Chapter 42: Plotting Against the Xiao Family

Chapter 42: Plotting Against the Xiao Family

Xiao Jingheng said yesterday that he would come to Yaohua Palace for lunch today.

After returning to the palace, Song Zhao busied herself in the small kitchen with Consort Yao.

Song Zhao, favored by the Emperor, has seen Xiao Jingheng visiting Yaohua Palace more frequently recently.

As the saying goes, "Familiarity breeds fondness." Consort Yao, the primary occupant of Yaohua Palace, always manages to bask in some of that reflected glory.

The two were busy and laughing together in the small kitchen.

Yunsong came in to greet them, "Miss, Xiao Changzai is here looking for you again."

Song Zhao's smile faltered slightly, and she said somewhat helplessly:

"Tell her to wait for me in the western annex for a moment, I'll be there soon."

"Why bother with her?" Consort Yao frowned, "She never used to be close to you. Now that you have the Emperor's favor, she comes to find you every day. Is she here for you, or just hoping to bump into the Emperor through you? Surely you see that."

Song Zhao understood why Consort Yao was suddenly upset.

Xiao Jingheng was coming for lunch, and originally only Consort Yao and she would be attending him. If Xiao Changzai were also present, where would Xiao Jingheng's attention be directed?

Song Zhao, adept at pleasing everyone without offending anyone, replied:

"Since she's here, it wouldn't be right to turn her away as we're all sisters. How about this: I'll meet her briefly, give her a perfunctory response, and send her away so she won't have to stay for lunch."

Saying this, she looked at the exquisite ingredients prepared on Consort Yao's cooking counter and laughed, "With such fine culinary skills, I alone am hardly enough to appreciate it. How could I bear to share with her?"

Consort Yao then smiled, "If you like it, I'll prepare more later."

When Song Zhao returned to the western annex, Xiao Changzai greeted her with a sycophantic smile as soon as she entered.

She behaved very affectionately with Song Zhao, taking her hand and leading her to sit on the warm seat.

"Sister, what brings you such a delightful mood to cook personally today?"

Song Zhao replied, "I was idle and thought of making a couple of dishes from my hometown."

"Ah, I'm in for a treat then." Xiao Changzai spoke, then feigned embarrassment and asked, "I hope I'm not being presumptuous. I didn't even ask if you'd welcome me before deciding to stay for lunch. Do you mind my company?"

Song Zhao smiled warmly, "Sister, why talk like we're strangers? Adding another pair of chopsticks is nothing. Consort Yao loves lively company, so of course, we welcome you."

"I find our temperaments similar, I enjoy spending time with you~" Xiao Changzai sighed, "You have no idea how much I've suffered in Zhaochun Palace. Consort Hui is easy to get along with, but that Liu Changzai... I've only served the Emperor once since entering the palace, while she, having served thrice, always finds ways to show me disdain. It's really uncomfortable to face her every day."

Song Zhao wouldn't engage in gossiping about others,

So she pretended not to hear and changed the subject:

"The Emperor's birthday is coming up in a few days. What gift have you prepared for him, sister?"

Xiao Changzai stumbled over her words, saying, "I plan to perform a dance at the Emperor's birthday feast, specifically a water sleeve dance."

Xiao Jingheng's birthday is also a time for the concubines to showcase themselves before the Emperor,

Everyone brings out their best skills, especially new concubines like Song Zhao and Xiao Changzai who entered the palace this year.

Song Zhao had thoroughly investigated Xiao Changzai early on,

Her specialty is singing, so how could she possibly perform a dance before the Emperor?

She saw through the facade but chose not to reveal it, smiling as she said:

"Sister, with your graceful figure, the water sleeve dance will surely highlight your femininity. I believe your performance will captivate the capital and earn the Emperor's special favor."

Xiao Changzai waved her hand dismissively, "Those are trivial talents, not fit for the public eye. But you, with your heart-wrenching beauty and bravery in the Imperial Garden, are second only to Imperial Concubine Chen in the Emperor's affection. If I'm not mistaken, the Emperor will surely visit your chambers tonight, won't he?"

Song Zhao bashfully responded, "Please, sister, stop teasing me. The Sixth Prince visited the palace today, and the Emperor will likely spend the evening with him at Shoukang Palace visiting Empress Dowager Jing, probably not in the mood for other activities."

Xiao Changzai nodded silently, her thoughts inscrutable.

Sitting on the warm seat, she felt something poking her thigh,

Shifting slightly, she realized a script had been pressed under her.

Just as she picked up the script, Song Zhao panicked.

Abandoning her usual calm composure, she frantically reached out to snatch the script back,

Xiao Changzai, quick to react, dodged and teased, "What's this? You seem so nervous about it."

She flipped open the script, glancing at the lyrics,

"Is this a Kunqu opera script for 'The Jade Hairpin'? Do you enjoy singing opera, sister?"

Song Zhao shook her head with a sigh, "Not really my interest. The Emperor mentioned it a few days ago, and seeing his fondness for 'The Jade Hairpin', I thought to learn it. But I lack the talent, I've tried several times and still can't get the tune right..."

Hearing this, a glint of starlight flickered in Xiao Changzai's eyes.

Kunqu opera was her forte,

Song Zhao might not be skilled at it, but she was!

If Xiao Jingheng truly enjoyed listening to Kunqu opera, this could be her opportunity to rise in status.

After pondering for a moment, Xiao Changzai quickly returned the script to Song Zhao and stood up, saying:

"I just remembered I have some matters to attend to in the palace, so I'm afraid I can't stay for lunch today. I'll visit you another day."

"You're leaving so soon? Lunch is almost ready, why not stay and eat before you go?"

Song Zhao called out, following Xiao Changzai,

But Xiao Changzai, like a delighted rabbit, quickly left through the main gate of Yaohua Palace.

Song Zhao stood under the cypress trees in the courtyard, her gaze lingering on Xiao Changzai's hurried departure,

Her thin, vermilion lips curved into a lovely arc, and she muttered to herself in a whisper,

"Fool."

About a quarter of an hour after Xiao Changzai left, Xiao Jingheng arrived.

During the lunch with the three of them, Consort Yao diligently served Xiao Jingheng,

Yet, throughout the meal, Xiao Jingheng only glanced at her twice and spoke just one sentence,

"Consort Yao's culinary skills have improved greatly."

Such praise was enough to delight Consort Yao for a long time.

After lunch, Xiao Jingheng naturally went to Song Zhao's western annex for a rest.

True to his word, he kept Song Zhao in his thoughts, attending to the bruises on her back daily.

"The bruising on your back has healed nicely these past days; it looks like it will soon disappear completely without a trace."

"Isn't that all thanks to Your Majesty?" Song Zhao draped on her robe, snuggled into Xiao Jingheng's embrace, and gently caressed the stubble on his chin, "Your Majesty personally tends to me every day. With your kindness, I'm at a loss for how to repay you."

The soft voice of the girl in his arms was tender, her fingertips cool, her eyes seductive,

Each seemingly casual touch was a blatant enticement.

"Oh?" Xiao Jingheng's voice rose in pitch, he turned his hand to lift her chin, smiling mischievously,

"Then let me tell you how you can repay me."

Saying this, his warm hand moved past all barriers, slowly reaching for the flower's core.