Chapter 168

In the following days, the battles within the imperial harem seemed to have come to a halt.

The weather grew hotter day by day, and the bellies of the pregnant concubines became rounder and fuller.

By the end of April, with Noble Consort Xiao's due date approaching in just one month, Consort Chen suspended the palace greetings from the six palaces.

She was extremely anxious about Noble Consort Xiao's pregnancy, fearing that someone might harm her. As a result, besides Xiao Jingheng and the imperial physician responsible for ensuring her safe delivery, no one else was allowed to enter the Yonghe Palace under Consort Chen's command.

On ordinary days, Noble Consort Xiao was not permitted to leave either. It was as if she was confined within a restricted area, her movements restricted.

During this period,

Due to Song Zhao's inability to attend to him, Consort Chen received the most attention from Emperor Xiao Jingheng.

In a month's time, Xiao Jingheng summoned her to his bed or stayed in her palace for five or six occasions.

Nevertheless, Xiao Jingheng did not neglect Song Zhao either.

Whenever he had free time, he would visit her palace and keep her company.

On this day, when Xiao Jingheng came to visit Song Zhao during lunchtime, his face was beaming with joy, and he appeared to be in a very good mood.

Smiling, Song Zhao asked him, "Your Majesty, have you received good news?"

Xiao Jingheng also smiled and replied, "Today, I had the imperial physician Chu examine Noble Consort Xiao's pulse. Based on the pulse reading, there is a high possibility that she is carrying a prince."

At the mention of the word "prince," Xiao Jingheng's eyes crinkled with laughter, and he didn't forget to praise Consort Chen, saying, "Consort Chen has taken great care of Noble Consort Xiao. Today, when I saw her, she had gained some weight and looked more plump."

Song Zhao said, "In that case, congratulations, Your Majesty. With Consort Chen's meticulous care for Noble Consort Xiao, it is certain that once the little prince is safely born, he will be healthy and chubby."

Since Consort Chen was taking care of Noble Consort Xiao's child, she naturally paid attention to every detail and would not overlook anything.

However, being attentive is one thing, but who knows if there was any calculation on her part regarding Noble Consort Xiao?

A pregnant woman's belly is naturally round, and if she indulges in excessive eating without restraint, her weight will rapidly increase, her figure will become plump, and her belly will become translucent. Once she gives birth, the flesh and skin of her abdomen will suddenly loosen, forming deep lines like gullies. If not properly maintained, it may even wrinkle and darken, appearing quite horrifying.

Noble Consort Xiao has already ruined her appearance, and if her figure becomes distorted and her body covered in cellulite after giving birth, her favor in this lifetime will probably come to an end.

Of course,

Song Zhao could think of these things, and Xiao Jingheng might have speculated as well,

But Xiao Jingheng would never say it.

After all, if Noble Consort Xiao receives good nourishment and gives birth to a healthy little prince in the future, it is more important to him than anything else.

After finishing their lunch, Xiao Jingheng accompanied Song Zhao for a leisurely stroll in the courtyard.

When it was time for Song Zhao's afternoon rest, he said, "There are some matters from the former dynasty that I need to attend to. You rest assured and take a nap."

Song Zhao saw Xiao Jingheng off from the palace and then returned to the sleeping quarters to rest.

When she woke up and called Yun Shan in to help her freshen up, she noticed that the maid was constantly giggling. Curious, she asked, "What are you laughing about?"

Yun Shan replied, "Your Highness, go and see for yourself."

Intrigued, Song Zhao went to the main hall and immediately noticed two desserts placed on the dining table.

One dish was the ice-tempered sour jujube dumplings, and the other was lotus root powder apricot cake.

However, their appearance didn't look particularly appealing, not like the craftsmanship of Yun Shan or the Imperial Kitchen.

Just as Song Zhao was about to ask a question, she heard the palace doors being pushed open from outside.

Xiao Jingheng entered with a tray in his hand, carrying a soup bowl on top of it.

His gaze met Song Zhao's, and he smiled, saying, "You woke up just in time. Care to taste if it suits your palate?"

Song Zhao was surprised and asked, "Did His Majesty make these?"

Yun Shan, who was standing nearby, chuckled and said, "After Your Majesty saw you fall asleep, he came back. He spent half an hour in the small kitchen and personally made these desserts for you. It shows that you truly hold a special place in His Majesty's heart!"

Blushing, Song Zhao said, "Yun Shan, don't speak nonsense."

But Xiao Jingheng's smile grew wider. "This girl speaks the truth. How is it that even a simple truth cannot be spoken in your palace?"

He took Song Zhao's hand and guided her to sit at the dining table. Lowering his gaze, he looked at the sweet soup in front of him and said,

"This is my first time cooking, so I don't have much experience. Please have a taste."

With that, he scooped a spoonful of sour plum and yogurt soup and brought it to Song Zhao's lips. Song Zhao took a small sip and as soon as the soup touched her tongue, a strong sour taste exploded on her taste buds.

It was incredibly sour.

Despite that, Song Zhao didn't even furrow her brows. Instead, she smiled lightly and continued to savor it, pleasantly surprised as she said,

"Your Majesty, you have excellent culinary skills!"

Having spoken, she took the spoon and happily continued to eat.

Xiao Jingheng asked her, "Don't you find it too sour?"

She shook her head and replied, "It's just right. Otherwise, I wouldn't be able to taste the flavor of the plums."

Xiao Jingheng seemed satisfied with her response and nodded gently, saying,

"As long as you like it, it's worth the effort I put in."

Seeing that Song Zhao was enjoying it, Xiao Jingheng said,

"There will be court officials coming to pay their respects in the study later. I'll leave for now and come back to accompany you tonight."

This time, Song Zhao watched him as he boarded the imperial carriage, and it seemed that he had truly left.

Returning to the main hall, she looked at the desserts on the table, and her mouth watered uncontrollably.

She immediately picked up a teacup and took several large sips of tea to suppress the lingering sour taste in her mouth.

"Go dig a hole in the courtyard and bury these things. Don't pour them into the waste bucket," she said.

Yun Shan was puzzled and asked, "But, Your Majesty, don't you like eating them? Besides, this is His Majesty's heartfelt gesture..."

Song Zhao handed a piece of lotus root powder apricot cake to Yun Shan and said, "If you like it, then enjoy it."

Yun Shan took a bite while still smiling, but after tasting the cake, the sourness made her eyes almost unable to open.

"Wow... Why is it so sour? It's almost making my teeth fall out!" she exclaimed.

Xiao Fuzi, who was clearing the table, commented, "There's a saying among commoners that sour food is good for pregnant women. If they eat sour food without finding it sour, it's likely that they're carrying a boy. But such baseless rumors, who would have thought that even His Majesty would believe them?"

Only then did Yun Shan realize, "So, after eating so much, you didn't find it sour at all?"

Song Zhao smiled serenely and replied,

"I don't think it matters whether it feels sour or not. What matters is that I know the Emperor wants to see me not feeling sour. Since the Emperor wants to see it, I'll just do it for him.

Otherwise, wouldn't it be a waste of the effort he put into our friendship during the busy noon?"