Zhao did not report the death, which was equivalent to dying without making it known.
Thus, Zhao could neither enter the empress' mausoleum, nor could her corpse be returned to her maternal home. She could only be hastily buried, becoming a wandering ghost.
Now, Zhao's only remaining value to Xiao Jingheng was her somewhat useful maternal home, behind her back, in the court.
He must have wanted to completely exploit her last bit of worth, so as not to have let her vainly enter the palace to enjoy glory and luxury for a while.
The Empress did not try to advise him, only saying, "This servant understands what to do."
Xiao Jingheng nodded in agreement, then said, "Alright, We have no major issues, you may all stop gathering here. Let Yi Concubine stay by my side to attend to me."
Consort Chen guiltily said, "Please allow this servant to also stay by Your Majesty's side to attend to you, or else I will not be able to feel at ease."
The Empress paid them no mind regarding who would stay behind to care for the illness.
After bidding farewell to Xiao Jingheng, she took her palanquin back to the palace.
Upon returning to the palace, Shuang Ruo helped the Empress take off her shoes and socks, and massaged her slightly swollen jade feet. She also ordered someone to fetch a basin of hot water.
Carrying this child was extremely arduous for the Empress. Almost all discomforts of pregnancy were manifesting in her during the later trimesters.
When the palace maid brought the hot water,
Shuang Ruo began attending to the Empress washing her feet while saying,
"Unexpectedly, at such a critical moment, His Majesty happened to catch them. What a pity, Zhao was ultimately unable to injure Yi Concubine in the end."
The Empress faintly smiled, "It matters not. Unable to injure Yi Concubine, but Consort Chen's authority to manage the Six Palaces has also been diminished. With no real power left in her hands, let's see how domineering she can still be."
Shuang Ruo sighed, "But His Majesty was also truly endangered this time."
The Empress' heart tightened,
Not because she was worried for Xiao Jingheng, but because of resentment and dissatisfaction.
In the past, when Feng Luan Palace caught fire, Xiao Jingheng had stood outside the doors shouting, yet didn't even dare to take a single step into the fire scene.
How was it that today, when Song Zhao was in danger, Xiao Jingheng could throw himself in front of the blade for her?
Sensing the change in the Empress' expression, Shuang Ruo realized she had spoken wrongly and immediately tried to remedy,
"In fact, it was also because Yi Concubine is carrying the imperial heir that His Majesty would save her."
"Hmph." The Empress let out a cold sneer, jealousy surfacing in her eyes, "Back when Feng Luan Palace flooded, was I not also pregnant and trapped in raging inferno?"
Seeing there was no glossing this over, Shuang Ruo simply changed the subject, "Actually, this servant finds some things puzzling. Logically speaking, the child in Xiao Noble Lady's womb should pose a greater threat to Empress. If she gives birth to an imperial son before Empress does, he would become the precious prince. Since Empress wanted to use Zhao this time, why not target Xiao Noble Lady instead?"
"Her? Haha." The Empress coldly laughed with a shake of her head, her tone relaxed, "Let her give birth. I guarantee you, even if she manages to birth a son before me, His Majesty will absolutely not recognize his status as precious prince."
Shuang Ruo asked in puzzlement, "Does Empress know something? How can you be so certain?"
The Empress said, "His Majesty is the true Son of Heaven, awe-inspiring and renowned throughout the land. How could he recognize a monster as his precious prince?"
*
At the same time, in Chaoyang Palace.
Attending to Xiao Jingheng was one thing Consort Chen could do better than anyone.
She was currently laying out dishes for Xiao Jingheng and helping him rinse his mouth with a jade pot, wishing she could directly feed him the dishes.
Today was Song Zhao's birthday. The sumptuous evening meal in Chaoyang Palace was prepared for her,
Yet now, Song Zhao was being ignored, as if an outsider.
Seeing this, Xiao Jingheng said to Consort Chen, "Today is Yi Concubine's birthday, leaving her here was intentional. You may return first."
What mood did Song Zhao have left to stay for her birthday?
Her mind was completely preoccupied with Yun Shan's well-being.
Just as she was thinking of how to decline Xiao Jingheng, she heard Consort Chen say,
"My young sister Yi Concubine is pregnant. Having been frightened today, and Your Majesty is also injured on the arm. It would be tiring for my sister to stay and attend to you, which might strain the imperial heir in her womb as well."
Spotting an opportunity to cut in, Song Zhao promptly echoed, "This servant is fine."
Although she said she was fine, her words came out feeble and breathless. She weakly grasped her temples and swayed unsteadily, looking as if she could barely stand.
Only then did Xiao Jingheng say, "I was neglectful. Jiang Deshun, have someone escort Yi Concubine back."
Consort Chen said, "Did Yi Concubine not say her palanquin was damaged just now? Let her take this servant's palanquin back so that Your Majesty may feel at ease."
Xiao Jingheng nodded in agreement, then had Consort Chen send Song Zhao off first.
After the two left Chaoyang Palace, Consort Chen dismissed her attendants, leaving only Song Zhao standing with her at the gates.
Although not looking Song Zhao in the eye directly, and speaking arrogantly, her words were not abrasive,
"Believe me. This matter was not intended to target you. I went to find Zhao purely because she had been spewing all kinds of vile nonsense about me in the Cold Palace. I lost my temper and wanted to reason with her, but never expected her to get away... All of this was just an accident."
"I naturally believe in Empress. But does Empress really think this matter was as simple as an accident?"
"What do you mean?"
Song Zhao moved closer to Consort Chen and lowered her voice, "Zhao was a madwoman who had escaped from the Cold Palace. So where did she get that dagger? Could it be she just happened to pick it up in the long corridors?"
Consort Chen pondered briefly with knitted brows, casting a sideways glance at her, "Are you saying... someone set us up?"
Song Zhao saw no need to beat around the bush with Consort Chen. "I don't know who relayed Zhao's vile ravings from the Cold Palace to Empress. But Empress should consider, was there really a need for you to know of those words?"
Seeing Consort Chen lower her eyes in contemplation, Song Zhao continued, "A loyal servant is one who can relieve their master's worries and troubles. Yet the person by Empress' side deliberately told you these things? Other than inciting Empress' anger, what possible benefit could saying these words bring Empress? It really makes one wonder about the intentions behind the person who uttered them."
Had Song Zhao not brought it up, Consort Chen wouldn't have found it suspicious.
As soon as she mentioned it, Consort Chen immediately sensed something amiss.
She had never asked Qiu Lan to go snoop around the Cold Palace for news of Zhao. Why did Qiu Lan voluntarily tell her all this?
Her gaze darkened, harboring speculation, "Was it Qiu Lan?"
Song Zhao did not respond to her words, "In any case, Empress must watch over the palace maids closely. Ying Xiang was originally Empress' personal palace maid, so Empress naturally trusted her. But who can guarantee that the maids by your side now are equally sincere to you?"
Song Zhao paused, intentionally emphasizing, "One cannot rule out the possibility that the person Empress trusts now could in fact be someone else's planted spy."
Consort Chen was not smart enough.
Even after Song Zhao's reminders, she only just realized.
She also understood arranging Shuiying by Song Zhao's side.
And Qiu Lan had only come to serve her after entering the palace. Who could vouch for her background being clear?
If it was said that Qiu Lan was a mole buried by her side,
Other than the Empress, who else could be behind her?
Consort Chen was suddenly furious, choking with anger, "That wretched Empress!"
"Shh." Song Zhao gently placed her forefinger to her lips, making a silencing gesture, "Zhao has lost her mind. A madwoman's words cannot be counted. Regarding this, Empress and I can only admit defeat, since there will be absolutely no evidence left behind."
It took Consort Chen a good while to suppress her anger. She spoke to Song Zhao in as calm a tone as she could manage, "I understand now. Also, your personal maid was injured today, and protected you just as Ying Xiang once protected me. I also see Ying Xiang's shadow in her."
Mentioning Ying Xiang, Consort Chen was slightly despondent.
She deeply inhaled, then let out a long sigh,
"I hope she will be safe, and not meet the same fate as Ying Xiang. You should hurry back to check on her, don't delay any longer. The palace maids carrying my palanquin have quick feet."
Hearing this, Song Zhao's gaze froze.
She clearly had not expected such sentimental words to come from Consort Chen's mouth.
So she curtsied and said sincerely,
"This servant gives Empress much thanks for your understanding."
