Chapter 42: The Calculating Xiao

Chapter 42

Xiao Jingheng said yesterday that he would come to Yao Hua Palace today to have lunch.

After Song Zhao returned to the palace, she and Consort Yao busied themselves in the small kitchen.

Since Song Zhao was favored, the number of times Xiao Jingheng came to Yao Hua Palace recently increased significantly.

As the saying goes, "A glimpse of a face tells a lot", Consort Yao is the primary consort of Yao Hua Palace, she could always reap some benefits from Song Zhao's favor.

The two were busy chatting and laughing in the small kitchen.

Yun Shan came in, greeted them with a bow and said, "My lady, Xiao the Concubine has come to see you again."

A smile froze on Song Zhao’s face as she said helplessly:

"Go tell her to wait for me for a moment in the West Side Hall. I’ll be there shortly."

"Why bother with her?" Consort Yao's face darkened. "She seldom got close with you in the past. Now that she sees you have obtained the Emperor's favor, she comes to see you every day. Is she here to see you or to try her luck to meet the Emperor through you? Can you not see that?"

Song Zhao understood why Consort Yao got upset all of a sudden.

Xiao Jingheng would come to have lunch later. Originally only Consort Yao and her could serve him at the side. If Xiao the Concubine was also present, whose attention would Xiao Jingheng give?

As a tactful person who tried not to offend anyone, Song Zhao said,

"Since she’s already here, as fellow sisters I should not shut her out. Let me go see her, chat for a bit to get rid of her, so she won’t stay for lunch later."

Glancing at the exquisite dishes Consort Yao prepared on the kitchen counter, she smiled and said, "No one but you can cook so wonderfully, Consort. I alone cannot finish all this. How can I bear to share it with her?"

Only then did Consort Yao smile again. "If you like to eat it, I'll prepare more for you later."

When Song Zhao returned to the West Side Hall, Xiao the Concubine smiled and greeted her enthusiastically right away.

She behaved very intimately with Song Zhao, held her hand and led her to sit on the heated cushions.

"It's rare to see Sister in such good spirits today, even wanting to cook by yourself?"

Song Zhao said, "I had nothing to do, so I wanted to make a couple hometown dishes."

"Oh, then I’m fortunate to have a treat." After blurting that out, Xiao pretended to be embarrassed and asked, "But I’m intruding without even asking if Sister welcomes me. I took the liberty to invite myself over for lunch. Does Sister welcome me?"

If Xiao Jingheng really liked listening to Kunqu Opera, this could become her opportunity to advance.

Xiao pondered briefly then quickly returned the songbook to Song Zhao. She got up and said,

"I suddenly remembered I still have some matters to attend to in the palace. I'm afraid I can’t stay for lunch with Sister today. I’ll come find you another day."

"Sister is leaving already? Lunch is ready soon. Why don't you stay for lunch before you go?" Song Zhao called out while following behind Xiao.

Yet Xiao dashed out of Yao Hua Palace like a wild rabbit having fun.

Song Zhao stood under the cypress tree in the courtyard, gazing serenely at Xiao’s hurriedly retreating figure.

The thin rosy lips curved up beautifully as she silently uttered,

“Fool.”

About ten minutes after Xiao left, Xiao Jingheng arrived.

During the lunch with the three people, Consort Yao kept enthusiastically serving dishes to Xiao Jingheng.

Yet in the whole meal, Xiao Jingheng only looked at her twice and said one sentence to her,

“Consort Yao’s cooking skill has improved again.”

Just this one word of praise was enough to delight Consort Yao for a long time.

After lunch ended, Xiao Jingheng naturally went to the West Side Hall of Song Zhao’s residence to take a nap.

He kept his words. Still concerned about Song Zhao’s back contusion, he would come every day to apply medicine for her.

“I’ve seen your back contusion heal very well these days. It seems it’ll soon disappear without a trace. ”

“It’s all thanks to Your Majesty, isn’t it?” Song Zhao put on her outer garment and snuggled into Xiao Jingheng's arms, stroking the stubble on his chin with her fingertips. “Your Majesty takes such good care of me personally every day. I don’t know how to repay Your kindness.”

The girl in his arms had a tender voice, cool fingertips, and captivating eyes like silk threads. Every seemingly accidental touch was in fact blatant flirting.

“Oh?” Xiao Jingheng’s tone rose. He tilted her chin with one hand and smiled wickedly,

“Then let me tell you how you should repay me.”

As he said that, his warm palm slid past layers of obstacles and gently probed toward the tender spot.