In the afternoon, the snow outside the window had not stopped. Although Su Tiyue was still ill, she still managed to go to Cining Palace.
I heard that the Empress Dowager has woken up.
A few days ago, Su Tiyue went to see the Empress Dowager because of her father's matter but was refused. Although the matter has been resolved, she still felt that she should go and see the Empress Dowager.
It is said that illness comes like a landslide and goes like a slow, gradual process. Although the Empress Dowager recovered, her health was not as good as before.
Su Tiyue talked with her for a while, and in the time it takes to drink half a cup of tea, the Empress Dowager fell into a drowsy sleep again.
When Granny Liu saw Su Tiyue out, her wrinkled face showed a hint of relief:
"Your Highness is very kind. Among all the concubines in the harem, you are the one who cares most about the Empress Dowager. However, the snow and wind have been fierce recently, so Your Highness must take care of your health."
"Granny Liu, you've worked hard. I'll come to visit the Empress Dowager again when the weather is better."
After speaking, Su Tiyue personally handed an exquisite wooden box to Granny Liu, inside which were three incomparably precious thousand-year-old ginseng roots.
"The Empress Dowager is from Suzhou. This is a type of ginseng unique to Suzhou, and it is also a small token of my appreciation. Please ask Granny Liu to convey this message."
"Yes, Your Majesty, please take care."
After leaving Cining Palace, the snow lessened a bit. Liu Wan held an umbrella, and as the two passed through the back garden, they heard bursts of laughter and playful banter coming from not far away.
Su Tiyue hid behind the layers of artificial rocks and peeked out before she saw the Emperor and Consort Wan in the pavilion, accompanied by several palace maids and eunuchs.
Xiao Heye was also there.
He stood expressionless to the side, wearing a black cotton robe with a dark gray belt around his waist, which made his waist appear even slimmer and his legs longer. However, his face... was a bit too cold and sharp.
"ah!"
With a scream from Wanpin, Su Tiyue frowned and looked in the direction of the sound.
The Emperor and Consort Wan were seen flirting with each other in the pavilion, seemingly oblivious to what was happening around them...
Well, it might be even more exaggerated than flirting.
In front of everyone, those two actually...?
They glanced again at Xiao Heye, who stood silently to the side. He simply waved his hand, and everyone present obediently turned their backs to the Emperor and Consort Wan. No one dared to look at that filthy scene again.
When Xiao Heye turned to look behind the artificial hill, Su Tiyue had already quietly escaped with Liu Wan. He only caught a glimpse of the faint outline of a pale yellow cloak...
A moment later, he raised his eyebrows slightly and stared blankly at the artificial hill, looking thoughtful.
Clearly, Xiao Heye did not wish to linger in this place. He turned and walked out of the pavilion with a sullen face, all his emotions and thoughts hidden in his unfathomable dark eyes.
After walking quite a distance, Liu Wan finally spoke softly, "Your Highness, are you really sure you want to agree to Master Xiao's conditions?"
Su Tiyue nodded slightly, her voice even hoarser than in the morning: "I'm afraid it's too late for me to back out now."
Liu Wan said, "But you saw it yourself, the Emperor looks like this..."
"Liu Wan... watch your words." Su Tiyue looked around, her expression suddenly turning serious: "Be careful, walls have ears."
In this palace, one cannot eat just any food, nor can one say just any words.
Liu Wan lowered her head and said, "Yes, Your Majesty."
"You go back to Jinxiu Palace first. I'm going to Nanyuan. If I don't come back tonight, you know what to do."
Liu Wan: "I know. I will lock the courtyard gate. If anyone asks, I will say that Your Highness is not feeling well and went to bed early."
Su Tiyue nodded in acquiescence, and then went alone towards Nanyuan.
Perhaps this is how people are; they always hold onto a sense of wishful thinking until they reach a dead end.
Although she had already agreed to Xiao Heye's conditions, she still harbored a glimmer of hope. She wanted to drag it out, to avoid the topic altogether, and, to be even bolder, Su Tiyue even considered tearing up the agreement herself.
Does vying for favor always lead to a good ending?
Like Consort Wan, who gained favor but lost all face and dignity, she was no less than the prostitutes in the brothel.
Such favor is fleeting, humiliating, and inhumane.
From beginning to end, that wasn't the life Su Tiyue wanted.
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