Chapter 56: The Emperor’s Birthday

Chapter 56: The Emperor's Birthday

That night, Xiao Jingheng predictably ventured into forbidden territory.

However, during their intimate union, they thoroughly embodied the idiom 'the joy of fish and water,'

Because it all took place in water, even if Xiao Jingheng thought Song Zhao was in her period, it did not diminish his enthusiasm.

Initially, Song Zhao tried to persuade him, mentioning the palace rule about 'seeing red being inauspicious,' remaining stiff and unwilling.

Hearing this, Xiao Jingheng joked irreverently:

"There's nothing taboo about it. If seeing red is inauspicious, why are red decorations hung everywhere during festivals?"

It was clear that as the emperor, he didn’t need to adhere to conventions.

So if one could truly become the apple of his eye, then all constraints and rules would merely be for show.

Song Zhao, of course, also wished to be 'unfettered,' so she knew how to capture Xiao Jingheng's heart.

After their intimate moments in the boudoir, Xiao Fuzi escorted Xiao Jingheng back to his royal carriage and then returned, whispering to Song Zhao:

"My lady, Imperial Physician Zhao has been dismissed and banished from the palace."

Song Zhao, sitting at the dressing table and applying her Fairy Maiden Powder, asked nonchalantly:

"What did he do?"

Xiao Fuzi replied, "It's said that he made a mistake while prescribing medicine for Concubine Yun, his lack of medical expertise led to his dismissal."

Song Zhao sneered, "Imperial Physician Zhao dares to blunder in attending to Concubine Yun, showing just how incompetent he is. So, his misdiagnosis of my pulse as a pregnancy pulse can be 'understandable.'"

Song Zhao knew that Zhao's banishment was just an excuse to punish him without reason.

After being advised by Chen Fei, Concubine Yun must have feared the exposure of their plot, hence her hasty retreat.

It doesn't matter, Song Zhao wasn't foolish enough to announce her 'pregnancy' at Xiao Jingheng's birthday feast.

This whole affair was Concubine Yun's plot against Song Zhao,

But it backfired, exposing her to the Empress,

After such a roundabout plot, aside from proving herself a fool, she gained nothing.

As Song Zhao finished applying her makeup, Xiao Fuzi, helping her rinse her mouth, said with a smile:

"My lady, your guess was spot on. His Majesty seldom visits our palace at night, but he came tonight."

Song Zhao smiled, not responding to his comment.

Whether Xiao Jingheng would come tonight or not, Song Zhao had only speculated at first.

Thinking that the Empress, in order to undermine Noble Consort Chen, would likely mention today's events to Xiao Jingheng.

Song Zhao thought if Xiao Jingheng really cared for her and came to her, she would have to warmly welcome him.

After all, the essence of playing hard to get lies in the 'getting', not in the 'hard'.

To control a man’s heart, one must master the art of giving and withholding just right.

It's the same principle as fishing,

A line too tight may break, too loose, and the fish may slip away. To catch a big fish, one must understand the nuances and intricacies.

She had already instructed Xiao Fuzi to keep watch; if Xiao Jingheng visited Yaohua Palace, he was to imitate a cuckoo bird’s call three times as a signal.

Hearing the bird call, Song Zhao immediately asked Yunshan to prepare hot water, timing it so she would run into Xiao Jingheng on her way out.

Based on her understanding of Xiao Jingheng, he was not a man devoid of fun and wit,

Therefore, as long as Xiao Jingheng entered, tonight would be a meticulously planned 'bathhouse rendezvous'.

After all, with men,

It's important to provide a unique experience, to distinguish oneself from other women,

Creating a deeper, firmer memory, and an unforgettable impression.

*

Two days later, on the 16th of September,

The imperial palace, after long preparations, finally celebrated Xiao Jingheng's birthday.

The palace was decorated festively, more vibrant than even the New Year celebrations.

Today, Xiao Jingheng was resting,

Starting the day by visiting the imperial tombs with the Empress, then returning to the palace to pay respects to the Empress Dowager.

Speaking of the Empress Dowager, Song Zhao hadn’t met her since entering the palace.

The Empress Dowager, not in the best of health, resided in Xianshou Palace and rarely ventured out,

And for the sake of her recuperation, visits from the consorts were excused.

However, the old servants in the palace said the Empress Dowager was easy-going and forgiving, making her an amiable master.

By the afternoon, the consorts, dressed in their finest, gathered at Tonghua Terrace for the birthday banquet.

Song Zhao went with Consort Yao, who was always cautious. Today, she insisted on arriving half an hour early with Song Zhao, ensuring no mishaps.

Gradually, the other consorts arrived at the venue,

Surprisingly, Consort Shu, who had been grieving over her miscarriage, also attended the event.

She looked much healthier and had ceased her self-pity, with a smile once again gracing her face.

Her arrival instantly made her the center of attention, as everyone gathered around her, offering greetings, some sincere and others feigned.

Noble Consort Chen, who had also lost a child, didn't particularly like Consort Shu, but they shared a common sorrow, so she offered a few symbolic words of concern.

After the crowd around Consort Shu had dispersed, Song Zhao approached to pay her respects.

"May Consort Shu be forever at peace. Seeing you radiant today, I am genuinely delighted for you. The past cannot be changed, but you are a person of great fortune, and better days lie ahead."

Consort Shu nodded with a smile, "I appreciate your kind words. Lady Li’s actions against me and my child were unforgivable, and her death is no loss. I heard about your wrongful accusation. Fortunately, His Majesty’s wisdom cleared your name. It would have troubled me if you had been implicated because of that matter."

After chatting for a while, seeing that it was almost time, they prepared to take their seats.

At today’s banquet, the consorts sat according to their respective ranks.

The seat of honor naturally belonged to Xiao Jingheng, followed by the Empress,

But as they had not arrived yet, the consorts, led by Noble Consort Chen, began taking their seats in succession.

Song Zhao was seated next to Xiao Changzai and Liu Changzai,

After the recent incident, Xiao Changzai's throat was still not fully recovered, his voice sounding somewhat hoarse,

"I heard that today some princes, who share a deep brotherly bond with the Emperor, will also be attending?"

Liu Changzai scanned the hall and said, "That's the word, but the banquet is about to start, and they're still nowhere to be seen."

No sooner had she finished speaking than they heard a burst of hearty laughter from men outside the hall.

Song Zhao looked in the direction of the sound,

and saw three men, chatting and laughing as they entered.

All three were clad in python robes, signifying their high status.

The one who caught Song Zhao's attention was the man in the center.

He appeared quite young, around seventeen or eighteen, with striking eyebrows, starry eyes, thin lips, and a dazzling smile, exuding handsomeness.

His python robe was slightly turned up at the hem, casually tucked into his white jade belt at the waist,

Yet, this did not look sloppy. Compared to the two properly dressed princes beside him, he seemed more relaxed and carefree.

He conversed with ease and confidence, his laughter clear and loud, his every gesture exuding a hint of arrogance.

In terms of appearance, he was on par with Xiao Jingheng,

but lacked some of Xiao Jingheng's composed dignity, instead possessing a unique unruliness and rogue charm.

Xiao Changzai whispered, "Who is that prince in the center? His royal attire seems a bit disheveled."

Liu Changzai replied, "Looks like it's Prince An, the sixth prince. Raised alongside the Emperor under the Empress Dowager's care, their brotherly bond is the deepest. He's always been lax, and the Emperor indulges him, never minding these trifles."

As Song Zhao observed, Prince An glanced her way inadvertently, their eyes meeting by chance.

With a slight smirk and a tip of his chin, he gave Song Zhao a nod in greeting,

His demeanor resembled that of the unrefined ruffians from the city.

Song Zhao did not respond, quickly shifting her gaze away and continuing to chat and laugh with Xiao Changzai and the others.

(Ps: Turn the page for another chapter.)