Ying Xiang had already inquired about the details behind Concubine Xiao's sudden favor from the Emperor today.
After Ying Xiang meticulously recounted every detail to Consort Chen, Consort Chen's expression turned even more grim.
"What an uncultured woman! Does she treat the palace as a brothel? Singing and seducing the Emperor, she has no shame!"
Ying Xiang advised, "Your Highness, there's no need to get angry over this. The Emperor's attention towards her is merely a passing fancy. You, Your Highness, are always the one he values the most."
"Anyone can say that, but the Emperor only visits the harem a few times a month. Today he goes to her, tomorrow he goes to you. How many opportunities are left for me?"
Consort Chen narrowed her eyebrows as she looked towards the direction of Chao Yang Palace, her voice filled with determination.
"If she enjoys singing so much, then I shall let her sing to her heart's content!"
*
In Yao Hua Palace,
Tonight, when Xiao Jingheng didn't come, Song Zhao felt at ease.
After dinner, she enjoyed the moon for a while, read two volumes of books, and just as she was about to have someone attend to her for washing up and rest, someone from the Internal Affairs Department came.
"Master Song, the Emperor has sent me to deliver something to you."
Song Zhao looked at the food box he was carrying curiously and asked, "What is it?"
"It's a calming tea for you. The Emperor said that you have had a tiring day and he wants you to drink this tea for a peaceful sleep."
The eunuch took out a jade-green teapot and respectfully poured a cup of tea for Song Zhao. He then flattered and ingratiated himself, saying,
"Among those honored to receive this special treatment in the palace, besides the Empress and Consort Chen, it's none other than you, Master."
Song Zhao blushed and smiled, nodding her head as she took out some silver from a drawer and handed it to him. "Thank you for making this trip, Sir."
The eunuch accepted the silver and became even more delighted.
In the past, Song Zhao refrained from rewarding the servants, but that was only for show.
To survive in the palace, it was necessary to spend money to reward the servants, buy information, and establish connections.
Just after she gave the silver, Xiao Fu rushed in hastily.
Upon seeing that there was an outsider, she leaned close to Song Zhao's ear and said,
"Master, tonight's bed companion is Concubine Xiao Jingheng. However, the Emperor didn't spend the night. She has already been sent out of Chao Yang Palace."
Song Zhao pondered for a moment and pushed the jade-green teapot a few inches closer to the eunuch, smiling.
"I find your face familiar, as if the Emperor always sends the Internal Affairs Department to deliver things to me. And it's always you who takes care of the errands."
"Master Song, you have a good memory. I am specifically responsible for delivering rewards to the Eastern Six Palaces."
"You work hard in your position, but I see that you are clever as well. If you can please Concubine Xiao Jingheng, who is considered the Emperor's cousin, and become a servant by her side in the Eastern Six Palaces, your future will be much broader than in the Internal Affairs Department."
The eunuch pondered for a moment and said, "Master Song, you have given me a valuable reminder. But I am of low status and influence. How can I make Concubine Xiao Jingheng look at me differently?"
"There's an opportunity right now." Song Zhao brought out an ordinary purple clay teapot, poured all the remaining calming tea from the jade-green teapot into it, and handed it to the eunuch.
"Concubine Xiao puts a lot of effort into serving in the imperial bedchamber. You should give her this excellent item as a gesture. Firstly, it will make her feel favored by the emperor, and secondly, it will make her think that you are considerate and understanding."
Song Zhao's intention was for the eunuch to take the specially brewed calming tea and use it to please Concubine Xiao. It was an irregular matter, but the palace servants were willing to take even riskier actions to gain favor and climb up the ranks.
After hesitating for a moment, the eunuch knelt down and expressed gratitude for Song Zhao's kindness. He then hurriedly left with the calming tea.
Song Zhao's actions left Xiao Fuzi somewhat puzzled.
"Why would you use the gift bestowed upon you by the Emperor to do someone a favor? And why would you benefit the lowest-ranking servant?" Xiao Fuzi asked.
Song Zhao held the teacup in her hands, took a small sip, and then stopped drinking.
"You can take it and pour it out," she said.
Xiao Fuzi was taken aback. "You... can't drink it?"
"This calming tea is a special item used by the Emperor. It's undoubtedly excellent. It helps those with nightmares and insomnia sleep soundly until dawn. But tomorrow, the Empress will gather the concubines half an hour earlier than usual to discuss the Emperor's birthday. I can't afford to delay," Song Zhao explained.
Upon hearing this, Xiao Fuzi immediately understood Song Zhao's intention.
"You're wise, Your Highness! Everyone in the palace knows that these days are Consort Chen's 'auspicious days.' At this time, if Concubine Xiao resorts to underhanded methods and steals the Emperor's favor, she will surely offend Consort Chen. If Concubine Xiao drinks the calming tea tonight and delays paying her respects to the Empress tomorrow, she will be accused of arrogance due to favoritism and offend the Empress as well. With such consequences, her future days will be..." Xiao Fuzi trailed off.
"Don't speak nonsense," Song Zhao interrupted with a smile and a wave of her hand. "I gave her the calming tea because I saw how hard she works in the imperial bedchamber. I wanted to help the Emperor and had no ulterior motives."
"Yes, yes, yes," Xiao Fuzi quickly responded, tapping his own mouth twice. "I spoke without thinking. Please forgive me, Your Highness."
In truth, Song Zhao's thoughts were simple.
She didn't want Consort Chen to experience joy at this time, but she couldn't openly take away her favor. That's why she considered Concubine Xiao, who had both the Emperor's favor and unique talents, as her best pawn.
Furthermore, now that Li Changzai had passed away, among the newly entered concubines in the harem, she was the most eye-catching.
The Empress and Consort Chen were both watching her closely, ready to seize any opportunity to criticize her. She felt constrained in everything she did.
By suddenly bringing Concubine Xiao into the picture and diverting their attention, Song Zhao ensured that she would become the target instead. This was the best strategy.
The next day, Song Zhao woke up early and arrived at the Empress's palace before dawn.
After waiting for a while, the concubines started arriving one by one.
However, there was no sign of Concubine Xiao and Consort Chen.
Consort Yun glanced at Consort Hui, who was eating pastries, and said sarcastically,
"It's not surprising that Consort Chen is late, but why isn't Concubine Xiao here today?"
Consort Hui had her mouth full of pastries. After washing them down with a sip of milk tea, she replied in a muffled voice,
"I don't know either. Last night, Concubine Xiao went to the Chongyang Palace to meet the emperor, and she hadn't returned when I went to sleep. The Empress Dowager said that she wanted an early audience today, but I overslept and arrived late, so I didn't pay attention to anything else."
The crowd began to discuss it, each person offering their thoughts, but Song Zhao remained silent, quietly observing the empress's expression.
As the Empress, it was already a great disrespect for the consorts to arrive late for the audience.
She had enough trouble dealing with Consort Chen before, and now Concubine Xiao had appeared out of nowhere.
No matter how magnanimous she was, it was impossible for her not to feel any anger.
But later, when Concubine Xiao arrived in a panic and bowed beneath the hall, apologizing to the Empress, Song Zhao watched as the discontent on the empress's face vanished in an instant, replaced by her usual serene and gentle smile.
"It's alright. You work hard serving the emperor. Today, the palace audience was scheduled earlier than usual, so it doesn't matter if you were a little late. Please rise and take a seat."
