I Was Supposed to Be the Villainous Consort

Chapter 376: Chapter 154: Let’s Hurt Each Other

"Let’s get ready, then. Tomorrow is the first time we’ll be paying respects to the Empress Dowager. We must not be rude." Song Yunzhao found these formalities tiresome, but in the harem, they were unavoidable.

’The Empress Dowager’s return to the palace really does give people an opportunity to stir up trouble.’

That night, Feng Yi did not return to the harem. The lights in Taiji Palace weren’t extinguished until 9 p.m.

The next morning, Song Yunzhao was woken up very early. In the past, with no one in the harem to pay respects to, she had always slept until she woke naturally. Of course, she would sometimes pretend to be virtuous and see the Emperor off to morning court, but not very often.

’To think that from now on, I’ll be forced to wake up early every day... It feels like I’m back in my days as a wage slave. So tough.’

Wangyou Palace was bustling early in the morning. Zhang Maoquan’s most important task was to head to the Imperial Kitchen and oversee Song Zhaoyi’s breakfast. Song Zhaoyi was a very easygoing person and rarely made a fuss about her meals. However, this didn’t mean her servants could afford to be careless.

In fact, Zhang Maoquan managed her meals even more strictly. He had even specially requested an Imperial Physician to draw up a dietary plan, instructing the Imperial Chef to use it with careful consideration.

Zhang Maoquan’s actions made both the Imperial Physician and the Imperial Chef extremely cautious. As a result, Song Yunzhao’s reputation was firmly established in both the Imperial Hospital and the Imperial Kitchen. Everyone knew just how much the Emperor favored and valued Song Zhaoyi, seeing as Chief Steward Zhang was being so meticulous over something as simple as a dietary plan.

Song Yunzhao knew nothing of this. She just thought that the Imperial Chef Feng Yi had chosen for her was not only highly skilled but also cooked a wide variety of dishes, all while taking a pregnant woman’s nutritional needs into account. ’He’s a real talent.’

After breakfast, Zhang Maoquan knew Song Zhaoyi was headed to Shouci Palace to pay her respects, so he had a sedan chair waiting. As soon as she emerged, he immediately stepped forward to personally help her into the sedan chair, then remained in attendance by its side.

Song Yunzhao looked at Zhang Maoquan, then at Anshun, thinking that Anshun still had a lot to learn. ’Look at Chief Steward Zhang,’ she mused. ’The man who serves as the Emperor’s General Manager is truly no simple character.’

Anshun was also very perceptive. He followed Zhang Maoquan around all day, calling him "Chief Steward Zhang" at every opportunity, clearly wanting to learn his master’s craft.

Zhang Maoquan didn’t chase him away. Out of respect for Song Zhaoyi, he was willing to offer a few pointers when he had time. After all, he would have to return to Taiji Palace after Song Zhaoyi gave birth, so building a good relationship with the people of Wangyou Palace now would be beneficial for future dealings.

Nanny Yu did not join them this time; Xiangxue and Shizhu went instead. Behind them followed a long line of palace attendants, making for quite an imposing procession.

When they passed Roufu Palace, there was no sign of activity. Its gates were tightly shut. Song Yunzhao glanced at it briefly before looking away, and they quickly moved past.

After Changle Palace was Princess Consort Zhuang’s Zhaoyang Palace. The gates of Zhaoyang Palace were wide open, and the palace attendants on duty were nowhere to be seen. It seemed Princess Consort Zhuang had already left.

It was the same when they reached Huayang Palace. Song Yunzhao guessed that Princess Consort Zhuang had probably left together with Qin Xiyue.

After passing Huayang Palace, they entered the grounds of Shouci Palace. Come to think of it, Qin Xiyue’s Huayang Palace was very close to the Empress Dowager’s Shouci Palace. In fact, not only Huayang Palace, but also Qingyun Palace behind it and Lin Hua Palace behind that, were all nearby.

Qingyun Palace was now missing Chen Miaohui, and Beauty Zhen of Lin Hua Palace had grown listless. The only ones left were the unremarkable Dong Guiren and Xi Xuan Shi. The sole person of a slightly higher rank among them was Fan Qingru.

’Speaking of which, I wonder if living in a place like this is frustrating for Fan Qingru. None of her neighbors are trouble-free.’

Song Yunzhao’s impression of Fan Qingru was decent, but the two of them had almost no interactions, so she merely sighed at the thought and moved on.

The sedan chair stopped outside Shouci Palace. Song Yunzhao alighted with Xiangxue’s support and stepped through the palace gates.

The palace attendants at the gate paid her little mind at first, but their expressions changed upon seeing Zhang Maoquan. They immediately came forward to offer their respects. "Your servant greets Song Zhaoyi."

Of course Song Yunzhao noticed their fickle expressions. ’Looks like someone wanted to put me in my place,’ she thought. ’They just didn’t expect Zhang Maoquan to be with me.’

She gave a slight nod and walked right in without a word.

’Those people wanted to humiliate me. Should I have smiled at them for it?’

’Ridiculous!’

The palace attendants’ faces fell slightly, but mindful of Zhang Maoquan, they ultimately dared not say a word.

Song Yunzhao walked all the way into Shouci Palace, with passing palace attendants curtsying as she went. As she set foot on the steps, she saw Mu Qing, one of the Empress Dowager’s attendants, coming out to greet her.

"This servant, Mu Qing, greets Song Zhaoyi."

Song Yunzhao replied with a neutral expression, "There’s no need for such formalities. Rise."

Mu Qing rose, seemingly unfazed by Song Zhaoyi’s cool demeanor. "Allow me to show you into the hall, Zhaoyi."

"Thank you for your trouble."

Mu Qing smiled and led the way, her eyes sweeping swiftly over Zhang Maoquan. Her smile became even more impeccable.

There were already people in Shouci Palace. As expected, Princess Consort Zhuang and Qin Xiyue were both there. Han Jinyi, Feng Yunjin, and Lu Zhixue had also arrived. What surprised Song Yunzhao a little was that An Fangyi was also present.

This lady’s rank was indeed not low, but she rarely involved herself in palace affairs. It was unexpected that she was willing to come out to pay respects to the Empress Dowager.

Her eyes swept impassively over An Fangyi, then flicked quickly to Qin Xiyue. Both were of the third-rank, but a Wanyi was the head of the third-rank concubines. Although An Fangyi was also of the third-rank, her position was below Qin Xiyue’s.

"I didn’t expect Consort Zhuang to be here so early. It seems I am a step behind. I hope Your Ladyship won’t take offense." Song Yunzhao’s rank was slightly lower than Princess Consort Zhuang’s, so her being late was something of a faux pas.

In the palace, lower-ranking concubines were always supposed to arrive before their higher-ranking counterparts in order to respectfully welcome them.

However, Consort Shu and Princess Consort Wan had not yet arrived. For Princess Consort Zhuang to arrive first might well have been a deliberate move to put Song Yunzhao in her place.

So, the moment the words left her mouth, before Princess Consort Zhuang could put on a show of magnanimity, Song Yunzhao added, "Oh? But why don’t I see Lady Shufei and Lady Wanfei?"

Princess Consort Zhuang: "..."

’This Song Yunzhao!’

Under Mu Qing’s guidance, Song Yunzhao sat down in her designated seat. Only then did she hear Princess Consort Zhuang say slowly, "Song Zhaoyi is with child, so it is no matter if you arrive a little late. How could I possibly blame you? You are overthinking things."

"Your Ladyship is magnanimous, but I cannot afford to be impolite," Song Yunzhao replied, her tone neither soft nor hard. She turned to see Lu Zhixue’s grim expression and figured something must have happened before she arrived.

Just as she was thinking this, she heard Princess Consort Zhuang ask with a concerned tone, "I heard that Mr. Song injured his leg. I wonder if he is doing any better now?"

Song Yunzhao’s expression also turned cold. Princess Consort Zhuang’s malice towards her was now completely undisguised. ’Is she trying to embarrass me the moment I arrive?’

Song Yunzhao turned to look at Princess Consort Zhuang and said meaningfully, "Thank you for your concern, Consort Zhuang. My father’s body only suffered a minor injury and will be fine after a period of rest. I hear Your Ladyship’s clansman is vying for the position of Military Supply Officer. Allow me to congratulate Your Ladyship in advance. With Vice Minister Wang’s assistance, I’m sure he will achieve his goal."

Just as she’d hoped, Song Yunzhao saw Princess Consort Zhuang’s face darken. ’Who’s afraid of whom?’

’Bring it on. Let’s trade barbs.’