Chang Le Palace.
Tonight at dinner, Xiao Jingheng was at Song Zhao's place.
Now after the two finished their midnight snacks, they took advantage of the cool evening breeze and leaned against each other in the corridor to appreciate the moon.
Song Zhao has been pregnant for eight months now. Her belly was getting bigger and the baby's movements were more frequent.
Xiao Jingheng often liked to caress Song Zhao’s belly to feel the baby’s movements, delighted by the upcoming new life.
"Our child is very lively, I see he will surely grow up to be sturdy," said Xiao Jingheng.
Song Zhao joked, "If it’s a prince then being sturdy is good, but if it’s a princess who grows up sturdy, wouldn’t that frighten people?"
Xiao Jingheng put his arm around her shoulders. His nose moved closer to her hair which carried the fragrance of jasmine. He smiled indulgently,
"The position of Consort is now vacant. After you safely give birth to an heir, I plan to raise your position."
In the past, Song Zhao would have quickly refused upon hearing this.
But today, she skirted the issue,
"This concubine only hopes to safely give birth to our child for the Emperor. Whether it’s a prince or princess, this concubine will be delighted."
Xiao Jingheng also said, "I feel the same."
After speaking, he casually took a frosty winter plum from the jade plate and fed it to Song Zhao with his own hand.
At this moment of casual chat, Jiang Deshun who was guarding the palace gate hurriedly came forward and whispered to Xiao Jingheng:
"Your Majesty, Kang Yubin, who serves Consort Chen, just came to say that Crimson Snow Pavilion...there is some disturbance."
Xiao Jingheng frowned, looking very unhappy, "What's the matter again?"
Jiang Deshun said: "It’s Consort Ru...she disregarded the rules and left her residence on her own, causing quite a stir. Consort Chen didn’t know what to do so she wishes to trouble Your Majesty to go over."
Xiao Jingheng was even more angry, "The decree to confer her title has not even gone out yet. She's still a lady-in-waiting, not a Consort."
Jiang Deshun quickly slapped himself on the mouth, "This slave spoke wrongly, please forgive me Your Majesty."
"Since entering the palace, Ru is already so unruly. Go tell Consort Chen that I cannot spare the time and to have her handle things herself. Also change Ru’s conferment decree and demote her to Commoner-in-Residence instead for her poor conduct."
Just as Jiang Deshun was about to withdraw to carry out the order,
After walking two steps, Xiao Jingheng called for him again, “Wait.”
He had a profound yet dark expression in his eyes. His right forefinger kept rubbing the ink jade thumb ring on his thumb.
After a period of silence, he finally said: “Demote to Noble Lady.”
“This slave understands,” replied Jiang Deshun.
Song Zhao noticed Xiao Jingheng pressing his palm to his forehead at this time, likely getting a headache from the disturbance.
She got up gracefully and walked behind Xiao Jingheng. Her fingertips gently massaged his temples as she softly said:
“Your Majesty, don’t be upset. Ru is a Mongol woman, Mongol women have a wild and unconstrained nature. No restraints, she's just not used to the palace life yet.”
Xiao Jingheng sneered coldly, “Not used to restraints? Consort Yin is a celestial maiden from the Ada Tribe, excelling in horse riding, archery and hunting since a young age. Why does she behave so well?”
Song Zhao pondered briefly then said, “This concubine has an idea. Since Ru and Consort Yin are both foreign women, why not have Ru live with Consort Yin at Chengqian Palace? Firstly, the Mongols and Ada belong to the same ethnic group and have similar lifestyles so they can get along. And secondly...it also allows Consort Yin to personally teach her the rules.”
Song Zhao knew Consort Yin’s true nature in private was fiery and fierce. If Ru and Consort Yin live together, the two women will be like fire and water, fighting openly and covertly trying to eliminate each other.
Besides, Consort Yin had always pretended well in front of Xiao Jingheng - gentle and not fiery.
Of course Xiao Jingheng would have no objections to this matter.
“Your method is quite good,” Xiao Jingheng appraised Song Zhao. He then held her hand and marveled,
“If every woman in my harem could be as sensible as you and help relieve my worries, then that would truly be my blessing.”
Song Zhao smiled, “Your Majesty’s blessings go far beyond this.”
Later, Xiao Jingheng accompanied Song Zhao to take pregnancy tonics before saying, “You should rest, I still have memorials to review so I won’t be staying over tonight.”
“Your Majesty mustn’t overwork yourself. State affairs are important but Your Dragon Body’s health is most important.”
After Xiao Jingheng left the palace, when Yun Zhan was attending to Song Zhao’s nightly ablutions, she deliberately limped in an amusing fashion.
Song Zhao teased her, “Do you still remember the second son of that official who lived in the West City? He liked to imitate the lisping beggar boy and ended up developing a real lisp himself. Go ahead and fool around, just don’t turn into a real cripple. Have Xiaofu make you a crutch, that would be fun~”
Yun Zhan stuck out her tongue and giggled impishly,
“Consort knew Ru’s temperament so you set a trap and she foolishly charged right in. ”
“She joined the palace but her brains remained on the Arig Qin Grasslands, merely an ostentatious fool. But Concubine He...”
Song Zhao lightly rapped her fingertips on the table making crisp tapping sounds. “She clearly knew of the curfew tonight with all masters and servants forbidden from leaving Crimson Snow Pavilion. Yet she still urged Ru to disregard it and let her personal maid seek out Consort Chen? Her intentions are not shallow.”
