Chapter 90: Birth Mother’s Old Friend

Chapter 90

Rui Er was the affectionate nickname for Song Zhao's birth mother.

Only those who were extremely close to her would address her in such a way.

It had been many years since Song Zhao last heard this name uttered by the Empress Dowager.

Song Zhao's beauty, almost eighty percent of it, was inherited from her birth mother, Bai.

In particular, the facial features of the mother and daughter were nearly identical.

But compared to Bai's gentle demeanor, Song Zhao possessed a more radiant allure.

At that moment, she looked at the Empress Dowager with restrained respect and cautiously replied,

"Your servant's birth mother's nickname is indeed Rui Er. Does the Empress Dowager know Lady Bai?"

The Empress Dowager paused briefly, her eyes filled with even greater joy.

She held Song Zhao's hand, exempting her from formalities, and her voice trembled with excitement,

"Turns out, you are Rui Er's daughter..."

Before she could finish her sentence, her eyes welled up with tears.

The Empress Dowager was always composed and rarely showed any signs of losing control.

So her current state not only astonished the concubines but also left Xiao Jingheng perplexed.

He asked, "Mother, are you acquainted with Lady Bai, who was often in the company of Song Chang?"

The Empress Dowager took a deep breath, making an effort to calm her agitated emotions, and nodded slowly,

"The maternal family of this humble palace is from Hang City in the Jiangsu-Zhejiang area, involved in the silk trade. The Bai family and my maternal family were separated by only a wall. They were engaged in embroidery, which happened to be our family's business. As a result, there was frequent interaction between the two families."

As she spoke, she tightened her grip on Song Zhao's hand and continued, "This humble palace and your mother had a close relationship since childhood. We were both the only daughters in our respective families, and our older brothers were more interested in playing with boys, so they didn't want to be burdened with us. Thus, we sought our own amusement.

In our youth, I often shared a pot of tea and a meal with your mother, and at night, we would climb onto the roof to gaze at the stars."

As the Empress Dowager recounted these memories, a faint smile played on her lips, and her vacant eyes gleamed with nostalgia.

It was evident that this childhood memory held infinite beauty for the Empress Dowager.

Trapped in the depths of the palace for decades, living the same life day in and day out, bound by rules and etiquette, it was only natural that the yearning for elusive freedom grew stronger with age.

She continued, "Later, this humble palace entered the palace by imperial decree, and since then, contact with Rui Er was severed. This humble palace also sent many letters to the old residence of the Bai family, but there was no response."

Everyone fell into silence, not daring to show any displeasure.

Just then, a breeze blew, and the Empress took a few steps forward with a smile,

"I never expected such a bond between the Empress Dowager and Song Zhao. Song Zhao, when we go to the Hot Spring Mountain Villa, you must take good care of the Empress Dowager."

Song Zhao bowed and replied, and then the Empress said, "It's windy, the Empress Dowager shouldn't stand in the draft. Let's get on the carriage first, shall we?"

The Empress Dowager turned to look at the Empress, nodded with a smile, and said, "Thank you, Empress, for your concern. Please take care of the affairs in the palace."

Then, she turned to Song Zhao and said, "Girl, do you mind sharing a carriage with me?"

The fact that the Empress Dowager referred to Song Zhao as 'girl' instead of 'Zhao' showed her genuine fondness for her.

The other concubines felt a sourness in their hearts, but Song Zhao didn't have time to worry about how others saw her.

If she could make the Empress Dowager look at her differently and have her protection, it would be more reliable than the verbal promises of Xiao Jingheng.

So she immediately said, "It is the blessing of a concubine to serve the Empress Dowager. Why would I mind?"

As they prepared to help the Empress Dowager onto the carriage, Song Zhao expressed her concern, "It's cold. Empress Dowager, would you like a warm hot pot?"

She signaled to Yun Shan, and when she reached out to take the hot pot he handed her, she discreetly knocked it over without leaving a trace.

The warm water that rolled over her body emitted a steamy heat, even in the winter.

Song Zhao was momentarily frightened and quickly bowed, "I apologize for my rudeness, Your Majesty..."

Yun Shan also dropped to her knees and kowtowed, confessing, "This servant is clumsy and has offended the Empress Dowager and the young mistress. I beg for the Empress Dowager and the young mistress's forgiveness..."

When the pot of hot water was knocked over, the Empress Dowager witnessed it with her own eyes.

To prevent the splashing water from reaching her, Song Zhao quickly shifted to the side and shielded herself from the splashes.

As a result, the Empress Dowager developed a slight fondness for this acquaintance's daughter.

Everyone in the palace knew that the Empress Dowager highly valued etiquette,

Yet, at this moment, not only was she not angered by Song Zhao, but she also carefully inquired if she was hurt.

Xiao Jingheng approached Song Zhao with concern, "Are you scalded?"

Feeling guilty, Song Zhao shook her head, and Xiao Jingheng suggested, "Your clothes are soaked. Xuanli Hall is right next to us. You should go and change into dry garments to avoid catching a cold."

The Empress Dowager also glanced at Yun Shan, who was trembling on the ground, and benevolently said, "You don't need to kneel anymore. Follow along to serve your young mistress."