Chapter 12 She Refuses to Move the Palace
Chapter Twelve: She Refuses to Move the Palace
As soon as she finished speaking, hurried footsteps sounded outside the hall, and a voice filled with obsequious flattery drifted in first:
"May Your Highness Consort Su be well!"
Su Su saw Qian Youde leading two teams of palace servants carrying vermilion trays, his face beaming as he strode into the hall. As soon as he entered, he quickly bowed and said, "This servant congratulates Your Majesty! The Emperor has personally bestowed this title upon you; this is an immense honor!"
Su Su then sat down, picked up her teacup, took a sip, and without even lifting her eyelids, said indifferently, "Eunuch Qian is certainly well-informed."
Qian Youde bowed deeply, his smile almost overflowing, and raised his voice a notch: "Your Majesty, congratulations! As soon as I received the imperial decree, I immediately brought the entire Imperial Household Department to offer my congratulations. Look!" He personally lifted the brocade, revealing the shimmering jewelry underneath. "This set of gold and kingfisher feather jewelry is a new tribute from Suzhou, this piece of sky-blue brocade after the rain is a special supply from the Jiangning Textile Bureau, and this rouge is made from pearls collected from the South China Sea..."
He went on and on, introducing the gifts, but Su Su's gaze seemed to pierce through the splendor, landing on emptiness. In her past life, she would have been overjoyed by these rewards, but now, she felt as if she were watching a spectacle that had nothing to do with her.
"Let it go." She finally spoke, her tone as calm as a breeze, revealing no trace of joy or anger.
Qian Youde's smile froze slightly, then he put on an even more obsequious expression: "Yes, yes. It is customary to move palaces after being promoted in rank, but His Majesty specifically instructed that the Empress prefers quiet and that we should properly renovate Changxin Palace according to the regulations for a concubine."
He turned around and clapped his hands, and the craftsmen and palace servants waiting in the courtyard immediately filed in and busied themselves with their work.
"These window screens need to be replaced; fetch some soft gauze!"
"The carpet has been replaced with a new Persian tribute carpet with a vermilion background and gold brocade auspicious cloud patterns!"
"The curtains should be made with that Suzhou embroidery set featuring a hundred sons and a thousand grandsons!"
In less than half a day, the Changxin Palace, which was originally so plain and almost desolate, had been completely transformed. Glass palace lanterns hung under the corridors, and carved sandalwood screens separated the inside from the outside. Even the window frames were newly covered with translucent gauze, and the sunlight shone in, making the whole room shine.
Chunlan and Qiushi stood behind Su Su, looking at this sudden and magnificent scene, both somewhat at a loss.
"Your Majesty, is there anything else you need? This servant will take care of it immediately." Qian Youde wiped the sweat from his brow and asked cautiously, observing her expression.
Su Su slowly rose, her gaze sweeping over the room's splendor. Sunlight filtered through the newly changed window curtains, casting dappled shadows on her serene profile. Her fingertips lightly traced the newly placed enamel porcelain vase on the table, the cool touch sending a faint, enigmatic smile across her lips.
"Eunuch Qian...you've gone to so much trouble."
Qian Youde felt as if he had been granted a pardon, and bowed repeatedly: "I dare not accept this! I dare not accept this! If this servant has ever made any mistakes in the past... I hope Your Majesty will be lenient, very lenient."
He quickly gave a signal, and a line of palace servants filed in, all kneeling down to pay their respects.
“Now, according to the established rules for the rank of Consort, the Imperial Household Department has provided you with a full complement of servants,” Qian Youde bowed and listed them in detail, “Two head eunuchs, who are in charge of all the affairs in the Consort’s palace; four palace maids, who will attend to your daily life; and twelve junior eunuchs, who will be at your disposal.”
He pointed to the two older eunuchs at the front: "These are Zhang Anlu and Li Dequan. They have both served in the palace for more than ten years and are the most reliable and dependable."
He then gestured to the four pretty palace maids: "Spring Peach, Summer Lotus, Autumn Cloud, and Winter Snow, you are all well-mannered and quick."
Su Su's gaze slowly swept over the palace servants kneeling on the ground. The newly arrived palace maids were meek and obedient, and the eunuchs were even more focused and attentive. The faint smile on her lips deepened slightly—this complete set of amenities was a stark contrast to the situation a month ago when she couldn't even get charcoal. It was quite ironic.
"Eunuch Qian's arrangements were very thoughtful."
"Of course, of course! Your Majesty is of noble status, and this servant would never dare to be negligent!" Qian Youde said, then gave a curt bow. "If Your Majesty has no other instructions, this servant will take his leave now, so as not to disturb Your Majesty's peace."
Su Su slightly raised her eyelids, her gaze seemingly casually sweeping over his fawning face, and simply responded with a single word:
"Um."
Having received this permission, Qian Youde felt as if he had been granted a pardon. He bowed repeatedly and almost backed out of the palace gate.
Once everyone had left, Qiuju couldn't help but mutter under her breath, "They were even stingy with the charcoal a few days ago, but today they're all so attentive. Their change of heart is faster than turning the pages of a book!"
Chunlan gently tugged at her sleeve, signaling her to be quiet, and looked at Su Su.
Su Su had already walked to the newly placed mirror. The person in the mirror had a cloud-like hairstyle and a jade-like face. Under the reflection of the gorgeous palace dress, her appearance was even more beautiful than before. Only her eyes were as calm as an ancient well pool, without any ripples.
"It's just a matter of watching the winds shift." Her voice was soft, almost to herself, yet it carried a cold indifference born of worldly wisdom. "The warmth and coldness of this palace have never been fixed."
Qian Youde withdrew from the hall, and only after he had walked a considerable distance did he dare to take out a handkerchief and vigorously wipe the cold sweat from his forehead. The little eunuch beside him couldn't help but mutter under his breath, "Godfather, this Consort Su seems to have a good temperament, unlike the rumors..."
"You know nothing!" Qian Youde interrupted him with lingering fear, lowering his voice, "The more silent and unassuming someone is, the more unfathomable they are! If it were before, when we sent these good things, that person would have been beaming with joy, and might even have compared the rewards with the other concubines. But look at him just now... that look in his eyes, that demeanor, so calm it sends chills down your spine! This person has experienced great ups and downs, and has been reborn. Pass down the word that from now on, all tasks at Changxin Palace should be treated as top priority. Anyone who dares to neglect them will be in for a world of hurt!"
……………
As Shen Gaoyi left Changxin Palace and headed back to the Imperial Study, his heart began to tighten. He had thought this mission would be simple—to deliver an imperial decree, move the palace, and report back—but he never expected Consort Su to react this way.
In Shen Gaoyi's study, Li Qianche was reviewing memorials, his vermilion brush hovering above the "Southwest Military Supplies Report," his head unblinking, his voice devoid of emotion.
"Is everything arranged? Where has she been moved to?"
Shen Gaoyi knelt down: "Your Majesty... Consort Su... she does not wish to move the palace."
The red brush slammed down, and the bright red ink spread out, completely staining the word "urgent" on the memorial.
"She doesn't want to move palace? Why doesn't she want to?" Li Qianche slowly raised his eyes, his voice icy, his gaze pressing down on Shen Gaoyi like a physical object. "I didn't know that the concubines in the harem could choose their own residences?"
"Her Majesty said... Changxin Palace is very nice." Shen Gaoyi bowed his body, almost touching his forehead to the floor tiles. "She said it is quiet here, and she has gotten used to living here. Moreover, the Imperial Household Department has just renovated the palace. Her Majesty... is very satisfied with it."
“Satisfied?” Li Qianche threw down his vermilion brush, stood up, and walked to the window. His bright yellow dragon robe flashed a sharp light in the candlelight. “Chuxiu Palace is next to the Imperial Garden, and Changchun Palace is right next to the Library. Which one is not better than Changxin Palace? What is her intention in not wanting to move?” His voice already carried a hint of barely perceptible anger.
Shen Gaoyi spoke cautiously, choosing his words carefully: "This servant observes... Your Majesty's expression is calm, not feigned, but rather... as if you genuinely enjoy that quiet place."
"Is she sulking?" Li Qianche turned around abruptly, his gaze sharp as an eagle, trying to find the answer on Shen Gaoyi's face. "Is she deliberately trying to spite me because of her previous demotion?"
"This servant is too dull... I really can't see it." Shen Gaoyi was sweating profusely. "Your Majesty... did not show any resentment."
Li Qianche's gaze darkened. He recalled Su Su when she first entered the palace. When she was first conferred the title of Noble Consort, she had used all her temper and tormented him countless times in order to obtain Yongshou Palace, which was closest to Qianqing Palace. Now, she had given up a better palace and insisted on staying in the remote and desolate Changxin Palace...
"Could it be..." His fingertips unconsciously tapped on the window frame, making a soft tapping sound, and a thought uncontrollably rushed into his mind, "She's determined to stay away from me?"
The thought, once it arose, was like a fine needle, gently pricking the softest spot in his heart, bringing a strange, dense, sour, and tight feeling.
"Your Majesty, please calm down!" Seeing the change in his expression, Shen Gaoyi quickly kowtowed. "Perhaps the Empress has become more detached after experiencing these ups and downs, or perhaps... she is considerate of Your Majesty's busy schedule and does not wish to trouble Your Majesty with the matter of moving the palace."
“Consideration?” Li Qianche scoffed, but there was no warmth in his laughter. “If she really knew how to be considerate, she wouldn’t have preferred to stay huddled in that corner!” As soon as he said it, even he was stunned for a moment. The frustration and… disappointment in his tone were too obvious.
He paced back and forth in the hall for a few steps, then suddenly stopped, turned his head and asked, "You said that the Imperial Household Department has renovated Changxin Palace?"
Shen Gaoyi quickly replied, "Yes, it was rearranged according to the regulations for concubines, and all the items are of the highest quality, with absolutely no negligence!"
Li Qianche pondered for a moment, a complex mix of emotions flashing across his eyes—emotions he himself didn't fully understand: confusion, anger, and perhaps a touch of helplessness at her "lack of appreciation."
"Fine." He finally waved his hand, his tone tinged with weariness and helplessness. "Since she likes it, let her be."
Shen Gaoyi felt as if he had been granted a pardon and was about to express his gratitude and leave.
Li Qianche's voice rang out again.
"Reveal my imperial decree," Li Qianche's voice restored the emperor's cold and imposing aura.
"Since you reside in Changxin Palace, all your necessities shall be provided according to the highest rank of concubine. If I find out that anyone dares to neglect you..."
"This servant understands! This servant will personally oversee the situation and will not dare to make the slightest mistake!" Shen Gaoyi kowtowed repeatedly before clutching his wildly beating heart and retreating.
The Imperial Study returned to silence. Li Qianche stood alone by the window, the twilight casting a long and lonely shadow over him.
He recalled Su Su's coquettish manner when she used to pester him for this and that, the desolation of Changxin Palace after she was demoted, and the inexplicable, uncontrollable anger that surged in his heart when he heard that she had refused to move to another palace...
Is this woman truly heartbroken, or... is she using a smarter method to deal with me?
"Su Su, Su Su..." He sighed very softly, gazing at the deep twilight outside the window, "What... are you thinking about?"
The evening breeze swept through the palace, bringing a few withered leaves that swirled on the bluestone ground, making a soft rustling sound, much like the woman he could no longer fathom, silently drawing lines in this deep palace that puzzled him yet compelled him to explore.
Fine, it's better to leave her in Changxin Palace. At least for now, she's still within his sight, instead of disappearing outside the palace.
The thought startled him slightly, and then a self-deprecating bitter smile appeared on his lips.
He is an emperor, ruling the world. When did he need to go to such lengths to find a place for a concubine?
But his thoughts kept drifting uncontrollably toward her, toward those eyes that were now so calm they made his heart race. He wanted to see what was hidden behind that unfathomable silence.
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