In the following days, Xiao Jingheng's life became even more 'busy'.
Due to the surrender of the North Tribe, other foreign tribes and groups such as the Mongols, Zhu Yin, and Xiliang became fearful, dreading that Xiao Jingheng's next move would be to deal with them in the same manner as he had dealt with the North Tribe.
As a result, both openly and secretly, they began making preparations and forming alliances.
Xiao Jingheng had planted his own spies among the various nations and tribes,
so news of their secret movements quickly reached the imperial court.
In order to mediate the conflicts between the nations and handle these thorny issues, the morning court sessions had to be extended by more than two hours recently. Even after the morning court sessions ended, Xiao Jingheng had to keep summoning officials from various departments to the Chaoyang Palace to discuss plans for dealing with this matter.
After such a busy day, he wanted to fully unwind at night.
Thus, he had to handle court affairs during the day, and then visit his concubines at night, only sleeping for two hours or less each day.
However, since he did not feel any fatigue, Xiao Jingheng did not take these matters to heart at all.
His arrogance and self-importance made him believe that as the Son of Heaven, the chosen one, his dragon body was naturally much stronger than ordinary people.
More than two months passed like this, and through the joint efforts of the nation's capable individuals, the hidden unrest in the various nations and tribes was finally suppressed in its infancy.
When the New Year arrived this year, Xiao Jingheng was overjoyed and hosted a grand banquet to celebrate.
At the banquet, the new consorts prepared various performances to curry favor,
and among the new consorts, aside from Zhao Hua, there was another who Xiao Jingheng particularly favored.
That was Concubine Jing, who had just performed a Hu folk dance and won the applause of the entire court.
Concubine Jing's appearance and figure were not particularly outstanding, and her family was merely the largest winery in the Capital City, with her father using his wealth to purchase a minor official position, which gave her the opportunity to enter the palace selection.
The imperial court strictly observed the hierarchy of 'scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants',
and merchants, no matter how wealthy or influential, like the wealthy family of Wei Linlan, were still looked down upon.
With such a lowly family background, Concubine Jing naturally had no advantages.
The reason she gained favor was likely because her entire being was as soft as a puddle of water,
with every gesture and movement exuding a coquettish charm. To put it politely, she was alluring, but to put it bluntly, she was a foxy seductress who had mastered the skills of a courtesan.
Zhao Hua had overheard the little eunuch laughingly saying that whenever Concubine Jing attended the imperial bedchamber, her cries were as delicate as the shattering of Kunshan jade and the calls of a phoenix, giving the servants on night duty goosebumps.
On this occasion, Concubine Jing had a particular intention,
as her family was in the wine business. Thus, all the wine served at tonight's banquet had been brewed by her months in advance, in order to enliven the gathering.
At this moment, Xiao Jingheng invited everyone to raise their cups and drink to the coming year's peace and harmony.
After Zhao Hua drank her cup and wiped her lips with a handkerchief,
she caught a glimpse of Ning Wanshuang and Rongyue seated below, both gazing at her with concern in their eyes. Rongyue, after looking at Zhao Hua, even stole a glance at Xiao Jingyan.
Zhao Hua looked down at her empty wine cup, which had only contained ordinary Osmanthus Wine, and saw nothing unusual.
Zhao Hua was puzzled as to why Ning Wanshuang and Rongyue looked at her with such worried expressions.
In the next moment, a man's violent coughing suddenly rang out from below,
and Zhao Hua quickly turned her gaze towards the source of the sound.
It was Xiao Jingyan, clutching his chest and coughing uncontrollably,
and in the midst of his violent coughing, he spat out a mouthful of fresh blood!
Everyone watching turned pale with shock, and the entire hall erupted in chaos.
Xiao Jingheng anxiously asked, "What's wrong with my sixth brother?"
Unexpectedly,
before he had finished speaking, a sudden surge from his stomach caused him to vomit a mouthful of blood as well,
and then his vision went black as he collapsed unconscious onto the table...
