When Qingzhu passed by, she unintentionally glanced at Song Zhao.
At this moment, Song Zhao also appeared flustered.
If she were to go out now, she would definitely bump into Xiao Jingheng.
Xiao Jingheng had just instructed her not to wander around and to rest quietly during her confinement. It wouldn't be good for him to see her now.
The Empress Dowager noticed Song Zhao's dilemma and said,
"It's alright. You can go behind the folding screen and hide. When the Emperor leaves, you can come out."
"Thank you, Empress Dowager."
Song Zhao hurriedly got up and ran anxiously to take temporary shelter behind the folding screen.
Before long, Xiao Jingheng arrived.
He greeted the Empress Dowager and naturally took a seat opposite her, where Song Zhao had been sitting earlier.
It was chilly outside in the autumn, and the palace hall had not yet been heated with charcoal braziers, so the temperature was not high.
As soon as Xiao Jingheng sat down, he felt that the seat still had some warmth.
He didn't think much of it, but with concern, he asked the Empress Dowager,
"I heard that the Empress Dowager summoned the imperial physician. Are you feeling unwell?"
"It's nothing serious. I have some symptoms of a cold. Qingzhu was worried, so she privately called the imperial physician to diagnose and treat me. I've taken the medicine, and it's not a big deal."
Xiao Jingheng nodded and said, "That's good. Recently, the weather has turned colder. I will instruct the Internal Affairs Department to warm the dragon bed in the Empress Dowager's palace."
"The Emperor is considerate." The Empress Dowager smiled and responded. She paused for a moment and then changed the subject,
"Now that Yipin has given birth to the imperial heir, and the positions of the concubines in the harem are not yet complete, should the Emperor also consider raising Yipin's status?"
It was normal for the Empress Dowager to be concerned about matters in the harem.
Xiao Jingheng hadn't thought much about it, but just as he was about to reply, he caught a glimpse of something shiny on the warm seat out of the corner of his eye, which dazzled him for a moment.
He looked around discreetly and quickly noticed a tassel made of gold thread and silkworm silk lying on the warm seat.
He had only given such a tassel as a gift to Song Zhao, and he couldn't help but speculate when he thought about the warm seat that still retained some warmth when he sat down.
Without showing any traces, he glanced at the folding screen and suspected that Song Zhao might be hiding behind it.
So he cleared his throat and deliberately said,
"I have plans to raise a concubine. I'm thinking of promoting Yipin. She has served me for a long time and has endured three years in her current position. Perhaps she can be promoted to the status of a concubine."
"Yipin?"
When the Empress Dowager heard the name Yipin popping out of Xiao Jingheng's mouth, she was puzzled. "Yipin doesn't contribute to the imperial heir, and her family has no merits to the state. Why would the Emperor consider this? If you ask me, it would be more appropriate to promote Yipin."
As Xiao Jingheng listened to the Empress Dowager persistently urging him to make Song Zhao a concubine, he understood.
Most likely, Song Zhao had come to the Empress Dowager today and said something that made her so concerned.
His face darkened slightly, and after sipping his tea, he said,
"Mother, you don't know the whole story. Zhao'er doesn't aspire to these things. She doesn't want to be envied by the other concubines or cause trouble. Her true desire is to live a peaceful life. Now that I have some free time, I can often accompany her. Isn't that the best of both worlds?"
In the midst of their conversation, she discreetly glanced at the screen.
The Empress Dowager said, "Whether she is willing or not is her own business, but the Emperor's decision to bestow a title is the Emperor's intention. As the mother of the esteemed child, her status is only below that of a concubine. Doesn't the Emperor think it is somewhat inappropriate?"
Xiao Jingheng replied, "The child is still young. When he grows older, it won't be too late for me to promote Zhao'er's position."
The Empress Dowager knew that Song Zhao was standing behind the screen and could clearly hear their conversation.
She had originally intended to coax Xiao Jingheng into revealing his plan to grant Song Zhao the position of consort, hoping that the child would be delighted upon hearing it.
However, to her surprise, Xiao Jingheng made such disheartening remarks.
She feared that if Song Zhao heard them, her heart would be chilled.
So the Empress Dowager changed the subject and didn't let Xiao Jingheng continue.
Xiao Jingheng had come to visit the Empress Dowager, and upon seeing that she was well, he didn't stay for long and said,
"It's good that the Empress Dowager is well. Otherwise, I would have been worried. There are matters from the previous dynasty that I still need to attend to, so I'll take my leave."
After Xiao Jingheng left, Song Zhao waited for a while before confidently walking out from behind the screen.
The Empress Dowager, fearing that she might overthink things, quickly invited her to take a seat and spoke gently,
"Don't take the Emperor's words to heart. In theory, the Emperor is considering you, taking your well-being into account, and wanting to protect you, which is why he is delaying your promotion."
She had expected Song Zhao to be somewhat unhappy,
But at this moment, looking at her, there was a smile on her face and a relaxed expression in her eyes. She was actually very happy.
"What are you saying, Empress Dowager? I was truly delighted to hear what the Emperor said just now!"
She placed a hand on her chest and bashfully lowered her head,
"The Emperor has considered me so deeply and far-sightedly, understanding my thoughts and knowing that I am the least willing to become a target of envy and suffer as a result. All of this shows how much the Emperor cares about me."
The more she spoke, the more embarrassed she became, and her ears turned red,
"I am a weak woman, and my maternal family has already... I don't need any support from them. So, what use is a high position for me? All I have ever wanted is the Emperor's genuine affection and a husband's cherished love. Now that I have obtained everything I desired, what more could I ask for?"
Song Zhao became overly delighted,
And her words gradually became less restrained.
Both for a husband or a wife, it was not something she, as a concubine, could publicly proclaim.
As soon as the words left her mouth, Song Zhao immediately realized that it was improper and hastily said,
"I spoke without thinking in the excitement of the moment. Please don't hold it against me, Empress Dowager."
The Empress Dowager didn't mind, but instead smiled and said,
"Silly child, the Emperor is your husband. Why would you be afraid to speak your mind?"
She held Song Zhao's hand and tightened her grip,
"If I may say so, the Emperor is truly fortunate to have you by his side."
Upon hearing this, Song Zhao blushed and smiled shyly.
Inside the hall, the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law rejoiced, and everything remained peaceful.
Outside the door, someone else revealed a knowing smile.
Xiao Jingheng didn't leave but stood outside the door, listening to the commotion inside.
He listened attentively to every word Song Zhao said,
And each word resonated deeply within him, gradually dispelling his doubts and suspicions from before.
A tinge of guilt welled up within...
