Chapter 156 Seeking Balance

**Chapter 156: Seeking Balance**

"Jiaojiao, we should have a child."

At these words, Su Jiaojiao’s previously calm and composed expression abruptly sharpened. Her eyes locked onto Consort Wen Jieyu, sending a chill down the latter’s spine.

Her gaze was icy, though her tone remained even: "What is it?"

Consort Wen Jieyu, unsettled by this reaction, felt a twinge of anxiety but at the same time confirmed her suspicions.

Consort Zhen and the Empress were truly locked in a life-or-death struggle. At this moment, she must firmly stand behind Consort Zhen to earn her trust and secure her future livelihood.

She gently wiped away tears from the corners of her eyes, her voice soft and trembling: "The Empress's malice toward the Eldest Prince has long existed, though still in the planning stages. One day, when I went to Fengyi Palace to pay my respects, the Empress had just woken from her nap. The palace maids on duty, knowing I was close to the Empress and part of her faction, invited me to wait in the main hall. As soon as I entered, I faintly overheard the Empress speaking with Yu He in her chambers—words like 'Eldest Prince,' 'Imperial Academy,' and 'that thing' caught my attention."

"Later, when His Majesty unexpectedly entrusted the Eldest Prince to my care, even the Empress was caught off guard. Naively, I hadn’t realized that the Empress and I had never been truly close—I was merely a pawn in her schemes. She used me to target the Eldest Prince and then shift the blame onto me. Only after much reflection did I realize her true nature: cautious, always choosing the safest path for the greatest rewards. Having me bear the consequences was far safer than acting directly against the Eldest Prince. But heaven thwarted her—the Empress failed, which is why she later resorted to poisoning the prince."

Consort Wen Jieyu looked up at Su Jiaojiao, biting her lower lip as she spoke softly: "Your Highness, though I remained hidden in the rear palace during the poisoning incident, I secretly observed everything. On the surface, palace servants were punished, but the true mastermind was never uncovered. Everyone in the palace knew how dearly Wang Commoner loved the Eldest Prince—she was meticulous about everything concerning him, making it nearly impossible to act. If I’m not mistaken, the Empress must have struck at the Imperial Academy."

"The Imperial Academy is where princes, princesses, and noble children study. The only way to dose the Eldest Prince daily was through something he carried closely. Your Highness, if we wish to topple the Empress, the crime of harming an imperial heir carries grave consequences."

Su Jiaojiao's delicate brows furrowed slightly as she pondered these words, her tone measured: "Back then, His Majesty ordered a thorough investigation into the poisoning, even commanding the Palace Command to scrutinize every detail without oversight. If I recall correctly, all of the Eldest Prince’s belongings at the Imperial Academy were examined one by one. Had there been any issue, it would have been discovered then—why would it remain hidden until now?"

"The Eldest Prince is His Majesty’s firstborn, bearing the bloodline of the illustrious Wang family. His well-being concerned not only the Emperor but also the Wangs’ eyes and ears in the palace. If nothing was found, perhaps the Empress feared you might uncover her schemes and chose another method instead."

Consort Wen Jieyu lowered her eyes with a self-deprecating smile, her voice tinged with sorrow: "I used to live a smooth life, raised to be gentle and indecisive, always relying on the Empress to make decisions. She knew my nature, which is why she exploited me so brazenly."

"Precisely because nothing was found proves how covert the Empress’s methods were. Moreover, Your Highness may not know this—the Palace Command answers to her too."

In the opulent and spacious Yaoxian Palace, candlelight flickered brightly.

The hall was adorned with vibrant flowers, transforming it into a springtime tableau.

Consort Wen Jieyu gazed at Su Jiaojiao, whose beauty remained undiminished, then thought of how her own appearance had withered over the past two years under the Empress’s shadowy machinations. A pang of bitterness struck her.

Su Jiaojiao glanced at her and asked, "The Palace Command?"

"Yes. Having served the Empress for years, I’ve come to know some of her connections. After the poisoning, I heard all the Eldest Prince’s belongings from the Imperial Academy were sent to the Palace Command for inspection. And at that time, Commander Li of the Palace Command had just married the Empress’s mother’s clan’s younger sister."

Consort Wen Jieyu spoke with certainty: "These were offhand remarks during casual chats—the Empress would never expect me to remember them."

Su Jiaojiao studied her thoughtfully: "If so, reopening this case could be our breakthrough."

"Regardless of Wang Commoner’s fate, as long as the Eldest Prince lives, he remains His Majesty’s firstborn, his flesh and blood."

"If we can implicate the Empress, it would serve as an excellent catalyst."

At this thought, Su Jiaojiao finally allowed a ghost of a smile to touch her lips, gesturing lightly: "The spring air is still brisk—no need to kneel."

She called out warmly to the attendants outside: "Yu Ying, bring two fresh cups of tea."

Once the order was given, she turned back to Consort Wen Jieyu, her voice gentle: "I see your sincerity, Sister Wen. The Empress’s hypocrisy has harmed many, and we’ve both suffered under her. But in this life, we must fight for our dignity—neither of us would surrender to fate."

"You’ve trusted me enough to share such crucial secrets, and for that, I’m deeply moved. I understand that all you seek is peace in the rear palace, a chance to live well. With me here, that’s easily done."

"But Sister," Su Jiaojiao fixed her gaze on Consort Wen Jieyu’s eyes, "this isn’t just for my ears."

"They must reach His Majesty’s ears."

Her eyes crinkled with a smile: "Will you do this?"

Consort Wen’s heart lurched, her eyes fixed on Consort Zhen’s smiling face, yet an icy dread crawled up her back.

Though she appeared aloof and indifferent, there was something about her that felt even more inscrutable than the Empress.

No wonder the Empress saw her as a thorn in her side at such a young age, and why the Emperor favored her so much—she had risen to the Nine Consorts’ rank by just seventeen.

Such exceptional favor—if it had relied solely on beauty, she would have long become just another harem ghost, let alone climbed so high.

Hurting others came easily, but guarding against harm was difficult. The Empress relied on schemes and deceit, but Consort Zhen played a far deeper game.

If she could align herself with someone like this, even if the Emperor’s gaze remained fixed on Consort Zhen, no palace denizen would dare cross her again.

At this thought, Consort Wen immediately sprang from her seat and knelt, saying, “At Your Highness’s command, this humble one will disclose everything she knows to His Majesty without concealment.”

Su Jiaojiao smiled and nodded in satisfaction. “For Elder Sister to think thus sets my heart at rest. However, the Empress is with child by the Emperor, and His Majesty frequently visits her—now is hardly the moment to speak of such matters. From now on, Elder Sister should set your heart at ease and devote yourself to raising the Eldest Prince. I will have Imperial Physician Liu carefully tend to the prince’s health. With a prince by your side, you’ll find security in your later years.”

“As it’s late now and too risky to draw attention, Elder Sister should take care on your way back.”

Hearing this, delight instantly lit Consort Wen’s face.

These were the very assurances she’d craved. Since her sincerity had moved Consort Zhen, this outcome was the best she could hope for.

She kowtowed in effusive thanks. “Your Highness’s willingness to shelter this concubine is already an honor. From now on, this concubine will serve as Your Highness’s most loyal hand, without a second thought.”

Su Jiaojiao nodded, and only then did Consort Wen withdraw, bearing her lantern aloft as she left.

The matter of the Eldest Prince had seemed like a missed opportunity against the Empress, but who knew there would still be threads remaining to pull?

If this could be brought to light again, it would be a mortal stroke against the Empress. But to truly topple her, the most crucial piece remained the incident at the autumn hunt.

As long as the life-debt she held remained, no matter what her crimes, the Emperor would always spare her life.

If they wanted to cast her down from grace, failing to uncover the truth of the autumn hunt would make it all the more difficult.

Su Jiaojiao gazed absently toward the door, lost in thought. After a long while, she finally spoke. “Yu Ying.”

“Send word to Su Chang tomorrow and ask if there are any leads on the autumn hunt matter.”

Now that she had proven her worth, Su Chang would no longer ignore her.

Months had passed since the autumn hunt—the longer it dragged on, the slimmer the hope.

No matter how much Su Jiaojiao disliked Su Chang, how estranged and distant their relationship was, lacking any father-daughter affection, they were bound together by fate.

The night deepened, and she rubbed her tired temples. “Ling Xiao, fetch water for my bath.”

After a brief silence, no one came.

Su Jiaojiao frowned and sat up, about to step down to see what was happening, when Ling Xiao entered with her head lowered, a trace of hesitation in her eyes. “Your Highness, His Majesty has arrived. He’s waiting for you outside.”

Her heart tightened. She hadn’t expected the Emperor to come to Yaoxian Palace at night, nor whether he had seen Consort Wen.

“When did His Majesty arrive?”

Ling Xiao bowed. “He came before Consort Wen left but did not enter, waiting instead in the side hall. He couldn’t have heard anything.”

“But when Consort Wen departed, His Majesty seemed to have glimpsed her through the window.”

Hearing this, a spark of irritation flared in Su Jiaojiao’s chest.

Her expression cooled as she was about to speak, but Ling Xiao glanced at her discreetly and whispered a reminder: “My Lady, the Emperor never needs to be announced when moving about the palace.”

Su Jiaojiao paused, struck by the realization of how far the emperor had gone in his consideration for her.

Lately, whenever he came to Yaoxian Palace, he never dared enter unannounced or without her permission. He would always wait at the gate of Guanjiao Palace until granted entry into the inner chamber, or remain in the courtyard awaiting her signal—never presuming to step inside on his own.

On such a late night, with the early spring’s biting air outside, he knew someone was inside the hall yet said nothing, willingly choosing to wait in the side chamber instead.

That the Emperor would humble himself so for her stirred something deep within Su Jiaojiao, though it all felt far too late.

Had he been like this before, she might not have been able to control her heart. But after enduring so many trials, so much loss and separation, even now that he had reached a level of devotion she once could not have imagined, all she felt was a quiet melancholy—no flicker of former affection remained.

She pulled the thin blanket up over herself, tucking it neatly around her before speaking softly: “Show His Majesty in.”

In the dim candlelight of the evening, her features seemed even more delicate, haloed in soft light, her beauty rendered flawless.

Wrapped in the blanket, only her slender, graceful neck was visible, her skin luminous as jade, glowing faintly in the warm glow.

Shen Huai entered from outside and saw Su Jiaojiao reclining on the divan, languid, breathtaking all the same.

The warmth of the hall seeped into him, melting away the chill clinging to his body from the spring night.

“Jiaojiao.”

She lifted her gaze toward him.

Though they had shared an afternoon of intimacy, there was no trace of tenderness in her eyes. Her voice cooled further as she asked, “Did you come from the Empress’s quarters?”

Shen Huai started, instinctively replying, “No.”

“I came straight here from the Tai Chi Hall after finishing my memorials. I didn’t stop anywhere else.”

Seeing her apparent displeasure, his weariness seemed to vanish, leaving only her cold demeanor in focus.

He longed to pull her into his arms, to tell her he missed her.

But remembering that they’d only just reconciled earlier that day, and seeing her current mood, he suppressed the urge and simply sat on the other end of the divan.

“Jiaojiao, what’s wrong?”

The Empress was now pregnant and frail—it was natural for the emperor to visit her often.

Even if he had gone to Fengyi Palace beforehand, Su Jiaojiao wouldn’t have truly minded.

But since she had brought up the Empress that afternoon, she needed to apply some pressure, hence the question.

Unexpectedly, knowing the tension between them, he still grew flustered.

She gave him a faint glance and pushed the teacup on the table slightly toward him, speaking gently: “Even if Your Majesty visited the Empress, it is only proper. Why would I be upset? The child she carries is the rightful heir, the realm’s hope. I’m but a mere consort—how could I rival the Empress?”

“If word spread that Your Majesty favors me so greatly as to neglect the Empress, people might accuse me of being a scheming concubine undermining the Empress’s position.”

She added softly, “I’d never live down such accusations.”

Shen Huai’s gaze darkened, his voice hoarse: “Jiaojiao, don’t address me as ‘Your Majesty.’”

"I've said it before—there's no need for such formality between us. Just think of me as your regular husband..."

Su Jiaojiao countered, "Husband?"

Her smile was bright, but her eyes were icy cold. "That's not really an option right now."

"Your Majesty has always wanted to weaken the noble families, and Father has been tirelessly working for Your Majesty. If word got out now that Lord Su's daughter is a seductive concubine manipulating the emperor, no one would believe any wise words he might speak. They'd say he pimped out his daughter for power—call him a hypocrite."

"I doubt Your Majesty would want that outcome either."

Shen Huai's heart sank slightly. Through clenched teeth, he said, "I just want to cherish you more. Even if the court finds out, so what? This is my family matter—how dare they interfere?"

Su Jiaojiao watched him silently.

In truth, Shen Huai knew she was right.

If just a favorite concubine overshadowed the empress, even without the empress stirring things up, rumors would spread across the court and country about a love-blind emperor and his scheming concubine—especially since Jiaojiao carried the Su name and was the daughter of a high-ranking official.

If the emperor's favor went beyond what's proper for an emperor, who knows what kind of storm might follow?

She didn't want Su Chang dragged down because of her. The Su family had to stay strong for her plans to succeed.

How to maintain that delicate balance—so that Su Jiaojiao remained untouchable in both palace and politics—that was something the emperor himself would have to figure out.

After a moment, Shen Huai suddenly looked up at Su Jiaojiao, as if struck by an idea. He swallowed hard and said, "Jiaojiao."

"Let's have a child."