Xiao Jingheng took over the memorial and glanced over it roughly.
The memorial stated that when Song Shicheng learned of Jiang's evil deeds, he was furious and felt grieved, deeply ashamed of failing the court's trust and Xiao Jingheng's confidence.
Therefore, he decided to execute family law on Jiang and whip her to death, to demonstrate his unwavering loyalty to the court.
The memorial's wording was grievous and stirring, tearfully pleading,
but after Xiao Jingheng read it, he only had one thought in his mind:
If Song Shicheng was truly unaware of Jiang's misdeeds, why would he be in such a hurry to whip her alive to death? And use such heavy hands as well?
Such actions make one suspect instead that he was afraid Jiang would say something she should not have said in self defense before killing herself,
so Song Shicheng wanted to silence her.
As Xiao Jingheng silently pondered, he did not notice at all that the beautiful woman beside him was peeking at him from the corner of her eye.
Seeing Xiao Jingheng's expression gradually become severe,
Song Zhao knew that Song Shicheng had become the next parasite at court that Xiao Jingheng wanted to eliminate.
Thus, she no longer needed to continue instigating things against him in front of Xiao Jingheng.
Overeagerness in anything can easily reveal flaws,
after all she was only sixteen, she had plenty of time before Song Shicheng fell into an abyss of no return.
That night, Xiao Jingheng originally intended to favor Song Zhao,
partly as comfort, and partly because he missed her after not seeing her for days.
But Song Zhao declined his favor, claiming that she had not rested well for days which disrupted her monthly cycle, causing her period to come early.
After Xiao Jingheng left, Yun Shan quickly handed Song Zhao a hot water bottle to warm her lower abdomen,
"This foolish servant did not know little mistress' monthly visitor came, I will go brew red date ginger tea for little mistress now."
Song Zhao waved her hand. "No need, I'm fine, I just don't feel like making the effort to do that with him after the tiring travel." She said, "Go get Xi Ying, I have instructions for her."
Xi Ying came very quickly. Upon entering, she respectfully bowed to Song Zhao, "Little mistress, do you have any instructions?"
Song Zhao said indifferently: "I have returned to the manor. Consort Chen will surely summon you for questioning tomorrow. Tell her that His Majesty came to see me today, but only offered some brief, perfunctory comfort, his attitude was much more aloof than before. Then tell her I made myself appear pitiful, hoping His Majesty would stay to accompany me, but he declined citing pressing state affairs."
The next day after Xi Ying relayed this to Consort Chen, Consort Chen was overjoyed.
She secretly observed for two days, and saw that Xiao Jingheng either remained at the Bi Tong Academy or slept in her palace over the past few days.
He occasionally visited the pregnant Noble Consort Xiao, and even went to Consort Shu's palace once,
but he did not let Song Zhao serve him at night.
This affirmed Consort Chen's belief that Song Zhao had incurred Xiao Jingheng's taboo due to her identity as a traitor's daughter, and it would be difficult for her to gain favor again in the future.
Believing her scheme had succeeded, Consort Chen then began using her influence to isolate Song Zhao.
When Song Zhao paid her respects, she shut her out. When Song Zhao paid respects to Consort Shu, she was also dismissed. Even when visiting Noble Consort Xiao, she could barely exchange a few sentences before being told to leave.
But Song Zhao was neither anxious nor angry, and continued hustling around every day.
It was their business if they refused to see her, but she had to go.
A few days later, Yun Shan said to Song Zhao: "Little mistress, are you still going today when Consort Chen and the others are having tea and a meal to appreciate flowers at Lianxin Pavilion?"
Song Zhao smiled. "Of course I'm going. My sisters don't like me, so I have to fawn over them even more."
As they spoke, an eunuch from the imperial household arrived.
He had come almost every day recently, because Xiao Jingheng cared about Song Zhao and constantly had the inner palace prepare fresh hot red date ginger tea to send to her daily.
"Thank you for your hard work these days, eunuch."
"You're too kind, little mistress. This is my duty."
Song Zhao opened the tea pot and took a small sip of the ginger tea, then casually said:
"The other day when I went to Bi Tong Academy, I noticed the flower arrangements still used red plum blossoms. Festive indeed, but it gets somewhat monotonous after long. I heard the flower gardens around Lianxin Pavilion have mild weather and many lovely spring flowers in full bloom, gorgeous beyond compare. Eunuch, when you have time could you send someone to gather some fresh flowers from there? It would delight His Majesty's mood as well."
The inner palace's servants would seize any opportunity to curry favor with Xiao Jingheng. With this pointer from Song Zhao, the little eunuch naturally took it to heart and hurriedly bade farewell to her.
Watching his hurried departing figure, Song Zhao laughed. "Let's go as well, we shouldn't keep my sisters waiting."
Lianxin Pavilion was surrounded by water on three sides, with spring flowers in full bloom on both banks of flower gardens. It was a nice scenic spot.
At this time Consort Chen, Consort Shu and Noble Consort Xiao were already seated.
They had not called for Song Zhao at all, and started their meal and tea once everyone else had arrived, chatting idly as well.
Consort Chen said to Noble Consort Xiao: "This palace heard Song Shangzai visited you and stayed half an incense stick's time yesterday?"
Noble Consort Xiao nodded, looking slightly uneasy.
Consort Chen discontentedly said: "Use your brains. She is now the daughter of a traitor. His Majesty does not favor her anymore either. You are pregnant, so you should meet her less, in case her inauspicious influence rubs off on the imperial child in your belly."
Though Noble Consort Xiao did not actually want to distance herself from Song Zhao―after all Song Zhao had stayed by her side during her most difficult days―she did not dare to defy Consort Chen either, and could only obediently agree:
"Consort Chen teaches rightly, this concubine understands now."
Consort Shu did not participate at all, merely quietly enjoying her tea and the scenery.
After chatting for a while, Ying Xiang came to report to Consort Chen:
"Esteemed consort, Concubine Song has arrived."
"Oh?" Consort Chen glanced in the direction of the corridor bridge, and saw Song Zhao standing alone in the distance looking rather awkward.
She laughed. "She's already here, what manners to let her stand in the flower gardens? Let her in."
Ying Xiang went to invite Song Zhao. Consort Chen continued casual small talk with Consort Shu and the rest.
After coming in Song Zhao greeted them, but the three completely ignored her.
The atmosphere instantly became extremely awkward. Song Zhao had no choice but to stiffly smile and say:
"Hearing my sisters were gathering today, I came to join since I was free with nothing to do. I hope I'm not intruding on my sisters."
Upon hearing this, Consort Chen raised a brow and sized her up, then arrogantly said:
"This palace remembers Concubine Song used to be very proper. How is it that as soon as your maternal family committed treason, you forgot all proper etiquette?
Consort Shu and I hold the rank of consorts, while Noble Consort Xiao carries an imperial child. You did not address us with formal speech, directly calling us sisters. Did you learn this lack of etiquette from your shameless birth mother?"
