I See the Noble Consort's Charm - Chapter 52:

Chapter 52:

Nothing in this palace can escape the notice of either the Empress Dowager or Your Majesty.

Even if they don’t inquire themselves, there will always be someone eager to report everything, requiring no effort on their part.

After Xie Cai Ren’s incident in the afternoon, Su Qingyao was summoned for Imperial bedchamber service in the evening. She suspected Your Majesty would likely question her about it.

After some thought, Su Qingyao decided to be completely honest. Perhaps His Majesty knew even more than she did, and telling meaningless lies would be useless.

Having resolved this, Su Qingyao enjoyed her dinner without worry, did some simple grooming, and then took the sedan chair to Qian Yuan Palace.

Tonight, His Majesty was not in his bedchamber but in the study at the rear hall. When Su Qingyao entered, he was reviewing memorials with a furrowed brow, appearing rather displeased.

So Su Qingyao became more cautious than usual, quietly performing her greeting ceremony before obediently sitting on a nearby chair and picking up a book from the side table to read.

These were the usual activities whenever she came to Qian Yuan Palace, and Su Qingyao was quite accustomed to the routine by now.

By the time Chu Shaoyuan finished reviewing a stack of memorials, looked up and rubbed his stiff neck, he finally noticed Su Qingyao sitting there with her cheek propped on her hand, clearly already drowsy.

Chu Shaoyuan cleared his throat lightly, but Su Qingyao didn’t wake up.

He raised an eyebrow slightly, seizing this rare opportunity to study her face closely.

To be fair, Su Qingyao wasn’t stunningly beautiful enough to be unforgettable, but she always appeared cheerful and smiling, making people find her adorable and comfortable to be around, willing to spend more time with her.

Her quiet temperament, neither arrogant nor impatient, meant even when occasionally summoned to accompany him while reading or reviewing memorials, he never found her bothersome. Most of the time, he hardly noticed her presence.

To sit quietly through an entire evening was quite remarkable for a young girl.

Therefore, seeing her asleep this time made Chu Shaoyuan somewhat realize that she still possessed some casualness and innocence—to be able to fall asleep in his study showed she had an unusually good state of mind.

Chu Shaoyuan watched her for a while, not sure why some mischievous thoughts arose in his heart. He rose quietly and walked silently to Su Qingyao’s side.

Even in sleep, Su Qingyao remained quiet, only her small nose twitching slightly, her curled lashes covering her eyes and casting fan-like shadows on her cheeks.

Chu Shaoyuan approached and stood there as if bewitched, watching her for a long time.

Suddenly, a lamp wick crackled with a pop, startling Chu Shaoyuan back to awareness. He pinched the bridge of his nose uncomfortably.

Suppressing the flutter in his heart, Chu Shaoyuan reached out and patted her shoulder: Talented Lady Su, wake up.

Su Qingyao, rarely sleeping so soundly, only shifted slightly away from his touch but still didn’t wake up.

Chu Shaoyuan raised an eyebrow, thought for a moment, then leaned close to her ear and spoke slightly louder: Minor Master Su, there’s a fire, wake up quickly.

The words there’s a fire pierced her ears like magic, instantly rousing Su Qingyao from her pleasant dreams. Her eyes flew open, and before she could see anything clearly, she pushed herself up rapidly.

With a thump, both cried out in pain simultaneously.

Su Qingyao clutched her head, tears welling up in her eyes ready to fall, while Chu Shaoyuan stepped back two paces, grimly feeling his chin.

The pain thoroughly woke Su Qingyao.

Rubbing her forehead with tear-filled eyes and seeing Chu Shaoyuan’s dark expression, she preemptively complained: Why did Your Majesty have to scare me like that? You frightened this concubine terribly.

Chu Shaoyuan glared at her, thinking she was quite bold now, knowing how to seize the initiative.

If I didn’t startle you, would you have woken up? You’re the first person daring enough to fall asleep in the Mohi Pavilion.

Su Qingyao blinked, allowing tears to slide down. She couldn’t understand why His Majesty’s chin was so hard—her entire head was still buzzing from the impact.

This humble one is entirely at fault. Your Majesty must not be angry. At times like this, Minor Master Su’s thick-skinned nature proved quite useful.

Seeing her tears and hearing her soft plea for mercy, Chu Shaoyuan’s slight anger dissipated, replaced instead by an awkward discomfort.

It’s fine, sit down, he said. Noticing she kept rubbing her forehead, he added, If it still hurts, I’ll summon the imperial physician to examine you later.

Su Qingyao lowered her head, secretly smiling.

His Majesty truly was, as Lou Duzhou had said, extremely soft-hearted.

Just two drops of tears from this young girl, and he stopped holding any grudge, instead beginning to worry about her again.

Su Qingyao shook her head: Thank you for Your Majesty’s concern, this humble one is fine.

Only then did Chu Shaoyuan relax, pretending nonchalance as he returned to sit by the table and changed the subject: Did you go to the Imperial Garden this afternoon?

Su Qingyao had waited all evening precisely for this question.

She lowered her head to wipe the tears from her face, took a slight breath, and then said softly: Yes, this humble one went with Imperial Attendant Sun.

Seeing her low spirits and thinking she was frightened, Chu Shaoyuan unusually offered comfort: Don’t be afraid, nothing like this will happen again.

Su Qingyao was momentarily stunned, warmth blooming in her heart as she looked up and smiled at him.

Her eyes were still slightly red, her cheeks tinged with a faint rosy hue. When she smiled like this, her eyes seemed to hold a spring of clear water, making one’s heart unconsciously ripple in response.

Chu Shaoyuan lightly coughed, lowering his head to open his folding fan and wave it.

This midsummer weather was quite stifling.

Su Qingyao said softly: Thank you, Your Majesty. This humble one isn’t that afraid, but since I’ve always had a good relationship with Sister Xie, now that she’s encountered such misfortune, I can’t help feeling somewhat worried.

Chu Shaoyuan’s fan-waving hand paused slightly before he casually said: Did you arrange to go to the Imperial Garden together?

Su Qingyao hadn’t considered this angle before. Suddenly questioned by Chu Shaoyuan, she immediately recalled yesterday’s details and gained sudden insight.

Actually, yesterday during dinner, this humble one heard from my palace maid, Su Qingyao said seriously. She said I had been lying ill in the palace for ten days and must be feeling quite stifled. Then she mentioned hearing from a junior maid who fetches meals that the Imperial Garden’s scenery has been exceptionally beautiful lately, which moved me to go see it.

Chu Shaoyuan nodded faintly, indicating he understood.

If Su Qingyao’s situation was like this, then Talented Lady Xie’s circumstances were probably similar.

Whether it would work or not, anyone confined in the palace for too long would be tempted upon hearing about an outing. If not today, then tomorrow—those who wanted to act would never let their target escape.

Chu Shaoyuan glanced toward the doorway, and Lou Duzhou quietly withdrew.

Not noticing the silent exchange between Chu Shaoyuan and Lou Duzhou, Su Qingyao continued: Originally, this humble one just wanted to look around, but I was stopped right at the Imperial Garden entrance…

She spoke clearly and coherently, quickly recounting everything that happened that day, even perfectly imitating the words the Junior Eunuch shouted when being dragged away.

With many outsiders present at the time anyway, there was no need for her to conceal anything.

Chu Shaoyuan sipped his tea while listening to her speak, and only after she had finished did he suddenly ask a question: Do you think this matter has any connection with Consort Xian?

Su Qingyao was momentarily taken aback and did not immediately respond.

Regarding Consort Xian, she had some understanding.

In her previous life, after being granted the title of Consort of Grace, she moved to Consort Xian’s Scarlet Smoke Palace, becoming neighbors with Consort Zheng across the hall. She lived in Scarlet Smoke Palace for over fifteen or sixteen years, until Consort Xian passed away. Throughout their time together in the palace, they had always maintained a harmonious relationship, so she had some insight into Consort Xian’s character.

Consort Xian was a typical Lin Daiyu type—frail and sickly since childhood. Even before entering the palace, she was often ill. After entering the palace, with imperial physicians monitoring her health, her condition improved somewhat, but she became increasingly sensitive and prone to tears.

On ordinary days, she rarely summoned them for greetings. Even when they did visit, the three of them seldom spoke much. Su Qingyao and Consort Zheng usually indulged her in conversation, stopping once she was pleased.

As for whether she had any malicious intentions, Su Qingyao found it hard to believe.

Although in this life, she viewed many things differently from her previous one, and there were details she had carelessly overlooked, Consort Xian was still different from the unfamiliar Consort He. They had lived in the same palace for several years; if she hadn’t seen through this person’s true nature, she would never have risen to the rank of Noble Consort Dowager.

However, she couldn’t answer His Majesty’s question carelessly, so she pondered it seriously.

Chu Shaoyuan wasn’t in a hurry. He sat there fanning himself, appearing quite composed.

To put it bluntly, as long as Talented Lady Xie was still alive, it wasn’t a major issue in his eyes. Even if she had died, he didn’t think it would significantly impact court affairs, but the person behind this act displeased him greatly and disrupted many of his plans.

Senior Grand Secretary Feng was advanced in years. Remembering how the old master had worked himself to death in the Hall of Literary Profundity in his previous life, Chu Shaoyuan felt deeply uneasy. Thus, in this life, when the old master submitted his resignation again, Chu Shaoyuan promptly approved it.

That night, he had a long conversation with Senior Grand Secretary Feng, finally clarifying the situation in the Hall of Literary Profundity. The one to replace Senior Grand Secretary Feng would be Talented Lady Xie’s grandfather, Xie Qingchen.

If something were to happen to Talented Lady Xie at this critical juncture, the Xie family would inevitably face turmoil, which would not be beneficial.

Fortunately, Talented Lady Xie was rescued in time.

Just as Chu Shaoyuan was lost in thought, Su Qingyao spoke: Your Majesty, in my humble opinion, this matter should have no connection with Consort Xian.

Chu Shaoyuan raised an eyebrow slightly and said, Oh? How so?

Su Qingyao hesitated again. There were many things she shouldn’t say, but since His Majesty had asked, she had to speak the truth.

If this matter had succeeded, it would have brought no benefit to Consort Xian—instead, it would have only tarnished her reputation. If it were me, I would never act knowing it was futile. That isn’t bravery; it’s foolishness. The real perpetrator likely intended to use Consort Xian as a smokescreen to confuse everyone and conceal their own identity.

Su Qingyao spoke bluntly, firmly believing that someone had deliberately targeted Talented Lady Xie. Since only His Majesty and she were in the study, she felt no unease.

Chu Shaoyuan set down his folding fan, glanced at her, and a rare smile appeared on his face.

This young lady dared to say anything.

However… she was absolutely right, hitting the mark perfectly.

Then, in your opinion, who is the real perpetrator? Chu Shaoyuan asked, curling his lips into a smile.

Su Qingyao had not expected His Majesty to question her like this and thus had not prepared in advance. Moreover, she genuinely did not know who was responsible. After a moment’s thought, she gave a playful smile: This matter truly escapes my understanding. However… at the time, neither Consort Shun’s nor Zhao Jieyu’s palace attendants managed to summon anyone. If not for my attendant’s swift feet, I’m afraid… it would have been troublesome.

Chu Shaoyuan gazed steadily at her, his eyes carrying a hint of admiration.

She had said everything that needed to be said, and even indirectly pointed out what shouldn’t be mentioned—quite clever indeed.

Not only had she reiterated the mistakes made by Consort Shun and Zhao Jieyu, but she had also emphasized her own good deed. Looking at her flushed little face, there seemed to be a touch of pride in it.

Your attendant did well and deserves a reward, Chu Shaoyuan teased her.

But Su Qingyao didn’t mind at all and cheerfully replied, Then I shall thank Your Majesty on her behalf.

Author’s Note:

His Majesty: My heart, ah, is burning with passion.

Talented Lady Su: But your body is cold as ice.

His Majesty: …Damn.

Talented Lady Su: No…?