Chapter 118: Riding Attire

Chapter 118 Riding Habit

As a consort, it was only proper to pay respects to the Empress.

Supported by Yu Ying, Su Jiaojiao rose and walked to the young eunuch standing behind Cai Shan.

The tray he held was quite large, bearing a lacquered box adorned with gold motifs, its size just right to hold a set of garments.

Had the Son of Heaven ordered new clothes for her?*

Though pleasant enough, new clothes were hardly extraordinary—why the secrecy?

Moreover, the Son of Heaven had bestowed so many treasures upon her recently that she had grown weary of them.

Despite her lack of interest, with the imperial attendants present, Su Jiaojiao couldn’t refuse outright. With a smile, she opened the lid of the box, revealing a garment of extraordinarily luxurious fabric but an unfamiliar style.

Her slender fingers pinched the edges, lifting it to examine the design. Just then, Ling Xiao, standing beside her, exclaimed, "A riding habit?"

Cai Shan also glanced over and said warmly, "Why, so it is! It seems His Majesty intends to take you along for the autumn hunt, even bestowing such finery. Truly, even this humble servant has never seen such an exquisite riding habit before."

Su Jiaojiao smiled faintly and placed the garment back into the box. "I will thank His Majesty in person later. Grand Eunuch, you’ve worked hard making this trip. You and your attendants should rest and enjoy some good tea."

"Yu Ying."

Understanding her mistress’s intent, Yu Ying stepped forward and placed a heavy brocade pouch into Cai Shan’s hands.

He accepted with a grateful smile. "Your Ladyship is ever considerate of us palace servants. This humble servant thanks you. His Majesty is occupied with state affairs, so I shall take my leave to report back."

Ling Xiao personally escorted them out, leaving Su Jiaojiao to sink lazily back on the couch once more.

Yu Ye, the most spirited of them all, eagerly opened the box and unfolded the garment, marveling, "They say riding habits are made for practicality—simple and streamlined. But this one His Majesty gifted you is meticulously tailored! The fabric is luxurious, the cut fluid, silken yet durable. I can’t even tell what material it is—it shimmers faintly in the sunlight, like flowing light!"

"Our Lady is truly His Majesty’s undisputed favorite in the palace. Such privilege is beyond others’ reach!"

The autumn hunt was still a month away, and Su Jiaojiao wasn’t particularly looking forward to it. Her interest in the attire was minimal, so she merely offered a dismissive reply: "His Majesty’s thoughtfulness is rare."

Yu Ying, meanwhile, was replacing Su Jiaojiao’s tea. Smiling, she added, "If this servant recalls correctly, it’s been over a month since His Majesty has called any consort but you to his bed. Truly, you command his undivided favor. In all the palace, no one holds higher honor or greater favor than you, my Lady."

Then, with a sigh, Yu Ying looked at Su Jiaojiao and said, "I rejoice for you, yet fret. Happy that you’ve won His Majesty’s devotion, yet deeply concerned. With so many Imperial Consorts in the rear palace, you alone command his favor. Glorious, perhaps, but it paints a target on your back. To bear the harem’s collective resentment upon your shoulders—such envy and malice cannot be resolved by wit alone."

She glanced at Su Jiaojiao, taking away the old teacup, and continued, "With the Empress restored to health, Consort Mi has lost standing, and Noble Consort Shu manages the inner court. On the surface, you hold every advantage. This is clear not only to the harem but to the court as well."

Yu Ying hesitated, unsure of her mistress’s thoughts and reluctant to press further.

After all, her Lady was the most astute of all. Whatever Yu Ying could see, her Lady would perceive even more clearly. Yet the higher one was lifted, the more precarious the position felt—an unease that lingered.

The Son of Heaven had always favored her Lady, but it had once been within reasonable bounds, with others still receiving occasional attention. Even Yu Ying, who attended her Lady day and night, couldn’t fathom why His Majesty had recently become so exclusively devoted.

If it were merely His Majesty’s whim, that wouldn’t be Yu Ying’s greatest concern. What troubled her most was how her Lady viewed it.

The Son of Heaven was the supreme ruler, a man of divine bearing in the prime of his life.*

For a man of such stature to forsake all others for one—what ordinary woman wouldn’t be moved?

Hadn’t Consort Mi and Concubine Lian, among others, become twisted by jealousy precisely because they adored His Majesty?

If her Lady remained unmoved, even if His Majesty insisted on exclusive favor, she could still find ways to divert attention. But if her Lady’s heart was swayed, if she became ensnared—that would be truly perilous.

Yet, when it came down to it, affection between men and women is only natural. Yu Ying simply didn’t know how to broach the subject. * "Son of Heaven" – traditional epithet for the emperor.

Su Jiaojiao lifted her gaze lightly, glancing at the two freshly cut chrysanthemums blooming splendidly in the slender-necked mutton-fat jade vase on the desk. Under the sunlight, their golden stamens seemed to shimmer. She reached out and idly flicked them, speaking unhurriedly, "I know what you're worried about."

"Don’t worry."

With just these two words, she conveyed her confidence and composure.

The heavy stone weighing on Yu Ying's heart for days finally lifted. She smiled brightly and said, "I always knew Your Highness understood everything."

The others in the room shared a knowing glance. Just then, a palace maid carrying a food box entered from outside. She was new to Yaoxian Palace and offered a timid smile—it was Jia Xi.

She curtsied and said, "I’ve brought freshly baked pastries from the kitchen. Would you like to try them now?"

Su Jiaojiao looked her over and smiled, "Set them aside. I’ll have them later."

Then, she regarded Jia Xi and said, "You served me diligently at the Summer Retreat, which is why I brought you back to the palace. I recall you were once a palace maid here before. Now that you’ve returned, you must prove yourself."

Jia Xi hastily placed the food box on a nearby table and knelt, saying, "I’ll serve Your Highness with all my heart, sparing no effort."

Su Jiaojiao smiled faintly in satisfaction. "Good. I know you’re loyal. You may go."

After Jia Xi withdrew, Su Jiaojiao watched her retreating figure and remarked, "Has she been behaving lately? Any unusual activity? If Jia Xi is suspicious, make sure to keep a close eye on her."

Yu Ying shook her head. "I sensed something off about her and have had her watched. She’s kept to herself—only leaving Yaoxian Palace for errands, and always speaking of her gratitude toward you. She’s quite the performer."

Yu Ye, holding a feather duster nearby, pouted and said, "Jia Xi’s odd—smart in some ways, dumb in others. Who knows what she really is? I can’t stand her suck-up attitude."

"Someone this dumb—could she really be a spy?"

Su Jiaojiao lowered her lashes, her smile as calm and bright as the autumn moon, but distant. "Sometimes, sending someone to another’s palace isn’t just about direct harm. There are far more insidious methods than poison or plots. Every piece has its place."

With the Emperor occupied by court affairs today, Su Jiaojiao enjoyed a rare day of leisure, reclining lazily on the soft couch for a nap.

Ling Xiao returned from outside, her expression grave. "Your Highness, on my way back, I saw Fengyi Palace bustling with activity. Since the Empress recovered, many have been visiting her daily, coming and going to pay respects to the newly healed Empress. Quite the spectacle."

"Even if His Majesty hasn’t restored her authority, she is still the Empress. If she truly wanted to reassure the consorts, she could simply reinstate the morning and evening courtesies. Why make them run back and forth like this?"

Su Jiaojiao propped her head on one hand and lifted her gaze indifferently. "First, to gauge their loyalty. Second, to create momentum—to show the Emperor and the palace how beloved she is. Only the Empress holds undisputed authority."

She rose leisurely, her eyes calm and unreadable. "I’ve been swamped lately and haven’t visited the Empress. As a consort, I must observe proper decorum. I ought to pay my respects to Her Majesty too."