Chapter 63: You Want Revenge

Chapter 63: You Want Revenge

Song Zhao had always wanted to visit Xiao Changzai,

But previously Xiao had been ill and unwilling to see anyone except Emperor Xiao Jingheng, with her face still bandaged and doors closed.

Song Zhao had previously mentioned to Emperor Xiao Jingheng,

She felt that Xiao Changzai had taken a disaster meant for her and felt guilty for involving Xiao, leading to restless nights.

She had asked Emperor Xiao Jingheng to allow her to bring Chu Yuanpan, a highly respected physician from the Imperial Medical Bureau, to treat Xiao Changzai, seeking peace of mind.

This request was reasonable, and Emperor Xiao Jingheng naturally agreed.

Before leaving today, Song Zhao had learned that a physician was currently examining Xiao Changzai, so she said to Xiao Fuzi,

"Yunsong and I are going to visit Zhaochun Palace. Please go to the Imperial Medical Bureau and ask Chu Yuanpan to come as well. Tell them it’s the Emperor’s order."

Song Zhao took out royal jelly that Emperor Xiao Jingheng had previously gifted her, known to be effective on scars.

Upon reaching Zhaochun Palace, they heard Xiao Changzai, residing in the west wing, losing her temper at the physician,

"I don’t care about the cost! My face must be healed! No matter how expensive the medicine, I can afford it! If my salary isn’t enough, my family will cover the cost!"

"My lady, it’s not a matter of which medicine to use, but your face..."

"How is Sister faring?"

Song Zhao gracefully entered, interrupting what the physician was about to say.

Perhaps feeling self-conscious about her face, Xiao Changzai turned away, showing only her right side to Song Zhao,

"What are you doing here? I don’t want to see anyone, please leave!"

Song Zhao spoke softly and kindly, "I have some royal jelly here. I thought it might be useful for Sister."

Handing over the item to the imperial physician, she said, "Please examine this, and see if it can help with Xiao Changzai's facial scars."

In the palace, one must be careful about giving gifts,

For what's given can easily become a weapon against oneself.

Having the imperial physician inspect the royal jelly in front of Xiao Changzai meant that he couldn't use it to frame her, even if he went mad.

After examining it, the physician confirmed, "It's high-quality royal jelly, effective in lightening scars when applied."

"Thank you, physician." Song Zhao placed the royal jelly on the bedside table next to Xiao Changzai, then told the physician, "Xiao Changzai and I have matters to discuss. You may leave now, if you're done."

Once the physician had left, Song Zhao dismissed Yunfei and moved a chair next to Xiao Changzai’s bed, expressing her concern,

"There's no use being upset now. Excessive worry harms the body and does you no good."

"Easy for you to say!" Xiao Changzai, covering her face, shifted further into the bed, "It's not you who’s disfigured. Of course, you can say anything you like! It should have been you playing the pipa that day, you should have been the one injured! Instead, I suffered in your place, and now you pretend to care!"

Tears immediately welled up in Song Zhao’s eyes upon hearing this,

"I've been thinking the same, that it’s my fault. That's why I asked the Emperor to let Physician Chu treat you. He's highly skilled, perhaps there's hope for your scars."

Physician Chu, the deputy head of the Imperial Medical Bureau, only attended to Emperor Xiao Jingheng, the Empress, and the Empress Dowager. Even Noble Consort Chen couldn’t summon him normally.

Hearing that there might be a chance to restore her face, Xiao Changzai's attitude towards Song Zhao softened,

"Why are you crying? I'm the one who should be crying."

Song Zhao pursed her lips and nodded, "I'm not as strong as you, Sister. This incident was purely accidental. You must look forward and move on."

"Accidental?" Xiao Changzai frowned and shook her head, "Do you really think it was an accident? This incident was originally aimed at you. With the favor you enjoy, it's inevitable that someone would scheme against you!"

Song Zhao was momentarily speechless, her expression somewhat unnatural.

After a moment of silence, she deliberately changed the subject, "Sister, you haven’t been willing to see anyone these days, but I heard that His Majesty visited you twice. It shows that he still cares about you."

"He just came to look, like he was fulfilling a duty, staying only briefly before leaving. He didn’t want to stay a moment longer," Xiao Changzai said, touching the scar on her face, "I know in my heart that with my current appearance, His Majesty must find me repulsive."

Song Zhao replied, "His Majesty has been busy with state affairs recently. His visits to see you were made during his rare free moments. There’s no question of him disliking you. You should know, since the Emperor's birthday banquet, even Chen Consort hasn’t seen him once. Compared to that, His Majesty's concern for you is evident."

Xiao Changzai paused at this,

"Hasn’t seen Chen Consort?"

When Emperor Xiao Jingheng visited her, they inevitably exchanged pleasantries.

She clearly heard him say that the country was at peace and he often had free time.

So if he had time, why didn’t he visit Chen Consort?

Xiao Changzai pondered in her heart:

Could it be that Chen Consort was behind this incident? But due to her powerful family background, Emperor Xiao Jingheng didn’t want to pursue the matter, hence the hasty resolution? And his avoidance of Chen Consort afterwards was a lesson for her?

Xiao Changzai didn't have time to ponder further, as Physician Chu Yuanpan arrived.

He examined the scars on Xiao Changzai's face, his expression turning somewhat grave.

Just as he was about to speak, Song Zhao coughed, drawing Physician Chu's attention.

Xiao Changzai noticed covertly that Song Zhao seemed to give Physician Chu a signal,

Then she heard him say, "The scars on my lady's face are not severe. With diligent treatment, there is a chance for full recovery over time."

Xiao Changzai hurriedly responded, "Thank you so much, Physician Chu."

Despite her words, she still felt there was something secretive between Physician Chu and Song Zhao.

After the two left together, Xiao Changzai stealthily followed behind them.

She stopped at the corner of a corridor, where the paths diverged, and eavesdropped on their conversation.

Hiding behind the corner, Xiao Changzai listened in on their conversation.

Song Zhao said, "Thank you, Physician Chu. I hope you can continue to keep Xiao Changzai in the dark. It’s to give her hope, so she doesn’t despair. After all, people need something to look forward to in life."

Physician Chu replied, "I understand. You have a kind heart, Lady Song. Although Xiao Changzai’s facial scars cannot be completely restored, with prolonged treatment, they will certainly lighten more than they are now."

Song Zhao sighed, "That's all we can hope for. Sister Xiao is truly pitiable. I hope His Majesty will show her more care in the future."

After a brief conversation, they parted ways at the junction, each going in opposite directions.

Xiao Changzai, who had been hiding behind the corner, heard their entire conversation clearly.

Her tears broke free, and she slumped against the red wall, drained of energy, sliding to the ground.

After an unknown period, her tears dried, and the despair and helplessness in her eyes were replaced by resentment and hatred.

She lifted her gaze towards Yonghe Palace, where Chen Consort resided,

Clenching her fists so tightly that her nails dug into her flesh, yet she felt no pain…