Song Zhao accused Rongyue of "stealing" and changed the nature of the matter.
Rongyue panicked and immediately said, "This concubine did not steal! This concubine also does not know that thing belongs to Prince An... This concubine..."
She was extremely afraid, her lips trembling as she spoke, frightened into tears spilling out.
But Song Zhao did not even glance at her, only ordering Xiao Fuzi to retrieve the item from the palace for Prince An to take a look, to see if it was his lost possession.
Xiao Fuzi went there and back in just the time it took to burn a stick of incense.
He held in his hands a box of dark red wood, presenting it to Xiao Jingheng.
Xiao Jingheng opened the embroidered box, and saw inside was placed a jade ruyi scepter.
He picked up the jade ruyi, examined the patterned veins, which were enough to confirm this belonged to Prince An.
"Take a look, is this yours?"
Prince An had to come over, rubbing his drunk eyes to scrutinize it carefully before being emotionally moved. His eyes reddening, he said:
"This vein-patterned jade ruyi is the only one of its kind in the world. Back then, Father Emperor originally wanted to gift this item to Eldest Imperial Brother, but Eldest Imperial Brother knew that I, his younger brother, enjoyed music, so he persuaded Father Emperor to gift it to me instead."
He treasured the jade ruyi as he hung it back at his waist, his voice low:
"This object holds extraordinary meaning for me. It is not only the one and only gift Father Emperor gave me, but also carries Eldest Imperial Brother's deep affection for me. While objects may be lost, bonds cannot."
Blinking back the tears shining in his eyes, he looked to Xiao Jingheng and solemnly bowed with clasped hands:
"Today I was drunk and offended Imperial Brother's concubine. I beg Imperial Brother to forgive this younger brother."
Mentioning past events also moved Xiao Jingheng somewhat.
At this time, he could not bear to blame Prince An. He only patted An's shoulder and gently said:
"If you lost something, you should have informed Us. You are a prince, your every move represents the imperial family's dignity. Getting drunk and losing composure like this, would it not make others mock and laugh?"
Prince An guiltily responded: "Eldest Imperial Brother's teaching is right, this younger brother knows his wrong."
Xiao Jingheng waved his hand. "Forget it, just this one time, don't let it happen again."
This time, Xiao Jingheng was able to let go of his suspicions so quickly for two reasons. Half was because Prince An was his most doted-on younger brother, and the other half was that he felt Song Zhao had no need to interfere in this matter at all to conceal anything for Rongyue.
Of the newly entered concubines, the one Xiao Jingheng valued most was Rongyue, summoning her most frequently. Song Zhao was clearly aware of this.
So in Xiao Jingheng's perspective, Song Zhao should feel some jealousy towards Rongyue,
and even if not, she would not become intimate with Rongyue.
Moreover, Consort Li was the one who discovered this matter first.
Even if Song Zhao had the intention of helping rescue Rongyue, it was impossible for her to secretly take Prince An's jade ruyi without knowing, and in a short time frame make up such a flawless lie.
After this analysis, Xiao Jingheng felt perhaps this whole thing was merely a misunderstanding.
At this moment, looking at Rongyue who knelt on the ground weeping pitifully, he could not help feeling somewhat unhappy:
"You take lost items without reporting them, and even bestow them to others? I originally thought you were tranquil and understood etiquette, but I did not expect you to be so undeserving."
"Your Majesty, please forgive this concubine's crimes. This concubine knows her wrongs..." Rongyue kowtowed to admit her crimes, but Xiao Jingheng no longer looked at her.
Instead, he turned to glance at Song Zhao and asked, "What do you think, how should this matter be dealt with?"
Song Zhao pondered calmly for a while before coolly saying:
"Although Consort Li was innocent, such behavior cannot be condoned. However, this matter should not spread outward, otherwise it would ultimately damage the imperial family's reputation. This concubine believes that cutting her salary for three months, and making her kneel to recite women's virtues for one night, would teach her a lesson and also avoid making a big clamor that all within the palace may know."
This matter could of course absolutely not spread outside.
The people involved in this matter, whether Xiao Jingheng, Prince An, or Rongyue, were all imperial family members, and safeguarding the imperial family's reputation took utmost precedence.
If this was really spread outside, there were many gossipy people in the inner palace. Something originally insignificant could be distorted by rumors into who knows what.
Song Zhao's method of dealing with this seemed very proper in Xiao Jingheng's view.
So he appraised Song Zhao with an approving look and nodded in agreement:
"Then handle it as you suggested."
Song Zhao gently nodded, and then her expression chilled as she lowered her gaze to Rongyue and said:
"You go back to Zhaochun Palace to recite women's virtues, and you would definitely disturb Consort Hui. Consort Hui has an innocent child's temperament, and may inadvertently mention this matter to others, which would not be good. Let's do this instead, you will accompany this concubine back to Chang Le Palace afterward, and kneel to recite in this concubine's side hall. That will avoid complications, and also allow people to watch that you do not slack off."
Rongyue stopped sobbing and weakly responded, "This concubine obeys the instructions of Noble Consort."
After handling this matter, Song Zhao looked back at Consort Li and sternly said:
"Consort Li, you must keep today's events secret, not mentioning a single word. We do not want any absurd rumors spread that tarnish the imperial family's reputation."
In the face of the sudden shift in events, Consort Li had yet to regain her senses.
She thought it was still frightening when looking back,
If Song Zhao had not stopped her earlier, she really might have recklessly summoned the guards in her agitation, escalating the matter. Xiao Jingheng would definitely have been furious at her.
Now, having narrowly avoided disaster, how could Consort Li dare have any dissent?
She hurriedly said: "This concubine understands."
While Song Zhao handled this matter, Xiao Jingheng remained silent the entire time, only watching quietly and also contemplating inwardly, feeling she resolved this appropriately.
If the person who discovered this matter today was instead Noble Consort Chen, with her temperament, she likely would have already made a big clamor that the entire inner palace knew.
Yet Song Zhao was different.
What she considered at all times was first how to safeguard the imperial family’s reputation and the emperor’s unviolable dignity.
She knew to block Consort Li from summoning the guards and publicizing this matter,
would call him to the side hall instead of mentioning it in the main hall before the other princes,
thought of Consort Hui’s childish temper and loose tongue, so even punishing Rongyue was secretly conducted in her own palace,
Such meticulous thoughtfulness at every turn demonstrated that after spending this time in the palace she had gained experience and maturity.
But Xiao Jingheng would not be wary of her for her cleverness,
after all, the current Song Zhao no longer had backing from her maternal family and would not pose the slightest threat to state politics.
It was precisely because of this that Song Zhao’s adeptness displayed today would instead make Xiao Jingheng feel
that with her having grown to this point and gained appropriate wisdom, she could assist to properly arrange inner palace affairs, reducing some of his own worries.
That day, Xiao Fuzi and the rest brought Rongyue back to Chang Le Palace, while Prince An also returned to the main hall and pretended as if nothing had occurred, continuing to feast and make merry with Prince Qi and the rest.
Xiao Jingheng deliberately kept Song Zhao for half a ke (quarter hour) more. Smiling as he held her hand, he said:
"I intended for you to assist in managing the inner palace, but was worried earlier that you were too soft and indecisive, unable to handle matters appropriately. But from what I see today, my Zhao'er has indeed not disappointed me, fully capable of wielding authority to coordinate the inner palace."
Song Zhao blushed prettily, smiling as she naturally nestled into Xiao Jingheng's embrace:
"How could this concubine understand these things? This concubine only knows that no matter what happens in this inner palace, it must not damage Your Majesty's reputation and prestige. This concubine privately feels that handling affairs as Assistant to the Inner Palace should be this way."
As she spoke, she glanced up, smiling charmingly as her silken eyes flickered brightly towards Xiao Jingheng:
"Does Your Majesty feel this concubine's understanding makes sense?"
"Ha ha ha ha ha!" Xiao Jingheng laughed out loud heartily. Nodding with his forehead touching her nose tip, he affectionately murmured low:
"Zhao'er's heart is most attuned to mine."
【Have a happy weekend, upgrade to Boss Lady Song tomorrow! She's going to start fighting the big boss lady soon!】
