Chapter 28: Reaching a Consensus

Chapter 28: Reaching a Consensus

After half a month apart, Shen Huai truly missed her.

Su Jiaojiao never expected Noble Consort Shu to be so direct. She looked up, slightly stunned, but her voice remained soft and innocent: "Sister, what are you talking about?"

She lowered her eyes, trembling, as if afraid to meet her gaze: "Have I done something wrong to upset you?"

Noble Consort Shu watched Su Jiaojiao's tearful, delicate demeanor with indifference.

After a long pause, she finally spoke coldly: "Noble Consort Lian, it's normal that you're not familiar with me. I took leave after a miscarriage before you first received the Emperor's favor and have been feigning illness ever since."

"But I have been observing you for more than just a few days."

Su Jiaojiao covered her lips with her fan, still wary: "Sister Noble Consort Shu..."

Knowing that Su Jiaojiao didn't trust her and finding her own directness strange, Noble Consort Shu decided to be blunt. She leaned in, pressing her shoulder against Su Jiaojiao's, and whispered in her ear: "The day your subordinate Xiao Songzi killed Luo Luo, I happened to see it."

The two beauties sat close in the luxurious carriage, their cloud-like hair and colorful robes, snow-white skin and flower-like beauty, creating a serene picture.

But Su Jiaojiao's heart sank. She struggled to remain calm, maintaining her fragile facade.

Xiao Songzi had killed Luo Luo at night, and the location near the Thousand Carp Lotus Pond was secluded. He had repeatedly confirmed that no one was around before daring to act.

How could Noble Consort Shu have appeared out of nowhere and coincidentally witnessed Xiao Songzi, thus holding Su Jiaojiao's secret?

Su Jiaojiao knew that unless Noble Consort Shu had truly seen it with her own eyes, she would never have known it was Xiao Songzi who killed Luo Luo.

What puzzled her was why Noble Consort Shu, knowing that Su Jiaojiao had orchestrated Min Jieyu's demotion, had remained silent and uninvolved, only to reveal it now, long after the matter had been settled.

Since Noble Consort Shu was being direct, Su Jiaojiao decided to drop her act and asked coldly: "What do you want?"

Noble Consort Shu smiled faintly, releasing her shoulder and sitting back. She spoke indifferently: "Do you know how people in the palace talk about my miscarriage?"

Su Jiaojiao looked up and replied calmly: "They say it was due to a deficiency of both qi and blood, a cold constitution, and an inability to carry the royal heir, thus leading to the miscarriage."

"Nonsense!"

Noble Consort Shu sneered: "I have always been strong and healthy. When I first became pregnant, the imperial physicians all said my pregnancy was stable. How could it suddenly become impossible to carry the royal heir within a month?"

Su Jiaojiao remained composed and asked: "Who tampered with it?"

"Aside from me, it's not uncommon for palace consorts to become pregnant, but most of them end up miscarrying like I did," Noble Consort Shu said mockingly. "Is it really that we are unlucky and unable to protect our children, or is there someone who doesn't want us to bear children?"

"In the harem, only Noble Consort Wang has given birth to the eldest prince. Our dynasty has always valued the eldest son of the legitimate wife, with virtue being considered last. But the Emperor himself is not the Empress Dowager's biological son..." Noble Consort Shu's expression flickered for a moment before she continued calmly: "The Emperor doesn't place much importance on the concept of the legitimate eldest son, so Noble Consort Wang's reliance on the eldest prince isn't as significant in his eyes. She simply wants to ensure the eldest prince grows up, using the Wang family's influence to elevate him and make her son the crown prince. If other princes were to appear in the palace, the eldest prince's status would plummet, and with more choices, the court officials' support would scatter. Noble Consort Wang treats the eldest prince as her life. Tell me, who would be threatened if palace consorts became pregnant?"

Noble Consort Shu scoffed: "During the late Emperor's reign, the harem was in chaos, and several royal heirs died one after another. Among the princes, only the current Emperor survived."

"Noble Consort Wang wants to emulate the late Emperor's time, ensuring her prince ascends the throne without fail, but I wonder if she has the capability!"

Su Jiaojiao, now composed, took a sip of chilled plum wine from the ice compartment and said leisurely: "Sister Noble Consort Shu, you've told me so much, surely not just for casual conversation, right?"

She looked at her, her clear and lively eyes carrying a hint of an ambiguous smile: "Or are you simply speculating and convinced that Noble Consort Wang is the culprit?"

"It's also possible that someone is using her as a scapegoat."

Noble Consort Shu glanced at her and said indifferently: "I naturally have evidence before daring to say this."

"But now, I'm not just here to chat with you. I want to reach a consensus with you."

She looked Su Jiaojiao up and down and said, "Since you first gained favor, I have observed you many times, both openly and covertly."

"Su Jiaojiao, you are intelligent, cunning, and decisive, a clear-minded and clever person," Noble Consort Shu said slowly. "Regarding the matter of the drowned palace maid, I am certain that Min Jieyu was not the mastermind behind it. Your act of using someone else to do the deed was brilliant, but since the knife did not truly cut Noble Consort Wang, isn't that a pity?"

As the carriage sped along, Noble Consort Shu stared at Su Jiaojiao and said, "Noble Consort Lian, although you are exceptionally intelligent and highly favored by His Majesty, you must have experienced the difficulty of fighting alone in the palace. Among the dozens of consorts in the palace, I have only chosen you. We share a common enemy, a common situation, and we are both alone, unwilling to associate with others. Today, let's speak plainly. I only ask you one thing: are you willing to cooperate with me to kill Noble Consort Wang?"

Su Jiaojiao smiled charmingly and said, "Sister, is it just about killing Noble Consort Wang?"

Noble Consort Shu's expression hardened.

Su Jiaojiao sat by the window, holding a fan and smiling softly, exuding a delicate and enchanting aura, like a captivating fairy.

But in her eyes, Noble Consort Shu saw undisguised ambition.

Noble Consort Shu gazed at her and said, "What do you want to do?"

Su Jiaojiao looked at her with a smile, her tone gentle, "To compete for favor, seize power, and kill anyone who stands in my way."

She chuckled lightly, "Sister Noble Consort Shu, you hold my secret, yet you revealed your own cards first to form an alliance with me. I can feel the sincerity in that."

"But—" she continued, her voice clear and smooth, "There can only be one Empress, and only one Empress Dowager."

"His Majesty's favor is uneven, and even biological sisters cannot escape jealousy and intrigue."

"How can I trust that our future alliance won't stab me in the back?"

Su Jiaojiao smiled bewitchingly, "The taste of being betrayed is not pleasant, is it?"

Noble Consort Shu stared at Noble Consort Lian before her, suddenly realizing that she seemed even more ruthless than she had imagined.

Intelligence, cunning, ambition, beauty, and family background.

She was a deadly beauty who embodied all these traits, as if such a person was destined to rise to an unparalleled position.

But that was exactly what Noble Consort Shu admired.

Among the dozens of consorts in the palace, there were those who were ruthless, beautiful, sinister, and talented, but Noble Consort Shu disdained those she did not respect and refused to associate with them.

Su Jiaojiao was the first woman who had truly impressed her.

This feeling was hard to describe, but it was as if, the moment she saw her, there was an inexplicable sign in her heart telling her that this was the person she had been looking for.

Because of this, after making her decision, she used some tactics to have His Majesty bring her to the summer retreat as well. During these two months, she believed she would not return empty-handed.

Unexpectedly, things went much smoother than she had imagined.

Noble Consort Shu scoffed and said, "His Majesty's favor means little to me, and I don't care about becoming Empress or Empress Dowager. Noble Consort Wang is like a towering mountain, and I alone could never topple her. But if we join forces, we can achieve twice the result with half the effort. If Noble Consort Wang falls, and you wish to become Empress or Empress Dowager, I will spare no effort to help you ascend."

"Just one thing: if you reach the pinnacle, you must benefit my parents and both clans. Do not betray, do not abandon, and do not burn bridges. If you can do this, from today on, we are on the same boat. If you cannot, consider today's conversation as if it never happened, and I will act as if I never saw your secret. From then on, we go our separate ways."

Noble Consort Shu's sincerity and straightforwardness surprised Su Jiaojiao.

She had taken such an important secret of hers, yet she only used it as a stepping stone to form an alliance, which was truly unexpected.

But in this palace, there were very few who could see through her so effortlessly. Noble Consort Shu was intelligent and would be a great ally.

Fighting alone was never a long-term solution, and with Noble Consort Shu taking the initiative and being so straightforward and likable, Su Jiaojiao was indeed very tempted.

Most importantly, speaking with intelligent people requires no beating around the bush. If one's intentions are impure, their keen insight can discern with a single glance whether they are on the same path.

Noble Consort Shu's sincerity was genuine, and Su Jiaojiao could feel it.

Thinking of this, Su Jiaojiao smiled and said, "Although I am ruthless to outsiders, I always cherish those who are on my side. If you can keep your promise today, perhaps we can not only be allies but also friends."

She raised a glass of fruit wine, her enchanting voice lingering, "Sister Noble Consort Shu, when I hold great power, we will enjoy glory together."

After seven days of bumpy carriage rides, it felt as if every bone in her body was about to shatter.

When they arrived at the summer retreat, a light drizzle was falling. The artificial mountains, flowing water, stone bridges, and potted plants created a misty Jiangnan scene, starkly different from the opulence of the palace.

Su Jiaojiao had not been sleeping well these past few days, and when she stepped out of the carriage, her eyes showed signs of fatigue.

Her expression was calm, her slender jade-like hand holding a pale green oil-paper umbrella. She stood beside the carriage, blending seamlessly with the misty Jiangnan scenery, forming a picturesque scene.

Soon, the matrons of the summer retreat came to guide their respective mistresses to their pre-assigned residences.

Due to her current frail health, Su Jiaojiao walked slower than usual. Her gait under the umbrella was like a delicate willow swaying in the wind, her appearance both aloof and charming, causing the palace servants to glance and whisper among themselves.

"This must be Noble Consort Lian, the favored consort. With such stunning beauty, no wonder the Emperor is fond of her."

An elderly matron quickly admonished, "Hush! Now that the Emperor and the consorts have arrived, you must not speak carelessly or gossip about your superiors!"

Unlike the palace, the summer retreat featured elegant and unique residences, each with a beautiful name.

Su Jiaojiao's residence was named "Jade Rain of Yingzhou," a refined and charming place she liked very much. It was also conveniently close to the Emperor's "Cool Breeze by the Waves," though it was unclear whether this was arranged by the Emperor or the Empress.

Noble Consort Shu's residence, "Frost-Resisting Pavilion," was slightly farther away, but the summer retreat was not as vast as the palace, so the residences were still close. Meeting would not be difficult.

The maids of Jade Rain of Yingzhou, under the arrangements of Yu Ying and Ling Xiao, quickly settled the luggage. Su Jiaojiao finally could lie down and rest for a while. Later, she got up and drank a cup of clear tea, feeling somewhat refreshed.

The so-called fatigue from travel was even more exhausting than a night of serving the Emperor.

After recovering her spirits and having a detailed dinner,

Yu Ying fanned Su Jiaojiao as she lay on a bamboo couch, reading a book.

Not long after, someone from Cool Breeze by the Waves came with a message that the Emperor had summoned her to accompany him. Although Su Jiaojiao appeared delighted, she actually felt weary. The thought of what would happen that evening gave her a headache.

But the Emperor's order could not be disobeyed, so she had to put down the book and curtsy, saying, "Thank you, Eunuch."

Jade Rain of Yingzhou was adjacent to Consort Mi's "Jade Exquisite." As soon as she stepped out, she could see the main gate of Jade Exquisite.

She glanced indifferently and was about to head towards Cool Breeze by the Waves when someone hurried out of Jade Exquisite, calling back the maid who had gone ahead, saying, "You must bring Physician Lin here without delay, hurry!"

Su Jiaojiao narrowed her eyes, slightly adjusting the umbrella to cover half of her cold and stunning face.

Physician Lin?

Each of the palace's high-ranking consorts had their trusted physicians. Physician Lin was under the command of Consort Mi's grandfather, the Left Minister. He was most skilled in women's and children's ailments, and the Emperor had specifically requested him to attend to Consort Mi and Zhu Shaoshi's pregnancies.

But they had just arrived at the summer retreat, and Consort Mi already needed Physician Lin to take her pulse?

She had always known that Consort Mi's pregnancy was not smooth. Since the new consorts entered the palace, her pregnancy had been unstable, and she had been taking stabilizing medicine ever since. But normally, instability in the first three months was common. Now, at about five months, it was still so fragile, which was quite intriguing.

In the first three years, Consort Mi's favor never waned, and there had been no news of her being frail. Why did she become so fragile as soon as she became pregnant?

Perhaps Consort Mi's pregnancy was not simply unstable. Whether she could successfully give birth to the royal heir, and who was unhappy about her pregnancy, were all good news to Su Jiaojiao.

The murkier the water, the easier it is for her to rise to the top.

However, today—

Consort Mi's unstable pregnancy has actually done her a great favor.

Upon arriving at the summer retreat, Consort Mi's pregnancy immediately ran into trouble. The Emperor would surely visit her, and since Consort Mi always cares deeply for the Emperor, she would undoubtedly keep him company for the night, allowing Su Jiaojiao a day of relaxation.

At Lingbo Songshuang, Su Jiaojiao closed her umbrella under the corridor and gracefully walked in, softly greeting the Emperor: "Jiaojiao pays her respects to Your Majesty."

She set down her cup and leaned casually against the soft cushion behind her, tapping the table with her index finger: "Come here."

Including the seven days of travel, Shen Huai hadn't seen her for half a month.

He gazed at her calmly, noticing the timid smile on her face, her eyes sparkling like stars. Her posture was impeccable as she walked, her thin gauze swaying gently, like a butterfly ready to take flight.

She stood beside Shen Huai, took his left hand in hers, and carefully examined it. Seeing that the wound had scabbed over and was almost healed, she gently blew a cool breath and asked softly, "Does it still hurt, Your Majesty?"

Shen Huai stared at her for a long moment, then smirked: "You're not an ungrateful wretch after all."

Su Jiaojiao blushed, her voice shy and delicate: "Your Majesty risked your precious health to save Jiaojiao. How could Jiaojiao ever be ungrateful?"

After half a month apart, Shen Huai found himself genuinely missing her. He pulled her slender waist into his arms, their lips meeting in a deep, passionate kiss.

As they spoke, a eunuch hurried into Lingbo Songshuang, kneeling with a thud and trembling: "Your Majesty—Consort Mi has started bleeding and is currently being treated by Physician Lin. Please come at once!"

The pleasant moment abruptly interrupted, Shen Huai's face darkened with displeasure.

But upon hearing of Consort Mi's condition, Shen Huai, who knew the importance of the matter, immediately set Su Jiaojiao down and said coldly, "I will go at once."

As expected, the interruption caused Su Jiaojiao's expression to shift several times, a complex mix of emotions.

Concern for Consort Mi, reluctance to part with the Emperor, and restrained understanding all flashed in her eyes. Yet, with just a flicker of her gaze, a hint of relief and joy could be seen.

Not for any other reason, but because she was already feeling unwell today and didn't have to endure the ordeal of serving the Emperor.

Unbeknownst to her, the Emperor caught every nuance of her expression.