Chapter 121: Testing the Emperor’s Heart

Chapter 121: Probing the Emperor's Intentions

She answered simply: "Yes."

Su Jiaojiao calmly withdrew her gaze, gazing coolly at the figure both known and strange to her as he approached step by step.

She still remembered the last time she saw him—last year.

During her first visit to the Summer Resort, she’d caught a distant glimpse of him across the jade steps, standing at the forefront of the officials.

Now, more than a year later, their paths crossed again.

Lifting her chin slightly to observe him, Su Jiaojiao remained rooted in place. Her deep purple brocade palace gown trailed elegantly on the ground, her neck as fair as jade, radiating cool elegance.

As he descended the jade steps, Su Chang lowered his gaze and saw that his daughter showed neither panic nor fragility in her expression. Instead, she carried an aura of effortless confidence, standing tall and poised like a wisp of violet mist above the clouds—aloof and untouchable.

At the sight of her, a complicated emotion stirred within Su Chang’s heart.

The woman before him, who held sway over the harem, spoken of with both awe and fear—was actually his own daughter.

He studied her arresting beauty, trying to recall what she had looked like before. But no matter how he searched his sparse memories, he could only remember her as a child. The hints of her girlhood had long since vanished without a trace.

Now, she had grown into breathtaking beauty, her delicate charm increasingly resembling her mother’s.

Yet, while her mother had been gentle, quiet, and understanding, Su Jiaojiao seemed more like mountain snow—cold and distant. Her eyes held not a trace of worldly emotion.

Though father and daughter, their bond had always been shallow. He had failed as a father.

And his daughter had long since grown into someone who commanded her own palace’s affairs, a figure no one dared underestimate—far beyond his sight.

Ministers and consorts were forbidden to meet. With the Su family now at its zenith, and he himself the emperor’s most trusted minister, he had to be even more cautious, leaving no room for others to exploit.

Su Chang suppressed his emotions, unwilling to give anyone an opening. He walked steadily toward Su Jiaojiao and, following protocol, offered a measured bow.

"Greetings, Noble Consort Zhen," he said in a faint voice.

Though a Minister of the Board held the third rank and a third-rank consort was technically lower, Su Jiaojiao, as the emperor’s concubine, was still a superior. Thus, Su Chang had to offer this simple courtesy.

With so many eyes around them, under the emperor’s very roof, Su Jiaojiao naturally accepted it with composure.

She made no mention of the celestial omen incident she had once asked him to resolve, merely replying with calm dignity, "Minister Su."

Su Chang straightened and looked at her, hesitating several times before finally asking, "Has Your Ladyship been well lately?"

Su Jiaojiao had no intention of engaging in further conversation. With Yu Ying lifting the hem of her gown slightly, she ascended the steps without a backward glance. As she passed him, she murmured softly, "Your welfare ensures mine."

At first glance, it sounded like mere pleasantries. But both Su Chang and Su Jiaojiao were intelligent people—father and daughter, yet more like allies. Though Su Chang still saw their bond as primarily familial, he understood her meaning in an instant.

The Su family’s fortunes were intertwined. As long as Su Chang remained influential at court, she would continue to rise steadily.

After discussing state affairs with the emperor in the Hall of Supreme Harmony, the emperor had mentioned her a few times. Su Chang had always seen the emperor as composed and indifferent, yet when speaking of Jiaojiao, his eyes softened with warmth.

That look—Su Chang had only ever seen it in the eyes of Su Jiaojiao’s mother.

It staggered him. An emperor’s love had settled on his daughter.

Su Jiaojiao was destined to be a phoenix, one who would soar ever higher.

Yet the imperial inner court was fraught with peril. As her father, even if he had failed in his duties before, he would now strive to ensure her safety and well-being, shielding her from harm.

As Su Jiaojiao ascended the jade steps, Grand Eunuch Cai, waiting at the palace entrance, spotted her from afar and hurried to report. Consort Zhen had come to seek an audience, and the Emperor had never refused her. The moment she stepped onto the platform, Grand Eunuch Cai respectfully approached with a smile, saying, "This humble servant pays respects to Your Highness and wishes you good health. His Majesty awaits you inside the hall. Please enter swiftly."

"Thank you for your welcome, Grand Eunuch Cai."

Yu Ying lowered the hem of her skirt and bowed, stepping back to stand beside Grand Eunuch Cai, allowing Her Highness to enter the hall alone.

Once the others had left, Grand Eunuch Cai whispered to Yu Ying, "Your Highness has come at an opportune time. Minister Su has just left the Taiji Hall, allowing father and daughter to meet there. Counting the days, it has been four years since Your Highness entered the palace, and this is the first time you have seen your father again. A single meeting should ease Your Highness's mind."

Yu Ying smiled and nodded without further comment, smoothly shifting the topic. "Indeed, Your Highness just came from seeing the Empress and did not expect to encounter Minister Su. What a coincidence."

Su Jiaojiao walked to the study in the side hall. As she reached the doorway, she saw the Emperor lift his gaze to meet hers.

The moment their eyes met, the coldness in his eyes warmed, and he chuckled softly, "Jiaojiao, come here."

I wave my hand lightly and say calmly, "I wish to speak with Your Majesty alone. You may all withdraw."

Once the palace maids had dispersed, I gathered the edge of my skirt between my fingers, my eyes curving into a smile as I approached.

Standing before him, I curtsied and said, "Have I disturbed Your Majesty? Jiaojiao has come to express gratitude."

Shen Huai grasped my wrist and pulled me into a gentle spin, my waist landing squarely in his palm. Our bodies pressed together through the fabric of our robes as he murmured, "Did you see your father just now?"

I lowered my lashes and murmured my assent, whispering, "We merely exchanged pleasantries. Your Majesty already knows."

He lifted me onto his lap, pressing his forehead to mine, and said, "I understand."

In truth, Shen Huai and Su Jiaojiao shared similar experiences regarding the role of a father. The only difference was that the late Emperor was cold and neglectful, abandoning Shen Huai entirely after Consort Lian fell from favor, while Su Chang was different.

Though he had failed in his paternal duties, he was not heartless and had always sought to atone.

Shen Huai understood Su Chang's intentions, but he understood Su Jiaojiao's sorrow and resentment even more.

He kissed her forehead and changed the subject, murmuring softly by her ear, "Do you still like the hunting outfit?"

The warmth of his breath tickled her ear, making her squirm.

Su Jiaojiao looped her arms around Shen Huai's neck and leaned away, laughing. "I loved it. You have excellent taste—everyone said it was beautiful. Of course Jiaojiao likes it."

Her eyes glimmered as she softened her tone, gazing at him. "Jiaojiao heard that the autumn hunt, like the summer retreat, is for the Emperor to choose favored consorts to accompany him. With only a month left before the hunt, has Your Majesty decided whom to bring?"

Shen Huai twirled a lock of her dark hair around his fingers and said gently, "The autumn hunt is a grand affair. Bringing more is no trouble. You, of course, will go. If you wish, Consort Shu may accompany you as well."

Su Jiaojiao straightened slightly. "With so many consorts in the palace, if only Jiaojiao and Consort Shu are chosen, the others will become even more resentful. There have been many rumors in the palace lately."

She tapped a finger lightly against Shen Huai's shoulder. "Has Your Majesty not heard them?"

Shen Huai caught her mischievous hand and smirked lazily. "What if I have? It's merely because I've shown you greater favor recently. Is that such a grave matter?"

His tone carried a hint of defiance, and Su Jiaojiao laughed, sliding into his embrace. "It's best that Your Majesty understands. But to gather favor is to gather envy. With over forty consorts in the harem, many have long been deprived of Your Majesty's presence. Those who practice sycophancy are as numerous as fish in a river. Many low-ranking consorts live worse than palace maids. Such a culture of flattery persists in the palace, making everyone yearn for Your Majesty's attention—because even a glimpse of Your Majesty can ease their hardships. Only after Consort Shu was given charge of the inner court did Jiaojiao realize the difficulties in these numerous small matters."

"Jiaojiao knows Your Majesty treats her well, but even if Your Majesty wishes to give Jiaojiao exceptional favor, she cannot in good conscience accept it without unease. When visiting the Empress at Fengyi Palace today, Her Majesty offered wise counsel. Jiaojiao found it reasonable and dares not monopolize Your Majesty forever."

Shen Huai's expression shifted slightly. Though his tone remained gentle, his voice cooled slightly. "You saw the Empress before coming here?"

Su Jiaojiao lowered her eyes and nodded softly. "Her Majesty has recovered from her illness these past few days. As a consort, it was only proper to pay my respects. Fengyi Palace bustled with activity today, with many sisters present—even Concubine Lian was there."

"The Empress showed great concern for Jiaojiao and spoke at length. Jiaojiao remembered her words well and came to see you feeling nervous, unsure whether she should mention them. Fortunately, I’ve spoken them today, and now I feel better."

She lifted her gaze to meet Shen Huai’s eyes and said softly, "I'll miss you, but Jiaojiao should be sensible and not make things difficult for you."

Shen Huai took her hand, not wanting to talk more about the Empress, and said lightly, "I’ve told you many times not to keep calling me 'Your Majesty.' It sounds too formal, and I don’t like it."

He pinched Su Jiaojiao’s cheek and joked, "If you keep this up, I’ll really go see other consorts and find out if they’re as distant as you."

"Your Majesty—you!"

Su Jiaojiao laughed and pouted, "If you do, then next time you won't be allowed to sleep in my palace."

Only when she heard him laugh did she look down, the smile on her lips fading slightly.

She could clearly tell he was avoiding—she wasn’t oblivious. By shifting the topic, he clearly had no desire to discuss the Empress further with her.

This attitude left Su Jiaojiao momentarily uncertain of his true stance.

He neither praised nor criticized the Empress, nor did he react to what she had said. He simply let the words pass without expressing any opinion, even in front of her. What exactly were his thoughts on the Empress?

The Empress had long claimed illness yet committed no major faults. After years of marriage, why would he be unwilling to restore her authority?

It was often said that the Emperor’s heart was inscrutable. Even though, over the past month, Su Jiaojiao had occasionally felt as if she had grasped his affections, when she thought about it, she still doubted herself.

From Su Jiaojiao’s perspective, she only considered palace affairs and her own future.

But from his standpoint, beyond the trivial affairs of the harem, his concerns lay with the stability of the realm and his people's well-being.

The balance he maintained in his heart was so vast that Su Jiaojiao could only glimpse a fraction of it, never the whole picture.

Yet, in all fairness, he had treated her exceedingly well, especially over the past month—giving her whatever she wanted, always thinking of her first, and seeing her so frequently it was as if he couldn't stand to be apart.

Perhaps he knew how to balance state affairs and personal emotions, but to Su Jiaojiao, they had never truly opened up to each other. Even now, with his increased favor, that distance remained.

Nestled in Shen Huai’s embrace, though physically close enough to hear his heartbeat, Su Jiaojiao still felt a huge gap between them.

Emperor and consort—no matter what, that was all they were.

She suddenly felt ironic, and her emotions, stirred by thoughts of the Empress, grew unsettled. Without thinking, she asked, "Will you bring the Empress along during the autumn hunt?"

The room went quiet for a moment.

The instant the words left her lips, Su Jiaojiao realized her mistake. Alarm surged through her, her body tensing, her heart pounding wildly.

He had already avoided speaking of the Empress, surely because her affairs extended beyond the harem and were matters he alone should consider.

For a consort like Su Jiaojiao to inquire about the Empress was improper, especially after her earlier probing. Bringing it up again carelessly risked arousing his suspicion.

Worse still, they had just moved past the topic, and now she had brought it up again carelessly.

As her heart was in her throat, awaiting his response—

Unexpectedly, he just held her a little tighter for a moment before relaxing again. He answered in his usual calm, gentle tone.

"Yes."