As the Wan Shou Festival approached for Xiao Jingheng, according to palace rules, each palace had to send palace women to the Wanfo Temple outside the palace to burn incense and pray, representing the princes and princesses to pray for the emperor's blessings.
Song Zhao originally planned to send Yun Shan, but upon hearing this arrangement, Xiao Fuzi said:
"To pray outside the palace, it takes a full seven days, and for the first three days, one must fast. It's extremely difficult. Yun Shan, a young girl, can't endure such hardships. It's better for a servant to go instead."
Xiao Fuzi and Yun Shan had been friends since childhood,
Although he had suffered a knife wound that severed his future generations, he still fulfilled his role as a man.
Since following Song Zhao, he had taken care of all the trivial matters inside and outside the palace in an orderly manner, and he also took good care of Yun Shan.
Upon hearing his openly concerned words, Yun Shan blushed and felt embarrassed, saying:
"You're right! I can endure any hardship for the princess. I won't fall for your kindness~"
Xiao Fuzi teased, "I didn't say it was for you. You just picked it up for nothing. As a girl, it's definitely more convenient for you to stay by the princess's side and take care of her than for me."
Song Zhao, seeing the banter between the two of them, couldn't help but laugh,
"I've seen people compete for good things, but I've never seen anyone compete to become monks and nuns at the temple. I think Xiao Fuzi makes sense. It's more convenient for Yun Shan to serve me up close. Zhi Hua and Xi Ying, no matter what, they're not part of our own people, and I can't trust them."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Fuzi proudly lifted his chin at Yun Shan.
Yun Shan became infuriated, stomping her feet and patting his shoulders forcefully, muttering a few teasing words. The two of them started quarreling again.
The days in the palace were monotonous and tiresome.
But with Yun Shan and Xiao Fuzi by her side, even the most boring days didn't make Song Zhao feel bored.
The next day, Xiao Fuzi left the palace for the temple. During the evening meal, Xiao Jingheng came to the Yaohua Palace.
It had been seven or eight days since Song Zhao last saw him.
He looked radiant and even more handsome, a testament to how well Consort Chen had taken care of him.
As soon as he saw Song Zhao, he became very affectionate, holding her hand and taking a seat next to her, saying:
"I've missed you a lot these past few days."
Song Zhao, rarely displaying a bit of coquettishness, withdrew her hand from his palm and turned away, pretending to be jealous, saying:
"I thought Your Majesty had forgotten about me."
"If I had forgotten you, how could I know that you play the pipa so well?"
A hint of surprise flashed in Song Zhao's eyes, pouting playfully, she said:
"Why is Your Majesty like this? I kindly prepared a birthday celebration program for you, and you had people eavesdrop on it."
Xiao Jingheng smiled and pulled her into his embrace, "I miss you, so I always have the people in the court come and see what you're doing. When they reach your door, they hear the sound of the pipa playing day and night, but it's not intentional for people to listen."
Song Zhao gave a coquettish hum, pretending to be sullen, and teased Xiao Jingheng.
"Could it be that I was wrong?" Xiao Jingheng lowered his head and lightly kissed her on the neck, saying, "The palace women say you play the pipa extremely well. They brought it for me to listen to as well?"
"No," Song Zhao pouted and shook her head, looking both adorable and coy. "I said it's a surprise for the Emperor's birthday. If I reveal it now, where's the surprise? It wouldn't be right for the Emperor to leave his concubine aside during the birthday feast, right?"
Her coquettish behavior melted Xiao Jingheng's heart.
He held her tighter and coaxed her, saying, "Alright, alright. Then I'll wait for my beloved consort to amaze everyone at my birthday banquet."
In preparation for Xiao Jingheng's birthday, all the concubines in the palace were getting ready.
However, everyone was keeping it a secret, afraid of stealing the limelight from others.
But Song Zhao was different.
She had already informed everyone that she would play the pipa and practiced daily in the palace, with Yao Consort as her audience.
The more she did that, the more Xiao Jingheng felt she was an innocent person without schemes.
In this palace, the more pure and untainted a person was, the more likable they became.
After having dinner together, Xiao Jingheng originally planned to take Song Zhao back to Chaoyang Palace.
But at that moment, Jiang Deshun suddenly muttered a few words that Xiao Jingheng didn't understand, so Xiao Jingheng said, "Then rest well today. I won't summon anyone else and will return to Chaoyang Palace to review the memorials."
Shortly after he left, the palace staff brought Song Zhao a cup of excellent ginger tea with brown sugar.
It tasted best during her menstruation.
While sipping the warm ginger tea, Song Zhao leaned against the railing and gazed at the moon.
Yun Shan speculated softly, "It has been five days since the princess's menstrual cycle started. Could it be...?"
Having served Song Zhao for many years, it was the first time Yun Shan witnessed her irregular menstrual cycle, so her thoughts naturally turned to the possibility of pregnancy.
Song Zhao lightly replied, "Is it that easy?"
In fact, she also had doubts in her heart, wondering if her previous actions to solidify Li's guilt by poisoning herself had caused her menstrual cycle to become irregular.
To be cautious, she planned to find a royal physician the next day to examine her pulse.
After bidding farewell to the Empress the next day and just as Song Zhao was about to return to the palace, Consort Yun, who usually had little interaction with her, stopped her.
"I heard that you're preparing to play the pipa at the Emperor's birthday banquet? I happened to have a copy of 'The Green Fairy by the Washed Stream.' It's perfect for playing on such a festive occasion. Take it and study it."
Consort Yun's invitation was hard to refuse, and Song Zhao politely accepted.
She knew Consort Yun wasn't so kind-hearted; she just wanted to see what trick she was playing.
To her surprise, when they arrived at Changchun Palace, Consort Yun didn't say anything unnecessary and directly handed the music score to Song Zhao.
As Song Zhao flipped through the pages, she realized it was the lost second half of 'The Green Fairy by the Washed Stream.'
For someone who loved music, this was truly a priceless treasure.
Song Zhao hurriedly said, "This... How can I accept such a generous gift from Your Highness?"
Consort Yun waved her hand dismissively, "It's all for serving the Emperor. Naturally, the Emperor's happiness takes priority during his birthday banquet. Besides, I'm only letting you study it, not giving it to you. You don't need to be so polite."
Song Zhao thanked Consort Yun for her generosity and chatted with her over tea for a while.
But unexpectedly, while they were talking, Song Zhao suddenly felt a surge in her stomach and couldn't help but retch.
Consort Yun gently swept her hand over Song Zhao's back and asked with concern, "Oh, what's wrong? Are you feeling uncomfortable somewhere?"
Song Zhao didn't furrow her brows and shook her head. "I'm fine, perhaps I caught a chill due to the recent change in weather."
"It doesn't seem like that to me. The way you look reminds me of Consort Chen and Consort Shu when they were pregnant," Consort Yun said, lowering her voice. "Let me ask you, has your monthly cycle arrived this month?"
Blushing shyly, Song Zhao shook her head. Consort Yun immediately exclaimed, "Oh my! There might be good news! Coincidentally, Imperial Physician Zhao is here to check my pulse for safety. He's waiting in the side hall. Let him examine you!" Without waiting for Song Zhao's response, Consort Yun took her hand and hurriedly led her to the side hall.
"My kitchen is still cooking, I'll come right after I fetch Imperial Physician Zhao for you," Consort Yun said before leaving, leaving Song Zhao alone with Imperial Physician Zhao.
Imperial Physician Zhao had a mature appearance and stroked his beard as he respectfully asked Song Zhao to take a seat. After covering her wrist with a thin gauze, he began feeling her pulse.
Song Zhao watched as his expression changed from calm to delighted before her eyes.
After a moment,
His eyes sparkled with joy, and he took two steps back, bowing deeply. "Congratulations, Your Highness! Congratulations, Your Highness! According to your pulse, you have been pregnant for over a month!"
