Zhuang had been very worried, but as the months passed with no news from Song Yunzhao, she had gradually put her fears to rest.

Qin Xiyue stroked her teacup, her eyes slightly lowered. "Your Highness, you saw the young woman with the Empress Dowager today, didn’t you?"

Princess Consort Zhuang looked at Qin Xiyue. "I imagine Qin Wan Yi already knew."

Qin Xiyue nodded slightly. "I heard she is the youngest daughter of Marquis Gu’en. She entered the palace a year ago to accompany the Empress Dowager. For the Empress Dowager to bring her into the main palace... I fear her true intentions lie elsewhere."

"One more or one less makes no difference in this palace. So what if Miss An has the good fortune to stay?" Princess Consort Zhuang said with a smile.

Qin Xiyue now understood Princess Consort Zhuang’s attitude. It seemed the Empress Dowager and Princess Consort Zhuang’s family must have joined forces. Otherwise, given Princess Consort Zhuang’s personality, she would never so readily help An Shutong.

She scoffed inwardly. ’So Princess Consort Zhuang is wary of me after all.’

’But she doesn’t stop to think. An Shutong is the Empress Dowager’s own niece. If she helps An Shutong climb the ranks, when it’s time to choose an Empress, will the Empress Dowager pick her own flesh and blood, or Princess Consort Zhuang?’

With this in mind, Qin Xiyue looked at Princess Consort Zhuang and said slowly, "I also believe it’s not good for Song Jieyu to monopolize the Emperor’s favor. If Miss An could enter the palace and change this dynamic, it would be a good thing for all of us."

Princess Consort Zhuang gave Qin Xiyue a long look and said slowly, "That’s right. This palace cannot abide one person monopolizing all the favor."

Qin Xiyue glanced at Princess Consort Zhuang. "I wonder what prospects Miss An will have."

"That will depend on the Empress Dowager’s intentions."

"But will His Majesty agree?"

Princess Consort Zhuang gave Qin Xiyue a deep look and said with a smile, "The Empress Dowager stayed at the traveling palace for six years."

Qin Xiyue understood. What Princess Consort Zhuang meant was that it all depended on whether the Empress Dowager was willing to use that as a bargaining chip with the Emperor.

’Qin Xiyue’s heart sank. If the Emperor agrees, what rank will An Shutong receive upon entering the palace?’

’It certainly won’t be too low; otherwise, how could the Empress Dowager keep face?’

’But it can’t be too high, either. If she were appointed as a Consort right away, the likes of Princess Consort Zhuang would never agree. That means her rank would fall somewhere between mine and Song Yunzhao’s.’

At this thought, she breathed a small sigh of relief, feeling she had a better grasp of the situation.

’Song Yunzhao made the Empress Dowager lose face today. The Empress Dowager will definitely not let this slide.’

"Why is there no news yet?" Princess Consort Zhuang frowned slightly. "It’s been more than half an hour."

Qin Xiyue raised her voice and called someone in. "Go and see what’s going on. Why is there no news yet?"

Fang Ping immediately nodded. Just as she was about to leave, Hua Ying entered with a grim expression. After greeting them, she spoke, "News has come from Wangyou Palace. Song Jieyu is pregnant."

The expressions of both Princess Consort Zhuang and Qin Xiyue changed in an instant. Princess Consort Zhuang’s hand, clutching a handkerchief, tightened. She looked at Hua Ying and asked, "Did the Imperial Physician say so himself?"

"I didn’t hear it from the Imperial Physician myself, but everyone in Wangyou Palace is celebrating. I heard that His Majesty was so overjoyed he rewarded the entire staff of Wangyou Palace with three months’ stipend. It seems the news must be true," Hua Ying replied with her head down, not daring to look at her two mistresses’ faces.

’Qin Xiyue took a deep breath. She had long known this day would come. With Song Yunzhao monopolizing the Emperor’s favor, pregnancy was inevitable. But she had never imagined her luck would be so incredible as to have the happy news arrive on the very day the Empress Dowager returned to the palace.’

’In that moment, Qin Xiyue’s feelings were too complex for words. Why was Song Yunzhao so damn lucky?’

Princess Consort Zhuang could not sit still any longer. She stood up, looked at Qin Xiyue and said, "Such wonderful news. I’m sure the Empress Dowager will be delighted to hear it."

’If someone goes to give the Empress Dowager the happy tidings, she’s bound to become agitated,’ Qin Xiyue thought. ’The Emperor’s first son... The Empress Dowager would surely want him to be born to An Shutong.’