On that day, Song Zhao prepared eighteen vegetarian dishes at the Xiu Zhu Hall and had a delightful conversation with Xiao Jingheng and the Empress Dowager during dinner.
During this time, Consort Chen sent someone to invite Xiao Jingheng, but before the person could enter the inner chamber, they were turned away by the Empress Dowager's people.
That night, Xiao Jingheng, feeling quite calm, returned alone to rest at the Bitong Academy.
Well,
After a half-hour of turmoil in the afternoon, almost delaying the audience with courtiers, how could there be any energy left?
When Song Zhao returned to her residence and finished washing up, it was already close to midnight.
Yun Shan massaged her shoulders while saying,
"It's a good thing that you've been promoted. However, today the Emperor scolded Consort Chen to protect you, and Consort Chen will surely hold a grudge against you in the future. You should be more careful, Song Zhao..."
Yun Shan's words were veiled, but she was actually worried about another matter.
In the past, Song Zhao had surrendered to Consort Chen and relied on her sincerely, which temporarily prevented Consort Chen from targeting her.
But now that all pretenses have been dropped, Yun Shan is genuinely worried that Song Zhao will fall victim to Consort Chen's schemes.
However, Song Zhao appeared indifferent, casually stating,
"From the moment the Empress Dowager started treating me with suspicion, Consort Chen could no longer tolerate my presence. Instead of continuing to grovel before her and not gaining any benefits, it's better to break this seemingly harmonious relationship and transform our dependence on each other into cooperation."
"Cooperation?" Yun Shan pursed her lips, tilted her head, and pondered for a while before saying, "But Consort Chen is so overbearing and arrogant. She doesn't even regard the Empress as important. Will she really cooperate with you?"
Song Zhao remained composed and said, "When interests converge, people come together, and when interests diverge, they go their separate ways. As long as I still have value to offer, Consort Chen must cooperate with me. She may be fierce but foolish, so she has no choice."
The next morning, Song Zhao visited Noble Consort Xiao early.
As soon as Noble Consort Xiao saw her, a smile appeared at the corner of her mouth. "It's great. You are now a noble consort too. Yesterday, when I saw how Consort Chen was bullying you, I couldn't bear it, but you know I have little influence, and it wouldn't be good for me to speak up for you."
Song Zhao also smiled and said, "It was my fault. Sister, you have a pregnancy to worry about, and yet you still had to be concerned for me."
Noble Consort Xiao said, "When I was in a difficult situation, only you were willing to stay by my side. I will always remember this act of kindness."
Song Zhao held her hand and nodded, "Fortunately, everything is fine now."
Compared to Song Zhao's optimism, Noble Consort Xiao seemed a little worried. "Do you really think everything is fine?"
She pulled Song Zhao into the inner room and, cautiously looking at the slightly open diamond-shaped window, whispered,
"Do you know that Consort Chen hates you to the bone because of this incident? Yesterday, after the Emperor took you away, she said in front of me and Consort Shu that she would definitely make you suffer."
Song Zhao shrugged off her concerns, saying, "She probably won't, right? After all, I am an imperial consort personally appointed by the Emperor. Even if she envies me, she can't be too blatant about it."
Noble Consort Xiao furrowed her brows and shook her head, dismissing the words spoken by Consort Shu. "There are some things you don't know. Consort Shu told me that there was once a Consort Yang in the palace who, like you, incurred the jealousy of Consort Chen because of the Emperor's favor.
Later on, that Consort Yang, who was perfectly fine before, lost her sanity and died within a few days. Everyone in the palace said it was Consort Chen's doing, but they couldn't find any evidence. It's clear that Consort Chen is cunning and can harm others without leaving any trace. You must be careful," Noble Consort Xiao expressed her concern sincerely.
Song Zhao responded, saying she understood, but in reality, she had already figured it out.
It was true that Consort Chen resented her, but Consort Chen had been immersed in the palace for many years and was a formidable opponent who could contend even with the Empress. Although Consort Chen was impulsive and reckless, it didn't mean she lacked intelligence.
Even if Consort Chen wanted to harm her, she couldn't do it now. Wouldn't that be too obvious and make Xiao Jingheng suspicious?
It was Consort Shu...
Why would she, seemingly perfectly fine, talk to Noble Consort Xiao about these things?
Afterward, Song Zhao and Noble Consort Xiao chatted for a while longer. Noble Consort Xiao glanced at the bronze hourglass and suddenly said, "It's time for me to bathe. I won't keep you any longer, sister."
Song Zhao was puzzled and asked, "It's not even noon yet, why would you choose this time to bathe, sister?"
Tong Hua, a palace maid standing by, explained, "The young mistress values cleanliness. In the past, she would bathe at least twice a day in the palace. It's even more convenient at the Hot Spring Mountain Villa, so she changed it to three times a day."
Three times a day?
Even for someone with cleanliness obsession, bathing three times a day was indeed a bit excessive.
Song Zhao reminded her, "I heard that it's not advisable for women to soak in hot springs during pregnancy. The hot water can cause the Qi and blood to surge, which is harmful to the heir. Sister, you..."
"Rest assured, I've already inquired about it. The Emperor is also aware of this matter, so the hot spring water I have here is mixed with cold water, just warm and comfortable. The imperial physician also said there's no problem."
Noble Consort Xiao knew how important this pregnancy was to her, so she would definitely be extra cautious in everything. Song Zhao decided not to persuade her further.
"Then, sister, please go and bathe. I'll take my leave first."
Tong Hua escorted Song Zhao outside, and Song Zhao said to her, "You don't have to see me off. Hurry back in and attend to your young mistress's bath."
Tong Hua replied, "Song Zhao, you don't know. My young mistress is very shy and hates being seen by others. When she bathes, she never allows anyone to attend to her. Even when Silver Branch was her personal maidservant, it was the same. We maidservants can't be by her side."
Upon hearing this, Song Zhao felt that something was amiss.
The consorts and concubines who could enter the palace all had prominent backgrounds in the imperial court. While they might be pampered and spoiled, they had been accustomed to it after being favored once.
Moreover, bathing was a troublesome matter.
It involved scrubbing, pouring water, and wiping the body, and all these steps were indispensable. It was especially difficult to clean certain areas like the back without assistance.
Since Noble Consort Xiao liked cleanliness, it would make more sense for her to have someone attend to her.
If she liked cleanliness and insisted on bathing alone, wouldn't that be contradictory?
However, Song Zhao merely sensed that something was amiss but didn't want to get involved.
In the palace, it was best to ignore matters that had nothing to do with oneself.
Taking fewer actions means making fewer mistakes, but doing nothing doesn't guarantee being faultless. Otherwise, one might unintentionally invite trouble and end up with a headache.
Returning to her residence, Song Zhao found Yun Shan and the others had brought back a variety of fresh flowers and were busy arranging them in the dormitory.
Song Zhao looked at the vibrant colors blooming around her and felt a sense of joy.
Later, Yun Shan said, "Actually, the rose garden was in full bloom, and I planned to pick some flowers. But Qing Yue happened to come and gather flowers too. The young mistress had instructed me to keep my distance from Consort Shu, so I deliberately avoided her. She approached me for a conversation, and I made an excuse about being busy with residence matters and returned here."
Upon hearing this, Song Zhao became more alert.
She called Xiao Fuzi and asked him to carefully examine each of the newly picked flowers for any issues.
After a thorough inspection, Xiao Fuzi said, "Rest assured, Young Mistress. These are all fresh flowers and haven't been tampered with."
Song Zhao smiled and took a branch of wintersweet flower, bringing it close to her nose for a sniff.
After a moment of silence, her gaze darkened, and a sinister smile appeared on her face.
"Since there are no problems, then let's make them have problems."
