Chapter 97 Imprisoned in the Palace, One Day a Weakness Was Touched, and Without a Fight, He Submitted to the Emperor. ...
Ever since Wen Shiqin learned that Su Jinxiu's riding skills were taught by Yi Ruxu, he has been consumed by jealousy and stubbornly insisted on taking on the task of teaching her horsemanship skills in the future.
However, for Su Jinxiu, there were always some inexplicable and difficult problems hidden in the horse-riding lessons.
To ride a horse, you must first sit firmly, then gently squeeze the horse's belly with your calves, and loosely hold the reins with your fingertips. The horse will then move forward gracefully according to your wishes.
She just couldn't do it. The more panicked she became, the tighter she squeezed, which would spur the horse to gallop wildly. Her heart trembled with fear, and she couldn't help but squeeze the horse's belly even tighter.
This vicious cycle continued, and she would be out of breath halfway through each ride, especially during the bumpy climbs to the top of hills, when her body would rise and fall with the horse's leaps and bounds, often causing her to cry out in fear.
That's not even the worst part.
Worst of all, when the horse went berserk and galloped wildly, Wen Shiqin was afraid that she would fall off the horse, so he used the saddle to lock her legs firmly to the sides of the horse's belly, and then he climbed on top of her, holding her waist firmly with both hands, and taught her to sink her waist and lift her hips in rhythm with the horse.
“Follow me,” his voice was low and husky, sweet as honey, “Don’t panic, I’m supporting you.”
She managed to keep her waist and legs steady, but when the horse went berserk uphill and leaped wildly, her upper body swayed like a duckweed in the rain, helpless and alone. Only her lower body was firmly attached to the horse. Every jolt traveled through her muscles to every part of her body, making her feel like her soul was leaving her body. She could only hold onto his wrist tightly.
Wen Shiqin was a strict teacher. Even if the journey was only half an hour, he insisted that she ride the entire way before he would let her rest on the horse.
Then he would lean down, rub his chin against her sweaty temples, his warm breath brushing against her reddened earlobe, and whisper praise: "Sister, you ride so well, so well-behaved. It's been worth all the time I've spent teaching you."
Su Jinxiu returned from riding that wild horse in the wild, feeling as if her bones had been disassembled and reassembled, so weak that she had no strength left. After returning to the mansion, she fell asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow. From noon until dusk, even in her dreams she was tossed and turned, until her stomach started to rumble with hunger. Only then did she rub her sleepy eyes and slowly sit up from the bed.
But when she woke up this time, the bedside was empty, and she didn't see him. Instead, a hint of surprise flashed through Su Jinxiu's heart.
She rose and called out to the maids outside to summon Buyue and Caiyun. Both were maids who had been with her since Shushi Residence and had learned some clever hairstyles in their spare time, so she brought them to the Marquis's residence.
"You can wash up in the outer room," Su Jinxiu instructed softly.
Bu Yue held the peach wood comb and carefully combed her loose black hair, tying it into a simple and gentle hanging bun, and adorned it with a small, plain silver hairpin. Cai Yun held up the light purple dress, tiptoed to help her change, and then draped a matching dark-patterned cloak over her shoulders.
This was the first time the two young maids had done her makeup in the study. They glanced up and saw the girl's face flushed with a dewy blush. Their peripheral vision then swept over the messy bed in the inner room, and their faces immediately turned red. They pursed their lips, lowered their heads and lowered their eyes, making their hands and feet even quieter, not daring to say a single unnecessary word.
Just like the previous few days, Wen Shiqin had not been seen for two or three days in a row. Su Jinxiu couldn't figure out what he was busy with, only that Huayun Pavilion had recently received an imperial assignment, and she had to go to the palace today.
The Empress was about to give birth, and the Imperial Household Department's Embroidery Bureau was rushing to make a set of auspicious swaddling clothes and blessing brocade. Not only were auspicious beasts and patterns such as unicorns and black birds, symbolizing continuous offspring, embroidered all over the clothes, but also talismans with calming and tranquilizing patterns were embroidered on a soft and smooth silk base.
Although the embroiderers in the palace were all skilled, they disagreed on the proper proportions of outlining talisman patterns and the methods of silk thread blending. Therefore, the palace specially summoned this outstanding folk embroidery artist to discuss the wonders of pattern arrangement and the secrets of needlework integration.
When Su Jinxiu entered the Wenxiu Bureau, she felt an overwhelming sense of familiarity as soon as she stepped through the vermilion gate, as if she were revisiting an old place.
Inside the gate, a majestic screen wall stands, with two bronze lion-like creatures, their heads holding rings. Within the courtyard, the halls and pavilions are arranged in a neat and orderly manner, each with its own function. The west hall is dedicated to pattern design, the east hall is the embroidery workshop, and the north hall is in charge of receiving and distributing materials. The hall is filled with palace maids and matrons from various palaces, carrying brocade boxes and silks, and whispering about their duties.
Without any guidance, Su Jinxiu seemed to be led by a telepathic connection, and walked towards the main hall on her own. She was surprised, as it was her first time entering the palace and visiting this place, yet she knew the layout and path like the back of her hand.
Before she could even step onto the main hall's steps, a senior palace maid dressed in a dark blue palace gown with a jade belt adorned with phoenix patterns rushed over and instructed, "Miss Su, Her Majesty the Empress has been waiting for you at Kunning Palace for a long time and has specially ordered me to come and invite you. May I trouble you to come with me?"
Su Jinxiu secretly harbored doubts.
She had come to discuss embroidery matters with the people of the Embroidery Bureau, but as a mere commoner embroiderer, what merit did she have to be granted an audience with the Empress? However, since the Empress's decree had been issued, how could she disobey? Therefore, she suppressed her surprise, bowed in response, and followed the head palace maid.
Throughout the journey, she kept her brows lowered and eyes downcast, not daring to peek at the surrounding palace scenery. She simply followed the figure in front of her, steadily passing through the red palace walls and around the jade railings, and soon arrived in front of the Kunning Palace.
This was the second time Su Jinxiu had the opportunity to meet Empress Mu Zhaoning.
The first time was at the Empress Dowager's birthday banquet, where she lowered her eyes and only dared to follow the embroidery on her skirt to try and fathom the imposing aura emanating from above. But this time, Mu Zhaoning was unusually warm and personally led her into the inner hall to talk.
Su Jinxiu sat down as instructed, but felt as if she were sitting on pins and needles. Even though she knew that the Empress had already brought her into her faction, the woman who had lived in the deep palace for so long and held the Phoenix Seal still made her dare not slack off in the slightest.
Mu Zhaoning gently stroked her growing belly, chattering on and on about the trivialities of pregnancy. Su Jinxiu's gaze inadvertently swept over the shape of the belly. Having accompanied Lan Shexiang throughout her pregnancy, she could tell at a glance that the pregnancy was only six or seven months along, certainly not the imminent arrival of childbirth as rumored.
Outside the window, the setting sun dips below the horizon, the golden crow disappearing behind distant peaks; the moment the palace gates are locked is fast approaching.
Su Jinxiu's unease grew stronger, and she finally mustered the courage to rise and kneel, trembling as she asked for her leave: "Your Majesty, it is getting late and the palace gates are about to close. I humbly request to take my leave and return to my residence."
Mu Zhaoning, seated at the head of the table, held only her teacup and sipped slowly. The rising steam from the tea washed over her face, blurring her expression.
After a long while, she finally raised her eyes, her gaze falling indifferently on Su Jinxiu, who was kneeling on the ground.
"Miss Su, your visit to the palace was originally to discuss patterns with the Embroidery Bureau. However, I found our conversation very congenial and am reluctant to part ways. Why don't you stay in the side hall of Kunning Palace tonight and discuss the embroidery matter again tomorrow? Wouldn't that be the best of both worlds?"
Su Jinxiu asked herself honestly, she had no value whatsoever in being imprisoned, yet she had ultimately become a prisoner, suffering this confinement. Each day, only a few palace maids accompanied her, leading her back and forth between Kunning Palace and the Embroidery Bureau, her every step confined to a small, designated area.
On her first night under the solitary lamp, she suddenly felt enlightened.
With Cen Heng's return date drawing near, a bloody purge of the court is inevitable. Wen Shiqin had previously stated that his allegiance was crucial to the overall safety of the court. It seems this matter was not solely Mu Zhaoning's intention; it must have been a secret conspiracy between her and the Emperor, a plan to exploit Wen Shiqin's most fatal weakness and use him as leverage.
Imprisoning the families of military generals to restrain their power has been a tried and true method throughout history.
Even though she had no way to escape, Su Jinxiu still secretly made plans every day and actively sought ways to get away.
On the third day, there was still no progress. It was heard that Shi Qin had left Bianjing to handle an important matter; otherwise, given his temperament and investigative abilities, he would not have been unable to find this place for so long.
On the fifth day, Su Jinxiu continued her usual routine between Kunning Palace and the Embroidery Bureau. She had become increasingly diligent in these past few days, harboring a sliver of hope that she might bump into a acquaintance within this confined palace.
As expected, upon reaching the covered walkway, the sound of palace servants clearing the way suddenly came from ahead, and a sedan chair carrying the ceremonial regalia of a concubine slowly approached. Standing to the side of the sedan chair was a person dressed in a third-rank scarlet official robe, with egret embroidered patches on the sleeves. Beneath the black gauze hat was a refined and handsome face, with a scholar's unique integrity and composure in his eyes, like a jade tree in full bloom.
He was bowing his head and avoiding the presence of the concubines in the inner palace, maintaining a dignified posture.
Su Jinxiu recognized Yi Ruxu at a glance. Seeing the palace maids urging her to hurry around, she had a sudden inspiration and deliberately twisted her ankle, letting out a soft cry.
The official in the crimson robe did indeed look up. The moment their eyes met, Su Jinxiu saw Yi Ruxu's expression change drastically. She quickly gave him a pleading look, her eyes filled with anxiety and expectation.
Before she could utter a word, the palace maid beside her hurriedly helped her up and pushed her forward without explanation. Su Jinxiu looked back and saw Yi Ruxu still standing there, her gaze fixed on her back.
She gazed at him intently, hoping he would understand the deep meaning in her eyes.
Having entered the Embroidery Bureau, he was exposed to the secret embroidery techniques kept hidden in the palace, such as the intricacies of weaving and the skill of gold and silver threading. In the past, Su Jinxiu had always been eager to learn these techniques, regarding them as priceless treasures. But now, imprisoned, he had no desire to study them at all.
She only sketched a few rough outlines on the silk fabric on the table, and after embroidering half of it, she left in a state of frustration.
On her way back, she looked around, her gaze sweeping through the palace gardens and corridors, but she never saw Yi Ruxu. The glimmer of hope in her heart gradually faded.
When she arrived at the side hall of Kunning Palace, she was distracted and bumped into someone.
Looking up, she saw Mu Hualin. He was dressed in a royal blue brocade robe with a jade belt around his waist. His gaze swept over Su Jinxiu from top to bottom, his eyes full of inquiry and doubt, clearly puzzled as to why she was here.
They had already become bitter enemies, and now that they had met again, Su Jinxiu dared not provoke him any further. She quickly bowed and performed a standard curtsy before turning to walk inside.
Upon entering the side hall of Kunning Palace, the doors were locked, and the accompanying maids bowed and retreated, no longer keeping a close watch on them.
Su Jinxiu went to her residence alone. When she reached the corridor outside the Empress's inner palace, she found that, for some reason, all the servants outside the palace had been dismissed, and it was so quiet that you could hear a pin drop.
A clear, melodious male voice suddenly rang out from inside the hall. Her heart skipped a beat, and she stopped in her tracks, as if she had been frozen in place.
How could Yi Ruxu have entered the Empress's inner palace? This is the Empress's private quarters, and only her most trusted and close advisors could peek into its depths. Could it be that he already knows he is imprisoned and has come to plead with the Empress for what is to come?
Su Jinxiu held her breath, tiptoed close to the pillar, and listened intently.
A glimmer of hope had just begun to ignite in her heart when the conversation coming from inside the hall chilled her to the bone, as if she had fallen into an ice cellar.
"Lord Yi," Mu Zhaoning's voice was casual yet sharp, "You must not be like those traitors who do not understand the intricacies of choosing sides. The Yi family is a family of upright officials for centuries, loyal and virtuous for generations, and your uncle is a key minister in the court. If the Emperor can fully support you, he will be able to maintain stability in the capital and quell the rebellion."
Rebellious ministers and traitors?
Su Jinxiu's heart skipped a beat, and a chill ran down her spine.
She is now imprisoned in the palace; it goes without saying who she is referring to.
What would Yi Ruxu's attitude be?
She gripped her sleeves tightly, holding her breath as she waited for what would happen next.
A moment of silence fell over the hall, then Yi Ruxu's gentle yet firm voice rang out, each word like an ice pick piercing the heart: "Your Majesty, rest assured, Wu Hui has always upheld the principles of national righteousness. How could he possibly collude with the traitors? I have heard that Shi Qin is hoarding troops and coveting the imperial regalia; he is truly a traitor to the nation. I have devised a plan. We can use the matter of the Embroidery Bureau rushing to produce brocade as a pretext to set up an inescapable trap, luring him into the palace for a rescue. At that time, with the help of both inside and outside, we will surely be able to wipe out this treacherous minister and his cronies in one fell swoop, thus restoring order to the world and bringing peace to the people."
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