Chapter 48 Su Su's First Meeting with Pei Yunxi
Chapter Forty-Eight: Su Su's First Meeting with Pei Yunxi
Early in the morning, as Pei Yunxi applied her makeup in front of the mirror, her mood was somewhat different from usual. Her elder brother, Pei Xuan, had come to find her early in the morning, saying that he wanted her to go to the palace with him.
"You want me to enter the palace?" Pei Yunxi stopped adorning herself with flowers, looking at her brother, who was dressed in casual clothes but whose heroic spirit was still undeniable, with a questioning look in her eyes. "Why do you suddenly want me to enter the palace?"
Pei Xuan looked at his younger sister, who was growing into a graceful young woman, and a rare gentle smile appeared on his face. He explained, "It was His Majesty's idea. His Majesty felt that the Consort had been living in the deep palace for a long time, and apart from the palace maids, she didn't have many companions of similar age who could talk to her. He must feel bored at times. So I mentioned you to His Majesty, thinking that if you had some free time, you might as well come to the palace to talk to the Consort and relieve her boredom."
He paused, his tone slightly teasing, and lowered his voice, saying, "Besides, if you really do end up with that Su Jizhi in the future... the Imperial Concubine will have to call you sister-in-law. Wouldn't it be better to get to know each other beforehand?"
"Brother!" Pei Yunxi's cheeks instantly flushed red. She pretended to hit him in embarrassment and annoyance, but Pei Xuan dodged her with a smile.
Though she felt shy, a genuine sense of anticipation and curiosity also stirred within her. She had heard countless times from Su Jizhi about his only younger sister, who had been pampered like a pearl since childhood. She knew that she had once been a favored daughter of heaven, had experienced many hardships, and knew how much Su Jizhi cared for this sister. She truly wanted to meet this legendary imperial concubine.
With these thoughts in mind, Pei Yunxi followed her brother into the palace and, following the directions, arrived at the gate of Yongshou Palace.
Inside the palace, Su Su was leaning against a soft couch by the window, flipping through a travelogue, when Chunlan came in to report: "Your Majesty, General Pei Xuan's younger sister, Miss Pei Yunxi, is requesting an audience. She says she is here on the Emperor's orders to pay her respects and speak with Your Majesty."
Su Su paused slightly, her hand holding the book still. She raised her eyes, a hint of surprise flashing in them: "Pei Xuan's sister?" She searched her memories of her past life, finding little interaction, and had never met her in this life. "Have I... ever had any dealings with her before?"
Chunlan shook her head: "Your Majesty, you should not have had any dealings with Miss Pei before. I only heard that this matter was arranged by His Majesty himself."
Su Su was even more puzzled. What was Li Qianche up to now? First, he was concerned about her meals, and now he'd found her someone to "talk to relieve her boredom"? Although she didn't understand his deeper meaning, the person was already at the palace gates, so there was no reason not to see her. "Please let her in," she said, putting down her book and straightening her posture.
Before long, a slender and graceful figure entered with Chunlian. Pei Yunxi wore a lotus-colored dress, her hair simply styled with only a jade hairpin. Her steps were light and her posture dignified. Upon entering the hall, she curtsied respectfully, her voice soft and clear: "This humble woman, Pei Yunxi, greets Your Highness the Noble Consort. May Your Highness enjoy boundless blessings and peace."
Su Su sized up the girl before her. She noticed her delicate features, gentle and graceful demeanor, and the scholarly elegance that emanated from her. Su Su immediately felt a sense of goodwill towards her. "Miss Pei, there's no need for such formality. Please rise," she said gently. Then, she said to Chunlan, "Please take a seat and serve tea."
"Thank you, Your Highness." Pei Yunxi sat down on the embroidered stool below as instructed, her posture still respectful. She also secretly raised her eyes and quickly glanced at the Imperial Concubine at the head of the table.
With just one glance, she couldn't help but marvel: this Imperial Concubine was truly the most beautiful woman she had ever seen! Her skin was as white as snow, her eyebrows and eyes as exquisite as a painting, and especially the small mole at the corner of her eye added an indescribable charm. What surprised her even more was that this favored Imperial Concubine looked to be about the same age as herself, no more than sixteen years old.
After the palace servants served fragrant Biluochun tea and several exquisite pastries, Su Su finally spoke, her voice gentle and inquisitive: "Miss Pei, what brings you to the palace to see me today?"
Pei Yunxi quickly put down her teacup and respectfully replied, "Your Majesty, I entered the palace with my brother. His Majesty mentioned that Your Majesty might be feeling bored in the palace, so he specially ordered me to come. If I can keep Your Majesty company and help you relieve your boredom, it would be my great honor."
It really was Li Qianche's arrangement. Su Su's mind raced, but she didn't show it on her face, only nodding slightly: "I see. Your Majesty has gone to great lengths, and Miss Pei is also very thoughtful."
Seeing that her attitude was gentle and there was no arrogance, Pei Yunxi became a little bolder. Her cheeks flushed slightly and her voice became softer: "Actually... even without His Majesty's order, I would like to find an opportunity to pay my respects to Your Majesty."
"Oh?" Su Su was genuinely curious this time. "Why is that?"
Pei Yunxi's face flushed even redder, as if painted with the finest rouge. She lowered her eyes, staring at her clasped fingers, and spoke in a voice as soft as a mosquito's buzz, yet clear enough: "This humble woman... has met Your Majesty's elder brother, Young Master Su, a few times. I often hear Young Master Su... mention Your Majesty."
Su Su, being exceptionally intelligent, immediately understood upon seeing Pei Yunxi's demeanor and the barely concealed shyness and admiration she displayed when mentioning her brother. Her brother, a calm and reserved man, was not the type to casually mention the women of his family in front of outsiders. The fact that he frequently spoke of her to this Miss Pei showed that she held a significant place in his heart. And judging from Pei Yunxi's reaction, could it be… that they were mutually in love?
Thinking of this, Su Su couldn't help but smile sincerely, and the slight sense of distance that existed due to unfamiliarity dissipated considerably.
She followed up on the conversation and asked, "I see. I have been living in the palace for a long time and have not seen my brother for a long time. I wonder how he is doing now? Are my parents at home all well?" She asked about family matters, but her eyes were watching Pei Yunxi's reaction.
When Pei Yunxi asked, she replied naturally, "Young Master Su is doing well and his work in the palace is going quite smoothly. As for the family... I heard from Young Master Su that since the last division of the family property, the mansion has become much quieter. Your uncle and aunt are in good health and everything is fine, so please rest assured, Your Highness."
Even something as private and less-than-honorable as dividing the family property, her brother had told her? Su Su was even more certain. It seemed her brother truly treated this Miss Pei with special regard and placed great trust in her.
The two chatted for a while longer, mostly about interesting anecdotes outside the palace, the latest flower trends in the capital, or trivial matters. Although Pei Yunxi was gentle, she was not without knowledge, and she was quite able to keep up with Su Su's conversation, so the atmosphere was harmonious and relaxed.
Seeing that it was getting late, Pei Yunxi rose to take her leave. Standing in the hall, she hesitated for a moment, then mustered her courage and asked softly with a hint of expectation, "Your Majesty, if I have the time next time, may I come to pay my respects to Your Majesty and speak with you again?"
Looking at the clear expectation in her eyes, and thinking about the possible relationship between her and her brother, Su Su felt a surge of warmth in her heart. She nodded with a smile and said gently, "Of course. It's rare for me to find someone I can talk to in this palace. If Miss Pei is willing, she can come anytime."
Upon hearing this, Pei Yunxi's face immediately lit up with a bright and joyful smile. After bowing solemnly once more, she followed the palace servants out.
As Su Su watched her departing figure, thinking of her brother and then of Li Qianche's seemingly abrupt but perhaps subtly caring arrangement, a faint, warm smile involuntarily appeared on her lips.
In the monotonous days and nights of the deep palace, a glimmer of something different, something to look forward to, finally seemed to shine through.
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