Chapter 289

No one knew what had happened that night in Ning Wanshuang's room,

nor did anyone know exactly what Song Zhao had said to persuade her not to take her own life, which she was determined to do.

However, at least for now, her life was spared.

The next day,

drunkards tend to rise early when the effects of alcohol wear off.

When Xiao Jingheng woke in the morning, he felt parched and the smell of liquor filled his nostrils. His head also ached terribly.

He sat up halfway, pressing his palm to his forehead to clear it,

but when he closed his eyes, he could not help but recall Ning Wanshuang's tearful, bitter accusations the night before.

In fact, he had not slept soundly the entire night either.

He had many dreams, all about his past with Ning Wanshuang.

As the emperor, Xiao Jingheng knew genuine affection was hard to come by in the palace.

Through his long relationship with Ning Wanshuang, he had also gradually realized her feelings for him were more sincere and ardent than those of all the other women in the harem.

Thus, the talisman that had subdued evil spirits when they first met had slowly made its way into his heart and taken up residence there.

In fact, Xiao Jingheng had always been carefully maintaining their relationship.

Even when the Ning family, this threat by his side, had to be eliminated, he had racked his brains to find ways to prevent Ning Wanshuang from distancing herself from him because of it.

But even as the emperor, unexpected things happened in this world that he could not completely control.

Recalling these things, Jiang Deshun, hearing movement from the room, quickly brought in a bowl of hangover soup and bowed before entering.

"Your Majesty, you drank heavily last night, and you're going to Hangzhou today. This hangover soup was sent by the Empress Dowager. Please drink it while it's hot."

"The Empress Dowager?" Xiao Jingheng paused slightly. "Did last night's incident disturb the Empress Dowager?" Jiang Deshun explained awkwardly: "Your Majesty fought so fiercely with the Noble Consort, and Lake Heart Island is so small. It was impossible to keep this from getting out..."

Xiao Jingheng's handsome brows furrowed slightly as he took the hangover soup and slowly sipped some, then asked,

"Did you investigate what this king asked you to last night?"

Jiang Deshun replied, "Your Majesty asked this slave to investigate everywhere the Noble Consort went and everyone she met yesterday. I have some clues now. The Empress summoned the consorts to see her off yesterday. After dismissing the others, the Empress was left alone with the Noble Consort and they talked for quite a while."

"The Empress..."

Xiao Jingheng's eyes darkened coldly and he fiercely smashed the hangover soup onto the table.

Worried that the hot soup would scald Xiao Jingheng, Jiang Deshun quickly wiped it up with a cloth and said in a low voice,

"Your Majesty, this slave has something else to report...last night the Noble Consort tried to commit suicide, but was saved by Imperial Consort Song."

"What?" Xiao Jingheng leaned forward, ready to get up. His expression was visibly anxious.

"How is the Noble Consort?"

Jiang Deshun quickly said, "Your Majesty, don't worry. Fortunately Imperial Consort Song was there and persuaded her, so now she's fine."

Hearing this, the weight on Xiao Jingheng's heart lightened slightly.

Then he wondered, wasn't Song Zhao clearly harmed many times by Ning Wanshuang in the past? Logically, she should resent Ning Wanshuang.

With yesterday's incident exposed, the other consorts were waiting to see Ning Wanshuang's embarrassment. Why did Song Zhao still go to persuade her?

Xiao Jingheng pondered silently, then instructed Jiang Deshun,

"The attendants by the Noble Consort's side are becoming increasingly useless. But she's used to them, so it's not easy to dismiss them. Select some experienced ones to serve her, don't let the Noble Consort get desperate thoughts again."

"This slave understands."

"Also, summon Imperial Consort Song."

Jiang Deshun bowed and took his leave. But as soon as he stepped out the door, he ran into Song Zhao in the corridor.

She was also holding a food box. From the smell, it clearly contained hangover soup.

Hearing Jiang Deshun, Song Zhao greeted him,

"This slave pays respects to Imperial Consort Song."

Jiang Deshun bowed respectfully to Song Zhao. "His Majesty just summoned you and here you are, truly your heart is connected with His Majesty's." As he spoke, he signaled to the eunuch, then lifted the lid of the hangover soup and smiled at Song Zhao,

"Imperial Consort must not take offense. I have to follow proper protocol." Song Zhao just smiled without speaking, watching as the eunuch inserted a silver needle into the hangover soup. Seeing nothing amiss, the eunuch took a spoonful himself to prove it was harmless.

Only after this process was complete did Jiang Deshun bow and gesture for Song Zhao to enter,

"Please, My Lady."

As he welcomed Song Zhao inside to meet the emperor, Jiang Deshun heard Song Zhao casually ask,

"Does His Majesty know about what happened with the Noble Consort last night?"

Jiang Deshun replied, "He knows. His Majesty is very concerned about the Noble Consort. This slave was just about to head over to assign more people to carefully serve and attend to the Noble Consort. After all, it was upsetting that things got to that point last night. If Imperial Consort had not been there, who knows how things could have developed."

Inside the room, palace maids were dressing Xiao Jingheng.

Seeing Song Zhao arrive, Xiao Jingheng waved for everyone to withdraw first.

Song Zhao bowed in blessing to Xiao Jingheng before placing the hangover soup to the side. Then very naturally she began helping Xiao Jingheng dress instead,

"Your Majesty drank heavily last night, why not sleep in a while longer today?"

Xiao Jingheng sighed, "With so much on my mind, how can I sleep soundly?"

He grasped Song Zhao's hand that was buttoning his robe and gently said, "I've heard about what happened yesterday. It's rare you're willing to comfort the Noble Consort regardless of past grievances."

Song Zhao tightly clasped his hand. "This concubine manages the six palaces. My duty is not just to help Your Majesty oversee the harem, but to also consider your reputation. If the Noble Consort had truly met with some accident on the southern tour, with the Ning family's recent downfall, and the Noble Consort dead, it would inevitably invite public gossip.

Also, Your Majesty and the Noble Consort share deep affection. Surely the conflict last night was just drunken ramblings. How can drunken ramblings be taken seriously? If a real accident occurred because of this, wouldn't it make Your Majesty even more heartbroken?"

Xiao Jingheng gripped her hand tighter, nodding in gratification. Then he asked,

"Did the Noble Consort tell you why she quarreled with Us in such a way?"

Song Zhao gave a helpless laugh and shook her head. "Does Your Majesty still not understand the Noble Consort's personality? How could she be willing to say much to this concubine..."

Xiao Jingheng was silent for a moment, then slowly nodded.

"You handled this very well."

As he spoke, he naturally embraced Song Zhao,

"If the Noble Consort had half your thoughtfulness and was willing to consider more from Our perspective, We would not have ended up in such a stalemate with her yesterday."

Song Zhao let him hold her, but did not respond to his words. Instead, looking at the spilled hangover soup on the table, she laughed,

"Lord Jiang brought the hangover soup but Your Majesty spilled it. I got up at the fourth watch today to monitor the fire and prepare this bowl. If Your Majesty spills it again carelessly, don't expect me to make more."

"Ha ha ha ha!"

Xiao Jingheng laughed out loud. "What you make for Us, We will certainly treasure your heartfelt effort."