When they arrived at Chaoyang Palace, after washing up and getting dressed, the palace maids led Song Zhao to the inner chambers.
She took very small steps when entering, and frowned when she saw Xiao Jingheng kneeling to greet her.
Xiao Jingheng could tell she was uncomfortable, and quickly helped her sit on the heated seat,
"My beloved concubine, what's the matter? Are you not feeling well anywhere?"
"His Majesty still asks..." Song Zhao's face turned red, and she lightly patted his chest, then looked towards the long case beside them,
"It's all His Majesty's fault the other night... it left my back sore and I've had back pain for a long time."
Two nights ago when Song Zhao came to the imperial consort chambers, the two of them explored new territory, using only a cushion on the long table. They began the most primitive exploration.
That night they were both extremely satisfied. Xiao Jingheng liked watching Song Zhao's beautiful face illuminated by the candlelight from the front.
Especially her frowns and grimaces while engaging in the act, which made her even more enchanting.
Hearing her complain now, he covered her slender waist with his hand and gently massaged it. Lowering his voice, he laughed,
"It was all Me, wasn't it? I don't know who was holding Me so tightly that her nails left scratches all over my back."
Song Zhao let out a charming groan, and buried her head deeper into his embrace,
"His Majesty always says such things, leaving his concubine too embarrassed."
Xiao Jingheng laughed heartily, stroking Song Zhao's bangs indulgently.
He liked Song Zhao being like this, acting intimate whether in bed or not. Her coquettishness and shyness made Xiao Jingheng infatuated with her.
He was about to tease Song Zhao some more with indecent words, but his actions suddenly froze when he touched the hairpin in her upswept hair.
His gaze fell upon recognizing the cassia blossoms on the hairpin, naturally reminding him of someone else.
Seeing he had gone silent, Song Zhao asked, "What is His Majesty thinking about?"
"Do you like cassia?"
"Mm." Song Zhao nodded obediently, "The cassia is a flower that only blooms once its leaves have all fallen, and only bears fruit once its flowers have all withered. When I was young I heard my father say, this flower concentrates all its effort like no other in this world. I like its character."
Xiao Jingheng had asked the same question of Consort Chen.
However, Consort Chen was unknowledgeable and her answer lacked depth.
She only said she liked the coquettishness and fragrance of cassia, and also because she had first met Xiao Jingheng under a cassia tree, so the flower held special meaning to her and she liked it even more.
While reminiscing about the past, he heard the beauty in his arms groan again, so he asked, "Does it still hurt a lot?"
Song Zhao said, "I felt a bit uncomfortable when I got up this morning, but thought it was nothing so I didn't summon the imperial physician. I didn't expect it to get worse tonight."
Seeing her shiver slightly in his arms, how could Xiao Jingheng bear to 'torment' her further?
So he said, "It was my fault for losing restraint. I will personally escort you back and have the physician on duty diagnose and treat you."
On the way back to the palace, in order to accommodate her, Xiao Jingheng accompanied her in the same sedan chair.
Normally Song Zhao would have declined, but perhaps their relationship had progressed another step, as she said nothing against it today.
On the ride back, Song Zhao snuggled in Xiao Jingheng's embrace, coquettishly saying, "I'm reluctant to part with Your Majesty."
Xiao Jingheng caressed her shoulder, "Then what should we do? Shall I stay over at Yao Hua Palace with you tonight?"
Song Zhao hurriedly shook her head, "Only the main consort's palace would permit His Majesty an overnight stay, I wouldn't dare overstep my bounds."
Peering through the fluttering window curtain, she looked at the inky night sky dotted with fragmented jade stars, happily saying, "The skies stretch vast tonight without a single cloud, and the night scenery is exceptionally charming. Would His Majesty accompany me to appreciate the night view?"
Xiao Jingheng said, "Alright, all according to your wish."
As winter approached, the weather had turned cold. Admiring the moon standing in the wind would be unrealistic.
Therefore, the two could only sit in the sedan appreciating the scenery through the small window.
The closest route from Chaoyang Palace to Yao Hua Palace passed through long streets.
The tall, lofty walls of the long streets obstructed the view, ill-suited for scenic viewing.
Upon learning his master wanted to admire the stars and moon, Jiang Deshun ordered the sedan bearers to take a slightly longer route that was more open with better visibility, allowing his master to fully enjoy himself.
Xiao Jingheng had originally pulled Song Zhao into his embrace to admire the moon, chatting and laughing together.
But when they passed Guangyang Gate, Xiao Jingheng suddenly fell silent.
This small path inevitably passed Guangyang Gate, and flanking both sides of Guangyang Gate were the palace’s large cassia plantations.
Passing this area now, with the cassia flowers not in bloom, the bare branches looked bleak and desolate under the moonlight.
Xiao Jingheng recalled meeting Consort Chen for the first time here, when cassia flowers filled the trees. Petals danced in the wind around the graceful, charming maiden.
Consort Chen then was no different from Song Zhao now, innocent and vivacious, playfully throwing tantrums, though she would also bicker and show jealousy, she would never secretly plot anything malicious.
The same scene, the same people, everything seemed unchanged, yet everything had become different.
When the sedan stopped outside the gates of Yao Hua Palace, Xiao Jingheng supported Song Zhao out of the sedan, instructing her,
"The imperial physician will come later to diagnose you. Take your medicine and rest early after he leaves. If you still feel uncomfortable tomorrow morning, ask Empress Chen for leave and properly rest for two days."
"Thank you for Your Majesty's concern."
Song Zhao hooked Xiao Jingheng's neck, tiptoeing to lightly kiss his cheek.
"It grows late and the dew is heavy, Your Majesty should also return to the palace soon."
Xiao Jingheng smiled indulgently, flicking the tip of her exquisite little nose,
"I will come see you when I have time tomorrow."
After watching Song Zhao return to the palace, as Xiao Jingheng turned to board his sedan, Jiang Deshun flicked his horsehair whisk, saying
"Your Majesty, back to the palace."
Yet they had just walked two steps when Xiao Jingheng said from within the sedan,
"I'm going to visit Consort Chen."
Jiang Deshun visibly stiffened for a moment, but quickly called out loudly,
"To Yonghe Palace!"
