Chapter 108: Avoiding Her

Chapter 108: Avoiding Her

Let the Son of Heaven calm down for a few days.

Seeing her tears, Shen Huai's heart clenched violently for a moment.

In an instant, that unfamiliar, overwhelming emotion surged up rapidly, filling his chest and clogging his throat. He wanted to say something, yet he didn’t know what to say.

He instinctively wanted to embrace her, but the moment this thought arose, it was drowned out by an overwhelming urge to retreat.

Su Jiaojiao’s eyes were slightly reddened, glistening with tears yet clear and pure, like morning roses glistening with dew. He’d seen her beauty countless times before, but today, she seemed even more radiant than ever.

Her earlier words, though seemingly simple at first glance, had struck like a pebble tossed into a still lake, sending ripples across the surface—just like Shen Huai’s heart, which still trembled faintly.

This feeling was intense and unfamiliar. Uncomfortable, Shen Huai averted his gaze, deliberately keeping his tone flat to create distance and restore his inner equilibrium: "We stand perfectly well. Why are you crying?"

Su Jiaojiao took two steps forward, reaching out to take his hand as tears fell softly. Her voice was gentle: "Your Majesty is the Son of Heaven, the supreme ruler all bow to. To the world, You appear to lack nothing, yet Jiaojiao feels that You are not truly happy."

"If the heart is cold, no matter how many stand by Your side, it cannot be warmed."

"But Jiaojiao wishes to warm Your Majesty..."

Shen Huai’s heart, already unsettled by her earlier words, now churned with turbulent waves.

Too much had happened today. The more tender Su Jiaojiao became after learning about his past, the more agitated he felt.

He disliked this loss of control, this urge not to draw closer but to pull away.

Only then could he find his equilibrium.

Deliberately keeping his tone indifferent, Shen Huai said, "We have imperial duties to attend to. Amuse yourself."

With that, Su Jiaojiao watched as His Majesty strode ahead. Cai Shan, who had been following at a distance, looked momentarily alarmed before quickly signaling the attendants to hurry after him. As he passed her, Cai Shan bowed hastily before leaving.

Su Jiaojiao’s tears seemed frozen in her eyes, never falling.

She blotted them away with a handkerchief, her expression serene, as if His Majesty had not just left her behind.

His Majesty’s behavior today was indeed unusual. Su Jiaojiao knew it was related to what the matron had revealed, yet she couldn’t understand why his sudden coldness and distance were connected to those words.

If he was angry that she had learned of his past, he should have been more severe, meting out punishment.

If he wasn’t upset by her knowledge, he should have been gentler than before, if not outright rewarding her.

But instead, he had been neither rewarding nor punishing, neither close nor distant—just inexplicably colder.

It was as if he didn’t want to see her, didn’t want to speak to her anymore. His Majesty’s thoughts were inscrutable, and Su Jiaojiao couldn’t fathom what he was thinking.

Yu Ying and Xiao Songzi hurried up from behind. Watching the retinue moving further away, Yu Ying frowned and whispered, "What’s wrong with His Majesty? This maid noticed He seems different today—almost as if He’s in a disturbed temper."

"You noticed it too?" Su Jiaojiao stared pensively in the direction His Majesty had gone.

Yu Ying nodded. "While His Majesty was speaking to You earlier, this servant stole a few glances. He wasn’t exactly cold toward You, but there was a sense of..."

She searched for the right words before suddenly realizing, "A sense of avoiding You!"

Avoiding her?

Su Jiaojiao turned to her in surprise. "How could you tell, Your Highness?"

Yu Ying stood to Su Jiaojiao's right and whispered, "At first glance, His Majesty seems normal, but having served by his side often before, I know how he usually treats you. Today, he clearly kept his distance, avoiding eye contact and looking elsewhere."

"He barely said two words before leaving—isn’t that proof he’s avoiding you?"

Had it not been for Yu Ying, Su Jiaojiao might not have noticed that His Majesty’s unusual behavior was an attempt to avoid her.

But why? All she’d done was uncover His Majesty’s hidden past—his preferences, fears, the fact that he was once a gentle man, that he wasn’t truly cold-hearted or fickle—

What did that matter?

They say a woman’s heart is fathomless, but men’s are just as inscrutable.

Su Jiaojiao gave up trying to figure it out and decided to let His Majesty cool off.

Perhaps he was simply unused to having his past laid bare and needed time to adjust.

Putting herself in his shoes, if she had painful, long-hidden experiences suddenly exposed to someone so close, she too might feel unsettled and need space.

A few days without summons might be a blessing in disguise.

The three of them strolled along the pebbled path toward Yingzhou Yuyu. Passing by Quhe Garden, they spotted figures in the pavilion over the lotus pond.

The figure with her back turned wore a soft-yellow palace dress, arms cradling something—likely Noble Lady Xiang holding the Second Prince.

Su Jiaojiao stopped briefly, her eyes scanning the distance, and remarked softly, "It’s almost noon. Noble Lady Xiang will probably leave soon. Even though she and Talent Lady Yu are thick as thieves, today she’s out with the Second Prince without her."

Come to think of it, I heard earlier," Yu Ying added, "that Talent Lady Yu suffered discomfort from travel fatigue, disturbing the baby. She must be resting in her quarters, unable to come out."

"Fetal distress?" Su Jiaojiao turned back. "Which imperial physician examined her?"

Yu Ying curtsied. "Imperial Physician Liu—her usual doctor."

Imperial Physician Liu had served in the Imperial Medical Bureau for years, though his skills weren’t as refined as others like Imperial Physicians Lin or An. He’d always been sidelined in the palace.

Yet despite that, he was still more esteemed than most, enough to be personally assigned to Talent Lady Yu’s pregnancy.

Su Jiaojiao’s suspicions were piqued. She stepped forward and said, "After lunch, fetch Imperial Physician Liu. Tell him Noble Consort Zhen, concerned for Talent Lady Yu’s health, wishes him to re-examine her to ensure the Imperial Heir’s safety."

"Remember, you must go with him personally."

Understood, I’ll see to it myself."

Back at Yingzhou Yuyu, as Su Jiaojiao entered with Xiao Songzi and Yu Ying, Yu Ye and the attendants rushed over from the gate to help her sit and rest.

Jia Xi, who had been standing by, noticed their return unharmed. Her eyes flashed briefly before she schooled her expression and stepped forward to greet them with a curtsy. Playing dumb, she smiled and inquired, "Did Your Highness see the twin lotus? Was it breathtaking?"

Su Jiaojiao smiled faintly, sipping her tea. "I caught a glimpse from a distance. It was beautiful, but something came up before I could get closer."

Such a missed chance.

She dropped to her knees and started kneading Noble Consort Zhen’s legs. "That walk must’ve worn you out. Let me ease your fatigue."

Her sycophantic act was downright ridiculous, taking liberties to serve without being asked.

Yu Ye shot her a withering glare, but Ling Yun gave her sleeve a discreet tug, signaling restraint.

Ling Yun curtsied and said, "Lunch is about to be served. Yu Ye and I will oversee the preparations."

After saying this, she took Yu Ai by the hand and walked out, leaving only Xiao Songzi waiting in the hall.

Su Jiaojiao did not stop Jia Xi from being eager to please her. Instead, she looked at her with a faint, ambiguous smile and said, "You're so well-behaved and sensible. It seems you’ve learned the palace rules well during your half-year at the summer retreat. No wonder you were assigned to serve at Jade Rain Pavilion this year."

"Continue serving me diligently, and you’ll be well rewarded."

Su Jiaojiao lowered her gaze to her nails, chipped from moving stones earlier, and remarked lightly, "But you seem quite curious about where I went."

Jia Xi abruptly stopped her movements, placing both hands on her knees and bowing her head. "My Lady, forgive me. Since we first met, I’ve admired you deeply. Now that I have the honor of serving you, I’m overjoyed. Seeing you return, I couldn’t help but ask out of excitement. Please don’t misunderstand my intentions."

Su Jiaojiao looked down at her, her eyes cool but her tone gentle. "You have a lively personality. I could tell from our first meeting yesterday that you’re bold and talkative. Asking questions is just part of your nature. Since you serve me so diligently, how could I blame you? You may rise. Kneeling too much makes it seem I’m harsh."

Jia Xi hastily shook her head, wiping away tears. "My Lady is the most considerate mistress in the palace. I would never dare tarnish your reputation. I only beg that you don’t find Jia Xi too foolish."

"Of course not," Su Jiaojiao smiled faintly and turned to Xiao Songzi beside her. "Jia Xi is eloquent and naturally vivacious—I quite like her. However, the summer retreat isn’t as lavish as the palace, so there aren’t many fine things to reward her with. Xiao Songzi, take her to the storeroom and let her pick something nice as a reward."

Jia Xi looked up in delight. "Thank you, My Lady!"

Xiao Songzi led the profusely thanking Jia Xi away, and only then did Su Jiaojiao leisurely pour herself a fresh cup of tea.

A maid like Jia Xi wasn’t exactly stupid, but she was far from clever—no match for real intrigue.

Now, Su Jiaojiao was curious about who stood behind Jia Xi.

Was it Concubine Lian, who loathed her to the core? Or the Empress, biding her time? Or perhaps Talent Yu, seeking to keep an eye on her?

Before long, Yu Ying returned to Jade Rain Pavilion with Imperial Physician Liu and entered the room, saying, "This servant greets Your Highness."

Su Jiaojiao glanced at the calm and lean Imperial Physician Liu and asked, "How is the state of Talent Yu’s pregnancy?"