Song Zhao had always wanted to visit Concubine Xiao Changzai, but she had been sick and had not removed the gauze on her face. Except for Xiao Jingheng, no one else was allowed to see her.
Previously, Song Zhao had told Xiao Jingheng that she felt that Concubine Xiao Changzai had suffered for her sake, and she couldn't sleep at night because of the guilt she felt. She begged Xiao Jingheng to allow her to take Judge Chu from the Imperial Medical Bureau to treat Concubine Xiao Changzai, hoping to find some peace of mind.
This request was reasonable, and Xiao Jingheng naturally agreed.
Before setting off today, Song Zhao inquired and found out that there was a physician currently examining Concubine Xiao Changzai at the Imperial Medical Bureau. So she told Xiaofuzi, "Yun Shan and I are going to Zhaochun Palace. You should go to the Imperial Medical Bureau and ask Judge Chu to come along. Just say it's an order from the Emperor."
Song Zhao took out the royal jelly that Xiao Jingheng had given her from the treasury. It was the best for external use on scars.
When they arrived at Zhaochun Palace, they heard Concubine Xiao Changzai, who was residing in the west side hall, arguing with the physician.
"I don't care about anything else! My face must be healed! I can afford any expensive medicine! If my monthly stipend is not enough, my family will provide the silver to make up for it!"
"Princess, it's not about the medicine, it's about your face..."
"Is my sister feeling better?"
Song Zhao stepped in and interrupted the physician before he could say anything else.
Concubine Xiao Changzai, perhaps feeling self-conscious about her face, turned to the side and only showed her right side to Song Zhao.
"What are you doing here? I don't want to see anyone. Leave!"
Song Zhao spoke kindly, "I happen to have some royal jelly here. I thought of bringing it to see if my sister could use it."
She handed the item to the physician and said, "Doctor, please take a look as well. See if this royal jelly has any effect on the scars on Concubine Xiao Changzai's face."
In the palace, one couldn't casually give things to others, as the things given away might become a weapon used against oneself.
By having the physician examine the royal jelly in front of Concubine Xiao Changzai, even if she were to go mad in the future, she wouldn't be able to use the royal jelly to plot against Song Zhao.
After examining it, the physician said, "This is an excellent quality royal jelly. Applying it to the scars can have a lightening effect."
"Thank you for your trouble, Doctor." Song Zhao placed the royal jelly on a small table next to Concubine Xiao Changzai's bed, and then said to the physician, "There are still things I need to discuss with Concubine Xiao Changzai. Once you're done with your examination, you may leave."
After the physician left, Song Zhao also sent Yun Shan away, and she herself moved a chair to sit beside Concubine Xiao Changzai's bed, showing her concern.
"Things have come to this point, sister, there's no need to be sad anymore. Excessive worry is harmful to your health. It's not good for yourself."
"You say it so easily!" Concubine Xiao Changzai covered her face and shifted her body further into the bed. "It's not you whose appearance has been ruined. Of course, you can say whatever you want! In fact, the one who should have been playing the pipa that day was you, and the one who should have had the accident was you! But instead, I suffered the consequences for you. And now you're pretending to be sympathetic in front of me!"
Upon hearing these words, tears immediately welled up in Song Zhao's eyes.
"I also think that I have wronged my sister. That's why I pleaded with the emperor to bring Judge Chu from the Imperial Medical Bureau to treat my sister. Judge Chu is highly skilled in medicine, and perhaps there is hope for the scars on my sister's face to be healed."
Judge Chu, as the judge of the Imperial Medical Bureau, only serves Emperor Xiao Jingheng, the Empress, and the Empress Dowager. Even Concubine Chen cannot command him.
Upon hearing that there might be a chance for her sister's face to recover, Xiao Jingheng's attitude towards Song Zhao also softened.
"Why are you crying? It should be me who should cry."
Song Zhao pursed her lips and nodded. "I am not as strong as my sister. This incident was purely accidental, and my sister should look forward."
"Accidental?" Xiao Jingheng furrowed his brows and shook his head. "Do you really think it was an accident? This incident was originally aimed at you. With your favoritism, it is inevitable that someone would want to plot against you!"
Song Zhao remained silent for a moment, her expression appearing somewhat unnatural.
After a brief silence, she deliberately changed the subject. "In the past two days, my sister refused to see anyone, but I heard that the emperor visited her twice. It shows that the emperor still cares about my sister."
"He just came to see me briefly, like dealing with official duties. He didn't want to stay for even a moment." Xiao Jingheng touched the scars on his face and sighed, "I know in my heart that with this appearance, the emperor must despise me."
Song Zhao said, "The emperor has been busy with state affairs recently. Being able to visit my sister is already taking time out of his busy schedule. How could there be any disdain for my sister? My sister should know that since the emperor's birthday banquet, even Concubine Chen has not seen him once. Compared to that, it shows the emperor's concern for my sister."
Xiao Jingheng was momentarily stunned by her words.
Hasn't seen Concubine Chen?
Every time Xiao Jingheng came to see her, they would exchange a few words.
He clearly heard Xiao Jingheng say that the country was prosperous and he had plenty of leisure time.
If he had free time, why didn't he go to see Concubine Chen?
Xiao Jingheng pondered in his heart:
Could it be that Concubine Chen had a hand in this matter? But because of the powerful influence of her maternal family, Xiao Jingheng didn't want to investigate, so he dealt with it hastily? And then, by not going to see her and leaving Concubine Chen hanging, was it a lesson for her?
Without giving it much thought, Xiao Jingheng arrived.
He examined the scars on Xiao Jingheng's face, and his expression appeared somewhat serious.
Just as he was about to say something, he heard Song Zhao cough, diverting Judge Chu's attention.
Xiao Jingheng secretly watched as Song Zhao seemed to exchange a glance with Judge Chu.
Then Judge Chu said, "The injuries on the princess's face are not severe. I am treating them diligently, and in some time, there will be a chance for a full recovery."
Xiao Jingheng, upon hearing this, hurriedly said, "Then I will trouble Judge Chu."
Although she said that on the surface, Xiao Jingheng still felt that there was something between Judge Chu and Song Zhao.
After the two individuals left together, Xiao Jingheng quietly followed behind.
It wasn't until they reached the corner of the side gate, where they were about to part ways, that Xiao Jingheng stopped.
Concealed behind the corner of the gate, Xiao Jingheng eavesdropped on their conversation.
Song Zhao said, "Thank you, Judge Chu, for your trouble. I hope Judge Chu can keep this a secret from Concubine Xiao. It's a way to give her some hope and prevent her from overthinking. After all, when a person is alive, they must have something to look forward to."
Judge Chu replied, "I understand. Song Zhao has a kind heart. Although it's impossible to completely restore the scars on Concubine Xiao's face, with continuous medical treatment, the scars will definitely fade a bit."
Song Zhao sighed, "That's all we can do. Xiaojie is truly pitiful. I hope the Emperor will show her more care in the future."
After a brief conversation, they parted ways at the crossroads, each going their own direction.
Concealed behind the corner gate, Concubine Xiao listened to their conversation clearly.
Her tears seemed to have run dry, and she sat weakly against the red wall, sliding down to the ground little by little.
She didn't know how much time had passed. Her tears had dried up, and the despair and helplessness in her eyes were replaced by resentment and hatred.
She lifted her head and looked towards Yonghe Palace, where the Imperial Consort resided.
Her hands clenched into tight fists, her nails digging into her flesh without feeling any pain...
