Chapter 296: The Wives of the Concubines

Chapter 296

Rongyue wholeheartedly cared for Song Zhao, but she was not as calm and didn't think of these winding things so quickly.

Now hearing Song Zhao's question, she also fell silent very quickly.

Song Zhao's eyes grew darker as she said coldly, "It seems the struggles in the palace have extended outside, and the consequences will be much greater."

Rongyue said, "I also thought too simplistically. How could being an 'imperial consort' be so easy? His Majesty is suspicious, and if this matter is not investigated clearly, sooner or later His Majesty will suspect those around him."

"At that time, if all the benefits fell to you alone, His Majesty might first believe you are the noble person who can help him transform bad luck into good fortune, but slowly, he will also suspect you of wanting to harm him..."

Following her words, Song Zhao continued, "If the matter of harming the emperor succeeds, then Prince Chengyu would naturally be the undisputed choice to inherit the throne. If this matter fails, I become the 'noble person', and my position in the harem will rise straight up. No matter how this is calculated, I am the beneficiary, so it's no wonder His Majesty would suspect me."

"This...we were extremely careful, yet we still fell into others' traps. But who could have done this?" Rongyue asked worriedly and puzzled, "How could that woman His Majesty favored just happen to be an assassin? The matrons check them before attending to His Majesty, so how did the dagger get in? The ship was heavily guarded, how could the assassin escape so easily?"

After a moment, she suddenly said, "Could it be Concubine Hui? She is His Majesty's chess piece in the harem. No matter how capable she is, her hands can't reach outside the palace!"

Song Zhao casually said, "Who did this, we don't need to worry about. There are many people investigating this matter for His Majesty. What I'm thinking now is how to remove the title of 'noble person' from my head first. I can't enjoy honor today and be convicted tomorrow. That would be a total loss."

After thinking for a while, Rongyue gently said, "Actually it's not difficult. Didn't Consort Yao also make merit by saving His Majesty?"

Song Zhao nodded slightly in agreement and said, "For me this benefit is a disaster, but falling onto others it may become good fortune. Sister Wan probably doesn't know about this yet?" Reêad latest novels at novelhall.com

Rongyue said, "She has given up on His Majesty, even if she knew she would be too lazy to care."

Song Zhao was silent for a moment, then waved at Xiao Fuzi waiting at the door, "Xiao Fuzi, come here. I have something to tell you."

*

The next day, the news of Xiao Jingheng's assassination spread among the consorts.

Everyone went to see Xiao Jingheng, even Ning Wanshuang, who had always been at odds with him, also went.

However, she was indifferent to Xiao Jingheng, simply asked perfunctorily about his well-being, then hurriedly took her leave.

But what use were those material things to her?

In the palace if a woman lacks imperial favor, she has no prospects for life.

That day after Consort Yao returned to her own palace, her maid Fu'er saw her dejected and complained on her behalf,

"This servant also feels injustice for my lady. It's clearly you who risked your life to protect His Majesty, yet now instead Imperial Consort Yi is taking advantage? She gave birth to a noble son, and now conceived again. If she becomes His Majesty's 'noble person', in the future how will my lady not have to look at her expression? She came out of my lady's palace. Now she is so arrogant while my lady..."

As she complained, seeing Consort Yao's expression turn, Fu'er hurriedly covered her own mouth,

"This servant has misspoken, please forgive me my lady..."

"Enough, why would I blame you? What you said is the truth. If others spoke about this, their words would likely be even harder to hear."

Looking at the pockmarks on her face in the bronze mirror, Consort Yao also felt extremely upset.

She had served Xiao Jingheng in the palace for five years, yet only made it to Consort.

Song Zhao came out of her palace, but now was about to become Imperial Consort. How could she not feel indignant?

"Who will get the title of 'noble person' is still uncertain! That diviner said His Majesty would get help from a noble person, so the noble person could be Imperial Consort Yi, or it could be me!"

Consort Yao took a deep breath, then looked towards Fu'er and asked, "I remember the Imperial Observatory also went on this southern tour?"

Fu'er nodded in agreement. Consort Yao then took out a stack of silver notes from her dressing table drawer and gave them to her,

"Take these silver notes to the Director."

Fu'er flipped through the thick stack of silver notes in surprise, "My lady, this is all the savings you've accumulated over the years. Giving it all to the Director, this is..."

"Compared to my future prospects, this is nothing. Give the silver notes to him, and pass my message."

Her words trailed off as Consort Yao beckoned Fu'er closer before whispering in her ear.