Chapter 244: Doubting the Concubines 04

Chapter 244

Consort Hui's temperament was indeed as Xiao Jingheng had said, the most carefree.

The next day when Song Zhao went to see her at Zhaochun Palace, she saw Consort Hui looking as carefree as if nothing had happened, already chatting and laughing with Rongyue and the others, as if she hadn't taken yesterday's incident to heart at all.

Seeing Song Zhao come, she immediately stood up to greet her,

"Sister Song~ I was just telling Sister Li and the others I wanted to come find you~"

Consort Hui seemed oddly happy, which puzzled Song Zhao.

Before she could respond, she saw Consort Hui craning her neck curiously at the food box in Yun Shan's hands, smacking her lips and asking:

"What nice things are those?"

Yun Shan smiled and opened the box. Seeing the dishes inside, Consort Hui's cat-like eyes lit up with a layer of lively light.

"Wow! Shredded fish with garlic sprouts, braised pork with preserved vegetables, shrimp with Longjing tea, and...fried silkie chicken! These are all my favorites, but the Imperial Food Management Bureau don't like to make them because they're too much trouble." Upstodatee from n(0)/ve/lbIn/.(co/m

Song Zhao smiled and said, "Made according to the flavors of home, I figured my sister would like them. Actually, about yesterday..."

"Master Tong apologized to me already. I don't blame my sisters at all."

Consort Hui casually picked up a shrimp and popped it into her mouth, munching away with great satisfaction.

After swallowing it down, she said somewhat glumly,

"I just can't get over it in my heart, afraid my sisters will look down on me and not want to play with me anymore."

Rongyue said, "Your Ladyship worries too much. Since we entered the palace, Your Ladyship has always treated us like sisters. How could we ever grow distant from you?"

Li Changzai also said, "Which of the other principal consorts would condescend to dine with us lowly concubines like Consort Hui? For us to serve in Your Ladyship's palace is our good fortune."

Consort Hui giggled and naturally took Song Zhao's hand. "Since Sister Song is here, keep me company for the meal! It's more fun with lots of people to eat these delicious things~"

Song Zhao smiled. "Of course."

As the servants were setting out the dishes, Consort Hui couldn't wait and had already started picking at the braised pork with her chopsticks.

She ate with relish, frequently praising Song Zhao's cooking skills,

Consort Hui didn't take it to heart. She shook her head and looked longingly at the mess on the table, somewhat regretfully saying:

"It's just a waste of Sister Song's efforts..."

Song Zhao held her hand and gently blew over the slightly reddened wound.

"The important thing is you're not hurt. Tell me what foods you like and I'll have Yun Shan make them and send them to you, you can eat your fill."

Later, when the servants had cleaned up the table, everyone finished off the remaining dishes.

When it was past noon, Song Zhao said it was almost time for the Emperor's afternoon nap, and only then left Zhaochun Palace.

Upon returning to her palace, seeing the beautiful blooming plum blossoms covered in snow in the courtyard, she had Yun Shan accompany her on a stroll around the courtyard.

As mistress and servant walked, Yun Shan looked around in confusion and said:

"Little Fu Zi has run off somewhere again."

Speak of the devil - no sooner had she said this than they saw Little Fu Zi rushing back to the palace, footsteps hurried.

He quickly went before Song Zhao and bowed respectfully. As Song Zhao admired the plum blossoms, she casually asked him:

"What did you find out?"

Little Fu Zi said: "In response, Your Ladyship, Zhi Hua has been keeping an eye on Consort Hui as you ordered. Zhi Hua says Consort Hui spends all day in her palace only eating, drinking, and playing around. She seems cheerful every day, nothing out of the ordinary. After you left yesterday, when Master Tong came to apologize and make amends, Consort Hui did not make things difficult for them..."

He stared at the darkening of Song Zhao's eyes, hesitated briefly, then continued:

"Also about the incident where the Crown Prince was nearly harmed in Plum Garden. Zhi Hua said the night before they went to Plum Garden to pray for blessings, Consort Yao played chess with Consort Hui. The next day Consort Hui woke late and almost missed the auspicious time for praying.

She rushed to Plum Garden in a fluster, didn't even have time to put on her robe. The warmer was prepared by Your Ladyship, and Zhi Hua was with Consort Hui the whole time that day. She indeed did not notice anything strange about her."

Yun Shan said: "From how you describe it, Consort Hui seems completely innocent this time. Could we have misunderstood her?"

Song Zhao casually plucked a plum blossom covered in snow, and coldly laughed:

"The murky waters of the inner palace cannot nurture such a clean fish."

Having said this, she shook the snow off the plum blossom into her palm.

Taking advantage of Yun Shan lost in thought, she suddenly stuffed the snow down the collar of Yun Shan's robe...