I See the Noble Consort's Charm - Chapter 49:

Chapter 49:

Having lived to her current age, the Empress Dowager most enjoyed speaking with sensible people.

To the Empress Dowager, Su Qingyao was now one of the few sensible individuals left in the palace. That was why she was willing to offer her such guidance – if it were anyone else, she wouldn’t have wasted a single word.

Su Qingyao remained calm and composed. She had never harbored excessive expectations of Chu Shaoyuan to begin with. After spending these days together, the two were merely slightly more familiar than in their previous life. As for anything beyond that, there truly seemed to be nothing.

Therefore, when the Empress Dowager offered her guidance, she didn’t feel pained or saddened, but instead felt somewhat grateful.

It was precisely because of this that she performed that sincere kneel.

Seeing her so devout and understanding, the Empress Dowager felt relieved, yet also somewhat pained for her son. That feeling was complex – she couldn’t quite articulate it, but there was nothing to be done about it.

Good child, why are you performing such formal greetings? Rise quickly and speak.

Su Qingyao then stood up and sat back down, smiling: The scenery here in Your Highness’s residence is so delightful. I’m fortunate to enjoy it, so how could I not express my gratitude to Your Highness.

As she spoke, she smiled, her eyes curved and dimples sweet, looking every bit like an adorable young girl.

Suppressing her complicated emotions, the Empress Dowager said kindly: Sit for a while longer, then I’ll have you accompany me to admire the flowers.

That afternoon at the Palace of Compassionate Tranquility passed pleasantly for both of them. Su Qingyao knew how to please, and the Empress Dowager was willing to be pleased by her. Thus, the garden tour concluded amidst laughter and cheerful conversation. When she returned to Azure Cloud Palace, Su Qingyao entered her room and immediately sat down, too exhausted to speak.

Facing the Empress Dowager was actually more tiring than facing His Majesty.

His Majesty’s thoughts were difficult to guess, but Su Qingyao actually had no need to guess them – guessing would be the real taboo. However, the Empress Dowager was someone she had to handle with utmost care no matter what, and she treasured this connection with the Empress Dowager dearly.

The bonds between people were truly mysterious.

Seeing her exhausted, Liuqin quickly instructed Taohong and Liulv to prepare bath water, allowing Su Qingyao to bathe and soak in the evening so she could rest properly.

Su Qingyao had Liuqin help her lie down on the daybed before dismissing her, leaving herself alone inside the curtained bed.

Outside, the sunlight was brilliant, filtering through the thin window screens strand by strand into the chamber. Su Qingyao lay on her side in her clothes, but couldn’t fall asleep for a long time.

She herself didn’t know why – probably she was still affected by the Empress Dowager’s words, unusually given to melancholy and sentimentality.

In her previous life, she had also yearned for things in her youth. Back then, young and innocent, with a naive heart, she had fantasized about experiencing some tender, poignant love story.

However, later she was selected in the imperial consort selection and entered the palace as a concubine. All the beautiful dreams she had cherished in her maidenhood were shattered by this cruel reality, becoming impossible illusions. She had regretted, felt reluctant to let go, had complained, had suffered. But time was merciless, flowing away like water. As years passed and she witnessed countless changes, she finally learned to appreciate the various flavors of life. It was only then that she discovered love wasn’t so important after all.

When the stuffy side chambers couldn’t get ice during hot summers, when the cold bedchambers couldn’t get proper charcoal during freezing winters, when the immense pressures of life stood before her – then nothing else mattered anymore.

People were just that practical, and most grew through facing reality.

She first entered the palace at sixteen, when His Majesty was also in the bloom of youth. After that fleeting night slipped by, she quickly matured. That year, she understood she simply wasn’t destined for such fortune—some things remain unattainable no matter how hard one strives, so why exhaust oneself in futile competition?

In that lifetime, she lived quietly and peacefully, yet she became the one who survived the longest.

As for life philosophies or profound truths, she wasn’t particularly erudite and couldn’t sum things up in elegant words, but she knew how to make her life in the palace more comfortable.

She had long learned not to trouble her heart over such matters.

Thus, upon rebirth, finding herself young again, she didn’t aspire to win His Majesty’s favor or change too much. She only thought of currying favor with the Empress Dowager, hoping to rise in rank early and live a comfortable life—anything beyond that was none of her concern.

But fate played a colossal joke on her.

For some reason, His Majesty regarded her with unique favor, allowing her to experience a splendor she had never known before. Now, everyone in the palace envied her, everyone was jealous of her.

This feeling was novel and intriguing, and she couldn’t help but revel in it a little, as if a mysterious treasure box lay before her—each time she opened it, what was revealed surpassed her expectations, bringing her endless surprises.

After the initial delight, she gradually calmed down and began to ponder the deeper meaning behind His Majesty’s actions.

What kind of person Chu Shaoyuan was—she might not understand him fully, but she had a general idea. In their previous lives, the two of them lived the longest, spending most of their days in a lukewarm manner. To say she knew nothing about His Majesty would be a lie.

Apart from the variable that was Guifei, other women held little importance to Chu Shaoyuan.

Their entry into the palace as consorts was largely due to their status as daughters of officials; many of the high-ranking consorts had family members who were pillars of the court. This emperor’s mind was always clear: if someone was useful, they would be rewarded; if not, he wouldn’t treat them harshly, but he wouldn’t spare them a glance either.

Therefore, Su Qingyao had never harbored any hopes for His Majesty’s favor.

Even now, with knowledge of many future events, she wouldn’t seek to win Chu Shaoyuan’s affection. She knew very well that no matter what she did, it would be futile.

Chu Shaoyuan was different from many men; he didn’t even seem like an emperor with a harem.

Even now, with Su Qingyao repeatedly going to Qian Yuan Palace for imperial bedchamber service, the two of them had yet to even hold hands. The most intimate thing they had done was admire the moon together on the rooftop—that night, Chu Shaoyuan spoke many words to her, which was already a rarity.

This was actually quite fine.

Though Su Qingyao was curious about matters between men and women and harbored some unspoken yearnings, having lived alone for decades in her previous life, she had grown accustomed to a quiet, solitary existence.

If such intimacy came, it would be an added blessing; if not, life would remain placid as water, and days could still pass peacefully.

Over the past few months, she had initially felt somewhat dizzy with excitement but gradually sobered up.

This kind of bland, uneventful interaction wasn’t so bad after all.

But today, the Empress Dowager shattered her beautiful dream with a single sentence, telling her, Summer will eventually pass.

Indeed, His Majesty cannot continue to favor her exclusively forever. Once she becomes useless, he will eventually replace her with someone else. As for when that might be, Su Qingyao neither knew nor could guess.

Perhaps by that time, everything would be settled, and she could live out this unexpectedly granted present life peacefully and uneventfully.

Su Qingyao rubbed her eyes and slowly closed them.

In her heart, she said: Thank you, Empress Dowager.

It was already dinnertime. The meal had been fetched, yet Liuqin hesitated at the chamber door, unwilling to enter and wake Su Qingyao.

Taohong asked, The food will get cold soon. Why don’t you go in and wake the Junior Mistress, sister?

Liuqin sighed but said nothing more.

Taohong, being somewhat impatient, wanted to urge her upon seeing this. However, Liulv, being more perceptive, stepped forward and tugged at her sister’s sleeve, pulling her back.

Taohong turned to look at her and, seeing her shake her head firmly, though still puzzled, said no more.

Liuqin didn’t notice the sisters’ silent exchange. She remained standing at the chamber door, hesitating and unable to decide.

Just then, a clear bell rang from inside the chamber. Liuqin’s eyes brightened, and she pinched her cheeks to force herself to look cheerful. Smiling, she entered and went straight to the bedside, saying softly, Has the Junior Mistress awakened? Did you rest well?

Su Qingyao hadn’t slept at all, and her eyes were slightly red, but she replied, Yes, quite well.

Pretending not to notice her red eyes, Liuqin attended to her, helping her wipe her face with a warm cloth and rinse her mouth with hot tea before leaving the chamber.

Seeing Taohong and Liulv had already prepared the meal and were smiling at her, Su Qingyao felt a weight lift from her heart and became somewhat more at ease.

You’ve worked hard, Su Qingyao said, sitting down to eat.

The dishes today were quite good. As it was summer, there was a serving of celery with lily and shrimp, crystal clear and appetizing. Su Qingyao ate a small bowl of mung bean porridge with the lily but couldn’t manage more, so she put down her chopsticks.

Noticing her poor appetite, Liuqin thought for a moment and added a peach blossom pastry to her plate, no larger than a chestnut and exquisitely made.

Junior Mistress, try this. It’s filled with hibiscus flower paste—very fragrant.

Not wanting to worry her, Su Qingyao picked up her chopsticks again and slowly ate the pastry.

Liulv, being more observant, seemed to sense that the visit to the Palace of Compassionate Tranquility had left the Junior Mistress feeling down. After a moment’s thought, she said, Junior Mistress, when this servant went to the Imperial Kitchen earlier, I overheard some junior palace maids saying the Imperial Garden is in full bloom now and very beautiful. Why don’t we go take a look tomorrow afternoon? It might help lift your spirits.

Since her rebirth, Su Qingyao had never visited the Imperial Garden. The suggestion piqued her interest.

If we go, it would feel rather dull to go alone. Why not invite Consort Sun to join us?

Liuqin immediately brightened and began making plans: Tomorrow morning, we can go to the Corner Room to buy some pastries, bring a pot of tea ourselves, and that should be everything. After dinner tonight, the Junior Mistress can visit Consort Sun and invite her in person.

Su Qingyao looked up at her and smiled faintly. Alright.

Consort Sun had been feeling rather listless lately, so when Su Qingyao extended the invitation, she immediately nodded and added, I had someone stew some snow fungus and lotus seed soup in a small porcelain jar, with lily bulbs and peach blossoms added. You’re sure to like it, elder sister. I’ll bring it along tomorrow as well.

Su Qingyao nodded. You’re always so thoughtful.

After each made their preparations, the following afternoon after their nap, they set off for the Imperial Garden holding oil-paper umbrellas. Upon reaching the entrance of the Imperial Garden, they spotted a Junior Eunuch standing guard from afar. Liuqin stepped forward to present the identification plaque, but the Junior Eunuch glanced at it without immediately granting entry.

Her Ladyship is currently in the Imperial Garden. The Junior Mistresses should return, the Junior Eunuch said indifferently.

Liuqin was momentarily stunned. Given Su Qingyao’s recent prominence in the palace, hardly anyone would dare show such disregard. This Junior Eunuch probably hadn’t clearly seen the plaque and mistook them for some other Junior Mistresses.

Thinking this, Liuqin pushed the plaque forward again and whispered, Look carefully, boy. Our mistress is Talented Lady Su of Azure Cloud Palace.

The Yellow Gate Attendant, merely fifteen or sixteen years old with a cold expression, remained unmoved even upon hearing Su Qingyao’s name.

I said Her Ladyship is inside. The Junior Mistress should not disturb her.

Su Qingyao and Consort Sun stood nearby and heard every word clearly.

Which consort could be so overbearing?

Su Qingyao pursed her lips slightly. The more she was forbidden from entering, the more she wanted to see who was inside.

Author’s Note:

Talented Lady Su: Who has a death wish, daring to provoke me?

Your Majesty: Who has a death wish, daring to provoke my wife?

Talented Lady Su: The one with the biggest death wish is you…