Chapter 50: Serving Meals in the Imperial Presence

Chapter 50: Serving Meals in the Imperial Presence

The next morning, the sun was obscured by thick clouds, and a cool autumn breeze swept the first yellow leaf of the season through the lattice window into the palace, landing in Song Zhao’s hand.

She looked up at the gloomy sky,

And an autumn rain began to fall without warning.

That day, while visiting the Empress to pay respects, many consorts arrived late due to the rain.

Consort Chen, who was never punctual, sent a message through her servant saying she would not be coming due to the weather.

Fortunately, the Empress was always magnanimous and never took issue with Consort Chen’s behavior.

Once everyone had arrived, the Empress took out the planned itinerary for Xiao Jingheng's birthday banquet to share with everyone.

During morning greetings, it was always Consort Hui who couldn’t stop eating sweets and tea snacks.

But today, Song Zhao ate even more than her.

Consort Ying glanced at her and teased, "What's with Song Changzai today? You seem to have a bigger appetite than Consort Hui."

Consort Hui, her cheeks stuffed like a little squirrel, looked at Song Zhao and said coquettishly,

"Sister Song must find the Empress's snacks as delicious as I do, right?"

Song Zhao, slightly embarrassed, replied, "Consort Hui is right. Today, worried about missing the time to pay respects to the Empress due to the rain, I hurried over without having breakfast. It’s a bit embarrassing to eat so much in front of all my sisters."

"It’s fine. The snacks we've been serving lately during the morning greetings are specialities from Consort Yun’s hometown," the Empress said warmly, pointing to the cup of honey water in front of Song Zhao,

"Like the Qionghua honey in front of you, which is prepared in advance by Zhilan from Consort Yun’s side. Consort Yun is meticulous, worrying that others might not control the boiling water properly and spoil this fine honey, which would be a waste."

Hearing this, Song Zhao had an epiphany.

She had been wondering how Consort Yun managed to precisely target her with the tainted item.

After all, in the Empress's palace during morning greetings, everyone partakes of these snacks.

She couldn’t possibly have added something to everyone's tea snacks, causing the entire harem to have delayed menstruation and fake pregnancies.

But if this Qionghua honey was personally prepared by Zhilan, who is close to Consort Yun, then the situation would be different.

Once it passed through her hands, she could target whomever she wanted without arousing suspicion.

After finishing a cup of Qionghua honey, Song Zhao said somewhat sheepishly to Consort Yun:

"This Qionghua honey is truly delicious. I apologize for my rudeness, but may I have another cup?"

Consort Yun, upon hearing this, laughed, "If my sister likes it, I will have Zhilan bring some for you to take back to your palace. She can also teach your maids how to prepare it, so you can enjoy it anytime you want."

Song Zhao, feigning surprise, said, "How could I accept such a gift? I've heard Qionghua honey is extremely precious."

"We are all sisters here, no need for formalities with me," Yun Consort insisted earnestly, quickly signaling Yunsong to follow Zhilan to fetch the honey.

This gesture made Song Zhao suspicious, thinking to herself,

Yun Consort isn’t foolish, so how could she dare to give away honey tainted with something unclean in front of everyone?

It was only after Song Zhao returned to her palace and had Xiaofuzi test the Qionghua honey that she realized Yun Consort’s boldness didn’t stem from foolishness but from her cunning.

Xiaofuzi explained, "Just like the morning dew fragrance Yun Consort previously sent, this honey is mixed with 'Gancao grass.' On its own, it’s harmless, but it must not be consumed with brown sugar. If combined, it can delay a woman’s menstrual cycle."

Yunsong indignantly said, "After the arsenic poisoning, the physicians advised you to replenish your blood with brown sugar water every morning, which is well known in the palace!"

Another case of incompatible food and medicine, showcasing Yun Consort’s extensive knowledge of pharmacology and her careful planning.

No wonder she dared to give the Qionghua honey to Song Zhao,

Knowing that even if the truth came out, she could still get away with it.

Song Zhao’s eyes gleamed with a hint of amusement as she said coldly,

"She really thinks highly of me."

Yunsong said, "Mistress, don’t consume this anymore. Let’s see what else she can try to harm you! I’ll dispose of this filthy thing right away."

She picked up the jar of honey, intending to throw it away.

Song Zhao stopped her, "It’s too valuable to waste. Keep it. I have another use for it."

*

For the past few days, due to Song Zhao’s supposed 'menstrual cycle,' Xiao Jingheng hadn’t summoned her to his chambers.

Yet, his treatment of her was still different from other consorts,

Even without serving in his chambers, he hadn’t completely neglected Song Zhao.

Indeed, that very night, someone from the Emperor’s entourage came to convey a message to Song Zhao, stating that Xiao Jingheng wanted her to join him for lunch at Chaoyang Palace the next day.

Early the next morning, Song Zhao instructed Xiao Fuzi:

"Go to the Flower and Bird Office and ask for two pots of their cultivated gardenia flowers."

Then she went to the Imperial Garden with Yunsong.

After the recent rain, the Imperial Garden was covered with a lot of autumn dew.

People in the palace say that using autumn dew to wash the face can moisturize the skin, so today the Imperial Garden is bustling with activity, with nearly all the consorts sending people to collect it.

While Song Zhao and Yunsong were collecting autumn dew, they saw Consort Chen's maid, Yingxiang, doing the same from a distance.

The duo moved within two yards behind Yingxiang, with Yunsong collecting dew and commenting,

"In my opinion, His Majesty still cares a lot about you. You haven’t been able to attend to His Majesty these past few days, but he still thinks of you. Didn’t he specifically send someone to our palace yesterday to say that he wants to have lunch with you today?"

Song Zhao blushed and playfully slapped Yunsong's shoulder, "Look at you, even joking about me more smoothly now."

They walked away, chatting and laughing, but the 'unintentional' words they exchanged were clearly overheard by Yingxiang.

Upon returning to her palace, Song Zhao busied herself in the small kitchen.

Xiao Fuzi had brought gardenia flowers from the Flower and Bird Office, and Song Zhao was using fresh gardenia petals to make a dessert.

Yunsong curiously asked, "Are you making this to take to His Majesty? But His Majesty doesn’t like sweets..."

As she skillfully kneaded the dough, Song Zhao replied with a smile,

"His Majesty has been working hard recently due to the floods in the south. This gardenia and brown sugar cake is excellent for replenishing energy and blood. Whether His Majesty eats it or not, my sentiments are conveyed."

"Your thoughtfulness is why His Majesty is fond of you~"

After finishing the cakes, seeing it was almost time, Song Zhao carried the food box and hurried to Chaoyang Palace.

Upon entering the palace gates, Jiang Deshun personally welcomed her and led her to the Emperor.

But unlike his usual smiling face, today Jiang Deshun's expression was noticeably troubled,

As Song Zhao crossed the porch, Jiang Deshun quietly said to her,

"Lady Song, Consort Chen is also attending to His Majesty right now."