Not long after Chen Yanqiao left, Su Yuewu freshened up and changed her clothes, then headed out with Luzhi and Qingwen toward the Palace of Benevolent Peace.
During the year she lived in the Eastern Palace, she had developed some affection for this noble distant aunt. Both out of sentiment and propriety, it was only right to pay a visit on her first day in the palace.
The guards at the Gate of Benevolent Peace went inside to announce her arrival. Before long, a neatly dressed nanny in her forties came out.
Before the nanny could bow, Su Yuewu quickly stepped forward, linked arms with her, and said in a half-teasing, half-complaining tone, “Nanny, why did you take so long? My legs are sore from standing. I thought Auntie didn’t want me anymore.”
“Tsk.” Nanny Liu had initially intended to observe proper decorum now that Su Yuewu was a consort, but hearing this, she unconsciously slipped back into their old familiar way of interacting. She chuckled and scolded, “You’ve barely waited half a cup of tea’s time, and you’re already putting on an act.”
Su Yuewu laughed too. “It’s just that I missed Auntie and Nanny so much. Waiting even a moment feels like three autumns have passed.”
“Smooth talker.” Nanny Liu shot her a reproachful glance, though her expression was mostly amused. “Alright, let’s not stand under the blazing sun any longer. Come inside and talk.”
Su Yuewu agreed with a smile.
Unlike the frugality of previous empress dowagers, after Empress Dowager Su moved into the Palace of Benevolent Peace, she had it decorated exquisitely and luxuriously. There were intricately crafted beaded curtains, ornately carved tables, chairs, and armrests, and every piece of porcelain displayed was lustrous and priceless.
Empress Dowager Su was currently sitting on a long couch by the window, flipping through a travelogue. Hearing the commotion, she glanced up briefly before lowering her eyes again, ignoring the newcomer.
Su Yuewu knew what she was upset about. She had already set aside her playful demeanor and obediently lifted her skirt to kneel. “Your humble consort pays respects to Her Majesty the Empress Dowager. May the Empress Dowager enjoy eternal peace.”
Empress Dowager Su snorted without looking up. “How filial of Consort Su, thinking to visit this old one on your very first day in the palace. I thought you might have already stolen a token and fled the palace by now.”
This referred to an incident three years ago.
Back then, among all the Su family girls, her nominal son had taken a liking to Su Yuewu. She herself had also been fond of this clever and spirited girl. After all, the late emperor would never allow another Su daughter to become the crown princess. Rather than bringing in a proper but dull girl as a concubine, someone with this kind of personality would at least keep her company.
But who could have expected that later, when the crown prince was assassinated and his face scarred, this girl claimed he was no longer handsome and insisted on leaving the Eastern Palace. In the end, she even stole the crown prince’s token and secretly fled.
That escape effectively cut off her path back to the Eastern Palace. When the late emperor inquired, she could only explain that the crown prince did not care for Su Yuewu’s temperament and had sent her out of the palace.
Later, when the late emperor was selecting consorts to fill the crown prince’s harem, he chose another quiet and gentle cousin of hers to be appointed as a side consort. This was, in a way, a gesture of goodwill toward their past marital bond, helping her maintain the Su family’s honor.
“Auntie~”
A voice thick with coquettishness rang out. Empress Dowager Su shuddered, her train of thought forcibly interrupted. She glared at the mischief-maker.
“I was wrong. Back then, I was too willful and let down.
Empress Dowager Su let out a light, knowing laugh and gave a slight nod toward Nanny Liu, signaling her to dismiss all the palace attendants serving in the hall.
Once the doors were closed and only the aunt and niece remained in the inner chamber, Empress Dowager Su set down her book and looked directly at Su Yuewu, asking bluntly, “Since you’ve come, tell me—why have you decided to enter the palace again?”
Having been a Crown Princess, an Empress, and now an Empress Dowager, she was no fool. She knew that Su Yuewu’s departure from the Eastern Palace back then couldn’t possibly have been solely because of that scar.
After all, she had seen her adopted son with the scar—it suited him well, adding a touch of rugged masculinity to his otherwise refined appearance.
If it wasn’t about the scar, then it was easy to deduce: back then, Su Yuewu had developed feelings for Shen Heng. Upon learning he was to marry a Crown Princess and take other concubines, she couldn’t bear it and found an excuse to leave.
Empress Dowager Su felt regret but also a sense of relief. Having spent her entire life confined within these crimson walls, she was glad that a younger relative she rather liked had managed to escape.
Yet, to her surprise, the girl had now returned on her own.
Su Yuewu lowered her gaze, the carefully prepared explanation lingering on the tip of her tongue, but for a moment, she couldn’t bring herself to speak.
To be honest, she could sense Empress Dowager Su’s goodwill toward her. Since her mother’s passing, her aunt had been the first elder to make her feel warmth and peace.
But she truly dared not speak openly about her family’s affairs.
If her aunt learned that her return to the palace was driven by vengeance and ambition, with her feelings for Shen Heng being more about utility than sincerity, whose side would she take?
She couldn’t afford to gamble.
After all, she was merely a distant niece, while Shen Heng was the child her aunt had raised for over a decade.
In the end, Su Yuewu’s eyes reddened as she looked up at her dignified aunt, her voice soft and gentle as she spoke, “Aunt, I couldn’t find a better husband than His Majesty.”
Her original prepared excuse was that she still harbored lingering feelings for Shen Heng, but now, she chose to utter a vague truth instead.
Empress Dowager Su understood, letting out a soft sigh. She beckoned Su Yuewu closer and patted her back, saying, “I knew it. That year you spent in the Eastern Palace must have tarnished your reputation.”
In this world, life was difficult for women. The men serving in court—the timid ones dared not marry a woman who had once stood by the emperor’s side, while the bold ones would question whether their niece remained chaste.
“Never mind. Since you’ve entered the palace, put the past behind you. Live well with the emperor. I can see he still holds some affection for you. Ever since he saw you at the Imperial Selection, he’s been distracted these past few days, not even flipping any consort’s nameplate. I originally intended to help you secure a Noble Lady rank, but unexpectedly, he directly promoted you to the rank of concubine, solemnly claiming it was out of respect for me.”
Empress Dowager Su found this both amusing and exasperating. She shook her head, resting her forehead in her hand. “I never knew I had such influence.”
Su Yuewu’s eyes flickered slightly, her mind involuntarily recalling the man’s gritted teeth and intense gaze on the day of the Imperial Selection. A faint smile touched the corners of her lips.
She rested her head on Empress Dowager Su’s lap, deliberately acting coy. “Why wouldn’t it be out of respect for you, Aunt? Back then, I treated His Majesty with such disdain. I fear he holds a grudge and might seek retribution someday. When that happens, I’ll hide here with you, Aunt. You mustn’t hand me over.”
“Then I’ll just hand you over.” Empress Dowager Su gave her head a firm rub and snorted lightly. “For leaving without a word back then, you deserve to have the emperor teach you a proper lesson.”
Su Yuewu looked up at her with pitiful, pleading eyes, blinking her watery gaze. “Only if Your Majesty can bear to part with me…”
Empress Dowager Su couldn’t help but laugh. “You little minx, always so good at playing cute!”
…
On the first day the new consorts entered the palace, many were on high alert.
The established palace ladies harbored their own thoughts, while the newcomers eagerly awaited, hoping the first honor of imperial favor would fall upon them.
As the sky gradually darkened, there was still no news from the Hall of Mental Cultivation regarding the selection of the night’s consort.