Chapter 28 Relocation to Yongshou Palace
Chapter Twenty-Eight: Relocation to Yongshou Palace
The aftershocks of Consort Zhuang's downfall were like a boulder thrown into a lake, spreading outwards in layers, lingering for a long time. When news of Consort Zhuang and the Zhuang family's punishment reached Changxin Palace, Su Su was organizing books. Upon hearing the news, her movements abruptly stopped, her fingertips pressing a deep crease into the pages.
It all happened so fast, so suddenly. Just a few days ago, Consort Zhuang was bossing her around and speaking harshly to her in the Imperial Garden, but today she is a prisoner, and her mother has also been sentenced to death. The upheavals in the palace are truly unpredictable.
She put down her book and walked slowly to the window. The old locust tree in the courtyard had sprouted tender green buds, swaying gently in the breeze. However, Su Su's heart could not be as bright as this spring scenery.
Although Consort Zhuang's great tree has fallen, her roots—her father Zhuang Shijie—are still in office. Although he was fined and removed from the position of Grand Tutor, he still retains the title of Grand Secretary of the Wenyuan Pavilion. The profound meaning behind this cannot help but make people think deeply.
What worried her even more was that if Consort Zhuang had spies planted in the palace, like Xiao Lu Zi who was by her side, what about her father's side? And what about within the Su family? Were there Zhuang family members lurking there as well? Thinking of this, a chill ran down her spine. She couldn't let her family fall into any possible danger again, like she had in her previous life.
"Chunlan, prepare the brush and ink." Su Su turned around, and once her emotions had calmed down, she immediately picked up the brush and began to write.
In her letter to her father, Su Mufeng, she did not explicitly name the Zhuang family, but instead conveyed the message to him in a very subtle way, so that he would be on guard.
"My dearest father: The palace has recently undergone a dramatic upheaval. Consort Zhuang has been convicted of framing other concubines and plotting against the imperial heir, and her mother, Lady Zhuang, has also been sentenced to death. However, her influence is still strong and her influence is deep. Although her power has been diminished, her lingering influence remains. As you are in the court, you are surrounded by all sorts of people, so you must be especially careful to distinguish right from wrong and guard against anyone taking advantage of the situation or harboring disloyal intentions. I am doing well in the palace and have already been promoted to the rank of Noble Consort. I will soon be moving to Yongshou Palace. I hope you will not worry about me. I only wish that you would be discerning and cleanse your family of any potential threats to prevent future troubles. Then I can live in peace in the palace."
She believed that with her father's wisdom, he would surely understand the deeper meaning and conduct a thorough investigation of the household staff. She sealed the letter with sealing wax, handed it to Chunlan, and instructed her to find a reliable person to deliver it to her father.
After dealing with this matter, the busy work of moving to the new palace began immediately.
After packing their things, they arrived at Yongshou Palace.
She never imagined she would one day be able to move into this palace, located east of the Qianqing Palace and historically considered the closest palace to the Emperor's heart.
In stark contrast to the quiet and secluded Changxin Palace, Yongshou Palace exudes the nobility and favor of the Imperial Concubine.
The palace gates are majestic, lacquered in vermilion and studded with gold, gleaming in the spring sunshine. The white marble steps in front of the gates are wide and clean, and on both sides stand imposing stone lions with piercing eyes, guarding this palace that symbolizes supreme favor.
Stepping through the palace gates, the first thing that catches the eye is the spacious and magnificent courtyard. The bluestone pavement is as smooth as a mirror, and precious flowers and trees have been transplanted on both sides. Although it is still early spring, tender green shoots have already sprouted, revealing a vibrant vitality. Artificial hills and strange rocks are scattered among them in a well-organized manner. A pool of living water is drawn from Taiye Pond and flows gently over it, spanned by a small and exquisite white jade bridge. Under the bridge, the water ripples and several koi carp swim leisurely.
The main hall, "Hechun Hall," is even more magnificent. The floor is paved with specially made gold bricks, so shiny they reflect light like a mirror, and each step produces a crisp, melodious sound. The beams and pillars are adorned with exquisite paintings depicting auspicious dragons and phoenixes, and vibrant flowers in full bloom, lifelike and elegantly colored. The carved sandalwood doors and windows are inlaid with transparent stained glass, allowing sunlight to stream in, filling the hall with a bright and warm ambiance, and even the air is filled with a faint, refined fragrance of ambergris.
The east-facing warm pavilion is used as a study, with a display cabinet filled with ancient books and rare objects, including blue and white porcelain vases from the previous dynasty, glass cups from the Western Regions, and a complete set of the Four Treasures of the Study, all of which are of the highest quality.
The west-facing warm pavilion is where daily living is taken place. It is covered with thick Western Region carpets that are soft and silent underfoot, and furnished with ivory mats, jade ruyi scepters, and other items, exuding exquisiteness and comfort in every corner.
The rear hall and the east and west side halls were also fully equipped and elegantly and comfortably furnished, providing a place for the imperial concubine to rest and for her personal palace servants to live. The entire Yongshou Palace was both grand and exquisite, far surpassing Changxin Palace.
Chunlan and Qiuju directed the palace servants to properly arrange the boxes they had brought, their faces beaming with undisguised joy and excitement.
"Your Majesty, look! Yongshou Palace is much more magnificent than Changxin Palace!" Qiuju said excitedly while wiping a white jade ornament. "I heard that the furnishings here were carefully selected by the Imperial Household Department, and even the window screens are the latest soft gauze!"
Chunlan nodded with a smile: "Yes, Your Majesty, Yongshou Palace is the closest to the Emperor's Qianqing Palace. It will be much more convenient for Your Majesty to see the Emperor in the future."
Upon hearing this, Su Su merely smiled faintly and remained silent. She walked slowly through the hall, her fingertips lightly brushing against the smooth rosewood tabletop, her gaze serene. Living here, she would no longer think of that man constantly, nor would she scheme to win his favor, as she had before.
"Your Majesty, the Imperial Household Department has sent over the Consort's auspicious and everyday robes." Chunlan held up a large, gilded lacquer tray, on which lay a set of crimson palace attire, its color as vibrant as blood, embroidered with intricate dragon and phoenix patterns amidst peonies in gold and silver thread. It was magnificent and dazzling, shimmering in the candlelight. Beside it were matching jade belts, embroidered robes, and various pieces of jewelry, all exquisite and beautiful.
Su Su stood before the enormous diamond-shaped mirror, as palace maids removed her concubine's robes and dressed her in the magnificent court attire befitting a Noble Consort. Layers upon layers of fabric draped over her body, a jade belt cinched her waist, and a shawl draped over her shoulders; each step was meticulous and solemn. She could feel the smoothness and weight of the fabric—the weight of her status and power.
When the final piece, the Nine-Phoenix Crown adorned with pearls and kingfisher feathers, was placed on her cloud-like hair, even she herself was momentarily dazed by the reflection in the mirror.
Once upon a time, when she removed her hairpins and ornaments, she thought she would never again have anything to do with these complicated rules and heavy jewelry.
Each time she removed an ornament, it felt like peeling away a layer of skin tainted by the emperor's favor, carrying a stinging pain of humiliation. She never imagined that fate would play such a cruel trick, and that one day she would be wearing this magnificent robe again.
However, this daze lasted only a moment; the confusion in the person's eyes quickly faded, replaced by a calm indifference. The magnificent robes and jeweled crowns were dazzling, but ultimately, they were merely external possessions.
The crimson color perfectly complemented her snow-white skin, making her already radiant complexion appear even more flawless, like the finest mutton-fat jade, radiating a faint pink glow.
The gorgeous dress perfectly outlined her exquisite figure, with her shoulders sculpted and her waist slender. The full curves of her chest contrasted sharply with her suddenly cinched waist, creating a breathtaking effect. The wide sleeves and the trailing skirt made her figure appear even taller and more slender. She exuded elegance and nobility while retaining the graceful charm unique to young women.
That face, having matured since her rebirth, has shed all the naivety and exuberance of her youth. It remains bright and beautiful, but there is now a quiet dignity and aloofness between her brows.
Her eyebrows, like distant mountains, possess a natural, unadorned beauty; her eyes, like spring waters, ripple with charm, their every glance carrying an inherent allure; beneath her straight, upturned nose, her lips, naturally red, exude a captivating elegance. Especially striking is the small cinnabar mole at the corner of her eye, which, beneath her elaborate attire, no longer appears seductive, but rather adds a touch of unapproachable nobility and aloof beauty.
She stood there quietly, without saying a word, yet she seemed to be enveloped in an invisible halo, possessing unparalleled beauty and grace.
Even Chunlan and Qiuju, who were used to seeing her every day, were captivated by her beauty, secretly sighing: "With such a lady's appearance, she should be the master of Yongshou Palace and enjoy the ultimate glory in this world."
Su Su raised her hand, her fingertips gently brushing against the cool pearl on her phoenix crown. The woman in the mirror was elegant and noble, but her heart was as clear as a mirror—she had entered Yongshou Palace not to compete for favor, but to be cautious in her words and deeds, abide by the palace rules, and secure her position as a Noble Consort.
In the future, she will rule the six palaces as a fair and just living Bodhisattva, neither causing trouble nor being looked down upon. As the years go by, if she can enjoy her later years as a concubine dowager, that would be the best ending.
In the depths of the palace, a clear mind and a secure position are far more important than temporary favor.
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