After Song Zhao bravely protected the lord in the Imperial Garden, Xiao Jingheng felt bad that she was injured on her back, and was always very restrained whenever he was intimate with her.
But today, he was like a fierce tiger coming out of its cage, tiring Song Zhao out until her waist was sore and legs were weak.
After their passionate lovemaking, Xiao Jingheng took Song Zhao into his embrace,
"My beloved consort understands my feelings more and more now."
Song Zhao let out an embarrassed laugh, turned over and was half lying on Xiao Jingheng, her slender index finger tracing circles on his muscular chest,
"The consort's heart is close to the Emperor's, what the Emperor likes, the consort naturally likes too."
"Hahahaha!" Xiao Jingheng laughed loudly, joking, "You're becoming more and more silver-tongued."
After saying that, he suddenly lowered his head and captured her lips, and the two began a new round of exploration.
Song Zhao was different from his other consorts,
most of them were rather shy when doing that, didn't dare make any sounds or move much. Only Consort Chen had more tricks up her sleeve,
but compared to Song Zhao she still lacked a bit.
Not only did Song Zhao know how to accommodate him, she also knew how to explore new 'things' together with Xiao Jingheng.
Although she didn't love Xiao Jingheng, she coveted his good looks and physique.
After all it was something they both enjoyed, she was quite open about it and just took it as each taking what they needed.
After their passionate lovemaking, the two cuddled and rested for a while.
Xiao Jingheng had government affairs to attend to in the afternoon so he couldn't stay long. Before leaving, he said to Song Zhao:
"Prince An is coming to the palace today. Tonight I have to accompany him to visit Princess Dowager Jinggui, so I won't be summoning you tonight. You should rest well."
Song Zhao knew this was just an excuse from Xiao Jingheng. These few days were Consort Chen's propitious days, he would most likely be spending the night with Consort Chen.
But Consort Chen probably wouldn't get her way today.
Song Zhao was confident about this. Men always craved freshness. So even if Xiao Jingheng didn't come to her tonight, he definitely wouldn't be spending the night with Consort Chen either.
After all, there was still Concubine Xiao, who was no less unrestrained.
At that time, after Concubine Xiao returned to the palace, she closed her door and started doing vocal exercises.
When she felt the time was right, she changed into a newly tailored light blue Yun Brocade cheongsam, put on exquisite heavy makeup, and stealthily made her way to the Nine Turns Corridor.
The Nine Turns Corridor was on the only route to Shoukang Palace. Concubine Xiao stood in a nearby flower garden and started singing Songs of the Jade Hairpin.
When she was singing it for the third time, Xiao Jingheng arrived as expected.
Seeing the imperial carriage approaching her, Concubine Xiao stopped singing abruptly. She knelt down looking flustered,
"This concubine greets the Emperor, may the Emperor live ten thousand years."
Her voice was trembling, sounding rather afraid.
Xiao Jingheng stopped and sized her up. The eunuch holding the palace lantern immediately brought it closer to Concubine Xiao to let Xiao Jingheng see her face clearly.
But it was useless even if he saw her clearly, because Xiao Jingheng had absolutely no recollection of who she was at all.
Jiang Deshun quickly whispered a reminder to him, "Your Majesty, she is Concubine Xiao from Zhaochun Palace."
Only then did he say: "Rise."
But Concubine Xiao remained kneeling and didn't get up, "Making loud noises is prohibited in the palace at night. By singing here, this concubine has violated palace rules and does not dare get up."
She thought that by saying this, it would make Xiao Jingheng see her as someone who understood the rules and look upon her differently.
But Xiao Jingheng wasn't stupid at all.
If she really understood the rules, she wouldn't have come all the way from Zhaochun Palace to sing here. Since she was here, she must have found out that he would be passing by and deliberately did this.
Xiao Jingheng saw through her lame acting at one glance.
However, Concubine Xiao's Kunqu opera singing was truly good, and the light blue cheongsam also complimented her looks. So Xiao Jingheng didn't expose her,
"It's fine, I won't blame you for it."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
After Concubine Xiao got up, Xiao Jingheng suddenly recalled something and asked,
"Are you Prefect of Jiangzhou Xiao Bin's daughter?"
Concubine Xiao immediately replied, "My late father was indeed Jiangzhou Prefect Xiao Bin."
Xiao Jingheng said, "I remember Xiao Bin was from the branch of Prince Qi during Emperor Taizu's time. That would make you my cousin."
She could only be considered Xiao Jingheng's cousin. Concubine Xiao didn't dare overstep her bounds by calling him cousin.
After all, imperial relatives connected after tracing back three generations could barely be considered related. She didn't dare get involved.
Concubine Xiao silently nodded her head, not daring to continue the conversation.
Xiao Jingheng went on, "Your rendition of Songs of the Jade Hairpin just now was great. Your voice was gentle, lingering and distant. The rhythm had spaced out pauses, slow and fast tempos. Your recitation was also quite elegant. It's apparent that you've bitterly toiled to formally study this."
Concubine Xiao feigned surprise, "Does Your Majesty also enjoy Kunqu opera? When I was in Jiangzhou, I learned it from Master Liu."
"You mean Liu Yuanzhi?"
"Does Your Majesty know my teacher?"
"During my late father's time, he would often summon him to the palace to sing opera. I've listened to him perform a few times. Though by then, he was already advanced in years and his voice was somewhat muddled. I feel it doesn't compare to yours today."
"You flatter me, Your Majesty." Concubine Xiao lowered her head blushing as she bashfully said,
"If it pleases Your Majesty, I will sing specially for you whenever you have time in the future."
Xiao Jingheng lightly hmm-ed, which counted as a response.
Concubine Xiao also didn't dare overstep her bounds. After paying her respects, she said, "Then this concubine shall take her leave first."
She had only taken two steps when she heard Xiao Jingheng call out to her from behind,
"Tonight, the hazy moonlight reminds me of Bai Nianchuan's Song of the Cloud Envoy. Can you sing that?"
When Concubine Xiao heard this, she was so excited that her heart nearly leapt out of her throat.
She took a deep breath to calm herself down. Turning back with an unchanged expression, she said:
"I'm also very fond of that opera."
"Then come to Chaoyang Palace and sing it for me."
"Yes, this concubine abides by the decree!"
*
Half an hour later in Yonghe Palace.
Consort Chen had prepared a full table of fine cuisine and exquisite wine since early in the morning.
But the food had been reheated three times and Xiao Jingheng still hadn't arrived.
She sent Ying Xiang to find out the situation. When Ying Xiang came back, she looked troubled and stuttered,
"Esteemed Consort... I'm afraid His Majesty won't be coming tonight..."
"Won't be coming?" Consort Chen's brows furrowed tightly as anger instantly surged up, "His Majesty has summoned Song Zhao again?"
Ying Xiang shook her head, "No..."
"No? Weren't you saying just now that the Sixth Prince has left the palace? So is His Majesty resting in Chaoyang Palace tonight?" Consort Chen pondered briefly before quickly saying, "Then hurry and prepare, I'm going over to Chaoyang Palace."
When Consort Chen did things, she was impulsive saying things assuredly.
Seeing that she was about to head out the palace door, Ying Xiang was so frightened that she immediately knelt before her and fearfully said:
"Esteemed Consort must not go... Tonight, His Majesty has summoned...Concubine Xiao..."
"Concubine Xiao?" Upon suddenly hearing this name, it took Consort Chen a good while before she remembered who she was. "What is she!?"
Consort Chen forcefully slammed the table. As she casually swept aside and broke several side dishes on the table, she angrily said:
"Speak! Why would His Majesty suddenly think of summoning that slut!"
