Song Zhao's unexpected incident in the Imperial Garden today was entirely man-made.
The mastermind behind this scene was none other than Song Zhao herself.
A few days ago, when Song Zhao heard Yun Shan and Xiao Fuzi say that there were signs of loose and falling rubble from the artificial mountain in the northeast corner of the Imperial Garden, she had already started plotting her "big plan".
She had to do something special to leave a deep impression on Xiao Jingheng.
Being as beautiful as a flower, knowledgeable, and skilled in the four arts was too commonplace.
All the concubines strived in these areas, and if Song Zhao did the same things everyone else could do, she would just blend in with the crowd.
Therefore, she decided to become Xiao Jingheng's "life-saving benefactor".
Yesterday, when Xiao Jingheng invited her to share a meal, she had already set her scheme into motion by intentionally putting bloat-inducing sweet potato noodles in the bamboo shoot and ham soup, which she knew he loved to drink.
Her goal was to make Xiao Jingheng eat too much at the meal and suggest going out for a walk to aid his digestion.
It was early autumn now, and the flowers in the Imperial Garden had all wilted.
Only the large chrysanthemum garden planted in the northeast corner of the Imperial Garden could add a touch of color on an autumn day.
Song Zhao expected that as soon as Xiao Jingheng suggested going for a walk, Jiang Deshun would recommend that he go appreciate the chrysanthemums.
Therefore, she had arranged for Xiao Fuzi to hide behind the artificial mountain in the northeast corner of the Imperial Garden ahead of time.
As soon as she and Xiao Jingheng entered the scene, Xiao Fuzi would take the opportunity to push down the crumbling rocks from the mountain.
For this staged "hero saves the beauty" act to achieve the effect Song Zhao desired, leaving some injury marks on her body was essential.
To ensure nothing went wrong, she had Xiao Fuzi smash her back with rocks the night before, leaving several bruises.
Anyway, even if Xiao Jingheng later called for an imperial doctor to examine her, since the injuries were on her back, she could refuse the doctor's treatment on account of the impropriety of showing that area of her body.
Xiao Jingheng had no medical knowledge, so he could only see the bruising on Song Zhao's back from being struck but had no way of discerning whether they were fresh injuries or old bruises from the night before.
Everything was going precisely according to her calculations, without a hitch.
Through this incident, Song Zhao was convinced that she could at least occupy a place in Xiao Jingheng's heart.
As she reminisced about her "masterpiece", an increasingly bright smile lit up her face.
Coming back to herself, she took out a large square brocade box from the drawer beside her bed and handed it to Xiao Fuzi.
"This is for you, take it."
Xiao Fuzi hurriedly declined, "No no no, my lady saved this slave's life by rescuing me from the Divine Punishment Department. I am devoted to serving you wholeheartedly, how could I accept rewards from you?"
Song Zhao's gaze fell upon the brocade box, and she raised her eyebrows with a faint smile.
"Open it and take a look first."
Xiao Fuzi opened the box and discovered that rather than gold, silver, jewels or other vulgar objects, it neatly contained four volumes of the arcane medical text "Prescriptions Worth a Thousand in Gold".
Holding the volumes in his hands, his eyes lit up.
"This...this is a medical classic written by a grand master, an invaluable rarity! My lady, where did you obtain this?"
When giving gifts, one must cater to the recipient's preferences.
Song Zhao needed someone like Xiao Fuzi who could assist her by her side, so she put great thought into selecting his gift.
"I know you love studying medicine, just like your elder brother. You're a fanatic for it. In the past, you were beaten and sent to the Divine Punishment Department for secretly peeking at medical texts in the Imperial Hospital. From now on, following me, if there are any medical classics you wish to read, I will provide them in abundance. You needn't hide or sneak around anymore, just openly read whatever you wish."
Xiao Fuzi was overjoyed, as if he had obtained a priceless treasure. He knelt on the ground with a thud and excitedly exclaimed,
"This slave thanks my lady!"
Song Zhao lent him a hand to help prop him back up, "You are following me now, so we flourish together and perish together. We must trust each other. This matter stays between you and me, don't even tell Yun Shan about it. She's timid, I'm afraid it would frighten her."
Xiao Fuzi vigorously nodded his head, "My lady can rest assured, this slave knows what should and should not be said."
After this incident, the relationship between Xiao Jingheng and Song Zhao became visibly more intimate.
An unceasing stream of rewards were bestowed upon Yao Hua Palace. The concubines who previously looked down on Song Zhao due to their higher status now greeted her deferentially, calling her sister.
The formerly fawning attitude Xiao Changzai and Liu Changzai once displayed towards Li Changzai was now turned towards buttering up Song Zhao at every opportunity.
As for imperial favor, Consort Chen previously occupied over half of the emperor's intimate visits with his consorts every month.
But now, Song Zhao was already on her way to being a formidable rival.
One day, the two happened to run into each other in the Imperial Garden by chance.
Song Zhao greeted Consort Chen with perfect etiquette and propriety, yet received a cold glance in return as Consort Chen spoke to her with mocking words,
"With how you delight His Majesty nowadays, I reckon in a matter of days once signs of a little one start showing, you'll be bestowed the title Imperial Concubine."
Song Zhao replied, "This concubine's current status is entirely thanks to Consort Chen's grace. I dare not forget my humble beginnings. His Majesty only dotes on me temporarily out of novelty, while he has favored you consistently for years."
Consort Chen narrowed her phoenix eyes, her piercing gaze fixed on Song Zhao.
She slowly said while walking around Song Zhao,
"Yet you shouldn't underestimate yourself either. You're an intelligent woman who knew to choose a bright and spectacular path for yourself immediately upon entering the palace."
As she spoke, she fiddled with the gold-inlaid battle armor ring on her pinky finger. "Ah, just look at Li, who entered the palace alongside you. She foolishly sucked up to the Empress everyday instead, and what was the outcome? She still met her end at the execution grounds."
Song Zhao nodded in agreement. Consort Chen continued, "As long as you understand the rules, that will do. The imperial physician said that this is an auspicious fertile period for me recently, extremely likely to conceive a child. So I have to accompany His Majesty frequently, which will also be beneficial for the imperial lineage."
Consort Chen stopped right in front of Song Zhao after circling her, lazily smiling as she said,
"Yet His Majesty has only been thinking of you lately, and comes to see me less often. Now what do you propose should be done about it?"
What was bound to come always would.
Having received imperial favor, Song Zhao expected there would come a day Consort Chen would look to cause trouble for her.
Nevertheless, Consort Chen had still treated her relatively courteously, stopping short of outright sabotaging her. Instead, her overt and covert words were indicating that Song Zhao should lie low for the time being and stop diverting the emperor's affections from her.
Song Zhao was well prepared in her mind and pondered briefly before replying,
"His Majesty was interested in this concubine's novelty momentarily. If he wants to visit me, it would be difficult for me to dissuade him from coming. However, Consort Chen can rest assured that I know what I should do."
Consort Chen gave a cold laugh and glanced at her. Without another word, she turned and strode away confidently.
Watching her disappear into the distance, the light in Song Zhao's eyes gradually dimmed.
She would not allow Consort Chen to get pregnant so easily.
After all, she had entered the palace with the intention of climbing upwards step by step.
If Consort Chen bore an imperial heir, her status would only grow more unshakeable, which would pose more obstacles for Song Zhao's own advancement.
After silently watching the flowers in the Imperial Garden for a while, Song Zhao soon thought of a "clever plan" - one that would not offend Consort Chen yet could make Xiao Jingheng abstain from visiting her for the next couple of days...
