Chapter 9 Su Su Requests to Leave the Palace
Chapter Nine: Su Su Requests to Leave the Palace
The fifth day of the first month of the first year.
News of the great victory in the southwest spread throughout the palace. The soldiers returned in triumph, and with the Empress Dowager's birthday approaching, the Emperor was overjoyed and issued an edict granting amnesty to the entire country, allowing older palace women to leave the palace and return home.
Knowing that the time was right, Su Su ordered Chunlan to carry the Buddhist scriptures she had recently copied and accompany her to Cining Palace early the next morning.
Inside the Cining Palace.
As Granny Duan was helping the Empress Dowager with her hair and makeup, a palace maid announced that Consort Su had come to pay her respects to the Empress Dowager. Granny Duan smiled and said softly, "Consort Su must remember the Empress Dowager's birthday and has come early to offer her congratulations."
The Empress Dowager's brows relaxed, and she nodded, saying, "This child has been very filial since he was a child."
After she finished dressing, the Empress Dowager came out and sat on a high chair, asking gently, "You've come so early, is there something you need?"
Su Su took the scroll from Chunlan's hand, curtsied, and respectfully presented it: "Your Majesty, I was deeply worried when I saw the frequent wars in the southwest. I specially copied some Buddhist scriptures, wishing that the country would be forever secure, Your Majesty would have a long and blessed life, the Emperor's virtue would spread far and wide, and the world would be at peace."
Upon hearing this, the Empress Dowager smiled. Duan Mama understood and stepped forward to take the scroll from Su Su's hands, presenting it to the Empress Dowager. The Empress Dowager glanced through it and saw that the handwriting was neat and elegant. She said with satisfaction, "It's kind of you to be so thoughtful. You've become more and more composed. I'm very happy. Please rise."
Su Su did not rise, but remained standing with her head bowed, her voice clear and calm: "Your Majesty, I have something else to report. Since entering the palace, I have acted willfully and repeatedly violated palace rules. I feel ashamed to continue serving the Empress Dowager and the Emperor in the palace. I request permission to leave the palace and go to Puning Temple to stay there and pray for the Empress Dowager and the Emperor every day to atone for my past transgressions."
The Empress Dowager was suddenly stunned, her eyes filled with disbelief: "What did you say?" The old maid Duan beside her also trembled slightly in surprise.
Su Su remained composed and repeated, "Your Majesty, I know that I am lacking in virtue and unworthy of Your Majesty's grace. I only wish to leave the palace to cultivate myself and pray for blessings for the rest of my life."
The Empress Dowager's mind was in turmoil: Could it be that this ordeal had truly driven her to despair, even to the point of losing all hope in the Emperor, leading to her resolute demeanor? Seeing her resolute expression, the Empress Dowager suddenly realized there was no need to force her to stay. She herself had been the one to push her into the palace, and she had personally witnessed her infatuation and resentment towards Li Qianche after she entered. If she truly wished to turn back, what good would it do to force her to stay? It would be better to use this opportunity to test the Emperor's feelings for her. She was not unaware of the difference in how Li Qianche had treated her in the past. If the Emperor truly had no interest in her, he could let her leave the palace, so she wouldn't have to suffer and die in misery in the deep palace. After all, she was the child she had watched grow up, and she couldn't bear to see her life trapped here.
Thinking of this, the Empress Dowager rose and walked to Su Su, personally helping her up and holding her slightly cool hand, saying, "This matter is of utmost importance. You... have you really thought it through?"
Su Su raised her eyes, her gaze clear and firm: "Your Majesty, my mind is made up."
The Empress Dowager gently patted the back of her hand and finally sighed, "Alright, I agree. Go back and wait for news."
"Thank you for your kind permission, Empress Dowager," Su Su bowed deeply and turned to leave.
Granny Duan gently placed the scroll on the table and whispered, "It seems that Consort Su has given up on the Emperor with this decision."
A complex emotion flashed across the Empress Dowager's eyes: "She is... utterly disappointed in the Emperor..."
After a moment of silence, the Empress Dowager said slowly, "Add Su Su's name to the list of those being released back to the palace." She wanted to see how the Emperor would react.
"Yes," Duan Mama bowed and accepted the order, "This servant will go and make the arrangements immediately."
……………
After returning to Changxin Palace, Su Su continued to embroider handkerchiefs in her bedchamber every day to save money for her departure. Nearly a month passed in the blink of an eye, and the Empress Dowager had added her name to the list of those leaving the palace. She instructed Chunlan to start packing. Since being demoted to a concubine, most of her former rewards had been taken back to the Imperial Household Department's treasury, and she had nothing of value to take with her. Her luggage was quickly packed.
During this time, she pleaded with the Empress Dowager to take Chunlan and Qiuju with her when she left the palace, and the Empress Dowager granted her request. Now everything is ready, and she is just waiting for the day she leaves the palace.
Looking at her packed luggage, Su Su recalled the rumors circulating in the palace these past few days. It was said that Li Qianche had not set foot in the inner palace for a month, while Consort Wan had visited the Imperial Study several times. On one occasion, Consort Wan even fainted in the Imperial Study, and the Emperor urgently summoned all the imperial physicians from the Imperial Hospital to Shuning Palace to treat her. The Emperor's favor towards her was evident.
Su Su wondered to herself: Could it be that Consort Wan is already pregnant?
Another matter puzzled her: General Pei Xuan had not returned with the army in triumph. Could something have happened? Pei Xuan had been Li Qianche's study companion since childhood, and the two had a close relationship. Now that Pei Xuan had not returned, Li Qianche had not said anything to the outside world. Whether he was dead or alive, no one knew. Meanwhile, in her previous life, she was immersed in heartbreak and knew nothing about the affairs of the previous dynasty.
However, she quickly came to terms with it. What did it have to do with her? She would be leaving the palace soon, and these palace secrets and the affairs of the previous dynasty would eventually have nothing to do with her anymore.
That day, Granny Duan personally came to Changxin Palace and bowed to report: "Princess Su, tomorrow is the day you leave the palace. The Empress Dowager has specially ordered me to convey that you should pack your things and that someone will come to escort you out of the palace tomorrow."
Su Su was overjoyed, but remained calm on the surface and replied gently, "Please trouble Granny Duan to convey to the Empress Dowager that Su Su is grateful for her aunt's kindness and will not be able to serve her by her side to repay her for her years of upbringing. After leaving the palace, she will pray for her aunt day and night and wish her good health."
Granny Duan bowed solemnly: "This servant will certainly convey your message. May Your Highness have a safe and smooth journey after leaving the palace."
Su Su smiled and said softly, "Thank you for your kind words, Granny."
After Granny Duan returned to Cining Palace to report, the Empress Dowager slowly twirled her prayer beads: "No movement from the Emperor's side? He approved the list of those allowed to pass so readily? Without even asking any questions?"
Granny Duan whispered, "This servant also finds it strange. The Emperor should at least have inquired about it. Could it be... that he truly has no feelings for Consort Su? Or has he been too busy with state affairs to notice?"
The Empress Dowager remained silent for a moment, a deep meaning flashing in her eyes: "Tomorrow, send someone to escort Su Su to the side hall of Shenwu Gate to wait. Finally, I want to test him. I want to see if the Emperor is truly indifferent or pretending not to know."
She still couldn't believe that the emperor would let go so easily.
Duan Mama replied, "This servant will arrange it immediately."
The next morning, Su Su, Chunlan, and Qiuju finished packing and waited for the palace servants to fetch her. It wasn't until the afternoon that Eunuch An, who served the Empress Dowager, slowly approached and bowed, saying, "Princess Su, this servant has been ordered by the Empress Dowager to escort you out of the palace."
Su Su replied gently, "Thank you for your help, Eunuch An. Please lead the way."
Chunlan and Qiuju exchanged a smile, their eyes brimming with undisguised joy. The three followed Eunuch An to a side hall beside the Shenwu Gate. An Dekang said with a smile, "Please wait here for a moment, Your Highness. The time to leave the palace has not yet arrived. Allow me to make some arrangements first, and then I will come to welcome Your Highness."
Su Su gestured for Chunlan to hand over a packet of loose silver, and said softly, "Thank you for taking care of this, sir."
An Dekang accepted the gift with a smile and said respectfully, "Your Highness is too kind. This is my duty. Please rest assured, Your Highness. I will be right back." After speaking, he left the side hall and closed the door.
At the same time, the Empress Dowager slowly walked to the door of the Imperial Study. Shen Gaoyi saw her from afar and hurriedly went inside to report. As soon as the Empress Dowager arrived at the door, Shen Gaoyi came out to greet her and bowed respectfully: "May Your Majesty enjoy boundless blessings."
The Empress Dowager entered the study and saw Li Qianche rising from his desk to greet her. She said gently, "Your Majesty, please sit down. I only have a few words to say."
After bowing, Li Qianche sat down with the Empress Dowager and asked, "What brings the Empress Dowager here in person?"
The Empress Dowager said calmly, "In principle, this matter should not be my concern, but Su Su has served the Emperor, so I should at least inform him. She requested to leave the palace to pray at Puning Temple, saying that she felt unworthy to serve the Emperor any longer. Since the Emperor has granted her permission to leave the palace, shouldn't he reward her with some personal gifts to fulfill this duty of loyalty between the Emperor and his subject?"
Li Qianche suddenly stood up, his expression one of surprise and doubt: "What did the Empress Dowager say? Request to leave the palace? When did I ever grant that request?"
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