Chapter 46: A Struggle for Favour

Chapter 46

It goes without saying that Concubine Xiao had strained her voice for a full two hours singing Kunqu opera in Yonghe Palace. Even the best voice would have been exhausted by now.

As soon as she returned to the palace, she summoned the imperial physician. The physician informed her that it would take at least a couple of months for her condition to fully recover. This meant that during Xiao Jingheng's birthday banquet, she would struggle not only to sing but even to utter a few words of blessing.

Concubine Xiao's favor was originally earned through her excellent singing voice. Now that her voice was hoarse, she had to resort to charming Xiao Jingheng in a coquettish manner at Chaoyang Palace in the hope of winning his sympathy.

However, she was not clever enough. She lacked the noble family background of Consort Chen, the gracefulness of Consort Yao, and the beauty of Song Zhao.

When she tearfully pleaded before Xiao Jingheng with her cracked voice, he only felt repulsed.

He had heard that Concubine Xiao had strained her voice like this after singing in Consort Chen's palace for an afternoon, so he knew that Consort Chen was once again jealous and throwing a tantrum.

On the surface, he comforted Concubine Xiao, saying, "You are just being foolish. If Consort Chen asks you to sing and you feel uncomfortable, you should have refused. Why did you ruin your voice like this?"

Concubine Xiao hesitated upon hearing this.

She did want to refuse, but as a lowly concubine, how could she dare to refuse Consort Chen?

Just as she was about to express her grievances, Xiao Jingheng continued, "Your voice is damaged, and crying like this will only hinder your recovery. Go back and take care of yourself. Tomorrow, I will have someone send you some honey from Mount Zhongnan."

With that, Concubine Xiao had nothing more to say and could only return home feeling frustrated.

That night, Xiao Jingheng overturned Consort Chen's signboard.

Not only did he not blame Consort Chen for this matter, but when he saw her, he jokingly remarked, "Why bother arguing with her?"

"I, your humble concubine, naturally have to argue. Your Majesty knew that yesterday and today were my 'auspicious days,' and you promised to accompany me. It's certainly not a good feeling for me," Consort Chen replied.

Whenever Consort Chen and Xiao Jingheng were alone, they threw all rules out the window, but their playful banter was full of charm.

She walked up to Xiao Jingheng and gracefully sat in his embrace with a slight tilt of her body.

The Empress replied, "I am fine. I just feel a bit suffocated in my chest. Consort Ying came to visit me and saw that I wasn't doing well, so she gathered the sisters from the harem to attend to me. I didn't expect to disturb Your Majesty's rest."

Xiao Jingheng held her hand and reassured her, "It's alright. Your well-being is the most important."

Unbeknownst to them, Song Zhao quietly observed the Empress's act.

If it wasn't her intention, why would Consort Ying gather all the consorts to attend to her?

The Empress was also pretending to be clueless while harboring a clear understanding.

The collective visit of the consorts to Feng Luan Palace was quite a commotion. How could the people in the court not inform Xiao Jingheng?

Song Zhao understood the intention behind her actions. It was simply to prevent Xiao Jingheng from summoning her to his bed during Consort Chen's "favorable days."

This reasoning was apparent to Song Zhao, and certainly Consort Chen understood it as well.

Seeing that the two were about to argue further, Xiao Jingheng's expression turned serious as he said, "Enough. The Empress is ill, so both of you should refrain from arguing further."

As they spoke, he asked again, "The imperial physician said that once the Empress's autumn heart ailment settles, it is less likely to relapse. However, she suddenly feels unwell today. Did the imperial physician mention the reason?"

Concubine Xiao hurriedly replied, "The imperial physician said that the Empress has developed an illness due to excessive labor. He advised her not to overexert herself in her daily affairs."

Consort Yun expressed her confusion, "It is said that the Empress had already entrusted the intricate matters of the six palaces to Consort Yin since the beginning of spring. She shouldn't have much laborious work to do. How could she have developed an illness due to excessive labor?"

"Heh~" Consort Chen sneered, "In my opinion, the Empress burdens her heart with unnecessary worries on ordinary days, which ultimately takes a toll on her own well-being. This heart ailment should be rested carefully. Your Majesty, the Empress should rest early."

The Empress could naturally discern the sarcasm in Consort Chen's words, but since Xiao Jingheng didn't intervene, she could only maintain her usual gentle smile and calmly say, "Your Majesty, please don't worry about tonight's matter. I am fine. It would be best for you and Consort Chen to return and rest."

"Thud!"

Just as the Empress finished her words of persuasion, a muffled sound of impact came from the direction of the main hall.

Everyone turned their heads towards the sound and saw that Shuang Ruo, a senior palace maid by the Empress's side, had hastily stuffed something into a cabinet and closed the door in a flustered manner...