Chapter 46: Events of the Past

Chapter 46: Events of the Past

At the gates of Fengyi Palace.

Yu Ying approached the palace servants with a polite smile and said, "I am Yu Ying, the chief female official of Pixiang Palace. Please inform the Empress of my arrival."

"Please wait a moment."

The messenger quickly walked into the inner hall and bowed to the Empress, who was drinking tea, saying, "Your Majesty, Yu Ying from Consort Lian requests an audience."

The Empress was not surprised and took her time finishing half a cup of tea before placing it on the table. "Let her in."

Yu He, who was serving beside the Empress, whispered, "Consort Lian is choosing a rather opportune time to end her leave. Wasn't she suffering from a prolonged illness? Just a few days ago, she had Imperial Physician Lin prescribe her medicine again. How is she suddenly well today?"

The Empress chuckled lightly, nonchalant. "A mere cold couldn't keep her down for too long. If she were ill for too long, she would start to suspect something herself. Even the eldest prince, a young boy, has recovered and returned to the Imperial Academy. It would be odd for Consort Lian to still be unwell, wouldn't it?"

"Your Majesty is right," Yu He said, glancing towards the outside. "Today, Yong'an Palace is quite lively. It seems Consort Lian has also received the news. Consort Yu and Zhu Baolin are likely to become irreconcilable from now on."

"More than that," the Empress said with a subtle gleam in her eyes. "Once winter arrives, the entire harem will likely become restless."

Outside, Yu Ying was led into the inner hall of Fengyi Palace by the palace servants and respectfully bowed to the Empress. "Your servant Yu Ying pays her respects to the Empress."

The Empress smiled faintly. "Rise. Are you here to end Consort Lian's leave at this time?"

Yu Ying smiled politely. "Your Majesty is indeed perceptive. That is correct."

The Empress turned to Yu He and signaled her to handle the matter, then asked, "Is Consort Lian fully recovered?"

"Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. After resting for so long, she is finally fully recovered."

"That's good," the Empress said kindly. "Once winter arrives, Chang'an will become even colder. Consort Lian has delicate health. I recently acquired two warm jade pillow cores, and I shall grant her one."

Yu Ying curtsied and bowed her head. "Your servant thanks Your Majesty for your great kindness on behalf of Consort Lian."

Pixiang Palace.

Yu Ying placed the warm jade pillow core on the table and whispered, "When I went to end the leave, the Empress indeed didn't say much and even granted this warm jade pillow core to you."

"It's usually not easy for a favored consort to end their leave. This went so smoothly that it makes me a bit uneasy."

Su Jiaojiao picked up the warm jade pillow core and scrutinized it carefully, saying softly, "Warm jade is already precious, and such a large piece made into a pillow core is even more valuable. I have no connection with the Empress, nor are we in the same faction. For her to be willing to grant me this pillow core, she must have guessed something."

Yu Ying looked up and said, "Are you referring to the prolonged illness before?"

Su Jiaojiao murmured softly and continued to inspect the warm jade, saying, "If it weren't for that, why would she use such a valuable item to placate me?"

"Unfortunately—"

Su Jiaojiao chuckled lightly. "I am not easily fooled, nor do I owe her these things."

She had examined every part of the warm jade—there were no cracks, no marks, and no strange odors. It seemed untouched. However, if the Empress had granted something else, it could have been stored in the treasury and logged without much worry.

But she had specifically granted such a valuable warm jade pillow core, something closely related to daily life and indispensable in winter.

If Su Jiaojiao stored it in the treasury and didn't use it, and the Empress asked about it during the morning audience, she would be at a loss for words, and the Empress would naturally know she hadn't used it.

Since Su Jiaojiao showed little regard for the Empress, the Empress would also realize that Su Jiaojiao was wary of her.

After some consideration, Su Jiaojiao said, "Have this warm jade pillow core crafted into a pillow, using the finest materials."

Yu Ying hesitated, "The Empress's gift, I'm afraid..."

"I realize it’s improper," Su Jiaojiao frowned slightly, "but if we don’t do it, it might arouse the Empress's suspicion and displeasure. Just have it made and tuck it away for now. When winter comes, I'll use it for a few days before putting it away again."

This was already the best solution. Yu Ying accepted the order and left. Su Jiaojiao looked out the window, her expression was somewhat aloof.

In the Hall of Shared Hearts.

The pearl curtain partitioned the dining area into a serene space.

The hall was already tastefully elegant, but Lady Yu Gui had specifically ordered the dining area to be slightly repositioned. The carved pearwood table was covered with a smooth layer of silk, and a vibrant autumn begonia in a swan-necked vase added a touch of spring.

Lady Yu Gui and Shen Huai sat at the table, with several maids bustling around to serve them dishes.

The aroma wafting from the outer kitchen was tantalizing, and delicacies were served one after another until the last dish, the jade lotus pastry, was personally presented by Lv Wan, who curtsied and smiled, "Your Majesty, Lady Yu Gui, all the dishes have been served."

Lady Yu Gui personally used silver chopsticks to select a piece of shrimp and placed it in the Emperor's bowl, smiling softly, "Your Majesty, please try it."

Shen Huai didn’t want to humiliate her, so he ate it before slowly putting down his chopsticks, saying, "Since there are people to serve the dishes, you don't need to do everything yourself."

Sampling the dishes was a mandatory protocol when the Emperor dined, even when dining with concubines. Lady Yu Gui had just served the Emperor an untested dish, which was a significant breach of protocol.

Unconsciously, Lady Yu Gui seemed unable to fully accept the reality that Shen Huai was now the Emperor who ruled the world.

She always instinctively remembered him as the quiet prince from her past, her close cousin.

But so many years had passed, and too many things had changed, leaving her feeling somewhat uneasy and out of place.

Since entering the palace, she seemed to have been constantly making mistakes. She even felt less confident, less sure of her standing in the Emperor’s heart.

Lady Yu Gui’s initially joyful expression stiffened. Knowing her mistake, she sheepishly retracted her chopsticks and said gently, "Lv Wan, you personally serve the dishes."

After the initial incident, Lady Yu Gui could no longer make any overly intimate gestures. She simply dutifully accompanied the Emperor through the meal until the end, when she personally saw Lv Wan taste the jade lotus pastry before using her injured hand to gently pick up a piece and place it before the Emperor.

Shen Huai lowered his eyes and remained silent, quietly watching her actions. Her hand was pale and delicate, with skin as smooth as jade. The bandage wrapped the wound tightly, but it was still slightly pulled by her movements, making her wince slightly in pain.

She paid no attention to the wound, her eyes full of expectation, saying, "Your Majesty, please try it. Does the flavor from Qingwu’s kitchen differ from before?"

Seeing this, Shen Huai felt a pang of pity.

He took a bite of the small jade lotus pastry and said gently, "You always remember me, so it naturally tastes better than before."

"As long as Your Majesty likes it," Lady Yu Gui finally smiled, her eyes curving. Remembering the earlier incident, the words to ask him to stay for the night were on the tip of her tongue but paused.

Would the Emperor... accept?

Lady Yu Gui suddenly felt a pang of sadness.

Sad that she now had to be so cautious around the Emperor, sad that she couldn't understand the Emperor's intentions.

She wasn't sure if the Emperor would stay for the night, especially since even on her first day in the palace, he had found an excuse to return to the Taiji Hall.

After pondering for a while, she murmured softly, "It’s getting late, cousin. Won’t you stay and rest in the Hall of Shared Hearts?"

Hearing this, Shen Huai paused for a moment while drinking tea, but soon he said indifferently, "There are many memorials piled up in the front hall. I won't stay tonight."

Once again being rejected, Concubine Lian's anxious heart finally calmed down, only to sink into a pit of self-doubt.

Why, why exactly does the Emperor refuse to touch her, rejecting her time and time again?

Am I not beautiful?

Even that lowly Zhu Baolin has received the Emperor's favor and conceived a royal heir, and even she gets occasional visits from the Emperor. Why?

Concubine Lian's eyes reddened, and tears suddenly fell. Her voice trembled with emotion, she asked, "Cousin, did I do something to upset you? Why every time..."

Shen Huai turned his head to look at Concubine Lian, and after a moment, his voice was calm and deep: "I've said I only see you as a sister. In my heart, you are just like Xuemiao."

Xuemiao...

Concubine Lian looked up at the Emperor, tears streaming down her face: "But Qingwu is not your biological cousin, not even a trace of blood relation. Qingwu adores you, haven’t you realized?"

"Princess Xuemiao is your biological sister, how can Qingwu be the same as her..."

Concubine Lian stood up and moved behind Shen Huai, tightly embracing his waist, closing her eyes: "Your Majesty, please don't go, alright? Qingwu is now your concubine, your woman, and you are her husband."

"Moreover, Qingwu has already entered the palace. Without Your Majesty's companionship and care, wouldn’t it mean a lifetime of loneliness... Your Majesty, this is too cruel for Qingwu."

Her voice quivered, and her arms clung to him tightly, as if afraid he might disappear in an instant.

Shen Huai reflected, he had always treated Concubine Lian as a sister, but what she said was not wrong.

She had entered the palace, her life now belonged to the court, to him.

Though he wanted her to live a carefree and honorable life, in some ways, she was more pitiful than the other concubines.

But no matter what decision he made, it was not easy.

For any other concubine, Shen Huai would not have hesitated for a moment. But it was Xu Qingwu who made him transfer all his guilt for Xuemiao onto her.

In his eyes, she was Xuemiao, the royal sister who always cared for him.

Shen Huai took a deep breath, gently pried her fingers open one by one, and his voice turned cold: "You should get some rest."

"Your Majesty!"

Concubine Lian fell to the carpet, watching the Emperor's figure disappear into the night, tears streaming down her face.

She clenched her skirt tightly, her heart burned with resentment and anger, consuming her reason and pride.

What sister? Xu Qingwu didn’t want to be any sister!

She was determined to become the Emperor's woman, making the Emperor dote on her alone!

The night was as cool as water, a fierce autumn wind howled through the dim palace path, creating a ghostly wail.

Shen Huai sat in the imperial carriage, staring blankly into the distance.

He recalled how Concubine Lian had eagerly urged him to eat the jade lotus pastry, and he couldn't help but feel a deep sense of irony.

He remembered when he was first assigned to the Empress's care, his mother had just passed away. He and Xuemiao had relied on each other, unwilling to become the Empress's son, but a child without a mother lived worse than a servant in the palace.

Not long after, Xuemiao fell seriously ill on a snowy day. For his sister's safety, he had to seek out the Empress himself, acknowledging her as his mother, as long as she would allow him to care for Xuemiao.

As the only prince in the palace, the future successor to the throne could only be Shen Huai, and the Empress naturally agreed, sending the imperial physician to treat Xuemiao.

But Xuemiao, being young and frail, was struck by an illness that came fiercely and lingered too long. Despite the imperial physicians' meticulous care, her health inevitably worsened day by day. The already slender Xuemiao grew even thinner, eventually passing away from the illness.

He still vividly remembered that when Xuemiao was ill, she particularly craved jade lotus cakes. However, jade lotus cakes were a delicacy, reserved only for the highest-ranking consorts.

Thus, every time he dined with the Empress, he would claim to love jade lotus cakes and secretly wrap them to take to Xuemiao.

One day, when he finally managed to wrap a few jade lotus cakes, he encountered Xu Qingwu, who had come to the palace to accompany her aunt.

Xu Qingwu clung to him, unwilling to leave, saying that since he adored jade lotus cakes so much, she would have the Shangshi Bureau fetch more for him. As the Empress’s niece, requesting a few pastries was something the Shangshi Bureau naturally obliged.

He clearly remembered that day when the Shangshi Bureau gave him a full package.

Seeing Xu Qingwu’s smug and pleased expression, Shen Huai at that moment only felt it was ironic, but he said nothing, simply took the jade lotus cakes and left.

How absurd, he and Xuemiao were the Emperor’s own children, yet they lived in such hardship, while Xu Qingwu, merely the Empress’s niece, could enjoy such privileges. In this palace, without power, one could only become a lamb for slaughter, at others' mercy.

During the time he tended to Xuemiao, Xu Qingwu frequently visited him and Xuemiao.

Though spoiled, she was not cruel, and she often cared for him and Xuemiao, even lending a hand when he was too busy tending to Xuemiao.

The palace was such a cold and heartless place. Shen Huai had long grown accustomed to cold glances and manipulation, to life-and-death struggles. Xu Qingwu’s kindness was exceptionally rare.

Later—

After Xuemiao succumbed to her illness and passed away, Shen Huai informed the Empress and moved into the prince’s residence, spending his days studying statecraft with the Grand Tutor at the Imperial Academy.

In governance, Shen Huai quickly displayed remarkable talent, earning the praise and trust of the late Emperor. He gradually became adept at navigating court politics, his emotions rarely showing, his dealings in the court increasingly reserved and inscrutable.

Occasionally, when he saw Xu Qingwu, she would still smile and bring him jade lotus cakes, cheerfully urging him to try them, still fond of clinging to him and calling him cousin.

But Xu Qingwu never knew, and he couldn’t be bothered to explain.

He had never liked jade lotus cakes; he only liked the water chestnut cakes his mother used to make. Unfortunately, in this lifetime, he would never taste them again.

"Your Majesty, Your Majesty?"

Shen Huai snapped out of his reverie and asked indifferently, "What is it?"

Cai Shan, standing to the side, replied, "Your Majesty, we have arrived at the Taiji Hall."

Shen Huai acknowledged with a hum, then stepped down from the imperial carriage at a leisurely pace. As he walked toward the front hall, he said calmly, "I recall that Xizhou recently presented some donkey-hide gelatin. Tomorrow, reward Concubine Lian with a few catties."

"Yes."

As he entered the hall, Shen Huai suddenly remembered something and asked in a deep voice, "How is Concubine Lian?"

Cai Shan smiled and replied, "Concubine Lian’s illness has greatly improved. Her name has been reinstated on tonight’s roster. Does Your Majesty wish to—"

Shen Huai waved his hand, "Summon Concubine Lian."

As soon as the words left his mouth, he paused and said, "No need. I will sleep alone tonight."

Concubine Lian must be in a bad mood today. If he summoned Concubine Lian to attend him now, who knows how Concubine Lian would feel? She would likely become jealous of Concubine Lian, and the next time they met, she would surely weep and wail again. It was unnecessary to add such trouble.

Cai Shan acknowledged and bowed before retreating.

Shen Huai sat before the mountain of memorials and began to review them with a brush.

After reviewing a few, he glanced at one signed by Xu Jingshan, and his previously calm mood once again grew restless.

Xu Jingshan, Xu Qingwu’s father and the Empress Dowager’s brother.

He was also Shen Huai’s uncle by title.

The decision for Xu Qingwu to enter the palace stemmed from his early discussions with the Empress Dowager. The Empress Dowager’s final edict before her death was of great importance, and although he felt it was inappropriate, he had no choice but to comply.

However, Shen Huai found it difficult to overcome the mental block about being with her, yet ignoring her was too cruel for Xu Qingwu.

Shen Huai pinched the bridge of his nose, becoming more and more frustrated.

He was decisive in governing the country, yet he never expected to be so torn over such a small issue.

The next day, it was a clear day.

The sunlight was bright, and it was calm. It was the perfect time to go for a walk after breakfast.

Su Jiaojiao had returned from her leave last night. After being stuck in the Pixiang Palace for over half a month, she finally had the chance to get out and unwind.

Ling Yun had mentioned that the palace gardeners had grown several new types of chrysanthemums, which were blooming beautifully recently. She had been wanting to see them, and today she finally had the chance.

Su Jiaojiao rested her arm on the sedan chair, the gentle breeze carrying a faint floral scent, which was very soothing.

When she went to greet the Empress today, she saw it was busier than usual, with more people seated than normal.

Counting the days, apart from Min Jieyu, those who had been under house arrest had all completed their terms, and a new Concubine Lian was seated at the front, adding to the lively atmosphere.

She had been ill for over half a month and had fallen out of favor. Today, when she went to greet the Empress, there were fewer people making snide remarks, and only the Empress inquired about her health.

Now, everyone was talking about Zhu Baolin and Miaoyu.

She remembered Consort Shu’s words and observed Miaoyu.

Miaoyu was indeed beautiful, with snow-white skin, almond-shaped eyes, and a slender figure. Her every smile carried a hint of soft allure. However, in terms of facial features, she bore no resemblance to Su Jiaojiao.

If one had to point out a similarity, it would be the delicate, alluring charm in her eyes, which was about twenty to thirty percent similar.

Unfortunately, she was not Su Jiaojiao, and Su Jiaojiao was not her.

There was no comparison.

Yu Ying, following Su Jiaojiao, smiled and said, "My lady, when we were at the Fengyi Palace earlier, I noticed that Lady Ji and Miaoyu seemed quite at odds, almost like enemies."

Su Jiaojiao lifted her eyes slightly and smiled, "During the Spring Banquet, Lady Ji was poisoned and, upon waking, insisted it was Miaoyu who did it, almost implicating me as well. His Majesty demoted Miaoyu to a Cai Nu and confined her for three months. Since they both live in the Luanming Palace, it's natural they don't get along."

"Besides, even though they didn't get along before, neither was favored, which was somewhat better. Now that Miaoyu has regained favor, Lady Ji naturally feels displeased."

Yu Ying nodded and smiled, "That's true. Seeing the person who caused your downfall regain favor and flaunt it in front of you every day would make anyone uncomfortable."

Su Jiaojiao glanced at her and said with a faint smile, "Miaoyu might not have actually harmed Lady Ji. It's possible she was wrongly accused."

Yu Ying looked at her in surprise, knowing this was not something to be discussed openly, and remained silent.

She knew her mistress well; she would never speak without certainty. Even though she said it in a joking manner, she must have noticed something.

Could there be more to this incident than meets the eye...

In late autumn, the ginkgo trees in the imperial garden had all turned yellow. The fan-shaped leaves shimmered golden in the sunlight, rustling softly in the breeze.

The massive tree crowns were densely adorned with ginkgo leaves, like a tree full of butterflies with folded wings perched on the branches.

Su Jiaojiao had her procession stop under the ginkgo tree, slightly tilting her head to look up, her body covered in dappled light and shadow.

She reached out just in time to catch a ginkgo leaf in her palm.

The sky was vast and the clouds sparse, with a gentle breeze—there couldn’t be a better scene.

Su Jiaojiao murmured, "It’s falling."

Yu Ying stepped forward to assist her, whispering, "My lady, be careful."

Su Jiaojiao placed her hand on Yu Ying's wrist, about to step forward, when she noticed someone followed by a palace servant entering through the arched gate in a huff.

It was Lady Ji.

If Su Jiaojiao remembered correctly, Zhu Baolin and Lady Ji had once been very close. Yesterday, Lady Ji had also met the Emperor with Zhu Baolin in her Bamboo Painting Pavilion.

If their relationship had truly been that good, Lady Ji wouldn’t have fallen out of favor for so long. Zhu Baolin, now pregnant, enjoyed considerable favor. If she had truly wanted to put in a good word, it wouldn’t have been difficult for Lady Ji to regain favor.

Their closeness seemed superficial, as they were each looking out for themselves.

Yesterday, Lady Ji had actively sought out Zhu Baolin, likely because she couldn’t sit still anymore. Unfortunately, the opportunity she had finally encountered was snatched away by Concubine Lian, which was rather pitiful.

She remained silent, calmly walking with Yu Ying into the pavilion.

Yu Ying called out to the palace servants accompanying them, "Go, set up the tea and snacks for the mistress, and wipe the table and chairs clean."

Once everything was arranged, she gracefully sat down and sipped her fragrant tea.

Now a concubine, Su Jiaojiao had many palace servants attending to her, making her life much more comfortable. When she traveled, her entourage included four palace maids and two eunuchs, creating quite a procession.

Though it paled in comparison to the higher-ranking consorts’ extravagance, to those below her, it was a heavenly existence.

The harem housed over thirty or forty consorts, most of lower rank. Though they were mistresses, their lives were far from luxurious.

Those without favor, family, or support often had their daily necessities cut back, and some even did embroidery to sell for extra income. Having lived such a life for three years, Su Jiaojiao naturally understood the hardships of those below her.

She also knew how much Lady Ji must envy her current status.

Su Jiaojiao guessed Lady Ji would see her entourage and come to pay her respects.

As expected, Lady Ji soon spotted her and walked over.

When she arrived, a palace servant held a pot of freshly bloomed green chrysanthemums for Su Jiaojiao to admire. Seeing Lady Ji approach, Su Jiaojiao raised her hand, and the servant retreated with the chrysanthemums.

Lady Ji watched, impressed by Su Jiaojiao’s grandeur. In such a short time, she had been promoted to the rank of concubine and enjoyed the Emperor's favor, making her someone Lady Ji now looked up to.

She remembered the first time she had seen Su Jiaojiao—she had been returning to the palace in the Emperor’s sedan chair, full of pride and splendor...

But now, she had long since fallen out of favor, still struggling in the position of a lady-in-waiting, while Su Jiaojiao was already Concubine Lian of the Guanju Palace.

Lady Ji suppressed the bitterness in her heart, stepped forward, and respectfully saluted, "This humble one greets Lady Concubine Lian."

Su Jiaojiao glanced at her and said very gently, "Sister Ji is here too, please sit, bring tea."

Hearing Su Jiaojiao call her "Sister Ji," Lady Ji felt a mix of emotions—gratitude and shame. She lowered her head and said, "This humble one is only a seventh-rank lady-in-waiting, how can I deserve you calling me sister."

Su Jiaojiao smiled, "I called you that during the Spring Banquet, it’s fine, I don’t stand on ceremony."

Lady Ji smiled gratefully, taking a cup of tea from Yu Ying and placing it in front of her, saying, "I just entered the imperial garden through the archway, intending to take a stroll before returning to the Luanming Palace, but I happened to meet you here."

"What a coincidence," Su Jiaojiao took another sip of tea, looking at Lady Ji, "The autumn weather is dry. Yu Ying, later, could you go to the Imperial Medical Bureau and get some chrysanthemums for Lady Ji?"

After saying this, she smiled softly, "I noticed your fingertips seem to be peeling a bit, perhaps due to heatiness. Recently, the Imperial Medical Bureau has been sending some dried chrysanthemums to Pixiang Palace, which are quite good. You might want to try them when you return."

Lady Ji was unexpectedly touched by Su Jiaojiao's gentle and thoughtful nature, and for a moment, she was at a loss for words. When she finally spoke, her voice was slightly choked with emotion, "Thank you so much for your concern, Concubine Lian!"

Su Jiaojiao replied warmly, "There’s no need for formalities. Life is not easy for women in the palace. I spent three years here myself, so I naturally understand your difficulties."

Then, as if remembering something, she casually asked, "When you visited Zhu Baolin yesterday, how was she? She’s the only concubine in the palace currently pregnant, so she must be very precious."

Lady Ji's expression cooled slightly as she said, "Zhu Baolin is doing very well. The Huizhu Pavilion was stocked early with top-grade silver charcoal, and the Emperor visits frequently. She’s doing as well as can be."

Hearing the resentment in her tone, Su Jiaojiao knew she had guessed correctly and said very empathetically, "I remember you and Zhu Baolin used to be very close. Everyone knew you were good sisters back in the Yeting. Has something happened now?"

"Nothing much," Lady Ji said stiffly, "I just realized I misjudged someone in the past."

Su Jiaojiao sighed deeply, her tone full of regret, "It’s truly difficult to thrive in the palace. It’s better to have a sister with you. It should have been a long-lasting relationship. Zhu Baolin is knowledgeable in medicine and now she’s pregnant. If she recalled the old days and offered you some guidance, how could you not appreciate her kindness?"

She spoke with tact and thoughtfulness, always mindful of Lady Ji’s feelings.

Lady Ji didn’t think much of it at first, but suddenly she felt something was off in the conversation.

Zhu Baolin is knowledgeable in medicine? She had never known about this!

The more Lady Ji thought about it, the more uneasy she felt. She asked in surprise, "I’ve known Zhu Baolin since before we entered the palace, but I never knew she was knowledgeable in medicine. How did you find out?"

Su Jiaojiao looked at her in surprise, covering her mouth with a handkerchief, "How could you not know about this? It was in this very pavilion that I saw Zhu Baolin being punished and slapped by Talented Lady Xiao. I stepped in to mediate and only then learned that Zhu Baolin is well-versed in medicinal knowledge. It was also that day that Zhu Baolin went back and had the imperial physician check her and found out she was pregnant."

"You were so close to Zhu Baolin before, how could she deliberately hide this from you?"