Consort Zhen seemed to have suddenly become a different person in front of Song Xizhi.
Not only did he lose the cautiousness he had shown in front of Consort Liang, but he also became calm and composed.
Song Xizhi knew that this was Consort Zhen's way of showing goodwill. She had dropped her pretense and revealed her shrewdness, making it clear to her that Prince Xiu was also an option.
Song Xizhi used Lady Zhao as bait, even at the risk of offending Consort Liang, in order to let Consort Zhen see her intentions and confidence.
Consort Zhen admired her and wanted to win her over to pave the way for Prince Xiu, so that she could reveal all the secrets she had known for many years, down to the smallest detail.
The two hit it off without saying a word, and there was no need for any more pleasantries.
So Song Xizhi didn't mince words and asked directly, "Your Majesty, I have repeatedly requested an audience with you, but all I have to ask is about the matter of incense."
Consort Zhen narrowed her eyes, sat up straight, but did not speak.
Song Xizhi continued, "His Highness Prince Xiu probably mentioned the key to it to you. My incense-making skills come from my mother, Su Mingyue."
"More than ten years ago, my mother went in and out of the palace to offer incense to the Empress; and she died mysteriously after the Empress's death."
"It just so happens that you instructed Prince Yu to ask the Su family for incense, so I came before you. You know the heart of a child, and I must find out the truth about my mother's death."
Consort Zhen gazed quietly at Song Xizhi: "The waters behind this are very deep. Once you get involved, you will be doomed."
Song Xizhi simply smiled and shook her head: "Now I am doomed beyond redemption. My frank inquiry into this matter is because I intend to be of one mind with you."
Upon hearing this, Consort Zhen's expression changed. She put down her teacup with a crisp sound and offered Song Xizhi her first benefit:
"Your mother and the Empress were actually very close friends."
Song Xizhi was taken aback when he heard this: "Close friends?"
Consort Zhen nodded: "However, I have no evidence. I sensed it from my own feeling, so it's up to you whether you believe it or not."
Song Xizhi naturally believed that Consort Zhen had no background and was not particularly beautiful, yet she was able to navigate the palace step by step, cultivate Xiuwan, and even have a voice in front of His Majesty, all thanks to her meticulous mind.
She gripped the teacup in her hand even tighter and continued to ask, "Then what does the Empress's death have to do with Mother's incense?"
"Why did my mother die mysteriously after the Empress died, and why did I encounter assassination attempts several times after I opened the brothel?"
Consort Zhen's gaze remained gentle: "Because someone wants to stop you from continuing your investigation."
As she spoke, her eyes were fixed on the front, as if recalling the past: "Actually, on the night the late Empress died, His Majesty was in my palace."
"So when His Majesty rushed to the Empress's palace, I followed him. I saw the late Empress's body. She had just passed away peacefully, with a smile on her face and a strange fragrance lingering on her body."
Song Xizhi paused slightly: "There's a strange fragrance on the Empress's corpse?"
Consort Zhen nodded: "That's why your mother's incense is connected to the Empress's death, which led to her death and your assassination attempt."
Song Xizhi repeatedly pondered Consort Zhen's words, and the words of that mysterious man from before resurfaced in his mind.
"The Empress is strong-willed and will not commit suicide."
Song Xizhi vaguely felt something suddenly flash through her mind. She wanted to grasp that fleeting inspiration, but the idea vanished in an instant.
She took a deep breath, shook her head, and asked another question: "Since the Empress's death is related to Mother's incense, why did you still ask the Su family for incense?"
"His Highness Prince Xiu said that he is using incense to help His Majesty sleep because His Majesty's health is deteriorating. He doesn't know the truth, but aren't you afraid that His Majesty will be disgusted?"
Upon hearing this, Consort Zhen suddenly laughed: "I'm reminded of that night when His Majesty saw the Empress's body and remained very calm."
Song Xizhi noticed the change in her pronouns and slowly sat up straight.
"Because of his composure, I always thought His Majesty disliked the Empress. But after so many years, I realized that a person's love is actually discovered in the smallest details."
"His Majesty loves the Empress, and he regrets it every day, tosses and turns in bed, and even sheds tears. As a result, his health is deteriorating day by day. This is why I asked the Su family for incense."
Song Xizhi was stunned. Her eyes widened as she processed everything Consort Zhen had said.
This contradicts the rumors, and she believes that even in the palace, or even throughout the entire world, very few people would know this.
Emperor Guangqi outwardly expressed such hatred for the Han family that even after the Empress's death, he sent the Crown Prince to Heyan Mountain to practice asceticism, and the father and son never saw each other again for the rest of their lives.
Yet he loved the Empress so much that he tossed and turned in his sleep at night, and when he became Emperor, tears streamed down his face.
Song Xizhi pondered, and sighed with emotion.
Only Consort Zhen, with her keen eye and constant presence by His Majesty's side, could glean some clues from this.
After venting her frustrations, Consort Zhen seemed to come back to her senses. She took a deep breath and drank another sip of tea: "I lost my composure, please don't take offense."
Song Xizhi smiled and shook his head: "Your Majesty is so meticulous and has kept your mouth shut for so many years. It is truly not easy."
Her mind was racing, piecing together bits and pieces of clues.
There are suspicious points in the Han family case, so even though His Majesty loves the Empress, he can only pretend not to.
But the empress still died, not by suicide. Her body had a strange fragrance when she died, and the emperor was filled with regret. In the end, his mother, who may have been related to the fragrance, also died.
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