Chapter 32: Bathing in the Misty Spring

Chapter 32: Bathing in the Misty Spring

"Surprise Extra Chapter"

The summer resort is located in the north, significantly cooler than Chang'an.

Especially today, with a clear moon and a sky full of stars, and a cool breeze blowing, it was a perfect night for enjoying the scenery.

Shen Huai was in an unusually good mood tonight, only summoning Cai Shan to accompany him as they walked towards the hot spring.

The resort's hot spring differed from the palace's. The palace hot spring is built indoors, adorned with intricate carvings and paintings, and access is restricted by rank. Ordinary concubines, except when summoned, usually require special permission to visit.

The resort's hot spring stands out for its natural, unadorned beauty, with natural geothermal springs, exuding a wild charm and open to all, regardless of rank.

After crossing a small bridge over a stream, the view expanded before them. In the rustling bamboo forest, there was a round hot spring with a few palace lanterns, casting a soft, hazy glow.

Shen Huai gazed down from his vantage point and saw a beauty with her shoulders half-exposed, her body hidden in the misty hot spring, like a scene from a fairy tale.

Cai Shan halted abruptly, immediately turned around and exclaimed, "Your Majesty, forgive me, I shall await you on the bridge."

Shen Huai acknowledged with a faint "hmm" and slowly walked over.

In the spring, Su Jiaojiao was facing away from the entrance, revealing only a glimpse of her delicate skin. Her smooth black hair was all scattered in the spring, moving slightly with her movements in the water.

Her beautiful face was moist, appearing enchantingly dreamlike under the bright moonlight, like a captivating fairy.

As though she heard a sound, she slightly got up and looked back, just seeing the emperor staring at her.

Su Jiaojiao's cheeks flushed suddenly, sinking her body into the water, and said shyly, "Your Majesty..."

She deliberately retreated a bit, leaning her body against the edge of the heated stone, but as if remembering something sad, her voice quivered with a hint of tears: "I didn't know Your Majesty would come here at night, it's inconvenient to salute, please forgive me."

The palace lanterns around the hot spring cast a dim light, and Shen Huai could easily see the tears in her eyes.

"Forgive you?" Shen Huai sneered coldly, "Is this the only crime I need to forgive?"

His expression was cold, but his throat slightly moved, feeling the hot spring's steam making him thirsty and increasingly unhappy.

Even though the woman in the water was hidden, he knew how curvaceous her figure was, with a waist so slender it could be held in one hand. Besides, in such a situation, what else could it be if not seduction.

Though Shen Huai enjoyed it, he was reluctant to forgive her easily, lowering his voice: "Come here."

Su Jiaojiao was slightly stunned, thinking she had misheard, but when she met the emperor's eyes, she realized she hadn't, the emperor was indeed saying "Come here."

But she was completely undressed, if she got up...

Su Jiaojiao only hesitated for a moment, then slightly exerted herself in the water, nimbly moving to the emperor's side, half her body propped up on the round stone, looking up at him like a mermaid emerging from the water, her voice clearly pleading: "Your Majesty..."

Shen Huai's heart softened slightly, his deliberately stern expression melting a bit.

After entering the water, Su Jiaojiao actively hooked her arms around his neck, her small chin resting on his neck, very aggrieved: "Your Majesty, Jiaojiao knows she was wrong."

"Jiaojiao didn't mean to avoid serving, but that day she was unwell, yet knew she had no right to ask for Your Majesty's pity..." As she spoke, Su Jiaojiao's tears rolled down, making his heart itch in an indescribable way.

Shen Huai held her body, afraid she would slip into the water, his voice slightly hoarse: "Please me."

After a long time, Su Jiaojiao was carried out of the water by Shen Huai and directly entered the bedroom next to the hot spring.

As they whispered on the pillow, Su Jiaojiao heard the emperor say softly: "Su Jiaojiao, in private, I allow you to be a bit more unrestrained."

With the help of Consort Shu, Su Jiaojiao regained favor with ease.

The Emperor had witnessed countless affairs of the heart and naturally guessed that Su Jiaojiao was deliberately seducing him. But since the Emperor was willing to give her an opportunity, her plan went off without a hitch.

Su Jiaojiao knew that her initial favor was due to her beauty, and this time, her regained favor was also because of her beauty. However, she had a sneaking suspicion that the Emperor's excessive indulgence this time wasn't entirely because of her looks.

She had once said that there were countless beautiful people in the palace, from consorts to maids, ranging from stunning beauties to delicate and charming ones.

Although she had been putting her best foot forward in serving carefully, it should have only made a slight impression. Why was the Emperor so particularly indulgent towards her?

Perhaps it was because the novelty hadn't worn off yet.

Su Jiaojiao kept her feelings in check, took the freshly brewed tea from Yu Ying, and took a delicate sip.

Yu Ying smiled and said, "Just now, the maid from Consort Shu came to say that she would spend time with you after lunch. Should I prepare some snacks for you and Consort Shu to enjoy in the afternoon?"

Ling Xiao, who was holding a feather duster, smiled and said, "When it comes to snacks, Yu Ye's are absolutely the best. It's a pity that Yu Ye is staying in the palace, so we can't taste her skills now."

Speaking of Yu Ye, Yu Ying also missed her and sighed, "Yu Ye always dreams of having a small kitchen. The few times she cooked for us in the palace, she had to secretly ask the imperial kitchen for help. When our mistress rises to a higher position in the future, we can also benefit from her rise and have Yu Ye cook for us every day."

Su Jiaojiao lowered her eyelashes and smiled faintly, saying, "That day will surely come."

"Now, I wonder how things are in the palace."

After lunch, Su Jiaojiao didn't wait for Consort Shu but instead got word of the Emperor's visit.

The Emperor personally came to Yuzhou Yuyu, and Su Jiaojiao naturally greeted him with a smile.

After paying her respects, she was led by the Emperor into the inner chamber. She quickly spotted that the two eunuchs following Cai Shan were carrying two square boxes, and she was curious about the contents.

She spoke softly and asked, "What good things has Your Majesty brought for Jiaojiao?"

Shen Huai glanced at her and nonchalantly said, "Bring them in."

The two eunuchs approached and placed the two boxes on the table in the room, then opened the lids. White smoke instantly billowed out.

Su Jiaojiao was curious and leaned slightly to look. Inside the boxes, which had dispersed the white smoke, lay two perfectly arranged plates of tribute fruits.

One plate was neatly cut Kaifeng watermelon, and the other was Fujian lychees, plump and crimson, lying on a layer of crushed ice.

Kaifeng watermelon, Fujian lychees, and Huangyan tangerines were all top-quality tribute fruits, and only a few pounds were available each year. Especially in summer, fruits were extremely difficult to preserve, and often only a small portion made it through the journey.

Such good things were likely not even accessible to every consort. The Emperor had devised such a subtle method to personally bring them to her so she could taste them fresh.

This gesture was more precious than the tribute fruits themselves. Su Jiaojiao's eyes curved, and she bowed softly, "Jiaojiao thanks Your Majesty for your great kindness."

She was sensible and understanding, and it was no wonder Shen Huai remembered her. He lightly tapped her smooth forehead and said indifferently, "Enjoy them while they're still fresh."

Just as Su Jiaojiao's small hand was about to reach for the plate of lychees, a eunuch entered through the curtain and knelt down, saying, "Your Majesty, Mistress, Zhu Shaoshi seeks an audience. Should Your Majesty grant her an audience?"

Zhu Shaoshi?

Su Jiaojiao's brows furrowed almost imperceptibly, and she felt a bit of dissatisfaction.

She had always known that Zhu Shaoshi was scheming, but she hadn't expected her to pick such a time. It was just past noon, and the heat outside was intense. She was pregnant and should be resting in her room, but here she was, eagerly vying for attention.

Anyone who didn't want trouble would have seen the eunuch outside and known who was inside, and would have left without a word. There was no need to specifically ask for an audience, as if she wanted the Emperor to know that she was inconvenienced by her pregnancy.

Helplessly, Su Jiaojiao had to withdraw her hand and said timidly, "Your Majesty, Zhu Shaoshi is here. Would you like to see her? The sun is strong outside, and if she waits too long, it might be harmful to the royal heir. That would be Jiaojiao's fault."

Though Shen Huai noticed her disappointment, her words were considerate, and the words he was about to say caught in his throat, making him forget what he had meant to say.

It was sweltering outside. Although he didn’t have a deep impression of Zhu Shaoshi, he knew she was pregnant and needed to take extra care.

Shen Huai glanced toward the door, set down his cup, and said casually, "Well then, let her in."

Not long after, Zhu Shaoshi entered in a light pink palace dress, bowing her head timidly and greeting, "This humble servant greets Your Majesty and Noble Consort Lian. I was unaware of Your Majesty’s presence and beg your forgiveness."

Shen Huai responded indifferently, "Have a seat."

Zhu Shaoshi sat on the low stool in front of the table, cradling her belly.

Her eyes flickered slightly as she glanced at the tribute fruits on the table, and she said softly, "Are these the tribute fruits His Majesty gifted to you, sister?"

She smiled with envy and understanding, "I’m glad to see His Majesty favors you, sister."

Su Jiaojiao smiled subtly, "You’re quick to recognize His Majesty’s gifts—they were just set down."

Zhu Shaoshi immediately paled, quickly explaining, "I’ve just come from the Empress’s palace and saw similar items there—it’s not what you think, sister."

With her fragile and obedient appearance, and being pregnant, it seemed as though Su Jiaojiao was being unreasonable and bullying her.

Su Jiaojiao smiled gently, "What’s there to fear? I didn’t say a thing."

She pushed the two plates of tribute fruits forward, saying, "Since you’re here, why not try some, sister?"

But then she hesitated, "You’re pregnant and need to be cautious. Kaifeng watermelon is cooling, Fujian lychee is heating, I’m not sure which you can have."

Su Jiaojiao tentatively looked at the Emperor, hesitating, "Your Majesty, perhaps we should call a physician to ask? I have never been pregnant, I don’t know if my good intentions are appropriate."

The back and forth between the two annoyed Shen Huai. He frowned slightly, his tone cool, "Since I bestowed these upon you, you need not worry about others."

"The heat outside is intense. You just came from the Empress—instead of resting in your room, why come to Noble Consort Lian’s place?" Shen Huai looked at Zhu Shaoshi, his expression indifferent, "If something happens to the royal heir, who will I hold responsible?"

Zhu Shaoshi’s body swayed slightly, her face turned even paler, and she lowered her head, saying, "Your Majesty’s lesson is remembered. I will keep it in mind."

Her hand, tightly clutching her sleeve, loosened slightly. Then she stood up, forcing a smile, "Since Your Majesty is here with sister, I should not disturb. I will return to my palace to rest."

As Zhu Shaoshi stood up to leave the inner room, Su Jiaojiao noticed she "accidentally" dropped something. Her sweet voice slightly raised, she reminded, "Zhu Shaoshi, you dropped something. Yu Ying, pick it up and return it to her."