That day, Song Zhao on her way back to the palace, ordered Yun Shan:
"I remember the newly made Fairy Powder from the Imperial Medical Bureau. Little Fu Zi only brought back one basket, while Consort Chen's place must have taken more. Go over there and see how much is left, and bring it all back here."
Yun Shan followed the order.
Not long after the items were brought back to the palace, around dusk, Consort Yao came to visit Song Zhao at the Chang Le Palace.
Little Fu Zi went in to announce the visitor, but Song Zhao said:
"Just tell her I have been feeling weak lately and have gone to bed early. If she insists on visiting me, ask her to come back before noon tomorrow."
The next day, a little before noon, Consort Yao came as expected.
As soon as she entered the inner chamber, Song Zhao lying on the couch saw her very affectionately and wanted to get up to greet her. Consort Yao hurriedly took two steps to Song Zhao's couch and pressed her hand to gesture her not to get up,
"Sister, lie down, don't exert yourself."
Song Zhao half leaned against the headboard, held Consort Yao's hand amiably, and smiled:
"Why did you come on such a cold day, sister?"
Consort Yao said: "After sister gave birth, I only visited once. I have been very concerned about you in my heart. How have you been? Has everything been fine during the confinement?"
Song Zhao nodded slightly. Consort Yao took out a small square camphor wood box and gave it to her,
"This is a Nourishing Balm that is specially used to deal with abdominal laxity and pregnancy marks. You must accept it, sister."
"How can I?" Song Zhao pretended to push it away, "This thing is expensive. How can I ask for such a heavy gift from sister?"
Consort Yao quickly said, "We have lived together since you entered the palace and are close like sisters. Why be so polite with me? Are you trying to distance yourself from me?"
Only then did Song Zhao reluctantly accept the gift, "Sister cares about me and I always cherish the affection when we lived together."
Speaking, she beckoned Yun Shan, "Go and bring the Fairy Powder we prepared earlier for sister to take back."
Yun Shan went to fetch it upon command.
When Song Zhao looked over, Consort Yao couldn't help revealing a faint smile at the corner of her mouth.
Song Zhao said, "It is hard to come by this stuff in the winter. I know sister always uses it, but Consort Chen loves to hoard everything. I was afraid she took it all and didn't leave any for sister, so I told Yun Shan to bring more back. It was meant to give to sister originally."
Consort Yao has a graceful voluptuous figure, but her appearance is not pleasing, especially with many dark pimples on her face and coarse skin. The Fairy Powder works wonders on treating her skin condition. Song Zhao took all the remaining Fairy Powder because she expected that Consort Yao would come to her for it.
Now that Song Zhao offered it to her before she even had to ask, Consort Yao was overjoyed,
"In that case, I really have to thank sister sincerely."
While talking, Little Fu Zi knocked and entered respectfully, carrying a bowl of nourishing soup to the small table by the couch,
"Lady, this nourishing oyster ginseng soup was just simmered. Drink it while it's hot."
Saying that, she gave Song Zhao a meaningful glance with her eyes.
Song Zhao then knew Xiao Jingheng would soon arrive at Chang Le Palace.
At this moment, Consort Yao was delighted to obtain the Fairy Powder. She naturally had to flatter Song Zhao a little,
"Sister has gained a noble son, and I expect the decree to raise you to Consort must be arriving shortly ..."
Song Zhao just smiled without replying.
She estimated the timing. Feeling it's almost time, she slowly said to Consort Yao after a moment:
"I have only been in the palace for a year, yet have already been raised from Concubine to a Palace Mistress. His Majesty treats me so well that I feel quite content. But I think... sister may receive good news soon?"
"Me?" Consort Yao gently stroked the dark pimples on her cheek that not even powder could hide, smiling self-deprecatingly, then sadly said, "What good news could I possibly get? His Majesty hasn't summoned me for three months already. If it goes on like this for longer, I'm afraid even my existence would be forgotten."
Song Zhao held Consort Yao's hand and gently laughed,
"A fortunate one doesn't dwell on transient moments of blessing. Sister has served His Majesty diligently over the years and has rendered merits. His Majesty surely still thinks of sister in his heart."
Song Zhao leaned closer to her and deliberately lowered her voice,
"Sister, trust me, I'm good at predicting things accurately. Your fortunes are about to arrive soon."
While speaking, she casually glanced at the tightly closed chamber door.
Whether Xiao Jingheng could hear them or not, she had to say these words.
Eloquent words and deft actions,
it was tiring,
but Xiao Jingheng liked it.
Song Zhao had to admit that Xiao Jingheng was a man of meticulous thoughts. He deserved to be the Emperor, possessing all the qualities an Emperor should have, for better or worse, only more not less.
But the more meticulous a person's thoughts, the easier they fall into traps set by others without realizing it.
The wise are often misled by their own wisdom,
which is probably the reason.
-"His Majesty arrives!"
Then, the eunuch's announcement came from outside the hall.
Almost simultaneously with the announcement, Xiao Jingheng had already entered, pushing the door open.
Seeing him, Consort Yao was very delighted. She immediately got up and paid her respects,
"Your humble concubine pays respect to Your Majesty. May Your Majesty live long and prosper!"
Song Zhao also pretended to try getting up, but as expected, was held down by Xiao Jingheng on her shoulders.
Standing in front of the couch, Xiao Jingheng casually waved his hand for Consort Yao to rise,
yet didn't even glance at her. He only looked at Song Zhao, smiling,
"Busy congratulating others, how do you not have joyous news of your own?"
Song Zhao was slightly puzzled, "Your concubine has Cheng Yu. What greater joyous news could there be?"
"Adding happiness to happiness is considered great joy."
Xiao Jingheng sat on the edge of the couch, grasped Song Zhao's hand tight, gazed at her affectionately, and slowly said,
"You went through hardship bearing a noble son for me. It is a great achievement. I plan to bestow you the rank of Consort on an auspicious day."
Hearing this, Song Zhao's eyes widened in surprise, showing utter disbelief.
In her shimmering eyes was happiness tinged with panic,
allowing Xiao Jingheng to clearly discern her emotions at one glance.
