Chapter 77: A Heart Full of Regret

Chapter 77: A Heart Full of Regret

"Su Jiaojiao senses that His Majesty is unhappy."

The large-scale promotion in the palace involves many concubines, which is no small task.

Seniority, favor, and family background must all be considered. Additionally, he intends to move the selected rank from the Ye Ting to reside in various palaces, which adds to the headache.

As these matters concern the affairs of the inner palace, he will discuss them with the Empress and Noble Consort Mi when he has time tomorrow, and then draft an edict to distribute to the six palaces.

What Noble Consort Mi said earlier was reasonable.

There are more than forty concubines in the palace, but most are below the rank of Beauty. With the main positions in the palaces vacant, all matters are handled personally by the Empress, which indeed makes it quite overwhelming.

After the events of tonight, Shen Huai's mood is not good, and now having to think about these matters adds to his irritation.

After pondering for a moment, he leaned back and casually looked at Su Jiaojiao.

With frequent disruptions at the palace banquet, Concubine Lian, who had not yet performed, was becoming restless.

From the time Min Cairen had her mishap until now, she had been observing His Majesty's expression. She knew that her cousin must have remembered some unpleasant memories, which is why he became so furious.

She was also worried that if her cousin left angrily, her plans for the night would be ruined.

After observing for a while and seeing that her cousin seemed to have calmed down, Concubine Lian's anxiety lessened a bit.

Just as she was about to rise, she heard Shen Huai speak calmly, "Consort Zhen, come here."

Su Jiaojiao, who was in the middle of picking up food with her chopsticks, hesitated slightly, immediately put down her silver chopsticks, stood up, bowed, and walked to the center of the hall.

She didn't know why His Majesty suddenly called her over, and the feeling of losing control made her somewhat anxious.

His Majesty knew she was not skilled in the six arts, so he certainly wouldn't ask her to perform in front of everyone at this moment. If that were the case, she would become the joke of the entire palace.

With a slightly uneasy glance, she saw His Majesty steadily gazing in the direction of her wrist, and he spoke in a calm voice, "Grant Consort Zhen a seat, move her to sit in front of me."

In the Two Rituals Hall, the concubines were seated on both sides, with His Majesty and the Empress in the center, and Noble Consort Mi slightly to the left and lower than His Majesty.

The hierarchy was evident.

But now His Majesty wanted to add a seat for Consort Zhen in front of him, which was problematic. Even Cai Shan did not dare make a decision on his own, bypassing the Empress and Noble Consort Mi.

Cai Shan was in a quandary and asked for instructions, "Your Majesty..."

Shen Huai knew what was troubling him and tapped the table in front of him with a finger, saying calmly, "Since it is my intention, there is no need to add another table that would overreach the Empress and Noble Consort Mi. Just bring a chair and place it at my table."

Cai Shan bowed in acknowledgment and gestured to the eunuch at the side of the hall. Immediately, a sandalwood chair with a brocade cushion was brought and placed to the right of His Majesty, just a few inches apart, almost in line with the Empress.

In the palace, the left side is traditionally the honored position. Even with His Majesty's decree, they only dared to place the chair on the right side, not to the left of His Majesty.

When Su Jiaojiao stood up and walked to sit on the right side of His Majesty, from below, it appeared as if His Majesty and Consort Zhen were sitting side by side, intimately close, as if Su Jiaojiao were the rightful Empress.

Although Su Jiaojiao and the Empress were bound to clash eventually, she did not intend to provoke the Empress at this moment. His Majesty's decree had once again pushed her into the spotlight.

With the Empress's cunning, she wouldn't need to do much; rumors of Consort Zhen's overwhelming favor and seductive charm would soon spread throughout Chang'an.

Thinking of the impending troubles, Su Jiaojiao felt a headache coming on.

But sitting beside His Majesty, she couldn't show her dissatisfaction. She could only comfort herself that things would work out when the time came, and she put a smile back on her face.

Once she was seated, Shen Huai took Su Jiaojiao's right hand, bent his head to gently touch the jade bracelet, and rubbed it a few times before asking softly, "Do you cherish the bracelet I bestowed upon you?"

Su Jiaojiao lowered her eyelashes and replied softly, "Your Majesty's gift is cherished, of course."

They sat side by side, their closeness marked by Su Jiaojiao's left hand brushing against his side.

As His Majesty held her right hand, she leaned slightly towards him. From afar, it appeared as though Su Jiaojiao was bashfully resting against His Majesty's shoulder.

At the significant New Year's Eve family banquet, His Majesty showed no hesitation in seating Consort Zhen beside him and exchanged intimate whispers in full view of all.

Concubine Lian, poised to rise and perform, fixed her gaze intently on the pair before her. Her hands, concealed within her sleeves, clenched involuntarily, filled with disbelief.

Consort Zhen held only the rank of a minor consort—how could she merit a place beside her cousin?

Could it be that her cousin truly favored Consort Zhen to such an extent?

She had always believed her cousin's cold and indifferent nature would prevent him from caring for any woman, let alone loving one.

But since her arrival at the palace, tales of her cousin's blatant favoritism towards Consort Zhen had reached her ears repeatedly. Though her own comforts and rewards surpassed others', the favor bestowed upon Consort Zhen bordered on partiality, distinctly different.

Yet how could this be?

She was the one who had known her cousin since childhood and shared a close bond. Even amidst His Majesty's numerous consorts, she was meant to be the most exceptional. What claim did Consort Zhen have?

Though she had long avoided confronting it, now Consort Zhen had defied protocol, sitting beside her cousin, smiling and conversing.

Concubine Lian could no longer console herself, forced to acknowledge that Consort Zhen held a unique place in His Majesty's heart.

Her family had inquired about her well-being in the palace, to which she had merely replied she was fine. Yet, who could have imagined that since her arrival, His Majesty had not once touched her.

Concubine Lian's gaze remained fixed on His Majesty, her heart a tempest of emotions.

Coincidentally, the fool Min Cairen had upset His Majesty today, reminding him of past unpleasant events. If she performed now, it might have a better effect.

Gritting her teeth, Concubine Lian stood up and walked to the center of the hall, curtsying towards His Majesty and saying, "Your humble servant dares to recommend herself, wishing to present a talent to Your Majesty."

As she spoke, her clear and delicate eyebrows slightly raised, directly meeting His Majesty's eyes.

Concubine Lian was naturally graceful and beautiful, and at this moment, her beautiful eyes were shimmering, looking uneasy and anxious.

Shen Huai had never seen such a cautious expression on her before, but he also knew why his proud and clingy younger sister had become like this.

Because of the barrier in his own heart, he had indeed neglected her too much.

Moreover, he could roughly guess what Xu Qingwu was about to perform. Among the people in the harem, perhaps only she understood why he had just lost his temper.

Guilt, pity, and a touch of indescribable emotion surged in his heart. The emotions that had risen because of Min Cairen had just subsided a bit, but now they were stirred up again.

He released Su Jiaojiao's hand, leaned back in his chair, and pressed his temples, sighing lightly, "Granted."

Su Jiaojiao quietly observed His Majesty's expression, obediently saying nothing more.

Since she had arrived, His Majesty's expression had clearly softened, but with just a few words from Concubine Lian, His Majesty's emotions were stirred again. It seemed to be related to what the Grand Eunuch had hinted to her before.

In fact, His Majesty is not a person who is easily angered or shows his emotions. Most of the time, he is indifferent, appearing as though nothing concerns him, yet always in control. However, whenever matters related to the past concerning Consort Lian are involved, he becomes extremely displeased.

It can be said that this is his sore spot.

Today, Concubine Lian is likely to perform the Green Waist Dance.

But if she can guess it, naturally, His Majesty can as well.

If he allows her to dance despite knowing, it means that seeing Concubine Lian brings back good memories for His Majesty.

Compared to Min Cairen, who stands in stark contrast, it further highlights Concubine Lian's status.

The Empress is deep and hard to fathom, while Concubine Lian holds significant weight in His Majesty's heart. Both are formidable opponents.

In comparison, based on Noble Consort Wang's current performance, she is not considered a top rival.

Although Su Jiaojiao and Concubine Lian have only had that one conflict with Lv Yao, after all, Lv Yao is Concubine Lian's maid, and they both vie for His Majesty's favor.

She is certain that both the Empress and Concubine Lian see her as a thorn in their side, eager to eliminate her as soon as possible.

Su Jiaojiao quietly observes Concubine Lian in the hall, her expression calm.

Concubine Lian has already changed her clothes in the side hall and walked back into the main hall. Her dance attire is splendid and revealing, showing off a slender and graceful waist, as she gracefully bows to His Majesty.

Shen Huai gazes down at her from above, his expression complex and inscrutable.

As the music begins, Concubine Lian stretches her waist and arms to the rhythm, her figure as soft as a startled swan.

The Green Waist Dance is a soft dance, renowned for its elegance and charm.

Concubine Lian's eyes are tender and affectionate, her dance steps skilled and fluid, performed beautifully.

Shen Huai stares fixedly at Concubine Lian; her familiar dance steps seem to transport him through time, to the scene where his mother danced in the courtyard for him and Xuemei.

His mother was the best Green Waist dancer in Chang'an, and the gentlest, most beautiful mother.

He is so captivated by the scene before him that he doesn't even notice when Concubine Lian finishes her dance and bows before him.

Su Jiaojiao notices his distraction and softly says beside him, "Concubine Lian's dance is exquisite, truly wonderful."

Only then does his thoughts return.

Shen Huai hums in acknowledgment, looking at Concubine Lian, who is still kneeling in the hall, and says indifferently, "You danced very well, rise."

Since being established as the Crown Prince and ascending to the throne,

for so many years, he has deliberately avoided recalling the past, to prevent being overwhelmed by negative emotions and unable to make sound decisions.

But when memories flood in, those sealed deep in his mind, memories that hurt him once touched, still become lasting wounds.

Mother, Xuemei.

The warmth around Shen Huai has faded one by one, leaving only Xu Qingwu, who can offer him a sense of comfort, making his heart less cold.

Seeing the affection and sorrow in Concubine Lian's eyes, Shen Huai feels increasingly guilty and hesitant.

Su Jiaojiao takes everything in, not very surprised, and quietly places her hand on His Majesty's knee, softly asking, "Your Majesty, are you alright?"

She looks up at Shen Huai, her eyes curved, very gentle, saying, "Jiaojiao senses that Your Majesty is not happy."