Chapter 140 Shifting Blame

Chapter 140: Shedding Responsibility

Feigning Ignorance

The next day, Su Jiaojiao got up and went through her usual morning routine.

Casually, she inquired about the task she had assigned Yu Ying the previous night. Yu Ying replied, "Trusted servants were sent at dawn to handle it. Since morning and evening greetings are suspended these days, and the weather has turned colder, we’ve long heard that Beauty Xiao is indolent and haughty. She likely hasn’t risen yet. We'll likely get word by mid-morning."

Su Jiaojiao nodded with a soft "Mm." After washing up, she asked, "What about Xiao Songzi’s side?"

Yu Ying guided her to the dressing table, answering quietly, "Everything is arranged. Xiao Songzi is always reliable—there won’t be any mishaps."

As she leaned down to apply powder and trace her mistress’s brows, Yu Ying scoffed, "I truly wish to see Beauty Xiao’s expression today. Let’s hope she isn’t scared witless!"

Su Jiaojiao’s expression remained indifferent, showing little concern for Beauty Xiao. Gazing at her reflection in the bronze mirror, she remarked, "She’ll probably head to Phoenix Palace today."

"Mindless idiot, truly believing others have her best interests at heart."

Yu Ying chuckled. "You’re right, my lady. Beauty Xiao is ignorant, arrogant, and domineering—never well-liked. Now she refuses to stay in her place. Let’s see how many good days she has left. She’s digging her own grave."

The Empress’s injuries had healed for over a month. With precious tonics and careful nursing, she had recovered seven or eight parts of her strength. Another half-month of rest would likely see her fully restored.

Given her current state, it was certain that once she recovered, the Emperor would return control of the harem to her. Moreover, since she couldn’t attend to him during her convalescence, conceiving an heir would be imminent once she regained her health.

With authority in her grasp and the Emperor’s favor, bearing a legitimate heir would complete her triumph.

By then, even if Su Chang found evidence to topple the Empress, it would only be dismissed as the slander of a disgraced consort—no one would listen.

When favored, all eyes are upon you. But once silenced, the truth no longer matters.

The path ahead was shrouded in darkness. Faced with these endless troubles, Su Jiaojiao was exhausted.

She thought—

Since the road forward is so mired in mud, perhaps it’s better to pause and rest.

No one sails through life unscathed.

Not Su Jiaojiao.

Nor the Empress.

Half of the pearwood lattice window by the dressing table was propped open, dispersing the stale air from the night. The bitter autumn wind cut through like icy needles.

"Yu Ying, this autumn seems especially cold."

---

In Phoenix Palace, the Empress reclined on her bed, sipping a bowl of light porridge. The heated floors had been lit early, making the chamber springlike.

Le He entered with two bright yellow satin pillows, carefully tucking them behind the Empress’s waist. Smiling, she said, "His Majesty gifted these just days ago. Now that Your Majesty is recovering well and can sit up, they’ve come just in time."

The Empress took another sip of porridge, affecting modesty as she chided, "Don't be silly. Phoenix Palace has plenty of pillows—it’s not as if we rely on His Majesty’s gifts for such things."

Yu He, massaging the Empress’s legs at the foot of the bed, lowered her eyes and smiled, she added, "Le He just wanted to cheer you up. Look around—everywhere you look are His Majesty’s gifts. He visits so frequently, too. This is truly the pinnacle of favor. After all these years of waiting, this day has finally come. We all rejoice for you, Your Majesty."

Le He added her voice, saying, "Indeed, take the heated floors in our palace as an example. Normally, the Office of Palace Administration only provides heating uniformly after winter arrives—the main halls get heated floors, while side rooms make do with coal stoves. Apart from His Majesty's Taiji Palace, which is kept warm year-round, which other palace enjoys such treatment? Only the crown prince's residence gets special treatment. In the end, it all comes down to His Majesty's care for Your Majesty, which is why the Office of Palace Administration prioritizes everything for you."

At the mention of His Majesty's favor, the Empress's cheeks colored faintly. She smiled faintly and handed her half-eaten porridge to Le He, asking, "How has Princess Lanying been doing at the Imperial Academy these days? Is she still studying diligently?"

Just as Le He was about to reply, a palace servant from the entrance came in to announce that Beauty Xiao was asking to see her.

All warmth drained from the Empress's expression. When it came to palace affairs, her guard went up, her tone turning cold. "What does she want?" she asked.

The messenger shook her head and said, "Beauty Xiao wouldn't say, but she seemed extremely anxious, begging for an audience."

Urgent matters?

Beauty Xiao was a simpleton and had never been favored by His Majesty. In just over a year since entering the palace, she had violated palace rules multiple times and repeatedly overstepped her bounds. If not for her status as the legitimate daughter of the Xiao family, His Majesty would have long since banished her to the Cold Palace.

Such a simpleton could hardly bring any value.

Last time, the Empress had merely humored her with a few kind words, and Beauty Xiao had immediately assumed she was one of her own—utterly laughable.

The Empress remembered clearly that during Beauty Xiao's last visit, she had incessantly accused Consort Zhen of misconduct, claiming she had unjustly slapped an Imperial Concubine. At the time, the Empress had only comforted her and planted a few seeds of discord...

Could Beauty Xiao's visit now be related to Consort Zhen?

If dealing with someone intelligent, the Empress wouldn't have to worry about such matters. But with someone as foolish as Beauty Xiao, she couldn't be sure what the woman had done.

If things were exposed and Beauty Xiao turned around to claim the Empress had incited her, it would spell trouble.

After a moment of contemplation, the Empress said, "Yu He, go prepare tea. Le He, bring her to the inner chamber."

"Yes," the two replied, exchanging a glance before withdrawing.

Before long, Le He personally escorted a frantic Beauty Xiao inside.

As soon as she entered, Beauty Xiao thrust something from her robes, exclaiming, "Your Majesty, what should I do now?"

Beauty Xiao's recklessness made the Empress frown, and she immediately glanced at Yu He.

Yu He understood at once, clearing her throat and saying, "All of you, leave. We will attend to Her Majesty here."

Once everyone had left, Beauty Xiao continued frantically, "Your Majesty, this is a banknote bearing the Xiao family's seal! I found it at my palace gates this morning!"

The Empress's eyes flashed with impatience, though her tone remained gentle. "I have been recuperating and know nothing of your affairs. How can I understand when you speak so incoherently? Start from the beginning and explain properly, and only then can I ensure justice is served."

Her words neatly distanced herself from the matter, but Beauty Xiao missed the subtext, only feeling reassured by the Empress's apparent kindness and warmth.

Trying to compose herself, though her voice still trembled, she said, "A few days ago, I bribed a eunuch from the Night Patrol Office to... to poison Consort Zhen with toxic smoke. But... but it must have failed."

"This banknote was the agreed payment I gave him at the time, but half of it is missing now, and I don't know where the other half is. When I saw this, I was terrified and immediately sent someone to the Night Patrol Office to investigate. Sure enough, Xiao Fuzi has vanished without a trace."

Beauty Xiao seemed half out of her mind, trembling as she pleaded, "Your Majesty, this is the Su clan sending me a warning, showing me they know what I did! And... and they're holding proof over me! Attempting to harm an Imperial Consort is a grave crime! Your Majesty, please, I beg you to save me! I'm terrified His Majesty will have me executed if he finds out!"

Hearing this, the Empress's brows furrowed deeply. "Beauty Xiao! Have you gone mad?"

"Even if you dislike Consort Zhen, how could you commit such a heinous act? She is still His Majesty's consort! Harem harmony is paramount. Have you forgotten all my usual admonitions?"

Beauty Xiao was foolish, leaving flaws in everything she did. Now that she had come seeking help in desperation, she had effectively tied herself to the Empress.

Such a liability had to be distanced from at once. The Empress thus adopted a stern yet compassionate tone, unwilling to openly break ties with someone like her: "Fortunately, Consort Zhen hasn't reported this yet and is only warning you. It seems the attempt failed, and she doesn't wish to pursue it further."

"Here's what you must do: return and reflect deeply on your mistakes. Avoid drawing attention to yourself in the coming days, lest you provoke Consort Zhen further. Perhaps, given time, this will pass."

Beauty Xiao widened her eyes upon hearing this, disbelief and hesitation flickering across her face. "Is this truly feasible...? I fear..."

"What use is your fear now? You’ve committed such a grave mistake, and Consort Zhen’s unwillingness to escalate the matter is already an act of mercy. The most I can do is help conceal it as much as possible. Instead of worrying endlessly, you’d do better to rein in your temper and strive to win His Majesty’s favor. If you gain his affection, what need is there to fear instability?" The Empress advised slowly, waiting until Beauty Xiao relaxed before adding, "Enough. Speaking so much has wearied me. You are dismissed. As I am recuperating, frequent visits are inadvisable. Unless necessary, do not come to Phoenix Palace (the Empress's residence) again."

It seemed that keeping a low profile was indeed the best course of action, yet the thought of passively waiting unsettled Beauty Xiao deeply. She opened her mouth to speak further, but the Empress waved her hand dismissively, signaling the audience was over. With no choice, Beauty Xiao curtsied and withdrew.

Once Beauty Xiao had left, Yu He murmured, "How reckless of Beauty Xiao to act so recklessly—using silver notes bearing the Xiao family seal to bribe palace servants! As if she wanted everyone to know who was behind it!"

The Empress cast a cold glance toward the palace gates. "Her actions were far too blatant. Yet sometimes, blatancy itself can be a form of protection. It’s just that Beauty Xiao is too dim-witted, and I have no intention of aiding her."

"Consort Zhen is cunning. She knows stirring trouble now would bring no advantage, so she deliberately left this warning for Beauty Xiao—no doubt to send me a message. That Xiao Fuzi’s disappearance remains a loose end. Spread word that the cold weather irritates my injury, and I’ve entrusted all palace affairs to Consort Shu’s care. Make it clear I knew nothing of Beauty Xiao’s actions."

Her gaze grew icy. "Ensure no further moves are made in the coming days, and be wary of those near Yaoxian Palace. Consort Zhen is formidable—we mustn’t let her drag this palace into it."

"Yes," Yu He and Le He replied with curtsies, assisting the Empress as she reclined slowly.

Gently touching her injured shoulder, the Empress coughed lightly. "My wound is nearly healed. In due time, I should recover fully. This year’s Mid-Autumn celebrations were canceled, and the palace has gone too long without a banquet."

"Once I’ve recovered, I intend to find a suitable occasion to host one."

By then, surely His Majesty would restore the palace’s administrative authority to me.