As soon as Xiao Jingheng uttered these words, the smile that was about to surface on Noble Consort Chen's face froze instantly.
She had advised Xiao Jingheng to strip Consort Yin of her power because she couldn't stand Consort Yin's frequent defiance towards her. She wanted to use this opportunity to make Consort Yin stumble, rather than let Xiao Jingheng transfer the power to Song Zhao.
Therefore, she immediately interjected, saying, "Your Majesty, Yipin has only been in the palace for a short time, and she has a gentle temperament. Many things are beyond her capability and she lacks the necessary strength. It would be better..."
"That's why I let her learn from you," Xiao Jingheng calmly interrupted her, "managing the affairs of the harem requires a balance of firmness and gentleness, employing both grace and authority. I believe Yipin's temperament complements yours perfectly. Moreover, considering your pregnancy, I don't want you to bear too much burden alone."
Noble Consort Chen didn't hear any other words; her sharpness faded a bit when she heard Xiao Jingheng say he didn't want her to bear too much burden.
At this moment, Song Zhao anxiously spoke, "I also think what Noble Consort said is right. I am truly unable to handle such a heavy responsibility. It would be better... Your Majesty, why not continue entrusting Consort Yin with the affairs of the six palaces? Alternatively... Yunfei has served Your Majesty for many years and could also share the burden with Noble Consort."
Consort Yin had just been stripped of the authority to manage the six palaces by Xiao Jingheng. His words were not a jest, and it was impossible for her to regain that power.
As for Yunfei... Xiao Jingheng felt annoyed just hearing that name. Not punishing her was already a reward; how could he bestow such an honor upon her?
After a whole night of turmoil, Xiao Jingheng was tired. He didn't want to say anything more and simply stated, "This matter will be handled like this."
Then he turned and left for Chaoyang Palace.
After he left, Song Zhao followed Noble Consort Chen and left Chengqian Palace together with her.
Before getting into the sedan chair, Noble Consort Chen glanced at Song Zhao with a sense of disdain.
Seeing Song Zhao respectfully bowing to her, she said in an irritated tone, "All the benefits have fallen into your lap. Go ahead and laugh in secret!"
Song Zhao whispered, "Noble Consort, you have misunderstood me. I have no such intentions."
"Hmph," Noble Consort Chen sneered, "If you have no intentions, go back to the Emperor the next day and tell him that you are naturally clumsy and unable to learn these things, and ask him to retract his decree. Otherwise, don't act hypocritical in front of me!"
With that, Noble Consort Chen didn't look at Song Zhao again and was assisted onto the sedan chair, leaving.
Song Zhao respectfully bowed to her retreating figure.
However, at this moment, the anxious expression on her face disappeared completely, and a cold smile appeared at the corner of her lips.
After returning to the palace that night, Yun Shan prepared a basin of warm water mixed with jasmine juice and carefully cleaned Song Zhao's delicate fingers.
Xiao Fuzi went to the small kitchen and brought back a peeled onion, smiling as he said, "Onions are the best at removing the smell of mutton. Shall we add some to the basin?"
"Go away! Don't cause trouble!" Yun Shan waved her hand with a disgusted look on her face. "That smell is pungent. Take it away from here! Don't choke the mistress."
Song Zhao looked at their unruly squabble and couldn't help but smile.
The smell on her hands right now didn't come from the cotton in the doll, as one might think.
On the contrary, the pungent smell on the cotton wick was actually from her hands.
Early on, when she rushed to Chengqian Palace to watch the commotion, she had instructed Xiao Fuzi to sneak a small pinch of sheep tallow powder into her pocket.
When Consort Chen and Consort Yin started arguing over whether to burn the doll, Song Zhao took the opportunity to dip her fingers in the powder and confidently approached to cut open the doll, allowing the smell of the sheep tallow to cling to the cotton wick.
Her movements were quick, and she wasn't afraid of being discovered.
After all, she had personally cut open the doll, so it wouldn't be unreasonable to say that the smell on her hands had transferred to the cotton wick.
Song Zhao had long known that it would be difficult to outmaneuver Consort Yin with Concubine Ru's simple-mindedness.
Instead of that, it was better to use Xiao Jingheng's suspicion and personally splash dirty water on Consort Yin.
This plan had been devised by Song Zhao ever since she learned about the moment when Concubine Ru was slapped by Consort Yin.
First, she pretended to care about Concubine Ru and told her that Consort Yin was influential, and unless Consort Yin herself made a mistake that angered Xiao Jingheng, Concubine Ru would have to endure being beneath her.
Then, she subtly reminded Rongyue to indirectly suggest to Concubine Ru that if Consort Yin offended Noble Consort Chen, Xiao Jingheng would certainly punish Consort Yin severely. She also mentioned the phrase "witchcraft" casually, leading Concubine Ru to ponder about that matter.
Once Concubine Ru fell into the trap, she would definitely try to obtain Noble Consort Chen's birthdate.
And the birthdate that Noble Consort Chen had left with the Imperial Household Department was originally fake.
This intentional mistake was the opportunity specifically left by Song Zhao for Consort Yin to counterattack.
Once Consort Yin counterattacked, Song Zhao would use the excuse of the doll bearing Noble Consort Chen's name to remove the piece of fabric with the name written on it.
By that time, when the cotton wick was revealed, she would take the opportunity to apply the sheep tallow powder and place it near Consort Yin's charcoal brazier.
The brazier's high temperature would cause the scent on the cotton wick to dissipate quickly, and Consort Yin would soon be able to smell it.
Moreover, Consort Yin was an impulsive person. Once she smelled the pungent odor, she would immediately rush to inform Xiao Jingheng of this matter.
With Xiao Jingheng's suspicion, he would surely suspect that there was some element of self-orchestration from Consort Yin in this.
Song Zhao deeply understood that in Xiao Jingheng's mind, nothing could be more significant than national affairs.
As long as the Mongolian tribes and the Ada Hu tribe were still useful to Qi Dynasty, Xiao Jingheng would not punish Concubine Ru and Consort Yin severely.
So even if Xiao Jingheng had some doubts, he would not investigate this matter thoroughly.
He would most likely directly blame Concubine Ru for this and give her a slight punishment.
And at this moment, wasn't Noble Consort Chen always watching from the sidelines?
This matter concerned the heir in her womb, and Xiao Jingheng had lightly favored Concubine Ru. Noble Consort Chen would definitely be displeased.
Coupled with her inherent dislike for Consort Yin, she would definitely say something to let Xiao Jingheng take away Consort Yin's authority over the six palaces using this matter, thereby suppressing Consort Yin's spirit.
And with Xiao Jingheng's suspicions already present, if Noble Consort Chen said such things, Xiao Jingheng would undoubtedly seize the opportunity to snatch the real power from Consort Yin's hands.
Then the benefits would naturally fall on Song Zhao.
As Xiao Fuzi helped Song Zhao apply the medicinal ointment after she had cleaned her hands, she couldn't help but praise,
"Your Majesty, you have thoroughly understood the nature of Concubine Ru, Consort Yin, Noble Consort Chen, and even... the Emperor. It is only fitting that the responsibility of managing the power of the six palaces falls into your hands."
Song Zhao smiled gently and replied, "What people desire reveals their weaknesses. Concubine Ru desires to overthrow Consort Yin and escape her torment.
Consort Yin desires to accuse Concubine Ru and appears so radical before the Emperor.
Noble Consort Chen desires to diminish Consort Yin's control over the six palaces and monopolize power.
As for the Emperor... all his thoughts revolve around weighing the pros and cons of the previous dynasty and the advantages of the maternal clans behind the imperial consorts.
Once a person has desires, they have vulnerabilities that can be exploited."
Xiao Fuzi also smiled and said, "It is precisely because Your Majesty has no desires that you cannot be easily manipulated by others."
"You are mistaken. Everyone has desires, and I am no exception."
With a smile, Song Zhao picked up a silver skewer and played with the flickering candle flame nearby,
"But in order to find my weaknesses, they must first have the ability to know what my desires truly are."
The candle flame flickered, casting intermittent flashes on Song Zhao's beautiful cheeks.
She raised her gaze slowly, raised an eyebrow at Xiao Fuzi, and smiled,
"But do you think they have the ability to do so? Hmm?"
