I Was Supposed to Be the Villainous Consort

Chapter 377: Chapter 155: Song Zhaoyi Is Extraordinarily Bold

Princess Consort Zhuang had not expected Song Yunzhao to say such a thing. Her family was indeed working on this matter, but was it something that could be said aloud?

With this matter exposed in front of everyone, if her cousin were to obtain the position, wouldn’t people suspect her father of covertly playing favorites?

It was no wonder Princess Consort Zhuang’s expression turned ugly at this thought. Song Yunzhao had, after all, ascended to the position of Zhaoyi; her words were becoming more and more brazen, more and more audacious.

"My father will not interfere in this matter. Rather than concerning yourself with my cousin, Song Zhaoyi, you should be thinking about Mr. Song in Yucheng." A faint, mocking smile touched Princess Consort Zhuang’s lips. She wanted to see how Song Yunzhao would respond.

Song Yunzhao knew Princess Consort Zhuang would likely bring this up. She replied in a deadpan, serious tone, "If my uncle has truly broken the law and engaged in favoritism, he will naturally be dealt with according to the laws of the court. If he has been framed and wronged, the Emperor will surely clear the name of a minister loyal to the court. I, your concubine, trust the Emperor, and I trust in my uncle’s integrity and honesty. Therefore, I will simply wait for the court to uncover the truth. I appreciate Consort Zhuang’s kind intentions."

Upon hearing this, Qin Xiyue finally looked up at Song Yunzhao, her brow furrowing slightly. ’For her to be so confident, could it be that Song Nanyong is truly not corrupt?’

How many officials in the Salt Transport Bureau were actually clean?

’Or perhaps, even if Song Nanyong did do something, he wouldn’t tell his own niece about it. So, just because Song Yunzhao acts confident doesn’t necessarily mean Song Nanyong is squeaky clean.’

"Song Zhaoyi certainly is confident. Confidence is a good thing, but one shouldn’t speak so brazenly, lest you have to eat your words and lose face later."

Hearing Princess Consort Zhuang’s words, Song Yunzhao was naturally displeased. ’The fact that she dares to threaten me means her family is definitely involved in my uncle’s affairs.’

"You needn’t trouble yourself, Consort Zhuang. Since entering the palace, I have yet to do anything embarrassing." Song Yunzhao retorted. She, at least, had never lost face, but the same couldn’t be said for Princess Consort Zhuang.

"What embarrassing thing? Tell me so I can hear it too and join in on the fun."

Consort Shu’s voice carried into the hall. Everyone rose to greet her, but Princess Consort Zhuang remained seated. The two were of equal rank; if she stood up, wouldn’t it be like admitting she was beneath Consort Shu?

"Greetings, Lady Shufei," everyone said in unison.

Consort Shu was dazzling in a striking crimson palace gown. She walked past the crowd and only spoke when she reached her seat. "You may all rise." Then she looked at Song Yunzhao again. "Song Zhaoyi, you haven’t told us yet."

Song Yunzhao looked at Consort Shu and briefly recounted what had just happened.

Consort Shu gave Princess Consort Zhuang a meaningful look. Princess Consort Zhuang’s composure almost broke. She was about to speak first to shut Consort Shu’s mouth, but Consort Shu was a step ahead of her. "Princess Consort Zhuang," she said, "I think your memory isn’t what it used to be. Shall I remind you?"

Princess Consort Zhuang’s face darkened. Just as she was about to speak, a Palace Attendant from Shouci Palace announced, "The Empress Dowager has arrived!"

Princess Consort Zhuang let out a small sigh of relief. ’Thank goodness the Empress Dowager is here.’

"We pay our respects to the Empress Dowager."

The Empress Dowager sat upon the throne, looked over the crowd, and slowly began to speak. "You may all rise. I did not wish to trouble you all, but since it is a token of your filial piety, I could not very well disregard your good intentions. Be seated."

"Thank you, Empress Dowager."

Song Yunzhao sat down with the others, sneering inwardly at the Empress Dowager’s sanctimonious words. ’It was obvious the Empress Dowager and Princess Consort Zhuang were singing the same tune, yet she had to put on an act of reluctant acceptance.’

"The Empress Dowager has a benevolent heart, but we concubines cannot take advantage of your kindness and ignore palace rules. Paying our respects to the Empress Dowager is our duty," Princess Consort Zhuang said with a smile.

"Consort Zhuang is absolutely right. Please, Empress Dowager, give us concubines a chance to show our filial piety," Qin Xiyue immediately chimed in.

Song Yunzhao thought to herself, ’These two are in a contest for shamelessness. The only one qualified to speak of "filial piety" before the Empress Dowager is the Empress herself. If you absolutely had to add another, it would be the Imperial Concubine, who is second only to the Empress. The three concubines do not yet have that qualification.’

Song Yunzhao even saw Consort Shu on the verge of rolling her eyes, and she couldn’t help but be amused.

’For even someone with Consort Shu’s disposition to recognize the impropriety of those words, it’s clear that Princess Consort Zhuang and Qin Xiyue are getting antsy. They are dead set on using the Empress Dowager to deal with me.’

She sat there, dutiful and quiet, trying her best to be invisible and give the Empress Dowager no opportunity to attack.

But unfortunately, the Empress Dowager couldn’t read her mind. After trading pleasantries with Princess Consort Zhuang and the others, she turned to Song Yunzhao and spoke in a loving voice, "Song Zhaoyi, now that you are carrying a dragon heir, you must take good care of your health. How have you been feeling lately?"

Hearing the Empress Dowager’s question, Song Yunzhao had no choice but to stand and reply, "In response to the Empress Dowager, with the Imperial Physician looking after me, your concubine is doing alright."

She couldn’t say she was unwell. If something were to happen, it would be blamed on the weakness she herself had claimed.

Nor could she say she was in perfect health, lest the Empress Dowager make her come pay respects every day. That would be unacceptable.

Therefore, she could only be ambiguous. Neither unwell nor too well, simply in need of careful maintenance.

The Empress Dowager listened to Song Yunzhao’s slippery answer, gave her another look, and then said slowly, "Song Zhaoyi, please sit. You are with child and must not be tired. If anything were to happen to you, I’m afraid the Emperor would come to my Shouci Palace to demand an explanation."

Anyone else hearing this would have been trembling and at a loss for words, but Song Yunzhao was thick-skinned. If the Empress Dowager dared to say it, she dared to reply.

"You speak too gravely, Empress Dowager. This child in my womb is the Emperor’s first, so it is inevitable that the Emperor places great importance on it. Even when I am in Wangyou Palace, Zhang Maoquan is there watching over me on the Emperor’s orders. I no longer dare to be as I was before, and I am exceedingly careful in my daily life, for fear of failing to repay the Emperor’s profound grace."

Everyone: ...

The Empress Dowager: ...

She really had some nerve.

And yet, Song Yunzhao’s tone was sincere, her expression resigned, and her attitude earnest, leaving no room for anyone to find fault.

Standing by the Empress Dowager’s side, An Shutong turned her head slightly to glance at Song Zhaoyi. Even with her pregnancy, Song Zhaoyi was still radiant. Her beautiful face seemed unchanged; in fact, she felt that Song Zhaoyi was even more beautiful now than the last time she had seen her.

She only took a quick glance before immediately retracting her gaze, lowering her eyes slightly, and resuming the same dutiful, obedient demeanor she had by the Empress Dowager’s side moments before.

Song Yunzhao was very sensitive to being watched. Although the glance had been fleeting, she had caught it.

However, she did not look toward An Shutong. Instead, she followed the Empress Dowager’s earlier words and sat down without the slightest hint of unease. She hadn’t come here to be punished by being made to stand.

Song Yunzhao sat down so readily that the Empress Dowager couldn’t help but glance at her again.

This woman’s nerve was something else.