Song Zhao's birthday is very close to Ning Wanshuang's.
Three days later, on the fourth day of May, it would be her twentieth birthday.
This is the third birthday she has spent in the Cold Palace,
The flowery years are planted in this desolate and dilapidated soil,
Fortunately, time does not diminish her beauty, and Song Zhao is still stunningly beautiful,
But compared to four years ago when she first entered the palace, her mind is completely different now.
The sunlight today is excellent, weaving a dense layer of golden veil in the courtyard.
Song Zhao sits under the phoenix tree, supporting her chin and looking at the small white flower that emerged from a crack in the stone on the ground, not knowing its name.
There is a figure moving nearby. She looks up and sees Yun Shan, who somehow found a long stick and is jumping up and down, trying to catch the cicadas clinging to the treetops with a cloth wrapped around one end, smeared with paste.
Song Zhao says, "This uneven ground is not suitable for jumping around. Be careful not to fall."
Yun Shan wipes the sweat from her forehead and smiles brightly, saying, "It's fine, Miss. These cicadas are so noisy. I'm catching them all so as not to disturb Miss's tranquility."
Song Zhao smiles lightly and says, "We are already in the Cold Palace. Where else can be quieter than this?"
Hearing her words with a touch of sadness, Yun Shan realizes that she has said something wrong and quickly changes the subject, saying,
"Today is Miss's birthday. Tong Jier and the Imperial Concubine are both thinking of you. They secretly sent you birthday peaches, longevity noodles, and many delicate snacks that you like, everything... oh!"
While Yun Shan is talking and catching cicadas, she accidentally trips and twists her foot.
Fortunately, Song Zhao is nearby and quickly supports her, but she can't help but sigh,
"See what I said?"
Yun Shan laughs foolishly and teasingly sticks out her tongue at Song Zhao.
She herself is fine, but because of the stumble, the potted flower she was wearing on her head falls to the ground.
She immediately picks up the potted flower and carefully brushes off the dust from it.
Yun Shan has never been fond of gold, silver, jade, or dressing up,
But she is very attached to this hairpin.
Song Zhao knows that the potted flower was given to Yun Shan by Xiao Fuzi, so she asks softly,
"Have you talked to Xiao Fuzi about it?"
Yun Shan is slightly startled, fidgets with the potted flower in her hand, and appears uneasy.
"What did you say, Miss...? What do I have to talk to him about?"
She denies it verbally, but her face turns red.
Song Zhao chuckles lightly, "I didn't say anything, why did you blush first?"
"Oh, Miss..."
The maid wants to run away in embarrassment, but Song Zhao holds her hand and looks at her with a composed expression.
"Don't you think he is an incomplete person?"
Yun Shan doesn't hesitate, nods firmly, and says softly,
"In my eyes, he is perfect. The relationship between a man and a woman is not just about what happens on the bed. Sometimes, it is rare to meet someone who truly understands you."
She lowers her head, playing with the broken stones on the ground. After a pause, she murmurs softly,
"Since I like him, why should I reject him?"
Song Zhao's lips curved into a deeper smile. "Then he's lucky. Your hearts are connected, and I will request a favor from the emperor to fulfill your wishes."
"No, no, no," Yun Shan shook her head repeatedly. "Miss, you've already taken care of yourself after leaving the cold palace. I cannot burden you with my troubles on your difficult journey."
"It's alright," Song Zhao calmly interrupted her. "On my return to the palace, not only will I arrange for the emperor to grant your marriage, but I will also make sure he follows my lead."
While they were speaking, Qin Tai entered the courtyard, holding a food box. He placed it on the stone table in front of Song Zhao and said, "Today is the young master's birthday. The imperial kitchen has prepared these exquisite and delicious dishes. Please have some, young master."
Song Zhao replied calmly, "Leave it there. I don't have an appetite at the moment."
Yun Shan teased, "Qin guard, you're mistaken. Didn't you just bring gifts for Concubine Shun and Concubine Gui a moment ago? Miss has already dined, so she can't eat anymore."
Normally, Qin Tai would exchange a few playful remarks with Yun Shan and have a little banter. However, today he was unusually serious and spoke without a hint of a smile, "Young master, you must eat this meal today. These dishes were sent by the emperor himself."
Upon hearing this, Song Zhao understood.
She decisively opened the food box, took the silver chopsticks, and picked up a piece of roasted beef, placing it in her mouth. After swallowing the tender and juicy meat, she glanced around the cold palace and coolly said, "There is no better birthday gift than this. I thank His Majesty for his benevolent favor."
After eating only a few bites of the delicacies, Song Zhao felt drowsy. Yun Shan supported her and they returned to the room for a nap.
*
"Cicadas~ cicadas~"
The sound of chirping cicadas filled her ears, accompanied by a warm breeze brushing against Song Zhao's face.
The breeze carried the fragrance of pear blossoms, gently coaxing her heavy eyelids to slowly lift.
Soft light filtered into her eyes, and she saw the golden sparrows with outstretched wings painted on the beams.
The bird feathers shimmered with a dazzling brilliance, captivating her gaze.
She sat up slowly and noticed that she was covered with a thin silk quilt. The area around the bed was adorned with translucent gauze curtains, with a gap formed by the fluttering of the fabric.
Curiously, Song Zhao looked outside and saw the half-opened redwood carved diamond-shaped window next to the warm seat.
The courtyard outside was filled with precious flowers and plants, an endless display of vibrant colors.
As she was lost in her gaze, a voice filled with uncontainable joy suddenly reached her ears.
"Zhao'er, you're awake!"
Someone rushed towards her like a gust of wind, lifting the curtain in front of the bed and tightly embracing her.
"Now that you're awake, it's good. I was truly worried that something might happen to you..."
The man's body exuded a faint fragrance of monthly lily, which intruded forcefully into her nostrils.
Startled, Song Zhao pushed him away abruptly. She held the thin quilt in front of her, her alarmed eyes filled with suspicion as she vigilantly stared at the man.
She shrank back until she reached the corner of the wall before hesitantly speaking, "Who... who are you?"
At her words, the joy on the man's face instantly turned cold, a mix of confusion and shock evident as he asked, "Zhao'er? You don't remember me?"
"I... I... Where am I?"
Song Zhao trembled uncontrollably, curling up into a small ball, looking incredibly pitiful.
At this moment, Yun Shan hurriedly approached, trying to calm Song Zhao's emotions and also expressing his confusion, "Your Majesty, what's happening? This is your Changle Palace!"
Speaking, he turned to look at the man and said, "Your Majesty, the Imperial Consort may have just woken up and hasn't fully recovered her senses..."
"Your Majesty?" Song Zhao leaned forward, carefully examining the man standing by the bed, his eyes filled with tender care for her.
"He is the Emperor?"
The man's gaze flickered, afraid of startling Song Zhao, he slowly and gently sat down by the bed.
Then, tentatively extending his hand, he saw that Song Zhao didn't refuse, so he placed his broad and warm palm on her hand, which was tightly clutching the blanket.
With tears in his eyes, he looked at Song Zhao affectionately and spoke each word with heartfelt sincerity, "I am the Emperor. Also, your husband, Xiao Jingheng."
