In the early morning, the first ray of morning light filtered through the cracks of the lattice windows, mapping onto Song Zhao's porcelain-like skin.
She lazily opened her eyes, only to find Xiao Jingheng leaning on his side, with a smile full of deep feelings as he gazed at her affectionately.
Song Zhao panicked for a moment and quickly pulled over the quilt to cover her head. "Your Majesty...I just got up and I'm a mess, please don't stare at me like that..."
"Ugly? If you are ugly, then there would be no beauty left in this world."
Xiao Jingheng pulled down the quilt, looking at the beautiful woman blushing with shyness, her eyes dodging around like a panicked fawn, making him even more tickled.
Such a beauty, her skin white as snow, graceful brows and sparkling eyes, red lips without lipstick, how could he not feast his eyes on her?
Unable to restrain himself, Xiao Jingheng moved closer to Song Zhao and planted a kiss on her cheek, his magnetic deep voice mixed with desire sounded out,
"My Zhao'er, no matter when, you are always stunningly beautiful."
His hands had already started wandering unrestrainedly, but Song Zhao was not about to let him have his way.
She nimbly slipped out of Xiao Jingheng's embrace with an agile twist and got off the bed.
Her loosely tied up hair cascaded down like a waterfall as she moved a bit dramatically. Letting her hair spread out, she smiled coquettishly at Xiao Jingheng, intentionally arousing his desire,
"Your Majesty must be hungry while I'm hungry too~ Let this concubine go prepare breakfast for you now~"
With that said, she turned around and left without paying attention to whatever indecent words Xiao Jingheng was saying on the bed.
Xiao Jingheng always felt that Song Zhao was different from all the women he had met before.
Needless to say about her beauty, just the fact that she could be immaculately beautiful first thing in the morning without any make up on, was enough to make all the other consorts and concubines in the harem pale in comparison.
But the truth is?
No matter how beautiful Song Zhao is, she is still just an ordinary woman.
Compared to the other consorts, she did not possess any extraordinary talents, just a bit more hard work and careful thoughts.
The others would be fast asleep in Xiao Jingheng’s arms after spending the night with him,
But she on the other hand, would almost always stay up the whole night without sleep after serving him.
Every time when Xiao Jingheng fell asleep, she would quietly touch up her make up, not missing any rouge, powder, or lipstick. Just lightly applied to not leave any visible traces.
Song Zhao would never miss any chance that could capture Xiao Jingheng's heart. After all, after she becomes the Empress or even the Dowager Empress one day, she could sleep anytime she wanted. It wouldn't matter much at that point to miss a moment or two now.
Busy with preparations in the morning according to Xiao Jingheng’s preferences, she prepared a full table of delicious food for him.
After the morning meal, Xiao Jingheng had to go to Bitong Academy to handle government affairs. He asked Song Zhao what her plans were for the day.
Song Zhao laughed and said, “The Dowager Empress said today that she wanted to teach me a dish from her hometown, a delicacy that my aunt used to like too."
Xiao Jingheng stroked her nose and laughed, “Then follow along and learn well. When you’ve succeeded, let me have a taste too."
“I’m clumsy, if you don’t despise me then we have a deal. Don’t go back on your word~” Song Zhao’s tranquil smile on her face fascinated Xiao Jingheng very much.
Smiling without showing her teeth, passionate eyes, charming and gorgeous. She was extremely enchanting.
He felt that everything about Song Zhao was perfect. If only he knew that even such a simple smile took countless times of practice in front of the mirror by Song Zhao, calculating what angle she should lift her lips, what expressions her eyes should contain, alluring but not cheap, before she could present such a captivating and perfect effect.
After sending off Xiao Jingheng, the smile on Song Zhao’s face disappeared instantly, replaced by an icy coldness.
She stared at the door, watching Xi Ying carefully entering, paying her respects in the most respectful manner,
“Miss, this servant followed your orders and showed Consort Chen that family letter, also telling her that you deliberately made His Majesty stay yesterday.”
As she spoke, she took out several pieces of silver from her sleeve, “This is the reward given to me by Consort Chen. Please accept it, Miss."
Song Zhao looked at her coldly, "Since she gave it to you then keep it, who doesn't like money?"
She then signaled Yun Shan with her eyes.
Yun Shan understood, and took out silver that was significantly more than what Consort Chen had given, placing it on the table in front of Xi Ying.
Song Zhao continued, "I said, helping me has great benefits. These are what you deserved."
Xi Ying thanked her profusely with joy, as if she had picked up a great fortune, hugging the silver as she withdrew.
That so-called family letter was written by Song Zhao specifically for Consort Chen to see.
She knew that Song Shicheng relied on the support of Consort Chen’s maternal family, so she had to think of a way to motivate Consort Chen to act against Song Shicheng.
After so long since entering the palace, she still hadn't “repaid” her father and mother properly, which was quite unfilial.
But whether Consort Chen would take action after reading the letter still remained unknown.
When doing things, Song Zhao always demanded certainty of success.
After a while, Xiao Fuzi came in.
He greeted Song Zhao with clasped hands, "Miss, this servant has investigated clearly. The incense you saw in the Dowager Empress’ palace is called Jin Fogan. Extremely precious, a single stick costs nearly 100 taels."
These days, Song Zhao accompanied the Dowager Empress daily.
She saw an incense box placed in front of the shrine when the Dowager Empress was paying respects to Buddha. That incense looked entirely golden, as if it was made of gold. It appeared extraordinary.
Song Zhao was very curious about what it was, so when she went to greet the Dowager Empress yesterday, she brought Xiao Fuzi along.
Xiao Fuzi was smart and familiar with servants from all over the place, perfect for probing information.
Now Song Zhao knew what incense the Dowager Empress used, and had a sense of it in her mind.
Today when she went to greet the Dowager Empress, she deliberately arrived half an hour later.
By the time she arrived, the Dowager Empress happened to be in the middle of offering incense and praying to Buddha. She waited for a while until the Dowager Empress finished paying respects to Buddha before smiling and saying,
“This concubine came late today.”
She opened the container she brought and placed it on the table. Inside contained a dish of fried yunsu pastries,
"Thinking that the Dowager Empress was going to teach me a hometown dish today, I also prepared fried yunsu pastries for you. My aunt used to make them for me often when I was little. I wonder if it suits the Dowager Empress' taste?"
"This fried yunsu was also a childhood snack that I loved with your mother. But too oily and salty now, I haven't had it in a long time."
Although the Dowager Empress said this, her actions did not show any disdain. She immediately took one and put it in her mouth, and kept praising Song Zhao's craftsmanship.
Song Zhao said, "You flatter me too much Dowager Empress. My skills are very average, I’m honored that you do not despise me."
As she spoke, she deeply sniffed a few times, and curiously asked,
"The scent in the Dowager Empress’ palace smells very familiar to me."
"Proper offerings require a sincere heart. Naturally I should offer the Buddha the best incense."
The Dowager Empress let her close attendant Qingzhu beside her take the incense from the shrine for Song Zhao to see.
As soon as Song Zhao saw the incense, she blurted out,
"Is this Jin Fogan? No wonder it smells so familiar to me."
The Dowager Empress knew how rare Jin Fogan was. Seeing that Song Zhao seemed quite familiar with this incense, she couldn't help asking curiously,
“You actually recognize this incense?"
Song Zhao casually nodded her head, as if she was very accustomed to seeing it. She casually said,
“When I was at home in the past, my mother would burn this daily. My mother shares the same deep faith in Buddhism as the Dowager Empress. I believe you two could have gotten along well."
Upon hearing this, the Dowager Empress' expression instantly turned ugly, filled with suspicions inwardly:
Jin Fogan was precious and something even she used prudently,
How could the legal wife Jiang of Duke Huguo, Song Zhao's mother, be so wealthy to use it daily?
