On the fifteenth day of November, the sky was clear and cloudless.
Both inside and outside Chang Le Palace, there was an atmosphere of excitement as Song Zhao finally greeted the day she would be conferred as a noble consort.
She was dressed in exquisite attire, her lips painted in a deep red, radiating an air of wealth and splendor.
As she made her way towards Kun Ning Palace, she gazed at the mottled red walls on both sides of the street, observing the sparse shadows cast by the branches of withered trees.
Looking back, she suddenly realized that she had been walking along this path for quite some time.
Outside Kun Ning Palace, Noble Consort Chen and the concubines from the six palaces had been waiting since early morning.
Song Zhao cautiously stepped forward, under the watchful gazes of the women, and stood upright below the ceremonial platform.
A palace maid retrieved the imperial edict from a golden box.
"May Noble Consort Yi receive the imperial edict," the palace maid announced.
Song Zhao respectfully knelt on the lotus-patterned cushion in front of the platform.
The palace maid slowly unfolded the imperial edict and solemnly read it aloud:
"Today, Song Shi, with her grace, virtue, and dedication, has faithfully served her duties within the palace. She has diligently attended to my well-being, fulfilling her responsibilities day and night. With her loyalty and benevolence, she has upheld the virtues of integrity and abundance. Therefore, I hereby confer upon her the title of Noble Consort Yi. She shall hold authority over the six palaces and manage their affairs. This is a great honor."
"As a humble subject, Song Shi gratefully accepts the heavenly grace," Song Zhao replied, her hands raised to receive the silver decree and the imperial seal symbolizing her noble status.
Though both items held considerable weight, Song Zhao was able to bear them.
After the ceremony, as the concubines who held lower positions than Song Zhao paid their respects, they all congratulated her:
"We humbly congratulate Noble Consort Yi on this joyous occasion. May Noble Consort Yi be blessed with prosperity and happiness."
Song Zhao smiled gracefully, "We are all sisters here. Let us not allow our positions to create divisions. Please rise."
Once they were all on their feet, Noble Consort Chen leisurely walked up to Song Zhao, a disdainful glance in her eyes, and coldly remarked:
"Congratulations to you."
Song Zhao respectfully bowed, "I thank Noble Consort Chen for her kind words."
Noble Consort Chen responded with a nonchalant "Hmm" and did not trouble Song Zhao on this joyous day.
Following that, Consort Yin stepped forward with a smile and said to Song Zhao:
"The Emperor and the Empress are waiting for you in the palace. Now that the ceremony is over, let us go inside."
Consort Yin's words were intended for Noble Consort Chen to hear.
Today was Song Zhao's day of ennoblement, and the spotlight would undoubtedly be on her. Once they entered Kun Ning Palace, Xiao Jingheng's thoughts and attention would be fully focused on Song Zhao, and he would only pay minimal attention to others.
Consort Yin understood Noble Consort Chen very well.
Indeed, as soon as Consort Yin finished speaking, Noble Consort Chen's face darkened.
Supporting herself with one hand on her waist and lazily stroking her temple with the other, she wearily said:
"I woke up early to attend your ennoblement ceremony, and now I'm feeling terribly tired. I'll return to the palace first. You can all go in."
With those words, she was assisted by Liu Yue and boarded the sedan chair, leaving without looking back.
Consort Yin watched her departing figure and couldn't help but sneer with great satisfaction.
"Hmph, I simply can't stand her affected demeanor."
Song Zhao did not respond and, accompanied by the entourage, entered Kun Ning Palace to express her gratitude to the Emperor and Empress.
At that moment, Xiao Jingheng was seated at the head, followed by the Empress.
Both of them wore gentle smiles on their faces, and Song Zhao also observed proper etiquette, bowing deeply to the Emperor and Empress before taking her place in the hall.
"I humbly thank Your Majesty and Your Majesty the Empress for your benevolence. In the future, I will adhere to the rules and conduct myself properly within the palace, doing my utmost to share Your Majesty and the Empress's burdens," Song Zhao expressed with gratitude.
Xiao Jingheng raised his hand and said, "No need for formalities. Today is a joyous occasion for you. Please have a seat and let's talk."
As Song Zhao rose from her seat, she glanced around and noticed that her original position had been taken by Consort Yao.
Well, since she had been bestowed the title of concubine, naturally, a better position would be assigned to her.
Looking around now, the first position on the left side was vacant, which was meant for Noble Consort Chen.
And the first position on the right side should have been occupied by Consort Yin, but she had moved aside, leaving the seat empty.
Song Zhao hesitated for a moment, standing still in her original place.
Then the Empress spoke, "Why hasn't Consort Yi taken her seat?"
Song Zhao once again performed a respectful gesture, slightly apprehensive as she said, "I dare not assume such a high position."
Xiao Jingheng said, "This was the Empress's arrangement. Now that you are assisting in the management of the six palaces and have given birth to a precious child for me, you should be the first among the consorts. Please take this seat."
Song Zhao understood then that the Empress wasn't being so kind-hearted.
She wanted to heap all the favor and attention onto Song Zhao.
And she also wanted the other consorts to direct their hidden daggers at her.
Before Song Zhao could refuse, the Empress said, "I know that Consort Yi doesn't like to compete, but you deserve to be the first among the consorts."
She looked at Consort Yin and Consort Yun, asking in a composed manner, "What do you think?"
The two of them forced a smile and had no choice but to agree, "We believe what the Empress says is true. It is also His Majesty's intention. Consort Yi should not decline."
At this point, the jealousy among the consorts had already been aroused.
Even if Song Zhao declined this position as the first among the consorts, it would undoubtedly not end well for her.
This was the Empress's shrewdness.
She always managed to set up the situation invisibly, and with a benevolent appearance, she had trapped Song Zhao.
So Song Zhao no longer declined and directly accepted it.
With a smile, she made a respectful gesture to the Empress and said, "Empress, you have shown me such great favor. I am truly grateful."
After speaking, she did not offer any further excuses and sat directly in the seat of the first consort.
The Empress's gaze visibly flickered.
Clearly, she had not expected Song Zhao to accept this favor so openly.
She had intended to let Consort Yin reclaim that position if Song Zhao declined.
After all, how could she willingly let the birth mother of the precious child become the first among the consorts?
But now that Song Zhao had taken her seat so boldly, this matter had been settled.
This was a loss for the Empress, and she could only swallow her frustration.
Later, Xiao Jingheng casually chatted with the other consorts about pacifying the war and bringing peace to the world. He was delighted and said, "Since ascending the throne, I have never left the capital. I am thinking that when the weather clears up in the spring of the coming year, it would be a good time to make a southern tour and see the various aspects of the people's lives."
When the Emperor made a southern tour, the consorts would accompany him.
However, the number of places to accompany him was limited, and not everyone could go.
The concubines were all secretly pondering, trying to come up with a good idea to get Xiao Jingheng to take them along.
Only Consort Hui, who was not so calculating, stood up excitedly and said to Xiao Jingheng:
"Then, Your Majesty, take me with you? I miss my parents so much..."
As she spoke, she tugged at the fur scarf around her neck, her bright cat-like eyes filled with anticipation.
Consort Hui's maternal family was a wealthy clan from the Jiangsu-Zhejiang region, so it was expected that Xiao Jingheng would bring her along on his southern tour.
However, Xiao Jingheng didn't immediately agree to her request. He simply said:
"This matter is still undecided. We shall discuss it later."
"Oh... alright."
Consort Hui pouted, feeling unhappy, and sat back down in a sulky manner.
Just as everyone's gaze fell on her, suddenly they heard Yun Shan exclaim,
"Your Majesty! What's happened to you, Your Majesty?"
Everyone turned their heads towards the sound and saw that Song Zhao, who had been perfectly fine just moments ago, had fainted in her seat. No matter how Yun Shan shook her, she remained motionless.
This sudden accident caused an uproar in the Kun Ning Palace.
Xiao Jingheng was the first to rush to Song Zhao's side, holding her shoulders and gently shaking her, calling out to her,
"Zhao'er? Zhao'er!"
