Chapter 151: The Innocent Child

Chapter 151

Consort Chen intended to leave with her entourage,

Her bold move was a direct challenge to the Empress's authority.

If the Empress allowed this to happen, how would she maintain her dignity as the chief consort in the future?

Thus, with rare anger in her voice, the Empress exclaimed,

"Halt her! Without my imperial decree, no one can take Noble Consort Xiao away today!"

Led by Yan Jiude, the head eunuch in charge of the Feng Luan Palace, a group of palace maids quickly blocked Consort Chen's path at the door.

Tensions escalated between the two sides, reaching a point of imminent conflict.

Watching from the sidelines, Song Zhao secretly hoped they would start fighting, even going as far as to wish for the palace roof to be torn off for some excitement.

Most of the other consorts shared her sentiment.

Only Consort Hui, frightened, hid behind Song Zhao and timidly cried out,

"Sister Xiao is pregnant. Please be careful not to harm her in the chaos!"

As the situation grew increasingly uncontrollable and on the verge of spiraling out of control,

Jiang Deshun fortuitously arrived.

Seeing the "commotion" at the entrance of the main hall, he was also startled.

The Empress, upon noticing him, did not want him to whisper anything to Noble Consort Xiao,

So she quickly regained her composure, put on a smile, and said, "We ordered Consort Chen and you all to go outside and sweep the grounds. Why are you blocking the door? Step aside, it's a mess!"

Consort Chen, of course, had no interest in engaging with the Empress.

She even rolled her eyes disdainfully at her and, with a smirk at the corner of her mouth, said,

"Didn't you hear what the Empress said? Clear the way quickly."

In this manner, the two groups awkwardly dispersed.

Having served in the court for many years, Jiang Deshun had long become astute and could see through the situation.

Song Zhao fell into silence and looked at her delicate and fair fingers, feeling a sense of melancholy. She sighed, "Since entering the palace, my hands have been stained with much blood. By doing this, I hope to accumulate blessings and merits for the child in my womb."

As they were speaking, Yun Shan reported from outside the door, "Empress, Consort Shu has come to see you."

Upon hearing this, Song Zhao's eyes flickered, but she didn't show much reaction and pretended to be delighted, saying, "Please, come in."

She was originally going to greet Consort Shu at the door.

As soon as Consort Shu entered, she held Song Zhao's hand and dispensed with formalities. After they both sat on the warm seat, she began to show concern and care for Song Zhao.

"Seeing my sister's radiant complexion, I'm sure you will give birth to a little prince for the Emperor this time," Consort Shu said with a shy smile.

Song Zhao blushed and shook her head, saying, "It's only been a few months. How can we know the gender?"

Consort Shu chuckled and said, "My sister is blessed. I'm sure you will have a boy with a single try."

Then she sighed, "Ah, it's a pity that your due date is a bit later than the Empress and Noble Consort Xiao. Otherwise, if you could give birth to a precious son, you would have hope of being honored as a consort in the future."

Song Zhao replied, "I am already content with being a concubine. I dare not even think of anything more. Besides, now that the four consorts in the harem are complete, there is no place for me."

While talking to Consort Shu, Song Zhao caught a glimpse of a sachet hanging at her waist.

The sachet was embroidered with the pattern of a qilin embracing the sun, and Consort Shu seemed to wear it almost every day, praying for safety.

Song Zhao calmly picked up her brush and continued writing while conversing with Consort Shu.

Listening to Consort Shu, she said, "Look at how the Emperor treats Consort Chen. First, he restored her title, then bestowed upon her the authority over the six palaces. Yesterday, he even wanted to have Consort Xiao's child raised by her. Our dynasty still doesn't have a Noble Consort. Sister, with your intelligence, how far do you think Consort Chen is from becoming a Noble Consort?"

She continued, with a helpless smile. "Hehe, if she becomes a Noble Consort, won't that position of Consort be left vacant?"

At that moment, Xiao Fuzi was still by their side, attending to them.

Song Zhao handed him the completed written scriptures and said, "These Buddhist scriptures are done. Help me deliver them to the Empress Dowager. Consort Shu and I have some private matters to discuss."

Xiao Fuzi respectfully took the scroll and bowed before leaving.

Only when she was alone with Consort Shu, Song Zhao worriedly said, "If she becomes a Noble Consort, wouldn't that mean she looks down upon everyone else? Who knows how she would mistreat us?"

Consort Shu sighed, "Isn't that the truth? But it all depends on the Emperor's intentions. What can we do?"

She fell silent for a moment, leaning slightly closer to Song Zhao, deliberately lowering her voice as she said,

"But if Noble Consort Xiao gives birth to a daughter, or if something were to happen to her during this pregnancy... She is currently residing in Consort Chen's palace, so if anything were to go wrong, Consort Chen would undoubtedly be implicated. I can see it now, by that time, Consort Chen won't even have a chance to become a Noble Consort. She might not even be able to keep her current status as a consort!"