Chapter 69: A Little Tune

Chapter 69: A Little Tune

Suddenly, she had an idea.

She lowered her gaze to the green tea leaves in her cup and softly said, "Besides, I don't know how to do any of that."

Every noble girl is expected to study the Four Books and Five Classics from childhood, to be literate, and to have parents who select a few refined arts to teach them, ensuring they have at least one skill to be proud of.

These refined arts require dedication and must be taught by renowned masters from a young age to achieve mastery.

As the legitimate daughter of the Su family, Su Jiaojiao was not fortunate enough to learn these skills.

Her stepmother was unkind, and her father rarely came home, neglecting household affairs. She grew up under her stepmother's control, so how could she have the chance to master any refined skills?

In contrast, her two legitimate younger sisters excelled in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting.

To outsiders, they were likely considered the true noble daughters of the Su family.

She pushed those unpleasant memories aside and began to ponder the matter of performing at the New Year's Eve palace banquet.

The Emperor used to frequently watch the Green Waist Dance, and Concubine Lian surely knew more about this than she did. It was strange, though, given Concubine Lian's past relationship with the Emperor, she should have been highly favored.

Yet, since entering the palace, the Emperor seldom visited Yong'an Palace. Although her living conditions were the best, she had almost never been summoned to serve the Emperor, with only one or two exceptions, which was even fewer than some of the less favored concubines.

Though curious, Su Jiaojiao had no way of knowing the reason, as it was not her concern.

Today, Imperial Physician Liu took over the care of the Crown Prince's health, which also gave him a chance to appear before the Emperor and earn a promotion. It was a good start.

However, coming from a humble background, even with the Emperor's orders, the old physicians in the Imperial Medical Bureau would surely find ways to undermine and ostracize him. It was even possible that they might tamper with the medicine he prepared for the Crown Prince.

Imperial Physician Liu was extremely meticulous in pharmacology, and she believed he wouldn't make mistakes in that area. But when it came to navigating the political landscape, he might be out of his depth.

Although he had recently come under Su Jiaojiao's wing, their relationship was still in its early stages, and Imperial Physician Liu was a proud and aloof individual. It would take some time before he would willingly serve her.

Come to think of it, she only knew that Imperial Physician Liu might be useful in dealing with the Crown Prince's poisoning because Ling Xiao had mentioned it casually.

If not for that, she wouldn't have thought that Imperial Physician Liu's medical skills could surpass those of the old physicians in the Imperial Medical Bureau.

In the past, she didn't understand the benefits of her father, Su Chang, gathering talented individuals and scholars from humble backgrounds. But now that she had people she could rely on, she began to appreciate its value.

Noble Consort Wang had harmed her multiple times and had also targeted Consort Shu. Su Jiaojiao intended to settle these scores with Noble Consort Wang one by one. If the Crown Prince's poisoning was resolved so easily, Noble Consort Wang would surely come looking for trouble again.

Even if Su Jiaojiao helped her, she believed that, given Noble Consort Wang's nature, she would only repay kindness with malice.

It was better to use a soft approach, giving her hope bit by bit.

Make her hate the Empress to the core, and then force her to protect Imperial Physician Liu herself. Only in this way could Su Jiaojiao ensure that the Empress's main attention wouldn't shift to her, and she could also guarantee Imperial Physician Liu's safety.

Although the Crown Prince's poisoning case seemed to have been resolved on the surface, those who were clear-headed knew that the matter was far from simple.

With such a disaster having occurred and the New Year's Eve approaching, the palace would likely remain calm for the next half month.

Su Jiaojiao set down her cup and unconsciously touched the jade bracelet on her wrist.

At that moment, Yu Ying lifted the curtain and entered, frowning slightly as she said, "My lady, just now when I was turning back after seeing off the Grand Eunuch, I happened to run into a maid from Ji Baolin's side. She said that Ji Baolin knew you had been framed and only dared to come and inquire after a few days. She also brought some calming incense, saying it was a secret recipe passed down from Ji Baolin's mother's family, which Ji Baolin often uses herself. She thought it might be useful to you."

The last time the two of them had collaborated on a performance, Ji Baolin and Su Jiaojiao had appeared to be at odds. Su Jiaojiao herself didn't want Ji Baolin to get too close to her.

Since she had helped her and was a favored consort, it was reasonable for Ji Baolin, now without any support, to seek her out.

She remarked indifferently, "Put it in the storeroom, no need to bring it to me."

She didn't entirely trust Ji Baolin, nor did the Crown Prince's poisoning incident disturb her sleep either, so she really had no use for these things.

Ji Baolin had her own ambitions, which Su Jiaojiao naturally understood, but for her, Ji Baolin was not suitable to form an alliance with.

Neither intelligent nor beautiful enough, and not as straightforward and wise as Consort Shu, who was forthright and perceptive.

Occasional help, maintaining a neutral relationship, sufficed.

Su Jiaojiao pondered briefly, then turned to Yu Ying and asked, "What has Consort Shu prepared?"

Yu Ying shook her head, appearing somewhat resigned, "When I saw Consort Shu's maid yesterday, I asked a few questions, but she said that Consort Shu had no interest in these things and did not plan to perform at the New Year's Eve banquet. She spends her days sipping tea, reading, and strolling about."

"If not for the recent secrecy, she might have come to chat with you."

Su Jiaojiao couldn't help but laugh, "She certainly knows how to relax."

Originally, Su Jiaojiao had wanted to have Yu Ying pass this message to Consort Shu, to have her practice another dance, but since she wasn't concerned with gaining favor, this information was now useless, a bit of a waste.

The Emperor's aversion to music was a clever strategy...

Her eyes landed on the sachet dangling at her waist, embroidered with a vivid five-clawed golden dragon, extremely spirited, each stitch a work of art.

Remembering the look Min Jieyu gave her a few days ago at Fengyi Palace, Su Jiaojiao suddenly smiled.

She changed her train of thought, frowning a bit, "Speaking of which, a few days ago I promised to embroider a nightgown for the Emperor, and I've only just started. Embroidery is such a meticulous and challenging task, it really isn't suitable for me."

Yu Ying smiled and said, "If you truly dislike embroidering, why not leave it to me? I'll handle most of it, and you can add the finishing touches, it'll be finished quickly."

"No," Su Jiaojiao sighed lightly, "If it were possible, I would have said so earlier, no need for your suggestion. The Emperor has seen countless exquisite items, he knows embroidery. Besides, I've already said my skills are poor, I can't deceive the Emperor."

"Once discovered, it would be a crime of deceiving the Emperor. There are still half a month left, I can hurry and complete it."

With so many things happening in the palace, the Emperor is unlikely to frequent the harem much in the next half month.

Moreover, the morning greetings at Fengyi Palace have been suspended, and it's unclear when they will resume.

By any calculation, she would be free for the next half month. If she continued to procrastinate, when the Emperor came to question her, he might become upset once more.

How the Emperor treats other consorts, Su Jiaojiao doesn't know, but with her, although the Emperor appears generous and indulgent, he is actually quite petty.

If she doesn't present the nightgown at the New Year's Eve banquet, the Emperor might be captivated by another consort.

She wasn't planning to perform anyway, and if she didn't use the nightgown to capture the Emperor's attention, wouldn't that be a missed opportunity?

Besides, on the day of the New Year's Eve banquet, Su Jiaojiao had other things to do.

If the Emperor was in high spirits that day, clearing away the gloom, and saw her slender fingers pricked by the needle, he might soften.

At that time, if she wanted to disrupt the Empress's plan to promote her own people, the chances of success might be higher.

Two more days passed, and it was a rare sunny day.

Su Jiaojiao's eyes were sore from embroidering the nightgown for the past two days. Encountering such good weather was not easy, so she took half a day off to relax, bringing Yu Ye and Ling Xiao out for a stroll.

Yu Ye, seeing how happy her mistress was to be free from embroidery, covered her mouth and laughed, "Mistress, you seem too happy today. Is it just because you don't have to embroider for half a day? How could it have been so hard on you?"

"We've endured all kinds of hardships before, and you never uttered a word of complaint."

Now, just embroidering a nightgown for His Majesty feels like a life-or-death task."

Su Jiaojiao held a hand warmer, her bright expression suddenly tinged with a hint of melancholy: "Threading through such tiny needle holes makes my eyes sore and teary. I never liked doing embroidery; the little skill I have was taught by my nanny. To use such skills to embroider a nightgown for His Majesty is truly beyond me."

She was usually calm and intelligent, rarely displaying such vivid expressions. Ling Xiao, following behind, looked at her face and couldn't help but feel a bit emotional.

At sixteen, a girl should be in the prime of her youth and vitality. Especially given her family background, she should have been a pampered noble lady, destined for a good marriage and a grand wedding.

Unfortunately, such a fine lady was not fated for a good life. She entered the palace before she even came of age, and over the years, she has always displayed a maturity beyond her years.

Su Jiaojiao led the way north, leisurely passing through the imperial garden and then heading east, arriving near Mirror Shadow Lake, south of Zui Xia Palace.

Mirror Shadow Lake is the second largest lake in the rear palace, after Taiye Pond, named for its mirror-like surface and the faint reflection of the moon.

Although both lakes boast beautiful scenery, Mirror Shadow Lake's location isn't as favorable as Taiye Pond's, so it's usually less crowded.

It's somewhat better in summer and autumn, but now in winter, the lake surface is frozen, and a gust of wind sends shivers down one's spine, so even fewer people come here.

She subtly glanced back, the eaves of Zui Xia Palace faintly visible through the bare branches.

There are many places to enjoy the winter scenery, but Su Jiaojiao deliberately chose Mirror Shadow Lake for her outing. It's because this place is less crowded, yet it's the closest to Min Jieyu's Zui Xia Palace.

With fewer green plants in winter and frequent winds, the area around Mirror Shadow Lake is even quieter and more open. If Su Jiaojiao makes any slight movements, it wouldn't be difficult for Min Jieyu to hear.

Yu Ye smiled and said, "My lady, isn't this place a bit too far? I'm afraid if you speak softly, she won't hear, and if you speak loudly, the passing palace servants might overhear and spread rumors."

"Why don't we walk along this path while you sing, and Ling Xiao and I can chime in with a few words, the effect would surely be better."

Su Jiaojiao turned back and gave her a reproachful look, but she also thought Yu Ye's idea was better this time.

She immediately turned and walked a few more steps towards Zui Xia Palace, feigning a move towards the pavilion between the maple forest and Mirror Shadow Lake. She cleared her throat and began to sing a little tune with a sweet, albeit slightly awkward voice: "Moths and snow willows, golden threads, laughter and fragrance drift away—"

She wasn't skilled at singing, and now singing this Qing Yu An, she could only manage not to go off-key.

But Su Jiaojiao's voice was melodious and pleasant, and as she sang, she added a bit of the unique shyness of a young girl, making it especially charming and sweet, one note after another, drifting into Zui Xia Palace. At that time, Min Jieyu was bent over her embroidery, and upon hearing a woman's singing, her face immediately turned cold, asking, "Qiu Xin, who is singing?"