Chapter 83 A Trip Outside the Palace
Chapter 83 A Trip Outside the Palace
The day to leave the palace was set for three days later. Having removed her phoenix coronet and wedding robes, and shed the formalities of the palace, Su Su felt an unprecedented sense of lightness throughout her body.
In the midst of packing her bags and looking forward to the future, she called Chunlan and Qiuju, who had been her companions for many years, to say goodbye.
Time seemed to have been exceptionally kind to these two loyal maids. Though they had lost their girlish naiveté, their brows now held a greater sense of composure and competence. Looking at them, Su Su was filled with emotion and reluctance, as scenes from the past flooded her mind.
She remembered that after Zimo and Zhaoyue were born, she asked them about their plans for the first time in a serious manner.
At that time, the two maids had just turned eighteen, but they both said firmly that they wanted to stay by her side. Chunlan spoke gently but firmly, saying that she had no one she liked and only wanted to serve the Empress and the young master; Qiuju's eyes were slightly red, and she said that there was no one left in the house, and wherever the Empress was, that was home.
Later, when Zhiyan was born, they were both twenty-two, in the prime of their lives. Although they were becoming more and more mature and capable, Su Su still couldn't put her mind at ease. So she privately asked her elder brother Su Jizhi to keep an eye out for people with good character and bright futures among the young talents under his command or among his acquaintances.
My elder brother recommended Feng Shaoan, a first-class bodyguard. The boy is highly skilled in martial arts, upright, and most importantly, his parents died early.
Su Su immediately thought it was a good match – if Chunlan married into the family, she would be the mistress of the house and wouldn't have to deal with mother-in-law/daughter-in-law relationships, which would make her much more comfortable.
Recalling Chunlan's resistant expression when she first heard about this, Su Su couldn't help but smile. That girl was absolutely unwilling, fearing that she would have no one to rely on without her, and even more afraid that she had entrusted herself to the wrong person.
But Feng Shaoan was a very thoughtful boy. What he valued most about Chunlan was her pure heart, steady and gentle nature, so he tried every means to win her favor.
Today he asked someone to send some novel snacks from outside the palace, and tomorrow he would "accidentally" meet Ji Zhi during the handover of official business to exchange a few words. Knowing that Chunlan was afraid of the cold, he had already found the best silver frost charcoal... He spent most of his salary on Chunlan.
Later… Su Su’s smile deepened. Later, the girl’s attitude softened, and whenever Feng Shaoan was mentioned, her face would flush, and her eyes would sparkle with a light she herself was unaware of.
She is, after all, a young woman, and ultimately, she couldn't resist such sincere and clumsy efforts.
She then married Chunlan off in a grand and glorious manner. Looking at Chunlan, who used to be by her side, dressed in a phoenix coronet and wedding gown, her eyes filled with shyness, she felt both reluctant to part with her and happy for her.
Now that Chunlan and her husband are living in harmony, and they have a son and a daughter, and Feng Shaoan is a capable general in the imperial court, she can finally rest easy.
Turning her gaze to the silent Qiu Ju, Su Su felt a complex mix of pity and affection.
This girl is even more stubborn than Chunlan. Her brother has selected several good candidates, including a refined and cultured Hanlin scholar and a valiant and handsome imperial bodyguard, but she doesn't like any of them.
If pressed, they would only mutter that they "don't like the look of him" or complain that he was "too talkative and noisy."
Later, Su Su gradually understood that Qiu Ju truly regarded serving her as her life's purpose.
The bond between master and servant in this deep palace had long transcended the ordinary, becoming an inseparable part of each other's lives.
Since she insists on this, why should I force her? There are other paths in life besides marriage.
Now, Chunlan is a court lady, with a husband and children, living a happy life. As for Qiuju, in the prime of her youth, she is already a respected head maid in the palace, with a calm demeanor and steady actions.
This time, Su Su and Li Qian left the palace for a trip. Chunlan stayed in the capital to take care of her own family, while Qiuju packed her bags without hesitation, ready to follow Su Su closely as she had for the past few decades.
"The journey is long, have you thought it through?" Su Su asked her one last time.
Qiuju raised her head, her eyes unwavering and resolute: "Wherever Your Highness goes, this servant will follow. Accompanying Your Highness is this servant's destiny."
Three days later, with light carriages and simple ceremonial entourage, Li Qianche and Su Su, along with Qiu Ju, Shen Gaoyi, and a team of capable guards, quietly left the imperial city where they had lived for half their lives and headed straight for the misty and rainy Jiangnan region.
Upon arriving in Jiangnan, I was immediately captivated by its gentle scenery, so different from that of the North. Small bridges span flowing water, black-awning boats glide by, and weeping willows sway gently in the moist air.
Li Qianche had already secretly arranged everything, so they did not alert the local government. Their carriage went straight to the outskirts of the city and finally stopped in front of an exquisite manor with white walls and black tiles, built by the water.
"This is...?" Su Su looked at the three characters "Zhenshui Garden" on the lintel and looked at Li Qianche with a hint of doubt.
Li Qianche took her hand and led her inside, smiling as he said, "Since we're going to travel like an ordinary couple, we need a decent home. This garden may not be as grand as the palace, but it's still quiet and elegant. We'll stay here for a while from now on."
Su Su stepped into the garden and saw pavilions and towers scattered in a well-organized manner. A pond was formed by flowing water in the courtyard, where several koi carp swam leisurely. Banana trees and green bamboos were planted in the corners. It was indeed a perfect place to find tranquility amidst the hustle and bustle. She felt comforted, knowing his thoughtfulness, and nodded with a smile: "This place is very nice."
The day after settling in, Li Qianche took Su Su's hand again and walked into a rather elegant riverside restaurant in the water town.
To avoid attracting attention, Su Su wore a veiled hat to conceal her stunning beauty.
The two were led to a quiet private room on the second floor. Pushing open the carved wooden window, they saw the winding river outside. Looking down from the railing, they saw the bustling streets below, with vendors' cries, laughter, and the soft, melodious Wu dialect songs of the boatwomen mingling and drifting on the water.
Su Su took off her hat and stood side by side with Li Qianche by the window. They watched as the setting sun dyed the river and the bustling world with golden scales, and their hearts felt as if they had broadened.
Shen Gaoyi, as expected of a veteran of the palace, was extremely adept at making arrangements. Before long, he had ordered a table full of authentic Jiangnan dishes, which were laid out in a dazzling array...
• Main dishes: Steamed shad, with a silvery-white body and rich fat under the scales, is steamed with only ham, mushrooms and bamboo shoots to preserve the tenderness and succulence of the fish; Beggar's chicken: wrapped in lotus leaves and yellow mud and roasted, it has a rustic charm; Honey-glazed ham: the most succulent part of Jinhua ham is steamed with honey, a top-class dish in Jiangnan banquets, with a unique blend of salty and sweet flavors.
• Seasonal delicacies: Yan Du Xian, made by simmering salted pork, fresh pork and spring bamboo shoots together over low heat, has a pure white broth and a rich umami flavor, and is an indispensable taste of spring in Jiangnan; Longjing Shrimp, made with fresh river shrimp and Longjing tea from before Qingming Festival, has white shrimp, green tea leaves, a fragrant aroma and a smooth and tender texture.
• Exquisite side dishes: Zhenjiang braised pork, with red meat and white skin, crystal-clear marinated aspic, delicate texture, served with ginger and vinegar, with an excellent flavor; cold-dressed shepherd's purse, refreshing and crisp, with the fragrance of the fields; and a plate of crab roe soup dumplings, with paper-thin skin, full of soup, and rich crab flavor.
• Snacks and desserts: Ding Sheng Gao (a type of sweet rice cake), symbolizing good fortune, soft, glutinous and sweet; and finally, a cup of sweet fermented rice balls for each person, the sweet and mellow aroma of the fermented rice and the soft and glutinous rice balls, bringing this feast to a perfect end.
Li Qianche carefully removed the bones from the fish and placed the fattest piece into Su Su's bowl. Su Su took a bite of the shad, and her eyes immediately lit up: "It truly lives up to its reputation. This deliciousness even surpasses the imperial cuisine in the palace." She then scooped up a spoonful of pickled bamboo shoots and pork soup. The flavor, a blend of salty savory and sweet bamboo shoots, melted in her mouth, making her squint her eyes in satisfaction.
Seeing that she enjoyed it, Li Qianche's expression softened. He didn't eat much himself, but focused on serving her food. He felt more pleased watching her eat with relish than if he were enjoying it himself.
He picked up his teacup, gazing at the lights gradually appearing outside the window, his tone tinged with pride and satisfaction, and said, "How about it? Did we make the right choice in selecting this 'Pillow Water Garden'? Stepping outside, we're surrounded by the bustling city, while returning home brings us our tranquil haven."
Upon hearing this, Su Su felt a warm current flow through her heart. He was the emperor, yet he was so considerate of her, even arranging this temporary "home" to her liking.
She put down her silver chopsticks, placed her hand on the back of his, her eyes shimmering with tender tears, and whispered, "Yes, it's a very good choice. Home is where my husband is."
The word "husband" flowed softly from her lips, carrying the dependence and intimacy between ordinary couples, which made Li Qianche pause slightly. Then, an indescribable joy welled up in his heart like a hot spring.
In this remote water town of Jiangnan, far from the imperial court, hearing her address him in this way moved him more than any honorific title.
He couldn't help but lean down and plant a warm kiss on her smooth forehead, his voice low and tender: "Suzuru, say it again."
Su Su's cheeks flushed slightly, but she readily complied, meeting his burning gaze, and softly called out again, "Husband."
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