Although everything was fine in Jiangnan, as summer approached, heavy rains became frequent, and the annual floods were a headache for everyone.
Despite being in the imperial palace, Xiao Jingheng's heart was always concerned with state affairs.
Lately, he had no interest in leisure activities. Instead, he accompanied the water transport officials of Suzhou to inspect various river embankments every day, discussing how to rebuild and reinforce them to minimize the damage caused by the floods.
As a result, during their stay in Suzhou, the imperial consorts could only stroll around the city.
Suzhou's residents were devout Buddhists, and there were as many as sixty-six Buddhist temples, particularly the Hanshan Temple outside the city. Legend has it that the Puming Pagoda inside the temple housed the remains of the Puming Patriarch, making it a sacred Buddhist site.
The Empress Dowager, who was dedicated to Buddhism, naturally couldn't miss such a place when she visited.
However, paying respects at each temple took up a good portion of the day, which the young and beautiful consorts couldn't endure.
Only Song Zhao never complained and wholeheartedly served by the Empress Dowager's side, further deepening the Empress Dowager's fondness for her.
Now that they had arrived in Suzhou, they were actually visiting Consort Hui's maternal family, and Consort Hui had done her best to show hospitality.
Not only did she arrange good accommodations and meals for everyone, but she also sent valuable gifts according to each person's preferences.
On this day, after the consorts finished paying their respects to the Noble Consort and were dispersing, Song Zhao noticed a few new blemishes on Consort Yao's face.
Given that Jiangnan was prone to summer heat and was damp, with naturally oily skin, Consort Yao always carried a handkerchief to wipe away the oil stains on her face. It seemed like a lot of hard work.
Song Zhao called her over, smiling warmly, and said affectionately, "You made it out of the palace in time. The divine beauty powder from the Imperial Household Department hasn't been made yet. I suppose your supply from the sister's place must have run out?"
Consort Yao felt slightly embarrassed, using a silk handkerchief to cover the blemishes on her face, she replied, "It was enough when I was in the capital, but since coming to Suzhou, the dampness here has caused me to use it three times a day, and now it's almost gone."
"If my sister and I are no longer close," Song Zhao pretended to be annoyed, "then I really will be upset. We're supposed to take care of each other as sisters. If you run out of something in your palace, you should let me know."
Consort Yao hurriedly said, "How could I dare to trouble Consort Yi?"
Song Zhao's expression turned serious, and she said unhappily, "If my sister continues to keep her distance from me like this, I'll truly be annoyed."
As she spoke, she looked at Consort Yao, who appeared uneasy, and then she smiled and took her hand.
"I'm just teasing my sister. But since I entered the palace, it has been my fate to live with my sister. But ever since I was appointed as a consort, my sister has rarely come to visit me. It's inevitable that it would hurt my little sister's feelings."
Consort Yao tightened her grip on Song Zhao's hand and said, "How could I not want to come and see you? But you have given birth to a noble child and have become the highest-ranked consort. If I come to bother you too often, I'm afraid you might find it bothersome."
Song Zhao shook her head repeatedly. "There is no reason for me to find fault with my sister. I still have a lot of that divine beauty powder in my palace. If my sister doesn't mind, you can take it back and use it."
Upon hearing this, Consort Yao's facial features relaxed for a moment, and she couldn't help but smile.
"Thank you, little sister. It's not surprising that you still have a lot left. Look at your flawless skin, so radiant and beautiful. Your skin is as smooth as a peeled egg. It makes me envy you."
"Where can one find such natural beauty?" Song Zhao gently caressed her cheek and smiled. "A woman is like a flower, delicate from birth, but she also needs to pay attention to her post-natal care. Sister, why don't you come to my place and let me share some of my skincare tips with you?"
Song Zhao's words were precisely what Consort Yao had been longing for. She immediately followed her to Song Zhao's room, where she obtained the miraculous Fairy Jade Powder and learned valuable skincare techniques. She felt greatly benefited.
During their conversation, Song Zhao noticed a pendant hanging around Consort Yao's neck. She held it up and examined it closely, unable to help but praise, "Sister, this jade pendant is exquisite. It looks like Imperial Jadeite."
Consort Yao smiled and replied, "I don't usually have such nice things. It's thanks to my sister Consort Hui's kindness."
Song Zhao sighed, "Indeed, we sisters don't have the good fortune of Consort Hui."
She leaned closer to Consort Yao and lowered her voice, "The other day, I heard the Emperor mention that they are planning to repair the river embankment in Suzhou. Lord Wei accompanied him during the inspection. Before the officials from the Water Transportation Department could speak, Lord Wei took out thirty thousand taels of silver from his own pocket, saying that he wanted to share the burden and benefit the people. I didn't witness it personally, but the Emperor seemed quite pleased when he talked about it. It shows the wealth and confidence Consort Hui's family possesses."
"But that also requires being born with good fortune, like Consort Hui," Consort Yao self-deprecatingly laughed and shook her head. She lamented, "As for me, I don't expect much. My family has no money or power, so what can I hope for? I can only wish to have a son and a daughter, so that my days in the palace will be better."
"You have great fortune, sister. It's only a matter of time before you give birth to an heir for the Emperor," Song Zhao comforted her and then skillfully changed the topic. "Oh... I see there is still one vacant position among the concubines. With Consort Hui receiving such support from her family, how much longer do you think it will be before she becomes a noble consort?"
Consort Yao bitterly smiled and replied, "I'm afraid I don't have that kind of good fortune. Consort Hui and I entered the palace together, and she is more suitable for the position."
As they were talking, they suddenly noticed Yun Shan entering with a potted kumquat tree in his hands. The leaves of the tree were made of thin emerald jade, and the kumquats were crafted from pure gold, indicating their considerable value.
Yun Shan carefully placed the potted tree on the purple sandalwood table in the main hall and said, "Your Highness, this kumquat tree has been taken care of."
Song Zhao nodded and replied, "Don't leave it there. Move it to the inner room. After all, it's a heartfelt gift from Consort Hui. We wouldn't want it to get damaged."
Upon hearing this, Consort Yao couldn't help but sigh and say, "She really is generous with her gifts."
Song Zhao smiled and said, "Consort Hui has a kind heart. It's only fair to reciprocate. I also want to prepare something she likes as a gift. Giving her gold and silver treasures is unnecessary since the Wei family is not in need. I thought it would be better to prepare some of her favorite delicacies, as it shows thoughtfulness and conveys my feelings."
Pausing for a moment, Song Zhao propped up her chin and furrowed her brows lightly. "But if I think about it carefully, I'm also confused. I've noticed that Consort Hui loves all kinds of food in the palace, as if she's open to anything, but I don't know which flavor she loves the most. Well, isn't this an opportunity to find out at her home? When I have some free time later, I'll go and inquire with Madam Wei."
Consort Yao's eyes went hollow upon hearing these words, as if she unintentionally took Song Zhao's words to heart, contemplating something.
Later, when Song Zhao was seeing Consort Yao off, she mentioned that she would go and find Madam Wei afterward.
However, just as they reached the entrance, Yun Shan hurriedly followed them out.
"Your Highness, the Crown Prince is crying loudly, and his nursemaid can't soothe him. Please come and have a look."
"Why is he suddenly causing a fuss? Wasn't he fine just now?"
As soon as Song Zhao heard that something was wrong with the child, her face immediately turned anxious.
Consort Yao hurriedly said, "Then, Your Highness, you should go and take care of the Crown Prince first. I'll go back."
Song Zhao nodded in agreement and rushed towards the side chambers.
But it was just a feigned action. She had only taken a couple of steps before stopping in her tracks, turning her head to look at Consort Yao's hurried figure as she departed. Her brows relaxed, and she silently smiled.
