Chapter 15: The Red Phoenix Canopy

Chapter 15: The Red Phoenix Canopy

"I will apply the medicine for you."

Shen Huai looked down at Su Jiaojiao, who was kneeling before him, and couldn’t help but recall how she had tearfully nestled in his arms that morning before he left for court.

Her pitiful yet alluring demeanor lingered vividly in his mind, causing a tightening sensation in his throat.

He gently helped her to her feet, excusing her from the formalities, then proceeded into the inner chamber.

Upon briefly surveying Yunwu Pavilion, Shen Huai’s brow furrowed slightly.

Yunwu Pavilion was located in a remote corner of the palace grounds, its decor plain and simple—some might even say shabby. Su Jiaojiao's extraordinary beauty, capable of outshining the moon and shaming flowers, was hardly matched by this pavilion, whose only redeeming feature was its poetic name.

Since ascending the throne, Shen Huai had been preoccupied with state affairs, personally overseeing many governmental matters. Unless absolutely necessary, he neither had the time nor inclination to visit any of his consorts.

It was rare for him to find Su Jiaojiao both beautiful and unique enough to pique his interest, but when he did, he discovered the journey from Taiji Hall to Yunhua Palace took nearly an hour—a long trek that tested his patience.

Shen Huai casually sat on the main seat and asked, "You are now ranked as a Beauty; it is time to move to one of the side palaces. When has the Imperial Household Department scheduled your relocation?"

Su Jiaojiao obediently sat in the lower seat and replied, "I am unsure of the exact date, but it should be within the next few days."

As she spoke, she “accidentally” reached up to adjust a strand of hair by her temple, her loose sleeve revealing a wrist as white as snow. With the movement, a faint bruise at the junction of her forearm and sleeve became visible, impossible to ignore.

The originator of that mark certainly knew how it came to be.

Shen Huai stared at her intently, his gaze burning, and suddenly asked, "Have you used the jade skin ointment I granted you?"

Su Jiaojiao hesitated momentarily but quickly understood his implication. A blush spread across her cheeks, and she shyly turned her head away, softly saying, "After paying respects to Her Majesty the Empress, I first settled the palace attendants, thinking..."

"Thinking to apply it at night... otherwise..."

"Otherwise what? Didn’t I already excuse you from today’s duties?" Shen Huai was pleased by her coy demeanor and patted the space beside him, his voice slightly hoarse, "Come here."

Yu Ying and Yu Ai, who had been standing nearby with their heads bowed, quietly withdrew, leaving only the Emperor and his consort in Yunwu Pavilion.

Seeing the Emperor’s penetrating gaze, Su Jiaojiao bit her lip and moved to his side, softly replying, "Her Majesty the Empress embodies grace and propriety, and I must adhere to proper etiquette."

"You are indeed well-behaved," Shen Huai said approvingly. His large hand encircled her slender waist, pulling her delicate frame into his embrace as he caressed the bruise on her forearm. "Applying it at night—are you trying to avoid my bed tonight?"

Sitting in the Emperor’s arms, Su Jiaojiao trembled and whispered, "...I dare not harbor such thoughts."

Their bodies pressed together, and Su Jiaojiao could clearly feel Shen Huai’s arousal.

His dark eyes smoldered as he traced her lips with his fingers before leaning down to kiss her deeply. After some time, Su Jiaojiao found herself lifted into the Emperor’s arms, hearing his deep, raspy voice murmur, "I will apply the medicine for you."

Under the red phoenix canopy, the air was heavy with intoxicating scents, and her soft cries were tantalizing.

After an indeterminate amount of time, the midday sun began to dip toward the west, casting warm light across the floor.

Shen Huai leisurely stood up, lifting the canopy, and gazed at the tearful Su Jiaojiao lying on the bed, smiling nonchalantly. "Already spent?"

Su Jiaojiao buried half her face under the brocade quilt, shaking her head while tears streamed down her cheeks. "Your Majesty is being cruel..."

Shen Huai chuckled, evidently delighted, and kissed her forehead tenderly. "No need to rise. Yunwu Pavilion is too far. Starting tomorrow, you will move to the side palace of Guanju Palace and stay closer to me. Tonight, I will have Consort Mi accompany me. Rest early and recover your strength."

She nodded obediently, and Shen Huai then summoned attendants to assist him in changing clothes before departing for Consort Mi’s Jiangyun Palace.

Today, with rare leisure from political affairs, there was some progress regarding the participation of scholars from humble backgrounds in the imperial examinations. That old stubborn Left Minister finally loosened up a bit today, and now he's off to see Consort Mi.

Due to the Left Minister's leading opposition to the imperial examinations, Consort Mi had been dragged into the issue and neglected for a long time. But after all, she was pregnant and had been favored by him for several years, so he naturally felt some compassion.

The news that the Emperor was coming to the Crimson Cloud Palace was sent ahead.

Consort Mi was listlessly hacking away at a pot of flowers by the window when she suddenly heard the news of the Emperor's arrival. She was shocked, then overjoyed, and kept asking Yu Ling to confirm it.

She hurriedly sat down at the dressing table, saying, "The Emperor hasn't arrived yet, quickly check if my makeup and attire are flawless. I must greet the Emperor in my most beautiful appearance!"

Yu Ling redrew Consort Mi's eyebrows and added some lip color, then smiled and said, "Your Highness is naturally beautiful, even without makeup, you're a stunning beauty who could make the moon jealous. Once the Emperor arrives, he surely won't want to leave."

Consort Mi was overjoyed but still somewhat uneasy, clutching a handkerchief and saying, "It's been a month since the palace selection that the Emperor hasn't come to the Crimson Cloud Palace. How could I not be attentive!"

After saying that, she remembered the eunuch who delivered the message mentioned that the Emperor came from the Misty Bamboo Pavilion. Her expression cooled slightly: "It's said the Emperor came from the Misty Bamboo Pavilion. That Su woman looks delicate, I didn't know she had such skills! Not only did she serve the Emperor last night, but right after the morning court, the Emperor went to see her first. She really knows how to captivate the Emperor."

Yu Ling wasn't surprised, but she chose comforting words to reassure her, saying, "Lady Su is delicate, such a temperament always attracts men. But no matter how interesting, the novelty only lasts a few days, right? Just look at Lady Ji and Miaoyu—their brief favor is like willow fluff in the wind, easily blown away."

"You should focus on nurturing your pregnancy; that's what truly matters in the long run."

Yu Ling carefully combed Consort Mi's black hair and slowly said, "Moreover, wasn't your initial purpose also to use Lady Su to keep the Emperor's favor? Now that she's gained favor, she knows how to make the Emperor return to the Crimson Cloud Palace, showing that Lady Su is somewhat useful. That's the advantage of bringing new concubines into the fold. You shouldn't put all your eggs in one basket just yet."

Consort Mi took her words to heart, sneering coldly: "Since Lady Su is useful, I should treat her better, so they all know the benefits of being under my care. In the next two days, go and pick some good things from the treasury to send to her, make sure it's more generous than the Empress's gifts, don't be stingy, lest people look down on us."

After saying that, she thought for a moment and added, "Tomorrow, go to the imperial harem yourself and select the top candidates. This tremendous advantage shouldn't be monopolized by Consort Su."

Just as she finished giving her orders, they heard the announcement outside the door.

Consort Mi happily got up to go out and greet the Emperor. As soon as she saw him, her eyes welled up. She walked up to the Emperor, no longer as showy and lively as before, but very properly performed a courtesy, tearfully saying, "Your Majesty..."

Shen Huai raised an eyebrow at her, reaching out to help her up: "What's with you today?"

Consort Mi took the Emperor's hand, though she was on the verge of tears, she was very happy inside, her tone coquettish: "Your Majesty hasn't come to see me for so long, I thought you didn't like me acting like this."

Shen Huai said casually, with a hint of indifference, "Affairs of state are busy. I came as soon as I could."

This was obviously just an excuse.

Even with all the political business, he still had time for newcomers!

Before, Consort Mi would have demanded an explanation. But now that the Emperor had finally come, she didn't dare make a scene, afraid of upsetting him and driving him away again.

She swallowed her grievances and sat down with the Emperor in the hall, putting on a brave face and smilingly said, "Since Your Majesty has come today, why not have dinner at the Crimson Cloud Palace? The chef in my small kitchen was appointed by you, his culinary skills are top-notch, isn't that good?"

Looking at Consort Mi's hopeful bright face, Shen Huai reached out and pinched her cheek, casually saying, "As you wish."

Shen Huai's voice was clear and pleasant.

When he spoke casually, his voice carried a hint of laziness, low and deep, always giving people a gentle illusion, as if they were the one he cherished most in his heart.

Consort Mi always loved it most when the Emperor spoke to her in such a voice. Every time she heard it, she would feel happy, her heart involuntarily pounding. She walked up to Shen Huai, boldly placing his hand on her belly, pouting and saying, "Your Majesty... feel, the baby in my belly thinks his father has abandoned him, being so cold for so long."

The fetus was only a little over two months old, how could it move? This was clearly a playful act, asking for an explanation. Shen Huai smiled, countering, "Is it him who misses me, or you?"

Consort Mi blushed and buried herself in Shen Huai's arms: "Your Majesty!"

She looked up into the Emperor's eyes, coquettishly saying, "It's me who misses you, I miss you so much..."

Shen Huai patted her back, signaling her to sit up properly, his voice gentle: "Alright, you're about to be a mother, still always throwing tantrums in front of me."

Not long after, Yu Ling stepped forward to request permission to serve the evening meal.

Shen Huai then led Consort Mi to the side hall for dinner. Just as they had taken a few bites, a young eunuch hurried in, looking anxious and distressed. He knelt and announced, "Your servant pays respects to Your Majesty!"

Shen Huai gave him a glance and said, "Someone from the Empress's quarters? Speak."

The eunuch immediately kowtowed and replied while prostrating on the ground, "I was sent by Her Majesty the Empress to request Your Majesty's presence at Luanming Palace. Lady Ji, upon waking, insisted that it was Miaoyu who poisoned her, but Miaoyu flatly denies it and is even prepared to die to prove her innocence. She also claims that it was only after Su Concubine sat next to Lady Ji that the incident occurred. Her Majesty has summoned Su Concubine to Luanming Palace for questioning but finds the situation fishy, hence she requests Your Majesty's presence."

"Su Concubine is also there?" Shen Huai tapped the table and said indifferently, "Understood, I will go immediately."

Author's Note:

Shen·Crown and Scepter·Scum·Huai