Chapter 26: Yunfei’s Poisoning

Chapter 26: Yunfei's Poisoning

The news of Song Zhao’s sudden promotion to Regular Consort quickly spread throughout the palace.

Consorts from various palaces, besides Xiao Jingheng, also sent her gifts.

Even Lady Li, who had been demoted because of her, was no exception.

She sent a high-quality tourmaline and, shedding her usual haughty demeanor, cordially said to Song Zhao,

"I heard about your promotion to Regular Consort and am genuinely happy for you. I was too brash before, and if I offended you in any way, please don’t take it to heart."

Song Zhao, not holding a grudge, responded with a smile, "Sister has always been kind to me. How could there be any offense? In fact, I believe the Emperor misunderstood you last time. When the opportunity arises, I'll surely explain things to the Emperor and persuade him to restore your rank."

Lady Li's words were mere pleasantries, and she knew that Song Zhao was also just going through the motions. They both nodded in agreement, maintaining face.

Soon after dealing with Lady Li, Song Zhao's palace welcomed a distinguished visitor.

Consort Shu, with her round pregnant belly, entered with a laugh, "I always said sister is no ordinary person. Our Emperor cherishes and loves beauties, and he would never let your talents go unnoticed."

Song Zhao was surprised by her visit and quickly rose to greet her,

"Why has Consort Shu come in person? Zhihua, Xiying, quickly assist Her Highness to a seat."

Zhihua and Xiying moved to help Consort Shu, but her maid, Qingyue, stopped them.

Qingyue carefully helped Consort Shu to sit on a cushioned seat, placing a goose feather cushion behind her back. She didn’t allow anyone to touch Consort Shu, fearing any mishap might harm the royal heir she carried.

Indeed, a pregnant woman naturally has more concerns.

In fact, Song Zhao didn’t want the hassle of entertaining her, as any mishap in her palace could be troublesome.

Hence, she didn’t offer tea to Consort Shu, but instead asked, “Her Highness shouldn’t drink tea during pregnancy. May I know what beverage you prefer, so I can have it prepared?”

“No need,” Consort Shu said with a smile, waving her hand, “The imperial physician advised me to walk more. I went for a stroll in the royal garden today and decided to visit you on my way back.”

Song Zhao replied, “Actually, I should have visited Your Highness’s palace. But with your pregnancy, the Emperor advised against disturbing you, hence the delay.”

She looked at Consort Shu's belly with a warm smile, “Must be about seven months now?”

Consort Shu nodded, caressing her belly, “Almost there, expecting to give birth in October. It's good, the weather will cool down then. You might have heard about the late Emperor’s Consort Duan, right? She gave birth to the Eighth Prince during the summer. The baby was large, and she suffered a tear during childbirth. Due to the summer heat and sweat, the wound didn’t heal, and she ultimately died from it…”

Song Zhao sipped her tea, remaining silent.

Discussing former imperial consorts was a serious offense, and she didn’t want to invite trouble.

Realizing the inappropriateness of her words, Consort Shu hastily changed the subject,

“Look at me, why am I talking about such things? Qingyue, bring the gift for Regular Consort Song.”

Qingyue presented Song Zhao with a jade ruyi scepter.

The jade ruyi was lustrous and transparent, without a single impurity, warm to the touch in the palm, clearly very valuable.

Song Zhao tried to refuse the gift, saying it was too much, but Consort Shu insisted, “It’s not just for your promotion. From the first time I saw you, I felt a kinship because you look so much like a younger sister from my family. Since entering the palace, I haven’t seen my family, and seeing you for the first time, I was very moved.”

She took Song Zhao’s hand, forcing her to accept the ruyi, “Take it, think of it as me accepting you as a sister. Visit me in my palace when you have time, to chat and relieve boredom, okay?”

Unable to refuse her earnest request, Song Zhao graciously accepted.

She accepted the ruyi, responding with a few noncommittal remarks.

Song Zhao didn’t bother to ponder what Consort Shu was plotting; she took her words as mere pleasantries.

That day, the previously deserted western annex of Yaohua Palace was bustling with visitors.

The gifts she received were enough to fill half a storage room.

After dealing with these tiresome formalities, Song Zhao had Xiaofuzi inspect each gift for any issues.

Xiaofuzi worked efficiently, returning after half an hour to report to Song Zhao,

“Mistress, I’ve inspected all the gifts from the other palaces, and there’s nothing amiss.”

Song Zhao nodded in acknowledgment, then asked with extra caution, “I remember Yunfei sent ‘Morning Dew Fragrance’, right?”

Spruce confirmed, “Yes, Mistress. Morning Dew Fragrance is known as the king of all fragrances and is quite rare. Only Yunfei, a lover of fragrances, received some from the Emperor. Her sending this to you shows she also wants to win your favor.”

Song Zhao, sensing something amiss from Spruce's words, asked, "Spruce, I remember you have two delicate and beautiful golden bells. Could you gift one to me?"

Spruce immediately looked troubled, "Mistress... those are keepsakes from my mother. I can give you anything else, but those are the only exceptions..."

Song Zhao gave a cold smile, "I understand. You naturally cherish what your mother left you. Then, how could Yunfei part with the unique favor given by the Emperor, especially since she is a connoisseur of fragrances?"

Spruce asked, "Mistress, do you suspect there’s something wrong with the fragrance?"

"I’ll inspect it again thoroughly," said Xiaofuzi, hurrying off and soon returning with the Morning Dew Fragrance from the storeroom.

This time, in front of Song Zhao, Xiaofuzi scooped out a small spoonful of the fragrance powder for a closer inspection, but still found nothing unusual.

However, Song Zhao’s attention was fixed on the sandalwood box holding the fragrance, "Bring the box here, let me see it."

Xiaofuzi handed over the box. Song Zhao used a silver spoon to move aside the top layer of fragrance powder, then suddenly said,

"Look, isn’t the powder at the bottom slightly darker than the top layer?"

Spruce and Xiaofuzi leaned in closer, "Yes, it is! Normally, we use the fragrance powder spoonful by spoonful in the incense burner, so no one really checks if there’s any difference between the bottom and top layer..."

Xiaofuzi spread out a spoonful of the bottom layer of powder on the table and examined it again,

He discovered coarser grains mixed into the bottom layer of the powder. After carefully inspecting the grains, his face turned pale,

"Mistress, the bottom layer of this fragrance powder has been mixed with a small amount of Poluo fragrance!"

Song Zhao scoffed coldly at the powder on the table and asked:

"What is that? Is it poisonous?"