Chapter 53: The Palanquin Affair

Chapter 53: The Palanquin Affair

No matter what she did, the Emperor wouldn’t even glance her way.

A few days later, the continuous rain finally stopped.

The sky cleared, and the bright sunlight broke through the clouds, illuminating the earth with a radiant glow.

The damp, musty air finally gave way to the crisp freshness after the rain. Taking a deep breath outside the palace gates, she felt a sense of clarity and joy, as if the clouds had parted to bring happiness.

Su Jiaojiao’s monthly cycle had ended several days ago, but due to the rainy weather, Yu Ying insisted she stay indoors, worried she might catch a chill again.

Having been ill for so long last time, the people around her had surprisingly reached a consensus on this matter. Su Jiaojiao, who always prioritized her health, had no choice but to comply, spending her days drinking tea and reading books in the palace, feeling rather stifled.

Now that the weather had cleared, she could finally go out for a walk.

But just as she was about to step out, she saw a group of people approaching from afar.

The woman leading the group was plump and beautiful, impeccably dressed—it was Lady Ji.

It seemed her plans to go out were thwarted. Su Jiaojiao felt a bit disappointed but still greeted her with a smile, saying, "Sister, you've come."

Ji Baolin, seeing Consort Zhen personally greet her, felt even more grateful. She stepped forward and bowed deeply, saying, "I pay my respects."

With many eyes on the palace path, Su Jiaojiao glanced around and softly said, "Please rise, let's go inside to talk."

She gently took Ji Baolin’s hand and led her inside. Yu Ying and Ling Xiao ushered the others into Guanju Palace and closed the gates behind them.

Ling Yun quickly brought out fresh tea. Su Jiaojiao smiled and said, "Sister, you came as soon as the sun came out. You must’ve been thinking of me."

Ji Baolin, sitting in the lower seat, took the tea from Ling Yun's hands and said, "I’ve been meaning to come, but the rain kept me away. I didn’t want to risk getting these precious items wet, so I waited."

She glanced at Ruo Wei, waiting by the door, and motioned her forward. Then, turning back, she said, "When I was promoted, the Empress gifted many fine things to Zui Que Pavilion. I asked Ruo Wei to pick out the best of them to thank you for your guidance and support."

Su Jiaojiao was momentarily taken aback and quickly replied softly, "This isn’t necessary. These gifts from the Empress are rightfully yours. It wouldn’t be right for you to give them to me. Besides, I helped you out of kindness, not for any reward."

She shook her head and sincerely advised in a soft voice, "Sister, winning back favor isn’t easy. The Emperor’s favor shifts so quickly. Without enough resources to navigate relationships and manage the palace staff, how can you expect to thrive?"

Ji Baolin hesitated upon hearing this and said, "You’re right, but since I’ve already brought them, it wouldn’t be proper to take them back."

Seeing Ji Baolin's stubbornness, Su Jiaojiao leaned in and whispered, "Sister, you were once under the Empress’s protection. Now, you’ve come to Pixiang Palace bearing gifts from Her Majesty. The palace is teeming with spies from every faction. It’s only a matter of time before this reaches the Empress. If she finds out that you are close to me and no longer wish to serve her, what will she do?"

Ji Baolin's heart sank, and she murmured, "When I came, I only thought of expressing my gratitude by bringing you these fine things. I never considered this aspect. Now that my visit to Pixiang Palace has likely been noticed, what should I do?"

"Don't worry," Su Jiaojiao whispered gently in her ear. "Just take the things back and put on a show with me. The situation in the palace is complicated right now. You must be very careful. Also, avoid being too close to me in the coming days to prevent arousing Her Majesty's suspicions."

Su Jiaojiao's thoughtful advice made Ji Baolin nod quickly, saying, "You're right. I'll follow your lead."

Not long after, sounds of argument and the shattering of porcelain could be heard from Pixiang Palace.

Ji Baolin, both angry and sad, with tears in her eyes, said, "Since you don't wish to associate with me, I'll leave!"

She stormed out first, with the servants from Zui Que Pavilion hurriedly carrying the gifts behind her.

After the rain, the palace paths were bustling with activity. Ji Baolin's expression was grim, and she walked quickly. Many people secretly glanced her way, noticing that the gifts she had intended to give to Pixiang Palace were being carried back untouched.

Refusing a gift is a grave insult, which explained Ji Baolin’s stormy expression and quick steps.

It seemed that from now on, she and Consort Zhen would have nothing to do with each other.

Su Jiaojiao sat quietly in the hall, sipping her tea, her eyes lowered as she watched the maids of Pixiang Palace cleaning up the shards on the carpet.

Yu Ying whispered softly beside her, "Ji Baolin visited Pixiang Palace today, not just to express her gratitude for your support but perhaps also to seek your patronage. I noticed how courteously you treated her. Do you plan to take her under your wing?"

Su Jiaojiao blew on her tea and said indifferently, "Ji Baolin is naive and is intricately connected with the Empress's faction. The potential risks she poses far outweigh any benefits. It's not worth openly defying the Empress for her sake, which is why I must decline the gifts she brought."

"However, what I said to her earlier was the truth. She can come to that conclusion on her own."

Su Jiaojiao set down her teacup and tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear, revealing her jade-like earlobe, and said gently, "From my standpoint, I merely wish to keep her at arm's length for now."

Yu Ying nodded and smiled, "Now that she's gone, would you like to go out now, Mistress? It's still early, and the sun is shining. I'm concerned that if it rains later, you won't get a chance to enjoy the fresh air."

Upon hearing this, Su Jiaojiao sprang up as if jolted awake, "No, I must go out today, or I won't be able to sleep tonight. I was so engrossed in thought that I forgot about this. Let's get ready quickly; we'll leave now."

Just as they were about to leave, they saw Cai Shan approaching with his attendants. He smiled and bowed upon seeing them, "This humble servant greets Consort Zhen."

Su Jiaojiao swayed slightly, abandoning the idea of going out for a stroll. She forced a smile and greeted him, "Grand Eunuch."

Cai Shan said politely, "Today, some curiosities were presented as tribute from Lizhou. His Majesty specifically instructed this humble servant to personally escort you to the Tai Chi Hall. Mistress—please."

Unlike the timed supply of heating and charcoal in the rear palace, the Tai Chi Hall remained as warm as spring throughout the year. As Su Jiaojiao entered the inner hall from outside, she felt warmth permeating her entire body, completely dispelling the chill of early winter.

She handed her cloak to Yu Ying at the door and then stepped inside gracefully.

Passing the screen, she entered the study in the front hall, where she saw the Emperor holding a long redwood box, his slender fingers toying with it, his expression somewhat distracted.

Hearing the sound, he looked up in Su Jiaojiao's direction and smiled, "Come here, take a look at these."

Although the Emperor was informal, Su Jiaojiao dared not forget her manners. She obediently curtsied before walking over to him.

She slightly lowered her gaze to look at the object in the Emperor's hand, examining it.

The long rectangular box had many squares of varying sizes on each side, each with a gap. Each square was fitted with a brass handle, resembling a drawer.

This object was indeed rare. Su Jiaojiao, watching the Emperor play with it, became somewhat interested and asked softly, "What is this? I've never seen it before."

Shen Huai casually pulled a drawer, which only came out a small section before getting stuck. He chuckled softly and said, "You need to find the right spot to pull it out. I've been playing with it for a while, and it's quite amusing."

He placed the object in Su Jiaojiao's palm, tilted his chin, and pointed to a direction ahead, saying casually, "There's a box full of them over there. Go and find something to play with."

Su Jiaojiao, holding the box, was somewhat puzzled and asked timidly, "I'm to find something to play with... What will Your Majesty do?"

Shen Huai stared at her for a moment, then flicked her forehead lightly with his finger, saying nonchalantly, "Shall I not review the memorials?"

Su Jiaojiao blushed belatedly, realizing that the Emperor had called her over just to amuse her.

She curtsied and walked over to the large box, picking and fiddling with the items one by one. With this pastime, time passed quickly.

While reviewing the memorials, Shen Huai would occasionally glance up to see what Su Jiaojiao was doing. He saw her taking out items from the box one by one, examining and pondering over them. In the meantime, a small hill had formed beside her.

He chuckled silently, finding her as adorable as a little animal.

The sunlight filtered through the window, casting shadows on her back, making her slender waist even more pronounced.

Although no incense was added, Shen Huai felt the long-lost pleasure of having a beauty by his side.

He put down his brush and called, "Jiaojiao, come here."

Su Jiaojiao was about to put down what she was holding to pick up a new item when she heard the Emperor's call. She quickly walked over to him with a smile, calling out, "Your Majesty."

Shen Huai reached out to wrap his arm around her waist, pressing her to sit on his lap, and without a word, leaned in to kiss her lips.

The Emperor's kiss was intensely passionate, and as their tongues intertwined, it left her body slightly flushed.

After a long while—Shen Huai finally released the hand that was holding the back of her head, gazing at her with intense eyes.

Su Jiaojiao had been ill for over half a month, and just as she had recovered and returned, she started her period. After all the ups and downs, he had only seen her once in over a month.

There were many women in the palace, but only she truly captured his heart.

Only Su Jiaojiao could make Shen Huai exercise a bit more patience to coax her.

Su Jiaojiao was sitting sideways on the Emperor's lap, slightly leaning forward to embrace his neck.

But the Emperor's gaze was too fervent, his desire too unconcealed, so blatant that Su Jiaojiao understood it with just one glance.

She shifted her position to face him, straddling the Emperor, and pressed her soft body against him. Their bodies pressed tightly together through the clothes, which was even more provocative. Shen Huai's eyes unconsciously darkened, and he ambiguously caressed her lips.

Just as things were heating up, Cai Shan hurriedly ran in from outside, bowing his head and saying, "Your Majesty, something terrible has happened! Zhu Baolin was traveling in a palanquin when the bearers slipped, causing the palanquin to topple. Zhu Baolin hit her stomach and was frightened, triggering a miscarriage scare. The Empress and the Imperial Physician have already arrived."

Shen Huai's face immediately darkened: "Zhu Baolin just recovered from a miscarriage scare a few days ago, how could she have another one!"

Cai Shan dared not look up, nodding and saying, "This humble servant is at fault. The specific situation can only be understood if Your Majesty goes there."

Caught in the middle of their intimacy, Su Jiaojiao, still sitting on the Emperor's lap, looked at Cai Shan with some embarrassment. She lowered her head and whispered, "Zhu Baolin's royal heir is important. Jiaojiao will go with Your Majesty."

She got off Shen Huai, quickly went behind the screen to tidy her clothes and appearance, then softly said, "Zhu Baolin has always been healthy, and the pregnancy is advanced. Your Majesty, take care of your health and ease your mind."

Shen Huai's dragon carriage and Su Jiaojiao's palanquin arrived at Huizhu Hall almost simultaneously. She trailed behind the Emperor into the room, and upon entering, she saw a throng of people.

The Empress stood anxiously in the room, and the eldest princess was being held by a wet nurse, also present at Huizhu Hall.

Hearing the announcement, the Empress turned to the Emperor, her gaze momentarily falling on Su Jiaojiao.

She said nothing more, only greeted the Emperor, and apologized, "I have not taken good care of Zhu Baolin. It is my dereliction of duty, and I hope Your Majesty will punish me."

Shen Huai scoffed, his tone extremely cold: "You’re aware this is negligence. How many days have passed since Zhu Baolin’s last miscarriage scare and this one? You tell me."

"Empress, you have truly disappointed me."

Although the Emperor had always been lukewarm towards the Empress, he rarely spoke so harshly. Scolded in front of the crowd, the Empress felt her body sway, her face slightly pale, and she whispered, "Your Majesty's lesson is correct. I will ensure it doesn’t happen again."

At this moment, Imperial Physician Lin came out from the inner room, wiping the cold sweat from his forehead, and bowed to the Emperor, saying, "Your Majesty, the time between Zhu Baolin's two miscarriage scares is too close. The fetus was already unstable, and now it is even more so. I have already used acupuncture to stabilize the royal baby. From now until the birth, she must be carefully nursed, and no further mishaps can occur."

Hearing Imperial Physician Lin's words, she knew that Zhu Baolin's pregnancy was safe for now, and she softly said, "Since Zhu Baolin's fetus is safe, Your Majesty can rest assured."

Shen Huai finally calmed down a bit, saying in a deep voice, "I do not wish to hear of any more accidents."

"Wah! Mother... Mother, hold me...! Wah!" The eldest princess, being held by the wet nurse, suddenly burst into tears, making Huizhu Hall even more chaotic.

The eldest princess cried louder and louder, which annoyed Shen Huai. Besides, why bring a child to such a scene. His tone cooled as he questioned the Empress, "Zhu Baolin has had a miscarriage scare, why did you bring Lan Ying here?"

The Empress held Lan Ying in her arms, gently patting her, and bowed her head apologetically, "I had taken Lan Ying out for some air when Zhu Baolin had the accident. In a moment of urgency, I brought her here. Please forgive me, Your Majesty."

The Empress’s repeated lapses in duty exhausted Shen Huai's patience. He couldn’t be bothered to waste more words to the Empress, and only turned to enter the inner room, checked on Zhu Baolin before stepping out.

Cai Shan happened to come in from outside, bowed to the people, and said with his head down, "I’ve had the palanquin inspected. The palanquin had no problems. The place where Zhu Baolin fell was a gravel road, which was not smooth, and there was standing water. I also sent people to carefully check the trampled marks on the grass, which matched the shallow pit here. Zhu Baolin's fall this time was likely due to the bearers’ negligence."

Shen Huai's expression did not change, and he coldly ordered, "The bearers who carried Zhu Baolin's palanquin are to be fined half a year's salary and given ten strokes of the cane."

Cai Shan bowed and acknowledged the order: "Yes."

After handling the matter, Shen Huai's tone softened slightly as he said, "Take good care of Zhu Baolin. The royal fetus must not be harmed. Ensure she rests undisturbed. Unless it's urgent, no one is allowed to disturb her."

With that, Shen Huai left the Huizhu Pavilion with Su Jiaojiao.

The Empress watched their figures recede into the distance, her respectful and virtuous expression gradually cooled, eventually turning into complete indifference.

No matter how hard she tried, no matter how diligently she worked to be a good Empress, the Emperor remained indifferent towards her, never showing a hint of warmth.

First, there was Noble Consort Mi, then Consort Zhen, each living more freely than she ever did.

At first, she thought she wasn't doing enough, believing that if she worked hard to be a good Crown Princess, a good Empress, he would eventually notice, the Emperor would eventually be moved.

But no matter how hard she tried, the Emperor's gaze never fell upon her.

The Empress stepped out of the Huizhu Pavilion, the sunlight outside momentarily dazzled her, making her feel as if even the light was cold and lacked warmth.

It hit her body, leaving not a trace of warmth.

She helped the eldest princess into the phoenix carriage. Yu He, observing the Empress's mood, gestured for the carriage to slow down slightly.

On the way back to the Fengyi Palace, the Empress remained silent.

Even the eldest princess in her arms seemed to sense her mother's low spirits and gradually stopped crying, her round, black grape-like eyes quietly watching her.

Looking at her young daughter, the Empress's suppressed emotions finally eased a bit. She spoke, "Keep a vigilant watch over Zhu Baolin. Ensure nothing goes wrong again. Disregard what I instructed you to do previously. Just let her give birth safely. Whether it's a boy or a girl, we'll find out on the day of birth."

Yu He, walking beside the phoenix carriage, softly comforted, "I understand. Actually, Your Majesty doesn't need to worry too much. After all, Zhu Baolin's pregnancy was saved today. As long as we take good care of her, these two months will pass quickly. The Emperor was merely concerned about Zhu Baolin's pregnancy today, so his tone was harsh. Please don't dwell on it."

After saying this, she deliberately changed the subject, hoping to cheer up the Empress, "See, the eldest princess has been observing you. It wouldn't do for the princess to be worried too, would it?"

Hearing Yu He's comfort, the Empress's heart felt somewhat lighter. She sighed, hugged the eldest princess tightly, and murmured, "Even if it's just for Lan Ying, I will definitely have the last laugh."

Sensing her mother's improved mood, the eldest princess giggled, her sweet, tender voice saying, "Mother, don't be sad. Lan Ying, hug."

The Empress's eyes suddenly welled up with tears, and she smiled with red eyes, "Lan Ying, hug. Mother isn't sad."

She embraced the eldest princess tightly for a moment, then wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes with a handkerchief, softly asking, "Have you been listening well to the Grand Tutor's lectures at the Imperial Academy these past few days?"

The eldest princess nodded obediently, "Lan Ying is good, I listened well."

The Empress felt relieved, but then suddenly remembered something, her gaze involuntarily turning cold, "What about the eldest prince? Has he been listening well?"