Chapter 1568: Consort Fan’s Incompetent Allies
Chapter 1568: Chapter 1568: Consort Fan’s Incompetent Allies
The palace banquet had yet to begin. Song Ci sat in the Cining Palace, bored out of her mind, watching everyone trade clever jabs. From time to time she joined in a few lines with the people beside her. Just as she had said to Empress Dowager Wang, she was treating it all as a bit of fun to pass the time.
Who would have thought that after she and the Consort Li next seat over had exchanged only a few words, they would immediately be targeted by Consort Fan again.
"Little Sister Li Consort and Madam Tai are chatting so happily—what secret are you whispering about? Let us hear and have some fun too."
Consort Li smiled gently and said, "Elder Sister Fan Consort, you jest. It’s nothing but idle domestic chatter."
Consort Fan tapped a finger at her in mock rebuke and said, "I don’t believe that. That mouth of yours is the best at coaxing and fooling people."
Consort Li said helplessly, "If Elder Sister refuses to believe me, then there’s nothing Little Sister can do. I can hardly cut open my heart and let you look before you’ll believe."
Empress Dowager Wang glanced over, gave Consort Fan a sideways look, and said, "Since you don’t believe them, then you tell us—what were they talking about?"
Consort Fan’s smile stiffened slightly. "Lady, if I knew, I’d certainly be the first to report it to you. It’s precisely because I don’t know that I was asking."
"You asked, and they answered, and now you say you don’t believe them. That’s no fun at all. Why don’t you just fabricate something outright, force them to admit to it, and then you can believe to your heart’s content." Empress Dowager Wang’s voice was light.
Consort Fan’s face went pale. She stood up and said in panic, "Lady, please calm your anger. This concubine had no such intention, I was just joking with Little Sister Li Consort."
She glanced at Consort Li, who also rose to her feet, smiling as she offered a step down. "Empress Dowager, it’s the New Year, and you’re teasing us as well? Look how scared Elder Sister Fan Consort is, she’s about to start shedding golden beans. I beg you, please don’t frighten us anymore!"
Empress Dowager Wang’s impression of Consort Li was still rather favorable, so she gave her some face and said with a mock scold, "So you’re allowed to joke, but I am not?"
"Being able to hear you jest is our blessing, isn’t it, Elder Sister?" Consort Li turned to Consort Fan.
Consort Fan forced a smile. "Of course it is. I couldn’t wish for anything better."
Empress Dowager Wang said, "Enough. I’m not in the mood to keep joking, lest someone take it seriously."
Consort Fan was mortified.
Madam Wen Tai suddenly jumped out, smiling as she said, "Empress Dowager, in fact it’s just that you see how outstanding the Song Family’s Third Young Master is, and are loath to let the fat water flow into outsiders’ fields. You want to take advantage of your presence here and find a dragon-riding son‑in‑law for Consort Li’s Princess Cheng Yang!"
As soon as these words came out, before the others had any reaction, Madam Wen was already so furious she nearly rolled her eyes and fainted.
Had the old lady gone senile? Why leap out to stir the pot when it has nothing to do with her—was life too peaceful for her liking?
Wasn’t that remark bound to offend both Consort Li and the Song Family? How were they supposed to step down now?
Madam Wen did indeed turn to look at Consort Li and Song Ci. As expected, both had changed expressions. Then she looked again at Empress Dowager Wang, whose face was likewise unreadably deep.
Heavens, she truly wanted to die!
Madam Wen’s head was swimming in waves. Just as she was about to open her mouth to mend things, Consort Fan had already picked up the thread.
"Exactly. That girl Cheng Yang was also raised under my eye; I can count as her step‑mother of sorts. Naturally, I hope she, like Princess Jiayi, can find herself a fine dragon‑riding husband."
Consort Li’s smiling face darkened slightly, her lips pressed into a thin line.
Princess Cheng Yang was her soft spot; she would not permit others to use the girl for venting their spleen and fighting their battles.
"Madam Song Tai, your Third Young Master hasn’t settled an engagement yet, has he? At his age, marrying a Princess would be quite suitable. Why don’t I act as this grand matchmaker?"
Song Ci smiled. Consort Fan was a pig, and her teammates were all pigs as well. She was oblivious to the fact that the pit her teammate had dug was filled with manure—one step down and she’d be reeking from head to toe!