Chapter 64: Gifting a Hairpin to Test
For a period of time afterwards, Song Zhao would always visit Xiao Changzai whenever he had time.
I didn't do anything, just chatted with her and comforted her so that she wouldn't keep everything in her heart.
Others who saw this thought Song Zhao was really stupid.
Xiao Changzai's appearance was ruined, and it was obvious that she would never be favored again. They didn't understand why Song Zhao was so concerned about her.
But Song Zhao knew that it was precisely people like this who, when forced into a desperate situation, would be more likely to burn their boats and do horrific things.
Regarding the disfigurement, Song Zhao made Xiao Changzai think that it was the Concubine Chen who had tampered with the pipa. It was possible that Xiao Changzai would deal with the Concubine Chen.
But Xiao Changzai might also deal with her.
After all, Xiao Changzai had become her scapegoat, so of course she was unwilling to accept it.
Song Zhao didn't want to get into such trouble. She didn't want to scheme against others and end up getting herself involved.
That's why she was particularly concerned about Xiao Changzai.
She wanted to be a ray of light in Xiao Chang's desperate situation, and never let her blame herself.
At the end of the month, the palace received new tribute of tangerines from Lingnan.
Lingnan is far away from Kyoto, and tangerines are precious, so the conditions for transportation are very strict.
In addition, this year was a bad year, and there were not many good quality fruits, so when they were delivered to the palace, there were only less than two dou (less than 20 jin) left.
The Queen Mother loved eating tangerines the most, so she sent a bushel of them.
The rest followed the example of previous years, with the Empress and Concubine Chen getting the largest share, and Concubine Ying, Concubine Yun and Concubine Shu also getting some, but there were no more concubines.
There are exceptions, however.
For example, although Song Zhao's position was only that of a commoner, he still got some.
The Ministry of Internal Affairs kept records of the distribution of rewards, so Song Zhao couldn't hide this.
However, she was very capable and distributed these tangerines to the sisters in each palace, so it did not cause much jealousy.
When she came to visit Xiao Changzai that day, she helped Xiao Changzai peel oranges while saying:
"Counselor Chu treated my sister for ten days or so, and the scars on her face have faded a lot."
She handed the peeled orange segments to Xiao Changzai and said, "Winter is coming in a few days. I heard from the servants that the plum blossoms in the Plum Garden have already bloomed. The fifteenth of next month is the day for the harem to appreciate the plum blossoms. Sister, why don't you go too?"
"What am I going to do?" Xiao Changzai took the orange petals but had no appetite to eat them. He casually put them on the plate and said to himself, "Everyone is enjoying the flowers. If I go there with these withered flowers, it will only spoil the fun."
"The Queen has arrived~"
As soon as the palace maid reported the news, the queen was seen entering the bedroom.
Song Zhao and Xiao Changzai quickly stood up and bowed. The queen kindly asked them to stand up, then looked at Song Zhao and said:
"You have always been with Xiao Changzai these days, which shows that you are sincere to others. In fact, I should have come earlier, but I knew that Xiao Changzai didn't want to see anyone, so I didn't force her. But I was still worried about her in my heart, and I kept asking the imperial physician how she was doing."
As he spoke, he raised his hand and gently stroked Xiao Changzai's cheek, "It's much better now. You must remember to avoid certain foods so that the scar can be healed."
Xiao Changzai bowed and said, "Thank you for your concern, Queen."
After the three of them sat down, the Queen was concerned about Xiao Changzai's situation, while Song Zhao sat beside her respectfully.
She looked at the empress's dignified and kind appearance, and felt that she was truly worthy of the words 'Mother of the Country'.
No matter who encounters trouble in the harem, she will be very concerned, as if she really treats everyone as a sister.
But Song Zhao couldn't tell whether this was her true nature or just a disguise.
Just like what the Queen said just now, it sounds like nothing at first, but think about it carefully:
She said that Song Zhao accompanied Xiao Changzai every day and treated people sincerely, but she also said that she knew Xiao Changzai had a facial injury and didn't want to see anyone, so she didn't come.
Isn't this a metaphor for Song Zhao's concern and forcing someone to do something against his will?
Fortunately, Xiao Changzai is not a smart person.
Otherwise, if she thought carefully about what the Queen said, Song Zhao's companionship for so many days would become a sin for her.
The Queen held Xiao Changzai's hand and persuaded her, "I know you have a wound on your face, so I am naturally unhappy. But now that you have entered the palace, the Emperor, I, and the many sisters in the harem are all your family. Who would dislike their own family?
You always confine yourself to your room. Thinking too much is not good for you. If you feel really uncomfortable, you can worship Buddha with me in the future. When you comprehend the Dharma, you can also find peace in your heart. "
The Queen has spoken, what else can Xiao Changzai say?
She had not paid her respects to the Queen for more than half a month, which was already her fault. If she went to refuse the Queen's kindness again, she would have no place to stand in the palace.
So in the following days, although Xiao Changzai still did not go to pay her respects, every day after the concubines had paid their respects, she would go to the empress alone and accompany the empress in chanting scriptures and worshiping Buddha.
Recently, Concubine Chen has become quiet, and Song Zhao has become the most favored person in the palace again.
Xiao Jingheng's novelty about her has not yet worn off, and he still compares her to a rare treasure and can't let her go.
Just today, after noon, news came from the Jingshifang again. Tonight, Xiao Jingheng still turned over Song Zhao's sign.
But what was different from before was that when the Luanming Cheng'en sedan chair stopped outside the gate of Yaohua Palace at night, the eunuch leading the sedan chair was Zhang Jiugui.
He was the chief steward of the Jingshifang. Normally, he would only come to lead the sedan chair when the empress slept with him for the first time or when Xiao Jingheng had special instructions.
So Song Zhao asked him, "Why is the eunuch here today?"
Zhang Jiugui smiled flatteringly and said, "I happen to be free today, so I want to personally send you off."
After saying this, he took out a hairpin from his bosom and presented it to Song Zhao. "This hairpin was given to you by the Concubine Chen. The magnolia jade tassel on it is lifelike. Your skin is naturally fair, and it will definitely look good on you."
Song Zhao took the hairpin and held it in his hand, and immediately understood what was going on.
Zhang Jiugui is Chen Fei's man, and his words are Chen Fei's words.
As for the magnolia flower, Song Zhao had known the concubines' preferences long ago and knew that the magnolia flower was the favorite flower of the Concubine Chen.
It is said that the Empress Chen danced under the magnolia tree when the magnolia flowers were in bloom.
The sunset intoxicated her and also captured Xiao Jingheng's heart.
Now the Concubine Chen asked Song Zhao to wear the magnolia flower hairpin to the emperor's bedchamber, so that Xiao Jingheng could see it, think of her, and recall the good times they had in the past.
Since the last incident, Xiao Jingheng hasn't seen Concubine Chen for almost a month.
Song Zhao thought that the fact that Concubine Chen sent him the hairpin at this time must have two meanings:
The first meaning is naturally to regain the Holy Heart.
The second meaning was actually a test for her.
Xiao Jingheng saw the hairpin today. If he still ignored Chen Fei's intention, it means that Song Zhao already has a certain weight in Xiao Jingheng's heart.
By then, Concubine Chen will definitely be wary of her, or even plot against her.
Song Zhao briefly reviewed his thoughts in his mind, and then pretended to know nothing. He smiled and pinned the hairpin on her bun, and said to Zhang Jiugui:
"Please tell the Empress Chenfei that I like this hairpin very much. I will personally go to the palace to express my gratitude tomorrow."
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