Chapter 103: The Old Matron

Chapter 103: The Elderly Matron

Lady Lian...

Su Jiaojiao glanced at her and smiled faintly, saying, "I’m not as familiar with the Summer Resort as you are, but I’ve been to the place you mentioned before and never heard of any red lotuses."

Jia Xi bowed again and said with a smile, "You have a good memory, my lady. The red lotuses were newly planted by the gardeners this year. Who would have thought they’d produce twin lotuses in their first year? It’s truly an auspicious sign—quite marvelous. Before your arrival, all us palace servants serving here at the Summer Resort had already gone to see them. When you mentioned wanting to take a look just now, it was the first place that came to mind."

"In that case, I must go and see for myself," Su Jiaojiao looked at Jia Xi and asked casually, "Have you always served at the Summer Resort, or were you transferred here from the palace?"

My lady, I was transferred to the Summer Resort just after the New Year. It’s been nearly half a year now," Jia Xi didn’t expect the question and froze for a moment before replying.

Su Jiaojiao softly hummed in acknowledgment. "Which Imperial Consort did you serve before? You’re so clever—it’s a shame they’d send someone like you to the Summer Resort. A capable girl like you stuck here is a waste."

Hearing this, Jia Xi quickly kowtowed and said, "My lady, I’m clumsy and dull. It’s only your kindness that overlooks my rough ways. When I was in the palace, the Palace Administration eunuchs said I was too careless and feared I might offend the noble ladies, so they transferred me here. They said this place was quieter, and that I should learn to serve properly. After half a year, the matron said I’d improved, so I was assigned to serve you."

She kowtowed further. "If I’ve said anything wrong, please forgive me, my lady. Please don’t dismiss me."

"Enough," Su Jiaojiao gestured for her to rise, smiling faintly. "I genuinely think you’re clever, so I praised you. You make me sound like a monster!"

A young palace maid polishing a vase nearby chuckled and said, "Sister Jia Xi must have been frightened by her time in the palace. Noble Consort Zhen is the easiest to serve in the palace—you can rest easy, sister."

Su Jiaojiao smiled and stood. "I’ll take Yu Ying for a stroll. Ling Yun and Yu Ye can handle the pear blossom matters."

With that, she rested her slender wrist on Yu Ying’s arm and walked toward the door. Before leaving, she shot a seemingly casual glance at Ling Yun, who was waiting by the entrance.

Ling Yun, having served in the imperial presence before, naturally understood her meaning.

But precisely because it was suspicious, she couldn’t help but feel uneasy. Her brow furrowed slightly, and she curtsied and said, "My lady, taking only Yu Ying with you worries me. Perhaps you should bring Xiao Songzi as well."

Su Jiaojiao nodded. "Very well. You and Yu Ye can sort things out. I’ll just wander around and return soon."

"Yes."

The servants from the pear blossom courtyard bowed in unison as Su Jiaojiao left with Yu Ying and Xiao Songzi.

Only when they were alone did Yu Ying lower her voice and ask, "My lady, you seem particularly wary of Jia Xi. Is there something amiss with her? I find her quite lively, but she hasn’t done anything strange. She gets along well with the palace maids brought from the palace, so I never suspected her."

Su Jiaojiao’s smile remained faint as she replied softly, "It’s precisely because she’s too lively that I became suspicious."

"I’m the most favored consort in the palace. Though my reputation is good, palace servants usually treat me with respect, deference, or flattery—rarely is anyone this eager right away, as if desperate to win my trust."

The three of them walked leisurely along the pebbled path by the lake, heading west, before she continued, "After spending so long in the palace, it’s hard not to be cautious of everyone. Earlier, I probed her with questions, and her answers were coherent, without any gaps. So I’m merely suspicious and asked Ling Yun to keep an eye on her."

Xiao Songzi, walking a step behind, lowered his head and said, "If you’re suspicious, my lady, should we still go to the lakeside she mentioned? If someone’s truly lying in wait to harm you, Yu Ying and I alone may not be enough to protect you. Though Jia Xi was newly assigned to serve you, I find her somewhat familiar—as if I’ve seen her somewhere before—but I can’t recall where."

Su Jiaojiao replied gently, "When she mentioned the spot, several others were listening. If someone’s truly lying in wait to harm me, she’d be the first suspect."

"Besides, the Summer Resort isn’t as vast as the palace, and there are many secluded corners. Here, you’ll run into people within steps, making it safer. You’ve always known everyone in the palace and met many people. Jia Xi must have served in the palace before coming here—perhaps you’ve crossed paths somewhere."

She took another step forward. "And anyway, I only meant to take a casual stroll."

The Summer Resort’s morning was pleasantly cool, free of stifling heat.

The lotus pond was overflowing with blossoms, standing tall and graceful, while the willow branches along the shore swayed gently, casting dappled shadows.

The winding pebbled path led through serene landscapes, with pavilions and painted corridors echoing Jiangnan’s charm.

The scenery was picturesque, and even a casual stroll made one feel her whole body unwind.

In truth, Su Jiaojiao hadn’t deliberately planned to go anywhere specific. It was just that she had been pondering too many things all day, and though she'd barely moved all day, she still felt drained.

Now that she was out, she emptied her thoughts completely and let her heart guide her, going wherever she pleased.

Her mind wasn’t on the path, and after twisting and turning through the paths, she unexpectedly arrived at a completely unfamiliar place.

This spot was far from the bustle, seemingly not too far from the lotus pond—a secluded area with a single small, elegant residence standing alone.

"Where is this? Does either of you know?" Having never heard anyone mention this place before, Su Jiaojiao grew somewhat curious and took a few more steps forward.

Yu Ying and Xiao Songzi exchanged glances and shook their heads. "This is our first time here as well. Though the place looks remote, it’s very tranquil—nothing like the ill-omened places of the inner palace."

Getting nowhere with their questions, Su Jiaojiao, with nothing else to do, only grew more intrigued.

She cocked her head to look and noticed bamboo poles peeking out from behind the bushes, resembling a fence.

It seemed something had been planted there.

Su Jiaojiao took a few more steps forward when she heard faint moaning sounds, as if coming from beyond the bushes.

"Both of you, come here."

Yu Ye and Xiao Songzi followed Su Jiaojiao, and the three of them approached the bushes together.

Pushing aside the foliage, Su Jiaojiao jumped in alarm to see a middle-aged matron lying on the muddy ground, her lower leg and foot pinned firmly beneath a large rock, unable to move at all.

It appeared she had been crushed there for hours—her lips had already turned pale.

"This is life or death! Quick, let’s get her out!" The matron had a kindly face and was barely conscious. Without hesitation, Su Jiaojiao rolled up her sleeves and, with Xiao Songzi and Yu Ying, strained to lift the heavy rock away before helping the matron up.

The matron weakly glanced at them but, before she could speak, her eyes fluttered shut as she lost consciousness. Fortunately, Su Jiaojiao and Yu Ying were holding her, or she would have collapsed again.

"Matron?" Su Jiaojiao called out loudly, but there was no response. Immediately, she said in a firm voice, "Xiao Songzi, you have a good memory—you should remember the way back. Take off running and fetch Imperial Physician Liu."

"Yes!"

Xiao Songzi took off running while Yu Ying supported the matron’s other arm. "Your Highness, judging by where the matron fell and her attire, I suspect she might be the one who lives in this secluded retreat. Perhaps we should take her inside first."

Carefully, the two pushed open the door and helped the matron inside, settling her onto the nearest bed they could find.

Seeing the matron’s lips were parched, Su Jiaojiao was about to fetch water when Yu Ying stopped her, whispering, "Your precious self shouldn’t be doing such tasks—you’ve already exerted yourself to save her, and your hem is muddied. Leave it to me."

She took the jug and cup from Su Jiaojiao and went to the side room to check for warm water. For a moment, only Su Jiaojiao and the strange matron remained in the room.

Su Jiaojiao glanced around, her curiosity about the matron’s identity growing stronger.

Matrons among the palace servants, due to their years of service, usually held either roles disciplining younger maids or important positions serving their mistresses, earning them great respect.

If this matron had once served the Empress Dowager, even the Emperor would show her some respect.

But this matron was peculiar.

If she were unimportant, she wouldn’t be the sole occupant of this house. Yet if she were important, why wasn’t she in the palace, instead living in such a secluded place?

This room was the closest to the entrance—small and simple, yet meticulously kept, clearly someone of importance lived here.

Turning it over in her mind, Su Jiaojiao couldn’t make sense of it. She could only wait for the physician to stabilize the matron and ask her directly.

Xiao Songzi, being young and swift-footed, quickly fetched Imperial Physician Liu. The physician was quite surprised by the location but refrained from asking questions. After bowing to Su Jiaojiao, he immediately stepped forward to examine the matron.

After inspecting the injuries on her lower leg and ankle and taking her pulse, he reported, "Your Ladyship, this matron's injuries to her lower leg and ankle are not severe, and no bones are broken. However, she is dangerously weak and badly dehydrated. She should be given water in small, frequent doses, along with some light liquid food. With time, she will recover. I will prescribe a remedy for her to take, and she should improve soon."

Su Jiaojiao felt somewhat relieved and nodded. "Yu Ying has already given her quite a bit of water. I hope she wakes up soon."

Then, she turned to Imperial Physician Liu. "Thank you for making the trip today."

"But it seems this matron lives here alone. She appears to be getting on in years, and managing both medicine and self-care must be difficult for her."

Xiao Songzi lowered his head and said, "Your Ladyship need not worry. When I went to fetch Imperial Physician Liu, my voice was overheard by two other physicians stationed at the mountain retreat. As soon as they heard that the matron living here was in trouble, they hurried to inform His Majesty immediately. It seems she must be an important figure."

"To His Majesty?" Su Jiaojiao was rather surprised. "Did they go to seek His Majesty's instructions?"

Just as the two were speaking, the frail matron on the bed slowly opened her eyes. Her gaze fell on Su Jiaojiao standing at her bedside.

Her hand had been resting limply at her waist, unaware of the person behind her, when suddenly a dry, rough hand lightly brushed against the jade bracelet on her wrist.

In a hoarse, aged, and slightly trembling voice, the matron whispered, "Consort Lian..."