Xiao Jingheng was genuinely annoyed with Consort Ning this time.
It had been three days since he returned to the palace, and not only did he not visit her, he didn't even mention her. It seemed like Consort Ning was also sulking with him. She didn't take the initiative to look for him, nor did she pay respects to the Empress. Instead, she locked herself in Yonghe Palace and refused to see anyone.
On the other hand, Song Zhao seemed to be very concerned about the Empress's pregnancy. Ever since the news came out, she had been serving diligently in the Feng Luan Palace, always trying to please the Empress. Others couldn't help but think that she was deliberately trying to gain favor with the Empress.
Two days ago, when the Empress Dowager came to visit the Empress's palace, she pretended to scold Song Zhao, saying, "You, on the way back from the countryside, said you would often come to accompany me in the palace, but now you're always by the side of the Empress." Although her words sounded like reprimands, her face was filled with a gentle smile.
Song Zhao seemed a little at a loss, and the Empress Dowager quickly said, "Look, I was just teasing you. You are attentive and knowledgeable. With you by the Empress's side, she won't feel bored during her pregnancy."
The Empress also smiled and said, "Yes, Song Guiren keeps me entertained with jokes every day. I really like her."
"The Empress Dowager and the Empress are praising me so much, it's making me embarrassed," Song Zhao smiled and said, "When the Emperor heard about the pregnancy, he said he wanted to lead the concubines of the harem to burn incense and pray to the gods for the Empress's safe and smooth delivery. So these past two days, I have already started eating vegetarian meals. When we go to pray, I will sincerely pray for the Empress's well-being in front of the Buddha."
The Empress smiled and said, "You are so thoughtful."
But the Empress Dowager said, "The Emperor, too, only mentioned your pregnancy and kept this matter of offering prayers a secret from me."
She held the Empress's hand and said affectionately, "When we go to offer prayers, I will also include you. I offer prayers to the Buddha all year round, so I must sincerely pray for the well-being of my daughter-in-law."
The Empress was overjoyed and said gratefully, "Thank you, Empress Dowager."
The day of the prayer was set for the twenty-ninth day of the lunar new year.
On the night of the twenty-seventh day of the lunar new year, Xiao Jingheng turned over Song Zhao's sign, and the servants from the ceremonial department took her to Chao Yang Palace early in the morning.
During their meal, Song Zhao casually asked, "Where does the Emperor plan to go on the day after tomorrow when we offer prayers for the Empress?"
Xiao Jingheng replied, "For this prayer for the Empress, all the consorts will go together. It's not convenient to leave the palace during the festive season. I was thinking of going to the Temple of the Bodhisattva with Ten Halls on Cloud Terrace."
Song Zhao was serving him food when she suddenly froze upon hearing the words "Cloud Terrace," and the bamboo shoot she was holding with her chopsticks fell on the table.
"I'm so clumsy; I must have made the Emperor laugh," she said.
Xiao Jingheng noticed her slightly nervous expression and asked, "What's wrong?"
Song Zhao hesitated and said, "I have some concerns in my heart, but I'm afraid that if I tell the Emperor about it, it might implicate innocent parties..."
She hesitated, which only further piqued Xiao Jingheng's curiosity. "Just say it, I promise not to blame you."
Song Zhao then spoke, "Your Majesty, do you remember the safety amulet that the Empress Dowager gave you before we went to the Hot Spring Mountain Villa? The amulet was personally presented to you by the Empress Dowager on the Cloud Terrace. Later, because of her illness, I personally retrieved it."
Xiao Jingheng nodded, "You retrieved the amulet for me, so I have been wearing it all this time."
Song Zhao recalled the past, with lingering fear in her heart, and described in detail the entire process of her nearly falling from the Cloud Terrace that day. She continued, "Later, I went to check, and the Palace Affairs Department had already reinforced the iron chain. But the steps of the Cloud Terrace are steep, and not many people go there on regular days. However, in the future, if a consort or concubine climbs up and slips due to fatigue, it would be unfortunate."
"Even if such an incident occurred, you should have told me earlier," Xiao Jingheng put down his chopsticks, held Song Zhao's hand, his eyes filled with concern.
Song Zhao said, "The other consorts and I are fine. If I had mentioned it earlier, wouldn't Your Majesty worry?"
Xiao Jingheng understood Song Zhao's nature. She was inherently kind-hearted, always considering others before herself. On that day, she didn't speak up because she was afraid that the palace attendants from the Palace Affairs Department would be held accountable. Now, she spoke up because she was afraid that others might be harmed in the future.
Xiao Jingheng tightened his grip on her hand, "You're right. But since I have agreed to the Empress's request, I can't go back on my word."
Song Zhao pondered for a moment and said, "Sincerity is crucial when making offerings to the Buddha. Besides, the Empress Dowager was delighted to hear that the Empress was expecting and said she wanted to pray for blessings together with Your Majesty. The Empress Dowager is already old, and she can't climb the Cloud Terrace. It wouldn't be right to make her go through all the trouble."
When Song Zhao casually mentioned the Empress Dowager, it reminded Xiao Jingheng of something. "There is a pure gold Buddha statue in the Empress Dowager's palace, and she is devoutly religious, offering prayers to the Buddha all year round. There is no place in the palace more devout than the Xian Shou Palace. Why don't we gather all the consorts and go to the Empress Dowager's palace to pray for blessings for the Empress? It would save the Empress Dowager from exerting herself."
Song Zhao didn't express any further opinions and calmly continued to serve the dishes to Xiao Jingheng. She casually replied, "I will follow Your Majesty's arrangements."
