Fifth day of the first month of the first year.
The military dispatch of the great southwestern victory spread throughout the palace. The soldiers returned in triumph, and it just so happened that the Empress Dowager’s birthday was approaching. The Emperor was delighted and issued a special decree of amnesty throughout the realm, permitting elderly palace attendants to leave the palace and return home.
Su Su knew the moment had come. Early the next morning, she instructed Chunlan to carry the Buddhist scriptures she had recently copied and accompany her to Cining Palace.
Inside Cining Palace.
Madam Duan was helping the Empress Dowager dress when a palace maid reported that Su Daying had come to pay respects. Madam Duan smiled gently and said, “Su Daying must have remembered the Empress Dowager’s birthday and come early to offer her congratulations.”
The Empress Dowager’s face relaxed as she nodded. “This child has always been filial since she was young.”
After finishing her dressing, the Empress Dowager sat upright in her high chair and asked warmly, “Coming so early do you have something to report?”
Su Su took the scroll from Chunlan, bowed respectfully, and presented it: “Your Majesty, in recent days I have seen the frequent battles in the southwest. My heart has been heavy with worry, so I have copied several Buddhist scriptures, wishing only for the stability of the realm, the Empress Dowager’s long life, the Emperor’s wide-reaching virtue, and peace throughout the four seas.”
The Empress Dowager’s face brightened upon hearing this. Madam Duan, understanding her intention, stepped forward to take the scroll from Su Su and placed it before the Empress Dowager. After briefly perusing the neat and elegant handwriting, the Empress Dowager spoke with satisfaction: “You have been so thoughtful. You are becoming increasingly composed. I am pleased. You may rise now.”
But Su Su did not rise. She remained with her head lowered, standing respectfully, her voice clear and calm: “Your Majesty, I have one more matter to report. Since entering the palace, I have been willful and reckless, repeatedly violating palace rules. I feel ashamed to continue serving the Empress Dowager and the Emperor here. I humbly request permission to leave the palace and take permanent residence at Puning Temple, to pray daily for Your Majesty and the Emperor, in atonement for my past transgressions.”
The Empress Dowager was taken aback, her eyes filled with disbelief. “What did you say?” Madam Duan, standing nearby, also trembled slightly in surprise.
Su Su’s posture remained unchanged. She repeated, “I know my conduct has been lacking and I am unworthy of imperial favor. I only wish to leave the palace and cultivate virtue, praying for the rest of my life.”
The Empress Dowager’s mind churned. Could it be that her recent setbacks had left Su Su utterly despondent, so much so that she had lost all hope in the Emperor, leading to such decisiveness? Seeing her expression so resolute, the Empress Dowager suddenly felt there was no need to force her to stay. She had been the one to push for Su Su’s entry into the palace, and had seen firsthand her struggles and sacrifices. If Su Su truly wished to leave, what benefit would there be in holding her back? Perhaps this could also test the Emperor’s feelings for her. She had noticed the subtle differences in the Emperor’s treatment of Su Su over time. If the Emperor truly had no intentions toward her, letting her leave would spare her the prolonged suffering of palace life. After all, she had watched this child grow up and could not bear for her life to be trapped here.
Thinking this through, the Empress Dowager rose and approached Su Su, personally lifting her up and holding her slightly cool hands: “This is no trivial matter… have you truly made up your mind?”
Su Su raised her eyes, clear and resolute. “My decision is final, Your Majesty.”
The Empress Dowager gently patted the back of her hand, then sighed: “Very well. I grant you permission. Go back and await further notice.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty,” Su Su said, bowing deeply, then turned and left.
Madam Duan gently placed the scroll on the table and whispered nearby: “It seems young Mistress Su has completely lost hope in the Emperor.”
The Empress Dowager’s eyes reflected a complex mix of emotions. “She is… utterly disappointed in the Emperor…”
After a brief silence, she said slowly, “Add Su Su’s name to the list of palace attendants allowed to leave.” She wanted to see how the Emperor would react.
“Yes, Your Majesty,” Madam Duan replied, bowing. “I will make the arrangements immediately.”
Returning to Changxin Palace, Su Su continued embroidering handkerchiefs in her chambers daily, saving money for her departure. Nearly a month passed. The Empress Dowager had added her name to the list of those allowed to leave the palace and instructed Chunlan to begin preparing her belongings. Since being demoted to palace maid, most of her previous gifts had been reclaimed by the palace treasury. There was little of value to take, and her travel luggage was quickly packed.
During this time, she requested permission to take Chunlan and Qiuju with her, which the Empress Dowager granted. Everything was ready; she only awaited the day of her departure.
Looking at the packed luggage, Su Su recalled rumors in the palace: Li Qianche had not set foot in the harem for a month, while Consort Wan had visited the imperial study several times. On one occasion, Consort Wan even fainted in the study, prompting the Emperor to urgently summon the court physicians to Shuning Palace. The favor shown by the Emperor was apparent.
Su Su wondered: Could Consort Wan be pregnant?
Another matter puzzled her: General Pei Xuan had not returned with the army. Had something happened? Pei Xuan had been Li Qianche’s tutor since childhood, and they shared a close relationship. Now, with Pei Xuan absent and Li Qianche saying nothing, no one knew whether he was dead or alive. In her previous life, she had been mired in heartbreak at this time, knowing nothing of current court affairs.
Still, she felt at ease. What did it matter to her? Soon she would leave the palace, and the intrigues of the harem and the affairs of the previous dynasty would no longer concern her.
That day, Madam Duan came to Changxin Palace and respectfully reported: “Young Mistress Su, tomorrow is the day of your departure. The Empress Dowager has ordered me to inform you to prepare your belongings. Someone will come to escort you out of the palace tomorrow.”
Su Su’s heart was full of joy, though her expression remained composed. She replied gently: “Please convey my gratitude to the Empress Dowager, and thank her for her kind support…”
Here’s a careful English translation of your passage:
“I will no longer be able to serve beside you, Aunt, to repay your care and guidance over the years. Once I leave the palace, I shall pray day and night for your well-being and health.”
Madam Duan bowed solemnly. “I will convey your words. May Young Mistress have a safe and smooth journey upon leaving the palace.”
Su Su smiled softly and replied, “Thank you, Madam, for your kind words.”
After Madam Duan returned to Cining Palace to report, the Empress Dowager slowly moved her prayer beads. “No word from the Emperor yet? He approved the release list so readily? Without even asking a single question?”
Madam Duan lowered her voice. “I also find it strange. By all rights, the Emperor should have asked at least once. Could it be… that he truly has no attachment to Young Mistress Su? Or perhaps he has been too busy with state affairs to notice?”
The Empress Dowager remained silent for a moment, then a subtle expression passed through her eyes. “Tomorrow, send someone to have Su Su wait at the side hall near Shenwu Gate. I want to test him. I want to see whether the Emperor truly has no feeling, or if he is pretending not to know.”
She could not bring herself to believe that the Emperor would let go so easily.
Madam Duan replied, “I will make the arrangements immediately, Your Majesty.”
Early the next morning, Su Su, Chunlan, and Qiuju finished packing and waited for the palace attendants to come. It wasn’t until the afternoon that Eunuch An, serving the Empress Dowager, walked over slowly, bowing: “Young Mistress Su, by order of the Empress Dowager, I have come to escort you out of the palace.”
Su Su replied warmly, “Thank you, Eunuch An. Please lead the way.”
Chunlan and Qiuju exchanged a smile, their eyes unable to hide their joy. The three of them followed Eunuch An to the side hall beside Shenwu Gate. An Dekang smiled and said, “Please wait here for a moment, Young Mistress. The hour for leaving the palace has not yet arrived. Allow me to make some arrangements first; I will return to escort you.”
Su Su gestured for Chunlan to hand over a small package of silver, speaking softly: “Please, have it ready, Eunuch.”
An Dekang accepted it with a smile and respectfully said, “Young Mistress, you are too kind. This is my duty. Please rest assured; I will return shortly.” With that, he exited the side hall and closed the door.
At the same time, the Empress Dowager walked slowly to the door of the imperial study. From a distance, Shen Gaoyi saw her and hurried inside to report. The moment the Empress Dowager reached the door, Shen Gaoyi came out to greet her, bowing: “Long live the Empress Dowager.”
The Empress Dowager entered the study and saw Li Qianche rising from his seat to greet her. She spoke warmly: “Sit, Your Majesty. I only came to say a few words.”
Li Qianche bowed and sat with the Empress Dowager, asking, “Why did the Empress Dowager come in person?”
The Empress Dowager spoke calmly: “By rights, this matter should not concern me. But Su Su has served you. At the very least, a word should be said. She asked to leave the palace and go to Puning Temple to pray, claiming she feels unworthy to serve you any longer. Since you have already approved her departure, should you not offer her some reward? It would honor the relationship between sovereign and subject.”
Li Qianche suddenly rose, his expression a mix of shock and suspicion. “What did the Empress Dowager say? She asked to leave the palace herself? When did I approve this?”