Actually, it's not just Ning Wanshuang and the others who are unaware,
This time, Ning Wanshuang kept the decree of being named the Imperial Noble Consort from beginning to end without boasting about it.
In the past, she would have spread this news throughout the six palaces, afraid that no one would see her pride,
But now, she kept silent, learning to be restrained.
Xiao Jingheng said she had grown a lot, becoming more reserved and more charming,
But Ning Wanshuang knew in her heart,
She was still the same spirited and carefree woman as before,
It's just that some things, for her, are no longer a cause for celebration, so there's no need to boast.
This good news was kept secret in the Yonghe Palace, so all the attention in the palace fell on the Changle Palace.
In the following days, the Changle Palace was extremely lively.
Xiao Jingheng personally brought the Left Imperial Censor Luo and his wife into the Changle Palace, and adopted Song Zhao as their daughter,
Originally worried that Song Zhao's stubborn temperament would not agree, fortunately, Lady Luo and Song Zhao got along very well, as if they had known each other for a long time, with endless intimate words, as if it were destined.
In this way, Song Zhao took on a completely new identity, and from now on, she was no longer the daughter of a criminal minister.
For this matter, many concubines in the harem had criticisms, and the officials of the previous dynasty also had some words of dissent,
Everyone criticized, saying that Xiao Jingheng's favoritism towards Song Zhao was a bit too much.
But Xiao Jingheng easily silenced the crowd with the words, 'Everything is for the imperial heir and the prosperity of the country.'
But turning around, he said to Song Zhao:
"For this matter, those old officials of the previous dynasty have made my ears calloused with their clamor. But I am determined to grant you this, how can I allow others to gossip? I want everyone to see that I am doting on you. I am the emperor, I treat my beloved woman well, regardless of what others say."
Hearing his words, Song Zhao was deeply moved, tears falling like pearls,
"Xiao Lang treats me so well, how can I repay?"
Xiao Jingheng smiled at her foolishness, "What repayment do you talk about with me? If you really want to repay me, then spend the rest of your life by my side, grow old with me, and enjoy family happiness together."
Song Zhao nestled in Xiao Jingheng's arms,
From an angle he couldn't see, a playful smile appeared on her lips, and she softly said,
"With Xiao Lang treating me like this, Zhao'er dare not forget. In the future, I will repay Xiao Lang a thousand times over, to show my true feelings."
Becoming a member of the Luo family, breaking free from the Song family's surname, Song Zhao's life was no longer connected to the Song family.
This was exactly what she had always hoped for.
However, she couldn't show her joy too obviously, if she suddenly became open-minded, thinking about food and drink, it would inevitably arouse Xiao Jingheng's suspicion.
Just when she had been hungry for two days, this matter passed from Yun Shan's mouth to Xiao Jingheng's ears, and he came up with a thoughtful plan.
He personally cooked in the kitchen, preparing some dishes that Song Zhao loved to eat.
On this day, he busied himself in the small kitchen while Song Zhao napped, for a while.
As Song Zhao got up, she saw Xiao Jingheng's cheeks stained with oil, looking a bit disheveled, but he had prepared a table full of dishes.
"Zhao'er, try my cooking."
This was not the first time Xiao Jingheng had cooked for Song Zhao.
Thinking back, it was also when she was pregnant, Xiao Jingheng made a table full of sour dishes just to counter the rumors of "sour wife and spicy husband," wishing to make Song Zhao jealous.
Although the dishes on the table today were not top-notch in terms of appearance, taste, or fragrance, they were the dishes that Song Zhao loved to eat on a daily basis,
It was Xiao Jingheng's thoughtful gesture.
She took a bite and smiled, saying, "This is Xiao Lang's thoughtfulness, it's very nice."
Xiao Jingheng also smiled as he served her dishes, "Then you must eat more, don't let my thoughtfulness go to waste."
Looking at Xiao Jingheng carefully serving her dishes, Song Zhao couldn't help but wonder, perhaps he was sincere this time?
But this belated sincerity, every bit of it, made her feel disgusted.
By the end of August, everything settled down, and Song Zhao's pregnancy had passed the first two months, the fetus was stable.
At that time, Xiao Jingheng was sitting in a warm seat, casually flipping through a military book,
While Song Zhao was leaning on his shoulder, gazing out the window at the leaves turning yellow in the autumn breeze, lost in thought.
Xiao Jingheng saw her absent-mindedness and reached out to wave in front of her eyes, smiling and asking,
"What are you thinking, Zhao'er?"
"I'm thinking about my maiden name." Song Zhao sat up, leaning on Xiao Jingheng's shoulder, "I'm thinking that the name 'Zhao' was also chosen by my parents at home. Now that I've changed my surname, my maiden name is still the same as before, which doesn't feel quite right."
As she spoke, her slender fingers climbed up Xiao Jingheng's neck, gently encircling him, coquettishly saying,
"Why don't you give me another name, Xiao Lang?"
Xiao Jingheng naturally agreed,
But after thinking of several names in a row, seeing that Song Zhao was not quite satisfied, he said,
"Why don't you think of one yourself? I'll help you brainstorm."
Song Zhao propped her chin and pondered for a moment, then suddenly a spark flashed in her eyes. She spread out Xiao Jingheng's hand and used her index finger to sketch on his palm,
"How about the character 'Hua'? Zhao Hua, it means beautiful and resembles the beauty of youth. It can be considered as every day we spend together in the future with Xiao Lang, all will be beautiful times."
Xiao Jingheng closed his palm, holding Song Zhao's hand, and laughed,
"This meaning is excellent. And the character 'Hua' also has the meaning of beauty and brilliance. Just like Zhao'er, bright and radiant."
He leaned closer to Song Zhao, his chin against her soft cheek, deliberately rubbing lightly,
The newly grown stubble on Song Zhao's face made her itch, and she couldn't help but laugh.
She intended to get up, but Xiao Jingheng's big hand held her waist, unable to escape,
She could only push against Xiao Jingheng's chest, coquettishly saying, "Xiao Lang always bullies me..."
Amidst their laughter and playfulness, the years seemed peaceful.
And from then on, Song Zhao and her past self had no more connection.
