Consort Chen said the Empress only kept half her life, and this remark was absolutely correct.
For the women in this palace, losing the ability to reproduce was just like losing half their lives.
Even more serious than that.
Like most people, Song Zhao now had a mournful look on her face, with tears welling up in her eyes.
But deep down in her heart, she was blooming with joy.
No matter how the Empress tried to calculate everything, wasn't she still going to be manipulated and toyed with in Song Zhao's palm in the end?
The best way to hurt someone was often not directly taking their life,
but rather when they were still alive, taking away what they treasured most.
Only then could they be made to live every remaining day of their life in agony before Song Zhao,
Only then could she feel gratified!
At this moment,
Song Zhao really wanted to immediately rush to Kunning Palace to see what expression the Empress had.
The more heart-wrenching she cried,
the more delightful Song Zhao would feel in her heart!
Later that day,
the group of concubines followed Consort Chen to visit the Empress.
But Xiao Jingheng blocked them in the main hall, not allowing anyone in.
He said, "The Empress is resting, don't go disturb her recuperation."
Though he said she was resting, they weren't deaf.
The sounds of crying coming from the inner chambers were clearly the Empress, and no one else.
But since Xiao Jingheng said she was sleeping, the other consorts didn't dare say anything more.
Only the dumb Consort Hui actually asked,
"I seem to hear someone crying in the inner chambers? Has the Empress really gone to sleep?"
Hearing this, Xiao Jingheng glared at her fiercely.
Consort Hui didn't understand why, but she was truly frightened by his terrifying gaze.
She shrank back two steps, hiding behind Song Zhao, not daring to speak again.
It was only then that Xiao Jingheng noticed Song Zhao among the group of consorts.
He said in surprise, "Didn't I tell you to go back to the palace and rest? Did you go with them just now to Baohua Palace?"
Song Zhao's brows furrowed slightly, her face full of concern, "Such a thing happened to the Empress, this subject is very uneasy. The Empress usually takes good care of me, I also want to do something for her."
Xiao Jingheng reached through the crowd to take her hand, "You always make me worry. In your condition, running back and forth with me all night, and going to Baohua Palace to pray, how can you rest well?"
Song Zhao said, "This subject is fine. I only want to stay by the Emperor's side and share his worries."
Such tempting words, Song Zhao would never have said so openly in front of everyone before.
But since getting pregnant, she had long expected she would eventually become a target, so she was too lazy to keep pretending in front of them.
After all, gaining control over Xiao Jingheng's heart was the most important thing.
Seeing how Xiao Jingheng's eyes were full of Song Zhao, Consort Chen was so jealous she was about to burst. She quickly said,
"Consort Hui is under this subject's care, Your Majesty need not worry. Just now at Baohua Palace praying, this subject had Consort Hui sit the entire time, afraid she'd get hot, I even moved an ice urn next to her."
Xiao Jingheng glanced at her and nodded, "You are thoughtful, you've also had a tiring night."
With Xiao Jingheng's word of concern, Consort Chen immediately beamed.
Just as she was about to continue speaking,
Consort Yin cut in and asked,
"The Empress had reported mother and child safe after giving birth, right? How could she suddenly suffer from massive bleeding?"
These words were clearly meant to make Xiao Jingheng suspect the Empress's sudden bleeding was due to someone's secret harm.
And this someone undoubtedly pointed to Consort Chen, who had a long-standing grudge with the Empress.
Hearing this, Consort Chen also glared fiercely at Consort Yin.
Even Consort Chen could understand such blunt words, let alone Xiao Jingheng?
In fact, Xiao Jingheng had already ordered a thorough investigation of the matter earlier.
But the results of the investigation were:
This was purely an accident, with no foul play.
So Xiao Jingheng did not respond to Consort Yin's words, only saying to Song Zhao, "I will send you back to the palace to rest."
Song Zhao quickly said, "Hasn't the Emperor also been tired out from this night? There's government affairs to handle early tomorrow, at most two hours of rest now. This subject can return to the palace herself, may the Emperor rest soon as well?"
Consort Chen immediately saw an opportunity and said, "This subject has prepared sobering drinks since early morning in my palace, it would be good for the Emperor to drink some and sleep soundly."
Xiao Jingheng did not say anything, silent for a while before nodding in agreement.
Song Zhao didn't know why, but watching his actions, she felt it was increasingly ridiculous.
Just now he still had a face full of worry over the Empress's matter, putting on a show as if he cared deeply for the Empress.
But with Consort Chen's casual invitation, he's now following her?
As Emperor, perceptive and wise, he naturally knew that for a woman, losing the ability to reproduce was like the sky falling down for her.
If Xiao Jingheng truly cared about the Empress's feelings, he should have stayed to comfort her well tonight,
instead of leaving the Empress crying inconsolably in her chambers while he goes to enjoy himself in Consort Chen's palace.
While Song Zhao did not agree with Xiao Jingheng's actions,
him treating the Empress this way was what Song Zhao was happy to see.
So she knelt down and gave a slight bow, saying,
"This subject respectfully bids the Emperor and Consort Chen farewell."
Hearing her say this, the other consorts also followed to respectfully send them off.
Thus, after everyone dispersed, this matter would certainly reach the Empress's ears,
and make her even more heartbroken and blinded by tears.
