Chapter 234: Rong Yue is Captured

Chapter 234

The winter days grew dark early and brightened late, and the nights seemed endless.

It felt as if the days were stolen by the thick darkness,

and before they knew it, one day after another passed by.

On the thirteenth day of November, two days before Song Zhao's ennoblement as a concubine, the ceremonial attire from the Department of Ceremonies arrived.

It was a crimson auspicious robe with intricate golden embroidery, adorned with cloud-shaped pearls, exuding a splendid and luxurious aura.

Song Zhao usually preferred clean and simple colors and rarely wore brightly colored garments,

so when Yun Shan helped her put on the auspicious robe, she was momentarily stunned.

She already possessed a breathtaking beauty, and now, with such an elaborate and magnificent attire, she shone even more brilliantly among all the beauties.

The attendants from the Department of Ceremonies couldn't help but gaze at Song Zhao for a long while before coming back to their senses. With a smile, one of them said,

"Does Your Highness find the attire fitting? Is there anything that needs improvement?"

Song Zhao looked at herself in the mirror and felt a surge of emotions.

She couldn't count how long she had been anticipating this day,

the day she had fought and struggled every step of the way, using her own abilities to climb up to the position of the fourth-ranked concubine.

The robe was heavy, making her feel uncomfortable,

but she still smiled and said,

"You've done well. Everything is fine."

Today, the auspicious robe was just brought for Song Zhao to try on for size. The attendants would take it back and bring it again on the day of the formal ennoblement ceremony for Song Zhao to wear.

Just as Song Zhao was about to return to her inner chamber and change her clothes, she heard the attendant say,

"Your Highness, there's no need to trouble yourself. The Emperor is concerned about you and has ordered that he will personally come later to see if any adjustments are needed for the auspicious robe."

As the attendant stepped closer to Song Zhao, lowering his voice with a flattering smile, he said,

"The cloud-shaped pearls on this robe were personally selected by the Emperor. Each one is round and of similar size. In terms of this gesture, even the Noble Consort has never received such treatment."

A radiant smile appeared on Song Zhao's face as she nodded lightly, saying, "The Emperor's intentions are important, but it's also thanks to the efforts of your department."

As soon as she finished speaking, Yun Shan handed a golden melon seed to the eunuch.

He hesitated for a moment but eventually accepted it with a smile.

"Such a thing happened?" Song Zhao's expression momentarily turned grave. After pondering for a moment, she said,

"Did you hear what they were saying?"

Concubine Li shook her head. "I was too far away to hear clearly, but Prince An kept holding onto Concubine Tong's arm. Men and women shouldn't have such intimate interactions. What else could it be?"

Upon hearing this, Song Zhao's expression grew solemn. "If you didn't hear what they were saying, you can't simply rely on your eyes to conclude that they have such improper relations. Regardless of their innocence, you must not inform the guards about this matter. Otherwise, if it escalates, it will damage the Emperor's reputation."

Concubine Li fell silent for a moment, feeling that Song Zhao's words made sense. However, she weakly protested,

"What should we do? I can't just pretend not to see it, can I?" Song Zhao asked with a determined voice.

Xiao Jingyan asked, "Where are they? Take me there first."

Concubine Li led Song Zhao behind the pine and cypress trees.

Song Zhao peeked out and indeed saw Prince An entangled with Rongyue.

Rongyue's eyes glistened with tears, appearing determined to leave, while Prince An held onto her tightly, refusing to let go.

Concubine Li whispered in Song Zhao's ear, "Your Majesty, did you see that? Today, when Concubine Tong left the palace, I noticed her acting suspiciously, so I followed her here. I never expected her to be meeting Prince An in this place."

Song Zhao was also shocked by the scene before her eyes. She walked out from behind the trees and shouted loudly at the struggling couple:

"How dare you, Concubine Tong! In the forbidden palace, you dare to engage with an outsider like this? What kind of behavior is this!?"

Her voice instantly caught the attention of the two, but before they could react, Song Zhao sternly gave her orders:

"Xiao Fuzi, go and apprehend Concubine Tong!"

Xiao Fuzi quickly stepped forward to carry out the command. Seeing Xiao Jingyan clenching his fists, seemingly inclined to protect Rongyue, Song Zhao added in a commanding tone,

"Prince An, if you dare to obstruct me, I won't even spare the life of your mother!"

Song Zhao's gaze locked onto Xiao Jingyan, exuding an immense sense of pressure that startled Concubine Li, who was standing nearby, causing her to break out in cold sweat.

Only after Xiao Fuzi detained Rongyue did Song Zhao shift her gaze away from Xiao Jingyan.

"Take her and come with me to meet the emperor!"

"Consort Yi..." Xiao Jingyan called out in a deep voice, but Song Zhao had no intention of engaging with him any further. She turned decisively and spoke in a cold tone:

"If Prince An has something to explain, he should personally present it to the emperor."

With those words, Song Zhao's gaze swept to Xiao Fuzi at the corner of her eye, emanating an imposing aura even without anger.

"Take them away!"