Chapter 98: Attempting to Intercept

Chapter 98: Trying to Steal the Show

A Beauty Lounging in Moonlight

That night, the moonlight was soft.

Silver moonlight streamed through the open window, spilling over the window frame. A peony placed by the window bloomed delicately, its petals glistened with a thin layer of moonlight.

Su Jiaojiao lazily propped her head on her hand, sitting on the soft couch by the window, reading a book of chess strategies. Her dark hair was loosely tied up, and her figure was elegant.

Upon entering the hall, one was greeted by a scene as beautiful as a painting.

Her delicate and charming face carried a hint of weariness, with slender shoulders and a slim waist. With the bright moon outside the large window as her backdrop, she looked like a beauty from a moonlit painting.

Shen Huai entered without announcing himself, deliberately stepping quietly, and just happened to catch this beautiful scene.

She was as serene as ever, and time seemed to pause.

For a moment, an inexplicable feeling surged in his heart.

He whispered to Yu Ying beside him, 'Go get the brushes, ink, paper, and paints.'

His words roused Su Jiaojiao, who had been dozing off while reading the book of chess strategies.

She turned her head, her expression brightening slightly, and said, 'Your Majesty, what brings you here?' as she started to get up.

Shen Huai chuckled softly and said gently, 'Stay seated, no need to get up.'

He walked over and sat down across from Su Jiaojiao. The palace servants of Yaoxian Hall quickly brought over a desk and chair from the study, setting them up as he sat down. Ling Xiao carefully offered a cup of pear blossom tea.

At this moment, Yu Ying, along with a few palace maids, quietly arranged the items the Emperor had requested, then curtsied apologetically, 'Madam isn’t skilled in painting, so these items have remained unused since they arrived. Please check if everything is in order, Your Majesty. If anything is missing, I’ll fetch it.'

Seeing this, Su Jiaojiao figured out what the Emperor had in mind.

He wanted to paint her, to immortalize her on paper. She glanced shyly at the Emperor, feeling a bit embarrassed, 'Your Majesty, coming so late and making me stay still, I’m afraid I’ll doze off soon.'

Shen Huai glanced at her, waving his hand to dismiss Yu Ying and the others, but his words were for Su Jiaojiao, his tone light and playful, 'Falling asleep is fine, as long as you don’t move.'

'Even if I draw a little pig or dog on your face, you wouldn’t notice.'

The palace servants retreated outside the hall to wait for further instructions. Su Jiaojiao still got up, playfully wrapping her arms around the Emperor’s neck, saying, 'Your Majesty wouldn’t do that.'

'What brings Your Majesty here in person today?'

Shen Huai kissed her forehead and said softly, 'There aren’t many memorials, but there are some troubling issues. I wanted to come see you.'

Su Jiaojiao looked up at him, smiling softly, 'If you’re troubled, will painting me bring you peace?'

She nuzzled her cheek against the Emperor’s chest and said, 'Handling state affairs comes naturally to Your Majesty. What troubles you must be family matters, right? Has some Imperial Consort upset you?'

Shen Huai scooped her up by the waist, not elaborating, and simply said, 'It’s about the matter concerning the Prince of Xuan, but it’s not too serious. Sit still and don’t move.'

Su Jiaojiao was carried by the Emperor to the couch, where she picked up the book of chess strategies again, flipping to the page she had been reading, and said gently, 'Then, Your Majesty, go ahead and paint. I’ll read the book of chess strategies.'

Painting is a time-consuming endeavor, and Shen Huai had arrived in the evening, leaving little time.

But painting on a whim was a matter of pleasure, and Shen Huai was in no rush.

He personally took out the brushes, mixed the colors, and just as he was about to start, he looked up at Su Jiaojiao. Suddenly, he remembered the request the Prince of Xuan had made during the day when he visited the Tai Chi Hall.

"Your Majesty, I wish to request that you relieve me of my duties and allow me to live like a carefree wanderer, traveling the world."

Although Xuan Wang is a member of the royal family, Shen Huai has never burdened him with excessive responsibilities. As for living like a carefree wanderer, it’s entirely his own choice.

He has no siblings, only this cousin, with whom he has a good rapport. For Shen Huai naturally couldn’t agree to his sudden request to be relieved of his duties.

Assuming it was a passing fancy, he was surprised when the Grand Princess sent someone to the palace that evening to request an audience, pleading with the Emperor not to agree to Xuan Wang's request.

The Grand Princess has always doted on Xuan Wang and naturally could not stand by and watch her son abandon a promising future to roam freely.

However, there must have been some disagreement between them to make Xuan Wang want to leave Chang'an. Shen Huai didn’t dwell on it and simply declined politely.

People usually strive for high positions and wealth; it's rare to see someone willingly embrace a simple life.

Xuan Wang is intelligent and capable, not the type to make impulsive decisions. Shen Huai, knowing this well, was somewhat uneasy and reluctant to let him leave Chang'an.

But since he had already declined, even if Xuan Wang still had this intention, he might reconsider.

The moonlight was like water, and Su Jiaojiao lay on the couch. Shen Huai picked up his brush to sketch her silhouette, and his heart gradually calmed.

Although there are many Imperial Consorts in the palace, Su Jiaojiao is the one who captivates him the most.

Her presence brings him tranquility.

Meanwhile.

In the Hall of Shared Hearts of Yong'an Palace.

Concubine Lian sat in front of her dressing mirror and asked, "Who did His Majesty choose tonight?"

The maid attending to her replied, "Your Ladyship, the palace servants just reported that His Majesty personally went to Yaoxian Palace and has not left for a long time. It seems he will stay the night..."

The maid, knowing that Concubine Lian dislikes Noble Consort Zhen, spoke with less confidence, carefully observing her expression and speaking softer, fearing that Concubine Lian would vent her frustration on them.

Sure enough, as soon as Concubine Lian heard the words "Yaoxian Palace," her demeanor shifted instantly. Her previously calm face while trying on hairpins gave way to irritation as she slammed a hairpin on the table and angrily said, "Why is it always Yaoxian Palace!"

In the past half month, the Emperor had rarely visited her Hall of Shared Hearts, while Talent Lady Yu had risen in favor.

But even as favor shifted, Su Jiaojiao remained steady, her position unshaken, which was truly infuriating!

At this moment, Lvwan entered with her head bowed and softly said, "Your Highness, dwelling on it won’t help. You should rest early."

Concubine Lian was sitting in front of her dressing mirror, seething with anger. When she saw Lvwan's face in the mirror, she remembered the scene at the Spring Banquet when Su Jiaojiao had publicly slapped Lvwan.

Several days had passed, and Lvwan's face had mostly healed, but it still looked somewhat unnatural.

Lvwan was her personal maid and confidante, and she had only been ensnared by Su Jiaojiao's schemes because she was looking out for her. Lvwan being slapped was equivalent to her own humiliation. Although Concubine Lian was angry, she wouldn't blame Lvwan, only feeling both anger and heartache.

Angry that she couldn't outwit Su Jiaojiao, who was only good at flattering and bewitching the Emperor, and heartbroken that Lvwan had been humiliated by that lowly eunuch.

Back then, Lv Yao had been severely punished by Noble Consort Mi because of Su Jiaojiao, and now Lvwan was in the same situation.

She considered herself beautiful, of good family, and favored by the Emperor, making her uniquely noble in the palace. She looked down on those women who fought desperately for favor, feeling only pity.

Only with Noble Consort Zhen did she repeatedly face setbacks, repeatedly infuriating her. She would not let this go easily!

Concubine Lian suppressed her anger, stood up, and went to examine Lvwan's cheek, speaking softly, "Have you run out of ointment? If so, I'll have someone fetch more from the Imperial Medical Bureau. You need to reduce the swelling quickly."

Tears welled up in Lvwan's eyes as she shook her head and said, "There's still some left, enough for a few more days. Thank you, Your Highness..."

She had been by Concubine Lian's side since she was a child. Although she was a maid, she was respected by everyone in the mansion, and no one had ever dared to shout at her.

Now that she had entered the palace and become the head maid of her mistress, those who followed her around all day addressed her as "sister" or "aunt."

Only Noble Consort Zhen did not regard her with any respect, nor did she show any regard for Concubine Lian. Among so many people, she would strike without hesitation, causing her to be unable to leave her room for days, enduring countless mockeries and scornful looks.

Everyone said Noble Consort Zhen was gentle and kind, but she was clearly a ruthless woman.

Lvwan wiped away her tears with a handkerchief and sobbed, "It's not a big deal that I was beaten, but what saddens me is that Noble Consort Zhen is so overbearing, not even showing respect for you, Your Highness. Today, His Majesty went to Noble Consort Zhen's place again, without even asking about what happened in the imperial garden that day. I feel wronged on your behalf..."

Concubine Lian gently caressed her face and said coldly, "Noble Consort Zhen is favored, and many in the palace are eager to curry favor with her. Even if someone saw what happened, it might not reach the Emperor's ears. If His Majesty doesn't know, how could he possibly defend me?"

These words seemed to enlighten Lvwan. She looked up at Concubine Lian and whispered, "Since His Majesty doesn't know, why don't you tell him yourself, Your Highness, and let him know the true face of Noble Consort Zhen? You are the niece of the Empress Dowager and His Majesty's cousin. If you are wronged, His Majesty will surely seek justice for you."

"His Majesty is still at Yaoxian Palace today, isn't he? If you can persuade him to leave, it might also humble Noble Consort Zhen."

Concubine Lian hesitated for a moment and said, "But my cousin has already settled in Yaoxian Palace. Even if I send someone to summon him, with that temptress Su by his side, His Majesty will surely not come."

"This..." Lvwan frowned and thought for a moment, then suddenly remembered the incident with Noble Lady Xiang. She said, "Back then, didn't you also manage to invite His Majesty over? Even if His Majesty is bewitched by Noble Consort Zhen, he wouldn't disregard your health. If you were unable to sleep due to the Second Prince's constant crying, suffering from headaches and unwilling to speak up for fear of upsetting the young prince, His Majesty would surely come to see you out of concern."

If it were Noble Lady Xiang, Concubine Lian would have some confidence, but with Su... she really couldn't bear this grievance.

As the night deepened, Concubine Lian looked out the window and stood up, walking toward the bed. She said coldly, "Go, send someone to summon His Majesty. Tell him I have a severe headache and ask him to come and see me."

As the moon hung over the willow branches, Shen Huai finished outlining the painting and took a sip of the cold tea Ling Xiao had just brought.

The tea still tasted quite good even after it had cooled.

It had a subtle sweetness of pear blossoms and the refreshing taste of tea leaves, with a subtle aftertaste, making it particularly delightful.

But this was not a tribute from the palace, and Shen Huai found it somewhat novel.

He asked, "What kind of tea is this in your palace? It's quite special."

Su Jiaojiao didn't reply but set down the chess manual, her sparkling eyes brightening as she smiled and said, "Can you move now?"

Seeing His Majesty's tacit approval, she gently pressed her shoulder and smiled, "I named it Tangli Chunlu Tea. It's made from dried pear blossoms I picked in early spring, brewed into pear blossom honey, and mixed by myself."

"Brew it with morning dew, add half a cup of Biluochun tea leaves, mix in half a spoon of pear blossom honey, and add a few drops of crabapple wine. That's how it's made."

Shen Huai chuckled, "Quite ingenious."

He tapped the table in front of him twice and said, "Jiaojiao, come and take a look."

Su Jiaojiao stood up lightly and walked over to His Majesty. As soon as she stood still, His Majesty placed his hand on her slender waist. The warm touch seeped through the thin silk into her skin. Before she could speak, Cai Shan's voice came from outside.

He asked, "Your Majesty, someone from Tongxin Palace has come to report that Concubine Lian has been unable to sleep due to the Second Prince's crying and is suffering from severe headaches. She requests Your Majesty to come and see her."

In front of His Majesty, Su Jiaojiao naturally had to play the role of a virtuous consort. She curtsied and said softly, "Since Concubine Lian is unwell, Your Majesty should go and see her. I am fine here."

Xu Qingwu was spoiled and prone to tantrums, something Shen Huai had always known. Thus, the so-called headache was likely just an excuse to see him.

His expression remained calm as he said indifferently, "If she's unwell, have the imperial physician examine her. The night is deep, and I have already retired. I will visit her when I have time."