Chapter 15: Knowing When to Advance and Retreat

Chapter 15: Knowing When to Advance and Retreat

After their intimate encounter, Song Zhao lay on her side, nestled in Xiao Jingheng's arms.

His slightly rough fingertips gently caressed her fragrant shoulders,

"You're afraid of thunder, so let's wait for the rain to stop before you leave."

It was clear to anyone with eyes that this rain wouldn't cease anytime soon.

What Xiao Jingheng implied was that he wanted to be intimate with Song Zhao once more.

He knew restraint, and seldom indulged in physical pleasures.

Among the consorts in the palace, only the Chief Consort had been favored twice in one night due to her exceptional skills.

I thought Song Zhao would gladly accept, but unexpectedly she said,

"Your Majesty, I cannot stay. Otherwise, there will surely be talk tomorrow about me spending too much time in your palace. This is my first time serving in your chamber, and I do not wish to draw too much attention..."

She spoke timidly, their skins touching; Xiao Jingheng could distinctly feel her trembling.

He thought, perhaps the incident of her stepmother beating her aunt to death in front of her had left a deep psychological scar.

That's why she was so cautious, afraid to step out of line.

But this was also good; such a woman would not become arrogant with favor.

Xiao Jingheng turned and placed a light kiss on Song Zhao's forehead,

"Alright, I will have someone escort you back."

As Song Zhao got dressed, Xiao Jingheng lay on his side on the couch, propping his head with one hand, his intense gaze openly fixed on her.

He admired her like a finely crafted piece of art, every inch of the young girl sparking his imagination.

He had felt this novelty with other striking consorts before,

But his feelings for Song Zhao were somewhat stronger.

"Be cautious in everything. Going back from here today with your ‘rash’ completely healed would only arouse suspicion. Tomorrow, when you go to pay respects to the Empress, if anyone asks about your face, say that I summoned the imperial physician to treat you, and that's how it healed."

Song Zhao fastened her waistband and bowed in gratitude, "Thank you, Your Majesty, for considering everything for this concubine."

Xiao Jingheng beckoned to her, "Come here."

Song Zhao approached the couch, as gentle and docile as a kitten.

Xiao Jingheng gripped her hand tighter, "When the thunder stops and the rain pauses, I'll call for you again."

Song Zhao nodded shyly and timidly, softly uttering a 'yes'.

Xiao Jingheng chuckled and pinched her slender waist, then raised his voice to call out to someone beyond the door, "Jiang Deshun."

The door to the sleeping chamber opened in response, and the chief eunuch Jiang Deshun, head of the imperial attendants, entered with a bow, asking,

"What are your orders, Your Majesty?"

"The storm is fierce outside. Escort Song Answer safely out."

Ultimately, Song Zhao was escorted out of the Chaoyang Palace by Jiang Deshun.

Jiang Deshun held an umbrella over her while getting completely drenched himself.

Standing outside the side gate of Chaoyang Palace, Zhang Jiugui was initially startled at the scene, then hurriedly smiled and escorted Song Zhao to her palanquin, before softly asking Jiang Deshun,

"Eunuch Jiang, why... did you personally escort Song Answer out?"

Jiang Deshun, as the chief eunuch, was effectively the leader of all eunuchs in the imperial city,

Even Zhang Jiugui, the head of the respectfulness department, had to show him utmost deference.

Zhang Jiugui moved his umbrella over Jiang Deshun's head, eagerly wiping the rainwater off him.

Unexpectedly, Jiang Deshun glanced at him and said irritably, "You're getting quite adept at your duties. After escorting Lady Song back, go to the Internal Affairs Department to receive your punishment."

These imperial servants, each one shrewd as can be.

With just a word or a look from their master, they could infer the unspoken intentions.

Other consorts had attendants for their makeup, but Song Zhao was sent into Chaoyang Palace 'bare-faced'; how could Xiao Jingheng not know that the respectfulness department was deliberately causing trouble?

But as this matter was trivial, and Xiao Jingheng was not inclined to investigate who was behind the mischief,

Punishing Zhang Jiugui would naturally serve as a warning to those behind him.

'Boom'

Song Zhao, sitting inside the Luánmíng Chéng'ēn palanquin, heard the ceaseless thunder outside but showed no sign of the fear she had earlier; even a faint smile appeared at the corner of her lips.

Song Zhao had grown up in harsh conditions,

She wasn't afraid of hell, so why would she fear thunder?

But today, in front of Xiao Jingheng, she had to appear frightened, to give him a chance to be compassionate and protective, to let him feel a sense of achievement from her.

These emotional values, just like her radiant face and graceful figure, held equal worth.

To get what she wanted from Xiao Jingheng, these were the stakes she had to play.

Meanwhile, in the Yaohua Palace, Consort Li, who had watched Song Zhao being carried away, couldn't sleep all night.

She thought, with Song Zhao's qualities, serving in the emperor's chamber would end in being 'returned.'

But unexpectedly, nearly two hours passed without Song Zhao's return.

It was almost the second watch of the night when she finally heard some movement in the courtyard.

She hurried out and saw Song Zhao holding an umbrella, about to return to the west wing, and called out to her,

"You were gone so long?"

"Sister hasn't slept yet?" Seeing Consort Li approaching without an umbrella, Song Zhao quickly shared hers, "Sister is still ill; it's not good to get wet in the rain."

Sharing an umbrella, Consort Li looked at Song Zhao with hidden annoyance and rolled her eyes.

But that glance allowed her to clearly see Song Zhao's stunningly beautiful and flawless face.

She exclaimed in shock, "Your... your face?"

Touching her cheek, Song Zhao said somewhat sheepishly, "Today, when I was summoned, His Majesty noticed the rash on my face hadn't faded. Just then, an imperial physician was there to check His Majesty's pulse. His Majesty asked him to examine me as well. The physician worked wonders with acupuncture and medicine, and the rash actually faded. That's why I was delayed and returned late."

Hearing her say this, Consort Li felt a tingling irritation.

Previously, Consort Li had never considered Song Zhao a threat, believing even Liu Changzai and Xiao Changzai were more likely to gain favor than Song Zhao.

But today, seeing her true appearance, even the confident Consort Li couldn't help but feel a twinge of jealousy.

It wasn't just Xiao Jingheng; even she couldn't help but marvel at such a face.

"Hmph," Consort Li snorted coldly, speaking with disdain, "The Emperor must like you a lot, doesn’t he?"

Song Zhao deflected, "How could I compare to sister? When the physician was treating me, His Majesty asked repeatedly about your health, knowing we live together. He even mentioned he'd like to visit you when he has time."

"I served the Emperor before you and share a deeper bond with him, something you can't compare with."

As they spoke, Consort Li suddenly snatched the umbrella from Song Zhao's hands,

"I warn you! Don’t think just because you've served in the chamber, you can be on par with me. I am a Consort, and you are just an attendant. If you dare to seduce and deceive, be careful, I might tell the Empress!"

After saying this, she turned and walked back to the eastern wing, leaving Song Zhao alone in the rain.