Sun Xuanshi was not much of a talker, rarely engaging in casual visits or idle chatter. That she had spoken so much today was already a gesture of goodwill in response to being respectfully addressed as "elder sister."
With the conversation having reached this point, Su Qingyao knew it would be inappropriate to press further. Instead, she skillfully steered the discussion toward recent palace gossip, exchanging a few more words before they parted ways.
After Sun Xuanshi left, Su Qingyao carefully recalled the night she had attended the bedchamber.
Combined with Sun Xuanshi’s words, it was easy to let one’s thoughts wander.
Indeed, she had not seen The Emperor on the day she attended the bedchamber. Only Tingqin, the senior palace maid from Pomegranate Hall, had come to speak with her. The next morning, it was Lou Douzhou, The Emperor’s chief attendant, who personally escorted her to the sedan chair and ensured her return to her quarters.
If they were the ones Sun Xuanshi had referred to, it all made sense.
However, The Emperor was the late emperor’s only son, designated as the crown prince at the age of ten. The palace maids and eunuchs serving him were all personally selected by the late emperor and the Empress Dowager, each one a top talent in the palace. To put it extravagantly, if they wanted you to feel at ease, they could undoubtedly make you feel so comfortable you’d lose your bearings.
Even if she were to be manipulated by these people at Pomegranate Hall, Su Qingyao was not afraid. Her status and position were clear—though her rank was not high, she was a recognized palace consort with a name and title. Even if the palace maids and eunuchs held higher ranks, they still had to maintain the decorum of hierarchy and respect.
Thinking this way, Su Qingyao felt less tense.
Whether she faced it head-on or shrank back, the outcome would be the same. It was better to meet it boldly and experience the blissful pleasures of marital intimacy described in romantic novels.
Having just woken up, she had many matters to clarify and remember. After a busy afternoon, she finally committed recent events to memory, and before she knew it, it was time for the evening meal.
The chefs of the Imperial Kitchen were adept at tailoring their dishes to the recipient. Seeing that it was her turn to attend the bedchamber, they put extra effort into the evening meal.
When Liu Ye returned from the Imperial Kitchen, her face was practically glowing. For once, she spoke sweetly: "Mistress, today there’s your favorite eight-treasure red bean rice."
Since one could not eat heavily flavored food before attending the bedchamber, the Imperial Kitchen was very particular. They prepared sweet and sour lotus root slices, mushroom chicken pieces, stir-fried greens, and a small bowl of winter melon soup—a rather sumptuous spread.
Su Qingyao loved lotus root the most and was delighted to see it on the table. She whispered to Liu Qin, "The Emperor is of some use after all."
Liu Qin pursed her lips and served Su Qingyao a small bowl of eight-treasure red bean rice. Scooping it open with a spoon revealed a filling of fragrant, glutinous red bean paste. With the first bite, a hint of osmanthus sweetness lingered.
Recalling the advice from romantic novels, Su Qingyao dared not eat too much. After finishing only half a bowl of rice, she set down her chopsticks. "You two may eat. Just save a small bowl of rice for me to have tomorrow morning."
With that arranged, she stood up and paced around the room. As the lanterns began to glow, someone from Qianyuan Palace arrived to fetch her.
This time, it was a Zhong Jian. Su Qingyao found his face unfamiliar and couldn’t recall his name after thinking for a while.
He spared her the awkwardness, bowing and saying, "This humble servant’s surname is Luo. Greetings, mistress."
Su Qingyao nodded, tightened the ties of her cloak, and was assisted by Liu Qin onto a two-person sedan chair.
This was a privilege reserved for palace consorts attending the bedchamber. Even those of lower ranks were fetched by a two-person sedan chair, preserving a measure of dignity.
Once again, Liu Qin accompanied her out the door. Along the way, Luo Zhongjian did not speak much, only offering a quiet reminder as Qianyuan Palace came into view: "Once inside Qianyuan Palace, Mistress, remember to speak and observe sparingly. That way, you will avoid major mistakes."
Su Qingyao nodded. "I understand. Thank you, Eunuch."
Luo Zhongjian said nothing more. Women who entered the palace were rarely foolish; whether for their own sake or their family's, they would tread carefully and avoid causing trouble lightly.
Upon reaching the back gate of Qianyuan Palace, the sedan chair did not stop but carried her directly to the moon gate of the rear hall before halting.
Liu Qin helped Su Qingyao down from the sedan chair and silently followed Luo Zhongjian toward Pomegranate Hall.
As the most spacious palace in the rear court, Qianyuan Palace's Pomegranate Hall, dedicated to attending the bedchamber, appeared far more expansive than her own small, dilapidated side hall. At its center was an elegant parlor, with a warm chamber on the left for imperial consorts to bathe and change, and the inner hall for attending the bedchamber on the right.
Aunt Tingqin was already waiting in the parlor. Seeing Su Qingyao arrive, she quickly curtsied. "Greetings, Mistress."
Truth be told, Su Qingyao held the rank of Xuanshi, eighth grade, while Aunt Tingqin was a seventh-grade head maid—technically of higher rank. Yet she was exceedingly courteous.
Su Qingyao dared not accept such a gesture and stepped aside with a smile. "Greetings, Aunt. I apologize for troubling you."
Aunt Tingqin replied, "Hot water has been prepared. Would the Mistress like to bathe now?"
Su Qingyao nodded. "Yes, please."
She did not ask Liu Qin to tip Aunt Tingqin, nor had she tipped Luo Zhongjian earlier. Palace servants of such standing in Qianyuan Palace were far beyond her reach to tip. If she had actually extended such an offer, it would have been seen as an insult, making the situation awkward.
The warm chamber here was clearly much nicer than the one in Biyun Palace—not only more spacious but also stocked with a variety of fragrant lotions. Imperial consorts could use whichever they preferred, making it quite convenient.
Thinking of how inconvenient bathing was in Biyun Palace, Su Qingyao thoroughly enjoyed her bath. Afterward, she applied orange blossom lotion all over, leaving her body fragrant from head to toe.
No matter what happened later, coming here for a bath was already a gain.
Once her hair was dried, Liu Qin deftly styled it into a falling horse bun, adorned with a distinctive water-pink silk flower. It was neither overly extravagant nor shabby, and paired with the clothes she wore, it looked quite unique.
She emerged from the warm chamber with a cheerful smile, and even Aunt Tingqin, who had seen many beauties, found her appearance striking.
This Mistress Su might not stand out ordinarily, but when she smiled with her lips pressed together, she looked exceptionally lovely. She had a naturally smiling face, with a pair of dimples that appeared when she smiled, making her instantly likable and hard to dislike.
"That outfit suits you beautifully, Mistress," Aunt Tingqin remarked.
Su Qingyao clasped her hands in acknowledgment. "Thank you for the compliment, Aunt."
After bathing, it was time to wait for The Emperor in the bedchamber. Aunt Tingqin personally escorted her inside and gestured toward the chessboard and books placed on the side table by the daybed. Softly, she said, "The Emperor is occupied with state affairs. Mistress may amuse herself for a while. Tea and pastries are already prepared; please make yourself at home."
Su Qingyao nodded obediently, smiling. "I understand. Please rest assured, Aunt."
Tingqin said nothing more, curtsied, and withdrew.
Entering Pomegranate Hall once again, Su Qingyao found herself too preoccupied to feel nervous or anxious. Instead, she was quite interested in examining this bedchamber that everyone longed to enter. Who knew if she would ever have another chance to come here? This time, she intended to take it all in.
Liu Qin was more nervous than her. Seeing her rise and stroll around the bedchamber, she couldn't help but remind her, "Mistress, please don't wander around."
Su Qingyao recalled her experiences from earlier years and didn't mind at all: "It's fine, no one will come in."
Qianyuan Palace was more disciplined than other palaces. Once she entered the bedchamber of Pomegranate Hall, no fool would dare intrude.
The bedchamber of Pomegranate Hall was divided into inner and outer rooms. The outer room was an elegant and refined small chamber. On one side stood a set of desks and bookshelves, while the other side held a curio cabinet. Behind the curio cabinet was a false partition window, all arranged with great care.
Between the inner and outer rooms stood a four-sided screen, crafted with the most authentic Su embroidery. The front and back looked identical, depicting rocks, bamboo groves, pomegranate trees, and children—each vividly portrayed, shimmering brilliantly under the palace lamps.
Passing around the screen, one encountered a rather imposing canopy bed, which appeared twice as large as her own. It could easily accommodate four people lying side by side.
Besides the bed, there was a dressing table by the window, and opposite it was a set of tea tables.
The window faced a corridor, covered with a hazy layer of gauze that obscured clear vision.
After surveying these scenes, Su Qingyao lost interest. She returned to the outer room, selected a book she hadn't read before, and began reading from the start.
If there was any lesson from living eighty years in her previous life, it was to avoid haste in all matters. She possessed great patience and endurance, never rushing when faced with any situation.
At this moment, since The Emperor hadn't arrived, she quietly read her book. Otherwise, sitting idle would make this night unbearable.
She sat for an hour, only realizing how late it was when she felt her back aching.
Even then, she didn't panic. She softly instructed Liu Qin to sit down and rest nearby, while she continued reading.
It seemed quite some time passed. After finishing the entire book, Aunt Tingqin finally arrived, her expression not very good, appearing even more anxious than Su Qingyao: "Mistress Su, The Emperor is currently suffering from a headache and won't be coming. Please rest for now."
When Aunt Tingqin hurried in, Su Qingyao pondered many possibilities, but never expected to hear such words.
This statement sounded so familiar; changing just a few words would make it identical to her previous life.
Su Qingyao was inwardly surprised, but outwardly showed no sign. She also expressed urgency: "The Emperor is too diligent, exhausting himself to illness. It truly pains one's heart."
Hearing her say she pained for The Emperor, coupled with her anxious expression, Aunt Tingqin's unpleasant complexion inexplicably softened somewhat.
"Mistress, having such concern will surely deeply move The Emperor."
Su Qingyao pursed her lips. Whether The Emperor was moved or not, she didn't know. She only knew that if things remained as in her previous life, and she never again had the chance to attend the bedchamber, she would likely endure days of hardship in the palace once more.
That spacious East Side Hall opposite—when could she move in?
Thinking of this, Su Qingyao felt a stir in her heart and softly said, "If The Emperor is ill, is someone attending him? Since I came to attend the bedchamber, perhaps I could go and serve The Emperor? Aunt, don't worry, I'm not tired."
She spoke with utmost sincerity, her almond-shaped eyes gleaming with an inexplicable light. Aunt Tingqin was momentarily stunned by her words, taking a long moment to regain composure, sizing her up several times.
Among so many consorts and mistresses, this was the first to show such devotion. Truly… appearances can be deceiving.
Tingqin remained silent for a moment. Su Qingyao, fearing she might refuse, quickly added, "I know the senior attendants and matrons by His Majesty's side are all capable, but I also wish to do my part to ensure His Majesty rests better at night. Please, Matron, be accommodating."
Her words were sincere, her tone plaintive. Tingqin felt a stir in her heart and couldn't help but nod. "In that case, this humble servant will return to seek His Majesty's instructions. Please wait a moment, Mistress."
Only then did Su Qingyao show a smile. "Thank you for the trouble, Matron."
Tingqin made her way into the bedchamber. Chu Shaoyuan was still reviewing memorials and, seeing her return, couldn't help but feel surprised. "Matron, is there something else?"
Tingqin bowed to him and, keeping her head lowered, said, "Mistress Su, upon hearing that Your Majesty is unwell, wishes to come personally to attend to Your Majesty's illness."
Chu Shaoyuan raised an eyebrow slightly, set down the vermilion brush in his hand, relaxed his posture, and leaned back into his chair. "Oh? She is quite bold."
Author's Note:
The Emperor: Hmph, women.
Xuanshi Su: Hmph, men.