Song Shicheng caused a major incident in Yu Province. Immediately, Xiao Jingheng ordered the deputy commander of the Yu Province troops to detain him and bring him back to the capital for trial.
Today was supposed to be the day when Song Shicheng arrived in the capital, but a messenger arrived with news that while passing through Yun Mountain Road, a falling rock startled Song Shicheng's carriage, causing him to fall off and lose consciousness.
The accompanying military doctor advised against rushing the journey as it could hinder Song Shicheng's treatment. So, the messenger urgently returned to the palace, seeking Xiao Jingheng's instructions.
Song Shicheng had caused a great uproar and committed the crime of deceiving the emperor. Originally, there was no way out for him. Xiao Jingheng didn't care about his life or death, but he cared about Song Zhao's feelings.
After all, Song Shicheng was her only remaining relative in the world. Thus, Xiao Jingheng said, "What I want to see is him alive, not his corpse. Keep watch over him, ensure he receives medical treatment, and then bring him back to the capital to report."
Later, this matter reached Song Zhao's ears through a court attendant.
Of course, Song Zhao knew that Xiao Jingheng deliberately leaked the news to let her know, showcasing the extent of his favor towards her.
Song Zhao was deeply moved and was about to express her gratitude in person when she encountered Consort Yao at the door.
Consort Yao had a smile on her face and was whispering something to her close maid, Fu'er.
When she saw Song Zhao, she waved and asked, "Where are you going?"
Song Zhao bowed respectfully and replied, "To Your Majesty, my father had an accident on his way back from Yu Province, so the Emperor allowed him to stay in Yu Province for treatment before returning. I was about to go to Chaoyang Palace to thank the Emperor for his grace."
Consort Yao waved her hand and said, "Don't make a wasted trip. His Majesty is currently at the Empress's palace. I just came from there."
She took Song Zhao's hand and couldn't help but chuckle, saying, "I just heard a strange story, and it made me laugh so much."
Song Zhao showed great interest in Consort Yao's words and also smiled, saying, "What could make Your Majesty so delighted?"
"Noble Consort Xiao is pregnant. His Majesty went to visit her today and originally planned to have a meal at her palace. But she insisted on taking a bath first and asked His Majesty to wait for her. Hahaha!"
Consort Yao laughed so hard that her shoulders shook. She wiped off some powder from the tip of her nose and continued, "Who would have thought she would spend half an hour just bathing? His Majesty couldn't wait that long, so he went to the Empress's palace instead. Ha ha! Can you imagine? She's already four months pregnant, and His Majesty can't do anything to her. What is she expecting with that thorough bath? Such a shameless person, doesn't she know any shame?"
After listening, Song Zhao didn't find the matter particularly amusing, but she still forced a couple of laughs, following Consort Yao's lead.
In contrast to mocking Noble Consort Xiao, Song Zhao was actually quite puzzled. She had known about Noble Consort Xiao's fondness for cleanliness a long time ago. In the past, when she went to visit Noble Consort Xiao, she was driven away by the noble consort, who used bathing as an excuse.
But now, it was Xiao Jingheng who went to see her.
She had never been favored much, so when Xiao Jingheng finally visited her palace, she had to seize this opportunity tightly, right?
How much effort does it take for her to have a meal? Yet she insisted on going to bathe at this moment?
The next day, when paying respects to the Empress, the other concubines couldn't resist teasing Noble Consort Xiao about it,
calling her "water nymph" and "mermaid beauty," using whatever words they could find to offend her.
Noble Consort Xiao dared not retort, only sitting in her place with her head lowered,
Song Zhao, who was sitting close to her, saw tears falling from her eyes like broken pearls onto her aqua-colored outer garment, and she looked so pitiful.
After the greetings were over, Song Zhao accompanied Noble Consort Xiao for a while,
and on the way, she asked her, "Sister, have you encountered any difficulties? If you don't trust others, you can tell me. Two heads are better than one."
But Noble Consort Xiao replied, "N-No, nothing. I don't care what they say about me!"
She protected her abdomen and spoke with determination, "Once I safely give birth to this child, if I can do so before the Empress does, then it will be a precious child! At that time, as the mother of a precious child, let's see who dares to mock me!"
After saying that, she unconsciously quickened her pace, leaving Song Zhao far behind.
Song Zhao sensed something was amiss, but she was never one to meddle in other people's affairs,
since Noble Consort Xiao didn't want to reveal more, she decided not to delve into the matter any further.
Days in the palace passed quickly, and in the blink of an eye, fifteen days had gone by.
Recently, there hadn't been any good news from the palace,
but there was news from the previous dynasty.
The wheat-eating birds in Yu Province were completely caught by Song Shicheng, and the one who actively helped him clean up the mess was Consort Ning's father, Ning Bochuan.
He ordered his subordinates to catch thirty-six carts of wheat-eating birds from all over the country and had Ning Bochuan's elder brother, Ning Xiuqi, personally transport them to Yu Province,
effectively eliminating the threat of locusts in Yu Province during the summer.
Xiao Jingheng was overjoyed about this and even specially praised the Ning family during the morning court session today.
Song Zhao knew well that Consort Ning's favor was not only due to Xiao Jingheng's affection for her,
but also because her maternal family had been loyal ministers in the previous dynasty.
After this incident, Consort Ning would probably regain favor soon.
Song Zhao thought that instead of waiting for Xiao Jingheng to restore Consort Ning's position on his own, she might as well give it a push and sell a favor to Consort Ning.
As she was pondering over this matter,
Yun Shan happily ran in,
"Miss, look at this~"
Song Zhao raised her eyes and saw Yun Shan holding several clusters of sweet osmanthus flowers in her hands,
the flowers were pale purple, exuding a rich fragrance. They were beautiful.
Yun Shan said, "Last year was a mild winter, but who would have thought that this year would be an early spring. Sweet osmanthus flowers usually bloom in February, but they are blooming abundantly now. When you look towards Guangyang Gate, the entire corridor is filled with purple! It's so beautiful!"
Song Zhao took the sweet osmanthus flowers, gently stroking the petals with her fingertips, and smiled,
"People who love them are fortunate, and naturally, the flowers bloom beautifully. After the first day of the new year, I haven't been to Yonghe Palace. Go to Guangyang Gate and gather more sweet osmanthus flowers, make a bouquet, and let's go see Consort Ning together."
Consort Ning loved sweet osmanthus flowers,
When the sweet osmanthus flowers bloom, she would be the first to know throughout the palace.
When Song Zhao arrived at Consort Ning's residence with a bouquet of flowers, Yonghe Palace was already adorned with these flowers.
Song Zhao smiled awkwardly and said, "I thought the consort would like them, so I specially picked them to offer to you. Now it seems unnecessary."
Consort Ning gestured to a palace maid beside her, signaling her to accept the bouquet. Only then did Consort Ning speak, "Since you're here, why bother with such sentimental words? The Empress Dowager has allowed you to rest and not pay respects to the Empress. Why did you come here today?"
Song Zhao showed a respectful expression and kneeled down again, "Consort, you resolved the locust disaster and concealed the calamity, which made up for the fault of the concubine's father. The concubine is grateful for your grace, so even though I am ill, I came to express my gratitude to you."
Upon hearing this, Consort Ning visibly paused.
She had never cared about Song Shicheng's life or death.
Although Song Shicheng had relied on the Ning family, he was just an abandoned individual.
Her father and brother gathered support from all over the country, providing aid and assistance to Yu Province, only to gain a favorable image in front of Emperor Xiao Jingheng. What connection did he, Song Shicheng, have with them?
But since Song Zhao attributed the credit to her, Consort Ning calmly accepted it all.
"You are clever to acknowledge that it was I who supported you from behind. I have told you that if you follow me, I will naturally protect you. Unlike the Empress, who speaks with honeyed words and hides a dagger in her heart, speaking insincerely, it disgusts people."
