Song Zhao nestled in Xiao Jingheng's arms, pressing tightly against his solid chest.
His heartbeat was vigorous and warm,
but it couldn't bring any sense of security to Song Zhao.
Even though she was favored now, what could it really change?
Twenty years had passed in the blink of an eye, and once her beauty faded with age, who could guarantee that Xiao Jingheng wouldn't abandon her just like he had abandoned Xiao Chang? Would he discard her just as decisively?
Song Zhao had always understood that expecting someone, whether it be a man or a woman, to remain completely faithful was against common sense.
So, after realizing this fact, she never expected Xiao Jingheng to treat her differently.
Instead of hoping for a miracle, she decided to live her life as a legend.
Her hand naturally rested on Xiao Jingheng's thigh, unconsciously caressing the intricately woven golden threads on his dragon robe.
She stared at the lifelike golden dragon and suddenly felt that compared to the man holding her in his arms, this garment symbolizing ultimate power was even more attractive to her.
After all, only with real power in hand could a woman be spared from being treated as a plaything by men.
"What are you thinking?"
Xiao Jingheng gently stroked Song Zhao's delicate chin, applying slight pressure to make her lift her head in his embrace.
Their eyes met, and Song Zhao unintentionally drew closer,
"I was thinking, if it were me who got bitten today, I'm afraid I wouldn't be able to accompany the Emperor anymore. Now that I think about it, I feel scared."
"Silly girl, talking nonsense as always." Xiao Jingheng leaned down and lightly kissed the girl's lips, then said:
"Empress Chen told me today that in order to save her, you rushed out without considering your own safety. You always put others before yourself, treat them wholeheartedly, but often overlook your own well-being."
Song Zhao blushed and said, "I don't deserve the Emperor's praise."
In fact, she was somewhat surprised,
She hadn't expected Consort Chen to speak up for another woman in front of Xiao Jingheng.
It seemed that her "self-sacrifice" this time had gained Consort Chen's trust even more.
Xiao Jingheng supported Song Zhao's back, making her sit up straight, and his burning gaze stared directly at her,
"In the palace, there is no noble rank higher than that of a consort. I am thinking of elevating your position. Can you handle it?"
Upon hearing this, Song Zhao almost instinctively refused,
"I have only been in the palace for a little over three months, and my experience is still lacking. Besides, I have not contributed anything to the Emperor's successor. I dare not assume a high position. When things are not right, words will not go smoothly. I ask the Emperor to withdraw the decree."
Song Zhao was well aware that the positions in the harem were merely superficial. If she hadn't captured Xiao Jingheng's heart, what good would it do for her to become a consort?
Wasn't Li Shi a consort before? Her bones must be cold now...
Moreover, before this, Song Zhao had only been promoted once. Now, if she were to be promoted again and reached a higher rank within just two months, wouldn't she become even more of a thorn in the side of the other consorts?
That's why she kept refusing.
Later, Xiao Jingheng couldn't persuade her any longer and had to give up, but he couldn't help teasing her along the way:
"In order to have a legitimate reason, you said that I need to have a pregnancy. Implicitly, it means that I have to put in more effort."
"Your Majesty..."
Xiao Jingheng laughed loudly and then carried Song Zhao horizontally, disregarding the girl's struggles in his arms. He carried her all the way to the bed and began to show her tender affection.
*
The next day was the Empress's rest day, so the concubines did not need to pay respects at the Feng Luan Palace.
However, Song Zhao still woke up early and, after dressing and grooming herself, she told Yun Shan during breakfast,
"Yesterday, Consort Chen was frightened. I'm going to visit her palace and check on her."
Yun Shan said, "It has cooled down today. My lady, you should wear more layers."
As soon as she finished speaking, Xiao Fuzi brought a smoky blue cloak and said, "My lady, wearing this cloak will keep you from getting cold."
Yun Shan smelled a strong scent of realgar wine on the cloak and praised Xiao Fuzi, saying,
"You're smart. You also know that Consort Chen's Yonghe Palace is closest to the Plum Garden, so you sprinkled realgar wine on the cloak to keep those filthy things away from our lady."
Xiao Fuzi smiled foolishly and said, "I learned it all from you."
Yun Shan proudly raised her chin at him. After Song Zhao finished her breakfast, Yun Shan helped her put on the cloak and they went to the Yonghe Palace together.
Upon arrival, Song Zhao saw Concubine Liu there as well.
It wasn't surprising that she was trying to curry favor with Consort Chen.
"Concubine Liu pays respects to Consort Chen, greetings, Your Highness."
"Please rise and take a seat."
Song Zhao stepped forward and exchanged a smile with Concubine Liu, acknowledging the greeting.
As soon as Song Zhao sat down today, a palace maid brought her a cup of new tea.
She sat close to Concubine Liu and noticed that there was ordinary Biluochun tea in Concubine Liu's teacup, while the cup in front of her contained excellent pre-rain Longjing tea.
It seemed that Consort Chen still remembered her favor from yesterday.
But just as Song Zhao took a few sips of tea and before she could say a few words to Consort Chen, Consort Chen suddenly reverted to her usual expression of disdain, rolling her eyes and asking,
"What's that smell on you?"
She waved her handkerchief to cover her nose and said, "It smells really pungent."
Song Zhao smiled and glanced at Yun Shan, who was serving by her side, and explained, "This clever girl thought that realgar wine can ward off snakes and insects, so she sprinkled some on my cloak. It's also for our peace of mind, isn't it? The Plum Garden is so close to Your Highness's Yonghe Palace, so Your Highness can also sprinkle some in the palace, just in case."
Consort Chen disdainfully sneered, "Huh. The Xiao clan is on the verge of being sent to the Cold Palace. If there are any poisonous snakes in the palace in the future, they should go to the Cold Palace to find her."
Later, Song Zhao expressed a few more words of sincere concern,
But the scent of realgar wine on her body was too strong, and Consort Chen kept holding her nose, gradually becoming impatient.
Song Zhao tactfully took her leave.
After she left, Concubine Liu suddenly lowered her voice and said to Consort Chen,
"Your Highness, when you smelled the scent on Song Zhao's cloak, did it feel familiar to you?"
Consort Chen pondered in silence for a moment, took a deep breath, and then said:
"I didn't realize it until you mentioned it, but now that you have, it seems like I've smelled this scent somewhere in the past few days, though not as pungent as it is on her."
Concubine Liu's eyes darkened. "Yesterday, when I went to the Plum Garden to admire the plum blossoms, the soup maid that the Empress Dowager was holding in her arms faintly exuded this scent. I think it must be the musk wine that was diluted with water and then boiled again, which is why the scent has become milder..."
Consort Chen was not foolish. With Concubine Liu's subtle guidance, she immediately understood.
"It turns out to be that wretched Empress!"
She was so angry that she stood up and slammed the table, anxiously saying, "She pretends to be full of benevolence and righteousness on a daily basis, but her methods behind the scenes are so malicious! I will immediately go and inform the Emperor about this matter. I must expose the hypocritical facade of that wretched woman!"
Seeing Consort Chen about to rush to the Imperial Court in a hurry, Concubine Liu immediately followed to stop her.
"Your Highness, please calm down. It's just musk wine after all, and besides, it's only our perception. There is no evidence. The soup maid has already been replaced, so there is no basis for accusation. The Emperor wouldn't be able to confront the Empress without any solid proof."
"What should we do then? Shall we let her continue to make a fool of me?"
While the two were talking, Ying Xiang hurriedly ran in, gasping for breath, and said,
"Your Highness... Xiao Shi, she... she..."
"Why are you stammering? Did she get sent to the Cold Palace?"
"No..." Ying Xiang lowered her head, afraid to meet Consort Chen's eyes, and her voice gradually weakened.
"The Emperor released her from the secret prison and... and gave her the position of a noble consort..."
Upon hearing this, Consort Chen and Concubine Liu were both shocked beyond words.
Almost simultaneously, they asked in astonishment,
"What did you say!?"
