As the procession moved on, Consort Yin bid farewell together with the other concubines as they saw the Emperor off. However, Consort Yin chuckled as she leaned in to whisper to Song Zhao, “My, isn’t this a rare delight? That Consort Hui can barely take care of herself, yet His Majesty entrusts her with caring for the Empress? This is like pouring cold water into a blacksmith’s forge, utterly counterproductive.”
Song Zhao gave a faint smile and murmured back, “The ministers are all present today. It’s a concubine’s duty to serve the Empress. His Majesty was merely making an offhand remark. How could he truly expect her to assist the Empress in any matter?”
Consort Yin replied, “You’re right. Still, among the four vacant concubine positions, this Consort Hui’s father has been busy building dams and opening congee shops in the capital. I reckon he’s gone to considerable effort and expense for the sake of his daughter. Sister, what do you think? When His Majesty returns, he ought to grant Consort Hui a Consort title, no?”
Song Zhao smiled amusedly. “Consort Hui and Consort Yao have both waited in the ranks of concubines for some time. And in terms of bedroom favors, Consort Yao has enjoyed more of them. Consort Hui is still young and needs more experience.”
“Consort Yao?” Consort Yin scoffed in disdain, shooting a glance at Consort Yao. She whispered, “What good is a shapely figure alone? Look at those dark blotches on her face that no amount of powder can conceal. She simply cannot compare to Consort Hui’s youthful glow.”
Song Zhao did not engage with Consort Yin’s disparaging remarks. She merely laughed it off and moved on.
As the procession gradually faded into the distance and the ministers dispersed, Xiao Jingheng ordered his attendants to return and prepare their luggage. The imperial cortege would depart for Lin’an in the afternoon.
When the concubines finished paying their respects and took their leave, Song Zhao seemed to rise too quickly. Clutching her temple, she staggered and nearly fell.
Fortunately, Consort Yin and Consort Yao were standing close by and caught her in time.
“Oh my, Consort Song, what’s the matter?”
Xiao Jingheng also asked with concern, “Are you worn out from these past few days?”
Though still weak, Song Zhao nodded and replied, “This concubine is fine. Thank you for Your Majesty’s concern.”
Despite her claims, she was visibly pale.
Xiao Jingheng thought that Song Zhao must be exhausted after staying up all night over Concubine Ning’s matter, and then waking before dawn to brew his sobering tea. It would be too taxing for her to travel today.
So he took her hand and said, “You’re clearly unwell and shouldn’t be traveling far. Rest today, and we’ll go to Lin’an another time.”
Then he instructed the attending Imperial Physician Guo, “Go take a look at Consort Song.”
Jiang Deshun brought over a stool for Song Zhao to sit on. Guo took out a handkerchief and checked her pulse carefully.
At first calm, his expression suddenly brightened with pleasant surprise.
“This...this is wonderful news!”
He quickly put away the handkerchief and made repeated bows to Xiao Jingheng.
“Congratulations, Your Majesty! Consort Song is already more than two months pregnant!”
Xiao Jingheng’s previously furrowed brows of concern instantly relaxed as his face lit up with joy.
“Is it true?”
Likewise astounded, Song Zhao placed a hand on her belly and asked incredulously, “But why haven't I felt anything?”
Imperial Physician Guo smiled and said, “It cannot be wrong! This isn't Consort Song's first pregnancy, so having less symptoms is normal. It shows Consort Song has a strong constitution!”
This news was like a bombshell. Everyone crowded around Song Zhao, peppering her with questions and well-wishes. The Empress Dowager was particularly delighted.
“The temple in Suzhou is indeed efficacious! It was worth this old woman's visit to pray for the Emperor's prosperous lineage. Wonderful, simply wonderful!”
By now, Xiao Jingheng had already enveloped Song Zhao in his arms. Their faces shone with the same euphoric smiles.
“This really is the best news imaginable.” Still overwhelmed with joy, Xiao Jingheng did not forget to ask Guo pointedly, “How is Consort Song’s pregnancy? Can she withstand the exertions of traveling by boat and carriage during this Southern Inspection Tour?”
Imperial Physician Guo reassured, “Your Majesty, please be at ease. The imperial fetus is strong and stable. Moreover, the pregnancy will benefit Consort Song to relax and take in the splendid scenery of the South alongside Your Majesty. It will ease her body and mind, and aid the birth later on.”
“That’s good to hear.” Xiao Jingheng gazed tenderly at Song Zhao, unwilling to admonish her. “You’ve exhausted yourself so blindly while pregnant. It worries me.” Turning to Lin’an, he added, “There is no rush. Rest for two days until you recover your strength, then we’ll be on our way.”
Supporting Song Zhao, the two walked off, chatting and laughing together.
Initially all smiles, Consort Yin and Consort Yao’s expressions involuntarily soured after watching Xiao Jingheng leave with Song Zhao.
As the two lived in close quarters, Consort Yao couldn’t help but sigh repeatedly as they returned.
Consort Yin asked her, “Dear sister, what is the matter that makes you sigh so?”
Consort Yao said, “Consort Song is truly fortunate. She's barely given birth to the noble son, and now has another child on the way. Whereas I...”
She looked down at her flat belly, her tone increasingly despondent. “It’s been five years since I entered the palace, yet there’s still no sign of pregnancy.”
“Ah, listening to you has also awakened my own sorrow, sister. What woman doesn’t yearn night and day to conceive, to enjoy the blessing of having children and grandchildren?”
Although equally upset, Consort Yin quickly recovered her smile. Lowering her voice, she said to Consort Yao,
“But think carefully, sister. Consort Song’s pregnancy is good news for us.”
“Good news?” Consort Yao was puzzled. “I’m afraid I don’t follow, sister.”
Consort Yin explained with a grin, “Consider this - the Empress and Consort Hui have returned to the palace. Consort Guo has lost the Emperor’s favor. Consort Tong is nursing Consort Fang’s miscarriage and shouldn’t be intimate. And now Consort Song is pregnant and won't be joining the bedroom. So who does that leave to warm the Emperor's bed during this Southern Tour, if not just us two sisters?”
Lowering her gaze to Consort Yao's belly, her smile broadened. “If heaven is merciful, you and I may soon have good news to share as well~”
Originally disconsolate, Consort Yao also smiled at Consort Yin's analysis.
“As expected, sister sees further than me. I was too muddled to grasp this logic.”
Consort Yin waved dismissively. “In any case, we have two days of rest. Why don't you come over? I just acquired excellent lamb and was thinking of hot pot.”
Consort Yao had no food taboos, but remembered Consort Yin's distaste for lamb. Curious, she asked,
“Doesn't Consort Yin dislike the gamey smell of lamb?”
Consort Yin said, “I can't tolerate that odor. But you see, the Suzhou livestock department thought that as someone from the Ada tribe, I must enjoy lamb. So they eagerly delivered a great deal. At first I refused to eat it, but Anna said this lamb has no gamey smell. She cooked some one day and it was quite palatable.”
Then she whispered conspiratorially into Consort Yao's ear,
“In fact, I heard that women who regularly eat lamb and beef are more likely to bear sons.”
Nothing interested Consort Yao more than conception. Hearing this, she perked right up. “There's such a saying?”
Consort Yin smiled. “Just look at the Ada and Mongolian tribes. Isn't it common for them to have far more boys than girls? Surely this can't be unrelated to their women's habit of eating lamb and beef.”
To Consort Yao these words were invaluable.
She kept nodding, even bowing to Consort Yin in gratitude. “Thank you so much for the advice, sister. I shall gladly accept the invitation.”
