Chapter 135 Meeting Consort Yu

Chapter 135: Meeting Consort Yu

Consort Yu was indisposed.

In the main hall of Tangli Palace,

As Su Jiaojiao entered, Noble Consort Shu was reviewing ledgers, her brows furrowing deeper with each page turned.

Su Jiaojiao raised her voice slightly and asked, "Elder Sister Shu, why do I see you troubled by something as soon as I enter? Are you facing some difficulty?"

Hearing her voice, Noble Consort Shu's expression softened slightly, and she smiled, beckoning her over. "Come, sit. I was just thinking of you."

"Thinking of me?" Su Jiaojiao smiled faintly, subtly tucking the hand she had used to strike someone earlier into her wide sleeve. "Then it seems we share the same thought."

Noble Consort Shu instructed the maid beside her, "Prepare Consort Zhen's favorite tea."

Then, she held up the ledger for Su Jiaojiao to see. "Look, the Empress has only just returned today, and His Majesty has already prepared nothing but the finest tonics and gifts for her."

Su Jiaojiao glanced at it, her smile not reaching her eyes. "Nothing but the finest. It’s clear she occupies His Majesty’s thoughts. For these to be recorded in the books, the orders must have been given long ago. His Majesty has been thinking of the Empress."

Noble Consort Shu sighed softly and set down the heavy ledger. "I didn’t attend the Autumn Hunt, but I’ve heard about what happened. Truthfully, injuries aren’t uncommon during hunts, and accidental arrow wounds do occur. But who would have expected a tiger attack this year, nearly harming His Majesty?"

"Though I dislike the Empress, what she did this time was truly remarkable. You should try to set your mind at ease."

Su Jiaojiao took a sip of tea from the cup handed by her maid, her long lashes lowering slightly as she chuckled softly. "Even you think so, Elder Sister. It seems the Empress timed it perfectly."

"Timed...?" Noble Consort Shu’s elegant brows knitted, but she caught herself mid-sentence, realizing the gravity of the implication. She quickly changed her tone and said calmly, "All of you, leave us. I wish to speak privately with Consort Zhen."

Once the servants had withdrawn and closed the door, Noble Consort Shu belatedly felt a shiver of apprehension. "What you just implied—does this mean the incident wasn’t as I imagined?"

Su Jiaojiao set down her cup and said gently, "Exactly as you thought. Most people’s first reaction upon hearing of this would be that hunting is inherently dangerous, and injuries are commonplace. Thus, while the tiger attack was unexpected, it still seemed plausible."

"But it’s precisely because of this that we can see how ambitious the Empress’s plot was and how meticulously she arranged it. As her thorn in the side, I know the Empress well enough to believe she’s too cautious to act recklessly—yet I still underestimated her."

Noble Consort Shu’s expression darkened instantly. "I just advised you to set your mind at ease, but now that I know it was deliberate, I find it utterly contemptible."

"If His Majesty knew that his current gratitude and guilt were being bestowed upon a viperous woman—one who would even risk harming the imperial body just to vie for favor and power—I wonder how he’d feel. I’m curious: if one day His Majesty learns the truth, how will he deal with the Empress?"

Su Jiaojiao patted Noble Consort Shu’s hand lightly and smiled. "The Empress remained at the hunting lodge for over ten more days to recuperate before returning. Any clues that might have been easy to investigate have likely been erased by now. I’ve already commissioned Lord Su with this matter, insisting he handle it for me. It may take quite some time."

"Lord Su?" Noble Consort Shu looked at Su Jiaojiao with concern. "Your father?"

Su Jiaojiao nodded, reluctant to speak further about him. Noble Consort Shu didn’t press the matter and let it drop.

Lord Su held a high position and was a trusted minister of His Majesty. Having his subordinates investigate matters for him would undoubtedly be far easier than if Su Jiaojiao attempted it herself.

The longer Noble Consort Shu spent with Su Jiaojiao, the more her heart ached for her.

To outsiders, Su Jiaojiao must have seemed favored by fortune—stunningly beautiful, from an illustrious family, and His Majesty's favored consort. But Noble Consort Shu knew that Su Jiaojiao had begun with only her beauty. Everything she had now, she had achieved through her own merit.

Even if Su Jiaojiao was unwilling to speak of it, Noble Consort Shu knew a little about her family background.

Her birth mother had died young, her father was preoccupied with state affairs, and he had remarried.

It was said that her stepmother, Lady Su, had two daughters and a son. As the legitimate eldest daughter, Su Jiaojiao’s past life must have been difficult.

Now, she had acquired the standing to deal with the Su household on her own merits. Few others could have managed such a complete reversal of fortune.

Noble Consort Shu sighed to herself, then lowered her gaze to see Su Jiaojiao's right palm flushed red, as if swollen.

Without much thought, she grabbed Su Jiaojiao's hand and spread it open, only to find the entire palm bright red, like she’d slapped an iron plate—it looked painful.

"What happened to your hand? Why is it so red, and why haven’t you treated it?" Noble Consort Shu’s eyes instantly filled with concern as she chided, "I’m not scolding you, but just because His Majesty’s attention is now on the Empress, must you neglect yourself like this? You’ve worked so hard to reach your current position—why waste it all for the sake of empty imperial favor?"

Su Jiaojiao was both amused and exasperated, smiling as she replied, "This wasn’t an accident."

"Besides, don’t you know me by now? I’m the most cold-hearted, detached woman—how could I ever prioritize His Majesty’s favor above all else?"

Noble Consort Shu eyed her skeptically for a long moment. "...Then how did this happen?"

Su Jiaojiao blew lightly on her burning red palm and said airily, "On my way to see you, I took a swipe at Beauty Xiao."

"Beauty Xiao?" Noble Consort Shu frowned. "She’s kept a low profile lately, hardly causing trouble. Why did she cross you today?"

"Before, when the Empress wasn’t in charge, I had His Majesty’s favor, and you managed the harem affairs—she had to think twice before acting up. But now that the Empress is doted on by His Majesty, she probably thinks she’s found a powerful ally and decided to take a swipe at me."

Su Jiaojiao chuckled leisurely. "She’s always been arrogant and domineering, and I’ve suppressed her before—she’s long resented me. Now that she finally has a chance to retaliate, she just wanted to gloat."

Noble Consort Shu sneered. "A lowly Beauty, putting on airs. An insignificant wretch like her deserves to be slapped—it’ll remind her of her place and stop her from stirring trouble."

"You said she wants to side with the Empress, but mark my words—the Empress won’t bother with her meddling. If the Empress doesn’t care, and I, as the one assisting in managing the harem, don’t either, chaos will follow! I’ll issue an order later to cut off her stipend for a year. If she’s so capable, let her grovel to her family for money—no need to dip into the imperial coffers."

Su Jiaojiao smiled faintly, her eyes curving. "Sister Shu dotes on me."

A Beauty’s stipend was barely enough for daily expenses, but Beauty Xiao came from a noble family and loved extravagance. Aside from her monthly allowance, much of her spending was subsidized by her family.

However, no matter how much her family supplemented, outside wealth was still unseemly in the Emperor’s palace. Though the monthly stipend wasn’t much, it was still crucial.

By cutting off Beauty Xiao’s stipend for a year, Noble Consort Shu not only made her grovel to her family but also ensured her family would hear of the disgrace.

Not only would she be disgraced in the palace, but the shame would also reach her family.

The dignified eldest daughter of the Xiao clan, already fallen from favor, now had to rely on her maternal family for even basic expenses.

The Xiao clan was a prominent noble family, and many among its branches already disliked the main lineage. With this, Beauty Xiao’s pride would suffer more than if she’d been caned.

The punishment seemed light but was cutting—hitting Beauty Xiao where it hurt most.

After chatting idly for a while longer, Su Jiaojiao asked, "Consort Mi is still under house arrest—how has she been lately? Her quarters are heavily guarded. Aside from His Majesty, you, and the Empress, no one else can easily intervene."

At the mention of Consort Mi, Noble Consort Shu’s expression turned slightly uneasy. She lowered her head and took a sip of tea before saying, "Consort Mi has been confined for about two months now. She’s physically fine, just stifled and inevitably depressed."

Su Jiaojiao observed her expression and said gently, "Her demotion and confinement were unjust—merely the Empress’s doing."

"She used to devote herself entirely to His Majesty, yet he didn’t trust her. It’s only natural she’s heartbroken and despondent. As long as she’s unharmed, that’s what matters. In time, I’ll think of a way."

Noble Consort Shu looked at her, equal parts frustrated and exasperated. "Look at the state you’re in, yet you’re still worrying about Consort Mi? We agreed before—you were only using each other. But now, you clearly can’t bear to leave her be. Consort Mi hasn’t treated you badly, but if you save her, she could become an obstacle. Besides, she’s now..."

Here, Noble Consort Shu abruptly cut herself off and changed the subject. "Never mind. Instead of fussing over Consort Mi, you should pay more attention to Consort Yu. She holds a deadly grudge against you. Just two days ago, I was informed that Consort Yu pretended to be ill to summon His Majesty, but he was too busy with state affairs to visit. Still, I doubt she’ll give up."

"Especially now that the Empress has returned—Consort Yu will surely try to leverage the Empress’s current standing in His Majesty’s heart to lift her confinement. If she’s freed, and once the Empress recovers, you’ll have even more headaches than you do now."

Su Jiaojiao nodded to show she understood, but just as she was about to speak, the palace doors were knocked by the palace servants waiting outside.

Noble Consort Shu’s personal maid entered and reported, "Your Highness, word has come from Tongxin Hall—Consort Yu claims to be unbearably ill and has requested His Majesty’s presence at Fengyi Palace."

"I see. You may leave." Noble Consort Shu turned back to Su Jiaojiao. "See? What did I just say?"

Su Jiaojiao looked out the window with an indifferent expression. "Sister, do you think His Majesty will go this time or not?"

In Fengyi Palace.

Shen Huai sat by the Empress's bedside, personally picking up the medicine bowl from the tray Yu He was holding.

He scooped a spoonful, gently blew on it to cool it, and carefully brought it to the Empress's lips. His tone, though cool as always, carried a touch of gentleness: "We've cooled it for Her Majesty. She can drink it now."

The Empress's complexion had visibly improved, a faint flush returning to her pale features.

Being personally fed medicine by the Emperor was a privilege she hadn't experienced in many years. For once, the dignified and graceful Empress showed a hint of wifely tenderness, parting her lips softly to drink the medicine.

The maidservants attending nearby, seeing the harmony between the Emperor and Empress, exchanged delighted glances, suppressing their laughter at the Empress's rare display of bashfulness.

Just as the Emperor was feeding the medicine, Cai Shan entered with a bow to deliver a message, lifting his head slightly and speaking respectfully. "Your Majesty, word has come from Tongxin Palace—Consort Yu is in severe discomfort and begs Your Majesty to visit—"

He paused, awaiting the Emperor's decision without further words.

The rare moment of tenderness was interrupted, and the warmth in the Empress's eyes dimmed slightly, a trace of displeasure flickering across her face.

But Consort Yu's request for the Emperor at this moment carried multiple implications.

Moreover, the Empress had never been one to indulge in envy. In the Emperor's eyes, she had always been magnanimous and kind-hearted.

Her recent act of saving the Emperor had only reinforced his belief that she was someone who bore hardships stoically without complaint.

It was precisely because of this that the Emperor now felt overwhelming guilt and sought to compensate her so lavishly.

Consort Yu's plea was clearly an attempt to leverage the Empress's influence to coax the Emperor into visiting her.

Since she and Su Jiaojiao were already bitter rivals, helping Consort Yu was tantamount to helping herself. The Empress had no reason not to comply with her wishes.

"Your Majesty, Qingwu has always been impulsive. Since her confinement, she must have realized her mistakes," the Empress said with a frail yet gentle smile, her tone coaxing. "She misses you in her illness. If you grant her an audience, it would please her."

"Consort Yu was punished for breaching palace decorum. It has nothing to do with being immature."

Shen Huai replied coolly, though the movement of his spoon paused briefly.

Lowering his gaze to the Empress, he spoke slowly, "But since you plead for her, We shall grant her an audience."