Chapter 48: Changing the Title

Chapter 48: Changing the Title

Pleading in the Rain

As they were speaking, a deafening thunderclap roared outside, startling everyone.

Shen Huai happened to look up at that moment, frowning slightly as he asked, "From Consort Lianbin's side?"

Her attendants seldom came to disturb him at the Tai Chi Palace, especially during such a heavy downpour. Why would a lone palace servant come all this way to seek an audience?

Could something have happened to Consort Lianbin?

He set down his brush and ordered, "Let her in."

Cai Shan acknowledged the order and quickly stepped out to personally escort her in. Yu Ying's sleeves and skirt were almost completely soaked, and her hair dripped with water, evidence of the torrential rain outside.

She knelt on the ground, prostrating herself before the Emperor, her voice trembling with worry as she said, "This humble servant, Yu Ying, pays her respects to Your Majesty."

Shen Huai spoke in a deep voice, "Rise and speak your mind."

Yu Ying lifted her head but remained kneeling, her posture respectful. Her eyes were filled with pleading and humility as she said, "This humble servant has dared to come today, not wishing to trouble Your Majesty, but only to beg for a personal item of Your Majesty's, to take back to my mistress."

As she spoke, tears streamed down her face uncontrollably. The deep bond between master and servant was evident, moving those who witnessed it. "My mistress has feared thunderstorms since childhood. Whenever there is a thunderstorm, her heart races, and she cannot sleep. Today is particularly severe. I have been with my mistress since childhood, and seeing her tremble so much worries me greatly..."

"Please forgive this humble servant for overstepping, and show mercy to my mistress!" By the end, Yu Ying was sobbing uncontrollably, bowing her head to the ground once more.

Yu Ying's words were heartfelt, and her demeanor was one of utmost humility. She wasn't asking for much—merely a personal item from the Emperor to bring back to Consort Lianbin as a keepsake.

Cai Shan observed the scene, a flicker of pity in his eyes. He hesitated, then spoke cautiously, "Your Majesty..."

Before Cai Shan could finish speaking, Shen Huai raised his hand, signaling him to stop.

He stood up, stepping past the trembling Yu Ying, and walked leisurely to the grand carved doors of the Tai Chi Palace.

From his commanding position, he looked out at the pouring rain. Dark gray clouds had completely obscured the evening glow, and the rain fell so heavily that it blurred his vision.

The world was enveloped in darkness, with only the purple lightning weaving a vast net across the sky. The explosive thunder seemed as if it could split the heavens.

Such a fierce thunderstorm, even he, the Son of Heaven, felt the vastness of it. How much more so for a delicate woman like Su Jiaojiao.

Shen Huai could almost imagine Su Jiaojiao huddled under her blankets, quietly crying, too afraid to show her face. A personal item—how could it compare to a living, breathing person?

Without hesitation, he stepped over the threshold of the Tai Chi Palace and calmly ordered, "To the Pxiang Palace."

The palace servants were about to move when Cai Shan, who had hurried over, called out, "Your Majesty, no—! You mustn't! The thunderstorm is too dangerous. You cannot risk your imperial health!"

Shen Huai glanced back at him, "When I act, I know what I'm doing."

With the Emperor's command, the dragon carriage was quickly prepared. The rain-shielded carriage stopped at the foot of the jade steps. Cai Shan closely followed the Emperor, holding an umbrella for him. The sound of the rain drowned out their voices, but he shouted, "What are you waiting for? Follow His Majesty! Ensure His Majesty's safety!"

Yu Ying, holding an umbrella, followed closely behind the Emperor's procession. Seeing that the Emperor was willing to brave the rain to visit her mistress, she joyfully wiped the rain from her face with her wet sleeve.

Fortunately, the Pxiang Palace was not far from the Tai Chi Palace. The eunuchs carrying the dragon carriage dared not let the Emperor get wet, so they moved quickly and steadily. In no time, the procession stopped at the gates of the Guanju Palace.

Cai Shan immediately stepped forward with an umbrella to help the Emperor down from the dragon carriage.

The eunuch on duty at the palace corridor was startled to see the Emperor's arrival and quickly rose to go inside and announce it. Shen Huai waved his hand, signaling him not to make a fuss.

The rain curtain at the entrance of the Pxiang Palace was parted by the umbrella in Cai Shan's hand, creating a water arc. Shen Huai lifted the bead curtain and entered the inner hall, immediately feeling a chill of dampness.

The rain was pouring heavily, and unlike the Tai Chi Hall, which was spring-like all year round, Pixiang Hall felt damp and chilly during the thunderstorm.

He frowned, walked around the screen to search for Su Jiaojiao, who was curled up in bed. She had completely buried herself under the quilt, leaving no gap. As a thunderclap sounded outside the window, the satin brocade quilt seemed to tremble slightly, which made Shen Huai feel an urge to laugh, yet also feel a bit of pity.

Shen Huai figured out where she was, lifting only a corner of the quilt to reveal her tightly closed, uneasy eyes, his voice with a teasing edge: "Don’t you want to see who’s here?"

Although it was a playful tone, the Emperor’s voice was surprisingly gentle.

Su Jiaojiao only felt the Emperor’s warm hand reach into the quilt, accurately finding her waist, then gently pulling her out from her cocooned retreat under the covers.

Her silky black hair fell over her shoulders, clenching her lips as she looked at the Emperor, refusing to cry, but her eyes were red.

Shen Huai encircled her body in his arms, covering her back with the brocade quilt, wrapping her in a protective embrace: "Am I not here?"

Su Jiaojiao gazed at him, dazed, her voice trembling: "Your Majesty..."

"How could you..."

Before she could finish her sentence, Su Jiaojiao was already choked with emotion.

The facade she had built for herself seemed to collapse instantly, tears falling onto the back of Shen Huai’s hand.

She threw herself into the Emperor’s arms, tightly hugging his strong waist, her cold hands clutching his dragon robe, unwilling to let go, fearing that all this was just a dream she had conjured up.

Su Jiaojiao’s fear and unease seemed to finally find an outlet. She leaned against the Emperor’s chest, sobbing uncontrollably: "On such a heavy thunderstorm day, how could Your Majesty come to Pixiang Hall... If something happened, Jiaojiao could never make up for it..."

Shen Huai stroked her smooth long hair, smiling faintly: "Since I’m here, why talk about such things? If it weren’t for your maid Yu Ying coming to me in the rain, I wouldn’t have known you were afraid of thunderstorms."

"Yu Ying?" Su Jiaojiao’s soft body stiffened for a moment, as if in disbelief, tears filling her eyes once more: "Yu Ying actually went to beg you for Jiaojiao..."

She was so moved she didn’t know what to say, instead holding on even tighter to the Emperor, burying her head deeper: "Yu Ying and Jiaojiao have depended on each other since childhood. Although we are master and servant, we are more like sisters."

Shen Huai gave a faint "hmm": "Indeed a loyal servant."

Su Jiaojiao closed her eyes and stayed in the Emperor’s arms for a while. Although the thunderstorm outside showed no sign of letting up, her heart had indeed calmed.

In front of the Emperor, she had always appeared delicate and charming, unable to take care of herself. Now, tightly holding the Emperor and shedding a few tears felt natural, allowing her to no longer endure alone, taking this opportunity to release her emotions.

Yu Ying probably also thought of this, which is why she took the risk to plead with the Emperor. Just not sure what she said exactly, to make the Emperor brave the rain to come.

She sobbed for a while longer before gradually calming down. When she stopped crying, she raised her tearful eyes to look at the Emperor.

Who would have thought the Emperor was staring at her, their eyes meeting, and he had a faint, enigmatic smile, asking: "Cried enough?"

Su Jiaojiao’s face was shy, her delicate hands slightly pulling at his lapel, unwilling to speak.

Seeing her emotions calm down in his arms, Shen Huai’s protective desire was greatly satisfied.

Moreover, she now looked soft and cute, quite moving. A light laugh escaped his throat, holding her slender waist and lifting her slightly, his voice low and hoarse: "Jiaojiao, please me."

Su Jiaojiao propped up her waist to wrap her arms around the Emperor’s neck, pressing her soft red lips to his.

Outside, lightning flashed and thunder roared. Su Jiaojiao’s back shivered with each thunderclap, feeling that today she seemed particularly active and engaged. After a long time of lip and tongue entanglement, Su Jiaojiao softened in the Emperor’s arms.

Shen Huai’s usually cool voice was now slightly hoarse. For some reason, today it sounded indescribably pleasant to Su Jiaojiao’s ears, only hearing him ask: "In the Tai Chi Hall, I heard Yu Ying say that you have depended on each other since childhood. Su Chang is an important minister in the court, the head of the six ministries. How did it come to the term 'depending on each other'?"

Su Jiaojiao’s fingers, which were twirling her black hair in his arms, stiffened slightly. She lowered her eyes and said softly: "As a daughter, Jiaojiao dare not speak ill of her stepmother."

Her words were clever. On one hand, she obediently said she dared not, on the other hand, she only pointed out the stepmother, clearly telling him that she had a hard time under her stepmother’s care.

Shen Huai chuckled softly, coaxing her, "I'll just listen as if it were a story, so feel free to tell me."

Su Jiaojiao remained silent for a while, avoiding the heart of the matter, "Matters in the inner chambers are usually the same. With her own children, my stepmother naturally didn’t care for me. Father is busy and rarely comes home. An overlooked legitimate daughter holds no real nobility."

She paused, then chuckled lightly, pretending not to care, "So I had to rely on Yu Ying and Yu Ye."

After saying this, she slightly raised her delicate chin, looking up at the Emperor, and subtly slipped her hand into his robe, her eyes curving as she said, "That handkerchief you found is all I have left from my wet nurse."

Her words were light, but they weighed heavily on Shen Huai.

He had always thought Su Jiaojiao was delicate and sensible, a noble lady raised by her father, Su Chang. If not for today, he wouldn’t have known that behind her status as the Su family’s legitimate daughter lay a less glorious reality.

It was somewhat similar to his own situation, envied by all as the emperor.

Shen Huai masked the irony in his eyes, smiling faintly as he patted her shoulder, "If it means so much to you, I’ll have Cai Shan bring it to you."

Su Jiaojiao shook her head, speaking softly in his embrace, "I once wanted it back, but not anymore."

"Before, only this handkerchief accompanied me, but now I have Your Majesty, Your Majesty’s love, and this handkerchief can stand in for me by Your Majesty’s side."

She smiled, her eyes shimmering like autumn waters, "You are my husband—"

Shen Huai’s heart stirred, feeling a strange, yet not unwelcome, tenderness.

He remembered that Noble Consort Yu had said something similar a few days ago.

That night, she hugged his waist, crying and saying, "You are Qingwu’s husband."

But he didn’t feel such a palpitation then, only discomfort and a bit of pity.

It paled in comparison to the impact Su Jiaojiao had on him now, nestled in his arms.

Comparing the two, the difference was clear.

Caressing her silken hair, Shen Huai suddenly realized how much he had unconsciously invested in Su Jiaojiao.

Repeatedly, she stirred unfamiliar emotions within him, making him feel different each time.

Life in the mansion’s inner chambers was no better than his palace days, yet despite her delicate, tearful nature, she somehow endured and grew.

No wonder when she was by his side, she always found the perfect balance, endearing herself to him without ever growing tiresome.

She was like the reeds in the lake.

Appearing fragile, yet as resilient as silk.

Unlike the pampered ladies of the harem, she possessed rare qualities.

Thinking this way, her title no longer seemed to fit her.

Shen Huai looked at her, saying in a low voice, "I intend to change your title."

Su Jiaojiao was somewhat surprised, slightly raising her eyebrows to look at him, "Why does Your Majesty say so?"

He chuckled lightly, not answering.

After a moment of contemplation, he said softly, "What about the character 'Zhen,' meaning precious?"

The character "Zhen" carries the meaning of preciousness, like a gem, and the title would have profound implications.

Su Jiaojiao was genuinely surprised this time.

She remained stunned for a while before a belated look of joy finally appeared in her eyes. Softly, she said, "Whatever Your Majesty chooses, Jiaojiao will cherish it."

"In that case, from now on, 'Zhen' shall be your title, and it will be recorded in the registry."

Su Jiaojiao's voice was gentle and clear, tinged with a delicate excitement: "Jiaojiao thanks Your Majesty."

After speaking, she playfully nestled into Shen Huai's chest: "Since I'm in Your Majesty's arms, Jiaojiao won’t get up to thank you properly."

Shen Huai chuckled lightly, indulging her coquettishness, and simply replied, "As you wish."

As the night deepened, the deafening thunderstorm outside gradually subsided, the rain easing into a drizzle.

With the thunder gone, the discomfort in Su Jiaojiao's heart finally settled completely. She rose from the Emperor's embrace and faced him, asking, "Your Majesty..."

Shen Huai responded with a slight smile, "Hmm?"

"Tonight... will you still rest in Pixiang Palace?"

She asked cautiously, her soft and alluring eyes filled with hope, which made Shen Huai want to laugh. He reached out to tap her nose, casually saying, "What, are you trying to dismiss me now that you’ve had your way?"

Su Jiaojiao blushed and shook her head, saying, "Jiaojiao wouldn’t dare..."

Shen Huai leaned in to encircle her waist and drew the bed curtains closed.

The intermittent sound of rain was accompanied by faint murmurs from the inner chamber, and the palace servants waiting at the door finally realized what was happening.

Cai Shan glanced inside and gestured for the servants to retreat quietly, silently admiring Concubine Lian's finesse.

In the years since the Emperor's marriage and ascension to the throne, Concubine Lian was the only one who had truly captured His Majesty's heart.

But to be fair, Concubine Lian's favor was not without reason. Even Cai Shan, who had seen many noble ladies and beauties, felt that Concubine Lian was somewhat different from the others.

Some people are simply destined to live better than others—

The next day, when the Emperor was about to rise, Su Jiaojiao was still asleep in bed.

Cai Shan entered with the palace servants to assist the Emperor in dressing and washing up. Hearing His Majesty's order to change Concubine Lian's title, he was even more impressed by Concubine Lian—or rather, Consort Zhen's—remarkable abilities.

Moreover, she treated her subordinates with kindness and was gentle and courteous, leaving Cai Shan with a favorable impression of her.

He smiled and said, "Your Majesty's care for Consort Zhen is truly a blessing for her."

Shen Huai glanced back at the sleeping Su Jiaojiao on the bed, then stepped forward, saying calmly, "I recall there’s no need to pay respects to the Empress today, so there’s no need to wake Consort Zhen."

Su Jiaojiao had been unusually active the previous night, exhausting herself, and thus slept until late morning.

By the time she woke up, it was already time for lunch.

Seeing her open her eyes, Yu Ying, who had just entered from outside, smiled and called out, "The mistress is awake, everyone come in to attend."

The four maids waiting outside to help Su Jiaojiao wash and change immediately filed in.

Carrying copper basins and dry towels, they curtsied and said, "Your servants greet Consort Zhen."

Yu Ying's eyes curved with joy as she smiled and said, "The mistress slept so late today. Yu Ye and Ling Xiao have already gone to fetch lunch."

Su Jiaojiao sat up, covering herself with the brocade quilt, and said gently, "If it weren’t for you braving the heavy rain to seek His Majesty yesterday, I wouldn’t have had such an opportunity."

"As long as you feel better, Yu Ying, it's all worth it," Yu Ying said, waving her hand to let the maids come forward to help her wash. She then added, "I think in a little while, when His Majesty's decree reaches Fengyi Palace, the entire imperial harem will know about your change of title."

Su Jiaojiao, being attended to as she washed, said indifferently, "Changing the title at this time is both good and bad."

"With many major events happening recently, the attention of the imperial harem is scattered everywhere, making it less noticeable. Especially in a couple of days, if Lady Ji succeeds, there will be even less to worry about."

She glanced out the window that was propped open and asked, "How's the weather today?"

Yu Ying replied, "There was another rain this morning, but it has stopped now. However, the sky is still overcast, and it might rain for a few more days."

"If that's the case, the autumn fishing event in the palace might not happen in a few days," Su Jiaojiao said with a tone of regret, though her expression remained calm. After being dressed by the maids, she sat in front of the bronze mirror and said, "Yu Ying, send someone to invite Consort Shu over later. Yesterday, we talked about applying new nail polish, so let's do it together with Consort Shu today."

"Tomorrow, I will visit Changle Palace again."

Within half a day, the decree changing Concubine Lian's title to Zhen quickly spread throughout the palaces.

She had been ill for over half a month and had just returned from leave when His Majesty personally went to see her in the heavy rain, stayed overnight in Pixiang Palace, and changed her title to "Zhen."

Such a great honor fell entirely on Su Jiaojiao. She was already conspicuous, and now she would undoubtedly attract even more malice.

Fortunately, she wasn't the only one in the palace who stood out. There was also Noble Consort Mi, who had recently lost a child and was favored by His Majesty, and several other new consorts who were gaining momentum. Even if chaos ensued, Su Jiaojiao would carve out a path to success in the palace.

The autumn drizzle pattered on, as if it would never end.

The bluestone paths in the palace were damp and dark, with small depressions forming in the uneven surfaces. The raindrops fell, creating tiny ripples, and the sky was enveloped in a misty gray.

The original autumn fishing event was canceled due to the weather, leaving Shen Huai to feel regret.

The autumn fishing was an annual event on Taiye Lake, not only for the joy of fishing but also as a good opportunity for the emperor and his ministers to discuss important matters. Shen Huai didn't want to miss this chance, so he set up a banquet in Wanxiang Pavilion by the fishing platform, prepared rain shelters, and invited important ministers to enjoy tea and the scenery. To add to the fun, he also placed several bamboo traps and fishing nets at the fishing platform the night before.

On the day of the banquet, Kaize Gate was opened wide, and all officials of the fourth rank and above in the palace were invited to Wanxiang Pavilion to meet with His Majesty.

In Luanming Palace, Lady Ji was being dressed and made up by Ruo Wei, carefully selecting from several palace dresses, her hands trembling slightly with nervousness.

She hadn't expected that Su Jiaojiao had guessed almost everything correctly.

Su Jiaojiao had said that these days were full of changes, and the weather might be unpredictable. As the fishing day approached, His Majesty would inevitably pass through the imperial garden, cross Fourteen Bridges, and then meet the ministers at the fishing platform.

If the weather was clear that day, the chances of His Majesty noticing her would be greatly reduced. But if it rained, she would have a much better chance of meeting His Majesty.

She had been anxious about the weather, but unexpectedly, a thunderstorm broke out that afternoon, and the rain had continued until today.

Indeed, heaven had shown her mercy.

Ruo Wei hesitated for a while among the autumn palace dresses and tentatively suggested, "My lady, it's been cold these days, and if you get wet in the rain, it might harm your health. How about wearing this peach-colored one..."

Lady Ji glanced at it, took a deep breath, and said coldly, "Not these. Bring the early autumn clothes."

"But..." Ruo Wei hesitated, not moving. "The early autumn clothes are too thin. You might catch a cold."

"I told you to go, so go! This is my best chance recently. If I don't take the risk, where will my great future come from?" Lady Ji frowned and said, "Hurry up! Don't delay His Majesty's return!"

Ruo Wei bowed her head in agreement and hurriedly went to the wardrobe to find several early autumn palace dresses, including two with wide sleeves made of thin gauze, quite light and flowing.

After she brought out the clothes, Lady Ji finally chose one from the pile and said firmly, "I'll wear this."

She pulled out a peach-colored palace dress, made of thin gauze with a slightly thicker satin lining. This dress would be inconspicuous on a clear early autumn day, but if it got wet in the rain, the thin gauze would cling tightly to her body, revealing her curves.

The thin gauze, when wet, would shimmer with a flowing, watery light, quite... alluring.

That day, Su Jiaojiao had mentioned that her looks were not the best in the palace, but she excelled in her figure. Earlier, when the Emperor favored her, it was likely for the same reason.

What she needed to do was to maximize her advantage, leveraging the Emperor's slight pity on a rainy day and his good mood during the autumn fishing event, to regain the Emperor's favor in one fell swoop.

When she finished dressing and applying makeup and stepped out, it happened to stop raining, making her exit appear more natural.

Lady Ji fastened her cloak and took a jade bottle, left with Ruo Wei. A gust of autumn wind blew, making her shiver from the cold, and she wrapped her hands tighter inside the cloak.

Ruo Wei looked at her mistress with concern, worried that she was gambling with her health, unsure if it would succeed. After all, Consort Zhen's favor was so strong, and she had no prior relationship with Lady Ji. There was no reason, logically or emotionally, for her to elevate someone else's favor. To regain the Emperor's favor, Lady Ji was really pushing herself...

Lady Ji walked along the edge of the imperial garden, carefully calculating the timing in her mind.

After the autumn fishing event ended, the court officials would wait for the Emperor to leave first, then exit the palace through a fixed route. What Lady Ji needed to do was to wait on the Emperor's inevitable path before he passed, to engineer a chance encounter.

The best location for this was the Nine-Turn Corridor leading directly to the Fourteen Bridges.

Her plan was simple: remove her cloak during the rain, let herself get completely drenched, and wait at the entrance of the Nine-Turn Corridor for the Emperor to notice her.

As she carefully planned in her mind, a few drops of the autumn rain "pattered" onto Lady Ji's neck.

Without hesitation, she untied her cloak and told Ruo Wei to throw it somewhere out of sight, allowing herself to be drenched by the autumn rain. Holding the jade bottle, she said, "Hurry, and make sure no one sees you!"