That summer in Suzhou, the sky seemed to have sprung a leak. [It's the same in Xi'an. It's been raining for over ten days here, like something is wrong!] Especially at night, it was very windy and rainy with thunder and lightning, which was very annoying.
During the days when Noble Consort Chen left Suzhou to return to the capital, Xiao Jingheng accompanied Song Zhao almost every night.
He said he remembered Song Zhao was most afraid of thunderstorms and couldn't bear to leave her alone.
That was his excuse anyway, and Song Zhao just listened without commenting.
On the fifth day after Noble Consort Chen returned to the capital, Xiao Jingheng came to Song Zhao's place to have lunch.
During the meal, Xiao Jingheng suggested to Song Zhao, "We have been in Suzhou for twenty days. The government affairs here have been taken care of. I plan to go to Hangzhou in a couple of days when the weather clears up. Your birth mother was from Hangzhou. You have never been to your birth mother's hometown before. This trip can also allow you to experience the local customs there."
Song Zhao said, "The itinerary of the Southern Tour is for the Emperor to decide. However, I'm very touched that you care so much about my matters."
"I care about you, so naturally I would pay close attention to your matters, just as you treat me."
Xiao Jingheng looked at the sea snail and dried scallop dishes placed in front of him and said,
"You went through a lot of effort for this dish. I only casually mentioned it a couple of days ago but you remembered it and prepared it today."
Song Zhao smiled. She picked up a piece with her chopsticks and put it in his bowl, "If you like it, have more. Only then would my efforts not be in vain."
"Your Majesty~ Sister Song~"
Just as they were talking, Consort Hui's clear laughter suddenly rang out from the courtyard.
Song Zhao looked over and saw Consort Hui already standing at the door, staring longingly inside.
Song Zhao smiled and waved to her, "Why did you come at this time, little sister? Come on in!"
Xiao Jingheng joked, "Don't tell me you caught a whiff of the tempting aroma from this room and it aroused your gluttony, so you followed the smell and found your way here."
"That's not it, Your Majesty! I didn't!"
Consort Hui's face was all smiles as she bounced over to them,
"Your Majesty, I came because there's something I wanted to ask you~ You want Imperial Concubine to return to the palace after the rain stops right? I want... I want to go back with Imperial Concubine as well!"
If it were someone else making this request, Xiao Jingheng would surely reject it.
But the Ning Family wanted to open seventy-six porridge factories in the capital under the court's name to accumulate good karma. This would give Xiao Jingheng face.
Thus, Xiao Jingheng did not reject Consort Hui's request,
"It's good that you're filial. I will send people from the palace to accompany you then. After your father finishes his business in the capital, you have to return to the palace promptly. Don't make any more unreasonable requests."
"Alright! Thank you, Your Majesty!"
Consort Hui happily agreed, her eyes drifting back to the table spread.
She looked at the table full of delicacies, unable to stop salivating.
Song Zhao said with a smile, "You haven't eaten yet right? Hurry, sit and try sister's cooking."
"Thanks sister Song~"
Consort Hui did not stand on ceremony with Song Zhao at all. She plopped down beside her and started wolfing the food down.
Song Zhao watched her affectionately, the fondness in her eyes overflowing like a real sister.
But in her heart, she was utterly disgusted and couldn't eat another bite.
She thought, there must be more to Consort Hui suddenly wanting to return to the palace.
Yesterday, she overheard Consort Yin and Consort Yao mention seeing Consort Hui's mother secretly crying in the yard when she thought no one else was around.
They found it baffling. It was such a joyous event to see her daughter, so why would she still cry every day?
Song Zhao guessed that Consort Hui was afraid her mother couldn't hide her secrets and would give something away. Xiao Jingheng was also worried that Consort Hui's identity might raise suspicions and didn't want any flaws exposed. That was why he was in such a hurry to send this chess piece back to the palace, to avoid trouble brewing from overthinking at night.
In fact, over the past few days, Song Zhao had already figured out how to deal with Consort Hui.
But now that Consort Hui was suddenly returning to the palace, she could only put those plans on hold until the imperial carriage's return.
On second thought, it was just as well that Consort Hui left.
If she stayed, Song Zhao would constantly worry that this seemingly innocent snake would scheme against Cheng Yu again when caught off guard.
"Your Majesty!! Your Majesty!!"
Amidst their casual chat, Jiang Deshun charged in anxiously with a crying face,
"The Ning father and son... didn't manage to wait until Noble Consort's mercy scroll... they have already... already been beheaded!"
"Ah!!"
Consort Hui was so frightened she covered her mouth. Xiao Jingheng was also extremely disappointed.
He rested his forehead on his hand, deep in thought for a long time before asking,
"How is the Noble Consort?"
Jiang Deshun said, "The Noble Consort happened to witness the scene as she rushed to the execution ground... Her Ladyship was shocked and had palpitations. She's currently recuperating at the former Ning residence in the capital."
Xiao Jingheng's grief was evident on his face. "The Noble Consort left in a hurry without an attentive servant by her side. Ask Liu Yue and Kang Yubin to rush back overnight to take care of the Noble Consort. After her emotions stabilize somewhat, escort her back to the palace for the imperial physicians to examine thoroughly."
"Yes, this servant understands." Jiang Deshun respectfully acknowledged before hesitantly asking again, "But the Ning father and son were traitors. For their funeral arrangements..."
According to the laws of the Qi dynasty, traitors were not permitted funeral ceremonies.
After decapitation, their severed heads would be displayed in the marketplace for three months before being carelessly buried with their corpses in a mass grave.
But after hesitating for a while, Xiao Jingheng uttered heavily,
"Bury them properly."
[Qingci: It means to ask for leave/permission to depart in literary Chinese, not to resign...]
[Happy June 1st, short triple update.]
