Chapter 61 Zhuang Shuning is dead
Chapter Sixty-One: Zhuang Shuning is Dead
When Su Su slowly woke up, there was no one beside her. Only a faint scent of ambergris remained, proving the presence of the domineering man from last night and this morning.
She sat up, her body aching as if run over by a wheel, especially her lower back, which was throbbing with pain. Images flashed through her mind: in that half-awake state that morning, he held her tightly in his arms, a near-suffocating embrace, and the intense, urgent kisses that rained down on her face.
She shook her head, trying to dispel the alluring yet slightly domineering images. This man was a cold and dignified emperor in court, but in private, especially in bed, he was a completely different person—domineering, clingy, and refusing to give up easily no matter how much she pleaded; a veritable, insatiable scoundrel with intense lust! All that talk of aloofness and celibacy was a lie!
Just as she was secretly grumbling to herself, Chunlan and Qiuju quietly came in with toiletries. When they saw that she was awake, they both had smiles on their faces.
"Your Majesty is awake?" Chunlan stepped forward and gently lifted the bed curtains. "It's already past 9 AM. His Majesty specifically instructed us not to disturb Your Majesty's peaceful sleep before going to court, saying that Your Majesty should sleep until you naturally wake up. Why doesn't Your Majesty sleep a little longer?"
Su Su let them help her up, her voice still languid from just waking up: "I've slept enough. I heard yesterday that the Empress Dowager was unwell. After I finish my meal, I must go to Cining Palace to visit her."
"Yes, Your Highness," Chunlan replied, deftly helping her with her washing and grooming.
During breakfast, Qiuju brought out a white porcelain stew pot and gently placed it in front of Su Su. Lifting the lid, a rich aroma of chicken soup immediately filled the air. "Your Majesty," Qiuju said, "this is a nourishing soup that His Majesty specially instructed the kitchen to prepare for you, saying it would help you recover. I thought the chickens Your Majesty had been raising in the backyard had gotten quite plump, so I had the kitchen slaughter one of the healthiest ones and simmer it with ginseng and goji berries. Would Your Majesty like to try it?"
Looking at the clear, fragrant chicken soup, Su Su couldn't help but think of the chicks she had secretly raised in the side hall of Changxin Palace for future plans. Now they had become nourishing ingredients for her, and the chicken meat looked plump and tender.
She picked up a spoon, scooped up a small spoonful, blew on it to cool it down, and put it in her mouth. She immediately felt the fresh and mellow flavor, and the warmth went straight to her limbs. After taking another bite of chicken, she nodded in satisfaction: "It's really delicious. The chicken I raised myself tastes extraordinary."
Upon hearing this, Qiuju smiled and said, "Your Majesty's words sound like you're praising yourself for being good at raising chickens!"
Su Su was amused by her and gave her a reproachful look. Then she said to Chunlan and Qiuju, "What I mean is that this chicken soup is really delicious. You have worked hard serving me. Go to the small kitchen later and have someone serve you a bowl to try."
Chunlan and Qiuju quickly smiled and thanked her, "Thank you for the gift, Your Majesty!"
Qiuju seemed to suddenly remember something, leaned closer, and lowered her voice, saying, "By the way, Your Highness, I just heard someone outside say... news came from the Cold Palace that Consort Zhuang... suddenly fell ill last night and couldn't be saved, she has passed away."
Su Su's hand holding the spoon paused almost imperceptibly. Zhuang Shuning... was dead?
The news was like a pebble thrown into the center of a lake, creating only a tiny ripple before quickly sinking to the bottom and returning to calm. In an instant, her mind flashed back to the face twisted with jealousy in the cold palace of her past life, the cup of poison that burned her lungs, and the imprisonment of her father and brothers... The intense hatred that had surged in her heart because of these memories now seemed very distant and blurry.
Yes, in a place like the Cold Palace, where medical care and medicine are scarce, and the weather is harsh in winter and scorching in summer, death is all too common. Besides, she has made countless enemies and lost power; who would genuinely care for her now? Whether it was an "acute illness" or something else, it no longer matters.
She gently scooped up a spoonful of soup and put it in her mouth. The delicious taste seemed to wash away the last trace of gloom. Her tone was flat, revealing no emotion: "Yes, I understand. Heaven's justice is clear, and retribution is inevitable. She has reaped the consequences of her actions. So be it."
Seeing that the Empress did not seem to care too much, Qiuju felt relieved and stopped talking, her smile returning to her face.
Perhaps it was the soup that evoked memories of the past, or perhaps it was because she was in a really good mood, but Su Su surprisingly finished the entire bowl of chicken soup.
Putting down her spoon, she suddenly remembered someone and asked, "Is Xiao Anzi still in the purchasing position? He has helped me a lot, so it's time to promote him."
Previously, she was in dire straits herself and dared not get too close to Xiao Anzi, much less openly promote him, for fear of arousing Li Qianche's suspicion. Now that she knows his intentions, she has the confidence to reward him accordingly.
Chunlan replied, "Your Majesty, Xiao Anzi is a dutiful person and is still working diligently in his purchasing position."
Su Su pondered for a moment and said, "Isn't there a few vacancies for steward eunuchs under the Guangchu Division of the Imperial Household Department? Go and talk to them and promote him to a seventh-rank steward eunuch, in charge of the allocation and procurement verification of some palace garden expenses. It's a respectable position with some real power." This position is neither too high nor too low, rewarding merit without being too conspicuous.
Chunlan smiled and replied, "Yes, this servant will go to the Imperial Household Department to deliver the message. If Xiao Anzi finds out, he will be overjoyed and will certainly serve Your Highness even more diligently."
After finishing her breakfast and resting briefly, Su Su rode in a sedan chair to Cining Palace. Granny Duan was already waiting outside the palace gates. Upon seeing her, her face crinkled with a smile: "Greetings, Your Highness! The Empress Dowager was just talking about you. Please come in."
Upon entering the inner hall, Su Su saw the Empress Dowager reclining on a warm couch, looking somewhat listless, occasionally coughing softly. Su Su stepped forward to greet her with proper etiquette, but the Empress Dowager waved her hand, telling her to rise, her voice slightly hoarse: "No need for formalities, come and sit down."
Su Su sat down on the embroidered stool beside the couch and asked with concern, "Does the Empress Dowager's cough not seem to be getting better? Did she catch a chill again at night?"
The Empress Dowager sighed: "It's an old problem. It always flares up around this time of year. It's nothing serious."
Su Su was still worried, so she turned to Duan Mama and said, "Mama, why don't you go and ask the imperial physician to take the Empress Dowager's pulse and prescribe some medicine to regulate her body? How can her body withstand this constant coughing?" Duan Mama looked at the Empress Dowager and, seeing that she did not object, agreed and went to do so.
Seeing Su Su's proactive concern, the Empress Dowager's eyes showed a hint of relief. She took Su Su's hand and said, "I'm getting old, and my health is declining year by year. Now, I don't want to compete or argue with the Emperor anymore. I only hope that you two can live happily together, and that you will soon bear the Emperor a healthy and chubby grandson. That way, when I go to the afterlife and meet the late Emperor, I will have something to say."
Su Su felt a pang of sadness upon hearing this and quickly said, "Your Majesty, please stop talking nonsense! You are in good health and will live a long and blessed life. You still have a long life ahead of you. You will also be watching over your grandson and seeing him grow up. You must not say such unlucky things again."
Her tone carried the coquettishness of a junior mixed with genuine concern: "You must take good care of your health. The Emperor, your concubine, and the entire harem all depend on you as their pillar of strength."
The Empress Dowager smiled slightly at her words and patted the back of her hand.
Before long, the imperial physician arrived. After carefully taking her pulse, he replied that she had some stagnant heat in her liver and lungs, along with a little phlegm and dampness. It was not a serious illness; she only needed to clear the stagnation and resolve the phlegm, and with proper care for a few days, she would be fine. Only then was Su Su completely relieved.
After the imperial physician left, the Empress Dowager took a sip of ginseng tea and asked, seemingly casually, "Has His Majesty said anything about Princess Chengbi from the Southwest Kingdom's plans?"
Su Su remained calm and shook her head: "This matter concerns the diplomatic relations of the previous dynasty. I have not inquired about it, nor has Your Majesty mentioned it."
The Empress Dowager was somewhat surprised by her calm demeanor, but then said knowingly, "You've become quite composed. But don't worry, the Emperor is a man of his word. Even if that princess does enter the palace, in my opinion, the Emperor's heart will ultimately remain with you."
Su Su smiled slightly, a smile that carried the wisdom and tranquility that comes with experience in the world: "Empress Dowager, the Su Su of today is no longer the little girl who was once jealous and willful. To have her is my fortune, to lose her is my fate. If that day ever comes, I will be dutiful and will never cause trouble for the Empress Dowager and the Emperor."
She paused, her tone gentle yet firm, "Your Majesty, rest assured, Su Su knows how to conduct herself."
The Empress Dowager gazed at her, her eyes filled with love and emotion, and finally nodded with satisfaction: "Good, good. My Susu has really grown up, she's different now. Seeing you like this, I... can truly rest assured."
She chatted with the Empress Dowager for a while longer, and seeing that she looked tired, Su Su took her leave. Back in Yongshou Palace, looking at the bright sunshine outside the window, she felt a sense of peace.
No matter how the outside world changes, only by staying true to oneself and living a clear-headed life can one find a peaceful haven within this deep palace.
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