Chapter 133 Welcoming the Officials

Chapter 133: The Hundred Officials' Welcome

The Empress Returns to the Palace

Su Jiaojiao's heart trembled for a moment as she lowered her gaze and fell silent.

She wasn’t sure whether the Emperor’s look was because she didn’t know how to "love" him, because he was displeased that it was the Empress—not her—who had saved him, or perhaps both.

But for every possible reason, Su Jiaojiao felt powerless.

Love was inherently elusive. She had read countless books, many of which explored human affection.

Yet even in those stories, each character expressed love differently—how could Su Jiaojiao possibly know what kind the Emperor desired?

She had read thousands of volumes, but love itself remained inscrutable. Three parts affection, seven parts goodwill—these could be discerned.

What Su Jiaojiao had mastered was the art of captivating a man.

Before Nanny Sun came along, she had learned well and applied it even better.

But now, things had slipped far beyond her grasp.

Su Jiaojiao admitted that she had almost never shown sincerity before the Emperor.

First, because she was by nature rather cold-hearted. Second, because she had never believed—nor dared to believe—in so-called true feelings.

After her mother’s passing, Su Jiaojiao had been left with nothing but the empty title of the Su family’s legitimate daughter. She had clawed her way to her current status, position, wealth, and the ability to protect those around her. Even if the Emperor had treated her with unprecedented kindness, even if she had once been swayed or moved, she had always regained her composure in time.

Because Su Jiaojiao knew she could never risk losing everything for the sake of a fleeting emotion.

With such detachment and reason, how could she ever bring herself to lay down her life for him?

After enduring so many hardships, the one person she could never fail in this lifetime was herself.

Yet in recent days, the Emperor’s affection for her had indeed been extraordinary.

He had given her the rarest gift an emperor could offer—but Su Jiaojiao had been stingy in reciprocating even a fraction of it.

His resentment was understandable.

Noble Consort Lan glanced at the wordless exchange between them, her expression indifferent, offering no comment.

Only after the Emperor left the tent did she speak softly, "The Empress is gravely wounded, and the outcome remains uncertain. It’s only natural for His Majesty to be in a poor mood."

Su Jiaojiao nodded, and Noble Consort Lan said no more, though the heavy scent of blood in the tent made her cough lightly.

Of all the women Su Jiaojiao had ever met, Noble Consort Lan was the most refined. No matter the circumstance, her posture remained impeccably upright, her bearing as aloof as an orchid.

Only now, there was a touch of illness about her.

The exhaustion of travel these past few days, coupled with the harsh autumn winds, had left her already frail frame even thinner.

Before long, the Emperor’s voice carried from outside the tent.

He declared that the Empress’s injuries were too severe for immediate travel and that she would recuperate in the hunting grounds for a few days before being escorted back to the palace. Furthermore, the hunt was to be canceled, and the imperial retinue would return to the palace.

The ministers weighed in—some praised the Empress’s selfless act, others advised against continuing such a dangerous expedition, and still others called for punishment for those at fault for the lapse and rewards for those who had acted bravely. The debate continued at length.

After a long while, the attendant eunuch lifted the tent flap, and the Emperor reentered.

The bloodstains had vanished—he’d clearly changed into fresh robes before returning to take charge.

Su Jiaojiao and Noble Consort Lan both curtsied, but the Emperor ignored them, his expression cold as he swept past and went straight behind the gauze curtain.

Only his question could be heard: "How fares the Empress?"

Through the hazy curtain, Su Jiaojiao saw Imperial Physician Lin step forward with a tray, kneeling on one knee as he raised it, his voice trembling. "Your Majesty, the arrow in the Empress's right shoulder has been removed—here it is. The wound has also been stitched by the finest trauma physician."

"Yet..."

Imperial Physician Lin hesitated, too afraid to continue.

Fearing the worst for the Empress, Shen Huai's face darkened. "Speak."

Under the Emperor's imposing authority, Imperial Physician Lin was even more terrified. He struggled to steady himself, forcing himself to lower his head and speak through gritted teeth. *This is the best outcome we could achieve.* "The arrow was embedded too deeply, too close to the lung... We have deliberated and devised the best possible treatment, but... there was still severe bleeding. We exhausted all our medical skills to stabilize the situation, but I fear that even after recovery, Her Majesty may be left in delicate health or suffer lasting damage to her lungs..."

"—We implore Your Majesty's mercy!"

Imperial Physician Lin bowed deeply, pressing his forehead to the ground, the tray still raised in his hands.

The other attending imperial physicians knelt in unison behind him, echoing, "We implore Your Majesty's mercy—!"

Shen Huai stared at the group of physicians, rage and impotence constricting his throat.

If the Empress did not recover fully, his guilt would only deepen.

Yet the physicians had done their best—the wound surpassed mortal remedy.

Just as Shen Huai was too furious to speak, the Empress, who had been unconscious, roused from unconsciousness on the bed. Seeing the scene before her, she weakly called out, "Your Majesty..."

Hearing her voice, Shen Huai turned in surprise to find her eyes open, her face bereft of color, as fragile as spun glass.

"Empress!" He rushed to her side, grasping her hand. "Newly awakened—conserve your strength."

Her fingers were icy, her body too weak to do more than curl faintly against his palm. She managed a faint smile. "The physicians... did their best... Your Majesty, do not blame them."

"None foresaw this misfortune... Do not let it chill the loyalty of your servants..."

Seeing her like this, Shen Huai's guilt and sorrow surged even stronger.

She was already so weakened, yet she summoned what meager strength remained to plead for the physicians.

How had he overlooked such a wise and selfless wife for so many years?

"Very well. I will heed your words. Distress yourself not—rest and recover." Shen Huai clasped her slender, cold hand, speaking softly. "Your injuries are severe. I intend for you to remain at the hunting grounds for a few days, with the imperial physicians attending. Once your wounds have improved enough to endure the journey, we shall return to the palace. Is that acceptable?"

The Empress closed her eyes slightly, smiling weakly. "Your servant yields to Your Majesty's command..."

With the Empress's intercession, the Emperor finally relented in his desire to punish the physicians, and their terrified hearts settled somewhat.

Shen Huai cast a cold glance at the kneeling physicians. "Until the Empress returns to the palace, you are to attend to her with utmost care. Should the slightest complication arise, I will not be lenient again."

"Yes, Your Majesty!" — The physicians kowtowed again, trembling, and only then did Shen Huai's anger ease slightly.

—

Standing outside the curtain, Su Jiaojiao observed with icy detachment, kindling resentment within her breast.

Not only had the Empress's stratagem prevailed, but the Emperor's concern—once bestowed upon her—was now lavished upon the Empress, stirring further discontent. The next morning, the imperial retinue made ready to depart.

Several royal physicians stayed behind at the hunting grounds to care for the Empress.

However, the remote location lacked many necessities. But the Emperor, showing great generosity, ordered supplies to be swiftly delivered from Chang'an to the hunting grounds, repeatedly emphasizing that the Empress must be well cared for.

This showed just how much the Emperor cared for the Empress.

The Emperor and Empress getting along so well was good for the country, and the Empress's actions earned the admiration of many court officials.

For a time, everyone was talking about how wonderful the Empress was.

With the Empress unwell, it was customary for the Imperial Consorts to attend to her, yet His Majesty did not summon Su Jiaojiao or Noble Consort Lan to serve the Empress, instead allowing them to return to the palace together—though no one knew why he made this decision.

The Emperor's peril and the Empress's act of saving him were life-or-death matters for the Emperor, as well as a great merit for the Empress.

As soon as the imperial procession entered the palace, word spread quickly through the imperial harem.

For the next seven or eight days after returning, His Majesty secluded himself in the Taiji Hall to review memorials after court sessions, turning away all visitors.

This included even Consort Zhen, who had once been his favorite, and Noble Consort Lan, who had enjoyed some favor before the autumn hunt.

Only then did everyone realize that the Empress's selfless act of saving His Majesty had truly touched the Emperor.

Though many envied her, not everyone could be that brave.

Moreover, the Empress was, after all, the Empress—His Majesty's rightful wife. He couldn't possibly treat her too well.

That's just how things go.

The palace always followed the Emperor's changing moods. The normally busy Yaoxian Palace became quiet almost overnight.

Three days later, when the Empress returned to the palace, His Majesty personally welcomed her, with the Imperial Consorts and officials also in attendance.

Su Jiaojiao stood to the right of Noble Consort Wang, gazing from afar as the phoenix carriage symbolizing the Empress slowly approached, her handkerchief crumpled in her tight grip.