The Empress naturally did not want Song Zhao to be granted a noble consort position at this time.
If she became a noble consort, her children could be raised by her side.
Currently, besides the Empress, the only ones in the imperial harem who were pregnant were Song Zhao and Consort Chen.
If the Empress managed to give birth to a son before Consort Chen, then her child would not only be the eldest legitimate son but also a noble one, with an exceptionally privileged status.
If by any chance the heavens were unkind and the Empress gave birth to a princess while Consort Chen gave birth to a prince, then as the stepmother, the Empress could claim Consort Chen's child to be raised by her side.
However, if both the Empress and Consort Chen gave birth to princesses, and Song Zhao, who arrived later, gave birth to a prince, it would mean that Song Zhao would rise in rank and become the primary consort. The Empress would lose the opportunity to have her child raised by her side.
This was the Empress's concern.
Therefore, even though she knew that Xiao Jingheng might not be pleased, she insisted on expressing her opinion:
"But, Your Majesty, have you considered that if..."
"Then congratulations to Noble Consort Song."
Before the Empress could finish her advice, Consort Chen's laughter interrupted her.
Consort Chen moved through the crowd and approached Xiao Jingheng, looking down at the tearful Song Zhao with gentle eyes. She softly comforted her:
"You must take good care of yourself and the child. Don't disappoint His Majesty's deep affection for you. Do you understand?"
The Empress was taken aback. She didn't expect Consort Chen, who had always been jealous and competitive, to congratulate Song Zhao without a trace of jealousy.
It was just that Consort Chen had spoken before her. If she continued to obstruct, she would appear petty as the Empress. So she could only sulk and keep quiet.
Although Consort Chen spoke these words to Song Zhao with a smile, how could she truly be willing?
From the moment she learned of Song Zhao's good news and hurried to Yao Hua Palace, she witnessed how Xiao Jingheng doted on Song Zhao. She saw how he embraced her tightly, consoled her while choking back tears, gently wiped away her tears, and called her "Zhao'er" with deep affection.
Just like in the past when Xiao Jingheng strolled beneath the magnolia trees with her alone, calling her "Wan'er."
Consort Chen felt a sour ache in her heart, a hidden pain. But she had no choice but to pretend to be magnanimous.
It was all because that night when she regained favor and shared the bed with Xiao Jingheng, he said to her:
"For me, everything about you is good. You have been in the position of a consort for a long time, and I also want to promote your status. But you know, you have a straightforward personality, and your words unintentionally clash with the Empress. The other consorts are also afraid of you. If you can be more gentle in temperament and more magnanimous, I will only favor you as the Noble Consort."
She remembered Xiao Jingheng's words.
And she believed his words.
Naively, she thought that as long as she became the Noble Consort, Xiao Jingheng's love for her would increase...
Later, the imperial physician said that Song Zhao's physical condition was not good and she needed rest. Xiao Jingheng ordered all the consorts to return to their palaces, leaving him alone to accompany Song Zhao.
Granting a noble consort position was a joyful event, but seeing Song Zhao still full of sorrow, as if this joyous occasion was not significant to her, Xiao Jingheng consoled her:
"Zhao'er, you are no longer alone. You are about to become a mother. We must consider our child. If you continue to be so sad, it's not good for you and the prince."
Song Zhao had already passed the hysterical phase and now, she was calmly shedding tears in Xiao Jingheng's embrace. Her sorrowful weeping was profoundly beautiful.
"The Emperor knows that what this concubine desires is never these...," she said.
"I understand, but I want to give the best to the woman I love," Xiao Jingheng embraced Song Zhao's trembling slender shoulders and spoke with utmost tenderness.
"As for the matters concerning your father's posthumous arrangements, I will ensure they are dignified. I will order the historians not to mention his faults committed in the Yu Province. This way, you can maintain your innocence. Your Song family, despite everything, has always been loyal ministers who have made significant contributions to the prosperity of the dynasty," he assured her.
Only then did Song Zhao sob and say, "Thank you, Your Majesty."
Xiao Jingheng kissed away the glistening tears on her cheek and whispered in her ear, "From now on, you should refer to yourself as 'this official's concubine.'"
***
Two days later, Song Shicheng was buried in the ancestral tomb of the Song family. Even Jiang, who had already been treated as a fallen woman and buried in a nameless grave, and Song Yue, whose corpse had decayed, were exhumed and placed in the family tomb, adorned with the glory of the Duke of Protecting the Nation's residence.
The Ministry of Rites handled the funeral, which, though not extravagant, was still conducted with dignity and grandeur.
Due to her pregnancy, Song Zhao was unable to participate in mourning rituals and had been staying in the palace these past few days.
Xiao Jingheng allowed her to recuperate, so she did not go to pay respects to the Empress. The palace gates remained closed, and no one was allowed to see her.
On the day when the mourning rites for Song Shicheng were completed, Xiao Jingheng came to see her after court.
Seeing that she looked better, he said, "The enthronement ceremony is scheduled for the 16th of February. Has the Ministry of Rites and the Imperial Household Department shown you the ceremonial attire? Are you satisfied with it?"
Song Zhao replied calmly, "Everything is fine. It's just that the ceremonial attire seems a bit too extravagant."
"It doesn't matter. My Zhao'er deserves the best," Xiao Jingheng looked around and continued, "The Yao Hua Palace is nice, but it's a bit far from my Chaoyang Palace. Now that you have officially become a consort, you should have your own residence."
Song Zhao said, "This concubine has been living together with Consort Yao for a long time, and Consort Yao has always been kind to this concubine. Now that this concubine is pregnant and unable to move easily, it's better not to cause too much trouble."
Xiao Jingheng waved his hand and said, "It won't be too much trouble. Chang Le Palace has been prepared for you. After your formal installation as a consort, the palace staff will move your belongings there. Chang Le Palace is a beautiful place, close to the Imperial Garden, and it's suitable for you to peacefully nurture your child."
Song Zhao naturally knew what kind of excellent place Chang Le Palace was.
In the entire palace, apart from the Feng Luan Palace where the Empress resided and the Yonghe Palace where Consort Chen lived, Chang Le Palace was the closest to the Chaoyang Palace.
Moreover, that place used to be the residence of the esteemed Imperial Noble Consort during the previous dynasty.
It was widely known that the position of Imperial Noble Consort was as honorable as that of the Vice Empress. Under normal circumstances, if the Empress was still alive, there would be no Imperial Noble Consort in the harem.
Yet, this Imperial Noble Consort was the only one who had been bestowed that position by the Emperor while the Empress was still reigning.
For Song Zhao to move to such a splendid place now,
she naturally had to act as if she were apprehensive.
"I know that Your Majesty cherishes me, but Chang Le Palace is truly too extravagant, I..."
"No need to say more. This matter is settled." Xiao Jingheng, knowing Song Zhao's modest nature, did not let her finish her refusal. He clapped his hands, finalizing the matter.
Later, he accompanied Song Zhao for lunch and informed her that he had state affairs to attend to in the afternoon, promising to visit her again on another day.
Not long after he left, Yun Shan and Xiao Fuzi led a group of new palace maidservants to meet Song Zhao.
"We, the humble servants, pay our respects to Lady Consort Song. May Lady Consort be blessed with ten thousand fortunes!"
Song Zhao calmly and gently glanced at these new faces, and kindly said, "Please rise."
Xiao Fuzi explained, "Lady Consort, these are palace maidservants newly assigned by the Internal Affairs Bureau. This is..."
Before he could start introducing them one by one, Song Zhao raised her hand slightly and smiled, saying, "Since you have come to my palace, as long as you serve dutifully, I will not mistreat you. At this moment, I am a little tired, and I can't remember all your names for now, so there's no need for individual introductions. We have plenty of time to get to know each other in the future."
