Chapter 51: Tit for Tat

Chapter 51: Tit for Tat

Hearing this, Song Zhao slowed her steps, speaking somewhat awkwardly,

"Since His Majesty is being attended by Consort Chen, I will return for now."

She turned to leave, but Jiang Deshun quickly stopped her,

"Lady Song, you misunderstand. Today, His Majesty invited you for lunch. Even though Consort Chen is here, His Majesty specifically reminded me to bring you to him upon your arrival. If you leave now, His Majesty might blame me for not handling the matter properly..."

Song Zhao paused for a moment, then nodded, "I understand. His Majesty is considering my feelings, not wanting me to feel neglected. If I were to leave now, it would seem rather ungrateful."

Jiang Deshun laughed and urged, "Not at all, Lady Song. Please, this way."

Upon reaching the entrance of the main hall, Jiang Deshun knocked thrice, and soon Xiao Jingheng's deep and clear voice was heard,

"Come in."

Jiang Deshun bowed and opened the doors, gesturing for Song Zhao to enter.

Clutching the food box in her hand, she slowly stepped inside and saw Xiao Jingheng and Consort Chen already seated at the dining table, beginning their meal.

She stood at a distance, curtsying to the two,

"I pay my respects to His Majesty and Consort Chen. May Your Highness be in peace, and Your Majesty in boundless fortune."

Only then did Xiao Jingheng's gaze fall on Song Zhao, his lips parting as if to say "rise,"

Consort Chen suddenly picked up a piece of grilled beef with her chopsticks and offered it to Xiao Jingheng, coquettishly saying,

"Your Majesty~ This grilled beef should be eaten while it's hot; it won't taste as good once it cools down."

Xiao Jingheng accepted the beef, first thanking Consort Chen with a, "My beloved consort is thoughtful."

Then he turned to Song Zhao and said, "No need for formalities, please take a seat."

Consort Chen then laughed sheepishly, "Oh, look at me, so foolish. I was only concerned with feeding His Majesty and forgot about my sister still standing."

Saying so, she got up and moved a chair back for Song Zhao, raising an eyebrow as she said,

"Sister, please sit. His Majesty was just mentioning you to me~"

To Song Zhao, Consort Chen’s smile seemed more like a sharp knife.

Xiao Jingheng's attitude was also crystal clear.

The grilled beef Consort Chen fed him symbolized her status in Xiao Jingheng's heart,

And the moment he allowed Song Zhao to sit showed her place in his heart.

Consort Chen had won thoroughly,

But this was expected.

Song Zhao took her seat across from Consort Chen and Xiao Jingheng,

Watching the two of them chatting and laughing, she felt like an outsider.

In fact, Xiao Jingheng did show concern for Song Zhao during the conversation, deliberately throwing a few topics her way, but Consort Chen skillfully intercepted them, leaving no opportunity for Song Zhao to join in.

Later, Xiao Jingheng noticed the food box Song Zhao had brought and asked:

"What did you bring?"

"It’s a gardenia and brown sugar cake made by myself. His Majesty has been preoccupied with the southern floods recently, and I can't offer much help. So I made some nourishing food to bring to His Majesty, hoping it won't be too humble for His Majesty's taste."

Song Zhao said this as she opened the food box and took out the cakes.

She was so focused on her task that she didn't notice the subtle change in Consort Chen’s expression.

Xiao Jingheng glanced at Consort Chen’s slightly furrowed brow, then back at Song Zhao, who was attentively arranging the food, thinking how truly guileless she was.

She had made nourishing cakes to replenish energy and reduce internal heat, while Consort Chen fed him grilled beef, which can cause heatiness,

Wasn't this an obvious statement that Consort Chen didn’t know how to take care of him?

Such a thoughtless remark, it seemed, could only come from Song Zhao in the entire harem.

Song Zhao served the cakes to Xiao Jingheng and Consort Chen, respectfully saying,

"Please, Your Majesty and Consort Chen, taste and see if it suits your palate."

After the taste-testing eunuch verified the food was safe, Xiao Jingheng tasted a piece.

Knowing that praising Song Zhao would only intensify Consort Chen’s jealousy, he simply commented,

"It's decent."

Consort Chen, after trying it, laughed and said, "His Majesty doesn’t like sweets, so your effort might be in vain. But I find this brown sugar gardenia cake quite delightful."

Xiao Jingheng replied, "I remember you always enjoy dishes with gardenia, no wonder it suits your taste."

"His Majesty is so kind to me, even remembering such small preferences of mine. But when it comes to this dish, the imperial chefs can't compare to Song Changzai’s skill."

Consort Chen’s smile was gentle as she turned to Song Zhao, "I wonder if you could also make some for my palace?"

Song Zhao quickly replied, "It’s my honor that Consort Chen appreciates my cooking. How could it be inconvenient for me?"

Noble Consort Chen added, "Then we must trouble our sister for this favor."

The two exchanged a few words, all observed by Xiao Jingheng.

Although Noble Consort Chen had a higher rank than Song Zhao, both were consorts, and making desserts, frankly speaking, was like serving others,

In the inner palace, the only one who could rightfully ask another consort to serve her was the Empress. Noble Consort Chen’s request was clearly inappropriate.

Yet, Song Zhao showed no sign of being troubled by this,

Precisely because of this, Xiao Jingheng found her even more charming.

So, that afternoon, after finishing his state affairs, Xiao Jingheng made a special visit to Yaohua Palace to see Song Zhao.

Holding Song Zhao in his arms, he caressed her tender cheek and asked indulgently,

"Today, Noble Consort Chen was capricious with you, but you didn’t mind at all. Don’t you feel wronged?"

Song Zhao smiled and shook her head, "Why would I? All the consorts in the palace serve Your Majesty, so we are like sisters. Noble Consort Chen enjoys what I make. It's effortless for me, and my cooking skills are acknowledged by her. Why would I feel wronged?"

Hearing her words, Xiao Jingheng held her tighter, kissing her forehead as if treasuring her,

"Having you by my side is a fortune for me."

Emperor Xiao Jingheng had seen many battles of jealousy in the palace, but someone like Song Zhao, who was uncompetitive and empathetic, was rare.

Being the emperor’s woman, family background, appearance, and figure aren’t the most important;

Knowing the times and understanding when to advance or retreat is key to lasting favor.

But if one truly cares for someone, how can they not feel concerned or jealous?

Xiao Jingheng originally planned to stay longer with Song Zhao, but she said,

"Your Majesty should return to review the memorials. I still have to make pastries for Noble Consort Chen and send them over early~"

Indeed, the pastries needed to be delivered early, while the iron is hot.

After Xiao Jingheng left, Song Zhao locked herself in the small kitchen.

The night was dark as ink, with the candlelight flickering,

Her beautiful face was intermittently illuminated under the dancing candlelight,

From her expression, she seemed to be in a good mood.

Humming a tune, she poured the Begonia honey, a gift from Consort Yun, into the flour and kneaded them together.

Xiao Jingheng didn't like sweets, but Song Zhao knew early on that Consort Chen enjoyed using gardenia in her meals.

Today, in the Imperial Garden, she intentionally made Ying Xiang overhear her plan to have lunch at Chaoyang Palace.

Consort Chen detested sharing her favoritism; how could she bear such news?

Consort Chen's visit was meant to assert her dominance over Song Zhao.

Therefore, seeing Song Zhao trying to curry favor with Xiao Jingheng by sending pastries, the best way to show her power was to have Song Zhao also make a portion for her, right?

Yet, Consort Chen didn't realize that this very act of intimidation was precisely what Song Zhao desired.

Once the pastry was delivered and Consort Chen ate it, she might end up pregnant just like Song Zhao.

Song Zhao thought:

Consort Chen longed to have a child of her own,

Now that she's got her wish, she must be smiling even in her dreams, right?

With this thought, Song Zhao couldn't help but feel happy for Consort Chen,

Thus, the smile on her face never faded.