Time passed quickly, and before long it was Xiao Jingheng's birthday again.
Since he needed to avoid bad luck this year, his birthday was not celebrated extravagantly. He only gathered with his consorts and several close prince brothers for a regular celebration.
During the birthday banquet, Xiao Jingyan, as Xiao Jingheng's closest brother, naturally also attended.
It had been a long time since Song Zhao had seen him. Seeing his roguish and unrestrained appearance today still made her feel disgusted.
The consorts performed and offered gifts, and the atmosphere was lively.
The Empress had not seen Xiao Jingheng for a long time. To demonstrate the harmony between the emperor and empress today, she still sat next to Xiao Jingheng.
During the singing and dancing in the hall, the Empress toasted Xiao Jingheng with a cup of wine,
"Your Majesty, this concubine congratulates you on your birthday. May you live ten thousand years with ten thousand blessings."
Xiao Jingheng did not respond to her words, but he could not be too rude to her. In the end, he still drank the wine.
Amidst the wine cups, the consorts were all trying to get on Xiao Jingheng's good side.
The newly admitted concubines also had their own ways to curry favor.
But no matter what they did, Song Zhao only regarded them as some inferior singing and dancing girls, just there for entertainment.
What was unexpected to Song Zhao was that Rongyue seemed a little different tonight than usual.
She had said that she was unwilling to serve him in bed, and had secretly taken medicine to avoid pregnancy and cut off the emperor's lineage.
By her arrogance, she should have been unwilling to get close to Xiao Jingheng.
But today she was very attentive to Xiao Jingheng,
not only frequently toasting him, but also singing and dancing for him, behaving just like a young mistress from a prominent family, as if deliberately provoking Song Zhao.
Moreover, Song Zhao knew that Rongyue could not drink alcohol.
After two cups her face was flushed red, and if she drank more she would probably have trouble even walking steadily.
Seeing her like this, Consort Chen thought she was deliberately trying to gain Xiao Jingheng's favor.
And thinking that recently Xiao Jingheng had visited Rongyue's palace several times, she became even more disgusted with her.
So she solemnly said, "Concubine Tong is losing her manners. Today there are many princes here, don't embarrass yourself. If you can't handle alcohol, you should return to your palace to rest early."
So Rongyue smiled and said, "Today is His Majesty's birthday, this concubine's heart is truly delighted. This concubine wishes His Majesty ten thousand years with ten thousand blessings, to lead the Qi Dynasty to prosperity and the people to peace!"
After speaking, she raised her wine cup and respectfully toasted another cup herself, before swaying away supported by her palace maids to retire.
The birthday banquet did not quiet down because of her departure.
Xiao Jingheng continued drinking and enjoying himself with the princes. Meanwhile, he asked Xiao Jingyan,
"Why don't I see your gift this year?"
Xiao Jingyan smiled and said, "I obtained a calligraphy work earlier, a rare masterpiece by Yan Zhifeng. Knowing that Imperial Brother liked it, I had it delivered to the palace and placed in Imperial Mother's place a few days ago."
Xiao Jingheng said, "Oh? Then have someone fetch it immediately."
Xiao Jingyan suddenly stood up with a salute, "It has also been some days since I last saw Imperial Mother. I want to personally fetch the congratulatory gift, and also ask after Imperial Mother along the way."
With such filial piety, how could Xiao Jingheng not allow it?
"Alright, go and come back quickly."
Over this past year, affairs of the Qi Dynasty prospered greatly, defeating enemy countries successively. Xiao Jingheng was very delighted, and drank several more cups with the princes.
During this time, Song Zhao felt stuffy inside the hall. After sitting for so long she also felt uncomfortable, so she asked Xiao Jingheng for permission to go out for some fresh air.
Xiao Jingheng permitted her, and specifically ordered Yun Shan and Xiao Fuzi to take good care of her.
Away from the meat and wine smell in Tong Hua Terrace, Song Zhao deeply breathed in the fresh night air in early autumn, feeling much more comfortable.
Tong Hua Terrace was built over the Imperial Lake.
As Song Zhao walked along the lake bank, when she passed the artificial hill, she vaguely heard faint crying sounds coming from that area.
Suspecting something might be going on and wanting to go take a look, she moved very lightly and crept over.
As a result, behind the artificial hill, she actually saw Rongyue pulling and struggling with Xiao Jingyan!
Song Zhao was very far away, unable to hear what they were saying.
But seeing Rongyue's unstopping tears, she guessed in her heart, and immediately understood......
She was greatly shocked, and decided to pretend she hadn't seen this. She hurriedly brought Yun Shan and Xiao Fuzi back, and quietly told them,
"No matter what you saw today, pretend you didn't see it."
"Zhao'er! Zhao'er!"
Xiao Jingheng's shout came from not far away. Song Zhao suddenly looked up to see Xiao Jingheng stumbling drunkenly towards her.
Song Zhao quickly stepped forward two paces to meet him, "Why has Your Majesty also come out?"
The smell of alcohol on Xiao Jingheng was very strong, he was clearly already drunk.
He grabbed Song Zhao's hand, and said indistinctly,
"You've been out for so long, I was worried about you. Come, I'll accompany you back."
He pulled Song Zhao by the hand to head back, but perhaps because he was drunk, there was no lightness in his grip.
With this tug, Song Zhao lost her balance and tripped, falling to the ground!
"Imperial Concubine!"
Yun Shan cried out in shock, and immediately went to help up Song Zhao with Xiao Fuzi.
Meanwhile, Song Zhao clutched her belly, her flushed face instantly turning pale, in so much pain that she couldn't utter a word.
Seeing her skirt already soaked with water, Yun Shan shouted at Xiao Fuzi:
"Quick, call the Imperial Physicians! Her Ladyship is going into labor!"
Facing this sudden change, even Xiao Jingheng was frightened instantly sober......
