Moonlight filtered through the lattice of the diamond-shaped window and cast a glow on Song Zhao's face.
Her flawless skin shimmered with a cold light, mirroring her icy expression at this moment.
The air in the room was serene. Song Zhao took a silver hairpin and plucked a small bundle of Gan golden incense, throwing it into the censer to burn.
A faint fragrance wafted out, reminiscent of the one she had smelled in the Empress Dowager's palace before.
Song Zhao's breath gradually slowed as she calmly asked Yun Shan,
"I have never asked you what happened after that day when I fainted after eating the meal the emperor gave me."
Yun Shan explained in detail, "After Miss lost consciousness that day, the Emperor came with Zhang Imperial Physician. He personally witnessed Zhang Imperial Physician giving you a needle on the top of your head. After it was done, he instructed me to tell others that you accidentally hit the back of your head and fainted all night.
Using this as an excuse, the Emperor took you out of the Cold Palace and immediately bestowed upon you the position of Noble Consort. A few days ago, when I saw Sister Tong, she mentioned that after Miss woke up and developed dissociative amnesia, the Emperor issued an imperial edict in the palace, forbidding anyone from mentioning Miss's unpleasant past in the palace. Otherwise, they would be severely punished."
Song Zhao sneered lightly, "He truly loves me deeply."
In fact, this whole thing began when Cai Jie lost her memory in the Ning Wanshuang Palace. Xiao Jingheng had already stepped into the trap set by Song Zhao specifically for him.
First, when Xiao Jingheng went to visit Ning Wanshuang, Cai Jie suddenly appeared and bumped into them.
Then, through Ning Wanshuang's explanation, Cai Jie said that she had tripped and hit the back of her head, completely forgetting what happened before.
This planted a seed in Xiao Jingheng's mind.
Given his thoughtful nature, he would naturally think that if Song Zhao also lost her memory like Cai Jie, it would erase all the unpleasantness between them and they could reconcile.
However, hitting the back of the head could be a serious matter.
Xiao Jingheng cherished Song Zhao's ethereal beauty and her gentle nature in the past.
If the injury was not handled properly and it endangered Song Zhao's life instead of causing amnesia, Xiao Jingheng would not want that.
When the first of May, Ning Wanshuang's birthday, arrived, Xiao Jingheng would definitely go and accompany her.
Song Zhao sent a message to Ning Wanshuang through Qin Tai, asking her to arrange for Cheng Yu to hide in the courtyard and wait for the right moment.
Upon hearing this, Xiao Jingheng would summon Cheng Yu.
After exchanging a few words with his son, it would be Cai Jie's turn to appear again, acting as if nothing had happened, and take Cheng Yu away.
At that time, Xiao Jingheng would surely be puzzled, and when he asked, Ning Wanshuang would say that Zhang Imperial Physician had miraculously cured Cai Jie's amnesia with acupuncture.
The rest of the plan depended on Xiao Jingheng personally summoning Zhang Imperial Physician.
The entire process was orchestrated by Xiao Jingheng as the active party. He would never suspect others.
As for the matter of Cheng Yu being buried alive, besides Xiao Jingheng, Prince An, and Consort Hui, only Yun Shan knew about it.
Before the plan was executed, Song Zhao had already told Yun Shan that Xiao Jingheng would not take her life.
Yun Shan believed in Song Zhao's scheme, but there were still doubts in her heart, which she now voiced.
"By now, everyone in the palace knows that Miss has suffered from amnesia, and there are no longer any grievances between her and the Emperor. However, there is still one thing that puzzles me. Miss, why were you so confident that the Emperor wouldn't kill me to silence me?"
Song Zhao smiled calmly and replied, word by word, "Because he cares about his reputation."
She paused for a moment and set aside the beautiful and icy armor piece by piece from her fingertips. "He wants the people in the palace to believe that I accidentally fell and suffered an accident, rather than him laying a hand on me."
"So, you must stay alive. If something happened to me and you also had an accident, people would inevitably suspect his intentions behind my memory loss. Let me ask you, how did he instruct you to keep it hidden from me?"
Yun Shan replied, "He only told me not to mention our past life to you, to avoid causing you sadness."
Song Zhao's smile became even clearer, and her tone grew colder. "Indeed, he didn't even need to threaten you. It's because we both understand that if you were to tell me the truth, you wouldn't survive, and it would also ruin my future."
"The Emperor knows that you are my personal maid, and he always considers my interests. By keeping this from Cheng Yu, our lives as master and servant can enjoy endless wealth and glory. In that case, as your loyal servant, as someone who has accompanied me in the cold palace for three years, how could you bear to see me suffer in the future and tell me the truth?"
Yun Shan pondered Song Zhao's words repeatedly and soon revealed a delighted expression. "Miss, you have truly grasped the Emperor's character."
"Hmm?" Song Zhao chuckled coldly, her voice tinged with a chill. "He has always been an arrogant, self-important, and suspicious person. What is there for others to speculate? Moreover, even if my speculation is incorrect and he truly harbored murderous intentions towards you, I have my ways to protect you."
"What?" Yun Shan asked curiously.
Song raised her eyebrows and looked at her. "On that day, when he and the Imperial Physician Zhang were needling me in the room, you were waiting outside. At that time, Zhang asked him if he wanted to silently eliminate you."
If he had agreed, Zhang would have given you a fake death drug, and you would have appeared to die suddenly from a sudden illness. He would have rolled you up in a mat and sent you out of the palace to be buried in an unmarked grave. Once outside the palace, my brother's men would have taken care of you."
Upon hearing this, Yun Shan's heart warmed, her gaze trembled, and she deeply bowed to Song Zhao.
"I am just a maid, how could I be so fortunate to have Miss consider me like this..."
Song Zhao helped her up, held her hand, and spoke softly, "Actually, I would have preferred it if the Emperor had agreed to let the Imperial Physician end your life back then. That way, you could have left the palace and wouldn't have to accompany me, trapped in this perilous place."
Yun Shan couldn't bear to hear these words, so before Song Zhao could finish, she was already wiping away tears, shaking her head.
"I won't go anywhere. I want to stay with Miss forever."
"Don't cry." Song Zhao smiled and brushed away the tears from the corner of Yun Shan's eyes. "Now that we've come out of the cold palace, let others suffer and shed tears if hardship comes. Understand?"
Yun Shan raised her sleeve and wiped her moist eyes, then firmly nodded with determination.
"I understand, Miss!"
In the midst of their conversation, a colorful butterfly flew in through the diamond-shaped window and landed on a small table, on which a pot of gardenias was placed.
Song Zhao watched the butterfly gracefully fluttering and suddenly recalled a joke. He then instructed Yun Shan, saying,
"In the summer imperial garden, where a hundred flowers vie for beauty, butterflies are attracted by their fragrance. I must say this little creature is quite beautiful. For the next couple of days, you and Xiao Fuzi should bring some back for me."
With a slightly intensified tone, he added, "Make sure to bring more people along. The more noise and commotion, the better."
Yun Shan, puzzled by his words, couldn't understand. After all, Miss Song clearly disliked butterflies, finding the powdery residue they left behind discomforting to the eyes.
However, she didn't question it and obediently replied, "I understand. His Majesty has instructed the Empress to visit the Noble Consort's palace tomorrow. He mentioned that Your Majesty's health has almost fully recovered, and it's time to reacquaint yourself with the concubines of the Six Palaces. It's late now, so it would be best for Miss to get some rest."
Song Zhao smiled and nodded, but his eyes gleamed with a hint of determination and amusement. He remarked,
"Yes, it's about time to see those flowers, red and green. All the grievances and conflicts of these years should come to an end."
【Three】
