I See the Noble Consort's Charm - Chapter 48:
Chapter 48:
Chu Shaoyuan didn’t specify what the good news was, and Su Qingyao didn’t need to ask either.
When she emerged from the bedchamber, her entire being felt dazed, as if she were still trapped in a dream.
Liuqin carefully supported her. Since they were still in Qian Yuan Palace, she didn’t dare speak out of turn. Only when they entered Pomegranate Hall and were alone did Liuqin ask, What happened to you, Junior Mistress? Could it be that His Majesty…?
Su Qingyao shook her head, then suddenly broke into a wide grin and laughed aloud.
She laughed heartily for a while before noticing Liuqin’s astonished expression and finally composed herself. In a very soft voice, she said, Liuqin, we’re going to move.
Liuqin’s eyes immediately lit up.
Really?
Su Qingyao smiled, Really! His Majesty said so himself, so it shouldn’t be wrong.
Only then did Liuqin smile, His Majesty is so kind.
Yes, His Majesty is truly the best of men! Su Qingyao agreed.
As they spoke, breakfast arrived. Su Qingyao glanced briefly and noticed there was even a small bowl of eight-treasure noodles today. Liuqin brought it before her, and a rich aroma wafted over, seemingly containing ham and mushrooms, making one’s mouth water.
Su Qingyao happily finished a bowl of noodles and ate some steamed dim sum, feeling almost full.
When returning to her palace, she was followed by a long procession of rewards as usual.
Su Qingyao pondered carefully but couldn’t figure out which aspect of her performance today had caught His Majesty’s eye, actually delighting him so much that he bestowed such generous rewards.
After thinking it over all morning without reaching any conclusion, Su Qingyao could only sigh to Liuqin, Our Emperor’s thoughts are truly hard to guess. I can’t even judge what was good or bad about yesterday myself, so there’s no way to replicate it in the future.
But Liuqin was good at comforting her, simply saying, Junior Mistress should first consider what to bring and what not to bring if we can move. Preparing in advance will prevent us from being flustered.
Originally, when she was promoted from Imperial Attendant to Talented Lady, she merely moved from across the way to here—just a few steps away—so moving had been very simple.
If they were to move to another palace building, it would be somewhat troublesome. Not only would they need to arrange for carts from the Eastern Six Palaces Corner Room in advance, but they would also have to spend silver to hire several laborer junior eunuchs. With just the three palace maids alone, they really couldn’t move all these furnishings.
Once practical matters were mentioned, Su Qingyao stopped overthinking and turned to calculating. His Majesty and the Empress Dowager’s rewards, along with her own personal belongings, all needed to be taken. What Liuqin referred to was actually the furniture in this room. Since it was all newly furnished by the Bureau of Palace Affairs, it was beautiful and new. If she liked it, she could take it along, saving the Bureau from having to provide additional furnishings.
With matters weighing on her mind, Su Qingyao forgot about everything else. After finishing lunch and her midday rest, just as she was about to inspect all the furniture in the room, someone arrived at the front.
Now she was quite conspicuous in the palace. Any perceptive palace maid or Yellow Gate Attendant arriving at the eastern side hall of Azure Cloud Palace wouldn’t make a fuss; they would report any matters to Taohong and Liulv guarding the door, so she naturally had much more peace and quiet than before.
While she was drinking the jasmine tea just rewarded by His Majesty, Taohong quietly entered and whispered, Junior Mistress, someone from the Palace of Compassionate Tranquility has come, saying the Empress Dowager summons you for an audience.
Due to illness from the summer heat, Su Qingyao had not visited the Empress Dowager at the Palace of Compassionate Tranquility for quite some time. With this delay, nearly half a month had passed without a visit. She had originally planned to ingratiate herself with the Empress Dowager after the next morning audience, but unexpectedly, the Empress Dowager summoned her today.
Whatever the reason for the summons, Su Qingyao felt quite cheerful in her heart—it meant the Empress Dowager had not forgotten about her.
Su Qingyao hurriedly set down her teacup, instructing Liulv to fetch her lotus-root-colored wide-sleeved gown with diagonal fastening while asking Liuqin to take the white jade comb from the dressing case and style her hair into a flying immortal chignon.
Liuqin worked deftly, and Liulv swiftly ironed the clothes smooth. By the time this simple, serene attire and styling were complete, only two quarters of an hour had passed.
Supported by Liuqin, Su Qingyao stepped out of her room and immediately saw the familiar face of Tao Rui.
The young palace maid had a cheerful countenance and smiled upon seeing Su Qingyao, making anyone who saw her feel at ease. Greetings, Junior Mistress. May you have great fortune.
Su Qingyao bid her rise, saying, It’s been a while since we last met. It seems we are fated to cross paths.
Tao Rui was quite clever—perhaps because this was their third meeting, or perhaps because Su Qingyao was truly in favor—she personally stepped forward to support Su Qingyao, accompanying her on one side while Liuqin stayed on the other.
Junior Mistress looks even more radiant. Her Majesty was worried about you recently and specifically inquired several times, Tao Rui said, taking the oil-paper umbrella handed by Liulv and holding it over Su Qingyao’s head.
The three of them walked outward together. When they reached the side gate, Su Qingyao noticed Nanny He sitting in the small gatehouse, eating fruit.
Su Qingyao had always gotten along well with her. Moreover, during the Empress Dowager’s previous illness, when no one else in the palace knew the details—not even Guifei or Consort Yi could find out—Nanny He had informed Su Qingyao in advance.
How she knew or where she got the information, Su Qingyao had no idea, but she understood that since she had accepted this favor, she must be even more courteous.
Matters of human connection are about give and take; only through mutual exchange can genuine warmth be cultivated.
Therefore, when she saw Nanny He today, after the old woman paid her respects, Su Qingyao said with a smile, I’ve just received some fine tea and was thinking of bringing it for you to enjoy. It’s perfect for relieving the summer heat.
Nanny He also smiled, her white teeth still quite neat. Junior Mistress is most kind. This old servant will shamelessly accept it, so as to share in a bit of your good fortune.
Tao Rui had never heard of Nanny He before, but seeing Su Qingyao treat her so respectfully, she also curtsied. Only after they left the Azure Cloud Palace did Tao Rui remark, Junior Mistress is truly a rare and amiable person.
Su Qingyao offered no explanation, simply saying, Nanny is elderly. She is an old person.
In the palace, older palace maids and senior attendants could all be addressed as Nanny. Since she was guarding the gate at Azure Cloud Palace, she was likely the chief nanny managing the entire palace and must have been a senior attendant in the past.
In their brief encounter, Tao Rui noticed coral bead earrings dangling from the old woman’s ears—clearly a past reward—indicating she was no ordinary figure, though she remained very unassuming.
Tao Rui formed her own speculations but said nothing further, only commenting, Junior Mistress is most kind.
After walking for a while, they turned into Longevity Lane in front of the Palace of Compassionate Tranquility. Su Qingyao then asked softly, How has Her Majesty been feeling lately?
Tao Rui smiled. Her Majesty is naturally very well.
Su Qingyao felt relieved and said, That’s good.
Before long, they arrived at the entrance of the Palace of Compassionate Tranquility. The young palace maid guarding the door immediately called Tao Rui elder sister upon seeing her, then noticed Su Qingyao and hurriedly bowed before rushing inside to announce their arrival.
Some time had passed since her last visit, yet nothing in the Palace of Compassionate Tranquility had changed.
Su Qingyao felt slightly more at ease. Following Tao Rui into the Cool Hall, she looked up and saw the Empress Dowager seated while playing the zither.
Though the Empress Dowager had just passed forty, she showed little sign of aging. Her lustrous black hair was loosely tied at the back, and as her slender fingers plucked the strings, ethereal melodies filled the hall, drifting into one’s ears.
Su Qingyao was instantly captivated by the transcendent music, standing motionless at the entrance while holding her breath to listen intently.
The Empress Dowager was performing Wild Geese Alighting on the Sand, with subtle modulations in the middle that remained profoundly moving.
Only when the piece concluded and Tao Rui gently reminded her did Su Qingyao seem to snap out of her reverie, lifting her gaze to the Empress Dowager.
The Empress Dowager sat smiling at her.
Blushing, Su Qingyao hurried forward with small steps until she stood before the Empress Dowager. Your Majesty, may you be blessed with great fortune.
The Empress Dowager gestured kindly toward a rattan chair for Su Qingyao to sit, then accepted a warm towel from a maid to wipe her hands. Seeing you like this, I can tell you’ve fully recovered.
Su Qingyao bowed her head. Yes, this humble consort has recovered completely. It is my fault to have troubled Your Majesty with concern.
The Empress Dowager waved dismissively and had the zither put away. Servants brought tea and pastries, along with two bowls of snow fungus and lotus seed soup in crystal cups that gleamed translucently—perhaps specially ordered by the Empress Dowager.
There’s no fault to speak of, the Empress Dowager said with a light laugh, inviting her to eat together.
Having previously served the Empress Dowager, Su Qingyao roughly knew her habits and ate the lotus seed soup quietly without speaking.
After finishing the soup, the Empress Dowager dabbed her mouth, and Su Qingyao immediately straightened up, waiting respectfully for her to speak.
Pleased by her demeanor, the Empress Dowager nevertheless decided to voice what she had long intended to say. Among all the palace consorts, she truly favored Su Qingyao the most.
Considerate, sensible, steady, and gracious—beyond these qualities, she was also clever and perceptive, understanding many things without needing explicit instruction, which made her exceptionally easy to mind.
Yet, after all, she was merely a young girl of seventeen.
An ordinary mother might not fret so over her son, but Chu Shaoyuan was far from ordinary. For his sake, the Empress Dowager would do anything—even guiding a Talented Lady was not beyond her.
Seeing Su Qingyao seated with such grace, the Empress Dowager finally said, Qingyao, I know you are a sensible child.
Such an opening sent a tremor through Su Qingyao’s heart.
A vague, indescribable dread welled up inside her. Thank you for your praise, Your Majesty.
That she responded thus showed she understood the implication. The Empress Dowager paused, her expression growing serious. Good child, look at the flourishing plants in the garden—this is when they bloom in radiant splendor. The finest scenery of the year lies right here.
Following the Empress Dowager’s gesture, Su Qingyao gazed into the small garden of the Palace of Compassionate Tranquility. Though the peonies had wilted, crape myrtles, hibiscus, impatiens, and lotuses vied in full bloom, filling the garden with rich fragrance.
Su Qingyao murmured softly,
Green shades deepen as summer days grow long,
Pavilions cast reflections in the pond.
Crystal beads stir when breezes drift along,
The trellis spills rose scent the garden beyond.
The Empress Dowager had not expected her to recite poetry and, after a moment’s pause, let out a light chuckle.
After the vibrant and flourishing summer comes the golden harvest of autumn, and after autumn comes the snow-covered winter, the Empress Dowager said slowly. Spring for birth, summer for growth, autumn for harvest, and winter for storage—the cycle of four seasons completes a full year.
Listening to the Empress Dowager’s gentle voice, Su Qingyao felt her heart gradually calm down.
By now, she fully understood the Empress Dowager’s meaning.
The Empress Dowager was telling her that although the present summer was beautiful, lush and prosperous, it would inevitably come to an end. Autumn would arrive, and winter would not be far behind. Just as the seasons change, so do people.
No person enjoys a thousand days of good fortune, just as no flower remains red for a hundred days.
No one can remain perpetually prosperous, nor can anyone maintain constant favor forever. Sooner or later, a more suitable woman would replace her current self, becoming the next Talented Lady Su.
The Empress Dowager and the Late Emperor could be said to have wished for one heart, never parting even with white hair. However, she had entered the palace at fifteen, witnessing firsthand the rise and fall, glory and humiliation of Emperor Liping’s harem. She had seen the joys and sorrows, reunions and separations of those imperial concubines, and understood many things clearly.
Now, Su Qingyao was like fire fed with oil, a cluster of brilliant flowers, flourishing as intensely as this scorching summer, making one dazed and unable to see their own shadow.
But all of this was like a castle in the air—illusory and unclear.
Su Qingyao rose and knelt, performing a grand salute to the Empress Dowager with utmost reverence.
Your heartfelt words, I shall engrave in my heart and never forget in this lifetime.
As she spoke these words, her heart was utterly tranquil.
A feather floated on the lake surface, drifting and swaying, yet never settling.
Her heart, deep as an ocean, ultimately did not ripple.
Author’s note: Summer in the Mountain Pavilion by Gao Pian, Tang Dynasty
Your Majesty: This chapter makes me sad.
Talented Lady Su: You deserve to be sad!
Your Majesty: QAQ