Chapter 12 No one can deceive you in the slightest
"Vixen! She really is a vixen from a lowly place!" Li's chest heaved violently, her beautiful face contorted with jealousy. "In just a few days, she has bewitched His Highness, making him disregard even the rules of our ancestors!"
Born into nobility, she was the apple of her family's eye from a young age. Although she didn't receive the Crown Prince's favor after marrying into the Eastern Palace, she always maintained the dignity of a principal wife. But now, the daughter of a seventh-rank county magistrate had trampled her to this extent! How could she swallow this insult?
Zhang Liangyuan's residence, however, presented a completely different scene.
"Ha, I thought she was some celestial being descended to earth, but she's just a pretty face used to seduce the emperor." Consort Zhang brandished her short sword, her tone disdainful, but her eyes were icy. "His Highness is just indulging in something new now, but wait until she falls out of favor, she'll get what's coming to her!" She was a daughter of a military family, fiercely independent, and looked down on those weak, whiny women who only knew how to cry and vie for favor. But Su Jingyu's appearance still made her feel a strong sense of threat.
The other officials of lower rank, such as Chenghui and Zhaoxun, were even more anxious and each had their own plans. Some tried to find out about the Liuli Pavilion, while others tried to get closer to the Crown Princess or Consort Zhang.
That day, Xiao Jingzhan was summoned by the emperor to discuss military affairs in the north, and he still hadn't returned by dinner time. Su Jingyu ate alone and was taking a walk in the small garden of Liuli Pavilion with Yun Shu to aid digestion when she unexpectedly encountered Zhang Liangyuan, who was also out for a walk.
"Oh, isn't this Sister Su?" Consort Zhang walked over with two palace maids, smiling, but her eyes were scrutinizing. "Sister, you are so lucky. You have only been in the palace for a short time and yet you have already won His Highness's favor. We sisters are so envious."
Su Jingyu greeted her politely, "Greetings, Sister Zhang."
Zhang Liangyuan took a few steps closer, seemingly affectionately taking Su Jingyu's hand, but secretly tightening her grip with her fingertips: "Sister, your hands are so smooth and soft, no wonder His Highness likes them. But sister, I have something to say, but I don't know if I should?"
"Please speak, sister."
"In this palace, the principle is to bestow favors evenly and forge lasting relationships." Consort Zhang lowered her voice, making sure everyone around could hear. "His Highness's current affection for you is your good fortune. But you should also advise him that if he stays here all the time, it will inevitably attract criticism. People will say you are immature and a seductress, and that your reputation... won't sound good. The Crown Princess is virtuous and won't hold it against you, but you should know your place."
These words, seemingly an admonition, were in fact a warning and a threat, accusing her of "bewitching the ruler."
Su Jingyu was displeased and about to speak when a cold voice came from behind her:
"Where does one live alone, and when does one need others to teach them manners?"
Everyone turned around and saw that Xiao Jingzhan had been standing not far away at some point, his face calm but his eyes sharp as knives, shooting straight at Zhang Liangyuan.
Zhang Liangyuan turned pale with fright, quickly released Su Jingyu's hand, and knelt down: "Your Highness, please calm down! I...I was just having a private conversation with Sister Su..."
"A private conversation?" Xiao Jingzhan walked slowly over, shielding Su Jingyu behind him, his tone icy. "Teach her how to 'know her place'? How to push me away? Zhang, are you dissatisfied with my arrangements?"
"Your Majesty, I dare not!" Consort Zhang was drenched in cold sweat.
"It's best if you don't dare," Xiao Jingzhan said coldly. "Remember your place. If I hear any more gossip, or if anyone dares to come to the Liuli Pavilion and disturb Consort Su's peace, I will not let them off lightly!"
He stopped looking at Zhang Liangyuan, who was kneeling and trembling, took Su Jingyu's hand, and his tone instantly softened: "It's getting windy, let's go back."
Back in the warm palace, Xiao Jingzhan dismissed everyone around him, embraced Su Jingyu, rested his chin on the top of her head, and sighed, "It's my fault, I've made you suffer."
Su Jingyu leaned against his chest and shook her head: "Your Highness is protecting me, I am not wronged." But this Eastern Palace is indeed as her father said, a place where every step is fraught with danger.
Xiao Jingzhan knew exactly what she was thinking, and he held her even tighter: "My dear, trust me. As long as I am here, no one can deceive you in the slightest." He had already made up his mind to give Yu'er a more secure title as soon as possible, so that these petty people would completely give up their ideas.
Outside the Glazed Pavilion, night deepened, and undercurrents surged beneath the magnificent palace walls. Inside, however, the candlelight was warm and inviting, as the Crown Prince, in his own way, erected an invisible barrier for his beloved.
The warmth of the Glazed Pavilion could not ultimately conceal the high walls of the Eastern Palace. The news that the Crown Prince favored Consort Su and even broke palace rules for her spread like wildfire throughout the court and the harem.
At the morning court session that day, an imperial censor stepped forward, holding a jade tablet, his words earnest yet tinged with a touch of pedantic rigidity:
"Your Majesty, I have heard that His Highness the Crown Prince has recently shown great favor to a newly arrived concubine, Consort Su, to the point that he has neglected the other concubines and even exempted them from the morning and evening greetings. The Crown Prince is the heir apparent and should set an example for the nation. Such behavior is not only detrimental to the country but also tarnishes His Highness's reputation. I earnestly request Your Majesty to advise the Crown Prince to prioritize state affairs and to bestow your favor equally upon all, for this is the way to ensure the prosperity of the imperial lineage."
With one person taking the lead, several senior officials who considered themselves upright and valued etiquette also echoed the sentiment. Their intentions were not necessarily directed at Su Jingyu herself, but rather out of consideration for upholding "ancestral laws" and "the virtues of the crown prince."
The emperor on the dragon throne, his face hidden behind the twelve tassels of pearls and jade, revealed neither joy nor anger. After listening to the reports from several ministers, he did not immediately express his opinion, but instead turned his gaze to the crown prince, Xiao Jingzhan, who stood before the officials.
"Your Highness, what do you have to say about what the censor said?"
Xiao Jingzhan stepped forward, his posture upright like a pine tree, his expression calm and undisturbed. He had long anticipated this.
"Your Majesty, Consort Su rescued me when I was in danger, and her father, Su Mingyuan, has also achieved considerable success in governing the region. I treat her differently, firstly because I remember her kindness, and secondly because Consort Su is gentle and kind, and when she accompanies me in my studies, she helps me to calm my mind, which is beneficial for handling state affairs. As for the claims of 'neglect' or 'exclusive favor,' they are pure nonsense. I know how to handle matters within the Eastern Palace, and I need not trouble you gentlemen."
His words downplayed the seriousness of the matter, attributing the favor to "favor" and "beneficial to government affairs." This silenced public opinion and protected Su Jingyu. Although his tone was calm, it carried the authority of a crown prince, leaving no room for doubt.
The censors and senior officials who had spoken exchanged bewildered glances, speechless for a moment. The Crown Prince had already made his point; if they continued to press the matter, it would be seen as interfering in the Crown Prince's internal affairs.
A barely perceptible smile flickered deep in the Emperor's eyes. His son was becoming increasingly shrewd. He waved his hand: "Very well. Since the Crown Prince has said so, I trust he knows what he's doing. Magistrate Su has done a good job educating his daughter; the Ministry of Personnel shall record this and give him priority in future evaluations. As for the rest, court is adjourned."
The emperor's attitude was ambiguous. He neither reprimanded the crown prince nor fully supported the censor. Instead, he praised Su Mingyuan, which made many onlookers speculate.
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