Chapter 10 Liang Yuan
The majestic city walls of the capital came into view, the heart of the empire radiating an invisible pressure. The convoy traveled along a special road, directly into the imperial city, and arrived at the Eastern Palace area.
The palace gates opened one after another, and the solemn ceremonial guards and kneeling palace servants all demonstrated the majesty of the Crown Prince.
Inside the carriage, Xiao Jingzhan had changed into his apricot-yellow princely robes, which made him appear even more majestic and imposing. He held Su Jingyu's hand and could feel the slight coolness and trembling of her fingertips.
"Don't be afraid." His voice was deep and reassuring. "I'll take care of everything. You go with Eunuch He to make arrangements first. I need to go to the Liangyi Hall immediately to see my father and mother and explain the situation."
Su Jingyu nodded obediently: "Your Highness, please go with peace of mind. I understand."
The carriage stopped in front of a hall called "Liuli Pavilion" in the East Palace. Although it was not the most magnificent place in the East Palace, it was exceptionally exquisite and elegant, with pavilions, towers, bridges and flowing water, which had a Jiangnan charm and was obviously arranged with care.
Xiao Jingzhan got out of the carriage first, and He Gonggong, the chief eunuch of the Eastern Palace who had been waiting by the carriage, immediately bowed to greet him.
“He Yong,” Xiao Jingzhan instructed, “this is Consort Su. Take good care of her. All her expenses shall be paid according to the highest standard. If there is any negligence, I will hold you responsible.”
"Your Highness, this servant will obey your orders!" He Yong was a shrewd man. Seeing that the Crown Prince had personally given the order and that he was so concerned about it, he had already placed the newly arrived Consort Su in a very high position in his mind.
Xiao Jingzhan turned around and, in front of everyone, gently squeezed Su Jingyu's hand and whispered, "Go and rest first, I'll be back later."
This "good boy" and the affectionate gesture stirred up countless undercurrents in the eyes of the surrounding palace servants. Su Jingyu's cheeks flushed slightly, and she lowered her head to reply, "Yes."
Xiao Jingzhan said no more, turned around and strode away, his robes fluttering as he displayed the bearing of a crown prince.
He Yong then greeted Su Jingyu with a smile and said respectfully, "Your Highness, you must be tired from your journey. Please come inside and rest with me. The palace has been prepared."
Guided by He Yong and several palace maids, Su Jingyu entered the Liuli Pavilion. The interior was elegantly furnished yet luxurious, filled with a faint fragrance of pear blossoms, which calmed the mind.
After Su Jingyu bathed and changed, she had some snacks and was having her hair wrung out by a palace maid when she vaguely heard two young palace maids talking in hushed tones outside:
"This Consort Su is truly beautiful, like a fairy who stepped out of a painting. No wonder His Highness values her so highly..."
"Shh! Keep your voice down! Don't forget about the Crown Princess in our Eastern Palace..." another voice said cautiously, "The Crown Princess is the legitimate daughter of Minister Li and the niece of the Imperial Concubine. She's very particular about etiquette. And then there's Consort Zhang, who comes from a military family and has a straightforward personality... This Consort Su has been staying in the Liuli Pavilion, which is closest to His Highness's study, ever since she arrived. I'm afraid she'll become..."
The voice trailed off, but the message was clear enough.
Su Jingyu understood. It turned out that the Eastern Palace currently mainly consisted of:
Crown Princess Li: Born into a prominent family, her father was the Minister of Personnel and her aunt was a favored concubine in the palace. She had a powerful background and valued rules and etiquette above all else.
Lady Zhang: Daughter of a military family, her personality is perhaps more direct and outspoken.
There were also other officials of lower rank, such as Chenghui and Zhaoxun.
As a newly arrived "Consort Su," she had no illustrious family background, yet she was personally brought back by the Crown Prince and placed in such a fine palace, which undoubtedly made her the target of everyone's criticism instantly.
At this moment, He Yongjin came in to report, his attitude respectful: "Lady Consort, all items have been registered and stored. His Highness has instructed that if you need anything, please inform this servant. In addition, according to custom, after you have settled in, you need to go to Changchun Palace to pay your respects to the Crown Princess. What do you think..."
Su Jingyu composed herself, knowing that what was coming would eventually happen. She took a deep breath and said calmly, "Thank you for your help, Eunuch He. I will tidy myself up and then go to pay my respects to Her Highness the Crown Princess."
She must adapt to this new environment as soon as possible, for her own sake and to live up to His Highness's heavy trust in her.
Inside the Liangyi Hall.
Xiao Jingzhan was giving a detailed report to the Emperor and Empress about the great victory at the border, the attack on the return journey, and the recurrence of his injuries. He omitted the specific details of Su Jingyu's assistance with the spiritual spring, only emphasizing that the Su family took good care of him, and that Su Jingyu, the daughter of Magistrate Su, did not shy away from suspicion and personally took care of him, which was of great merit.
When the emperor heard that the crown prince's injuries were no longer serious, he was overjoyed. Upon hearing that the Su family was loyal to the emperor and devoted to the country, he stroked his beard and nodded: "Su Mingyuan is a sensible man and has done a good job in raising his daughter. He deserves to be rewarded."
The Empress was more perceptive. Seeing the unusual glint in her son's eyes when he mentioned Lady Su, she understood seven or eight parts of the situation.
She said gently, "Since she has been kind to the Crown Prince, it is only right to bring her into the palace. Let's settle her with the rank of Consort for now, and if she is truly virtuous in the future, we can reward her accordingly."
Xiao Jingzhan knew that his mother's words were tacit approval and left room for maneuver, so he said no more and respectfully agreed.
He had his own plans. He would personally earn Yu'er's status and glory, and do so legitimately, leaving no room for criticism.
His beloved had just entered the Eastern Palace, and he needed to return to her side as soon as possible.
Inside the Liuli Pavilion, Su Jingyu adjusted her makeup in front of the mirror. The palace maid had chosen a light blue palace dress for her, an elegant color that was both proper and not too flashy. Looking at her reflection in the mirror, where her eyes and brows already hinted at a certain charm, she took a deep breath and tried to suppress her nervousness.
"Lady, it's almost time to go to Changchun Palace," the head palace maid, Yun Shu, reminded her softly. Yun Shu was specially assigned by He Yong; she was calm, capable, and an old hand in the Eastern Palace.
Su Jingyu nodded and helped Yun Shu to her feet. She knew this was the first hurdle she had to face.
Changchun Palace is located on the central axis of the East Palace. Its halls are magnificent and its atmosphere solemn. Unlike the exquisite beauty of the Glazed Tile Pavilion, this place exudes the majesty of the main palace. The palace maids and eunuchs standing in the corridors are all holding their breath and are strictly disciplined.
After being announced, Su Jingyu was led to the main hall. The hall was filled with the fragrance of incense. Crown Princess Li sat upright in the main seat, dressed in a bright red palace gown and adorned with pearls and jade. Her appearance was dignified and beautiful, but there was a hint of arrogance and scrutiny between her brows.
Several women sat to her left and right, presumably Consort Zhang and other concubines of the Eastern Palace. Their gazes were all fixed on Su Jingyu.
Su Jingyu stepped forward steadily and, in accordance with palace rules, performed a grand salute: "This humble servant, Su, greets Your Highness the Crown Princess. May Your Highness enjoy boundless blessings and peace."
The hall was completely silent, with only the faint scent of incense wafting through the air.
The Crown Princess did not immediately wake up. Instead, she picked up the teacup beside her, gently stirred the floating leaves, and slowly took a sip.
The silent pressure caused the atmosphere in the hall to freeze instantly. Zhang Liangyuan's lips curled into a smile of anticipation, while the others exchanged glances.
Su Jingyu maintained her bowing posture, her back straight, but her heart was pounding like a drum. She knew this was the Crown Princess's way of intimidating her.
After a long while, the Crown Princess seemed to have just noticed her and said indifferently, "Raise your head."
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