Chapter 48: Song Zhao Becomes Pregnant

Chapter 48: Song Zhao Becomes Pregnant

As Xiao Jingheng's grand birthday celebration approached, according to palace rules, each palace had to send attendants to the Wanfo Temple outside the palace to offer prayers and incense, seeking blessings for the Emperor on behalf of their mistresses.

Song Zhao originally planned to send Yunsong, but Xiaofuzi, hearing this arrangement, said:

"Praying at the temple outside the palace takes seven full days, including three days of fasting. It's very tough. Yunsong, being a girl, might not endure such hardship. Perhaps I should go instead?"

Xiaofuzi and Yunsong had been friends since childhood,

Although he was castrated by a knife, cutting off his lineage, his sense of responsibility as a man remained intact.

Since joining Song Zhao, Xiaofuzi managed all the trivial matters in and out of the palace meticulously, always taking good care of Yunsong.

Yunsong, embarrassed by his blatant concern, tried to save face by saying insincerely:

"Look at you! I can endure any hardship for our lady; I don’t need your favor~"

Xiaofuzi joked back, "I never said it was for you, but you’re taking it as such. As a girl, you staying by our lady's side to take care of her is much more convenient than me."

Song Zhao laughed at their bickering,

"I've seen people compete for benefits, but never to be monks or nuns in a temple. Xiaofuzi makes a good point; Yunsong serving me closely is indeed more convenient. Zhihua and Xiyin, after all, are not our own people, and I can’t fully trust them."

Hearing this, Xiaofuzi smugly raised his chin at Yunsong.

Yunsong, annoyed, stomped her foot and playfully smacked his shoulder, throwing some teasing remarks back, and they started arguing again.

Days in the palace were monotonous and dull,

But with Yunsong and Xiaofuzi by her side, even the dullest days couldn't make Song Zhao feel bored.

The next day, Xiaofuzi left for the temple, and that evening, Xiao Jingheng visited Song Zhao in Yao Hua Palace.

It had been about seven or eight days since Song Zhao last saw him.

He looked radiant and more handsome than ever, a sign that Consort Chen had taken good care of him.

The moment he saw Song Zhao, he was noticeably affectionate, holding her hand as they sat down on the heated platform, saying,

"I've missed you greatly these past few days."

Song Zhao, uncharacteristically petulant, withdrew her hand from his and turned away with a hint of jealousy, saying,

"I thought Your Majesty had forgotten about me."

"How could I forget you, when I know of your exceptional talent in playing the pipa?"

A flicker of surprise passed through Song Zhao's eyes, and she playfully chided, "How could Your Majesty do this? I kindly arranged a birthday program for you, and yet you had someone eavesdrop on it."

Xiao Jingheng laughed as he drew her into his embrace, "I miss you so much that I always have someone check on what you're doing. When they reached your door, they heard the unceasing sound of your pipa. It wasn’t intentional."

Song Zhao huffed softly, pretending to sulk, and remained cross with Xiao Jingheng.

"Is it not my fault then?" Xiao Jingheng gently kissed her neck, saying, "The servants said you play the pipa very well. Why don't you play it for me to hear?"

"No," Song Zhao pouted and shook her head, looking both adorable and shy, "I said it's a surprise for Your Majesty’s birthday. If I play it now, where’s the surprise? Surely, Your Majesty wouldn’t leave me out during the birthday banquet, right?"

Her coquettishness melted Xiao Jingheng's heart.

He hugged her tighter, coaxing her, "Alright, alright, I will then wait for my beloved to astonish everyone at my birthday banquet."

So many consorts in the harem were preparing for Xiao Jingheng's birthday.

But everyone was keeping their preparations a secret, not wanting to be outshone by others.

Song Zhao, however, was different.

She had already told everyone about her pipa performance and practiced daily in the palace, letting Consort Yao listen.

The more she did this, the more Xiao Jingheng thought of her as someone without schemes.

In the complex environment of the harem, the purer and cleaner a person is, the more likable they become.

After having dinner together, Xiao Jingheng initially planned to take Song Zhao back to Chaoyang Palace,

But at that moment, Jiang Deshun whispered something to Xiao Jingheng, who then said:

"You should rest well tonight. I won't summon anyone else and will return to Chaoyang Palace to review memorials."

Not long after he left, someone from the Internal Affairs Department brought Song Zhao some top-quality brown sugar ginger tea.

This drink is best enjoyed during menstruation.

At that moment, Song Zhao was sipping the warm brown sugar ginger tea while leaning on the railing, gazing at the moon,

Yunsong speculated in a low voice, "It's been five days past your usual time, could it be..."

Having served Song Zhao for many years, Yunsong had never seen her menstrual cycle off schedule, naturally leading her to suspect pregnancy.

Song Zhao responded calmly, "Is it that easy?"

Yet, she was also worried, wondering if the arsenic she used previously to frame Lady Li had caused her menstrual irregularity.

To be on the safe side, she decided to have a physician check her the following day.

After paying her respects to the Empress the next day, Yun Consort, who usually had little private interaction with her, stopped her,

"I heard you're preparing a pipa performance for His Majesty's birthday banquet. I just obtained a unique copy of 'The Green Fairy of the Washing Stream,' perfect for such a joyous occasion. Take it and study it."

Unable to refuse Yun Consort's insistent offer, Song Zhao graciously accepted.

She knew Yun Consort wasn't being genuinely kind but merely wanted to see what trick she was up to.

However, to her surprise, upon reaching Changchun Palace, Yun Consort didn't say anything extra and directly handed her the music score.

Flipping through it, Song Zhao saw it was indeed the long-lost second half of "The Green Fairy of the Washing Stream,"

For a music lover, this was an invaluable treasure.

Song Zhao quickly said, "How can I accept such a grand gift from Your Highness?"

Yun Consort casually waved her hand, "We all serve the Emperor, and his joy should be the focus of his birthday banquet. Besides, I'm just lending it to you for study, not giving it away. There's no need for such formality."

Song Zhao thanked Yun Consort for her kindness, and they chatted over tea for a while,

However, in the midst of their conversation, Song Zhao suddenly felt a wave of nausea and couldn't help but retch.

Yun Consort quickly patted her back, expressing concern, "Oh dear, what's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?"

Song Zhao, trying to downplay her discomfort, shook her head, "I'm fine, perhaps just a chill from the recent cold weather."

"I don't think so. You look a bit like Consort Chen and Consort Shu when they were pregnant," Yun Consort whispered, "Tell me, have you had your menstrual cycle this month?"

Blushing, Song Zhao shook her head, and Yun Consort immediately exclaimed, "Ah! This might be good news! Dr. Zhao, who checks my pulse, is here. Why don't you let him examine you?"

Without waiting for Song Zhao's response, she eagerly led her by the hand to the side chamber.

"I still have a fire burning in my small kitchen. Let Dr. Zhao check on you first, I'll be right back."

After saying this, she left, leaving Song Zhao alone with Dr. Zhao.

Dr. Zhao, an experienced and older man, stroked his beard and respectfully asked Song Zhao to sit down,

He covered her wrist with a thin silk cloth and began to take her pulse.

Song Zhao watched intently as his expression changed from calm to joy.

After a moment,

His eyes gleaming with joy, Dr. Zhao stepped back, bowed deeply, and exclaimed:

"Congratulations to the young mistress! According to your pulse, you are already over a month pregnant!"