Chapter 99: Snatching Palace Servants

Chapter 99: Seizing Palace Servants

Barbaric Act

"Yes."

Cai Shan, upon receiving the Emperor's order, quietly stepped back from the doorway to convey the Emperor's intentions to the palace maid waiting outside.

After dismissing her, the young eunuch standing beside Cai Shan, waiting to serve the Emperor, whispered, "Who in the palace dares to intercept Noble Consort Zhen's favor? Concubine Lian is quite presumptuous..."

Though the voice was soft, in the stillness of the night, it was clearly audible.

Cai Shan tapped the young eunuch on the head, scolding sternly, "You're becoming more and more unruly, daring to gossip about our superiors here."

After speaking, he glanced inside the room, paced a couple of steps with his hands behind his back, then leaned in close to the eunuch's ear, whispering as if nothing had happened, "Concubine Lian is the Emperor's maternal cousin, with childhood affection, so naturally, she dares. But now, Noble Consort Zhen is the one who holds the Emperor's heart in the palace. Everyone knows this; it's just self-deception."

The young eunuch immediately chuckled, bending over and saying, "The Grand Eunuch is right, this servant will not dare again."

Inside the hall, Su Jiaojiao was pulled onto Shen Huai's lap. She leaned against the Emperor's chest, her voice clear and laughing lightly, "Everyone says that the Emperor and Concubine Lian share a special childhood bond. But today, it seems the Emperor prefers Jiaojiao more?"

Shen Huai's fingertips were slightly cold, pressing against her waist through the thin silk, a cool sensation. He lightly curled his finger.

He knew that touching Su Jiaojiao's waist would make her shiver all over, so he deliberately made her uncomfortable, his voice deep and hoarse, "You know it in your heart, yet you still say it to make it difficult for me, Jiaojiao, you are quite bold."

A pleasurable tingling sensation like an electric shock ran up her spine, followed by a gentle warmth spreading through her limbs. Su Jiaojiao's voice trembled as she clung to the Emperor's neck, softly pleading, "Jiaojiao doesn't dare anymore, Your Majesty... please..."

"Please what?" Shen Huai looked down at her slightly flushed cheeks, chuckling, "Weren't you quite bold just now, and now you can't handle it?"

Her eyes were moist, and with just a slight lift, they exuded a myriad of delicate and soft charms. Su Jiaojiao tightened her grip on the Emperor's arm, pulling herself closer, sealing his lips with a kiss, softly begging, "Your Majesty, it's late, let's continue painting another day..."

With such an invitation from a beauty like her, Shen Huai naturally had no reason to refuse. He lifted her and gently placed her on the bed.

The thin curtains gently fell, the candles were gradually extinguished, hiding the soft, fragmented sobs within the room.

Concubine Lian failed to lure the Emperor away from Su Jiaojiao's residence, Yaoxian Hall, and remained secluded for three full days before emerging.

Presumably, she felt too humiliated to face ridicule. Fortunately, it wasn't long before the Emperor took the initiative to visit her, and the matter was quietly overlooked.

Spring turned to summer, and in the blink of an eye, it was mid-June of this year.

Over the past month, Noble Consort Zhen continued to be the most favored consort.

Talent Lady Yu was currently pregnant, and Noble Lady Xiang was caring for the young second prince; the Emperor had only briefly visited them two or three times.

Among the others, Noble Consort Lan, Shu Jieyu, Talent Lady Ji, and Junior Attendant Miao had each attended to the Emperor once.

By mid-June, Chang'an was already heating up, and this year, the Emperor decreed an early departure to the summer retreat.

Imperial Physician Liu, with his excellent medical skills, had recently gained the Emperor's trust and was naturally to accompany them. The first prince's condition had been under Imperial Physician Liu's care and had improved significantly, so Noble Consort Wang and the second prince were also to go.

The Empress, feeling unwell, decided not to go, and Beauty Xiao, not favored by the Emperor, was left in the palace to reflect.

Thus, this year's party to the summer retreat included Noble Consort Mi, Noble Consort Wang, Noble Consort Zhen, Concubine Lian, Shu Jieyu, Noble Consort Lan, Noble Lady Xiang, Talent Lady Yu, Talent Lady Ji, and Junior Attendant Miao—ten in total.

Having been there once before, Su Jiaojiao found the journey to the summer retreat familiar and lacked the novelty of her first trip.

After several days of travel, the party arrived at the summer retreat just as they would have in previous years, not too early.

This year, Su Jiaojiao stayed again at Yingzhou Yuyu, a place close to the Emperor's Lingbo Songshuang, spacious and elegant.

She had stayed here last year, and this year, Noble Consort Mi arranged for her to continue living in the familiar place to spare her the trouble of getting used to a new bed.

The other Imperial Consorts who had been here before were assigned their usual accommodations, while the newcomers were assigned new quarters. Only the Guose Tianxiang, meaning "Nation's Beauty and Heavenly Fragrance," which was the Empress's former residence, remained vacant.

This year, Su Jiaojiao left Ling Xiao in the palace to oversee palace matters, bringing Yu Ying, Yu Ye, and Ling Yun to serve her closely. As soon as the main group arrived, they quickly settled everything so they could sit down and rest for a while.

The group at the summer retreat was reduced in size, with only a few close attendants. The rest of the palace servants were the original maids of the summer retreat, many of whom were unfamiliar faces.

Perhaps someone had mentioned that Su Jiaojiao was intolerant of heat. As soon as she entered the room, someone was already fanning her. A large ice basin was filled to the brim with ice, and a hand-cranked fan with four large blades directed a cool breeze her way.

Seeing Noble Consort Zhen arrive, the palace servants of Yingzhou Yuyu, meaning "Jade Rain of Yingzhou" which is the name of the residence, greeted her in unison. The leading maid, Jia Xi, said, "Your humble servant Jia Xi greets Noble Consort Zhen. May Your Ladyship enjoy peace and prosperity."

Su Jiaojiao, holding a round fan, smiled faintly and said, "No need for formalities, you may rise."

Jia Xi stood up, smiling, and took two steps back, bowing slightly as she said, "Your Ladyship, please look."

She gestured gracefully to a rectangular vessel beside the table and said politely, "His Majesty, out of his deep regard for Your Ladyship, had someone come early to prepare for Your Ladyship's comfort. The ice and fruits are here so that Your Ladyship can rest comfortably as soon as you arrive. This is a unique privilege that others can only envy."

Jia Xi stepped forward and opened the lid of the container, revealing a pile of ice inside.

Buried within were watermelons, grapes, peaches, and sweet oranges, all of Su Jiaojiao's favorite summer fruits. She reached in and took out a watermelon, smiling as she said, "This is the first time I've seen this device this year. It's called an ice box, used to chill fruits without letting the cold air escape. It's a wonderful invention."

"Your Ladyship, are you thirsty now? Shall I cut the watermelon for you?"

Su Jiaojiao walked in gracefully, fanning herself with the round fan as she glanced at the ice box and smiled, "The craftsman's ingenuity is truly remarkable. You must all be tired after the journey. Cut the largest watermelon and let us all partake."

Jia Xi's smile froze, and she asked in surprise, "This is a Kaifeng watermelon, a tribute from His Majesty. Your Ladyship intends to share it with the palace servants?"

Yu Ying and Yu Ye's smiles immediately faded, and they exchanged glances, unsure of what to say.

Traditionally, there is a distinction between master and servant. As the mistress of the palace, Su Jiaojiao, with her noble status, should not share food with servants of lower status. However, Su Jiaojiao had always been kind to them, often sharing good things with them in the palace. Since she was favored, no one dared to say anything, and they merely counted themselves lucky. Over time, they had grown accustomed to it and no longer found it unusual.

Now, at the summer retreat, with Jia Xi bringing it up so directly, they felt uneasy, worried that it might bring trouble to Su Jiaojiao.

Su Jiaojiao looked at Jia Xi with amusement and asked, "No matter how precious it is, it's still just food. Since I have given it, it cannot be rescinded. What's so strange about that?"

"Or is there something improper about my command?"

Jia Xi lowered her head in fear and said, "How could your humble servant dare to disobey Your Ladyship's command? It's just that palace servants are of lowly status and are usually not regarded highly. Your humble servant has never seen any mistress treat her servants like this before, so I was momentarily surprised and spoke without thinking. I never imagined that Your Ladyship would be so generous to your servants. Please forgive your humble servant for being blind and misspeaking."

"Rise," Su Jiaojiao shifted her gaze away from her and, supported by Yu Ying, took her place in the main seat. She then smiled faintly and raised a cup of tea, saying, "I merely spoke casually. There's no need to be so fearful. Go ahead and cut it."

Yu Ye took a plate of purple grapes from the ice box and placed it in front of Su Jiaojiao, saying, "Your Ladyship, please have some sweet and sour grapes to stimulate your appetite and refresh you. It's almost time for dinner."

Su Jiaojiao nodded and was about to pick one when Xiao Songzi came in and said, "Your Ladyship, Shu Jieyu is here."

"Please invite her in," Su Jiaojiao withdrew her hand and smiled at the approaching Shu Jieyu, "Sister, why have you come so early? After such a tiring journey, shouldn't you take more rest?"

Shu Jieyu walked over with a smile, "What, am I not welcome? Or are you tired of my chiding and want to avoid me?"

She sat down beside Su Jiaojiao and, noticing the ice box, asked curiously, "What is this? I've never seen it before."

Yu Ye quickly placed the grapes between them and brought over a cup of sour plum soup, saying, "This is an ice box, used to chill fruits and food. This is the first time I've seen it too. The grapes are still chilled."

Shu Jieyu looked at Yu Ye, her cold and beautiful face showing a hint of a smile, "Jiaojiao, look at Yu Ye. She gets so happy when it comes to food. She's still such a simple soul when it comes to food."

Su Jiaojiao smiled and asked, "Yu Ye has always been like this since she was young. There's nothing I can do about it. There are many fruits in the ice box, quite refreshing. Sister, which one would you like? I'll have them cut and served for you."

Shu Jieyu smiled, but her eyes were cold, "I won't eat. While arranging things earlier, I saw Concubine Lian, and it really upset me. If it weren't for the fact that your place is cooler, I wouldn't have come to bother you today."

"Concubine Lian?" Su Jiaojiao's expression softened slightly at the mention of her, "What about her? Did she offend you?"

"Huacili, meaning 'Flower and Thorn,' used to be where Wen Jieyu lived, but after Wen Jieyu was demoted last year for failing to take care of the Crown Prince and lost favor, Concubine Lian moved in this year. Huacili is close to Jushuang Pavilion. Not long after I entered my room, someone came and said that Concubine Lian didn't have enough servants and wanted to take two from Jushuang Pavilion."

Shu Jieyu frowned coldly, recalling the incident as if it were something dirty, "She was so rude. My personal maid, Cong Wen, naturally refused and argued with her. But then Lvwan, Concubine Lian's maid, came personally and made some sarcastic remarks. She insisted on taking two people and said that Concubine Lian wouldn't mistreat me. She even said that Concubine Lian would report to His Majesty in a few days and send two more people for me to use."