Chapter 122: Lily Fragrance

Chapter 122: Lily Fragrance

Poisoning

The anticipated suspicion and fury did not come. Instead, what followed was a single, remarkably straightforward and candid reply.

Though relieved, Su Jiaojiao was mostly confused.

Why…?

Su Jiaojiao paused briefly, tilting her head back to gaze steadily at His Majesty.

Shen Huai's expression remained unchanged, as gentle and attentive as it had been these past days. His hand rested on her waist, neither too light nor too heavy, rubbing it gently. "Why so stunned?"

Su Jiaojiao flustered, her voice trembling slightly. "Jiaojiao was just... momentarily taken aback."

His Majesty’s attitude was something she could never quite grasp, especially in recent times.

Su Jiaojiao had never loved any man before and didn’t know what it felt like to be in love. She simply treaded carefully yet boldly in her role, pretending to reciprocate His Majesty’s feelings.

In the past month alone, Su Jiaojiao had faltered in front of him multiple times.

Just like today, there had been many moments when she could clearly sense His Majesty’s evasiveness, the way he deliberately skirted certain topics. Yet, just when she feared her words or actions had overstepped—ones that would have displeased him before—he would effortlessly overlook her small mistakes, as if they meant nothing to him.

His Majesty was indulgent and lenient with her, but the boundaries of that indulgence remained unclear to Su Jiaojiao.

She didn’t understand—was loving someone inherently such a contradictory thing? Both generous and guarded, tender yet distant.

This favor and distinction were enviable, even coveted by every woman in the harem. But anything she couldn’t control left Su Jiaojiao deeply uneasy.

When Nanny Sun had told her about His Majesty and Consort Lian’s past, she had known that both of them were people of cold exteriors and burning hearts—unyielding once they set their minds to something. Like wildfire—fierce, all-consuming, but with the risk of burning oneself.

Consort Lian had been an Imperial Consort, and her defiance had driven her to end her own life.

But His Majesty was the sovereign of the realm. If one day his favor toward her were to end, Su Jiaojiao was certain she would plummet from the heavens into hell, never to rise again.

A chill ran down her spine. She dared not dwell on it further, forcing a smile as she straightened slightly to press a kiss to His Majesty’s cheek, playing coy. "Jiaojiao thought Your Majesty wouldn’t answer."

Pushing further or apologizing might only annoy him. Playing ignorant and accepting his honesty was the safer choice.

His Majesty chuckled softly, his tone mild. "If you want to know, I’ll tell you. It’s not some forbidden secret."

"The autumn hunt is a grand affair. With a bit more rest, the Empress should recover enough to handle the trip. Naturally, she will attend. As for the other Imperial Consorts, a few may join depending on circumstances."

Su Jiaojiao nodded gently, her smile sweet. "But Jiaojiao doesn’t know how to ride. Won’t that waste the riding attire prepared for the occasion?"

Her eyes were captivating, and nestled in his arms, she was soft and warm, like a kitten.

He loved holding her, feeling that merely having her by his side wasn’t enough. She was a treasure to hold in his hands, to press against his heart—only then was he truly content.

Shen Huai kneaded her waist lightly, saying softly, "I’ll teach you."

Then, patting her side, he added, "Go back to your palace and rest. I still have many memorials to review. I’ll join you once I’m done."

Su Jiaojiao nodded obediently. "Then Jiaojiao will prepare horse hoof cake for you."

"You may go."

Watching Su Jiaojiao rise and walk further away, her figure gradually fading from his sight, Shen Huai felt as though the warmth she had left in his arms had grown faint.

Su Jiaojiao was very clever—he had always known that.

Yet in front of him, she had always been intelligent, knowing her place and when to act, making her the most agreeable presence in the entire harem.

He knew her true self was deeply hidden, guarded and wary. Shen Huai could only patiently unravel little by little, but just now, for the first time, he had glimpsed her true ambition.

Or perhaps it was a test.

The empress was a virtuous wife, Noble Consort Wang and Consort Mi were beautiful concubines, and the others were much the same, yet none were completely innocent.

Shen Huai had also risen through the harem. The endless scheming, backstabbing, and dirty tricks to climb the ranks were nothing new to him. He had long grown accustomed to it and rarely involved himself unless things went too far.

It was also because of his past indifference that his harem was far from tranquil—more like a turbulent undercurrent.

Su Jiaojiao had always appeared so delicate and demure, yet she had remained favored all this time. Under such circumstances, she had still managed to endure unharmed until today.

Aside from his partiality in the past, he supposed it was mostly due to her cleverness.

She had maneuvered carefully through the harem, but he also knew that the women of the harem relied most on him, the emperor.

That was why Su Jiaojiao had always been compliant and attentive in front of him—alternately coy and charming—all to make him like her, and preferably, to keep liking her.

In the past, Shen Huai had never troubled himself to consider these things, to question whether their affections before him were genuine or a facade.

But now, Shen Huai had come to cherish Su Jiaojiao.

Genuinely cared for her.

This intense feeling was unfamiliar yet overwhelming, drawing him inexorably deeper. Before, he had tried to restrain it, but now, he no longer wished to.

So he wanted to know more and more—whether Su Jiaojiao was sincere before him or merely pretending.

He wanted to see the real her, yet he knew she was a sly little cat, unlikely to reveal her true nature easily.

That was why, when he realized she cared about the empress today, aside from a moment of silence, what he felt more was the desire to indulge her.

Shen Huai had thought it through clearly—as long as it didn’t involve the stability of the empire or harm the court, he could let her have her way in those small matters.

He would not let Su Jiaojiao suffer the same fate as his mother.

As for Su Jiaojiao, he still had plenty of time to understand her slowly.

After leaving the Taiji Hall, Su Jiaojiao felt even more exhausted.

In just one day, she had first dealt with the empress, then endured a trying exchange with His Majesty. It wasn’t physical fatigue but being utterly spent emotionally.

Su Jiaojiao rubbed her temples and sighed wearily.

Yu Ying supported her at her side and asked softly, "My lady, did His Majesty say something to you? I notice you’ve been in low spirits since leaving, looking listless and weary."

She lifted her gaze to the confined square of sky above and smiled faintly. "His Majesty treats me well. The palace is an unrelenting place, and sometimes one simply feels tired."

No one in the palace had it easy. Even those as noble as the empress dowager or the empress spent their entire lives trapped within these vermilion walls, never knowing freedom's touch—let alone those beneath them. Yu Ying, as a palace maid, might still have hope of eventual release, but her mistress... Even back home, life hadn’t been easy. Now that she had entered the palace and become the much-envied imperial favorite, who could truly understand her struggles?

Yu Ying guided her carefully as they walked back, speaking softly, "My lady, don’t worry. No matter how hard it gets, I shall remain by your side."

As Su Jiaojiao stepped into the Guanju Palace, Yu Ye happened to be directing the palace servants in cleaning at the entrance. Seeing her mistress return, her eyes lit up as she hurried forward, curtsying and saying, "You're back, my lady! Just now, the gardeners sent over several pots of double-petaled lilies—rare, graceful, and flawless varieties, they said—much lovelier than common single-petaled lilies. Their fragrance is refreshing and soothing, perfect for the main chamber. The maid who delivered them mentioned they even have calming properties. You must be weary after today’s excursion—please go take a look!"

Su Jiaojiao smiled, gently brushing a fallen osmanthus petal from Yu Ye’s hair, and said softly, "I’ll go see them now. Would you gather the ingredients for horse hoof cake? I’ll make some myself after resting a while."

Such personal attention from her mistress was a privilege only a few close attendants enjoyed. Yu Ye flushed slightly, her eyes sparkling as she lowered her head and darted away in small, quick steps. "Please rest, my lady! I’ll go right away!"

Yu Ying chuckled, supporting Su Jiaojiao as they entered the hall. Sure enough, several lily pots had been arranged separately, with the most splendid one placed on the table by the couch, its layered petals unfurling in exquisite beauty.

Seated on the couch, Su Jiaojiao reached out to stroke the lily petals and smiled. "Indeed, a rare sight."

Ling Xiao, standing nearby, glanced over and said warmly, "My lady is now the uniquely favored consort. His Majesty treasures you deeply, bestowing only the finest gifts upon you. These lilies are said to be a new variety cultivated this year—only a few pots exist, and they’ve all been brought to Yaoxian Hall."

Yu Ying poured a cup of tea from the table and handed it to Su Jiaojiao. "My lady, have some tea to soothe your throat. It’s the Zhengshan Xiaozhong His Majesty just gifted."

Su Jiaojiao, quite thirsty, took the cup and sipped. But just as she swallowed, a servant rushed frantically into the hall, shouting, "My lady, don’t drink it!"

The palace servants of Yaoxian Hall were disciplined and composed, so the sudden commotion startled Su Jiaojiao, causing her to choke on the tea and cough violently.

Yu Ying, horrified, immediately patted her back to help her breathe, asking anxiously, "My lady, are you alright?" She then stood and scolded sharply, "How dare you act so rashly in Her Ladyship’s presence?"

Jia Xi, panting heavily, dropped to her knees, her face flushed and drenched in sweat as she cried, "Forgive my haste, but this cannot wait! Please hear me out, my lady—the lilies are dangerous! Move them away at once!"

What?

Su Jiaojiao’s eyes snapped open as she covered her mouth, her voice hoarse. "Bring me a veil."

No sooner had she spoken than a rash began spreading swiftly from her neck to her face.

Yu Ying, alarmed, immediately swept the lilies off the table. "Why are you standing there? Remove them all!"

Ling Xiao, seeing this, rushed to the dressing cabinet and rummaged through it, pulling out an inconspicuous porcelain vial. She took out a pill and said urgently, "My lady, this is the antidote pill Imperial Physician Liu sent a few days ago. It’s mild and won’t clash with anything—take one now!"

The poison acted swiftly. Su Jiaojiao swallowed the pill, her fingertips brushing her warm, stinging face as she ordered coldly, "Fetch the maid who delivered the flowers to Yaoxian Hall. Send word to His Majesty, the Empress, and Noble Consort Shu."

Jia Xi, still kneeling, couldn’t fully hear but insisted urgently, exclaiming, "Air out the hall—now! The lilies must have been tampered with!"