Chapter 17: Seeking Favor with Consort Chen

Chapter 17: Seeking Favor with Consort Chen

Consort Chen's face fell immediately upon hearing this.

She glared at Consort Yun, her eyes filled with malice as they landed on Consort Shu's belly, betraying a hint of jealousy.

However, she quickly straightened up, regaining her usual haughty demeanor, and scoffed,

"Consort Shu's belly is so round and full, a clear sign of good fortune. How could she encounter the same misfortune as me?"

Song Zhao knew before entering the palace that Consort Chen was the first to announce her pregnancy, monopolizing the Emperor's favor.

However, she fell down at the entrance to her own palace at six months pregnant, tragically losing the child.

It was said that Xiao Jingheng felt indebted to her for this incident, and after she recovered, he showered her with even more affection than before.

The words Consort Chen had just spoken to Consort Shu were not kind either.

There's a common belief that a round belly signifies a girl, while a pointed one indicates a boy. Consort Chen's remark about Consort Shu's round belly subtly implied that even if she gives birth, it would likely be just a princess, hardly a significant achievement.

Consort Shu clearly understood the insinuation, her smile freezing on her face.

Consort Chen glanced at her disdainfully, then lazily bowed to the Empress, saying,

"The Emperor has invited me to join him for lunch. I fear being late might delay his schedule, so I'll take my leave now."

Without waiting for the Empress to grant her permission, she turned and left.

"How audacious!" Consort Yun watched Consort Chen's retreating figure, indignantly saying, "Consort Chen is so disrespectful, won't the Empress discipline her?"

The Empress maintained her dignified composure, a faint smile playing on her lips, neither embarrassed nor annoyed.

Ignoring Consort Yun's complaints, the Empress turned to Consort Shu, "You haven’t met the new consorts yet. Now that everyone is here, it’s a good opportunity to get acquainted."

At these words, Song Zhao and Consort Li stood up to bow to Consort Shu,

"We pay our respects to Consort Shu, may you be forever peaceful and well."

Consort Shu's gentle gaze swept over them, asking, "Which one of you is Consort Li?"

Consort Li stepped forward, "Responding to Consort Shu, I am Consort Li."

Consort Shu smiled, "The wild ginseng you sent me was indeed of excellent quality. I liked it very much."

Overjoyed, Consort Li bowed deeply again, "I'm glad you liked it, Consort. In fact, judging by your slightly protruding belly, which isn’t round but rather pointed, it's likely to be a prince~"

"It’s too early to determine the gender, isn’t it?"

Although Consort Shu said this, her face beamed with a smile, clearly delighted by Consort Li's words.

Later, she chatted briefly with Xiao Changzai and Liu Changzai. When it was Song Zhao's turn, her smile faded slightly, studying Song Zhao’s face before commenting,

"Consort Song is indeed exceptionally beautiful."

Song Zhao replied respectfully, "I am but a simple willow, how can I compare to the noble ladies? Cough, cough..."

She had been coughing since she entered the room for the morning greetings,

Her coughs grew louder after Consort Chen left.

The Empress asked with concern, "What’s wrong with you?"

Song Zhao timidly replied, "Cough, cough... I've caught a cold, my throat is dry and itchy, and I fear I've been impolite before Your Majesty, please forgive me."

The Empress responded, "It’s alright. The weather has been changing a lot lately; everyone should take extra care."

Everyone chorused, "Thank you for your care, Your Majesty."

Seeing Song Zhao coughing severely, the Empress said, "There's not much going on today, and since you're not feeling well, you should return to your palace and rest early."

Song Zhao bowed deeply, expressing her worries, "As the lowest in rank, it's improper for me to leave early. However, I fear spreading my cold to the noble ladies. I shall take my leave today and come another day to apologize to the Empress."

Her words were impeccably polite, leaving no room for criticism.

After Song Zhao respectfully withdrew, only Consort Li and Xiao Changzai murmured about her under their breath. Consort Shu, however, commented to the Empress,

"This Consort Song is quite well-mannered and likable. Why is she only an attendant?"

Before the Empress could respond, Consort Li interjected,

"Consort Shu might not be aware, but Consort Song is not of legitimate birth like the rest of us here. She is born of a concubine. Such people inherently lack status. Her being in the palace is already a fortune."

Hearing this, Consort Shu's hand on her belly tightened slightly.

People of illegitimate birth can never hold high status?

With that statement, Consort Li indirectly insulted Consort Shu's unborn child as well.

The atmosphere in the hall turned awkward, and Consort Li, oblivious, didn’t realize she had misspoken.

Seeing Consort Shu's displeasure, the Empress intervened to smooth things over,

"Ultimately, it doesn't matter whether one is of legitimate or illegitimate birth. What’s most important is the Emperor's favor. The late Emperor's Empress Zhao Ding was also of illegitimate birth, yet she was adored by the people. Consort Li, your remark was a bit much."

Consort Li, taken aback and flustered, quickly bowed and said, "I spoke without thinking, I beg the Empress's forgiveness."

The Empress allowed her to rise, and no other consort pursued the matter.

But what each was calculating in their hearts, who could know?

Having left the scene early, Song Zhao stopped coughing once outside Fengluan Palace and almost ran to catch up with Consort Chen’s procession.

"Consort Chen."

The procession halted, and Consort Chen turned, glancing at Song Zhao with surprise, "You?"

"Song Zhao, taking small steps forward, deeply bowed to Chen Fei,"

"'Your concubine thanks Noble Consort Chen for your guidance.'"

"The entire affair of Song Zhao serving the Emperor last night was secretly arranged by Chen Fei from beginning to end."

"Her initial intention was merely to dampen Lady Li's spirits, thinking that with Song Zhao's 'dignified appearance', even if presented before the Emperor, she wouldn't make much of an impression."

"Yet unexpectedly, Song Zhao turned misfortune into a blessing, and instead, she gained the Emperor's favor."

"'Why thank me? Didn't the Empress gift you the Purple Gold Blood-Activating Ointment? You accepted her favor, knowing well that she and I do not get along, yet you still come to thank me?'"

"Song Zhao replied in a lowered voice, 'I can discern who genuinely cares for me and who is merely feigning concern. Having been in the palace for a month, if the Empress had intended to help me, I would have met His Majesty sooner. If not for Noble Consort Chen, I fear I would have remained unseen and silent in this vast palace.'"

"Chen Fei scrutinized Song Zhao's enchantingly beautiful face,"

"Thinking to herself, 'This woman is truly beautiful, beautiful enough to evoke my envy, beautiful enough to make me want to tear off her face.'"

However, this woman was indeed foolish.

On her first night of serving, before she had even finished paying respects to the Empress, she dared to brazenly follow out so soon after leaving?

Anyone with clear sight could see her intentions; was she hastily cutting off her own retreat?

But this was good; as the number of women in the harem increased, he needed to keep some useful people by his side.

Thinking this, the Noble Consort glanced at Song Zhao with the corner of her eye and said indifferently:

"Aren't you ill? Don't bother with formalities, get up."