ALL NOVEL
Chapter 46
It goes without saying that Concubine Xiao had strained her voice for a full two hours singing Kunqu opera in Yonghe Palace. Even the best voice would have been exhausted by now.
As soon as she returned to the palace, she summoned the imperial physician. The physician informed her that it would take at least a couple of months for her condition to fully recover. This meant that during Xiao Jingheng's birthday banquet, she would struggle not only to sing but even to utter a few words of blessing.
Concubine Xiao's favor was originally earned through her excellent singing voice. Now that her voice was hoarse, she had to resort to charming Xiao Jingheng in a coquettish manner at Chaoyang Palace in the hope of winning his sympathy.
However, she was not clever enough. She lacked the noble family background of Consort Chen, the gracefulness of Consort Yao, and the beauty of Song Zhao.
When she tearfully pleaded before Xiao Jingheng with her cracked voice, he only felt repulsed.
He had heard that Concubine Xiao had strained her voice like this after singing in Consort Chen's palace for an afternoon, so he knew that Consort Chen was once again jealous and throwing a tantrum.
On the surface, he comforted Concubine Xiao, saying, "You are just being foolish. If Consort Chen asks you to sing and you feel uncomfortable, you should have refused. Why did you ruin your voice like this?"
Concubine Xiao hesitated upon hearing this.
She did want to refuse, but as a lowly concubine, how could she dare to refuse Consort Chen?
Just as she was about to express her grievances, Xiao Jingheng continued, "Your voice is damaged, and crying like this will only hinder your recovery. Go back and take care of yourself. Tomorrow, I will have someone send you some honey from Mount Zhongnan."
With that, Concubine Xiao had nothing more to say and could only return home feeling frustrated.
That night, Xiao Jingheng overturned Consort Chen's signboard.
Not only did he not blame Consort Chen for this matter, but when he saw her, he jokingly remarked, "Why bother arguing with her?"
"I, your humble concubine, naturally have to argue. Your Majesty knew that yesterday and today were my 'auspicious days,' and you promised to accompany me. It's certainly not a good feeling for me," Consort Chen replied.
Whenever Consort Chen and Xiao Jingheng were alone, they threw all rules out the window, but their playful banter was full of charm.
She walked up to Xiao Jingheng and gracefully sat in his embrace with a slight tilt of her body.
"I prepared a sumptuous feast for you yesterday, but you said you couldn't come and simply didn't show up. I definitely felt disheartened," she said, raising her head in Xiao Jingheng's embrace. With a flirtatious smile, she rubbed her nose against his chin like a playful kitten.
"Your Majesty made me sad all night. Today, you must compensate me well," she said in a soft, alluring voice. Her delicate hands slowly moved beneath her, reaching for the sash of Xiao Jingheng's dragon robe.
Xiao Jingheng chuckled and leaned closer to Consort Chen, lowering his voice.
"Among all the palace women, you are the most unruly. Where do you think your hands should be?"
He reached back and caught Consort Chen's hand, exerting a little pressure. Just as they were about to explore further, a voice of urgency came from outside the door.
"Your Majesty... Empress Dowager's illness has relapsed. Would you like to go and see her?"
Upon hearing this, Xiao Jingheng immediately stopped his actions.
He supported Consort Chen's slender waist, barely a handful, and moved her aside before asking, "Didn't the imperial physician say that the illness would be less likely to recur in autumn? Why is it not getting better?"
"I am not sure either. The Empress did not send anyone to inform us. She only summoned the other consorts to attend to her illness."
Consort Chen looked at Xiao Jingheng's concerned expression and grew increasingly resentful. She understood perfectly well that the Empress was pretending to be sick!
So, without mincing her words, she said, "Why is it that every time I serve His Majesty, the Empress feels uncomfortable here and there? If those who know think it's the Empress's heart ailment, those who don't know would think I am the one troubling the Empress."
Xiao Jingheng, aware of Consort Chen's dissatisfaction, held her hand and reassured her, "Tonight, I flipped your sign, so naturally, I will accompany you. If the Empress is unwell, I cannot ignore it. If you don't like it, you can stay behind and wait for my return."
"The Emperor has already gone. If I don't go, what business do I have? I will accompany the Emperor on this trip, so that I can also show concern for the Empress and fulfill the duties of a consort."
The two of them arrived at Feng Luan Palace, and almost all the consorts in the imperial harem, except for Consort Shu who was still recuperating, had gathered.
Following the others, Song Zhao also wanted to pay her respects to Xiao Jingheng. However, he went straight to the Empress's bedside and inquired, "How is the Empress feeling?"
The Empress was somewhat surprised by Xiao Jingheng's sudden visit. "Why has the Emperor come?"
She wanted to get up and greet him, but Xiao Jingheng pressed her down and said, "You are unwell. There's no need for formalities. What did the imperial physician say?"
The Empress replied, "I am fine. I just feel a bit suffocated in my chest. Consort Ying came to visit me and saw that I wasn't doing well, so she gathered the sisters from the harem to attend to me. I didn't expect to disturb Your Majesty's rest."
Xiao Jingheng held her hand and reassured her, "It's alright. Your well-being is the most important."
Unbeknownst to them, Song Zhao quietly observed the Empress's act.
If it wasn't her intention, why would Consort Ying gather all the consorts to attend to her?
The Empress was also pretending to be clueless while harboring a clear understanding.
The collective visit of the consorts to Feng Luan Palace was quite a commotion. How could the people in the court not inform Xiao Jingheng?
Song Zhao understood the intention behind her actions. It was simply to prevent Xiao Jingheng from summoning her to his bed during Consort Chen's "favorable days."
This reasoning was apparent to Song Zhao, and certainly Consort Chen understood it as well.
Seeing that the two were about to argue further, Xiao Jingheng's expression turned serious as he said, "Enough. The Empress is ill, so both of you should refrain from arguing further."
As they spoke, he asked again, "The imperial physician said that once the Empress's autumn heart ailment settles, it is less likely to relapse. However, she suddenly feels unwell today. Did the imperial physician mention the reason?" Concubine Xiao hurriedly replied, "The imperial physician said that the Empress has developed an illness due to excessive labor. He advised her not to overexert herself in her daily affairs."
Consort Yun expressed her confusion, "It is said that the Empress had already entrusted the intricate matters of the six palaces to Consort Yin since the beginning of spring. She shouldn't have much laborious work to do. How could she have developed an illness due to excessive labor?"
"Heh~" Consort Chen sneered, "In my opinion, the Empress burdens her heart with unnecessary worries on ordinary days, which ultimately takes a toll on her own well-being. This heart ailment should be rested carefully. Your Majesty, the Empress should rest early."
The Empress could naturally discern the sarcasm in Consort Chen's words, but since Xiao Jingheng didn't intervene, she could only maintain her usual gentle smile and calmly say, "Your Majesty, please don't worry about tonight's matter. I am fine. It would be best for you and Consort Chen to return and rest."
"Thud!"
Just as the Empress finished her words of persuasion, a muffled sound of impact came from the direction of the main hall.
Everyone turned their heads towards the sound and saw that Shuang Ruo, a senior palace maid by the Empress's side, had hastily stuffed something into a cabinet and closed the door in a flustered manner...