Rumors in the harem have always spread the fastest.
They swirl in the wind, hidden among the light,
and within a day, they become widely known.
On the second day after Xiaofuzi spread the news,
when Song Zhao went to pay respects to Consort Chen,
he saw the familiar sight of everyone flattering and fawning over her.
The one who initiated the conversation was Noble Consort Ru.
While others sat obediently after paying their respects, she stood up as soon as she sat down and bowed deeply to Consort Chen, saying,
"I congratulate Consort Chen on her great joy!"
Consort Chen wrinkled her nose, as if she had smelled something, and immediately raised her delicate fingers to her nose, expressing disgust as she said,
"What's that scent on you?"
Noble Consort Ru was wearing a leather jacket adorned with gemstones, which was quite dazzling.
She raised her hand to smell herself and didn't find anything inappropriate, so she explained,
"This is a rare sheepskin garment. In my family, when we congratulate others, we wear this clothing to show respect."
Upon hearing this, Consort Chen cast a disdainful glance at her and said, "I thought the odor was emanating from your very bones. Don't wear this outfit again; it gives me a headache."
As soon as these words were spoken, the concubines in the hall couldn't help but burst into laughter.
Noble Consort Ru was embarrassed and tried to find a place to hide, feeling extremely uncomfortable.
Consort Chen ordered a palace maid to move a censer next to her to dispel the odor, and then slowly moved her hand away from her nose, raising an eyebrow as she asked, "What did you say just now? Congratulations on my great joy?"
Noble Consort Ru forced a smile and said, "You have received the Emperor's favor, and it seems you will soon be honored as the Noble Consort. I know that in this dynasty, there has never been a Noble Consort before. Consort Chen, you have obtained this special honor, and the glory extends throughout the harem. I am genuinely happy for you."
Upon hearing these words, Consort Chen momentarily relaxed her frowning expression and smiled faintly, saying,
"You are well-informed. However, it's just a matter of clothing, and the Emperor hasn't explicitly stated anything. It's best for you to refrain from such flattery in the future."
Although she said to speak less, the smile that couldn't be concealed on her lips was telling everyone that
she enjoyed hearing such words.
So, Li Changzai immediately stood up without being outdone and said,
"Everyone in the palace knows how deeply the Emperor loves Consort Chen. Moreover, Consort Chen is already the highest-ranking concubine. It's only a matter of time before she becomes the Noble Consort."
Kang Daying, who was sitting next to her, was originally timid and cowardly. On ordinary days, when the concubines spoke, she didn't even dare to breathe deeply.
But now, seeing everyone busy flattering and currying favor with Consort Chen, she gathered her courage and whispered,
"The Emperor and Consort Chen share a deep affection, and we envy them greatly..."
Whether they were newcomers or old-timers in the palace,
everyone knew that Consort Chen liked to hear from others how much Xiao Jingheng cared about her.
As long as someone said such words, Consort Chen would surely take them to heart.
However, among the newcomers, there were also those who didn't rush to flatter her.
Rongyue casually congratulated Consort Chen, while Concubine He, who lived alone in the Zhongcui Palace, echoed her words.
As for the elderly people in the palace, apart from Consort Yin, who remained silent with a cold expression, others had to follow suit and please Consort Chen due to her high status.
Everyone exchanged words, making Consort Chen smile brightly.
She said, "Actually, the title of Noble Consort doesn't matter to me. It's just a position. I don't care. After all, I've always known that I hold a special place in the Emperor's heart, and that's enough."
While Consort Chen spoke contentedly, Song Zhao smiled and remained silent, allowing her to revel in her triumph.
Later, during a break in the palace in the afternoon, Song Zhao noticed Xiao Fuzi entering with a birdcage.
Inside the cage was a colorful parrot with a red head and blue tail, displaying beautiful feathers.
Song Zhao asked him, "Where did you get this little thing from?"
Xiao Fuzi held up the birdcage, whistled a tune to amuse the parrot, and replied, "This was gifted to you by Noble Consort Ru. She brought some rare creatures from Mongolia to the palace. I heard that a few days ago, she sent a 'Pearl Bull' to Consort Chen. It was about the size of a large dog, with round, bright eyes and an unusual fur color. But Consort Chen had Kang Yubin and the others set it on fire and ate it."
Song Zhao chuckled and extended her finger into the birdcage, lightly stroking the parrot's beak.
"This little thing doesn't have much meat on it. I can't possibly ask you to roast it as well, can I?"
Xiao Fuzi grinned and said, "Your Majesty knows how to joke around. But what about this little guy? Would you like to keep it?"
"If Noble Consort Ru gifted it to me, it must hold some sentimental value for her. Consort Chen's palace is suffering from a famine, while I have an abundance of food and clothing here. Why should I treat this creature like livestock? Let's keep it."
And so, Xiao Fuzi hung the birdcage on a tree branch in the courtyard and kept it for the time being.
Later, in the evening, Xiao Fuzi received a message from the attendants' room and reported it to Song Zhao in her chambers.
To his surprise, Song Zhao had brought the birdcage inside and was currently feeding the parrot sunflower seeds.
Xiao Fuzi respectfully said, "Your Majesty, the Emperor has summoned Consort Yin to spend the night with him."
While feeding the parrot, Song Zhao smiled and said, "As expected. The Ning family couldn't have successfully conquered the nation of Zhuyin without the help of the Ada Hu tribe. The Emperor is overjoyed, so naturally, he wouldn't neglect Consort Yin."
As she spoke, her smile suddenly froze, and she dropped the sunflower seeds into the drawer with a sigh.
"This little guy doesn't even know how to crack open melon seeds. It's truly precious, just like Noble Consort Ru. Later, have someone peel the sunflower seeds and put them in a box to feed it. Don't let it go hungry."
Xiao Fuzi nodded obediently but couldn't help wondering why Song Zhao suddenly cared so much about a parrot.
He subconsciously glanced into the cage and noticed faint bloodstains on the husks of the sunflower seeds that the parrot had cracked open.
Upon closer inspection, he realized that it was the parrot's tongue, which had been snipped off by someone...
Xiao Fuzi understood immediately and whispered to Song Zhao, getting closer to her. "Consort Yin and Consort Chen have never been on good terms. If Consort Yin hears those flattering words the other concubines say to Consort Chen during today's audience, do you think she will mention it to the Emperor?"
Song Zhao smiled charmingly and replied, "Whether she chooses to speak or not, I have no interest in guessing."
Observing Song Zhao's good mood today, Xiao Fuzi remarked, "The Empress seems to be in a very good mood today."
Song Zhao raised an eyebrow playfully and leisurely peeled the melon seeds. "Consort Chen's promotion to Noble Consort is something that everyone in the palace expected. Since the Emperor intends to elevate Consort Chen and often speaks of his fondness for harmony among the concubines, I believe that upon hearing this news, the Emperor will be delighted."
Pausing for a moment, she dropped the peeled melon seeds into the food box for the parrot, observing its enjoyment, before continuing with a smile, "If the Emperor is happy, then naturally I will be happy as well."
