"Your thoughts are quite clever," Xiao Jingheng plucked a branch of plum blossom and held it next to Rongyue's temple, "The flower is so delicate, just like the person."
Rongyue's fair cheeks were suddenly flushed with a layer of crimson,
She lowered her eyes demurely, a picture of tenderness and charm,
"Your Majesty..."
With the clustering red plum blossoms and the beauty under the moon, Xiao Jingheng felt that Rongyue tonight was extraordinarily glorious and appealing.
Indeed,
Among the consorts in the inner palace, no one could compare to Song Zhao in beauty.
Just slightly inferior to her were Ning Wanshuang and Rongyue.
Now Song Zhao had been deposed to the cold palace, and Ning Wanshuang was also estranged from Xiao Jingheng over many matters.
At this moment, as Rongyue dressed herself up before the mirror, with just a little effort, she could gain his favor.
"Consort Hui has retired, leave the task of arranging the flowers to the servants. Come take a walk with me," Xiao Jingheng wanted to take Rongyue's hand,
But when he just touched her fingertips, he suddenly felt a piercing chill.
Rongyue also cried out softly and quickly withdrew her hand back.
"What's the matter?" Xiao Jingheng asked her with concern.
But Rongyue just hid her hands behind her back, biting her alluring lips and slowly shaking her head.
It was the maid Cai Ying who explained to Xiao Jingheng, "Your Majesty, there is still unmelted snow in the plum garden. These plum blossoms were prepared for Consort Hui. Worried that picking wilted plum blossoms would be unlucky, my mistress insisted on doing everything herself. She spent nearly two hours arranging the flowers in the plum garden. This servant saw that my lady's fingers were frostbitten before finally persuading her to come back and apply medicine."
"Cai Ying... don't say more..."
But it was too late, everything that needed to be said had already been told.
Xiao Jingheng grasped Rongyue's wrist and insisted on looking at the wounds on her fingers. Seeing that all ten fingers were red from the freeze, he could not help feeling distressed, "Being so willful, what if your hands are ruined?"
Rongyue said, "The Crown Prince has been missing until now with no news of his whereabouts. This pregnancy of Consort Hui is even more important. I know that I am clumsy and cannot do much. I only hope that I can pray for Consort Hui and the imperial heir, and also do my part for Your Majesty."
"Your intentions are good, but seeing you like this, I feel distressed too. There is a good medicinal ointment for treating frostbite in Chaoyang Palace. Come with me and I will apply the medicine for you personally."
Xiao Jingheng was very caring, and Rongyue did not decline his offer.
After going to Chaoyang Palace, the night would not be as simple as just applying ointment to her fingers...
In fact, Xiao Jingheng also saw through Rongyue's intentions.
The chance encounter at the gate, plucking plum blossoms to pray, frostbitten fingers, these were all little tricks.
Rongyue knew that he would come to Zhaochun Palace tonight, so everything she did today was just an act to ingratiate herself and seek his favor.
Although Xiao Jingheng saw through it clearly, he would not expose it.
After all, Rongyue did all this to obtain his favor.
Ever since Rongyue entered the palace, she had always been lukewarm towards Xiao Jingheng, and he could feel it.
Now that Rongyue went through great pains to please him, it also satisfied his desire for conquest.
Many things, it was unnecessary to delve too deeply.
After that day, Rongyue was thoroughly favored.
In the following month, whenever Xiao Jingheng summoned a consort, it would be Rongyue's name he called.
And she was also promoted to Noble Consort, as was reasonable.
Although during the mourning period for the Empress, promotions for consorts were not appropriate,
Raising rank without an official conferral ceremony, as long as the officials of the previous reign did not make a fuss, the other consorts had to endure it even if dissatisfied.
Rongyue's favor lasted until New Year's Eve of that year before it ended.
It turned out that on New Year's Eve, Ning Wanshuang, who had not appeared for a long time, surprisingly attended the feast.
Not only did she come, she also presented Xiao Jingheng with a special "gift".
She took out her yaoqin that had not been touched for a long time, and at the banquet, she played a piece called "Chang Xiangsi" for Xiao Jingheng.
This was the first piece she had played for Xiao Jingheng when she first performed the yaoqin for him.
Listening today, the melody was sad and the lingering tones were heart-wrenching. Xiao Jingheng was moved to the point of anguish, while Ning Wanshuang could not stop the silent tears falling as she played.
This was the first time in her many years in the palace that she had shed tears in front of everyone,
shocking those present and shattering Xiao Jingheng's heart.
That night, Xiao Jingheng went to Yonghe Palace,
where he had not set foot for half a year. But he did not expect that the once extremely extravagant Yonghe Palace was now so dilapidated.
The desolation in the courtyard need not be mentioned. Even the pillars in front of the main hall were mottled, showing how the servants had slighted Ning Wanshuang when Xiao Jingheng neglected her, implicitly making things difficult for her.
The neglected Imperial Concubine was treated worse than a favored Noble Consort.
Although it was New Year's Eve tonight, there should have been people keeping night watch.
But now at the main hall entrance, not even the shadow of a servant could be seen.
Xiao Jingheng stood alone outside the door, and just as he was about to push the door and go inside, he heard Ning Wanshuang chanting blessings inside.
She chanted blessing after blessing, the words unrelated to herself, only wishing that Xiao Jingheng would have good health and the country would prosper.
The sound of the front door opening was heard.
Ning Wanshuang was alone, kneeling in front of the Buddhist shrine, but did not look back.
"Liu Yue, didn't I say no one shall serve me? Go out."
Suddenly, a warm, heavy pressure fell on her shoulder.
When she looked back in a daze, she saw that it was Xiao Jingheng, somehow standing behind her.
Seeing each other's eyes, Ning Wanshuang's eyes instantly reddened. "Your Majesty..."
"Get up, the ground is cold." Xiao Jingheng helped her stand up and saw that the beauty was in tears. He painfully wiped away her tears for her, "Long time no see, Wanshuang has become much thinner."
Ning Wanshuang choked and said, "This concubine prayed blessings for Your Majesty, so I must abstain from meat and eat vegetarian meals to be pious. Only then is it sincere."
Xiao Jingheng was moved and said, "Are you still blaming me?"
Ning Wanshuang was extremely grieved. Looking very remorseful, she repeatedly shook her head,
"This concubine realized too late that I finally understood Your Majesty's helplessness that day... Your Majesty is right that it is this concubine's unyielding temperament that pushed you further and further away... Now this concubine no longer hopes for anything, only wishing to raise Chenghuan and Jin Yue safely, and hoping Your Majesty will have good health, then everything will be fine."
Hearing her say this, Xiao Jingheng was also shocked.
He had never seen Ning Wanshuang so gentle before.
He was only unaccustomed for a moment, then soon understood and was delighted.
He was delighted that his Wanshuang had finally curbed her unruly temper and became the way he liked best.
Then for the deep affections over these years, he would certainly cherish her and not let her down again.
He embraced Ning Wanshuang and gently comforted:
"There has never been any resentment between me and Wanshuang."
