Chapter 236: Turn It Around 02

Chapter 236

Song Zhao accused Rongyue of "stealing" and changed the nature of the matter.

Rongyue panicked and immediately said, "This concubine did not steal! This concubine also does not know that thing belongs to Prince An... This concubine..."

She was extremely afraid, her lips trembling as she spoke, frightened into tears spilling out.

But Song Zhao did not even glance at her, only ordering Xiao Fuzi to retrieve the item from the palace for Prince An to take a look, to see if it was his lost possession.

Xiao Fuzi went there and back in just the time it took to burn a stick of incense.

He held in his hands a box of dark red wood, presenting it to Xiao Jingheng.

Xiao Jingheng opened the embroidered box, and saw inside was placed a jade ruyi scepter.

He picked up the jade ruyi, examined the patterned veins, which were enough to confirm this belonged to Prince An.

"Take a look, is this yours?"

Prince An had to come over, rubbing his drunk eyes to scrutinize it carefully before being emotionally moved. His eyes reddening, he said:

"This vein-patterned jade ruyi is the only one of its kind in the world. Back then, Father Emperor originally wanted to gift this item to Eldest Imperial Brother, but Eldest Imperial Brother knew that I, his younger brother, enjoyed music, so he persuaded Father Emperor to gift it to me instead."

He treasured the jade ruyi as he hung it back at his waist, his voice low:

"This object holds extraordinary meaning for me. It is not only the one and only gift Father Emperor gave me, but also carries Eldest Imperial Brother's deep affection for me. While objects may be lost, bonds cannot."

Blinking back the tears shining in his eyes, he looked to Xiao Jingheng and solemnly bowed with clasped hands:

"Today I was drunk and offended Imperial Brother's concubine. I beg Imperial Brother to forgive this younger brother."

Mentioning past events also moved Xiao Jingheng somewhat.

At this time, he could not bear to blame Prince An. He only patted An's shoulder and gently said:

"If you lost something, you should have informed Us. You are a prince, your every move represents the imperial family's dignity. Getting drunk and losing composure like this, would it not make others mock and laugh?"

Prince An guiltily responded: "Eldest Imperial Brother's teaching is right, this younger brother knows his wrong."

Xiao Jingheng waved his hand. "Forget it, just this one time, don't let it happen again."

This time, Xiao Jingheng was able to let go of his suspicions so quickly for two reasons. Half was because Prince An was his most doted-on younger brother, and the other half was that he felt Song Zhao had no need to interfere in this matter at all to conceal anything for Rongyue.

Of the newly entered concubines, the one Xiao Jingheng valued most was Rongyue, summoning her most frequently. Song Zhao was clearly aware of this.

So in Xiao Jingheng's perspective, Song Zhao should feel some jealousy towards Rongyue,

Now, having narrowly avoided disaster, how could Consort Li dare have any dissent?

She hurriedly said: "This concubine understands."

While Song Zhao handled this matter, Xiao Jingheng remained silent the entire time, only watching quietly and also contemplating inwardly, feeling she resolved this appropriately.

If the person who discovered this matter today was instead Noble Consort Chen, with her temperament, she likely would have already made a big clamor that the entire inner palace knew.

Yet Song Zhao was different.

What she considered at all times was first how to safeguard the imperial family’s reputation and the emperor’s unviolable dignity.

She knew to block Consort Li from summoning the guards and publicizing this matter,

would call him to the side hall instead of mentioning it in the main hall before the other princes,

thought of Consort Hui’s childish temper and loose tongue, so even punishing Rongyue was secretly conducted in her own palace,

Such meticulous thoughtfulness at every turn demonstrated that after spending this time in the palace she had gained experience and maturity.

But Xiao Jingheng would not be wary of her for her cleverness,

after all, the current Song Zhao no longer had backing from her maternal family and would not pose the slightest threat to state politics.

It was precisely because of this that Song Zhao’s adeptness displayed today would instead make Xiao Jingheng feel

that with her having grown to this point and gained appropriate wisdom, she could assist to properly arrange inner palace affairs, reducing some of his own worries.

That day, Xiao Fuzi and the rest brought Rongyue back to Chang Le Palace, while Prince An also returned to the main hall and pretended as if nothing had occurred, continuing to feast and make merry with Prince Qi and the rest.

Xiao Jingheng deliberately kept Song Zhao for half a ke (quarter hour) more. Smiling as he held her hand, he said:

"I intended for you to assist in managing the inner palace, but was worried earlier that you were too soft and indecisive, unable to handle matters appropriately. But from what I see today, my Zhao'er has indeed not disappointed me, fully capable of wielding authority to coordinate the inner palace."

Song Zhao blushed prettily, smiling as she naturally nestled into Xiao Jingheng's embrace:

"How could this concubine understand these things? This concubine only knows that no matter what happens in this inner palace, it must not damage Your Majesty's reputation and prestige. This concubine privately feels that handling affairs as Assistant to the Inner Palace should be this way."

As she spoke, she glanced up, smiling charmingly as her silken eyes flickered brightly towards Xiao Jingheng:

"Does Your Majesty feel this concubine's understanding makes sense?"

"Ha ha ha ha ha!" Xiao Jingheng laughed out loud heartily. Nodding with his forehead touching her nose tip, he affectionately murmured low:

"Zhao'er's heart is most attuned to mine."

【Have a happy weekend, upgrade to Boss Lady Song tomorrow! She's going to start fighting the big boss lady soon!】