Chapter 167

Not to mention whether Song Zhao's current pregnancy is likely to bear a precious child,

Even if it's not, which child isn't the apple of their mother's eye?

How could Song Zhao bear to hand over her own flesh and blood?

"Um... Consort Chen, please give this concubine some time to consider," she said.

Consort Chen was well aware in her heart,

She knew that even if Xiao Jingheng was angry with Song Zhao and wanted to execute her, he would have to wait until she safely gave birth to the imperial heir.

She had already raised Noble Consort Xiao's child. If Song Zhao died, Song Zhao's child would surely be handed over to the Empress for upbringing.

If Consort Chen wanted a better chance of winning,

She had to protect Song Zhao, exploit her weaknesses, and use them as leverage. That was the most suitable method.

"Go back and consider it slowly. However, let this palace make it clear to you: if you want this palace's help, you must provide this palace with a guarantee. Once you have made your decision, you must write a clear and detailed confession letter, stating the entire process of how you framed Li. This palace will keep the written evidence, and if you dare to go back on your word in the future, this palace will present it to the Emperor. You won't get away with it!" she said.

The imminent crisis clearly overwhelmed Song Zhao.

She hadn't really thought about it at all.

After leaving Consort Chen in the morning, she brought the confession letter to see her in the afternoon.

Consort Chen read it and found that the confession letter clearly stated

that all the things Song Zhao had said about framing Li were done by her, leaving no detail unmentioned.

Consort Chen was very satisfied and accepted the confession letter. "I will arrange everything for you as you requested, and I will make sure you don't reveal any flaws in front of the Emperor. But if you ever go back on your word, this palace will anonymously send this letter to the court and expose you," she threatened.

Her eyes were lascivious as she scrutinized Song Zhao from top to bottom and said,

"Don't even think about changing your tune in front of the Emperor and telling him that this palace settled the matter for you. Without evidence, this palace can easily say that you're slandering others. And if you do that, this palace guarantees that your child will be dismembered!" she said, whispering into Song Zhao's ear, her tone playful yet wicked and vicious.

"Consort, I... I dare not..." Song Zhao replied fearfully.

Later on, Consort Chen fulfilled her promise to help Song Zhao.

She had the people from the Ning family bribe the staff at Tongji Hall to change their testimony, claiming that they had received money from Xiao Jingzi, who was acting on someone's orders, to frame Fu'er. As for Xiao Jingzi, who was in charge of procurement in the Internal Affairs Department, he was known for being filial. Consort Chen used the lives of his entire family as leverage, forcing him to shift the blame for this matter onto Concubine Liu.

As for Concubine Liu, it was even easier. Her father served under Consort Chen's older brother,

And whether she lived or died was not determined by fate but by Ning Wanshuang's words or a nod of her head,

She didn't even have to lift a finger. With just a glance, she could make Concubine Liu's whole family meet a tragic end,

Including her younger brother who was still in swaddling clothes!

Concubine Liu knew that she would never receive Xiao Jingheng's favor again in the future, and her days in the palace were already burdensome.

If she were to choose to protect her own life and not bring trouble to her maternal family, Consort Chen would eventually silence her.

Therefore, in order to safeguard her family, Song Zhao had no choice but to comply with Consort Chen's arrangements.

In this situation, Song Zhao appeared to make a great sacrifice in order to escape the predicament, but in the future, she would be completely controlled by Consort Chen and unable to even protect her own child.

But in reality?

Song Zhao's wandering thoughts returned to the present,

Recalling Consort Chen's confident appearance, she couldn't help but find it amusing.

At this moment, she leaned against the warm seat and looked out the window,

Seeing the pine trees and the clothes hanging in the courtyard,

She heard the pine tree complain, "It's always so damp. The clothes sent to the laundry bureau by the Empress can be dried, but our clothes, even if it doesn't rain, won't dry for three to five days."

Zhihua also helplessly smiled, "Ah, the weather in the capital is like this every year. When we return to the southern region, we'll encounter continuous summer rain. And later, when autumn comes, it will turn damp again. Only in late autumn, before winter, does the weather become dry. The rest of the days are always troublesome."

While listening to their idle chatter,

Xiao Fuzi entered at this moment, catching Song Zhao's attention away from the window.

"These past few days, I've been so busy dealing with the Emperor that I forgot to ask you, have you taken care of the ink?"

Xiao Fuzi replied, "I poured it into the Imperial Lake early in the morning. But Your Highness, your plan was really risky. If Consort Chen had presented your confession to the Emperor beforehand, what would we have done?"

Song Zhao remained composed as always and smiled, "Did you forget? The Emperor dislikes dampness and prefers dryness, so the Morning Sun Palace is filled with an adequate amount of bamboo charcoal to absorb the moisture in the air. The Emperor doesn't mind it when he drinks tea, but the palace maids on duty in the Morning Sun Palace can't get a sip of water for half a day. Some even have dry, cracked lips."

Xiao Fuzi rarely had the opportunity to enter the Morning Sun Palace,

Hearing Song Zhao's words, he finally felt relieved,

"If that's the case, then as long as Consort Chen takes the confession to the Morning Sun Palace, won't the writing on it disappear from the moment she enters the palace?"

Song Zhao wasn't so foolish as to let someone catch her handle.

Her hesitation and uneasiness in front of Consort Chen were all an act,

She had already come up with a countermeasure long ago. The ink used on the confession she gave to Consort Chen was something new.

Xiao Fuzi obtained the method from ancient books,

It was an ink made from five seashells, turtle shell bamboo, three types of charcoal, and lamb oil, which could only be seen when the environment was humid.

Once the moisture in the air decreased and it became dry, the writing would quickly evaporate, leaving no trace.

Even if the humidity returned in the future, the writing would not reappear.

Xiao Fuzi added, "Actually, Consort Chen was also involved in this matter. Unless it's absolutely necessary, she wouldn't dare to present the confession to the Emperor."

Song Zhao gently caressed her lower abdomen with lowered eyes and calmly said,

"My due date is in October, which coincides with the dryness of late autumn and early winter in the capital. The writing on the confession will completely disappear. Even if I were to change my mind at that time, and Consort Chen becomes angry, what can she do to me?"

With a disdainful snort, she shook her head and said, "Does she really think she can take a blank piece of paper to the Emperor and accuse me of wrongdoing?"

Consort Chen used this confession letter as leverage against Song Zhao,

She would undoubtedly keep it safely hidden in a place where no one could find it.

Even if something unexpected happens and this confession letter is presented to the Chongyang Palace ahead of time,

Once it enters the palace chambers, the words on it will magically disappear,

Just a blank piece of paper, how can it determine anyone's guilt?

Song Zhao has always been cautious and meticulous in her actions, but Xiao Fuzi still had concerns,

"But at that time, Consort Chen will surely anger the Empress, and they might even become enemies."

Song Zhao didn't think much of it and dismissed it with a smile,

"I have been hiding and restraining myself in this palace, living a submissive life.

Since my safe childbirth, the harem will turn against me, but am I afraid of her useless tricks?"

She looked at the glass vase on the small table, filled with a bunch of narcissus flowers,

Among them, one plant stood out, exceptionally vibrant with a fiery red color, catching the eye.

This dazzling color has always been Consort Chen's favorite.

So, Song Zhao plucked the most eye-catching narcissus flower and played with it in her hand.

"The harem has been under the exclusive influence of Consort Chen for too long. It's time for her to retire and step down, and see how I surpass her step by step."

As she finished speaking, a bright smile played at the corner of her lips,

She crushed the flower petals with her fingertips and heartlessly discarded the remains into the waste bin...