Chapter 69: Winter Serpent Trouble, Part 2

Chapter 69: Winter Serpent Trouble, Part 2

On the way to the Mei Garden, Xiao Fuzi asked Song Zhao,

"Is the young master worried that something unexpected might happen if Yunsong comes along?"

Song Zhao replied, "She's timid. I'm afraid she'd panic if she sees something filthy and end up getting hurt."

Xiao Fuzi said, "I understand. The young master didn’t tell Yunsong beforehand because she's too pure-hearted, and you didn’t want to worry her."

Song Zhao nodded slightly, instructing, "Be extra vigilant later. If something does go wrong, make sure you also don’t get hurt."

"Don’t worry, young master. I will definitely protect you well."

Recently, Song Zhao had left many things unsaid to Yunsong, instead discussing and negotiating with Xiao Fuzi.

Yunsong is loyal, but not particularly astute.

Indeed, a faithful servant need not always be privy to every detail.

When Song Zhao arrived at the Mei Garden, Consort Hui from the Zhaochun Palace, Xiao Chang, and Liu Chang were already there.

From a distance, she saw Consort Hui running around the garden, joyous like a child,

Xiao Chang and Liu Chang followed closely behind, fearing she might stumble.

Song Zhao, upon meeting Consort Hui, was about to pay her respects. Just then, distractedly kneeling, she bumped into Consort Hui.

Consort Hui, not very tall, reached only up to Song Zhao's chin,

When she bumped into Song Zhao, it was she who lost her balance, staggering nearly to a fall.

Fortunately, Song Zhao quickly steadied her, "Be careful, Consort Hui."

Consort Hui, having regained her balance, was still in high spirits,

She turned and took Song Zhao's hand, saying cheerfully,

"Sister Song, come see, these plum blossoms are blooming beautifully~"

Song Zhao was led by her to the base of a plum tree.

White is taboo in the palace, so all the plum trees in the garden are red.

This particular plum tree in front of them was the most lushly blooming,

Its ice-like branches tender green, its sparse shadows elegant, the flowers a vivid red, and their fragrance subtle – truly a rare and beautiful sight in winter.

Initially engrossed in admiring the plums, Song Zhao noticed the smile on Consort Hui's face gradually fading,

Soon, her brows drooped, her lips puckered into a sad pout, looking somewhat heartbroken.

"In winters past, my mother would use plum blossoms in our meals, making me plum blossom pancakes."

Speaking, her eyes reddened, her voice filled with more grievance, "I miss my mother..."

Consort Hui's words also evoked memories in Song Zhao.

In her childhood, the Protectorate Mansion's side yard also had two red plum trees.

As winter brought snowfall and plum blossoms, Song Zhao's birth mother would also use them to make plum blossom pancakes for Song Zhao.

The taste was sweet and sticky, filling Song Zhao's entire childhood with memories of winter.

Unfortunately, she never tasted it again.

Watching Consort Hui miss her mother, Song Zhao was somewhat reminded of her own past.

However, in comparison, Consort Hui was somewhat luckier.

Although she had not seen her family since entering the palace at ten, four years ago,

The people she missed were at least still alive.

As long as someone is alive, there's always a chance of reunion.

Her fleeting thoughts were quickly pulled back to reality,

Song Zhao's face showed no sadness, but instead, she smiled at Consort Hui, saying,

"In the past, my aunt also used to make plum blossom pancakes for me. Your mother and my aunt both hail from the Jiangsu and Zhejiang region; indeed, their culinary tastes have many similarities."

Consort Hui asked, "Can you make plum blossom pancakes?"

Song Zhao nodded, "Certainly. If Consort Hui likes, I can make some in a few days and bring them over for us to enjoy together, how about that?"

"Really?" Consort Hui, still naïve at heart, quickly shifted emotions,

Hearing Song Zhao promise to make something delicious, Consort Hui immediately showed a smile,

"Then it's a deal!"

Saying so, she extended her hand and hooked her little finger with Song Zhao's as a promise.

The remaining consorts arrived gradually, with the Empress and Consort Chen making their appearance last.

The Empress suffered from a heart condition and couldn't endure the cold wind,

So, she came today clutching a warming flask.

It was unclear what was boiling inside the flask, but its fragrance was subtle and soothing, comforting to those around.

After all the consorts paid their respects to the Empress, she solemnly said,

"The tradition of admiring plum blossoms on the thirteenth day of the tenth month was set by our ancestors. The plum blossom symbolizes pride, as well as humility, fearlessness, and resilience. Like the flower, we should embody these virtues in life. This tradition was established to remind us in the harem to possess these noble qualities, even as women."

Everyone responded in unison, "Empress's words are most enlightening; we, your subjects (consorts), have learned much."

Amidst this chorus of uniform replies, a mocking and frivolous voice stood out,

"The Empress is well-read, always so insightful in everything."

Consort Chen lazily stroked her hair, glancing at the Empress with a smile,

"Just admiring flowers, yet the Empress can derive such profound lessons. I truly feel inferior~"

The Empress responded with a smile, "Seeing the pride in my sister, I know you understand these principles too. Why belittle yourself unnecessarily?"

Consort Chen sneered coldly, not responding to the Empress's remark.

When the Empress led everyone to view the plum blossoms, Consort Chen quickly advanced a few steps, overtly moving ahead of the Empress.

This act was extremely presumptuous,

Yet the Empress said nothing, and the other consorts could only grumble quietly.

Song Zhao overheard Consort Ying whispering to Consort Shu, "The Empress is the central figure in the palace, and Consort Chen has been provoking her lately. The Empress is magnanimous and doesn’t hold it against her, but our palace must find an opportunity to inform the Emperor."

Consort Shu sighed and advised, "What good would telling the Emperor do? She’s been like this for years, have you ever seen the Emperor intervene?"

— "Ah! A snake!"

Song Zhao, engrossed in the conversation, suddenly heard Liu Chang scream in the crowd.

She was terrified, her face pale with fear, as she hastily backed away, pointing to the soft soil in front of her.

From behind a plum tree ahead, two snakes, nearly half a zhang (about 5 meters) long, emerged,

Their heads triangular, bodies thick and tails short, with dark brown backs and circular patterns on their sides.

Snakes usually avoid humans, but these two were behaving abnormally,

Hissing and writhing, they rapidly crawled towards where the consorts were standing.

The consorts, terrified, screamed and scattered in panic, the scene quickly descending into chaos.

Song Zhao, having been cautious from the start, didn't lose her composure even upon seeing the snakes,

She retreated with the crowd, while Xiao Fuzi stood in front of her, protecting her.

The snakes emerged from the front, so Consort Chen, who had been at the forefront, ended up being the last in line.

The palace attendants shielded her as they retreated, and just as she reached Song Zhao's side,

In the chaos, it seemed as though she had been tripped by someone,

Suddenly falling forward onto the ground,

And the two relentlessly pursuing snakes, with their fiery red tongues flicking, lunged towards Consort Chen...