I Was Supposed to Be the Villainous Consort

Chapter 385: Chapter 163: Marriage Alliance

Perhaps Yun Zhao’s expression was a little too expressive, because Feng Yunjin couldn’t help but let out a soft chuckle. "Does Zhaoyi also feel this is rather inappropriate?"

Song Yunzhao gave it some serious thought before replying, "I wouldn’t say it’s inappropriate. Miss An is the Empress Dowager’s own niece. Given the Empress Dowager’s status, it’s not a big deal for her to celebrate her niece’s birthday."

For someone at the pinnacle of power like her, anything she does is considered reasonable. There are far more outrageous examples in history. Besides, the palace rules don’t forbid the Empress Dowager from celebrating her niece’s birthday. But for Princess Consort Zhuang to be the one to bring it up... that’s what makes it delicate.

"Zhaoyi is right. The crux of it is that Consort Zhuang was the one to bring it up," Feng Yunjin said meaningfully.

Song Yunzhao looked at Feng Yunjin. "Have you heard some news?"

"It’s just a rumor, I don’t know if it’s true or not. It seems the Wang Family and the An family are planning a marriage alliance."

Song Yunzhao was speechless.

Seeing the speechless look on Song Yunzhao’s face, Feng Yunjin knew she had guessed correctly. She smiled and said, "We don’t know if it’s true yet, but if it is, it proves one thing at least: Consort Zhuang can’t sit still any longer."

Song Yunzhao understood what Feng Yunjin meant. ’Who in this palace could make Princess Consort Zhuang so restless? Me, of course.’

If the Wang Family and the An family were to form a marriage alliance, it would mean the Empress Dowager would side with Princess Consort Zhuang. If Princess Consort Zhuang really did make a move against her, the Empress Dowager would undoubtedly protect her.

It was a transaction.

No matter how formidable An Shutong was in the book, right now she was just the Empress Dowager’s niece, not one of the Emperor’s concubines. It wasn’t her place to make a move in the harem. If she really did something and left any trace, her future would be anything but certain.

With An Shutong’s intelligence, she certainly wouldn’t get involved at a time like this. And Qin Xiyue was as slippery as an eel. Though she appeared close to Princess Consort Zhuang, even if she wanted to make a move against me, she would never join forces with her. ’Wouldn’t that be willingly handing over blackmail material?’

With everyone having their own agenda, Princess Consort Zhuang would likely have to act alone. But first, she needed to secure an escape route for herself. The Empress Dowager disliked me, making her the perfect candidate.

"Vice Minister Wang has navigated the imperial court for many years; how could he not be aware of the relationship between the Emperor and the Empress Dowager’s clan? I fear this rumor is false. However, the fact that it was spread at all suggests Princess Consort Zhuang might actually be planning something." Wang Xuanfan had always been a supporter of the Left Minister. The Left Minister had a tepid relationship with the Empress Dowager and no dealings whatsoever with the clan of Marquis Gu’en.

Since Wang Xuanfan and the Left Minister had no intention of turning on each other, he would certainly not agree to a marriage alliance with the An family.

After a marriage alliance between the Wang Family and the An family, the Left Minister’s faction would be tied to the Empress Dowager’s clan. The Emperor would likely grow dissatisfied with the Left Minister and begin to favor the Right Minister in court affairs. That was not a situation the Left Minister would wish to see.

Moreover, a man from a scholarly family like the Left Minister’s had always looked down on people like Marquis Gu’en, who had climbed the ranks through nepotism.

Men of different principles do not work together.

Feng Yunjin mulled over Song Yunzhao’s words. Song Zhaoyi didn’t believe Minister Wang would agree to a marriage alliance with the An family. She seemed lost in thought for a long moment before she continued, "If there is no marriage alliance, then what’s the ultimate purpose of spreading this rumor?"

Song Yunzhao smiled. "I’m afraid it’s all for me."

Feng Yunjin looked at Song Zhaoyi and heard the self-deprecation in her voice. An indescribable feeling welled up inside her. ’Everyone else only sees the glamour of a favored concubine, but they have no idea of the dangers lurking behind it all.’

"Zhaoyi, in that case, you must take precautions."

Song Yunzhao nodded and looked at Feng Yunjin. "If Princess Consort Zhuang really does host a birthday banquet for An Shutong, what do you plan to do?"

Feng Yunjin sighed in resignation. "I am of humble status and my words carry no weight. I’m afraid I’ll have to make an appearance just to fill a seat."

Seeing her resigned expression, Song Yunzhao wished she could find an opportunity to help Feng Yunjin get promoted, but there were no good openings. After a moment of thought, she said, "For now, I can only ask you to bear with it and play along with them. It’s a shame there isn’t a good opportunity at the moment..."

Feng Yunjin’s father was a military officer. Han Jinyi’s promotion and Consort Shu’s restoration to favor were both due to their fathers’ meritorious service, which brought glory to them as well. But when it came to Father Feng, she really couldn’t be of any help.

At this thought, Song Yunzhao paused for a second, then looked at Feng Yunjin and asked, "With Prince Zhenbei’s recent expedition, I wonder, did Mr. Feng go with him?"

Feng Yunjin shook her head. "He was supposed to, but he was kept in the capital because of the military exercises."

Feng Yunjin felt a sense of resignation. The only way to earn merit was to go on a military campaign, but then this incident had to happen in the capital. At her father’s age, if he missed this chance to join an expedition, the next one would be even less likely to come.

Song Yunzhao could see that while Feng Yunjin was smiling, there was a hint of disappointment in her eyes. She knew that Mr. Feng must have also been very disappointed by this outcome. Promotions were already difficult for military officers, and opportunities were scarce.

With this in mind, she looked at Feng Yunjin and said slowly, "The Emperor was furious about the military exercises. There’s likely going to be a major shake-up in the Capital Guard. Mr. Feng has always been a steady and reliable man; this might just be a good opportunity for him."

Feng Yunjin’s heart skipped a beat. She glanced at Song Yunzhao, wanting to ask more, but she suppressed the urge.

Everyone knew the Emperor was displeased with the military exercises, but all sorts of rumors were circulating about how the Capital Guard would be handled. No one could predict what the Emperor would ultimately do.

Song Zhaoyi’s words were clearly a message for her. A fire ignited in Feng Yunjin’s heart. Suppressing her joy, she said, "Zhaoyi, I will take your words to heart."

Song Yunzhao gave a faint smile and didn’t mention the matter again. Instead, she brought up Princess Consort Zhuang. "Whether it’s you or Jinyi, if they really hold a birthday banquet, I won’t be attending. But you two must be especially careful. Now that you are both closer to me, it’s difficult for others to target me directly, so I’m afraid they’ll set their sights on you instead."

Hearing Song Zhaoyi leave out Lu Pin, Feng Yunjin knew that Zhaoyi probably guessed Lu Pin wouldn’t attend either. She nodded and said, "Rest assured, Zhaoyi. Jinyi and I will both be careful."

With their business concluded, Feng Yunjin didn’t want to disturb Song Yunzhao’s rest any longer, so she rose to take her leave.

After leaving Wangyou Palace, Feng Yunjin was walking along a palace path when she unexpectedly ran into Princess Consort Wan, who was rarely seen out and about. She had no choice but to step forward and curtsy. "This concubine greets Lady Wanfei."

It was long-rumored that Princess Consort Wan was constantly recuperating from illness. Most people assumed it was just an excuse. After all, Lady Wanfei spent a good half of the year "recuperating," so it had become so commonplace that no one took it seriously.

But looking at Princess Consort Wan’s complexion now, Feng Yunjin’s heart clenched. Under the scorching sun, her face was pale with a bluish tint. She was even more emaciated than before and looked as if a gust of wind could knock her over. The sight made Feng Yunjin’s heart leap into her throat.

Princess Consort Wan turned her head, sized her up, and then spoke. "Oh, it’s Feng Xiaoyuan. Are you coming from Wangyou Palace?"