ALL NOVEL
Chapter 47
Shuang Ruo was anxious and uneasy, her eyes darting to the wardrobe behind her from time to time, making it easy for people to imagine that she had hidden something bad inside.
Seeing everyone staring at Shuang Ruo, the Empress' expression was also slightly unnatural,
"Shuang Ruo, you have been getting clumsier recently. The tea has gone cold, go and make some fresh tea for Us."
Just as Shuang Ruo was about to withdraw to carry out the order, Consort Chen noticed the abnormality between the master and servant, and quickly said:
"Wait a moment. This servant sees her acting suspiciously, not knowing what she is up to. There is a common saying that it is difficult to prevent theft in one's own household. The Empress is ill, yet this maid is not attending to Her Majesty, but instead has been rummaging around in your wardrobe?"
The atmosphere in the hall was tense for a moment,
Taking advantage of the fact that Xiao Jingheng had not yet spoken, Consort Chen had Ying Xiang open the wardrobe to see what Shuang Ruo had hidden inside.
Unexpectedly, as soon as the wardrobe was opened, a bright yellow nightgown fell out.
Fortunately, Shuang Ruo reacted quickly to catch it before the nightgown hit the ground.
Clutching the nightgown, Shuang Ruo checked it anxiously, murmuring from time to time:
"Luckily it's not dirty, otherwise the heartfelt gift that the Empress made for the Emperor would have gone to waste..."
Everyone's eyes fell on what was in her hands,
and saw that she was holding an unfinished nightgown.
The material used for the nightgown was high-quality bright yellow brocade, embroidered with nine five-clawed golden dragons, implying supreme status.
One could tell at a glance that this was hand-made by the Empress herself, intended as a gift for Xiao Jingheng.
The golden dragons embroidered on the nightgown were vivid and the needlework exquisite, clearly created with great effort and skill.
After a brief silence in the hall, Xiao Jingheng asked:
"Why did you hide a nightgown?"
Shuang Ruo pursed her lips and stole a glance at the Empress before replying stubbornly:
"Replying to Your Majesty, this nightgown is a birthday gift specially made by Her Majesty the Empress for you. She started preparing it early last year, personally taking charge of selecting the material, cutting and embroidery.
Her Majesty had originally intended to keep it a secret from Your Majesty and give you a surprise on your birthday. But Your Majesty paid an unexpected visit today, and this servant was afraid you would catch sight of the nightgown hidden behind the feather pillow, so I wanted to hide it away. I didn't expect..."
Shuang Ruo rambled on and on, in fact to convey two points to Xiao Jingheng.
First, the Empress had prepared his birthday present for eight or nine months.
Second, the reason the Empress had "fallen ill from overwork" was from personally sewing the nightgown day and night.
The Empress had shown utmost sincerity, how could Xiao Jingheng not be moved?
After all, true feelings were the rarest thing in the harem, even for an emperor.
The Empress blushed after her secret was uncovered, bashfully lowering her head and saying:
"Your servant's skills are crude, Your Majesty must be laughing."
Xiao Jingheng gestured for Shuang Ruo to bring the nightgown forward. He gently caressed the soft fabric and exquisite embroidery, then said after a long pause:
"Embroidering this golden dragon design is extremely complicated, and you used the Xiang embroidery technique, which is most delicate and difficult. It goes without saying how much thought you put into this. I am truly touched by your sentiments."
"I'm glad it pleases Your Majesty. These are actually just my wifely duties. Naturally as a wife I hope my husband can wear a nightgown made by my own hands, that is the most intimate feeling."
Xiao Jingheng nodded slightly, holding the Empress's hand, "It is very good that you have this intention. But in future, you must take care of your health first in everything, understand?"
The Empress nodded lightly, a warm smile blossoming and lighting up the room.
This scene appeared harmonious between emperor and empress to onlookers, but Consort Chen only felt disgusted.
Later Xiao Jingheng said, "Since the Empress is in good health, there is no need for you to remain here, return to your palaces and rest."
Upon hearing this, Consort Chen immediately took two steps forward, wanting to take Xiao Jingheng's arm to accompany him back to Chaoyang Palace.
But before she could get close, she saw Xiao Jingheng looking tenderly at the Empress, gently saying:
"I will stay tonight to accompany the Empress."
Consort Chen froze where she stood,
the hand already half stretched out stiffened in mid air, neither able to advance nor retreat.
The Empress said, "But...wasn't Consort Chen's turn with Your Majesty tonight? Staying to keep me company does not seem quite proper."
"It's fine," Xiao Jingheng looked at Consort Chen, "Wan'er is not petty in that way."
His words were equivalent to directly sealing Consort Chen's mouth.
He had given her high praise, what more could she say?
She could only force out an awkward smile, "Since the Empress is unwell, it is natural for Your Majesty to stay and attend to her. After all I often have the fortune of Your Majesty's company, it makes no difference to miss a day or two."
That night, as expected Xiao Jingheng stayed in the Empress' palace.
In the following days Xiao Jingheng did not visit Song Zhao at all, but instead greatly favored Consort Chen,
clearly trying to please her as he summoned her twice in five days.
Xiao Jingheng not coming to see Song Zhao did not bother her one bit.
She spent her days in the palace practicing the pipa, while Yun Shan was the first to lose patience.
"Little mistress, His Majesty has not been to our palace for many days. Shall we prepare some snacks tomorrow and visit him to show our faces?"
Yun Shan meant well. The emperor's favor was gained and lost swiftly. She was worried that without his favor, Song Zhao would be bullied again.
But Song Zhao said, "If His Majesty wanted to see me, even if knives rained from the sky he would come. Since he doesn't wish to see me, going to pester him would only be annoying. Why bother?"
She appeared completely unconcerned, continuing to strum her pipa.
But in her heart she was assured:
So what if Xiao Jingheng currently favored Consort Chen?
Consort Chen had suffered a miscarriage before, damaging her fertility. It would be very difficult for her to conceive again.
Her "auspicious day" was the day calculated by the Imperial Medical Bureau and Imperial Astronomical Bureau to be suitable for her to conceive.
Such a day was rare, occurring only two or three days every three to five months. Missing this chance, who knew how long more she would have to wait?
Consort Chen had eagerly anticipated this but ended up with nothing. How could she not be furious?
From beginning to end, ruining Consort Chen's good fortune could be said to be a joint effort by the Empress and Song Zhao.
Yet Consort Chen was unaware of Song Zhao's involvement, only blaming the Empress and Xiao Changzai.
Song Zhao knew that given Consort Chen's personality, she would never swallow this grievance.
As for herself, she did not need to do anything. She just had to keep her hands clean and watch the show from afar.