I See the Noble Consort's Charm - Chapter 28:

Chapter 28:

Before Su Qingyao could speak, Wu Jieyu urgently interjected: Oh, Su Talented Lady has been enjoying such splendid days recently, who in the palace doesn’t envy you? If you have any special skills tucked away, dear sister, you shouldn’t keep them hidden. Share them with us sisters for appraisal.

Wu Jieyu was both foolish and malicious, her words truly unpleasant to hear. Su Qingyao pretended not to understand, shyly lowering her head, not even bothering to respond to her.

Consort Hui glanced at the bashful Su Qingyao, feeling a surge of irritation: Why doesn’t Sister Wu mention how favorable the feng shui of our Azure Cloud Palace is?

Wu Jieyu’s remark had actually been meant to provoke Su Qingyao, never expecting Consort Hui would misinterpret and walk right into it. Even she didn’t know how to respond, so she could only flatter Consort Hui: Sister Su’s current status is naturally due to your benevolence and excellent guidance, elder sister.

Consort Hui smiled with satisfaction and lowered her head to sip some tea.

Consort Yi inwardly cursed Consort Hui but maintained a cheerful expression on her face. She said: Since you sisters rarely visit, as your elder sister I must make proper preparations. I specially asked the Imperial Kitchen to prepare sophora leaf cold noodles and Jiangnan pastries. Let’s enjoy them together.

Upon hearing there were sophora leaf cold noodles, Su Qingyao immediately brightened up. She had originally planned to treat Consort Sun to sophora leaf cold noodles once, but since Consort Yi was offering them voluntarily, she naturally saved her silver coins. This trip wasn’t wasted.

After Consort Yi gave the order, the palace maids gradually served the delicious dishes.

Su Qingyao was quite unceremonious. Once Consort Yi picked up her chopsticks, she very familiarly invited Consort Sun to eat together.

It must be said, the sophora leaf cold noodles made by the Imperial Kitchen were quite authentic. The chewy noodles carried the fresh fragrance of sophora leaves, cool and smooth, topped with vinegar and oil-splashed chili, creating a rather unique flavor.

Su Qingyao was thick-skinned indeed. Taking advantage before any trouble arose, she quickly finished a small bowl of noodles, then said to Consort Yi’s chief maid Yingyu with a smile: So delicious, Auntie, please serve me another bowl.

Auntie Yingyu silently glanced at Consort Yi, and only after seeing her signal did she step forward with a stern expression to personally serve her another bowl.

Women in the palace didn’t eat much, and this small pot of noodles had been prepared with just enough for each person to have one small bowl. Yingyu scooped in the pot for a long time, finding only about ten strands left at the bottom. She paused and said: There will be pastries later, Junior Mistress, please eat slowly.

Su Qingyao had Liuqin pour the toppings for her, this time eating at a more leisurely pace.

The meals at Consort Yi’s palace are truly excellent.

Consort Yi was so choked by her words she nearly spat out her noodles. It took her a long time to finish the noodles in her bowl, and only after finally finishing did she push the bowl away and take a handkerchief to wipe her mouth.

Once Consort Yi set down her chopsticks, the remaining palace consorts, whether finished or not, could only stop eating. Yingyu clapped her hands, and the palace maids cleared away the noodle bowls, replacing them with pastries.

This time Su Qingyao wasn’t in a hurry. She lowered her head to look at the tea bowl in her hand, behaving properly and smiling without speaking.

Sure enough, after wining and dining, those planning to cause trouble couldn’t hold back anymore.

From the corner of her eye, Su Qingyao noticed Consort Yi signaling to Consort Hui with her eyes, whereupon Consort Hui spoke: Today we sisters are fortunate to bask in your radiance to admire the spring scenery filling Brocade Palace. Let us substitute tea for wine to thank you, Your Highness.

Su Qingyao followed along by raising her wine cup, using her sleeve to conceal it as she brought it under her nose to smell.

It was indeed high-quality Biluochun tea, likely without any additives. Reassured, Su Qingyao lowered her head and drank it all in one go.

Thank you for your gracious reward, Your Highness.

Seeing her compliance, Consort Yi curled her lips, then abruptly changed the subject: The day before yesterday, my younger brother from the maternal family found a parrot for me—exceptionally amusing and adorable. Since we have this opportunity today, why not bring it out for you sisters to enjoy as a novelty?

Upon hearing about the parrot, Su Qingyao immediately perked up. She widened her eyes with great effort, gazing at Consort Yi with a face full of curiosity.

She looked utterly unsophisticated.

Consort Yi paused. This was her first interaction with this Talented Lady Su, yet she seemed so peculiar—completely unlike the usual palace consorts.

But she didn’t comment further. While waiting for Yingyu to fetch the parrot, she lowered her head and fiddled with the folding fan in her hand.

Su Qingyao had long noticed this folding fan. It appeared to be carved from sandalwood, looking exceptionally beautiful and unique, and… quite practical.

At the very least, when shooing birds away, it could serve as a shield to protect oneself from facing the bird’s sharp beak and claws directly. Su Qingyao lowered her gaze, surmising that the bird probably hadn’t received any training. Later, she should stay as far away as possible and feign ignorance no matter what excitement unfolded here.

After a short while, Yingyu entered the flower hall carrying a birdcage.

The cage was covered with a cloth, obscuring the view inside. Consort Yi, however, smiled: This parrot is usually very active and chatty, only quieting down in the dark. Once the cover is removed, you sisters can tease it a little and make it recite more auspicious phrases.

Yingyu deliberately placed the birdcage right in the center of the table—the spot farthest from Consort Yi but very close to both Su Qingyao and Consort He.

Su Qingyao instinctively shrank back. When others glanced over, she whispered: I originally thought Your Highness’s bird might be extraordinary, but up close, I’m still afraid. I must be a laughingstock before you, Your Highnesses. I’m most terrified of these feathered creatures—the moment I see one, I just want to hide.

Consort Yi’s slender eyes swept over her, her expression instantly turning displeased: How could Sister Su speak so vulgarly?

Among commoners, those who dislike birds often call them feathered creatures, which isn’t particularly impolite. But within the palace, etiquette and decorum must be upheld—such casual remarks are quite undignified. However, since Su Qingyao was only a Junior Mistress of the lower three ranks, her words weren’t excessively inappropriate.

Su Qingyao immediately bowed her head: Your Highness’s reprimand is justified. I acknowledge my error.

Among those present, Xie Cai Ren remained silent throughout. Wu Jieyu had been currying favor with Consort Yi, Sun Xuan Shi was whispering with Su Qingyao, and Consort Hui naturally supported Consort Yi.

The atmosphere wasn’t cold, but neither was it particularly lively. Now that Consort Yi was scolding Su Qingyao, Wu Jieyu seized the opportunity again: Vulgar.

Su Qingyao didn’t even lift her eyelids, as if she hadn’t heard.

Aunt Yingyu had a plain face and seldom smiled. But now, to carry out Consort Yi’s wishes, she unusually softened her expression, straining to curve her lips as she said to Su Qingyao: It’s locked in a cage, Junior Mistress Su. There’s no need to fear.

Su Qingyao gave her a grateful smile but didn’t actually hide.

Consort Yi then said: Everyone has been waiting. Remove the cover now.

Yingyu deftly lifted the cloth, revealing the parrot inside to everyone.

The parrot initially appeared dazed. Only when the glaring sunlight fell upon it did it turn its neck and let out a soft coo.

Apart from Su Qingyao, who claimed to dislike birds, everyone else present looked curious.

Wu Jieyu was the first to flatter: Your Highness, this parrot is truly beautiful. Its tail feathers are so colorful and rare.

Consort Yi said the bird was found by her maternal brother. Everyone knew what her family was like—probably only her own brother would indulge her. However, her mother was of low status, so her brother must not have been as well-off as their other siblings. This bird likely wasn’t anything particularly rare.

Everyone enjoys flattery, and Consort Yi was no exception. Pleased by Wu Jieyu’s praise, she immediately smiled: Go on, tease it a little. It can say many things.

Wu Jieyu eagerly stepped forward: Hello, hello.

The bird glanced at Wu Jieyu and, for some reason, suddenly grew restless, shifting back and forth in its cage: No good, no good.

Well, it was quite clever.

Su Qingyao narrowed her eyes and watched for a while before realizing that the bird grew unusually agitated whenever Wu Jieyu approached.

Today, Wu Jieyu was wearing a pomegranate-red hairpin, dazzlingly ornate in gold and red. The parrot was probably unsettled by the glaring colors.

Given the limited time and resources, training it to this level was no small feat.

Su Qingyao listened to its clear articulation and ability to respond, feeling an inexplicable pity for it. If something really happened today, this bird wouldn’t be spared—it was, after all, a living creature.

Over there, Wu Jieyu, having been snubbed, retreated unhappily. Worried about an awkward silence, Consort Hui shot a glance at Consort Sun.

Consort Sun didn’t seem particularly fond of birds either, but she didn’t dare disobey Consort Hui. Steeling herself, she stepped forward and asked, What can you say?

The parrot tilted its head and looked at her but remained silent.

Consort Sun wore only a jade hairpin, not particularly lavish, so it didn’t provoke the bird.

After several attempts, Consort Sun clearly hadn’t hit the right note—the parrot stayed silent, making the atmosphere even more awkward.

Consort Hui glanced around. Wu Jieyu refused to step forward again, Consort Sun couldn’t get a response, and Su Qingyao had declared her fear of birds from the start. That left only Xie Cai Ren to summon.

But Xie Cai Ren wasn’t from her palace, so she couldn’t openly order her. Instead, she turned to Consort Yi: Sister, please tell us what this parrot can say. This is truly frustrating.

Consort Yi understood her meaning and said nonchalantly, Xie Cai Ren, go tease it. Say some auspicious words to it.

Xie Cai Ren had a gentle and refined disposition, usually dressing very plainly. Today was the first time Su Qingyao had seen her wear gold and silver ornaments, making her look unusually splendid.

Su Qingyao glanced over and saw that Xie Cai Ren wasn’t looking at her but nervously approached the bird, revealing the intricate floral hairpin on her head: Good fortune and prosperity, congratulations and wealth.

It all happened in an instant. Su Qingyao felt a blur before her eyes as the bird let out a shrill cry and crashed out of its cage.

Squawk! Squawk! Squawk! The bird flapped its disheveled wings, scattering feathers everywhere.

Su Qingyao had been prepared. Without hesitation, she grabbed Consort Sun and pulled her away, turning to flee. Liuqin nervously shielded her, while the others were too stunned to react, seemingly terrified out of their wits.

After the two of them left the flower hall, she flicked her long sleeve and firmly covered her face, leaving only her eyes staring intently at the flower hall.

It was only then that Consort Sun reacted, instinctively grabbing Su Qingyao’s hand as her whole body trembled uncontrollably: Sister, don’t be afraid.

Su Qingyao felt a warmth in her heart and comforted her in a low voice: I’m not afraid, little sister, don’t be afraid either.

In the time it took to speak these words, chaos had already erupted in the flower hall.

The bird, for some unknown reason, was flapping wildly only within the flower hall, making no distinction between friend or foe—attacking anyone it saw with its claws, terrifying the palace consorts and maids into pale-faced, overlapping screams.

One could see Consort Yi and Consort Hui being protected by their own palace maids, securely hidden in a corner. Xie Cai Ren wasn’t foolish either, directly hiding under a stool where the bird couldn’t see her.

While some were hiding and others running around, Consort He and Wu Jieyu remained as if stunned, standing motionless in place, allowing the bird to circle once and charge straight toward their faces.

Even though she wasn’t the one being attacked, Su Qingyao’s heart leaped into her throat. Just as she was about to shout a warning, she saw Consort He flip her wrist—her usually fair and delicate hands suddenly spread into claws, thrusting directly at the bird.

Su Qingyao’s eyesight was excellent, and she saw this clearly in that one glance, immediately becoming somewhat stunned.

What was going on?

Author’s note: Su Qingyao: Wow, isn’t this supposed to be a palace intrigue romance? How did it turn into a martial arts film??