Chapter 129: The Autumn Hunt Begins

Chapter 129: The Autumn Hunt Begins

Su Jiaojiao and Shen Huai were not in their usual state.

The next morning, Su Jiaojiao had just opened her eyes when she heard a palace maid outside the door reporting to Yu Ying in a panic that Jiaxi had disappeared upon waking up.

Yu Ying calmed the maid who brought the news and then entered the hall to seek instructions from Su Jiaojiao.

Those who served her closely were all trustworthy. Su Jiaojiao calmly chose a pair of earrings to wear, and said softly, "Proceed as planned. In public, say Jiaxi fell and died in the backyard during the night. Privately, it was Xiao Yuezi who killed her. She has earned merit for protecting me recently, so after this, send all her savings out of the palace to her family and find someone to look after them. This is my utmost benevolence."

Yu Ying understood the deeper meaning behind the words and bowed her head, saying, "Yes, I understand, Your Majesty."

After Yu Ying left, Lingxiao whispered, "Your Majesty, even though Jiaxi was sent by Empress, she never directly harmed you. We have no direct evidence. If we go through great lengths to spare Jiaxi's life, how can we use her to bring down the Empress in the future?"

"The Empress has always been cautious. Now that she is about to regain power, she will surely clear away any obstacles. I am also worried..."

Su Jiaojiao said coolly, "Jiaxi's loyalty to her master is known by everyone in the palace, including His Majesty. Her sudden and tragic death will make anyone suspect foul play. But if one day Jiaxi appears alive when the Empress makes a mistake, accusing the Empress of ordering her to kill both me and Consort Yu to cover up her crimes, it would be very useful."

"When the walls fall, everyone pushes. Once we catch the Empress in a mistake, this incident will become one of the many pieces of evidence against her. Even if we exaggerate the facts, do you think His Majesty will still investigate at that point?"

Lingxiao was taken aback by her calmness and bowed her head, saying, "Your Majesty thinks far ahead, I cannot match you. The Empress's position is unshakable; without multiple charges, she cannot be overthrown."

"The Empress sent Jiaxi to inform you about the lilies being poisonous to gain your trust, hoping to earn merit by saving you from poisoning, making you believe Jiaxi was still useful and subconsciously thinking the Empress would rely on her. However, the Empress decided to act differently and secretly eliminated Jiaxi. She thought you wouldn't anticipate her next move, but the Empress could never have predicted that you would save Jiaxi and turn the tables on her."

Although Lingxiao's analysis was correct, Su Jiaojiao knew the Empress was planning something big, which made her uneasy.

She took a deep breath and said gently, "Even so, I still feel anxious, as if something significant is about to happen."

Yesterday, Jiaxi mentioned seeing Yuhuo meeting someone from the stables at night.

The stables... is this about the autumn hunt?

Is it to harm her using the horses, or for the Empress to fall off a horse herself to win His Majesty's sympathy?

She eliminated each possibility one by one. Even someone as clever as Su Jiaojiao couldn't fathom what move the Empress was planning.

After completing her toilette, Su Jiaojiao rubbed her temples and said, "Let's go. Now that I've recovered from the poisoning, I should take the initiative to see His Majesty."

In the Taiji Hall.

Su Jiaojiao reclined against His Majesty, reading a volume of poetry that described flowers of the four seasons. The elegant writing and exquisite imagery held a unique charm when read in a tranquil mood.

When she came across a poem about red plum blossoms, Su Jiaojiao suddenly recalled her encounter with Noble Consort Lan in the plum grove that day.

The red plums were vibrant, while Noble Consort Lan was cool and reserved—more akin to white plums, blooming bravely against the frost.

Since the incident with Nanny Sun, His Majesty had not seen any other Imperial Consorts. She had advised him several times, but His Majesty only offered evasive replies without taking any real action.

With over forty Imperial Consorts in the harem, no matter how beautiful she was now, there would come a day when her looks faded. Hogging all the favor at her beauty's peak wasn't wise.

Just like Consort Lian, those who banked on permanence usually came to bad ends. Su Jiaojiao was determined to cultivate a few allies of her own.

Noble Consort Shu had already risen to a high rank and was busy assisting in managing the harem’s affairs. Noble Lady Xiang’s status was special, while Talent Lady Ji, whom she had persuaded to follow the Empress, was not particularly favored.

After tallying them up, she realized she had very few friends—or useful allies—around her.

She had interacted with Noble Consort Lan a few times, and Su Jiaojiao could tell she was an intelligent woman.

Though her temperament was reserved, she was gentle. Most importantly, she was clear-headed, no fool.

Just these qualities alone make her exceptional, and in Su Jiaojiao's heart, the one she holds in highest regard is Noble Consort Lan.

Noble Consort Lan doesn’t compete or scheme. As the trueborn daughter of the prestigious Zhong clan, known for its scholars, neither wealth nor power could ever win her favor—only genuine affection could touch her heart.

Moreover, considering the future, it was clear that the Emperor intended to break up the influence of the noble families.

Though the Zhong clan had deep roots, as one of the four great noble families, it couldn't escape total destruction if the Emperor remained determined to curb their power.

But if, in the future, Su Chang could go easy on the Zhong clan, they might at least avoid being completely dismantled.

When it came to the prosperity of her family, even if Noble Consort Lan usually stayed above petty concerns, she would likely find it difficult to refuse.

Thinking of this, Su Jiaojiao recited the poem about red plum blossoms on the page and mused, "Speaking of red plums, Jiaojiao was reminded of the day of the first snowfall this year, when I saw Your Majesty at the entrance of the Hot Spring Palace."

Shen Huai paused in his reading and asked indifferently, "Was there something special about that day? Why think of it now?"

Su Jiaojiao looked up at him with a smile. "It was quite lively that day—there was Jiaojiao, Noble Consort Lan, and Beauty Xiao."

"You even said Beauty Xiao’s outfit was tacky and unbecoming, which made her livid."

After a moment of silence, Shen Huai said, "Did I really say that?"

"Absolutely true." Su Jiaojiao’s laughter was sweet and soft. With her hair ornaments removed, her dark hair fell softly as she nestled gently against Shen Huai’s chest, softening his heart.

He lightly booped her forehead and said lazily, "You must have misremembered."

"Speaking of which, I recall that before leaving for the Summer Villa, I ordered Beauty Xiao to reflect on her behavior in the palace. Lately, I haven’t heard of her causing any more trouble. She must have learned her lesson."

Su Jiaojiao smiled. "Beauty Xiao is arrogant and willful, but Noble Consort Lan is gentle and lovely. I heard she fell ill earlier this autumn—has Your Majesty visited her?"

"The palace is full of Imperial Consorts. If I had to visit every one who fell ill, when would I ever review memorials?" Shen Huai brushed off the topic lightly, unwilling to discuss it further.

A moment later, however, he frowned and asked pointedly, "Su Jiaojiao, are you really this magnanimous?"

The question caught Su Jiaojiao off guard.

It was common knowledge that emperors were fickle, and jealousy among consorts was a grave taboo.

Pretending to be gentle and understanding before the Emperor was something everyone knew to do.

Besides, in her view, even if the Emperor favored her now, it meant little. The late Emperor had once loved Consort Lian as well, yet his affection still didn't last.

The newness always fades. She had merely suggested he visit Noble Consort Lan—why had it displeased him?

If this were any ordinary man outside the palace, having a wife so generous would surely delight him. Yet in the harem, where there were so many beautiful women, it somehow became a fault.

Though puzzled, Su Jiaojiao recovered quickly, flirting playfully to smooth things over. "Of course Jiaojiao would feel reluctant if Your Majesty visited other consorts, but if it went on too long, there would be resentment. I hate seeing you stressed."

"Besides, Jiaojiao admires Noble Consort Lan. Though we aren’t close, if you must visit someone’s palace, aside from Sister Shu, she would be the one I’d mind least."

Though she smiled, Su Jiaojiao remained wary, watching the Emperor's face carefully. Only when she saw his demeanor soften slightly did she stick out her lip and say, "Your Majesty mustn’t overthink things."

Shen Huai lowered his gaze to look at her, his tone indifferent. "Su Jiaojiao, you’ve kept telling me to visit other consorts."

"If you truly believe it’s for the best, I don’t mind going."

Su Jiaojiao’s smile froze. For the first time, she realized there could be a question so difficult to answer.

If she said no, it would undo everything she had just said. But if she said yes, it would be the same as pushing the Emperor toward another woman.

She could clearly sense that His Majesty was somewhat displeased with her actions, leaving her in a dilemma that weighed heavily on her mind.

Seeing Su Jiaojiao hesitate, Shen Huai didn’t press for an answer. He merely chuckled lightly, patted her waist gently, and said, "There are still some imperial duties to attend to. You go back first. I’ll visit Noble Consort Lan when I have time."

"Your Majesty..." Su Jiaojiao could tell his mood was low, and her heart fluttered with unease. But the words she wanted to say lingered on her lips, unsure how to voice them. She could only step out with lingering backward glances from the Taiji Hall.

In truth, Su Jiaojiao had always known that the dynamic between her and Shen Huai wasn’t right.

He was immersed in the feigned devotion she presented, unable to extricate himself, while all Su Jiaojiao could think about was securing her ascent, grasping only what she could hold onto.

Others envied her, resented her, believing she was the one cradled in His Majesty’s palm—the favored consort who eclipsed even the empress and dominated the harem.

Only Su Jiaojiao knew that before Nanny Sun, she had been unbreakable. But after Nanny Sun, she treaded on knife's edge.

His Majesty’s affection was unconcealed.

But Su Jiaojiao was incapable of love.

Feigned affection and true devotion were never the same thing.

She had long known that someone like Shen Huai was cold on the outside but fiery at heart.

She also knew that once this fire realized the one facing it day and night was merely a shard of ice disguised as flame, it would snuff out in an instant.

The love of an emperor was something everyone desired. But in all honesty, such a fickle and ephemeral thing—Su Jiaojiao neither needed nor wanted it.

There was an old saying: paper can't contain fire.

Su Jiaojiao feared that one day, she would be reduced to ashes.

In the days leading up to the autumn hunt, His Majesty rarely visited the inner palace, only going to Noble Consort Lan’s quarters a few times. Even Consort Zhen received fewer summons.

Unlike before, when they met almost daily, ever since His Majesty visited Noble Consort Lan, Consort Zhen could only see him once every six or seven days.

Rumors spread in the palace that His Majesty’s infatuation had waned—that no matter how beautiful Consort Zhen was, even she could grow stale, and Noble Consort Lan was now His Majesty’s new favorite.

The palace winds changed direction with His Majesty’s whims. In just over a month, Yaoxian Palace had fallen into quietude.

For this autumn hunt, aside from the empress, who would inevitably accompany His Majesty, only Consort Zhen and Noble Consort Lan were invited to join.

Noble Consort Shu remained in the palace to manage affairs and oversee the rear palace.

On the day of departure, the imperial retinue made grand display, even more impressive than the journey to the summer retreat. Tall horses, polished armor glinting—the line stretched beyond sight.

Su Jiaojiao’s carriage followed closely behind the empress’s, spacious and luxurious, offering great comfort.

The riding attire bestowed by His Majesty lay on a small table beside her.

She lifted the gauze curtain of the carriage window to look outside.

Unexpectedly, someone lifted the curtain and stepped in, her voice cool yet gentle, saying, "May this lowly one presume to ask—might Your Ladyship permit me to share your carriage?"