Chapter 46: The Central Palace’s Competition for Favor

Chapter 46: The Central Palace's Competition for Favor

One could imagine that after Xiao Changzai spent two hours singing Kunqu opera in Yonghe Palace, even the best voice would be ruined.

She summoned the imperial physician as soon as she returned to her palace,

The physician said it would take at least a month for her to recover. This meant that during Xiao Jingheng's birthday feast, she would struggle even to offer a few words of blessing, let alone sing.

Xiao Changzai's favor was originally won through her singing talent,

Now with her voice hoarse, desperate to retain the Emperor's favor, she resorted to coquettishly pleading with Xiao Jingheng in Chaoyang Palace, hoping to gain his sympathy.

But she wasn't very smart.

She lacked Imperial Concubine Chen's family background, Consort Yao's figure, and Song Zhao's beauty,

When she attempted to tearfully plead in front of Xiao Jingheng with her raspy voice, he only felt disdain.

Learning that Xiao Changzai had spent an afternoon singing in Imperial Concubine Chen's palace, ruining her voice, Xiao Jingheng knew it was Chen’s jealousy and pettiness.

He outwardly consoled Xiao Changzai, saying, "You are foolish. If Imperial Concubine Chen asked you to sing and you felt it was too much, you should have refused. Why foolishly ruin your voice like this?"

Xiao Changzai was momentarily stunned,

She wanted to refuse, but as a mere Changzai, how could she dare to refuse Consort Chen?

Just as she was about to express her grievances, she heard Xiao Jingheng say, "If your throat is damaged, crying and sobbing will only make it worse. Go back and rest for now, I’ll send you some honey from Zhongnan Mountain tomorrow."

Thus, Xiao Changzai could say no more and had to return disappointedly.

That very night, Xiao Jingheng chose to visit Consort Chen.

Not only did he not blame her for the incident, but upon seeing her, he teased with a smile:

"Why bother with her over such trivialities?"

"Of course I must bother, Your Majesty knew that yesterday and today were my 'fertile days' and you had promised to accompany me."

When alone with Xiao Jingheng, Consort Chen always abandoned all propriety, yet was full of charm.

She walked up to Xiao Jingheng, tilted her body slightly, and gracefully sat in his embrace,

"I prepared a grand feast yesterday, waiting for Your Majesty, but you just decided not to come. Naturally, I felt upset."

As she spoke, she raised her head in his embrace, smiling seductively, and nuzzled his chin with her nose like a cat,

"Your Majesty made me sad all night. Today, you must make it up to me properly~"

Her voice was soft and sultry, her delicate hands slowly moving beneath her, reaching towards the waistband of Xiao Jingheng's dragon robe.

Xiao Jingheng laughed heartily, leaning closer to Consort Chen and lowering his voice:

"Of everyone in the palace, you're the most unruly. Where are you putting your hands?"

He captured Consort Chen's hand, exerting a slight pressure, about to engage in further exploration,

But at that moment, an urgent voice came from outside the door:

"Your Majesty... The Empress has had a recurrence of her heart ailment. Do you wish to visit her?"

Upon hearing this, Xiao Jingheng's movements instantly ceased.

Supporting Consort Chen’s slender waist, he moved her aside and then asked toward the door,

"Didn’t the imperial physician say that her condition was unlikely to recur in the fall? Why has it worsened?"

"This servant is not sure. The Empress did not send anyone to report, but she has summoned the consorts to attend to her illness."

Consort Chen, observing Xiao Jingheng's concerned expression, felt increasingly annoyed.

She realized in her heart, the Empress was clearly feigning illness!

Her temper flaring, she didn’t mince words,

"Every time I attend to Your Majesty, the Empress suddenly feels uncomfortable here and there. Those who know, understand it’s her heart ailment; those who don’t might think I am the cause of her distress."

Knowing that Consort Chen was upset, Xiao Jingheng took her hand, soothing her with comforting words:

"I chose your card tonight, intending to spend it with you. I can't ignore the Empress's discomfort upon hearing about it. If you prefer not to go, you can wait here for my return."

"If Your Majesty is going, how can I not? I’ll accompany you. It’s also a good opportunity to show concern for the Empress and fulfill my duties as a consort."

Upon their arrival at Fengluan Palace, almost all the consorts were present, except for Consort Shu who was still recovering.

After Song Zhao and others paid their respects to Xiao Jingheng, she saw him walk straight to the Empress's bedside and inquire:

"How are you feeling, Empress?"

The Empress was somewhat surprised by Xiao Jingheng's sudden visit, "Why has Your Majesty come?"

She attempted to rise and pay her respects to Xiao Jingheng, but he gently pressed her down, not allowing her to get up,

"You’re unwell, there’s no need for formalities. What did the imperial physician say?"

The Empress replied, "I’m fine, just feeling a bit of tightness in my chest. Consort Ying happened to visit and seeing me unwell, summoned the sisters of the harem to attend to me. I didn’t expect it to disturb Your Majesty's rest."

Xiao Jingheng took her hand and pressed it gently, "It doesn’t matter, your well-being is most important."

Song Zhao watched the Empress's performance without a word,

How could Consort Ying have summoned all the consorts without the Empress's consent?

The Empress was playing ignorant,

The gathering of all the consorts at Fengluan Palace was a significant event; how could the attendants not inform Xiao Jingheng?

The Empress's intention was clear: she did not want Xiao Jingheng to summon her to his chambers on Consort Chen’s 'fertile days'.

Song Zhao understood this logic, and naturally, Consort Chen did too.

Then she, in a roundabout way, rebuked Consort Ying: "The Empress asked you to help manage the inner court, not to misuse your authority. Instead of seeking the imperial physician first for her illness, you summon all the consorts to attend to her. I’m puzzled, none of us are renowned physicians. Stirring up such a commotion in the middle of the night, are you intentionally trying to trouble the Emperor and the Empress?"

Consort Ying, unwilling to be outdone, retorted, "We all came willingly to attend to the Empress. I wonder who exactly is being troubled by this."

"You..."

Seeing the dispute continuing, Emperor Xiao Jingheng frowned and said, "Enough, the Empress is ill. Let’s all speak less."

He then inquired, "The imperial physician said that the Empress’s heart ailment is less likely to act up in autumn. What caused her sudden discomfort today?"

Xiao Changzai hurriedly replied, "The imperial physician mentioned that the Empress’s illness is due to overexertion. She should avoid overworking in her daily routines."

Yunfei expressed her doubt, "Considering that the Empress had delegated the tedious affairs of the inner court to Consort Ying since spring, she shouldn't have any strenuous tasks. How could it be due to overexertion?"

Noble Consort Chen sneered, "If you ask me, the Empress has been overburdening herself with unnecessary worries. She should rest well. Her heart ailment requires it."

The Empress, clearly discerning the sarcasm in Noble Consort Chen’s words and noting Emperor Xiao Jingheng’s lack of intervention, could only maintain her usual gracious smile and gently said,

"Your Majesty, I apologize for causing concern tonight. I am fine. You should return and rest with Noble Consort Chen."

'Thud'

Just as the Empress finished her words of dismissal, a muffled sound of collision came from the direction of the front hall,

Everyone looked in that direction to see the Empress's head maid, Shuangruo, hurriedly stuffing something into a cupboard and closing its door in a fluster...