Chapter 141 True Colors

Chapter 141: Her True Nature

She’s just a heartless, calculating woman.

On the first of November by the lunar calendar, snow began to fall in Chang'an.

The first snow of the season started overnight, falling in gentle flurries all night long. When the window was opened in the morning, a snowy landscape greeted the eyes.

The accumulated snow had already formed a thick layer, covering the palace eaves with a frosty white.

Red walls contrasted with white snow, forming a striking scene.

Outside the Yaoxian Palace, palace servants were busy sweeping away the snow. The soft crunch of footsteps and the swishing of brooms mingled with the crackling of candle wicks inside the hall, adding a touch of warmth to the wintry scene.

Su Jiaojiao sat by the window, reading a book with an air of cool detachment, as if untouched by worldly affairs.

Ling Xiao came in from outside, carrying a few branches of plum blossoms. She stamped her feet lightly at the doorway to shake off the snow before approaching with a smile. "My Lady, the first snow this year is lovely, and the red plums have just begun to bloom. Knowing you like them, I picked a few branches for you. Though the floor heating isn’t as warm as usual this year, they should still bloom fully in three to five days."

"I’ll arrange them in that white jade slender-necked vase you like and place it on the windowsill by your reading couch—it’ll add to the view."

Su Jiaojiao glanced up, a hint of warmth flickering in her eyes. "Ling Xiao, you’re always so thoughtful."

Just then, Yu Ye entered, carrying a foot warmer in one hand and a hand warmer in the other, frowning as she complained, "Those sniveling flatterers from the Imperial Household Department! When My Lady was favored, they couldn’t wait to fawn over you. Now that things have cooled a bit, they don’t even bother to keep the floor heating properly warm! You’re the ranking consort of this palace, yet the heating here is worse than the braziers in Consort Lan’s chambers. It’s a downright disgrace!"

Yu Ying quickly shot her a warning glare, signaling her to stop, then hurried forward to take the hand warmer from Yu Ye and pass it to Su Jiaojiao. "It’s a bit chilly inside. Please hold this to warm your hands, My Lady."

"Though the hall isn’t as warm as before, it’s still much cozier than outside. At least you won’t catch cold at night. But since My Lady is sensitive to the cold, a foot warmer and hand warmer are still necessary. No use griping."

With that, Yu Ying glanced at her mistress’s expression, only to see her still quietly reading, as if she hadn’t heard a word. A pang of sadness struck Yu Ying’s heart.

To put it nicely, these days were quiet, if nothing else. Though Su Jiaojiao never spoke of it or voiced any grievances, Yu Ying, who had grown up by her side, knew her emotions best.

Her Ladyship only seemed unaffected.

Just yesterday, news had spread that the Empress intended to host a banquet to mark the first snow, inviting all the imperial consorts to admire the winter scenery—ostensibly to make up for the missed Mid-Autumn Festival banquet.

But anyone with eyes could see the Empress’s true intentions. If she could host a banquet, it meant she had fully recovered.

So the snow-viewing was just a pretense. The real purpose was to signal her return to power in the rear palace and force everyone to choose sides.

On this snowy morning, the Empress had even sent her attendant Yu He to personally deliver an invitation, clearly pressuring Su Jiaojiao to attend and witness her triumphant return. Her scheming was all too obvious.

The Empress and Su Jiaojiao were bitter rivals. If the Empress thrived, how could Su Jiaojiao possibly be happy?

Realizing she had spoken out of turn, Yu Ye shrank back and quickly brought over a cup of tea. "My Lady, please have some red tea to warm up."

She glanced at Yu Ying, then back at her mistress, lowering her voice. "My Lady, for today’s banquet… wouldn’t it be good to dress beautifully? You’re born a beauty, the most outstanding Beauty in the palace. If you make an effort, you’ll surely dazzle the rest. Then His Majesty’s gaze will undoubtedly fall on you—wouldn’t that help you regain favor?"

Yu Ying gave her a warning glare but held her tongue. Then Su Jiaojiao spoke softly, "I won’t attend."

This was one of the rare occasions when Her Ladyship could see the Emperor—how could she not attend?

Yu Ye was stunned. "What?"

Apart from Yu Ying, who understood a fraction of the situation between Su Jiaojiao and the Emperor, the other close attendants didn’t know the full story. They only knew that Her Ladyship had lost the Emperor’s favor and hadn’t seen him in a long time.

But as astute as Ling Xiao and Ling Yun were, they never pressed into matters their mistress chose not to share.

It was clear that Consort Zhen wouldn’t even attend the palace banquet today, and judging by her expression, this matter likely wasn’t so simple.

Ling Xiao observed for a moment before speaking gently, "If Your Ladyship doesn’t wish to go, then don’t. There are others in the palace who dislike such gatherings as well. If Your Ladyship isn’t feeling up to it, this maid will request leave from Her Majesty the Empress, saying you are unwell and shouldn’t go out."

Su Jiaojiao gave a faint hum, and under Yu Ying’s meaningful glance, the others withdrew.

Today was the Empress’s event—why should she go make up the numbers?

Besides, there were people at the banquet she’d rather not see. Staying away was for the best.

After winter’s arrival, night fell earlier and earlier.

By the time the sky turned a hazy ink-blue, the palace paths already echoed with the processions of Imperial Consorts passing by.

Tonight’s banquet was a family affair, and with the Empress’s grace, all ranks could attend.

For many, this was a golden opportunity.

Whether to catch the Emperor’s eye or gain the Empress’s favor, either would be a fine thing.

When Consort Zhen was favored, she’d been too possessive, leaving scant affection for others.

But the Empress was different. As the nation’s mother, she would never resort to the flirtatious wiles of a favored consort. Virtuous and benevolent, she encouraged the Emperor to share his favor equally. Now the chance was here, one must seize it well.

Half an hour later, as the sounds outside gradually faded, Su Jiaojiao rose and stood by the window, watching the snow whirl down in the courtyard.

Under the pale moonlight, the red plum blossoms in the corner of the wall bloomed proudly, undaunted by the frost.

Su Jiaojiao lifted her gaze to the bright moon in the sky and murmured softly, "The chamber feels stifling. I’ll take a walk in the plum grove to clear my mind. No one follow me."

Yu Ying froze for a moment before urgently protesting, "That’s not wise! It’s already dark, and with the snow falling, how could I rest easy if you go out alone? If anything were to happen, you’d suffer in this bitter cold!"

Ling Xiao also frowned slightly and agreed, "Yu Ying is right. The Liangyi Hall isn’t far from the plum grove, and today this maid had to go through great effort to request leave from the Empress. If you’re discovered, it would only give others grounds to accuse you of disrespecting the central palace."

"It’s neither proper nor wise. Your Highness should retire early instead. This maid will accompany you first thing tomorrow morning, alright?"

Su Jiaojiao shook her head and said calmly, "My decision is final. There’s no need to persuade me further."

With that, she stood and fastened her fox-fur cloak, taking up a palace lantern before stepping out. "I’ll be careful."

She still remembered visiting the plum grove during the first snow last year. Returning now, yet everything was different.

Su Jiaojiao walked unhurriedly along the path, the lantern in hand. Glancing back, the Liangyi Hall was brightly lit, resplendent and golden. Through the distance, she could almost hear the laughter and chatter.

Alone with her lantern, she stepped into the plum grove against the wind and snow. The world was silent and cold, and she alone stood apart from the revelry.

The cold air cleared her mind. She loved the snow and the plum blossoms. While others reveled in merriment, she found solace in solitude.

Inside the Liangyi Hall—

Shen Huai entered from outside, brushing the snow from his shoulders.

He spoke indifferently, "Imperial business detained me at Taiji Hall."

As his gaze swept the hall, it instinctively sought the place where Su Jiaojiao should have been.

Cai Shan, ever sharp-eyed and quick-witted, immediately bowed and said in a low voice, "Reporting to Your Majesty, Consort Zhen requested leave from Her Majesty the Empress, citing illness as the reason for her absence."

Hearing that Su Jiaojiao wouldn’t come, Shen Huai’s heart sank abruptly. His previously calm mood darkened, and his expression dimmed.

He deliberately ignored Su Jiaojiao, letting out a noncommittal hum to acknowledge the message, then turned to face the gathered imperial consorts with a flat tone: "Today's banquet was arranged by the Empress to compensate for missing the Mid-Autumn Festival and to celebrate her recovery. Since this is a family gathering, there’s no need for formality—enjoy yourselves freely."

The consorts below rose to their feet, chorusing their congratulations to Shen Huai and the Empress before seating themselves, signaling the feast's beginning.

This first-snow banquet was meticulously planned by the Empress, with dances, music, and delicacies unlike anything served before.

But Shen Huai's thoughts were elsewhere, his mind far from the festivities.

Weighed down by court duties, he had secluded himself in the Taiji Hall to avoid distractions of the heart.

Now, amid the lively banquet, not seeing the one who unsettled him left him agitated.

Dancers from the Imperial Music Bureau swayed to the rhythm, filling the hall with vibrant energy.

His lips tightened, he held a wine cup without drinking, his gaze drifting absently to a corner of the hall.

Su Jiaojiao—

After over a year by his side, he had only now realized that this woman, who both captivated and infuriated him, had been living a lie the whole time.

On that freezing night a few days prior.

Had he not witnessed Su Jiaojiao coldly ordering an execution with his own eyes, he would never have imagined that the delicate, tearful woman who had so often tugged at his heartstrings could be so ruthless and decisive.

It was then he understood—every moment she had spent with him was a calculated act.

What she sought was power and status from him, never genuine affection for the man he was.

From beginning to end, she had been a cold, scheming woman.

Before, Shen Huai had failed to see through Su Jiaojiao, always sensing layers to her—serenity, gentleness, fragility, allure, aloofness—she was a mystery he couldn't solve.

The more elusive she seemed, the more he longed to unravel her, to break through her defenses.

Yet when the veil was lifted, only betrayal lay beneath.

Shen Huai struggled to accept it.

But what he could least bear was that, even knowing her cruelty, he still made excuses for her, telling himself it was merely her means of survival.

The harem was a place that devoured the weak—her ruthlessness was what kept her standing.

She was no gentle, kind-hearted woman, yet from the initial shock of discovery to the fury of understanding, and then to disappointment, Shen Huai realized that even now, his anger stemmed from one truth: Su Jiaojiao did not love him.

The hall's laughter only irritated him.

Taking a deep breath, Shen Huai coldly declared, "I’m stepping out for a walk. No one is to follow."