Chapter 44 The Target of Public Criticism
Yingxiang had already found out the reason why Xiao Chang was favored today.
After she explained everything to Concubine Chen in detail, Concubine Chen's face became even uglier.
"What a low-class piece of shit! Does she think the palace is a brothel? Singing and performing to seduce the emperor, how shameless!"
Yingxiang advised: "Your Majesty, there is no need to be angry about this. The Emperor is only treating her in a temporary way. The person that the Emperor values most is still Your Majesty."
"Anyone can say that, but the emperor only goes to the harem a few times a month. He went to her place today, and to your place tomorrow. How many chances do I have left?"
Concubine Chen frowned and looked towards the direction of Chaoyang Palace, and said fiercely:
"Since she likes to sing, I will let her sing to her heart's content!"
*
Yaohua Palace.
Xiao Jingheng is not coming tonight, so Song Zhao is happy and at ease.
After dinner, she admired the moon for a while and read two books. When she was about to have someone help her wash up and rest, someone from the Ministry of Internal Affairs came over.
"Master Song, the emperor asked me to bring you something."
Song Zhao looked at the food box in his hand and asked curiously, "What is it?"
"It is the emperor's soothing tea. The emperor said that my lady was tired today and asked her to drink this tea so that she can sleep peacefully."
The eunuch took out the jade pot, respectfully poured a cup of tea for Song Zhao, and then flattered him with a few words:
"Besides the Empress and the Consort, the only one who can receive this honor in the palace is you."
Song Zhao smiled shyly, nodded, took out some change from the drawer and handed it to him, "Thank you for making this trip, eunuch."
The eunuch took the silver and laughed even more happily.
In the past, Song Zhao did not give rewards to his servants just for show.
If you want to make a living in the palace, you have to spend money to bribe servants and buy off information and connections.
Just after giving the money, Xiao Fuzi came in hurriedly.
Seeing that there were outsiders present, he whispered in Song Zhao's ear,
"My lady, the one who will sleep with you tonight is Concubine Xiao. But the emperor did not stay overnight, and he has already been sent out of Chaoyang Palace."
Song Zhao thought for a moment, then pushed the green jade pot a few inches in front of the eunuch and said with a smile:
"I see that the eunuch has a friendly face. It seems that the emperor has sent the Ministry of Internal Affairs to deliver something to me. Is it the eunuch who is responsible for running errands every time?"
"Master Song has a good memory. I am responsible for delivering rewards to the East Six Palaces."
"You work hard, and since you are smart, I am willing to help you. The one serving you in bed today is Xiao Changzai, who is considered the emperor's cousin.
She is not an ordinary person, and she will rise to prominence sooner or later. I heard that she doesn't even have an eunuch to serve her. If you can curry favor with her and become a servant of the master of the East Six Palaces, wouldn't your future be much brighter than working in the Ministry of Internal Affairs? "
The eunuch thought for a moment and said, "Master Song is right, but I am a lowly person with little influence. How can I make Xiao Changzai treat me differently?"
"There is a ready-made opportunity right now." Song Zhao took out an ordinary purple clay teapot, poured all the remaining tranquilizing tea in the jade pot into it, and handed it to the eunuch.
"Xiao Changzai has worked hard in the emperor's bedchamber. You should give her this wonderful gift. First, it will allow her to enjoy the emperor's grace. Second, it will also make her think that you are a sensible person."
Song Zhao meant that the eunuchs should take the imperially bestowed tranquilizing tea to please Xiao Changzai.
This is against the rules, but the servants in the palace are willing to do even more risky things in order to gain power.
After hesitating for a moment, the eunuch knelt down to thank Song Zhao for his kindness, then quickly left with the calming tea.
Song Zhao's move left Xiao Fuzi somewhat in the dark.
"Why did you use the gift from the Emperor to do a favor? And why did you give it to a lowly servant?"
Song Zhao held the teacup in his palm, took a sip, and stopped drinking.
"Go down and pour it for me."
Xiao Fuzi was stunned for a moment, "This... Is it because the young master is not used to drinking it?"
Song Zhao shook his head. "This tranquilizing tea is for the royal use, so it is of course a very good thing. After drinking it, people with nightmares and fears will be able to sleep peacefully until the fifth watch. But the Queen will summon all the concubines to her palace half an hour in advance tomorrow to pay respects and discuss the Emperor's birthday. I dare not delay."
Hearing this, Xiao Fuzi immediately understood what Song Zhao meant.
"My lady is very wise! Everyone in the palace knows that these two days are the 'wedding day' of the Concubine Chen. If Xiao Changzai uses despicable means to snatch the emperor's favor at this time, she will definitely offend the Concubine Chen. If Xiao Changzai drinks the calming tea at night and is late to pay respects to the empress tomorrow, she will be charged with being arrogant due to her favor and will also offend the empress. In this way, her future life will be..."
"Don't talk nonsense." Song Zhao smiled and waved his hand, interrupting Xiao Fuzi's words: "I gave her the calming tea because I saw how hard it was for her to serve the emperor, and I wanted to fulfill his wish. I don't have so many twists and turns in my mind."
"Yes, yes, yes." Xiao Fuzi slapped his mouth twice, "My servant is talking nonsense, please don't be offended, my lady."
Song Zhao's thoughts were actually very simple:
She didn't want the Concubine Chen to be pregnant at this time, but she couldn't blatantly take away her favor.
Therefore, Xiao Changzai, who was eager for the emperor's favor and had a special skill, became her best chess piece.
Besides, now that Li Changzai is dead, she is the most eye-catching among the new concubines in the harem.
The Queen and the Concubine Chen were staring at her mistakes, and she was restricted in everything she did.
The best strategy would be to let Xiao Changzai suddenly appear at this time, divert their attention, and become the target instead of her.
The next day, Song Zhao got up very early and arrived at the Queen's Palace before dawn.
After sitting for a while, the concubines came one after another.
However, there was no sign of Xiao Changzai and Chen Fei for a long time.
Concubine Yun glanced at Concubine Hui who was eating cakes and said in a pretentious tone:
"It's not uncommon for the Concubine Chen to come late, why didn't Xiao Changzai from your palace come today?"
Huipin stuffed her mouth with cakes. After swallowing the cakes with a sip of milk tea, she spoke incoherently:
"I don't know either. Sister Xiao Changzai went to Chaoyang Palace to look for the emperor last night. She hadn't come back when I went to bed. The queen said that I had to come early to pay respects today. I woke up late because I was too sleepy. I didn't pay attention to anything else in my hurry to come here."
Everyone started talking one after another, but Song Zhao didn't respond at all, just silently observing the queen's expression.
She was the Empress, and it was disrespectful for the concubines to come late to pay their respects to her.
Having a concubine was enough of a headache for her before, and now there is another concubine named Xiao.
No matter how generous she is, it is impossible for her not to be angry at all.
But later, when Xiao Chang came in a panic and bowed to the Queen in the hall to apologize,
Song Zhao watched helplessly as the dissatisfaction on the queen's face instantly disappeared, and was replaced by her usual dignified and gentle smile.
"It's okay. You've worked hard in serving the emperor. Today, I've moved up the time for paying respects to the emperor. It doesn't matter if you're a little late. Hurry up and take a seat."
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