Chapter 36 A Sudden Turmoil Erupts, a Plea for Mercy in the Imperial Study
Chapter Thirty-Six: A Sudden Turmoil, A Plea for Mercy in the Imperial Study
Since that day, when the calendar was set in a rage, Qianshe left Yongshou Palace and never set foot there again. Yongshou Palace has lost its former tranquility and is even more silent than before.
Su Su was happy to have some peace and quiet. Every day she would either read travelogues, taste the new snacks made in the small kitchen, or tend to the increasingly lush flowers and plants in the courtyard with Chunlan and Qiuju, as if the troubles outside had nothing to do with her.
Only occasionally, in the stillness of the night, gazing at the bright moonlight outside the window, would a complex and indescribable emotion sweep through her heart, which she would quickly suppress.
The atmosphere inside the Imperial Study was in stark contrast to the tranquility of Yongshou Palace.
Shen Gaoyi had been living in constant fear and trepidation these past few days. Ever since the day his emperor returned from Yongshou Palace, his face had never brightened.
He often gets distracted when reviewing memorials, his red pen hovering in mid-air for a long time; he is completely unaware that his tea has gone cold; he even occasionally stares blankly into the void, his whole body shrouded in a low pressure that keeps strangers away.
Shen Gaoyi knew perfectly well that this was probably another instance of the Imperial Concubine giving the Emperor a hard time. He secretly groaned; when these two masters quarreled, it was always those who served them closely who suffered.
On this day, Shen Gaoyi noticed that Li Qianche had just finished reviewing a stack of memorials and was taking a short break while rubbing his temples. He carefully carried a sandalwood tray forward, on which were neatly arranged the green nameplates of the various concubines in the harem.
He smiled ingratiatingly, his voice extremely soft and gentle: "Your Majesty, do you think... this rule of choosing consorts should... continue? The Imperial Concubine has already arranged the order, and the other ladies are all looking forward to it..."
Before he could finish speaking, he saw Li Qianche's gaze sweep coldly over the green plaques. Not only was he unmoved, but his expression became even more gloomy.
Su Su! How "generous" she is! She actually pushed him towards another woman! This nameless anger came fiercely and intensely, burning him with a tightness in his chest.
He abruptly flicked his sleeve, nearly knocking over the tray, his voice icy cold: "Get down!"
Shen Gaoyi was so frightened that he immediately knelt down to apologize, packed up the green plaque, and scrambled out. He was inwardly lamenting what the Imperial Concubine had done to anger the Emperor like this.
………………
Inside Yongshou Palace, spring was in full bloom. Su Su was sitting leisurely by the window, with a dish of freshly baked almond milk and a cup of fragrant jasmine tea on a small table.
She had just picked up the small white jade spoon, and before she could even put it in her mouth, she saw Chunlan come running in, her face ashen, forgetting even to bow, her voice trembling with tears and unprecedented panic:
"Your Majesty! Something terrible has happened!"
Su Su's heart skipped a beat, and she put down her spoon: "What's wrong? Why are you so flustered? Tell me slowly."
"In the morning... during the morning court session, an imperial censor impeached the master, saying... that the master was colluding with foreign enemies and had secret correspondence with the southwestern country! The evidence... the evidence was conclusive! The emperor was furious and immediately issued an edict to throw the master and the young master... into the imperial prison to await trial!"
With a loud crash, the white jade teacup slipped from Su Su's hand and shattered on the ground, splashing warm tea onto her skirt.
She suddenly stood up, feeling a dizzying sensation as the world spun around her and her ears rang.
Colluding with foreign enemies? Father and brother imprisoned?
How could this be?! The timing is wrong! This event clearly happened in the dead of winter when snow was falling in my past life, but now it's only April, when spring is in full bloom. Why did it happen so much earlier?!
She had already written to her father, warning him to be cautious and to investigate the household! Why couldn't they still avoid it?! Where did things go wrong? Was it the second wife? Or did the landlord speed up his actions?
A wave of panic and helplessness washed over her instantly, like ice water. Since her rebirth, she had proceeded cautiously and meticulously, hoping to change her family's fate of destruction. But now, fate seemed to be crushing her with even greater force!
No! Don't panic! Su Su pinched her palms hard, the sharp pain barely allowing her to maintain a sliver of composure. Her father and brother were still in the Heavenly Prison, a place that devoured people without a trace! She had to save them!
Now, there is only one person who can save the Su family—Li Qianche.
Thinking of their unpleasant parting a few days ago, Su Su's heart sank. Would he see her? Would he believe her father was innocent?
She had to give it a try, no matter what.
As night fell and the lanterns were lit, Su Su changed into an elegant yet dignified palace dress, carrying a prepared food box containing carefully brewed ginseng soup, and headed towards the Imperial Study under the cover of night.
When Shen Gaoyi, who was guarding outside the door, saw her, he was first taken aback, and then a complicated expression appeared on his face. He braced himself and went in to announce her arrival, his heart pounding. Given the Emperor's mood these past few days and the matter of the Su family being imprisoned, he was afraid that the Imperial Concubine would not see him.
However, to his surprise, after a moment of silence, the emperor behind the desk uttered four words in a low voice: "Let her in."
Su Su stepped nervously into the imperial study. The hall was brightly lit by candlelight, and Li Qianche was sitting behind his desk, holding a vermilion brush, seemingly still reviewing memorials, without even raising his head. A sense of oppression filled the air.
She took a deep breath, stepped forward, gently placed the food box on a corner of the table, curtsied, and tried to keep her voice steady: "Your Majesty, I pay my respects. It is late at night and the dew is heavy. Your Majesty is busy with state affairs. I have prepared a ginseng soup. Your Majesty, please have some. It is important to take care of your health."
Li Qianche finally raised his eyes, his deep gaze falling on her with scrutiny and a hint of barely perceptible coldness, directly interrupting her roundabout opening: "You've come here to say something?"
Su Su's heart tightened; he knew why she had come. She pursed her lips, knowing that further beating around the bush was useless, so she simply raised her head to meet his gaze, her tone earnest: "Your Majesty, there must be hidden circumstances regarding my father and brother's affair. My father is utterly loyal to the court and Your Majesty, and has never harbored any disloyalty! I beg Your Majesty to investigate thoroughly and restore the Su family's innocence!"
"Loyal and devoted?" Li Qianche put down the vermilion brush, leaned back slightly, and curled his lips into a half-smile, but his eyes were sharp as knives. "If you are so disloyal and disobedient to me in the palace, your father must be the same outside the palace."
Su Su's face paled. He was indeed still angry about what had happened a few days ago, even using it to allude to her father. Suppressing her humiliation and anxiety, she explained, "Your Majesty, I have not been disloyal..."
"Oh? I didn't realize that." Li Qianche interrupted her, his tone clearly sarcastic and difficult.
Seeing his cold and distant attitude, and thinking of her father and brother, whose fate was unknown in prison, Su Su steeled her heart. She knew that any explanation would be futile at this moment, and she knew perfectly well what he wanted.
Summoning all the courage she had ever known, she walked around the imperial desk and stepped toward him. Li Qianche watched her silently, wanting to see what she would do.
Su Su bit her lip slightly, then sat sideways on his lap, stretched out her arms, softly wrapped them around his neck, tilted her head back, and brought her rosy lips close to his tightly pursed lips, her eyes filled with a resolute determination and a barely perceptible tremor.
Just as her lips were about to touch his, Li Qianche slightly turned his head, parted his thin lips, and uttered words as sharp as ice picks: "How do you know that I still want you now?"
These words were like a bucket of cold water, dousing Su Su from head to toe, instantly sobering her up and making her feel incredibly embarrassed.
Yes, he already detested the concubines in the harem engaging in seduction in the solemn place of the Imperial Study, where state affairs were handled, let alone someone like her who had just angered him and was now pleading for her family, who were suspected of treason.
Her arms around his neck stiffened instantly, her grip loosened, and the color drained from her face. She tried to get off him and escape this awkward atmosphere.
However, just as she tried to get up, Li Qianche suddenly stretched out his arm and held her tightly in his arms, with such force that he almost crushed her bones.
He lowered his head, giving her no chance to back down, and with an almost punitive madness, fiercely seized her lips. It was no longer a fleeting taste, but a brutal conquest, filled with pent-up anger, desire, and some indescribable, complex emotions.
"Mmm..." Su Su was almost breathless from his kisses, and he held her even tighter. His other hand ruthlessly slipped inside her clothes, kneading her full breasts through the thin fabric, with a punishing tone that made her feel both pain and shame.
His kisses traveled down her lips, leaving burning marks on her slender, delicate neck with a biting force.
Su Su felt dizzy and disoriented when he suddenly scooped her up in his arms. He carried her to the bed in the inner room of the imperial study, a bed he had reserved for temporary rest…
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