Chapter 29 Visiting Consort Wan
Chapter Twenty-Nine: Visiting Consort Wan
The next morning, as dawn broke, the precious gauze covering the windows of the Changchun Hall in Yongshou Palace gently seeped into the inner room, dispelling the last vestiges of night.
Su Su slowly awoke in the soft, fragrant brocade quilt, the long-lost peace and comfort causing her to feel momentarily disoriented. Beneath her was a cool jade mat, and over her was a light and warm silk quilt. The faint scent of calming incense lingered in the gilded beast-ear incense burner in the corner of the hall, all of which indicated the stark difference in her status and circumstances.
She sat up lazily, her brocade nightgown slipping slightly as she moved, revealing one of her rounded shoulders and delicate collarbones. The morning light outlined her curvaceous figure, and the soft fabric of the nightgown clung to her body, making her waist appear even more slender and delicate.
Exhausted from yesterday and relaxed, her fair cheeks glowed with a natural rosy hue, like newly blossoming peach petals. Her eyes, still slightly misty from just waking, trembled, casting soft shadows beneath them. Her long eyelashes trembled slightly, cascading down her back like a waterfall, with a few playful strands falling in front of her chest, creating a striking contrast with her snow-white skin and adding a touch of languid allure.
Without any makeup, her face and figure are already a vibrant and beautiful picture in the morning light.
She sat quietly for a moment, waiting for the initial confusion of waking up to dissipate, and for her eyes to regain their usual clarity and tranquility before she called out for help. Chunlan and Qiuju, who had been waiting outside, heard her call and led several palace maids in single file to help her wash and change.
The side hall where breakfast was served had also been prepared. On a round table inlaid with mother-of-pearl and made of rosewood, the breakfast prepared for the imperial concubine was laid out in a dazzling array.
A bowl of chicken and bird's nest soup was simmered to a perfect consistency, its broth clear and the bird's nest strands distinct. Beside it were four exquisite desserts: shrimp and chicken dumplings, shaped like crescent moons, with thin, translucent skins revealing a delicate pink filling; jujube and walnut paste, made with finely ground red dates and walnuts, offering a mellow and rich flavor; and auspicious white bean rolls, with a delicate and sweet taste. There was also a plate of ham pastries, their flaky layers distinct, and the filling savory and delicious. In addition, there was a bowl of steamed duck with fermented rice wine lees, the duck meat tender and the aroma of the lees rich; two plates of refreshing pickles; and a pot of freshly brewed, fragrant Junshan Silver Needle tea.
Su Su ate her breakfast with composure, chewing each bite slowly and gracefully. As she ate, Qian Youde, the chief steward of the Imperial Household Department, bowed deeply, his face filled with an even more obsequious smile than usual, and cautiously requested an audience.
"This servant greets Your Highness! Did Your Highness rest well last night? If there is anything amiss in Yongshou Palace, or if Your Highness lacks anything, please do not hesitate to give the order, and this servant will do everything in my power to take care of it for Your Highness immediately!"
Qian Youde practically bowed and scraped, as if he wanted to lay bare his loyalty. The eunuchs following behind him echoed him, their tone extremely obsequious.
Su Su put down her silver chopsticks, took the warm, damp handkerchief Qiu Ju handed her, wiped her mouth, and then looked up at them. Her gaze was calm, yet carried an undeniable authority, causing Qian Youde and the others to awkwardly maintain their smiles and watch her even more cautiously.
"Thank you for your trouble, Eunuch Qian." Su Su spoke, her voice not loud, but clearly reaching everyone's ears, "Everything is fine at Yongshou Palace, and the Imperial Household Department handled the errands fairly well yesterday."
She first gave her approval, then changed the subject, her tone still calm but with a hint of sternness, "However, now that I hold this position, I must say this upfront. From now on, all expenses and allowances for the six palaces must be strictly implemented according to palace rules, without error or deduction. Merit will be rewarded, and wrongdoing will be punished. I will not tolerate any impropriety, and I hope that all of you eunuchs will be mindful of your duties and not make any mistakes that would betray the Emperor's grace."
Her words both affirmed the previous efforts of the Imperial Household Department and clearly drew a red line, employing both kindness and severity to deliver a clear warning. She did not show any intention of being lenient out of flattery; on the contrary, she emphasized rules and fairness even more.
Qian Youde and the others were startled and quickly abandoned their overly obsequious attitude, replying respectfully, "Your Highness, we will obey your teachings! We will certainly perform our duties diligently and dare not slacken in the slightest!"
"That's good then. You may leave." Su Su waved her hand and said no more.
After dismissing the people from the Imperial Household Department, Su Su remembered an important matter—she should visit Consort Wan, Mu Hanyan. She instructed Chunlan to prepare some mild tonics, then got up and boarded the palanquin befitting a Noble Consort, heading towards Shuning Palace.
It's so comfortable to have a palanquin now; I don't have to walk as hard as I did when I was in a position of authority.
Upon arriving at Shuning Palace, the air was filled with the fragrance of medicine. Mu Hanyan was leaning against the bed, her face still somewhat pale, but her spirits were still high. When she saw Su Su enter, she struggled to get up.
"Consort Wan, please lie down. There's no need for formalities." Su Su quickly stepped forward, gently pressed her shoulder, and sat down on the embroidered stool by the bed.
Mu Hanyan looked at her, her clear eyes filled with genuine apology and lingering fear, and said softly, "Your Highness... I've implicated you in what happened that day. After I woke up, I heard what happened from the palace servants... If Your Highness hadn't been so quick-witted and summoned the imperial physician in time, I and this child would probably have..." Her voice choked slightly, and she didn't finish her sentence, but her meaning was clear.
She knew she had been used as a pawn to frame Su Su, and felt both guilty and grateful.
Looking into her sincere eyes, Su Su felt a warmth in her heart. In this life, they had at least avoided the irreconcilable conflict they had in their previous life.
She gently patted Mu Hanyan's hand and said in a gentle tone, "Consort Wan, you are too kind. We are both in the palace, and it is only right that we support each other. You are alright, and the baby is alright, which is the best outcome. Let bygones be bygones and don't dwell on it anymore. Focusing on your pregnancy is the most important thing."
She paused, looked into Mu Hanyan's eyes, and made a solemn promise: "Don't worry, after this incident, with me here, I will definitely protect you and ensure that you give birth to the Emperor's child safely."
These words were spoken calmly, yet carried a heavy weight. Mu Hanyan was slightly taken aback, looking at Su Su's calm and serious expression as she made her promise. A complex mix of emotions welled up in her heart, including gratitude and being moved, which ultimately culminated in a soft "Your Majesty, I... thank you."
Su Su inquired carefully about Mu Hanyan's health from the imperial physician, repeatedly instructing the physician and palace servants to take meticulous care of her and to be ruthless if anything went wrong. Seeing that Mu Hanyan looked tired, Su Su prepared to get up and take her leave.
"Your Majesty, please wait." Just as Su Su was about to get up, Mu Hanyan called out to her softly. She leaned back against the pillow, her pale face showing a slightly complicated expression, as if she hesitated, but finally spoke, her voice soft but with a hint of solemnity: "Your Majesty, I... have something else I would like to say to you."
Upon hearing this, Su Su sat up straight again, looked at her calmly, and said gently, "Please speak freely, Consort Wan."
Mu Hanyan nodded slightly, signaling the palace servants standing by her side to temporarily retreat to the outer room, leaving only the two of them inside.
She hesitated for a moment, then looked up at Su Su, her cool gaze carrying a complex meaning.
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