Chapter 26 Concubine Yun Poisons
The news that Song Zhao was suddenly granted the title of Changzai quickly spread throughout the six palaces.
In addition to Xiao Jingheng, concubines from various palaces also vied with each other to send her gifts.
Even Li Changzai, who was demoted because of her, was no exception.
She presented a piece of top-quality tourmaline, changed her usual arrogant attitude, and said to Song Zhao in a friendly manner:
"I heard that you were appointed as a concubine, and I am very happy for you. I was impatient before, so if I offended you in any way, please don't take it to heart."
Song Zhao didn't argue with her and said with a smile: "Sister treats me with all her heart, how could she say that she offended me? I am still thinking in my heart that the emperor misunderstood my sister last time. When I have a chance in the future, I must explain it clearly to the emperor and persuade him to restore my sister's position."
Li Changzai was just speaking for the sake of courtesy. She naturally knew that Song Zhao was just trying to please her, so she smiled and nodded, as long as they could save face.
Not long after dealing with Li Changzai, a distinguished guest arrived in Song Zhao Palace.
Shu Fei was pregnant with a round belly. As soon as she entered, she laughed and shouted, "I've said that my sister is not an ordinary person. Our emperor cherishes beauties and loves beauties. He will never let your pearl be covered in dust."
Song Zhao was also surprised to see her coming in person, and hurriedly stood up to greet her.
"Why did Empress Shufei come here in person? Zhihua Xiying, quickly help her take a seat."
Zhihua and Xiying came to Shufei's side and wanted to support her, but were stopped by Shufei's maid Qingyue.
Qingyue protected Shufei all the way and helped her sit on a warm seat. She also put a goose feather cushion under her lower back. No one was allowed to have contact with Shufei during the entire process, for fear that an accident might occur and hurt the royal heir in her queen's belly.
Yes, pregnant women naturally have more concerns.
In fact, Song Zhao didn't want to deal with her. After all, if anything happened to her in his own palace, it would be a headache.
So she didn't let anyone serve tea to Concubine Shu, and just said: "Your Majesty can't drink tea while you are pregnant. I wonder what kind of drink your Majesty likes? I can ask the servants to prepare it."
"No need." Shu Fei smiled and waved her hand. "The imperial physician asked me to walk more often. Today, the weather was good, so I went for a walk in the Imperial Garden. On my way back to the palace, I happened to pass by Yaopin's place, so I came to see you."
Song Zhao said: "In fact, I should have gone to the palace to pay my respects to the Majesty, but the Majesty is pregnant and the Emperor said it is not appropriate to disturb her, so I have been delayed."
She lowered her eyes to look at Shu Fei's belly and smiled gently, "It's been seven months, right?"
Shu Fei nodded, stroking her belly and said, "It's almost there. The due date is in October. October is a good month, and the weather is cooler. You should have heard of the late emperor's Concubine Duan, right? She gave birth to the eighth prince in midsummer. The eighth prince was too big in the womb, and Concubine Duan tore her vulva during delivery. Because of the hot and sweaty summer, the wound never healed, and finally Concubine Duan died of exhaustion..."
After hearing this, Song Zhao took a sip of tea and did not respond.
Talking about the former imperial concubine is a serious crime, and she doesn't want to get herself into trouble.
Seeing that she was silent, Shu Fei seemed to realize that something was wrong, and quickly changed the subject:
"Look at me, why am I telling you all this for no reason? Qingyue, quickly give the things to Concubine Song."
Qingyue handed Song Zhao a jade hairpin with both hands.
The jade is lustrous and transparent without a trace of impurities. When you hold it in the palm of your hand and feel the warmth, you can tell at a glance that it is worth a lot of money.
Song Zhao refused, saying that she couldn't afford the gift, but Shu Fei said, "It's not just because of your promotion. I felt close to you the first time I saw you, because you look a lot like my sister. I haven't seen my family since I entered the palace, and I was very excited when I saw you for the first time that day."
She held Song Zhao's hand and forced her to accept the hairpin. "Take it. Just think of it as me accepting you as my sister. In the future, when you are free, you can often come to my palace to sit and chat with me to relieve my boredom. Okay?"
It was hard for her to refuse such kindness, so Song Zhao refused it disrespectfully.
He had no choice but to accept the hairpin and responded to her casually.
Song Zhao didn't bother to care what Shu Fei was thinking. He just treated whatever she said as a joke.
On this day, the West Side Hall of Yaohua Palace, which used to be deserted, was now almost worn out by people.
The gifts received alone were enough to fill up half the room.
After dealing with these weird health-conscious people, Song Zhao asked Xiao Fuzi to check whether there were any problems with the gifts they sent.
Xiao Fuzi was very quick and came back to reply to Song Zhao half an hour later.
"My dear, the gifts sent by the masters of each palace have been checked and there is nothing wrong with them."
Song Zhao nodded in agreement, and then asked curiously, "I remember that Concubine Yun sent someone to deliver the 'Morning Condensation Fragrance Dew', right?"
Yunshan said, "Yes, my lady. Morning Condensation Fragrance Dew is known as the King of All Fragrances and is very rare. Concubine Yun is the only one in the palace who loves fragrances, so the Emperor gave her some. She brought this to my lady, which shows that she also wants to win my lady over."
Song Zhao sensed something was wrong in Yunshan's words. "Yunshan, I remember you have two golden bells. They are small and exquisite and very beautiful. Would you like to give me one?"
Yunshan immediately looked embarrassed when she heard this, "My lady... that was a relic my mother gave me. I can give you everything else, except..."
Song Zhaoqing smiled coldly, "Yes. You naturally cherish the things your mother gave you, but how could she be willing to share the unique favor that the emperor gave to Concubine Yun with me? What's more, she is a person who loves fragrance."
Yunshan asked, "Young Master, do you mean that you think there is something wrong with the incense?"
"I'll bring it back for a careful inspection." Xiao Fuzi came and went in a hurry and found the Morning Fragrance Dew from the storeroom.
This time, in front of Song Zhao, Xiao Fuzi used a silver spoon to scoop out a small spoonful of incense powder. After careful inspection, he still found nothing wrong.
But Song Zhao kept his eyes fixed on the sandalwood box containing the incense. "Give me the box. Let me take a look."
Xiao Fuzi handed her the box. She used a silver spoon to spread the incense powder on it and suddenly said:
"Look, isn't the powder on the bottom layer darker than the powder on top?"
Yunshan and Xiao Fuzi came over and said, "Yeah! It's true! Usually, people just throw incense powder into the incense burner one spoonful at a time, and no one will check the difference between the bottom and top layers..."
Xiao Fuzi scooped a spoonful of the bottom layer of incense powder and placed it on the table, flattened it and checked it again.
He discovered that some coarser particles were mixed into the incense powder at the bottom layer. After picking out the particles and carefully examining them, his face immediately changed.
"My dear, someone has mixed a small amount of incense into the bottom layer of incense powder!"
Song Zhao looked at the incense powder on the table and sneered, and asked:
"What is that? Is it poisonous?"
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