Xiyin's death did not cause any waves.
The people from the Internal Affairs Court casually rolled her up in a straw mat and threw her somewhere, not knowing where it ended up, treating her as if she were a pile of rotten meat.
In this deep palace, anyone without power or influence could one day become rotten meat like her, with no exceptions.
In fact, Song Zhao had a simple reason for plotting against either Consort Shu or Consort Ning this time.
The precious imperial heir in Noble Consort Xiao's womb, regardless of whether Consort Shu or Consort Ning wanted to harm the heir, they were likely to shift the blame onto Song Zhao and make her the scapegoat.
Now that Consort Ning has been sent back to the palace, only Consort Shu remains at the Hot Spring Mountain Villa.
Although she has the intention, she probably lacks the courage.
These past few days, the weather at the Hot Spring Mountain Villa has been getting warmer day by day.
December is nearing its end, and the cold winter is coming to a close. The New Year is quietly approaching, and it's about time for the imperial carriage to return to the capital.
Noble Consort Xiao is now three months pregnant with the imperial heir, and her pregnancy is starting to show.
Originally, Song Zhao wanted to avoid her, but she regarded Song Zhao as a good sister. If Song Zhao didn't come to her, she would come to Song Zhao every day.
As a result, Song Zhao had no choice but to pay a visit to Noble Consort Xiao every day after greeting the Empress Dowager.
On this day, while accompanying Noble Consort Xiao for lunch as usual, Song Zhao noticed that she kept unconsciously scratching her neck.
She took a careful glance and saw some dry flakes on Noble Consort Xiao's neck, so she asked with concern, "Sister, what's wrong?"
Song Zhao leaned closer to get a better look, but Noble Consort Xiao suddenly became extremely guarded, clutching her collar tightly and shaking her head repeatedly. "It's nothing... sister, we've almost finished our lunch. I feel a bit tired. Why don't you go ahead?"
She began pushing and shoving Song Zhao toward the door, afraid that she would linger for a moment longer.
Song Zhao didn't dare to push back or show any signs of excitement, afraid of harming the imperial heir in Noble Consort Xiao's womb.
She had no choice but to comply. "Then rest well, sister. I'll go first."
Just before leaving, Song Zhao overheard Noble Consort Xiao hurriedly say to a palace maid, "Quickly prepare some water! I want to take a bath!"
Song Zhao found it increasingly strange, but before she could dwell on it, she ran into Xiao Yinzi, a eunuch, head-on.
Xiao Yinzi rushed over to her, clearly in a panic. "Consort Song! Something has happened, Consort Song!"
"Xiao Gonggong, what's the matter? Calm down and tell me slowly."
"Consort, please go and persuade them at Bitong Academy. Your father has arrived, and the Emperor is furious with him!"
Song Zhao furrowed her brows. "Explain clearly what happened. Why would my father come for this? Is it about my mother?"
Xiao Yinzi waved his hands repeatedly. "No, no! It's not about that. The granary in the capital caught fire! As you know, the granary stored military provisions, and nearly one-fifth of the supplies were destroyed by the fire last night. It's a grave matter to touch military provisions, and whoever is involved in this will face severe consequences. That's why the Emperor is furious."
Upon hearing this, Song Zhao had a good idea.
Wasn't my nominal elder sister, Song Yue, deeply in love and passionately involved with the eldest son of the Ge family?
And the master of the Ge family is actually the grain control officer appointed by the imperial court. When there's an issue with military provisions, their entire family is implicated.
Is Song Shicheng, this spineless man, really rushing to plead for his future son-in-law?
Song Zhao pretended to be confused and asked, "The protection of military provisions is not the responsibility of the Marquis of the Guard's residence. Why is the Emperor angry with my father?"
"Exactly! The eldest son of the grain control officer, Ge Zhongqi, is responsible for safeguarding the military provisions. The Emperor, in his anger, has surrounded the Ge family and wants to deal with Ge Zhongqi. But at this critical moment, Marquis of the Guard has arrived at the Hot Spring Mountain Villa to speak up and protect the Ge family."
Xiao Yinzi was genuinely worried for Song Zhao. He slapped his thigh anxiously, saying, "The Emperor is furious because of this matter. That's why Master asked me to quickly bring you here and have you persuade your father. The Emperor is enraged, and Marquis of the Guard is adding fuel to the fire. Shouldn't he discard his official hat?"
Song Zhao didn't care whether he kept his official hat or not.
Song Shicheng would be better off without the chunk of meat hanging from his neck. It would serve him right if he provoked Xiao Jingheng and got beheaded.
However, Song Zhao had to maintain her gentle and composed demeanor in front of Xiao Jingheng.
So, she hurriedly followed Xiao Yinzi to Bitong Academy.
She thought that upon arriving at Bitong Academy, she would witness Xiao Jingheng berating Song Shicheng.
But to her surprise, as soon as they reached the entrance, she heard harmonious laughter coming from inside.
After Xiao Yinzi led her inside, Xiao Jingheng pointed at Song Shicheng, who was standing straight in the hall, and said with a smile, "Zhao'er, your father has made a rare visit to the Hot Spring Mountain Villa. Later, take him around. Tonight, I will host a banquet at Lianxin Terrace and have a good drink with Minister Song!"
Song Shicheng clasped his hands and bowed, saying, "I am grateful for Your Majesty's kindness!"
This puzzled Song Zhao.
Didn't Xiao Jingheng's face show anger, and weren't he and Song Shicheng arguing fiercely according to Xiao Yinzi?
How did they suddenly become so amicable and jovial in the blink of an eye?
