Song Zhao lightly and casually said a sentence, which made Consort Yun's face flush red with embarrassment.
She secretly glanced at Xiao Jingheng on the high seat, recalling the large coral jadeite she had just given to Xiao Jingheng. She had thought that she could use it to turn the situation around and regain the Saint's favor.
But she saw that Xiao Jingheng didn't even look at her, instead he smiled lightly and played with the "inferior" jade pendant that Song Zhao had given him. She then knew that she had just tried to curry favor but it backfired.
She heard Xiao Jingheng murmur after a moment, then ask Song Zhao:
"This jade looks like that mottled nephrite pendant you wear close to your body?"
"Yes," Song Zhao answered weakly, with some shyness showing between her brows.
Xiao Jingheng had seen this piece of mottled nephrite several times when it was with Song Zhao.
Song Zhao treasured it and had put it in the bottom layer of her jewelry box for safekeeping.
Song Zhao had told him that it was a keepsake left by her mother.
For Song Zhao, there was nothing more precious than this object outside of herself.
"The dragon pattern on it was personally carved by this concubine. But my skills are lacking, I'm afraid it will cause displeasure and ridicule from the Emperor."
Carving patterns on jade takes great effort. It cannot be too light or too heavy, and one careless mistake can cause the jade to break apart, ruining the heart's blood in an instant.
At this time, Xiao Jingheng saw the faint dark circles under Song Zhao's eyes, and knew how much thought she had put into this gift.
The courtesy was considerate, the meaning profound.
For someone like Xiao Jingheng who was used to seeing fine things, what he valued most was always affection.
"Noble Consort's gift is what pleases Zhen (I) the most tonight. The dragon pattern on it, every cut and every engraving, contains your thoughts and feelings. How could Zhen find fault or ridicule it?"
After he finished speaking, he put on the jade pendant around his neck and placed it inside his clothes, keeping it close to his body.
This gesture demonstrated his intimacy with Song Zhao.
Those who envied Song Zhao's favor could only look on helplessly.
Noble Consort Chen, who was sitting to the right of Xiao Jingheng, rolled her eyes towards the sky.
She was now seven months pregnant with twins, so her belly was a full circle larger than when Song Zhao was pregnant with Chen Yu. It was very difficult for her to move around.
Even so, when she saw that Xiao Jingheng only had eyes for Song Zhao, she resolutely got up.
With support holding her waist, she took two to three steps and crossed over to stand in front of Xiao Jingheng, blocking his line of sight.
"The Emperor hasn't looked at my gift, how can you say Noble Consort's is the one that suits you most?"
She snorted softly and made a coquettish, petty expression, "I do not agree!"
"You always have to compete to be number one to feel comfortable." Although there was ridicule in Xiao Jingheng's words to Noble Consort Chen, the smile at the corner of his lips did not hide. "You are pregnant, didn't I say you should move around less? Come back and sit down."
"I have to stand to present my gift to the Emperor in order to show my respect and sincerity."
Xiao Jingheng did not initially understand what Noble Consort Chen meant by this.
He then saw her take out a golden wood embroidered box. She held it over her head with both hands, presenting it with the utmost respect.
Xiao Jingheng took the box and was about to casually open it, but after seeing what was inside, there was an involuntary shudder in his eyes.
It was an engraved gold-plated iron tiger tally that was reflecting a dazzling brilliance under the candlelight, making people's eyes blurry.
This tiger tally could command 200,000 frontier troops and was the most important leverage in Ning Bochuan's hands.
The troops were out on expeditions, the Emperor was far away, and the imperial edicts often didn't reach the front lines in time. Therefore, for the fighting men, the tiger tally was like a silent imperial order.
The military order was strict, wherever the holder of the tiger tally told them to go, they absolutely did not dare to take half a step in the other direction.
It was precisely because of this that the Ning Family had become Xiao Jingheng's greatest threat.
Yet now, this tiger tally, which symbolized the greatest threat to imperial power, was being presented by Noble Consort Chen as a congratulatory gift, right in front of him!
For a moment he was stunned speechless, the surprise revealed from the corners of his eyes was noticed by everyone present.
Someone jokingly asked, "What nice thing has the Noble Consort given to make even the Emperor amazed? Let us also take a look!"
Xiao Jingheng hesitated, and after a long pause, held up the tiger tally that was placed quietly in the embroidered box for the crowd to see.
Most of the women in the harem did not recognize this object and discussed amongst themselves in whispers.
But the princes present knew this item all too well...
Especially Prince Rui, who also commanded his own troops. After seeing the tiger tally, he subconsciously exchanged glances with Prince An and Prince Qi.
Although the brothers didn't say anything, their complex expressions were enough to show how great an impact this matter had on them.
Princess Yin, who was oblivious, asked:
"What is this? It doesn't look like any ornament I've seen."
Noble Consort Chen arrogantly glanced at her and quite smugly said:
"This thing actually has some connection with Consort Yin. This is the Qi Army's Tiger Tally that can command 200 thousand troops and horses. It was what my father used back then to issue orders and conquer your Ada Tribe."
Having said that, she deliberately raised her eyebrows at Princess Yin, fearing that she hadn't angered her.
After finding out that this object was the Tiger Tally, another commotion erupted among the Consorts.
Xiao Jingheng also asked in puzzlement: "How did your father's tiger tally end up in your hands?"
Noble Consort Chen smiled and said, "I was surprised too. Earlier, Father sent me a letter saying that now that the land is peaceful, it is time to return military power to the ruler.
The tiger tally should have been personally handed over by my father to you at court after the new year. But coinciding with such a joyous occasion today, Father thought to add blessings upon blessings and let me pass it on in his stead."
(There is 1 more part)
