Song Zhao had always harbored resentment over the incident when Consort Shu had a miscarriage and she became the target of public criticism and was confined. She had initially believed that it was all Li's scheme against her, even though the whole thing lacked logic and had many inconsistencies. But at that time, in order to protect herself, she had no choice but to shift all the blame onto Li.
Song Zhao always remembered that when she went to see Li for the last time, Li never admitted to orchestrating the miscarriage. She was already on her deathbed, so why cling to innocence?
This matter had been weighing on Song Zhao's mind, and only recently had she come to understand it.
"At that time, I was the object of public scorn, and the Emperor didn't trust me. In order to protect myself, I had to have you spread the news outside the palace and contact the pharmacy to pin the whole thing on Li. But now, I realize that besides Li, Consort Shu is also a possibility for placing the incriminating evidence in my palace. I was frequently visited by the other consorts, who sent gifts, mostly through palace maids. Only Consort Shu, who was in a higher position, personally brought her gift, and I received her in my inner chamber.
Furthermore, we have always believed that the ginseng sent by Li was tampered with during her gift presentation. But the ginseng was in Consort Shu's palace for over a month. If she wanted to tamper with it herself, wouldn't it have been easy?"
Although Song Zhao's reasoning was sound, Xiao Fu Zi still found it hard to believe.
"But Consort Shu had no reason to frame you. If your speculation is correct, Consort Shu's pregnancy was already unstable. If she had malicious intentions, she could have targeted Consort Chen or even the Empress. After all, by eliminating them, Consort Shu would have gained the most. So why would she choose to harm you, who held power and posed no threat to her?"
Song Zhao calmly continued her analysis:
"Consort Chen's behavior is rebellious, and she looks down on the other consorts and avoids getting close to them. It was only by attaching myself to her that I could receive some favor from her. If Consort Shu wanted to place those harmful things in Consort Chen's palace, she would have had to personally visit. Given Consort Chen's arrogance, Consort Shu would have been turned away at the palace gates.
As for the Empress, it would be even more impossible. First, the Empress would never entertain any of the other consorts in her own sleeping chamber. Second, the Empress is meticulous in her religious practices and the palace is cleaned three times a day. If Consort Shu had tried to plant something in the Empress's palace in an attempt to frame her, she would have been discovered even before she had a miscarriage."
Song Zhao paused for a moment and continued:
"But if it were placed in my palace, it would be different. I had just entered the palace and my position of favor was not yet secure. Being a low-ranking person, it would be easy for others to cast suspicion on me. If I couldn't protect myself, I would never be able to clear my name in this matter. In that case, the Emperor, suspecting someone was manipulating me from behind the scenes, would first suspect whom?"
After some contemplation, Xiaofuzi spoke, "The news of Consort Shu's pregnancy coincided almost simultaneously with Consort Chen's miscarriage. Consort Chen has always been deeply troubled by this, so naturally, the Emperor would also suspect her..."
He paused for a moment, then added, "And there's also the Empress. After all, if Consort Shu safely delivers, the heir she gives birth to will be highly esteemed. The status of a child born to a favored consort is precious, and even if the Empress later gives birth to a legitimate son, their positions would be on par. If the Emperor harbors doubts about this matter, he will undoubtedly cast suspicion on them."
Song Zhao nodded faintly and sneered, "It's said that suspicion breeds demons. Once the Emperor harbors suspicion, he will begin to distance himself from them.
Just think about it, I am the Emperor's new favorite, Consort Chen has enjoyed his favor for so many years, and the Empress is the main consort. Consort Shu's move can be said to have thrown the three of us into the water, and she can use the miscarriage to feign a pitiful appearance and win the Emperor's sympathy. If her scheme succeeds, won't she have the exclusive devotion of the Emperor and seize the opportunity to rise to power?"
After hearing Song Zhao's words, Xiaofuzi couldn't help but gasp, feeling a chill run down his spine.
Xiaofuzi considered himself somewhat clever,
But even if he racked his brains, he probably wouldn't be able to come up with the kind of analysis Song Zhao just made.
On the surface, Consort Shu appeared gentle, with a kind and docile demeanor, always treating others well,
No one could have imagined that such an unassuming person would be scheming so many intricate and dirty tricks behind the scenes.
Such cunning and scheming truly left people speechless.
Xiaofuzi fell silent for a moment, then bowed to Song Zhao and said,
"Your Highness, your keen insight allows you to see opportunities in even the tiniest details. I admire you. Today, when Qingyue did what she did at the Qianli Pond, it indirectly confirmed Your Highness's conjecture. Consort Shu is so adept at scheming, she's not easy to deal with. It would be better for Your Highness to inform Consort Chen about this matter, treating it as a favor to her. With Consort Chen's strength, she can easily defeat Consort Shu."
Upon hearing this, Song Zhao showed no expression and simply shook her head, rejecting Xiaofuzi's suggestion.
"Would Consort Chen believe me if I told her? She might even think that I'm capable of coming up with so many twists and turns," she said, waving her hand dismissively and sighing, "Forget it, we know about this matter ourselves. We'll be cautious. As for others, they can seek their own fortunes."
Later, she claimed to be tired and asked Xiaofuzi to leave and rest, instructing him to keep quiet about this matter and not tell anyone.
Once Xiaofuzi left, Song Zhao casually picked up a silver pair of scissors and idly played with the candlewick that was about to be submerged in the wax.
The flickering flames danced on her face, casting intermittent shadows,
Her thin yet alluring lips curved slightly, carrying a mysterious and even somewhat chilling smile.
Of course, she would not tell Consort Chen or the Empress about this matter,
Not only would she not tell them, but she would also protect Consort Shu's secret.
In doing so, she could watch the Empress and Consort Chen become increasingly at odds,
And all she needed to do was hide in the shadows with Consort Shu, quietly observing the power struggle from afar.
When the Empress and Consort Chen, the two most influential figures in the palace, fought each other to mutual destruction, Consort Shu believed she could seize the opportunity to take the lead.
Naturally, Song Zhao would find a way to subtly reveal all the "good deeds" done by Consort Shu to Xiao Jingheng.
At that moment, she wouldn't need to do anything. She would be able to eliminate the three formidable mountains—the Empress, Consort Chen, and Consort Shu—without lifting a finger. Moreover, she would be one step closer to the throne she desired, the throne of the Empress.
With these thoughts in mind, the smile on the corners of her lips deepened, and she murmured to herself,
"The days in this palace are becoming more and more interesting."
She thought:
Just witnessing these women fighting amongst themselves was already thrilling enough, and it spared her from taking action herself.
It was a perfect opportunity to free up her hands and invest more time and effort into Xiao Jingheng.
With this in mind, she exerted force with the scissors in her hand, cutting the wick of the flower-shaped candle.
The swaying shadows behind her instantly disappeared into the darkness...
