Tonight's dinner, Song Zhao deliberately made that chilled lamb dish, so that Xiao Jingheng could also eat the flavors of Shufu Palace here. At the same time, when little Fuzi was sweeping the courtyard and mentioned that tomorrow was Start of Spring, it was also prearranged by Song Zhao.
Because the day before Start of Spring last year, was the auspicious day when the imperial physician diagnosed that Consort Shu was already two months pregnant.
Song Zhao looked back, watching the busy palace maids in the four corners of the courtyard, and lightly said:
"Today is the day last year when the imperial physician diagnosed Consort Shu's pregnancy. His Majesty treats all in the harem with great affection, especially regarding the matter of the imperial heir, he dares not be negligent. When I was conferred as a consort, he could leave me to accompany Consort Chen in mourning for their deceased son. I imagine someone as affectionate as him would most likely leave Consort Chen today to visit Consort Shu!"
The corners of her lips curled up in a mocking smile, slowly shaking her head:
"Heh, who knows?"
The next day, Song Zhao resumed her morning greeting to the Empress, going to Kunning Palace early.
Now that Consort Chen had the power to oversee the six palaces, she also came every day.
However, she didn't come to pay respects to the Empress, but to order the other consorts to listen to her lectures, thus displaying her noble status.
But today, Consort Chen seemed to be in a rather bad mood.
She sat in the head seat, giving each consort an equal white-eyed glare. And when she saw the glowing face of Consort Shu, her glare almost rolled to the heavens.
She had wanted to verbally abuse Consort Shu, but the Empress spoke first:
"This palace has heard that His Majesty flipped Consort Shu's plaque yesterday?"
Consort Shu smiled and nodded yes, and the Empress also smiled: "Very good, His Majesty hasn't flipped a plaque for some time, and flipping yours first shows that Consort Shu is still in His thoughts. You should not always stay in your own palace, but should accompany His Majesty more often at court."
She looked serenely at these old faces in the palace, and added: "You are all veteran ladies of the palace, you should serve His Majesty more attentively."
Consort Shu said: "His Majesty also told me so. Previously, I was despondent for a long time over my miscarriage, neglecting His Majesty's affection. Yesterday, hearing His words, I will certainly treasure and remember them, and serve Him better."
"Oh my, you really should remember well."
Consort Chen sneered mockingly, using her habitual sarcastic tone to ridicule:
"You've only served overnight once in a year and a half, of course you need to remember it clearly. It would be best for the Imperial Household Department to make you a golden plaque with the date engraved, for you to enshrine and worship every day in the palace."
Consort Shu's expression immediately fell, but she didn't argue with Consort Chen.
She understood Consort Chen's temperament all too well. If she defended herself with one sentence, Consort Chen would surely have eight to ten more ridiculing words waiting for her.
It was better to pretend to be deaf and dumb, and simply ignore her.
Seeing the awkward atmosphere in the hall, the Empress looked towards Consort Hui, who was eating snacks nonstop in her seat.
"Consort Hui, it's been a few days since your birthday and you've turned fourteen. This palace will order the raising of your green plaque. The etiquette matrons will teach you the rules of serving overnight these next few days, you must study them well."
Consort Hui gulped down the pastry in her mouth, choking herself into two coughs before drinking water to force it down. Then she smacked her lips and said:
"Great! Then can I, just like Empress and Sister Song, get pregnant with the imperial heir right away too?"
For a moment, everyone was struck dumb.
Consort Chen glanced at her impatiently. "You're so young, how can you say such shameless things so blithely?"
Seeing everyone trying not to laugh, Consort Hui was also somewhat embarrassed.
But she didn't understand what she had said wrong either, and could only lower her head, pouting aggrievedly:
"I just miss my parents..."
Today's morning greeting left Consort Chen fuming.
On the way back to the palace with Noble Consort Xiao, she complained angrily:
"The Empress herself is pregnant and can't serve overnight, yet rushes to send Consort Shu and Consort Hui up to throw themselves at His Majesty?"
Noble Consort Xiao followed fearfully behind her, afraid to say a word.
Hearing Consort Chen continue: "That little fox Consort Hui, pretending to be innocent and pure, saying nothing but shameless things with her mouth. I think she's the most flirtatious! And Consort Shu! His Majesty clearly promised yesterday to appreciate the moon and stars with me, but in the end summoned Consort Shu again?"
The more she talked, the angrier she got, her ears flushing red.
"She miscarried in the sixth or seventh month, her belly is all wrinkled and scarred, just looking at it is disgusting! How could His Majesty bother with her? She must have used some trickery to deceive His Majesty there!"
Listening to Consort Chen complain the whole way, Noble Consort Xiao didn't dare say a word, afraid of offending someone.
When they finally reached the palace, just as they stepped through the gates, she said to Consort Chen:
"Consort Chen, this concubine is a little tired, wishes to retire first to the side palace to rest..."
Consort Chen looked her up and down with a piercing gaze, her face full of disgust.
"You're going to bathe again? Use less water! The palace maids don't have to cart water to Yonghe Palace eight times a day, someone who doesn't know better might think I'm raising some East Sea leviathan here!"
Noble Consort Xiao was embarrassed red, murmuring acquiescence before hurrying away.
After Consort Chen returned to the main hall, she sat on the phoenix embroidered chair hugging her pipa.
She had wanted to play a tune to calm herself, but the more she played, the more irritated she felt. Eventually she angrily threw aside the pipa, making a loud clatter.
Autumn Orchid came in to take a look, picked up the pipa and placed it aside, then poured a cup of tea for Consort Chen.
"Calm yourself, my lady."
Consort Chen was in no mood for tea presently.
She pushed the cup aside, spilling water over the table.
"That slut Consort Shu! I haven't settled scores with her for scheming against me at the hot springs villa, yet she still dares compete with me! I think she's tired of living!"
She thought for a moment, then ordered Autumn Orchid: "Go summon Consort Yi for me, I have something to tell her!"
*
Song Zhao came very quickly.
Seeing each other, Consort Chen first asked concernedly: "Have you fully recovered?"
Song Zhao replied: "It was nothing serious to begin with, thank you for your concern, my lady."
Consort Chen also asked: "So what do you think about that vaginal sabotage, who wanted to harm you?"
"His Majesty said that was an accident."
"An accident?" Consort Chen sneered coldly. "Song Zhao, can you try to be a little smarter? I've investigated, Consort Shu visited you shortly before your accident. And you still naively think this was an accident?"
"Does my lady mean that Consort Shu wanted to harm me?" Song Zhao looked completely bewildered. "But I have no enmity with her, why would she harm me?"
Consort Chen impatiently said: "Was this her first time harming you? Have you forgotten how she put spirit-severing powder in your bone flower at the hot springs villa, wanting to kill you and frame me? A villain's suspicion may be unjust, but you have His Majesty's favor and now carry the imperial heir, of course she is jealous and wants to harm you. Is this so hard to understand?"
Hearing this, Song Zhao paled in alarm, instinctively protecting her belly as she fearfully asked:
"Then, then what should I do? Should I tell His Majesty about this?"
"Fool!" Consort Chen scolded her. "With no evidence, what can you tell His Majesty? But don't worry, since you rely on me, I will certainly protect you. Now that Consort Shu has the intention to harm you, if there's one attempt there will be a second."
She moved closer to Song Zhao's ear, lowering her voice to say one word at a time:
"To protect yourself, you must first rein in your foolish weakness and learn to strike first!"
