Chapter 76: Joyous Pulse Solves Troubles

Chapter 76: Joyous Pulse Solves Troubles

When Song Zhao returned to Yaohua Palace, she intended to head straight to the West Side Hall.

However, she heard a sound like that of bowls and cups smashing from the main hall.

She handed her cloak to Yunshan, "I'll go see what's going on."

Upon reaching the main hall, she saw Consort Yao reprimanding a young palace maid,

Seeing Song Zhao's arrival, Consort Yao tempered her anger and coldly told the maid, "What are you waiting for? Clean up these broken porcelain pieces at once."

Song Zhao approached with a smile, bowed to Consort Yao, and asked, "Is it because a servant has been unsatisfactory, upsetting Your Highness?"

Consort Yao gave a helpless smile, "What does it matter if they satisfy me or not? In the palace, it's paramount to please the Emperor."

Song Zhao inwardly dismissed Consort Yao's words, puzzled, "I'm afraid I don't quite understand Your Highness's meaning."

With a hint of mockery, Consort Yao said, "It's alright if you don't understand. Go pick some gifts from your storeroom, and accompany me to Zhaochun Palace to congratulate Consort Xiao."

Song Zhao, confused, asked, "Consort Xiao?"

"Ah... isn't she the one imprisoned in the dark cell?" Consort Yao sighed and then explained to Song Zhao:

"Before Xiao's transfer to the Cold Palace, she was examined to ensure she wouldn't harm herself there. Forbidden to bring anything harmful, she became extremely agitated during the examination, insisting she was innocent and demanding to see the Emperor. In her agitation, she suddenly fainted.

As she hadn't yet entered the Cold Palace, she wasn't considered a deposed consort. The servants, fearing an accident, summoned the imperial physician. And that examination revealed something astonishing..."

Consort Yao crumpled the handkerchief in her hand, resentfully saying:

"She's blessed by heaven, to be pregnant at such a time! Upon learning this, the Emperor immediately ordered her return to Zhaochun Palace. The imperial physician said her agitation was harmful to the fetus, so the Emperor elevated her to the rank of Noble Consort right there."

As she spoke, she instinctively placed her hand on her flat belly, bitterly adding, "It's my fault for being ineffectual, having to watch someone with such malicious intentions bear the Emperor's heir."

Hearing the full story from Consort Yao, Song Zhao tensed up, inwardly remarking on Xiao's good fortune.

However, this was also a good thing,

Xiao, disfigured and not favored by Xiao Jingheng, and of low birth,

Having her bear Xiao Jingheng's first child as a valued son was much better than if the Empress or Imperial Consort Chen had given birth first.

"What about the snake incident in the Mei Garden? What did the Emperor say?" Song Zhao inquired.

Consort Yao scoffed, "What else could he say? It didn't injure anyone important, just a palace maid died. It's hardly a matter of great consequence. I heard from those in the imperial presence that the Emperor deemed it an accident, so Consort Xiao is obviously uninvolved."

Consort Yao, known for her straightforward nature, was upset because Xiao, who had committed the heinous act of releasing a snake, was absolved of all blame due to her pregnancy, causing her frustration.

Thus, Song Zhao advised her, "Your Highness, there's no use being angry. Since the Emperor has declared it an accident, we must accept it as such. Let's go congratulate Consort Xiao."

As they headed to Zhaochun Palace together, they saw from a distance in the corridor, Xiao Jingheng just leaving Zhaochun Palace and getting into his sedan chair.

He had just visited Consort Xiao, his face wearing a happy smile, seeming very pleased.

Consort Yao clenched her fists, muttering under her breath, "Look at the Emperor's joy. Even if the viper had bitten Imperial Consort Chen yesterday, he would still wait for the child in Xiao's womb to be born before holding her accountable."

Her voice faded, tinged with undisguised disappointment, "It shows that for women in the palace, bearing a child is of utmost importance."

Song Zhao lowered her voice to remind her, "Your Highness, we must not discuss the Emperor's matters."

With that, Consort Yao said no more, and only after watching the sedan chair move away, did she and Song Zhao enter Zhaochun Palace.

Actually, Xiao Jingheng's happiness was to be expected,

Having lost two children already, the child of Consort Xiao was naturally more precious.

If Consort Xiao's child is blessed by heaven and she gives birth successfully,

Then, even without favor, just by virtue of the child's status, her elevation to Consort or even higher ranks would be imminent.

When Song Zhao and Consort Yao arrived at Consort Xiao's chambers, almost all the consorts were there, except for Imperial Consort Chen and Liu Changzai.

The Empress seemed particularly concerned about Consort Xiao,

Sitting at Consort Xiao's bedside, holding her hand with a warm smile, she was meticulously advising her on various precautions.

Consort Xiao, still visibly anxious, repeatedly assured the Empress that she wasn't responsible for the snake incident in the Mei Garden.

The Empress gently patted her hand, comforting her:

"The Emperor has declared it an accident, and so it is. We, your sisters, trust you. Don't overthink it. Right now, focus on taking care of yourself and providing an heir for the royal family, understand?"

Consort Shu also shared many pregnancy taboos with Consort Xiao, chattering away, then gently stroked her belly, expressing:

"I lost my child, but you must ensure the safety of yours."

"Imperial Consort Chen has arrived."

Following the sharp announcement by a palace eunuch,

Imperial Consort Chen entered the hall with confident strides.

With a stern face, she walked with such forceful strides that her presence was intimidating, making it hard for anyone to look directly at her.

Seeing her, Xiao Changzai immediately shrank back into the corner of the bed, trembling against the cold wall.

The Empress stood up to protect her, blocking Imperial Consort Chen from approaching,

"Imperial Consort Chen, the Emperor has already declared yesterday's incident an accident, so please..."

"I've heard Consort Xiao is with child? Congratulations to you."

Imperial Consort Chen, without even glancing at the Empress, stepped past her and looked down condescendingly at Consort Xiao, trembling on the bed, "You must take good care of yourself. Keeping this heaven-sent fortune is your true skill."

After saying this, her piercing gaze turned to the Empress, "Shouldn't Your Highness the Empress know best whether this was an accident or not?"

Her eyes filled with disdain, she looked the Empress up and down, sneeringly adding:

"The Empress is truly considerate of the imperial lineage, knowing she can't bear children herself. Rushing here as soon as you heard Consort Xiao was pregnant. What's this? You're not feeling cold now, not even bringing your hand warmer?"

Her words, loaded with insinuation, immediately changed the Empress's complexion.

Consort Ying rushed out to defend the Empress, "Imperial Consort Chen, you're going too far!"

Imperial Consort Chen glanced at her, "Is there something wrong in my concern for Her Highness the Empress?"

Imperial Consort Chen, slightly taller than the Empress, leaned in close to her ear while speaking,

A sinister smile on her face, she whispered in a voice audible only to them,

"If you dare to start the game, don't blame me for playing it to the end.

We have a long time in this palace, you and I, and there's much more to come in our battle."

After speaking, she didn't even glance at the Empress's ashen face,

She abruptly turned, pushed past the other consorts blocking her way, and left with her usual haughty air.