As the night grew quiet,
the lights in the Yonghe Palace remained bright.
Inside the courtyard, palace maids were busy sweeping away the scattered paper offerings.
Chief eunuch Kang Yubin urged them on, saying,
"Move faster! Bury the ashes of the incense burners in the ground after burning the paper offerings. Clean the burners and then dispose of them. And some of you, bring out the censers and cover the smoke."
Just moments ago, Consort Chen had conducted a grand memorial ceremony here,
scattering yellow paper, burning spirit money, and hanging mourning banners,
creating quite a commotion, all in honor of her unborn child who had died in the womb.
No one dared to dissuade her within the Yonghe Palace, but everyone was on edge, fearing for their own safety.
According to the palace rules, except for state mourning, no one was allowed to openly conduct memorial ceremonies within the palace,
otherwise it would be a grave taboo.
If news of this incident spread, Xiao Jingheng would certainly not blame Consort Chen,
but her servants and attendants might lose their heads.
The courtyard was now in chaos,
while Consort Chen sat alone in the sleeping chamber, drinking in solitude.
The dishes on the table had gone cold, with oil seeping into them, yet she didn't take a single bite.
And the wine in the jug had already reached the bottom.
She shook the jug, slightly intoxicated, and called out to the door,
"Qiulan, bring me more wine!"
Qiulan responded and entered the chamber. Seeing Consort Chen in a state of drunkenness, she advised,
"Your Highness, you mustn't drink any more!"
Consort Chen's eyes flashed with coldness as she glared at her, saying, "I told you to go, so go! If you dare to prattle on, I'll tear your mouth apart!"
Qiulan was a servant given to Consort Chen after she entered the palace,
and compared to Yingxiang, who had served Consort Chen since childhood, they were naturally less close.
But this maid didn't know where she got the courage from,
and now she was kneeling in front of Consort Chen, her voice choked with tears as she pleaded,
"Today is the anniversary of the young prince's passing. I know you suffer, Your Highness, but drinking excessively harms your health. If His Majesty were to come later and see you in this state, it wouldn't be good..."
No one in the Yonghe Palace had ever dared to defy Consort Chen's wishes,
not even Yingxiang had dared to advise her when her mood was sour.
But now that Qiulan had spoken up, Consort Chen couldn't help but take notice of this maid.
However, her face still showed a disgusted expression as she deliberately threw the cup towards Qiulan,
despite putting some strength into it, she intentionally missed her.
"What kind of thing are you? Do you think you can lecture me? Get out!"
Perhaps hearing the commotion from the inner chamber,
Kang Yubin, who had been watching over the sweeping, hurriedly rushed in.
Seeing the situation, without a word, he swung his whisk and struck Qiulan's back,
"You wretched servant! Annoying Her Highness for no reason. Watch how I beat you to death today!"
As he struck, Qiulan cried out,
Consort Chen, feeling annoyed, said, "Stop it. Take her away and don't disturb me."
Kang Yubin kicked Qiulan and drove her out, then he promptly brought the wine, bowing like a servant, and presented it to Consort Chen.
"Niangniang, you don't need to pay attention to her. If there's anything, just let the servants take care of it."
As she spoke, she refilled Consort Chen's wine cup.
"I've inquired already. Today is the ceremony for the appointment of Yi Concubine. The Emperor is currently at Changle Palace."
Implicit in her words was the fact that Xiao Jingheng would not be coming tonight. Consort Chen could indulge herself as she pleased.
She laughed bitterly and said, "Yes, today is a joyous day for Song Zhao. Yi Concubine... she has finally achieved her wish."
She downed a cup of wine, coughing several times and making her eyes well up.
"The Emperor has arrived!"
Just then, the eunuch guarding the main gate announced, his voice like a swift bolt of lightning, reaching Consort Chen's ears and causing her body to tremble.
She dropped the wine cup in her hand, spilling the remaining wine all over the floor.
Kang Yubin immediately exclaimed with joy, "Niangniang! The Emperor has come! The Emperor has come to see you! The Emperor still remembers you!"
A faint smile finally appeared on Consort Chen's previously desolate face.
In a fluster, she gave orders, "Quick! Remove the wine and bring the incense closer."
While speaking, she lifted her sleeve and sniffed, asking, "Is the smell of alcohol on me strong?"
Kang Yubin swiftly brought the incense closer, adding a spoonful of fragrance to it. "Niangniang, don't worry. This fragrance can cover up the smell."
Saying that, he also hid the wine jug behind him.
Consort Chen adjusted her appearance in the mirror, preparing to go out and greet Xiao Jingheng, but he was already standing outside the door.
Consort Chen stood at the doorway, looking into his eyes.
Those handsome eyes, like stars, could make one's eyes well up with tears with just one glance.
"Your Majesty... This subject pays respects to Your Majesty. May Your Majesty be blessed."
"Rise," Xiao Jingheng said, extending his hand to help Consort Chen up. On the side, Kang Yubin also saluted Xiao Jingheng, but just as he was about to slip away through a side door, he was stopped by Xiao Jingheng.
"Leave the wine."
Kang Yubin was taken aback but stammered his agreement, placing the wine jug back on the table. He added, "The food has gone cold. This servant will have someone heat it up."
After the palace maids cleared away the dishes, Xiao Jingheng and Consort Chen sat facing each other at the table.
He poured himself a glass of wine, drinking only half of it and spilling the rest on the floor.
Consort Chen was deeply moved by his actions, her heart aching.
"What is the meaning of this, Your Majesty?"
"I have never forgotten about our child, Yu'er."
Yu'er was the nickname that Xiao Jingheng had given to their unborn child.
Consort Chen had always been proud and willful. No matter how sad she was, she would never shed a tear in front of others.
Even during tonight's ceremony to mourn their deceased child, her heart felt like it was being hammered a thousand times, almost suffocating her, but she would not cry.
Only in front of Xiao Jingheng was she fragile and soft.
At the mention of the name "Yu," tears welled up in her eyes uncontrollably.
Her tears were not as beautiful as Song Zhao's, and because of the intense anguish, her torn clothes made her look somewhat pitiful.
Xiao Jingheng sat down beside her, embracing her shoulder and spoke in a deep voice, comfortingly:
"I know you miss our child very much, and I feel the same."
Consort Chen lifted her teary eyes and gazed at Xiao Jingheng.
Tears blurred her vision, as if a mist had enveloped them, making it difficult for her to see the expression on this man's face.
In that moment, she suddenly felt distant from Xiao Jingheng,
So distant that even if her eyes were tearless, she could hardly make out his features.
But what was the reason for this?
She couldn't quite figure it out.
She could only choke back her sobs and say:
"There have been continuous joyous events in the palace, and I thought Your Majesty had long forgotten..."
"I have never forgotten."
Xiao Jingheng's reply was resolute, with a hint of sorrow.
"Your Majesty..."
Consort Chen buried her head in Xiao Jingheng's chest, like a young girl untouched by the hardships of the world,
Only in front of those she trusted could she let down her guard completely,
And weep unabashedly.
With Xiao Jingheng's companionship and solace,
The pain of losing a child was slightly diminished.
After Consort Chen had finished crying, she wiped away her tears, not wanting Xiao Jingheng to see her disheveled appearance.
The meal was prepared again and served hot,
Consort Chen, as usual, skillfully served the dishes for Xiao Jingheng.
When Xiao Jingheng dined in other consorts' palaces, there were always a few dishes that didn't suit his taste, which needed to be scrutinized.
But not here, in Consort Chen's place.
Because every dish here was prepared according to his preferences,
Any dish he didn't like, Consort Chen would never allow it to appear in the Yonghe Palace.
Casually, during the meal, Consort Chen asked with apparent indifference,
"Today is the joyous day of Yi Concubine's elevation ceremony. I thought Your Majesty would be by her side."
Xiao Jingheng replied, "I did visit her. But I remembered today and knew it would sadden you, so I came to you instead."
Words that touched the heart,
These words of deep affection, Consort Chen listened to them, and her heart suddenly warmed like the arrival of spring.
She completely disregarded Xiao Jingheng's mention of
how Song Zhao had persuaded him to come and see Consort Chen tonight.
