I See the Noble Consort's Charm - Chapter 50:

Chapter 50:

Unlike Su Qingyao, Consort Sun had always been timid and fearful of trouble. Seeing the situation so tense, she couldn’t help but tug at Su Qingyao’s sleeve.

Sister, let’s go back, Consort Sun whispered.

But Su Qingyao shook her head.

Given her current prominence, if someone still dared to show her such disrespect, and if she tolerated it today, what would happen once her favor declined? Wouldn’t everyone then step all over her?

What is there to fear? Even when Your Majesty and the Empress Dowager come to the Imperial Garden, they never order it closed, Su Qingyao said calmly.

Her words were neither too soft nor too loud, and the junior eunuch heard them clearly. His eyes flickered, showing a hint of hesitation.

Su Qingyao made no move to leave. Holding an umbrella, she stood at the entrance of the Imperial Garden, casually fanning herself with a round fan, appearing exceptionally composed and at ease.

Their party of four was somewhat conspicuous, and before long, a middle-ranking eunuch hurried over. The moment he saw Su Qingyao’s face, his legs nearly gave way.

He approached directly, bowed to Su Qingyao, and said in a flurry, Greetings, Talented Lady. May the Talented Lady be blessed.

Su Qingyao remained expressionless and said nothing.

The middle-ranking eunuch inwardly groaned. He turned and glared fiercely at the junior eunuch. You fool! Who gave you the audacity to block a Junior Mistress? I never gave such an order.

Recognizing the middle-ranking eunuch, the junior eunuch panicked. His knees buckled, and he knelt on the ground, kowtowing three times to Su Qingyao before pleading with the middle-ranking eunuch. Elder, it was my foolishness. I heard that if a high-ranking consort enters the garden, no one else may enter, so I acted accordingly. I deserve to die for my offense. I beg the Junior Mistress and the Elder to punish me.

There had never been such a palace rule. No one could afford to cultivate a reputation for arrogance and intolerance. If word got out, not only would they lose their position, but their family would also suffer the consequences.

However, the junior eunuch’s sudden shift from defiance to kneeling and begging showed little sincerity.

Thus, Su Qingyao said nothing. Instead, the middle-ranking eunuch grew so angry his face turned red. Where did you hear such a thing? Have you learned nothing of the palace rules? Get out of here and report to the Bureau of Palace Affairs for punishment. Don’t linger and offend our eyes.

Hearing that he was to be punished, the junior eunuch turned pale with fear. Trembling, he pleaded, Elder, please, I beg you! It wasn’t that I didn’t know the rules. It was the elder brother from Consort Xian’s palace who said so—the one with the mark on his hand…

Before he could finish, the middle-ranking eunuch clamped a hand over his mouth. With a glance backward, two young junior eunuchs rushed forward, twisted the offender’s arms, pinned him down, and dragged him away, still gagged.

Su Qingyao watched the entire scene unfold without a word, her expression calm. Consort Sun, however, felt somewhat uneasy and opened her mouth several times to plead for leniency but ultimately held back due to Su Qingyao’s stern demeanor.

Once the junior eunuch was gone, the middle-ranking eunuch approached again and bowed deeply. Talented Lady, Consort, please calm your anger. That fool knew no better and offended the Junior Mistress. Please, this way. The Imperial Garden is at its most beautiful now, perfect for a leisurely stroll.

Since the ignorant junior eunuch had already been punished, Su Qingyao could not press the matter further without appearing petty. She glanced coolly at the middle-ranking eunuch and said unhurriedly, Thank you for your trouble, Elder.

The middle-ranking eunuch smiled so widely his eyes narrowed to slits. This humble servant is surnamed Zhang. Please, Junior Mistress, do not say such things. It is my duty to serve.

Su Qingyao finally smiled and said, Eunuch Zhang, our Imperial Garden has always been a pleasant sight. Today, we sisters are in good spirits and won’t let this matter cause any unpleasantness. But if someday…

She didn’t finish her sentence, but Eunuch Zhang understood completely.

He bowed to Su Qingyao and said, Thank you for your guidance, Junior Mistress.

Su Qingyao hummed in acknowledgment, squeezed Consort Sun’s hand, and the two of them proceeded into the Imperial Garden. Just as they reached the entrance, Su Qingyao paused again and asked Eunuch Zhang, Might I ask, Eunuch, who is currently in the garden?

Eunuch Zhang hesitated slightly, but when he looked up and saw Su Qingyao’s calm gaze, he suddenly felt an overwhelming sense of authority.

From such a low-ranking Talented Lady, Eunuch Zhang felt a pressure akin to that of the Empress Dowager—a first in his life. Suppressing his confusion, he whispered, Reporting to Junior Mistress, Consort Shun of Lotus Breeze Palace, Zhao Jieyu, and Xie Cai Ren of Brocade Palace are all present.

Su Qingyao raised an eyebrow slightly, and Liuqin stepped forward to hand over a sachet.

Thank you for your trouble, Eunuch. We’ll amuse ourselves and won’t trouble you further.

Eunuch Zhang knew his place, accepted the sachet, and retreated without another word.

Su Qingyao thought to herself, the Yellow Gate Attendants from Consort Xian’s palace had gossiped, yet Consort Xian wasn’t in the Imperial Garden. Instead, it was Consort Shun who was present—quite intriguing.

Once inside the garden, Su Qingyao put aside these thoughts and happily strolled with Consort Sun. The Imperial Garden was exceptionally beautiful this season, with shady green trees and blooming flowers, resembling a secluded paradise from afar. Further in, a small stream meandered gently, passing through the Floating Cup Pavilion before flowing into the Lotus Fragrance Pond.

Su Qingyao and her companion first visited the Hundred Flowers Garden, admiring the blossoms for quite some time. Just as they were about to head to the Lotus Fragrance Pond, they heard a woman’s piercing scream.

Before Su Qingyao and Consort Sun could react, another voice cried out, The Junior Mistress has fallen into the water!

Su Qingyao was startled. Exchanging a glance with Consort Sun, both their hearts leaped into their throats.

Eunuch Zhang had just mentioned that Consort Shun, Zhao Jieyu, and Xie Cai Ren were in the garden. Only Xie Cai Ren was a Junior Mistress. If his words were true, then the one who fell in was undoubtedly Xie Cai Ren.

Regardless of who it was, a fall into the water was alarming. Su Qingyao and Consort Sun, setting aside propriety, hurried toward the Lotus Fragrance Pond.

Running all the way, they arrived quickly—within half the time it takes to drink tea—and saw two figures struggling in the pond, a heart-wrenching sight.

Su Qingyao’s heart jumped to her throat.

The railing by the Lotus Fragrance Pond had broken at one corner, though it was unclear when. Consort Shun and Zhao Jieyu stood anxiously nearby, shouting. Their palace maids were absent, likely gone to seek help.

Most women never learned to swim, and Su Qingyao was no exception. Watching Xie Cai Ren and her maid flail in the pond, she could only fret helplessly.

Beside her, Consort Sun was already crying in fear.

Noticing them, Consort Shun urgently said, Sisters, don’t come any closer. The path here is slippery, and it’s easy to have an accident.

Su Qingyao no longer had the mind to pay her respects, but she was cautious enough to order Liuqin to call for help: Run quickly. The people from the Imperial Garden are too slow.

Liuqin’s expression tightened. Without time to bow, she turned and ran, her speed surprisingly fast.

Even so, Su Qingyao couldn’t feel at ease. She stared intently at Xie Cai Ren in the pond, not daring to look away for even a moment.

Consort Sun was already too frightened to watch, covering her face as she wept: What should we do?

Su Qingyao, annoyed by her crying, scolded in a low voice: Help will arrive soon. Stop crying!

Chastised by Su Qingyao, Consort Sun gradually stopped sobbing and retreated to the side, sniffling quietly.

Su Qingyao had no time to comfort her. Watching Xie Cai Ren slowly sinking deeper, she grew so anxious that her face turned pale and her entire body trembled slightly.

The wait felt endlessly torturous. Su Qingyao felt her heart sinking further as she stood there, muttering repeatedly: It’s impossible.

Yes, there absolutely couldn’t be an accident!

In her previous life, this never happened. Where did things go wrong to cause this situation? Su Qingyao’s mind was in chaos, her heart equally tangled, unable to form any coherent thoughts.

She stood there like fragile willow catkins, seemingly on the verge of collapse.

Just then, a familiar voice sounded by her ear: Junior Mistress, this servant has returned. Please don’t worry.

Su Qingyao turned to see Liuqin panting as she approached, firmly supporting Su Qingyao’s stiff arm while pointing toward the lotus pond: People have already arrived. Xie Cai Ren will surely be fine.

In that instant, Su Qingyao returned to the real world.

She turned to look at the pondside where several Junior Eunuchs had entered the water. The two strongest swimmers had already reached Xie Cai Ren and her palace maid, supporting them above the surface.

Only then did Su Qingyao release a sigh of relief, becoming aware of her own violently pounding heartbeat.

You’ve worked hard, she heard her own voice floating aimlessly, as if unable to settle.

Liuqin performed a slight bow, but her expression didn’t improve with Su Qingyao’s praise. Instead, she whispered: Junior Mistress, when this servant arrived, no one else had come before me.

Su Qingyao’s face darkened again. She glanced briefly at Consort Shun and Zhao Jieyu. Consort Shun only had one senior maid with her, while the junior maids who should have been with her and Zhao Jieyu were absent. When the incident occurred, both junior maids should have gone to seek help.

The Imperial Garden has north and south gates, each with a Corner Room nearby for the Junior Eunuchs who maintain the garden to rest. Because the garden contains ponds, these Junior Eunuchs are all trained in swimming and can rescue people immediately upon arrival.

But those two junior maids clearly left before Liuqin, yet didn’t manage to reach the Corner Rooms. This was very strange.

Both Consort Shun and Zhao Jieyu looked very upset at this moment. Since Su Qingyao wasn’t familiar with either of them, she couldn’t immediately determine why they were so distressed, but she firmly committed this matter to memory.

You did very well, Su Qingyao patted Liuqin’s hand. Without calling for Consort Sun, she walked directly toward the pondside.

Her previous position was only about ten steps away, not far at all. After a few steps, she reached Consort Shun’s side and suddenly spoke: This must have frightened you, Your Highness.

By now, Xie Cai Ren and her palace maid had been rescued to shore. Imperial Garden maid servants were pressing on their chests, and they were struggling to spit out water.

Consort Shun never expected her to be so bold as to step forward. Startled by the sudden remark, she trembled and turned pale, glancing at her with a frown. Why have you come here, sister? Everyone says it’s dangerous.

Su Qingyao replied calmly, With Your Highness here, how could I fear danger? Of course, I must protect you properly.

As they spoke, the imperial physicians and female medics from the Imperial Hospital arrived and immediately began examining Xie Cai Ren’s pulse.

Consort Shun declared, Be thorough in your examination. If anything happens to Xie Cai Ren, none of you will escape blame!

Su Qingyao could do nothing by stepping forward, so she remained by Consort Shun’s side and asked, This accident is truly frightening. Her Majesty the Empress Dowager will surely worry over it again.

Mentioning the Empress Dowager made Consort Shun fall silent, her expression darkening once more.

Zhao Jieyu, standing nearby, suddenly interjected, The person has already been rescued. Why must you be so anxious, sister? Such matters shouldn’t always trouble Her Majesty the Empress Dowager.

Su Qingyao turned to look at her and noticed her pale lips and tightly clenched hands, clearly showing her own unease.

That’s not the way to see it, Su Qingyao lowered her eyes. Even if we don’t mention it, Her Majesty will inevitably find out. A matter concerning the life of an imperial consort cannot be easily overlooked.

As her words faded, Su Qingyao sneered coldly inwardly.

She wondered which of the two had orchestrated this—or perhaps… a third person remained hidden?

But what could be the motive?

Su Qingyao lowered her gaze, watching as Xie Cai Ren gradually regained consciousness, her own expression softening slightly.

Author’s Note:

Su Qingyao: Dare to mess with my sister? Heh.

Consort Sun: Dare to mess with my sister? Heh.

Xie Cai Ren: Dare to mess with my sister’s sister? Heh… cough cough.