Xiao Fuzi explained, "This substance is not poisonous, and burning it together with fragrant powder has the effect of regulating qi and blood deficiency."
Yun Shan was puzzled and said, "Not poisonous? Don't tell me Consort Yun went through so much trouble to add this stuff to the morning dew fragrance just to nourish Song Zhao's qi and blood? She would be so kind-hearted?"
Compared to Yun Shan's surprise, Song Zhao's expression was calm. "Let him continue."
Xiao Fuzi went on, "Although this agarwood is not poisonous, it has taboos. It absolutely cannot be used together with frankincense. These two fragrances counteract each other. Used separately they are excellent things, but if used together, they can damage a woman's womb. Prolonged exposure can lead to infertility in women, or even if pregnant, it often leads to miscarriage..."
"Vile!" Yun Shan clenched her fists tightly in indignation, "Consort Chen sent pearl earrings with frankincense inside, Consort Yun sent morning dew fragrance mixed with agarwood, they are joining hands to harm Song Zhao, to make it so even if she gains favor she can't give birth to children!"
As she spoke, she rummaged through the drawers of the dressing table.
Song Zhao gently asked her, "What are you looking for?"
"I'm taking out the pearl earrings, and will bring these gifts to the Emperor, he must know someone wants to harm Song Zhao!"
"Don't waste your efforts," Song Zhao waved her hand to stop her, "Didn't you hear what Xiao Fuzi said? This agarwood and frankincense are excellent things, only harmful when used together. Even if you take the so-called evidence to the Emperor, what can you do? One was given by Consort Chen, the other by Consort Yun. Who would believe the honorable consorts would go through such effort to harm a lowly concubine?"
Yun Shan frowned and shook her head, "But they clearly want to harm Song Zhao!"
"So what if they do? Don't say I'm not hurt, even if I were hurt, in the future when it comes to light, Consort Chen and Consort Yun could absolve themselves of responsibility."
Song Zhao understood early on that a big tree attracts the wind. She also knew there were countless schemes among the palace women. But she never imagined that for a newly favored concubine like herself, Consort Chen and Consort Yun would join forces to give her such a "great gift".
She rested her chin in her hand, gazing at the bright moon hanging in the sky, murmuring,
"What puzzles me is, Consort Chen and Consort Yun appear to be at odds, while Consort Yun seems closer to the Empress. Could they have colluded secretly? Their conflict is just for show to fool the Empress?"
Things she didn't understand, let alone Yun Shan and Xiao Fuzi.
They could only think privately:
In the days to come, she would have to be extra vigilant,
Otherwise, a moment of carelessness could bring disaster without her even realizing.
If Song Zhao revealed this matter today, it would be offending Consort Chen and Consort Yun openly,
So she could only let it go, pretending to be an oblivious fool.
She ordered, "Take the frankincense out of the pearl earrings and replace it with ordinary fragrance powder. The morning dew fragrance sent by Consort Yun, we will still use daily in the palace, but Xiao Fuzi you must be careful to remove the agarwood powder from the bottom layer. Remember, only we three know about this. Keep it hidden from Zhihua and Xiyin for now."
After dealing with these matters, the sky was already dark.
The imperial sedan did not come to fetch Song Zhao today, Xiao Fengying likely called Consort Chen to serve him.
Exhausted from the day's events, Song Zhao felt weary in body and mind. After washing up simply, she prepared to retire early.
But just as she was falling asleep, she suddenly heard the main gate of the courtyard being knocked loudly.
At this time, Yaohua Palace was locked up, and Consort Yao had also rested. To make such a racket, something must have happened in the palace.
The Empress was frail, with recurring illnesses every now and then.
Whenever she had an attack, the consorts and concubines took turns attending to her illness. Could her sickness have flared up again?
Song Zhao thought that if the Empress was ill again, she would have to go along this time to avoid criticism.
She peered out the window, and saw an unfamiliar eunuch head directly to Consort Yao's main hall.
Not long after entering, the darkened main hall was lit up by newly lit candles.
Song Zhao hurriedly put on an outer garment, wanting to see what was going on.
Just as she came out of the west wing, she saw Consort Yao also walking hurriedly out of the main hall.
She quickly asked, "Consort Yao, what happened?"
Consort Yao's expression was extremely ugly, eyebrows knitted tightly as she uttered,
"Something happened in Zhongcui Palace."
Upon hearing this, Song Zhao's heart tightened.
Zhongcui Palace housed only Consort Shu. If something happened to her, it would be even more serious than the Empress's illness recurring!
"What happened to Consort Shu?"
"How would I know the details? Just now the eunuchs from the Imperial Household Department reported that after Consort Shu finished her evening meal, she felt unwell. By the time she rested at night, she suddenly had an attack, it seems...she saw blood."
"Saw blood?" Song Zhao was shocked and incredulous, covering her mouth in horror, "Didn't the Imperial Hospital keep reporting Consort Shu's pregnancy was very stable? She's already seven months along, how could she suddenly see blood?"
She acted very surprised, but was secretly relieved inside.
Fortunately today when Consort Shu came to see her, she did not give her anything to eat or drink,
otherwise with this incident, she would not have escaped involvement.
Consort Yao said, "How would I know? Consort Shu's belly is the most precious in the entire harem, I hope nothing goes wrong."
As they were talking, Li Changzai from the east wing also heard the commotion and came out,
"What's happening so late at night?"
Ever since Xiao Fengying scolded Li Changzai last time, Consort Yao was lazy to pay her any mind. She only said to Song Zhao, "Let's go take a look first."
Li Changzai trotted after them eagerly, wanting to join in the "excitement".
Rushing over, when they reached Zhongcui Palace's gate, they heard the crisp sound of porcelain smashing inside,
followed by Consort Shu's hysterical crying,
"My child is seven months along already! How can you make me miscarry at this time? I want to see the Emperor!"
Song Zhao quickened her pace following Consort Yao.
Upon entering, she saw three Imperial Physicians and several palace maids gathered around Consort Shu's bed,
but at a glance she could not see Consort Shu, only hear her terrifying cries.
Song Zhao glanced at the broken porcelain bowl on the floor, still mixed with some remnants of medicinal soup.
She recognized the herbs at a glance as Achyranthes Root.
And Achyranthes Root soup was used specifically to induce miscarriage.
