I See the Noble Consort's Charm - Chapter 44:

Chapter 44:

Su Qingyao didn’t know what she looked like at the moment, but seeing His Majesty, who usually never cracked a smile, break into laughter, she knew her appearance must be particularly comical.

However, Chu Shaoyuan’s smile was as fleeting as a night-blooming cereus, vanishing in an instant.

Seeing him put on a stern face, Su Qingyao slowly began to pace forward.

Chu Shaoyuan, noticing how thoroughly she was bundled up, didn’t say much else. He simply instructed the imperial estate servants to prepare the rice seedlings and said to Su Qingyao, Follow me later. Once you learn how to transplant rice seedlings, you can plant them yourself.

Su Qingyao thought to herself, Why would I need to learn how to transplant rice seedlings? But she wore a faint smile on her face and curtsied to Chu Shaoyuan: Yes, I will study diligently.

Chu Shaoyuan glanced at her and gave a faint Hmm.

Following him to the edge of the field, Su Qingyao watched as Chu Shaoyuan swiftly waded into the muddy pond. She instinctively shivered: Your Majesty, please be careful.

Chu Shaoyuan ignored her and only said, Come down quickly. We don’t have much time to work today.

The journey from the palace to the imperial fields took nearly half an hour each way, totaling about an hour round trip. They needed to start heading back around 4 PM to ensure they entered the palace before dark.

Including lunch, there really wasn’t much time for work throughout the day.

Su Qingyao didn’t know where he got such enthusiasm, insisting on farming the land himself, but she didn’t dare voice any objection. She could only grit her teeth and step into the muddy pond.

The bottom of the pond was soft and sticky. Once her shoes sank in, it was difficult to move even a single step. Su Qingyao struggled greatly to take just two steps forward, nearly falling over in the process. When she finally managed to steady herself and looked up, Chu Shaoyuan had almost reached the other end and was preparing to transplant the seedlings.

Su Qingyao: Alright, alright, you’re amazing.

She originally thought she could endure and get through it, but transplanting rice seedlings turned out to be skilled work. By the time she painstakingly made her way to Chu Shaoyuan’s side, the brilliant and mighty emperor had already finished transplanting one row and was being served tea by Lou Duzhou.

Su Qingyao approached Chu Shaoyuan with lowered eyes and a submissive demeanor, first offering praise: Your Majesty is truly remarkable, so adept at farming as well. It’s truly admirable.

Chu Shaoyuan glanced toward Lou Duzhou, who promptly had the servants prepare the rice seedlings for Su Qingyao, ready to teach her how to transplant them.

Transplanting rice seedlings required skill – each small bunch couldn’t be too many or too few. When inserting them into the field ridges, the depth had to be just right. The distance between each seedling couldn’t be too dense either; they needed to be transplanted bunch by bunch in an orderly progression.

It was rare for Chu Shaoyuan to speak so much to Su Qingyao, and he even carefully demonstrated twice. When he finished speaking and looked up at Su Qingyao, he saw her wearing an earnest expression, as if she had taken everything to heart.

Alright, give it a try.

Su Qingyao silently picked up a small bunch of seedlings and bent over to insert them into the field ridge.

She was wearing gloves, so her fingers wouldn’t get dirty, but the sensation of reaching into the muddy ground was indeed strange. Suppressing her discomfort, Su Qingyao quickly planted one seedling before pausing to catch her breath.

She had originally planned to plant one seedling and rest for a while, but with Chu Shaoyuan standing there watching her, she had no choice but to plant one after another. As she became more practiced, it started to feel somewhat easier.

When she finally finished the entire row and looked up, Su Qingyao realized Chu Shaoyuan had long moved on to his own work and was no longer supervising her labor.

The two of them silently continued transplanting rice seedlings. At first, Su Qingyao felt it was manageable, and once she got used to it, she found her rhythm. However, the sun grew increasingly fierce overhead, and before long, she was drenched in sweat. Both layers of her clothing felt soaked through, clinging unpleasantly to her skin whenever the breeze blew, chafing her all over.

Liuqin noticed Su Qingyao’s flushed face and profuse sweating. Every time Su Qingyao neared the edge of the field, Liuqin would rush over to wipe her brow and offer her tea.

Junior Mistress, please rest for a while. Your face is getting sunburned, Liuqin said with concern.

His Majesty really doesn’t know how to be considerate. How could he make such a delicate young lady work in the fields in the middle of summer? Look at how sunburned the Junior Mistress is—her skin will surely peel tomorrow.

Su Qingyao sighed. She was the one suffering from the heat—didn’t she feel miserable? But seeing His Majesty toiling in the fields, she knew she couldn’t act more privileged than him. No matter how uncomfortable she was, she had to endure it.

They slowly planted two rows this way until Su Qingyao felt her arms could no longer lift. It was only then that Chu Shaoyuan stopped, supported by Lou Duzhou as he stepped out of the field ridges, apparently intending to rest first.

Without waiting for any instruction and disregarding her appearance, Su Qingyao immediately asked Liuqin to help her climb out of the field ridges. With Liuqin’s support, she managed not to fall.

Once out of the muddy field, she felt much lighter on her feet, and walking became less cumbersome, bringing her some relief.

Liuqin said, We should be able to rest a bit now. I’ve already asked the palace maid to fetch water. You can wipe your face in a moment—it’ll help you feel better.

Su Qingyao nodded, too exhausted to speak.

When they returned to the main hall, the palace maid had prepared two basins of warm water. She and Liuqin helped Su Qingyao remove the outer linen overdress, revealing that the snow-white inner garment underneath was already soaked through, clinging damply to her skin.

The palace maid, having done hard labor in the fields before, knew exactly how taxing transplanting rice seedlings could be. Seeing Su Qingyao in such a state, she hurriedly asked, Talented Lady, did you bring a change of inner garments? After washing up, you’ll need to put on a fresh set for the afternoon. Otherwise, you might develop heat rash tomorrow, and it’ll be very uncomfortable.

Hearing this, Su Qingyao felt her vision darken.

What was the point of all this? Why did she have to suffer such hardship?

Liuqin asked the palace maid, We were summoned on short notice this morning and didn’t prepare any inner garments. Are there any spares here?

The palace maid, quite sensible, replied, No noble ladies usually come here, so we’ve never prepared such things. I do have a new set of inner garments, but they’re made of coarse cotton and linen. They would chafe the Talented Lady’s skin if worn directly—it’d be worse than keeping the current one on.

Hearing this, Liuqin felt so anxious her mouth went bitter.

Su Qingyao, however, had already calmed down. After a moment’s thought, she said, Please bring me one of your inner garments. I’ll change out of this one and have it washed. With the summer heat, we can use an iron to dry it quickly—it should be ready in time to wear.

This was the only solution. The young palace maid, relieved to see her being so reasonable, promptly fetched an iron and a set of inner garments. As soon as Su Qingyao changed, the maid cleverly took the soiled clothes away to wash.

Liuqin stayed with Su Qingyao in the inner room, using warm water to wipe the sweat from her body.

After just a morning of exposure to the sun, Su Qingyao’s back was already red and swollen, looking quite alarming.

Junior Mistress, does it hurt? If it does, you can cry out—no one else will hear, Liuqin asked cautiously as she gently wiped Su Qingyao’s back.

Su Qingyao took a light breath and smiled bitterly. What good would crying out do?

If she were to complain, it would have to be directly to Chu Shaoyuan; only a fool would endure the pain alone in secret.

Fortunately, Liuqin was clever. Though she couldn’t bring extra clothes, she had packed a small jar of mint balm. After gently applying a layer to Su Qingyao, Su Qingyao finally felt some relief.

Later, when Junior Mistress washes her face, apply a layer there too. It will help a lot.

Su Qingyao glanced at the balm and asked Liuqin, Is the redness on my face obvious?

Liuqin nodded vigorously. Junior Mistress, both your cheeks are completely red—very noticeable.

Su Qingyao nodded thoughtfully. After washing her face, she applied only a thin layer of the mint balm, refusing to let Liuqin apply more.

The palace maid assigned to the imperial estate was a menial servant. The new undergarments issued to her by the palace were naturally very plain, made of the coarsest linen fabric, rough and prickly to the touch.

Su Qingyao had only worn them for a short while before feeling a tingling itch on her back, unbearably uncomfortable.

At first, she tried to endure it, but the itch was too intense. After sitting for what felt like half the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, she couldn’t bear it any longer and had to take off the undergarments, changing back into the outer robe she had arrived in.

This brought her much more comfort.

Shortly after, Lou Duzhou came to call at her door. Minor Master Su, it is time for the meal.

Su Qingyao, without her undergarments on, dared not go out to meet anyone. After a moment’s thought, she spoke from behind the curtain, Eunuch, I did not bring a change of clothes today and am not presentable at the moment. I fear disturbing Your Majesty’s mood. May my portion of the meal be brought to my room so I may dine here alone?

Lou Duzhou hadn’t anticipated such an issue. Though he was meticulous and thoughtful, he was, after all, a man and hadn’t considered such details. Hearing Su Qingyao’s words, he felt a rare pang of guilt. This subject failed to consider everything, causing Junior Mistress inconvenience. Rest assured, Junior Mistress, this subject will report to His Majesty at once.

Chu Shaoyuan was sitting in a small pavilion by the imperial fields, enjoying the breeze and tea, savoring the rustic charm. The imperial meal prepared here was simple—just two stewed dishes and four side dishes—enough for him and Su Qingyao.

He had expected Lou Duzhou to return with Su Qingyao, but instead, Lou Duzhou came back alone.

Lou Duzhou approached quickly and whispered a few words in his ear. Chu Shaoyuan raised an eyebrow.

Women, such trouble.

He said nothing more, merely nodding to Lou Duzhou to arrange for Su Qingyao’s meal to be delivered.

In the main hall, Su Qingyao received the simple meal. Seeing that the beef brisket soup was still hot, she specifically thanked Lou Duzhou, Thank you for His Majesty’s grace, and thank you, Eunuch, for your trouble.

Lou Duzhou couldn’t see her, but her voice sounded hoarse, making him hesitate. Junior Mistress, will you be able to endure the afternoon?

Su Qingyao did not reply.

A gust of wind blew, causing the curtain to flutter. Through a gap, Lou Duzhou caught a glimpse of Su Qingyao’s flushed face.

In that brief moment, the curtain fell back into place, and Lou Duzhou could see nothing more.

Su Qingyao said calmly, I am not so delicate. There is no need to worry, Eunuch. I will be fine.

Since she had spoken thus, Lou Duzhou would not contradict her openly. After bowing, he withdrew, surely to attend to Chu Shaoyuan.

Only after he left did Su Qingyao unbutton her outer robe, take it off, and sit down to eat wearing only her underbodice. Her skin was too itchy—wearing anything felt uncomfortable, and being undressed was the simplest solution.
Since only she and Liuqin were in the room at the moment, with a curtain hung outside the inner chamber, there was no fear of being seen.

Liuqin applied another layer of mint ointment to her and fanned her with a makeshift small fan: With the ointment applied, it looks a bit better.

Su Qingyao managed only a small bowl of rice before she couldn’t eat any more.

Having suffered from the heat all morning, now that she had cooled down, she only felt dizzy and lightheaded, with no appetite at all.

Seeing her so uncomfortable, Liuqin hurriedly took off her outer garment and spread it over the bed, helping her lie down: Junior Mistress, please rest for a while. I’ll wake you when the chief steward comes to call.

Su Qingyao mumbled an agreement and immediately fell into a deep sleep.

Her deep sleep wouldn’t have been a problem, but when Lou Duzhou came to summon her, they discovered Su Qingyao couldn’t be awakened.

Liuqin was so anxious that tears fell as she said to Lou Duzhou: Chief Steward, the Junior Mistress has never suffered like this before. You don’t know—she’s broken out in red rashes all over her body. It looks terrifying.

Lou Duzhou grew alarmed upon hearing this and hurried back to Chu Shaoyuan, reporting: Your Majesty, Minor Master Su is unwell. It seems like heatstroke—she can’t be awakened now.

Chu Shaoyuan felt his heart skip two beats abruptly. His face darkened instantly as he frowned and scolded: What use is telling me this? Go summon the imperial physician at once!

With that, without waiting for Lou Duzhou’s response, he strode quickly toward the main hall.

So delicate, Chu Shaoyuan muttered under his breath, though his expression remained unusually grim.

Please don’t let her be truly ill.

Author’s Note:

Talented Lady Su: I’m already sick, and you’re still criticizing me, boohoo…

Your Majesty: Ah, don’t cry… I was wrong! I’ll give you whatever you want.

Talented Lady Su: Oh, that’s more like it. Wait for me to make a list~