Chapter 17: Joyous Relocation to a New Palace

Chapter 17: Joyous Relocation to a New Palace

Relocating to Pixiang Hall

The next day, news of Noble Lady Miao's demotion and confinement and Su Jiaojiao's move to the side hall of Guanju Palace spread throughout the palace.

Amidst these changes, Su Jiaojiao's relocation especially provoked jealousy. The morning greetings to the Empress inevitably involved some confrontation.

Fortunately, the Empress, citing discomfort, dismissed the gathering early, sparing her from further pretense and maneuvering.

Even before coming to greet the Empress, Junwu Hall's servants had started packing her things in preparation for the move to Pixiang Hall, the side hall of Guanju Palace. The move took some time, and it was nearing completion, so she would be able to move in shortly.

On the way back to Junwu Hall, Yu Ying followed at Su Jiaojiao's side and asked in a low voice, "Young Miss, do you really think Noble Lady Miao was behind what happened yesterday? I've been feeling that something's not quite right... Besides, I heard there was no evidence, and the Emperor sentenced Noble Lady Miao solely based on Lady Ji's accusation alone..."

Although there were few people around on the palace path, there was always a chance someone might overhear.

She glanced at her, and Yu Ying immediately fell silent.

When they reached a secluded area, she calmly said, "Whether there's evidence or not doesn't matter. What's important is the royal family's reputation."

"The Empress spent two days investigating and couldn't uncover a single clue. If the matter were to be swept aside and Lady Ji's poisoning left unresolved, it would have been an enormous farce."

After saying this, Su Jiaojiao's expression grew slightly serious as she looked in the direction of Luanming Palace, recalling the events of the previous night with lingering unease.

Last night, the Emperor ultimately convicted Noble Lady Miao instead of her for two reasons.

First, Noble Lady Miao and Lady Ji shared the same palace, making her a more likely suspect, while Su Jiaojiao was less likely to be suspected.

Second, she had just gained the Emperor's favor, and his affection for her was strong.

On the surface, it seemed like a good thing that she was more favored. But before she had attended the Emperor for the night, Noble Lady Miao had been unmatched in prominence.

If the Emperor had favored Noble Lady Miao more, the outcome of what happened yesterday might not have been the same.

Although Su Jiaojiao was fine today and even received the great joy of moving to Guanju Palace, the incident with Noble Lady Miao still made her feel a sense of crisis, like the loss of one leading to the downfall of another.

It was clear that without sufficient power and status, favor in the palace was of utmost importance.

Wealth, glory, and even one's life depended on this fleeting favor.

That was why everyone fought for it, and everyone had to fight for it! Su Jiaojiao needed to rely on favor to attain immense wealth and power, and the position she aimed for was far beyond that of a mere Noble Lady.

Junwu Hall.

As soon as Su Jiaojiao arrived at the entrance, she saw several trunks of luggage neatly arranged in the courtyard. Four maids and four eunuchs stood in perfect order, and upon her return, they joyfully performed a grand salute, smiling at her: "Congratulations to our Young Miss on the joyous occasion of moving to a new palace—!"

When the master prospered, the lives of the servants also improved. What the palace servants sought was to serve a capable and fair master, to accumulate some wealth, and to live a better life.

Su Jiaojiao had initially been granted a high rank and was now moving directly from Yunhua Palace to Guanju Palace, the closest to the Emperor. Such an honor was not something just anyone could achieve! Serving such a promising master made even the work feel more rewarding.

Their faces were filled with joyous smiles, hoping to share in the good fortune and seek a blessing. Su Jiaojiao was not stingy, and with a gentle wave of her wrist, she said warmly, "Rise, everyone."

"Once Pixiang Hall is settled, there will be rewards for all."

The palace servants cheerfully responded and quickly carried out the luggage.

Soon, Junwu Hall was left quiet and empty. Su Jiaojiao looked back, and it seemed just as it had been three years ago when she first arrived, unchanged.

She had never liked dwelling on the past, so she quickly pulled herself out of that moment of nostalgia and stepped out of the gates of Yunhua Palace.

In the Hall of Cold Fragrance.

Ting Chun stood by the window, discreetly looking outside until the figures of Su Jiaojiao and others gradually disappeared. She then turned around and whispered, "Miss, do you think this trick will work? If Su Jiaojiao doesn't get disfigured or scarred, and instead figures out it was you who did it... wouldn't that just add another enemy?"

Lady Jiang, with red eyes, lay on the bed and sneered, "Enemy? I’ve long seen that bitch as my enemy! It would be best if her pretty face were ruined, and she loses the Emperor's favor for good, only then will I finally be avenged!"

The Guanju Palace is located in the middle of the southern four palaces, one of the closest palaces to the Emperor.

When the Emperor enters the rear palace, he always passes by the Fengyi Palace and the Guanju Palace, with the Changle Palace and Yong'an Palace on either side. These four palaces are all magnificent, each with its own charm, and are places everyone dreams of.

Except for the Fengyi Palace, which is solely occupied by the Empress, the other three palaces have very few residents, so many of the side halls and rooms are left empty.

Especially the Guanju Palace, which is completely empty, without even a main occupant, many are eager to get a spot there.

Su Jiaojiao originally lived in the most remote Yunhua Palace and never expected the Emperor to be this generous this time, moving her to the Guanju Palace.

When they got to the Guanju Palace, it was just past noon.

The palace servants had been busy all day, and when they got to the new place, everyone wanted to finish up quickly so they could rest early. Yu Ying told people where to put the luggage and assign rooms, while Yu Ye supported Su Jiaojiao into the inner hall.

The furnishings were exquisite, and the furniture was far more luxurious.

Unlike the simple and dark Junwu Pavilion, the Pixiang Hall was spacious and bright, and the inner hall was far larger than the Junwu Pavilion.

Several windows in the room were open, and sunlight streamed in, making the entire room bright.

Su Jiaojiao walked a few steps inside, and the table was already adorned with blooming flowers. It seemed the Imperial Household Department knew about her move and had prepared everything in advance; even the jade tea set on the table was brand new.

She had just gained favor and was currently liked by the Emperor, and the Imperial Household Department, being astute, naturally knew how to please her.

Yu Ye looked around and was pleasantly surprised, "Miss, the Pixiang Hall is so beautiful, the Emperor truly cares for you!"

Su Jiaojiao touched the sandalwood table in front of her, her fair fingers leaving no dust.

She smiled slightly, her beauty left Yu Ye momentarily stunned, and said, "It is indeed very good."

Yu Ye happily stepped forward to look at the incense burner in the inner hall, carefully pouring a bit of the incense beside it into the burner, instantly filling the room with fragrance, and said, "Back at the mansion, the madam always withheld good things from you, unwilling to let you use anything nice. The first three years after entering the palace were also very difficult, but now it's better, you have gained the Emperor's favor, and now our Pixiang Hall can also use such good things!"

She snorted, "The madam must never have imagined that you would have such fortune now, she must be so angry she can't sleep for days!"

Speaking of this stepmother, a cold glint flashed in Su Jiaojiao's beautiful eyes, "She sent me into the palace just because she was afraid I would block her daughter's marriage prospects, wanting to leave all the good marriages for her two biological daughters. But in this world, where is there a man more noble than the Emperor?"

"All men in the world are fickle, I have never believed in the fairy tales of mutual respect and love. She thought I entered the palace under her coercion, but how could she know, I was just taking advantage of the situation, using this to drive a wedge between her and my father's marital relationship."

She indifferently looked in the direction of the window, but her voice was melodious, "Now that everything is almost settled, it's time to pay a visit to Consort Mi."

Yesterday, the Emperor first went to the Junwu Pavilion and then went to the Jiangyun Hall on his own.

Although she didn't say anything, this merit, if not acknowledged, would be a great loss.

Consort Mi and Su Jiaojiao are using each other, but the information about the "chance encounter" with the Emperor that day was indeed given by Consort Mi, and she also spoke up for her last night.

Repaying kindness ensures future favors, Su Jiaojiao understood this well.

She slightly adjusted her appearance and walked towards the Changle Palace, but just as she was about to reach the door, she noticed Yu Ling accompanied by two unfamiliar women, heading towards the Changle Palace.

Judging by their attire, they didn't look like palace maids, but rather newly appointed selected ranks.

Su Jiaojiao immediately understood, but a shy, soft smile appeared on her face as she called out, "Aunt Yu Ling."