I See the Noble Consort's Charm - Chapter 43:

Chapter 43:

In her previous life, by the time Su Qingyao was able to leave the palace, she had already endured over ten years within its walls. By then, she no longer yearned for life outside the palace as she had in her youth, having grown indifferent to many things.

If His Majesty took her along, she would go without any additional requests, considering it a pleasant diversion.

Chu Shaoyuan was not one to remain idle. After the fifth year of Jianyuan, he frequently embarked on inspections, though most of the time he went alone, taking no one with him.

Only when hunting at the Eastern Peace Hunting Grounds or retreating to the Jade Spring Villa to escape the summer heat would he bring the Empress Dowager and palace consorts, allowing the gardens to buzz with lively atmosphere. This way, the Empress Dowager would have company and could live more freely than within the palace confines.

Su Qingyao had only accompanied him to the Jade Spring Villa three times. Later, after His Majesty abdicated, she stayed with him at the Jianyuan Garden for nearly a decade. When the Jianyuan Emperor passed away, she moved back to Cihua Palace and never left again.

Calculating it now, that was already over ten years ago.

Now, upon hearing they were going to the imperial manor, Su Qingyao felt a rare stir of curiosity.

Liuqin watched her sitting there in a daze and, worried that Luo Zhongjian outside might grow impatient, urged, Junior Mistress, we must hurry. We need to wait at the Xuanwu Gate by the hour of Si.

Su Qingyao snapped out of her reverie, quickly washed, changed clothes, and made herself neat and presentable.

Because they were traveling today, Su Qingyao specifically chose a narrow-sleeved short jacket paired with a horse-face skirt. The skirt had only six pleats, making it not particularly cumbersome to wear but rather very practical, quite suitable for travel.

Her hairstyle wasn’t an elaborate high bun either; she fashioned a simple and lively Peach Blossom Bun, accessorized with a pair of Water-Drop Peach Blossom Hairpins, and considered herself ready.

After her simple grooming, Su Qingyao left her bedchamber, first greeting Luo Zhongjian, then said, Troubling you, Zhongjian, to make this trip so early in the morning. May I ask if there is an important matter today?

Given Su Qingyao’s status, even if there were grand occasions, she wouldn’t have much part in them. Thus, her current attire was sufficient. Her question was actually meant to inquire why His Majesty had summoned her, as she herself had no idea.

Luo Zhongjian didn’t dare to scrutinize her, only saying, Junior Mistress, rest assured, there is nothing too pressing.

He couldn’t disclose what His Majesty was going to do, so Su Qingyao was content with this brief reassurance. She had Liuqin thank Luo Zhongjian, asked him to wait a moment, and then hurriedly ate her breakfast.

Actually, it was still early; the sun was slowly climbing, the sky outside not yet fully bright, still carrying the tranquility of night.

Su Qingyao didn’t dare to delay His Majesty’s affairs, so she ate breakfast hastily, regardless of whether she had eaten properly or not. Seeing that the time was about right, she stood up and said, Let’s go.

Su Qingyao had experience accompanying His Majesty out of the palace.

Before the emperor’s imperial carriage emerged, all those accompanying him had to wait early at the palace gate. This time, since His Majesty was only going to the imperial manor, the northern Xuanwu Gate would be opened, and Su Qingyao needed to wait there early.

Even if she arrived an hour early, she could not be later than His Majesty.

Luo Zhongjian was well aware of this and silently praised Minor Master Su for her thorough understanding of palace etiquette, though his expression remained solemn as he led Su Qingyao out of Azure Cloud Palace.

Liuqin followed alongside Su Qingyao as usual, carrying a small bundle containing some personal items Su Qingyao might need. With no additional attendants, they couldn’t bring changes of clothing, so Su Qingyao would have to be careful herself.

Once they exited the back alley of the Eastern Six Palaces, Su Qingyao looked up and saw a two-person sedan chair. Luo Zhongjian smiled and said, The Xuanwu Gate is quite far, Junior Mistress. Please take a seat.

Su Qingyao finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Walking from Auspicious Lane to Xuanwu Gate would take at least half an hour. If she had to walk the entire way herself, she would be completely exhausted by the time she reached the gate.

After Su Qingyao settled into the sedan chair, a clever Junior Eunuch came over and took the bundle from Liuqin’s hands. Su Qingyao immediately knew this was arranged by Luo Zhongjian and nodded to him in acknowledgment.

Traveling by sedan chair was much faster. In just two quarters of an hour, the group passed through Longfu Gate and proceeded directly to the Long Pavilion.

Three carriages were already waiting outside Xuanwu Gate. As soon as Su Qingyao stepped down from the sedan chair, Luo Zhongjian said, Junior Mistress, the roads outside the palace are bumpy. We have prepared a carriage for you. You may board and settle in first. There’s no need to greet His Majesty until his procession arrives.

His arrangements perfectly suited Su Qingyao’s wishes.

Having left the palace and ridden in carriages in her previous life, Su Qingyao wasn’t nervous. However, it was Liuqin’s first time. After following Su Qingyao into the carriage, she couldn’t hide her curiosity: Junior Mistress, this carriage is quite spacious.

The carriage prepared for Su Qingyao was indeed spacious and comfortable. Even with Su Qingyao and Liuqin sitting side by side on the wooden couch at the back, there was no sense of crowding. A small table was placed on the left side. When Liuqin opened the cabinet door, she found tea and snacks already prepared—clearly, thoughtful arrangements had been made.

Su Qingyao said, It must have been arranged by Tingqin Gugu.

Liuqin nodded thoughtfully.

Having rushed through breakfast earlier, Su Qingyao hadn’t eaten her fill and was now feeling quite hungry. Shortly after sitting down, her stomach rumbled audibly.

Liuqin, ever considerate, didn’t laugh at her but quickly retrieved a small plate of peach crisps from the cabinet and handed one to Su Qingyao. Junior Mistress, eat quickly. Have some hot tea afterward—it should help curb the hunger.

Su Qingyao didn’t hesitate and took a big bite.

The peach crisp tasted exactly like the specialty of Qian Yuan Palace’s small kitchen—fragrant and crispy, topped with crushed walnuts and not overly sweet, making it just right. Worried that Chu Shaoyuan might arrive at any moment, Su Qingyao finished the large piece of peach crisp in just a few bites. After taking a sip of Biluochun tea, she finally let out a relieved sigh.

Now I feel full.

Liuqin helped her wipe her hands clean and asked in a low voice, Junior Mistress, we still don’t know why His Majesty summoned you.

It was quite unusual for His Majesty to bring a palace consort to the imperial farm. Su Qingyao had been pondering this the entire journey, but even after arriving at Xuanwu Gate, she still hadn’t figured it out.

Perhaps His Majesty wants someone to watch him farm? Su Qingyao muttered under her breath.

Liuqin also found this highly unlikely and chuckled, Maybe he just wants to take you out for some relaxation.

Su Qingyao maintained a calm expression but inwardly scoffed. Chu Shaoyuan would never take her out purely for leisure. If he had no other purpose, he wouldn’t have thought of her.

As it turned out, Su Qingyao’s guess was spot on—Chu Shaoyuan hadn’t brought her along just to watch.

By the time the carriage jolted its way to the imperial farm, Su Qingyao hadn’t yet recovered from the joy of leaving the palace. She shakily stepped out of the carriage, stood on the muddy ground, and stared blankly at Chu Shaoyuan.

She felt as if she had hallucinated earlier—either that or her reaction was delayed. Otherwise, why couldn’t she understand what Chu Shaoyuan was saying?

Chu Shaoyuan didn’t waste words with her. After giving Lou Duzhou a glance, he went off to change clothes on his own.

Lou Duzhou approached Su Qingyao with a smile and said politely, Minor Master Su, His Majesty requests your company in farming the fields. The clothing has been prepared. This way, please.

Su Qingyao blinked and asked, Me… accompany His Majesty… farming?

Her voice sounded faint even to her own ears, and a bitter taste filled her mouth.

Accompanying him to farm was even worse than sitting aside watching His Majesty farm! What was His Majesty thinking, sending a delicate young lady like her to crawl around in the muddy fields?

Seeing Su Qingyao’s reluctance, Lou Duzhou had no choice but to persuade her: Minor Mistress, the fields really aren’t that dirty. You just need to change clothes before going down. Besides, His Majesty will be right beside you, so there’s no need to be afraid.

Su Qingyao: …

It’s precisely him that I’m afraid of!

If it were any other matter, Su Qingyao wouldn’t hesitate like this. At her age, what storms hadn’t she weathered? Since her rebirth, she had rarely felt fear.

But looking at the wet, muddy ground, she felt strong resistance in her heart.

She had genuinely never farmed before. Even though her family was ordinary, just common officials, it would never fall to a delicate young lady like her to do such work.

Seeing Lou Duzhou smiling at her, Su Qingyao phrased her words very tactfully: Could you possibly discuss this with His Majesty on my behalf? I truly… have never done such work before, and I fear I might hinder His Majesty’s important affairs.

Her stubborn refusal was something Lou Duzhou had anticipated. His expression remained unchanged as he said, Minor Mistress, this is His Majesty’s verbal decree.

Su Qingyao was left speechless.

Liuqin, standing nearby, was so anxious she broke into a sweat, continuously patting Su Qingyao’s back. She whispered to Lou Duzhou, I’ve farmed before. Could I accompany the Minor Mistress?

Lou Duzhou glanced at her and, seeing her genuine concern for Su Qingyao, thought rather well of her.

However, no one dared disobey His Majesty’s verbal decree.

Minor Mistress, His Majesty will finish changing soon. If he comes out and finds you unprepared, then…

Then what? Su Qingyao knew all too well.

She took a deep breath, patted Liuqin’s hand, and said to Lou Duzhou as if steeling herself, Please lead the way.

Lou Duzhou’s smile widened. This way, Minor Mistress.

There were many imperial manors in the capital’s outskirts. The one Chu Shaoyuan brought Su Qingyao to was likely the imperial field used only for the annual First Farmers Ceremony. The entire estate was no larger than the Imperial Garden, divided into four or five fields with two rows of houses nearby for the nobility to rest.

Lou Duzhou led Su Qingyao into a front hall and said to the palace maid inside, Help Talented Lady Su change clothes shortly. Be careful.

The palace maid appeared to be in her twenties, clearly specialized in serving at the imperial manor. Her skin was somewhat dark, but she had a quite charming smile when she grinned.

Upon hearing Lou Duzhou’s words, she bowed to Su Qingyao and greeted her: May the Talented Lady be blessed.

Su Qingyao nodded and entered the main hall. Lou Duzhou quickly withdrew, thoughtfully closing the door behind him.

The palace maid said to Su Qingyao, The stones and weeds in the fields have all been cleared away, so you needn’t worry, Talented Lady. After changing your outer clothes, there are specially prepared rubber shoes for you. Once you wear them, no mud will touch your body.

Her manner was quite efficient. Hearing this, Su Qingyao’s anxious heart couldn’t help but ease slightly.

Liuqin helped her remove her outer robes and skirt, then brought over the hemp garments specially prepared for her by the palace maid, swiftly dressing her in them.

The upper garment was knee-length with a split below the waist, allowing freedom of movement. The lower garment was a pair of tapered trousers. Once Su Qingyao put them on, she actually exuded a certain heroic air.

After changing, the young palace maid brought over a pair of boot-style rubber shoes. When Su Qingyao slipped them on, they fit perfectly.

The rubber boots fastened snugly around her calves, seamlessly integrating with the trousers. From head to toe, Su Qingyao was completely covered—just as the palace maid had said, not a speck of mud could touch her.

Though thoroughly protected from dirt, the outfit was undeniably hot.

Su Qingyao used her sleeve to wipe the sweat from her face, but the coarse hemp fabric immediately left red marks on her delicate skin. Liuqin quickly stopped her, gently cleansing her face with a silk handkerchief instead.

Dressed in this outfit, Su Qingyao had no idea what she looked like. With no mirror in the main hall, she couldn’t dwell on it anyway.

Just as she was about to redo her hair before heading out, Lou Duzhou’s voice carried in from outside: Junior Mistress, are you ready?

He wasn’t actually asking—he was here to hurry her along.

Su Qingyao sighed, hastily exchanged a few words with the palace maid, then called out to Lou Duzhou: Coming right away.

Chu Shaoyuan had also changed into hemp clothing similar to Su Qingyao’s, though he wore no inner robe beneath and seemed less concerned about getting dirty. Sitting at the edge of the field, he looked quite the part.

Despite the summer heat, the light breeze actually felt rather refreshing.

Then the main hall door creaked open, revealing a petite figure wrapped in a floral headscarf.

Chu Shaoyuan looked closer—it was Su Qingyao, her face flushed red.

Her appearance strongly resembled that of a newlywed village woman.

Seeing Chu Shaoyuan staring at her with such a peculiar expression, Su Qingyao knew she must look ridiculous. Annoyed, she pouted, which only made her look more amusing.

Chu Shaoyuan couldn’t hold back his laughter: Pfft.

Author’s Note:

Talented Lady Su: Just laugh yourself to death.

Your Majesty: Hahahaha, floral headscarf