After a long silence in the hall, Xiao Jingheng finally let out a carefree laugh.
"What Ning Wanshuang said is very much to My pleasure."
He took the opportunity to lift his hand and clasp Ning Wanshuang's jade hand that was placed on his temple, toying with it in his palm, cherishing it dearly.
Then, with a bright smile, he thought to himself:
The Left Imperial Censor of the Inspectorate is a first-rank civil official who specially prosecutes all government agencies and impeaches any corrupt officials, and also concurrently serves in the Ministries of Justice and Punishment to review major cases in court, purifying the political environment.
Relatives of the imperial family holding actual power has always been a taboo for emperors throughout history. Although the position of Left Imperial Censor is prestigious, there is no real power in his hands.
Compared to Ning Wanshuang’s father, the former Viceroy of Sichuan and Shaanxi, or the Empress Jia Rui’s father, the Minister of War, who held solid military power, this Left Imperial Censor makes Xiao Jingheng feel much more at ease.
If he raises Song Zhao's status to marry her into this family, she would henceforth be considered innocent, and would no longer need to worry about being the daughter of a criminal.
Over the years, Xiao Jingheng had always felt guilty towards Song Zhao because of what happened with Cheng Yu.
By raising Song Zhao’s status now, it would make up for his past faults, show her that he values her, and also put her mind at ease to nurture the unborn prince, bringing prosperity to the imperial family.
This ingenious plan that accomplishes three purposes without any drawbacks makes Xiao Jingheng unable to stop smiling.
He exerts slight force with his wrist to pull Ning Wanshuang into his embrace as he sits down,
Then whispers next to the beauty's ear with low allure,
"Wanshuang is becoming more and more thoughtful in helping Me resolve worries."
The warm breath fans Ning Wanshuang's ear, tickling her.
She lowers her long eyelashes, blushing with an enchanting smile, "It's only natural for people to care for each other. His Majesty treats his concubine well, so his concubine would naturally think of everything for His Majesty."
As she speaks, she pushes against Xiao Jingheng’s chest, and turns her face away pretending to pout charmingly,
"But now His Majesty cares too much for Song Zhao. Seeing him frowning when dining with his concubine, refusing to smile until he finds a good solution. It shows the fickleness of his heart."
"Sweetheart talks nonsense." Xiao Jingheng gently holds her chin, forcing her to turn her face towards him. He slides along the tip of her exquisite nose,
"After all, Wanshuang has accompanied me for many years. My feelings for you run deeper, naturally. I was also thinking that you’ve been a Noble Consort for some time now, and should get a promotion. But since we just finished Empress Jia Rui’s mourning period, and with the passing of Grand Empress Dowager recently, it is an inauspicious year to establish a new Empress. I plan to wait until the New Year’s Eve sacrifice finishes..."
"Your Majesty, promotion does not matter to your concubine. "
Ning Wanshuang lightly rests her index finger on Xiao Jingheng’s lips, interrupting his next words. "Your Majesty knows what your concubine wishes for is only your true feelings. As long as His Majesty keeps your concubine in your heart, and stays by my side a little longer, I will be content."
Speaking so, she tilts her head, snuggling into Xiao Jingheng's arms, murmuring quietly,
"After all, my family was also convicted by the previous dynasty. I am no different than the daughter of a criminal. Now that Song Zhao is pregnant, she naturally takes precedence over everything. If His Majesty has decided to give her a new maternal family, how could there possibly be another one for his concubine?
If that were the case, I'm afraid those stubborn old men would start gossiping about His Majesty favoring his concubines again. I do not wish for His Majesty to be put in a difficult position because of me."
Ning Wanshuang spoke earnestly, with sincerity shining through her eyes.
Xiao Jingheng is quite moved upon hearing this.
He remains silent for a long time, just staring at the beauty in his arms.
In her flowing gaze, he no longer sees the former arrogance and defiance, only gentle affection and compliance, like the waters of spring.
He sighs deeply in his heart, and hugs her tighter,
"Wanshuang is much more gentle now compared to before. With you considering everything for me, how could I not cherish you?"
Ning Wanshuang says lightly with a smile, "As a mother now, how could I still act spoiled? Wasn't Concubine Hui also childish before? But she changed after having Chengjing."
After a pause, she asks again, "So does His Majesty like me better this way now?"
Xiao Jingheng laughs out loud and nods heavily, "Naturally."
That night, Xiao Jingheng keeps Ning Wanshuang to stay overnight at Chaoyang Palace.
The next morning when Ning Wanshuang returns, she happens to run into Chenghuan reading aloud in the courtyard.
She stands far watching without disturbing the child, listening silently,
"A wise man should pay attention. Do not chase after the blowing wind. If you treat Flying sincerely, there will be thousands of paths in the clouds."
The little guy sways his head reading the poem. Glancing aside, he suddenly sees Ning Wanshuang standing under the camphor tree, watching him with a smile.
His cracked face immediately lights up with layers of smiles. He happily runs to Ning Wanshuang,
"Greetings Mother Noble Consort. Did Mother spend the night in Father Emperor’s palace last night? How wonderful. Son noticed Father Emperor has been often visiting Concubine Yi’s palace lately, and feared he would neglect Mother."
Ning Wanshuang does not answer, just smiles. She gently strokes his forehead and asks,
"What were you reciting earlier?"
Chenghuan says solemnly, "It's a lyric by Cai Shen. The Grand Tutor admires Cai Shen greatly, so Son asked him for his poetry collection and recites from it occasionally."
Ning Wanshuang takes the poetry collection from Chenghuan's hand and softly reads a line,
"If you treat Flying sincerely, there will be thousands of paths in the clouds."
She doesn’t quite understand the meaning, but her eyes settle on the words "true feelings". She spaces out for a moment.
She recalls Xiao Jingheng's words to her last night, and suddenly feels terribly amused.
In the past, she had done everything for Xiao Jingheng, with her heart filled only with him, yet in return she received endless suspicion and distrust.
Now that she truly schemes against him, he actually thinks she is being considerate of him everywhere, and is deeply moved.
It is all rather ironic.
"What is Mother thinking about?"
"Nothing." Ning Wanshuang returns to herself with a gentle smile, handing the poetry collection back to Chenghuan. "Mother merely read a couplet casually. Don’t dwell on it too much. It's almost time, go to the academy with Aunt Liu Yue. "
As Liu Yue leads Chenghuan out of the palace gate, she happens to bump into the eunuch from the Imperial Workshop, Eunuch Wei.
Liu Yue asks curiously, "Eunuch Wei? What brings you here?"
Eunuch Wei smiles obsequiously, "Aunt Liu jests. I am here on His Majesty’s decree to tailor new clothes for Her Ladyship the Noble Consort."
"Tailor clothes?"
"This is joyous news. Didn't Her Ladyship tell you when she returned to the palace?"
Eunuch Wei moves closer to Liu Yue and says mysteriously, "His Majesty has granted Noble Consort Chen the title of Imperial Noble Consort, to be officially bestowed soon. Now, there is no more prestigious place in the entire palace than the Yonghe Palace."
