The next morning,
Song Zhao was attended by palace maids and changed into a bright red gauze immortal skirt sent by Xiao Jingheng.
The gauze was woven from ice silkworm silk, dyed in cochineal, and embroidered with fortune cloud patterns in gold thread, lined with kingfisher feathers.
Each feather was studded with small but brightly colored crystals, scattering jewel-like radiance in the light, gorgeous and dazzling.
The immortal skirt was soft, made of some unrecognizable material, with a bright, pure color. On scenting it lightly, there seemed to be a floral fragrance moving through it.
Yun Shan said, "The fine floral threads on this immortal skirt, fine as baby hair, are made of gold and silver threads soaked in hundred flower brew, twisted into three strands spun into one. And the lifelike pearls shaped like lotus petals on the embroidery are made of orient pearls that only the Empress is permitted to use."
As she spoke, she sounded rather proud that her mistress was favored.
Behind them, two palace maids were combing Song Zhao's hair, also adorned with various precious beads and jade hairpins.
Song Zhao felt this was improper, "The teaching mama told me, consorts must adhere to rules governing attire and lifestyle. Isn't it inappropriate to dress so extravagantly today?"
Bashfully lowering her eyes, she added, "My dear Lang said he doesn't like flashy women."
Yun Shan laughed, "The teaching mama makes sense, but these are bestowed by His Majesty. There can be no question of flashy when they are imperial gifts. If Noble Consort didn't wear them, His Majesty would take offense!"
Hearing this, Song Zhao smiled at her reflection, allowing the attendants to busy themselves with her.
After dressing up, she looked very different from her days as an imperial consort or noble lady.
Before losing her memories, Song Zhao often dressed simply, not favoring extravagance.
Now elaborately made up, stunningly beautiful was inadequate to describe her singular beauty.
Not only would Xiao Jingheng be smitten on seeing her, even the palace maids and eunuchs who now stared dazedly at her, whispering amongst themselves in praise.
As she was going to pay respects to Noble Consort Chen today, Song Zhao instructed before leaving,
"On my first day visiting the consorts after recovering, I should call on Noble Consort Chen's palace. Just Yun Shan and Xiao Fuzi need attend me."
The maids chorused obedience. On the way to Yonghe Palace, passing the artificial hill in the imperial garden, Song Zhao spied several consorts walking ahead not far away.
The one walking in the center had a slender figure, thin as a gust of wind might blow her away.
Not recognizing her after three years just from the back view,
Yun Shan whispered, "It's Consort Yao."
Song Zhao exclaimed, "How did she become so emaciated?"
Xiao Fuzi explained, "To attract His Majesty's favor and preserve her status, Consort Yao often eats just one meal a day. When hungry at other times, she drinks only papaya milk nonstop."
Song Zhao sneered, "Beggar women on the streets often can't afford a single daily meal, becoming haggardly thin from starvation. Has His Majesty summoned them into the palace and granted them status as favored consorts or sent them to his dragon bed?"
"Hahaha!" Yun Shan guffawed loudly, also mocking, "Intimacy happens by candlelight. Consort Yao's chronic facial sores still haven't healed. His Majesty probably has to cover her face with a cloth during intimacy to avoid bad luck."
Mistress and servant laughed together. Song Zhao arched her brow at Yun Shan curiously,
"You seem quite disgruntled with her?"
Yun Shan said indignantly, "She used to get along well with my mistress but grew distant after becoming Consort. Not only that, she caused much mischief. When my mistress was falsely accused in Chaoyang Palace, wasn't it her and Cloudy Consort who urged His Majesty to sentence my mistress to death?"
Song Zhao just smiled about past events, declining to comment, only saying,
"Let's go. Meeting old acquaintances, we can join their group going to Elder Sister's palace."
At her words, the three hastened their pace.
Oblivious Consort Yao ahead still meandered unawares.
Her Concubine Li Changzai chatted and laughed with her as they walked, not quickly. Beside them, the timid Kang Daying noticed Consort Yao ambling much too slowly. Hesitating a while, she tentatively advised,
"Esteemed Consort, let's walk a little faster, shall we? Today is Noble Consort Song's first day visiting us after recovering. Being discourteous about etiquette wouldn't look good..."
"What? Are you in a hurry?" Consort Yao glared at her. "If you're in a hurry, run along yourself. No one's stopping you. We always visit Noble Consort Chen at noon. I'll just follow the proper time. What can Song Zhao say about me?"
Chastened by the rebuke, Kang Daying wilted silently.
Li Changzai even elbowed her, "Go on, stop following Her Esteemed Highness with a gloomy face."
Then smiling ingratiatingly at Consort Yao, she fawned, "Pay her no mind, Your Highness. Your conduct is entirely proper. That Song, a consort by His Majesty's pity. Losing her..."
Catching herself as she remembered Xiao Jingheng's edict, Li Changzai quickly switched tracks,
"She's half an idiot after that fall. Why should Your Highness show her full courtesy?"
Hearing this greatly pleased Consort Yao. She sneered coldly,
"After so long in seclusion, she's probably gone moldy. What could I fear from her? I simply dislike her coquettish manner! Calling His Majesty 'my dear Lang' daily - that's how a principal wife addresses her husband. Who does she think she is? From a traitorous family, she's a criminal's daughter herself! Surely she can't be deluded into thinking she could become succeeding Empress someday?"
—"Are you talking about me?"
Just as Consort Yao was venting spleen fully,
a cold female voice sounded behind her, scaring her soul nearly out of her body.
