Chapter 9: Song Zhao Competing for Favour

Chapter 9

Zhi Hua and Xi Ying had been serving by Song Zhao's side for nearly a month now.

Zhi Hua was diligent in her work and seldom complained, making her quite conscientious.

However, Xi Ying was always lazy, avoiding work and often trying to be clever by assigning all the dirty and tiring tasks to Zhi Hua.

Song Zhao noticed all of this but never said anything to her.

At this moment, as she entered the bedroom to clean the flower vase, Song Zhao glanced at her with a sidelong look. The cloth merely went through the motions on the outer wall of the vase, not even wiping off the dirt from the flower mud at the bottle's mouth.

Just as Song Zhao was about to reprimand her, Yun Shan hurriedly rushed back.

Upon seeing Xi Ying present, Yun Shan deliberately said, "Xi Ying, I noticed that the grass in the flower garden outside has grown wild. Go and trim it."

Xi Ying reluctantly agreed and as she was leaving, Yun Shan reminded her, "Close the door. I need to speak with the young mistress."

Xi Ying's eyes wandered lazily as she closed the door slowly.

After she left, Yun Shan said to Song Zhao, "Young mistress, we have obtained some information. The palace staff accepted our money and revealed that tomorrow evening, the Emperor will pay respects to the Empress Dowager. On his way back, he will pass through the northeast corner of the imperial garden."

Song Zhao closed the book she had been reading on the desk and pondered, her expression filled with worry. "Since that's the case, we need to prepare quickly. When I entered the palace, didn't I bring a crimson-purple cloud brocade cloak embroidered with Su embroidery? I heard the Emperor likes that color. Fetch it and make the necessary arrangements. Tomorrow, I will wear it to 'accidentally' encounter the Emperor."

Yun Shan, dexterous in her movements, immediately rummaged through the wardrobe and found the garment. She compared it to Song Zhao's figure, saying, "This garment complements the young mistress's slender figure, coupled with her graceful dancing, the Emperor will surely be enchanted."

"Ah..." Song Zhao sighed, shaking her head helplessly. "Originally, I didn't want to contend for anything. But as you can see, if the women in the palace don't receive favor, their lives are worse off than servants. After a month in the palace, the Emperor hasn't shown any intention of summoning me. If I don't put in some effort, I'm afraid there won't be a place for me in this harem."

The master and servant pondered for a while, devising a plan to capture the Emperor's heart in one fell swoop.

To present herself in the best condition, Song Zhao had refrained from eating or drinking since the previous night. When she became excessively thirsty, she moistened her lips with a damp cloth, claiming that it was necessary to expel the moisture from her body and make her facial features appear more defined.

By the next evening, a resplendently dressed Song Zhao secretly slipped out of the palace while Consort Yao and Noble Consort Li were having their meals.

Song Zhao said, "If my master is not favored, it means you all are suffering with me. Today, my maternal family sent some gold, silver, and delicate items to the palace. I thought of two things that would suit you all very well, so I wanted to keep them for you."

After about the time it takes to burn an incense stick, Zhi Hua finally brought Xi Ying from her chamber.

The red swelling on Xi Ying's face was very prominent, clearly the result of a slap.

Song Zhao pretended not to see and smiled, saying, "Today, my maternal family sent some gold, silver, and delicate items to the palace. You all work hard to serve me, so I thought of two things that would be suitable for you. I wanted to give them to you as gifts."

With that, Yun Shan handed two small and exquisite jewelry boxes to Zhi Hua and Xi Ying.

After expressing their thanks, Xi Ying seemed preoccupied and didn't pay much attention to the gifts.

Zhi Hua joyously said, "Thank you, Young Mistress. May I open and have a look?"

Song Zhao smiled and replied, "Of course."

Zhi Hua opened the brocade box and took out a jade bracelet from inside. She was overjoyed and immediately put it on her wrist, expressing her gratitude to Song Zhao repeatedly.

Song Zhao said, "I'm glad you like the gift. Also, I noticed that the bedding you sleep on is already worn out, and the household management department neglects its duties. So, I have instructed Yun Shan to replace it with new ones for you. Would you like to go and see if you like them?"

Zhi Hua became even happier upon hearing this and thanked Song Zhao multiple times before leaving with joy.

After she left, Song Zhao smiled as he observed Xi Ying and asked, "What's the matter? Aren't you happy with the gift I gave you?"

Xi Ying pursed her lips and replied, "I dare not be dissatisfied."

Song Zhao said, "Then, open it and see if it suits your taste."

Xi Ying slowly opened the jewelry box in her hands but let out a startled cry when she saw what was inside. She was so frightened that the jewelry box fell to the ground.

As the jewelry box fell, a bloody finger rolled out from inside!

Witnessing this scene sent shivers down people's spines, making their hair stand on end.