Chapter 25: Joyful Promotion

Chapter 25: Joyful Promotion

The astonishment stemmed from the fact that, according to the late Emperor's harem rules:

Typically, the promotion of consorts is based on long-term service without fault, significant contributions by their natal family to the previous dynasty, or meriting recognition for bearing a royal heir, leading to a leap in rank and glory.

Yet, Xiao Jingheng's reason for promoting Song Zhao to a Regular Consort was...

To have an additional eunuch serve her?

Such a rationale would hardly be believed if spread.

Naturally, Song Zhao felt uneasy upon hearing this, hastily objecting,

"Your Majesty, I've just entered the palace and have neither achievements nor virtues to deserve such a sudden elevation in rank. Please retract this generous offer, I beseech you, do not burden me with this!"

Xiao Jingheng remained silent, focusing intently on treating the wound on Song Zhao’s calf.

Jiang Deshun, experienced in serving at the Emperor's side, immediately understood Xiao Jingheng's intention and promptly said,

"I understand, Your Majesty. I will go and report this to the Internal Affairs Department and the Directorate of Ceremonial."

Consorts only require a royal edict and an official ceremony when being promoted to the ranks of Imperial Concubine or Noble Consort.

For common promotions like that to a Regular Consort or Noble Lady, the Emperor's word is sufficient.

As Jiang Deshun hurriedly left, making the decision irreversible,

Song Zhao felt anxious, her fingers restlessly twirling the hem of her dress,

Xiao Jingheng noticed her nervous gestures and said with utmost gentleness,

"Don’t be afraid, this is my decree, and no one dares to object. In fact, I initially intended to promote you to a Noble Lady, a rank you deserve. But knowing you dislike ostentation, I opted for a Regular Consort for now, to ease your discomfort."

His words sounded dignified, but upon closer thought, they didn't quite add up.

As the Emperor, he could have easily granted Song Zhao the rank of a Noble Lady without such deliberations.

Ultimately, it was Song Zhao's allure that hadn't completely overwhelmed him.

Continuing the conversation, Song Zhao said, “Your Majesty knows, I do not place much importance on rank. It’s enough for me to be in Your Majesty's heart.”

"Nonsense," Xiao Jingheng replied softly, lowering her trouser leg after applying the medicine. “If I didn’t have you in my heart, why would I bother visiting your palace in this heat to enjoy a meal prepared by you?”

"Oh no!" Song Zhao suddenly exclaimed, slapping her forehead in frustration, "I completely forgot, the eel soup is still on the stove!"

With that, she hurriedly got up from the bed and dashed toward the small kitchen.

Watching her comically flustered state, Xiao Jingheng found it amusing and couldn’t help but laugh,

“Be careful, don’t trip!”

That day, both Xiao Jingheng and Song Zhao thoroughly enjoyed their lunch.

Having been in the palace for over a month, she finally obtained what she wanted from this man.

Though it was just a small gain, a good start often leads to an easier journey ahead.

That night, the Internal Affairs Department sent a servant to attend to Song Zhao.

The servant, chosen by Song Zhao, was named Xiaofuzi.

Initially, the head of the Internal Affairs Department suggested many clever and capable candidates, but Song Zhao declined them all, saying,

“The Emperor has already honored me with a promotion, and it would be inappropriate to take the best talents from the Internal Affairs Department. Please introduce some servants who have made mistakes in the past to serve in my palace. It won’t draw unnecessary attention, and I also want to give them a chance to redeem themselves.”

Upon hearing this, the head of the Internal Affairs Department praised Song Zhao for her wisdom and brought a list of penal servants from the Xinze Repository for her to choose from.

Song Zhao casually pointed and selected Xiaofuzi.

Standing respectfully before her, Xiaofuzi greeted, “Xiaofuzi pays respects to Regular Consort Song. May you live a thousand autumns and enjoy eternal prosperity and peace.”

Song Zhao smiled, “It’s been many years. Do you still remember me?”

Overcome with emotion, Xiaofuzi began to tear up, “The kindness of Second Miss, I will never forget in this lifetime!”

Xiaofuzi was actually the younger brother of Zhang Langzhong from the Protectorate Duke’s Mansion.

Song Zhao had promised Zhang Langzhong to rescue him from the Xinze Repository, and she had always kept this in mind.

“I promised your brother to save you. From now on, as you serve by my side, no one will bully you again.”

Xiaofuzi was fourteen years younger than Zhang Langzhong and around the same age as Song Zhao and Spruce.

As a child, he had spent time in the Protectorate Duke’s Mansion, playing with the three children without any distinction of status.

Seeing Xiaofuzi sobbing uncontrollably, Spruce stepped forward and playfully patted his shoulder,

“Stop crying, you fool! Today is a joyous day for our mistress. Don’t bring bad luck with your tears!”

Hearing this, Xiaofuzi quickly wiped away his tears and kowtowed to Song Zhao,

“I congratulate you on your joyous occasion, Mistress! I can never repay your kindness. All I can offer is my devoted service, working tirelessly for you.”

His comical manner brought laughter to Song Zhao and Spruce.

As Spruce helped him up, Song Zhao spoke with a gentle smile,

“I remember when you were a child, you shared the same aspiration to be a healer like your brother. At just four or five years old, you already knew much about medicine. It’s a pity that due to the misfortunes of your family, you were sold into the palace, wasting your talents.”

Xiaofuzi said, "After entering the palace, I worked as an odd-jobber in the Imperial Medical Bureau and read many medical texts in my spare time. I was sent to the Xinze Repository for being caught reading these texts in secret. However, I have acquired some medical skills and hope to be of help to you in the future."

"No need to wait for the future, I need your help now."

Song Zhao instructed Spruce to hand over the pair of pearl earrings gifted by Chenfei to Xiaofuzi, "Take a look, is there anything wrong with these earrings?"

After a careful examination, Xiaofuzi replied,

"Mistress, these pearls are fine. Inside the pearls, they are hollow and filled with tranquilizing incense. That substance is extremely valuable and effective for calming and focusing the mind. Wearing these regularly will be beneficial for your health."

The earrings were a gift from Chenfei, and not wearing them could possibly provoke her displeasure.

But Song Zhao didn’t trust Chenfei, and it wasn’t safe to have other imperial physicians examine the earrings, lest word gets back to Chenfei and causes endless trouble.

Hearing Xiaofuzi’s analysis, Song Zhao felt somewhat relieved.

Yet, she couldn’t help wondering,

The pearls themselves were already precious, but the tranquilizing incense inside was even more invaluable,

Chenfei’s first gift to her was so extravagant, it was hard not to suspect her ulterior motives...