Song Zhao accompanied Ruo Xin in the courtyard for a while.
Xiao Fuzi rushed back from outside, holding a large jade bi carved with jadeite, and said to Song Zhao:
"Your Highness, this is a gift from Consort Shun of Zhuixia Palace. The jade bi is engraved with the images of He and He, symbolizing harmony in the family and a blissful marriage. It carries extremely auspicious meanings."
Song Zhao gently stroked the jade bi, smiling, "Consort Shun is considerate. I can't recall her ever visiting me since my recovery. How were our relations in the past?"
Xiao Fuzi replied, "Consort Shun entered the palace a year after Your Highness. Although there wasn't much interaction between you two on regular days, you were considered sisters."
Song Zhao's gaze remained fixed on the jade bi; it was evident she liked it.
"If Consort Shun sends such a generous gift, I must personally express my gratitude. Put the jade bi down and accompany me."
Xiao Fuzi respectfully agreed. At the same time, Yun Shan emerged from the inner chambers, handed a few golden melon seeds to Chun Hua with an unwilling expression, then turned to Song Zhao:
"I still have unfinished tasks; I'll go and attend to them first."
She left abruptly, seeming as if she had a disagreement with Song Zhao.
Xiao Fuzi asked in a low voice, "Your Highness, what's wrong with Yun Shan?"
"Ignore her; let her be," replied Song Zhao, her tone not pleasant.
Chun Hua took the opportunity to please, "Since Yun Shan has matters to attend to, let me accompany Your Highness to Consort Shun's place?"
Song Zhao smiled and shook her head, "Xiao Fuzi will accompany me. Rarely do we see Ruo Xin so happy; you both stay and play with her in the palace."
Upon entering Zhuixia Palace, Song Zhao found it quiet, with only Cai Ying busy in the courtyard.
Presumably, Rongyue had anticipated her arrival, sending other palace maids away early for other tasks.
Song Zhao didn't let Cai Ying announce her presence and lifted the curtain to enter the inner chambers.
"Sister."
At that moment, Rongyue was lying on a warm seat, engaged in needlework. Hearing the movement, she looked up, a smile on her face.
"You're here. I know you like yangzhi gannuo, so I prepared it early."
"Sister makes yangzhi gannuo that suits my taste; I've always missed it."
Rongyue held Song Zhao's hand, and they sat down side by side.
"Now that I see you safe, it's better than anything else. I was afraid I couldn't help you..."
She choked up after saying a few words, and a faint blush appeared in the corners of her eyes.
Seeing her like this, Song Zhao also felt a pang of sadness.
"Sister, you've planned for me so much, made such a sacrifice. To say you haven't helped me is to make me feel ashamed."
She carefully examined Rongyue's expression and asked, "I heard you used that method to harm yourself. Are there any lingering discomforts? So Zhang Imperial Physician can carefully treat you."
Rongyue looked indifferent, smiling lightly and shaking her head, the feathers on her hairpin trembling slightly.
"Everything's fine. No need to worry. If I did that, it was a way of fulfilling myself. You don't have to feel troubled about it."
She obviously didn't want to dwell on the events of that day, swiftly changing the subject, "How is she? Is Ruo Xin getting closer to you?"
Song Zhao nodded, "Jie Jie often secretly shows Ruo Xin my portrait, so the child isn't unfamiliar with me. But this maternal love of nearly three years, it's something I owe her, filled in by Jie Jie on my behalf. To truly bring her closer to me will take some time."
Rongyue said, "Noble Consort Chen treats Ruo Xin as her own, and Ruo Xin is quite sensible. If you spend more time with your daughter in the future, you two won't grow apart."
As they spoke, Song Zhao noticed a wrapped object on Rongyue's desk, adorned with a golden silk knot, seemingly a gift.
So he asked, "Is Jie Jie preparing a gift? I recall tomorrow is Consort Yao's birthday."
Rongyue chuckled softly, "She holds the title of consort after all, I must show her some respect. But considering her past closeness with you, when you encountered trouble, she was eager to see the Emperor execute you. Such malicious thoughts are no less than Consort Hui's."
She sighed deeply, then teased, "But she hasn't had an easy time these years. Although the Emperor granted her the title of consort, compared to her former status as a concubine, she's not as favored as before."
Song Zhao didn't express any resentment towards Consort Yao, only saying:
"The Emperor's favor towards me means I am destined to be a thorn in the eyes of the women in the harem. I should have anticipated this long ago."
Rongyue said, "Do you really need to attend her birthday tomorrow? You're a noble consort, you don't need to give her that face."
Song Zhao smiled, "I won't attend in person, but courtesy still needs to be extended. So here I am, bringing the gift I intend to give her. But I'll have to trouble Jie Jie to present it on my behalf."
With that said, Xiao Fuzi placed a small wooden box, about the size of a palm, in front of Rongyue.
"What is it?"
Curious, Rongyue reached for the box to open it,
But Song Zhao pressed her hand down, smiling and shaking his head,
"This fine item is specifically for Consort Yao, Jie Jie needn't open it."
Rongyue suddenly understood, lowering her voice she asked, "Do you have a plan?"
Song Zhao smiled faintly, leaning in to whisper to Rongyue, sharing his thoughts in hushed tones.
