I See the Noble Consort's Charm - Chapter 60:

Chapter 60:

This was Chu Shaoyuan’s second time taking Su Qingyao out of the palace. Having learned from the previous experience, he now understood that women of noble families were as delicate as glass—if not treated with utmost care, they might easily break.

Therefore, after finishing his morning duties and taking a leisurely afternoon break today, he did not delay further and directly ordered the return to the palace.

On the way back, Su Qingyao was unbothered by the carriage’s swaying and slept soundly through the afternoon nap, dozing all the way from the imperial manor until they entered the palace through Xuanwu Gate, where Liuqin finally woke her.

Liulv helped redo her hair while Liuqin handed her a bowl of tea: Your Highness, please wake up. We’re about to arrive.

Su Qingyao drank the chilled tea with half-closed eyes, shivered slightly, and finally became fully alert.

After stopping the carriage at Xuanwu Gate, they first saw His Majesty off, then took the sedan chair back to the palace. Despite all the commotion, most of the afternoon had passed, yet Su Qingyao didn’t feel particularly tired.

The outing had considerably lifted her spirits.

Tao Rui had already prepared bathwater. After finishing dinner, Su Qingyao bathed, changed clothes, and settled down for a proper sleep.

Thus the day came to an end.

In the following days, Su Qingyao busied herself with the major task of moving palaces. The newly assigned junior palace maids had already thoroughly cleaned the eastern side hall of Scarlet Smoke Palace and refreshed all the furniture. Since Su Qingyao couldn’t go there personally, Liuqin made two trips and reported that moving their study over would complete the preparations.

Having served Su Qingyao the longest, Liuqin understood her best. Su Qingyao entrusted her with the arrangements and had her coordinate with the junior eunuchs at the side gate.

After three busy days, Su Qingyao asked Nanny He to select an auspicious date before finalizing the moving day. Both Azure Cloud Palace and Scarlet Smoke Palace were bustling with activity, with Aunt Chunhua from the Bureau of Palace Affairs personally arriving along with a dozen junior eunuchs.

Su Qingyao was dressed simply today, wearing only a single green jade hairpin, yet her quiet presence seemed to transform her entire demeanor.

Aunt Chunhua, being an old acquaintance who had met her many times, had never seen her like this before—she now carried an indescribable authority and grace.

She calmly watched the palace staff bustling about, sitting down to drink tea without showing any fluster.

Aunt Chunhua thought to herself: She truly has an innate noble destiny. Though just a young girl, she inspires genuine awe. While her low rank previously concealed it, now that her status has risen, she is no longer her former self.

The current Consort Zhaoyi, even when silent, commands such respect that no palace attendant dares act improperly.

Steadying herself, Aunt Chunhua approached and said with a smile, Congratulations, Your Highness.

Su Qingyao smiled faintly and gestured to a nearby chair. Thank you for your efforts, Aunt. Please have a seat.

Somehow, Chunhua felt hesitant to sit. Remaining standing nearby, she said, I’ll remain standing. I need to check on the arrangements over there shortly. Rest assured, the juniors are diligent and won’t disrupt anything.

What mattered most to Su Qingyao was the small storeroom, which contained almost entirely gifts from His Majesty. The Emperor was generous, and every item he bestowed was exquisite—none of the palace staff would dare damage even the slightest piece.

Then I’ll trouble you with that, Aunt. Once I’m settled in Scarlet Smoke Palace, I’ll invite you for tea.

Thank you, Your Highness. It would be my honor to receive tea from you, Chunhua replied.

After speaking, she did not linger to be an eyesore. First, she finished arranging matters at Azure Cloud Palace, then hurried off to Scarlet Smoke Palace. It wouldn’t do to cause too much commotion at Scarlet Smoke Palace and disturb Consort Xian’s peace.

Su Qingyao sat there drinking tea, waiting for the palace servants to move all her belongings. Sitting in the now-empty East Side Hall, she felt a sense of bewilderment wash over her.

There were too many new variables in this new life. She could no longer see the future clearly, yet she knew she could not retreat.

Having come this far, she had no room for surrender.

With Liuqin busy at Scarlet Smoke Palace, Liulv remained at Azure Cloud Palace instead. Seeing Su Qingyao staring blankly at the empty bedchamber, Liulv thought for a moment and said, Your Highness, perhaps you could bid farewell to Consort Sun once more?

Su Qingyao had already shared a farewell meal with Consort Sun a few days prior. There wasn’t really anything more to say—after all, though she was moving palaces, their bond would not break.

But prompted by Liulv’s suggestion, Su Qingyao felt somewhat moved. She went directly to Consort Zhaoyi’s door and had Liulv announce her.

The maid attending Consort Zhaoyi answered the door. Seeing Su Qingyao arrive at this moment, she flustered: Greetings to Consort Zhaoyi.

Liulv said, Is your Junior Mistress available? Before leaving for Scarlet Smoke Palace, Her Highness would like to speak with her once more.

The maid actually hesitated, not responding for a long while. However, Consort Sun’s voice came from inside: Please invite Her Highness in at once.

Only then did Su Qingyao enter the West Side Hall.

The maid invited her into the inner chamber. Su Qingyao looked up and saw Consort Sun with red-rimmed eyes—clearly, she had been hiding and crying.

Su Qingyao felt a warmth in her heart, both amused and sorrowful. She stepped forward and took Consort Sun’s hand: Why are you crying?

Consort Sun was deeply embarrassed.

She had always been sentimental by nature. With Su Qingyao leaving today, she had secretly hidden away to cry, feeling ashamed of herself.

That was precisely why she hadn’t gone out to see her off.

Seeing her tearful appearance, Su Qingyao immediately laughed: You’re such a grown woman now, you can’t keep crying like this.

Seeing Su Qingyao laugh, Consort Sun also broke into a smile through her tears, looking rather foolish.

I wasn’t crying.

Su Qingyao sat beside her, took out a handkerchief, and wiped her tears: Alright, alright, you weren’t crying.

Consort Sun looked up at her, and the two shared a smile.

They had been assigned to live together since entering the palace. Compatible in temperament, they got along quite harmoniously. Aside from being timid, Consort Sun had no major flaws. Instead, she was quite candid—never troubled by promotions in palace rank nor concerned about who gained or lost favor.

She lived in her own world, content and happy.

Seeing she had stopped crying, Su Qingyao said, I’m only moving to the front alley, it’s not far. If you have free time, come visit me. What’s the difference?

Consort Sun nodded: I know.

She understood everything clearly in her heart. She understood Su Qingyao, and Su Qingyao understood her. That was why they could become close friends—not for any external benefits or entanglements, but simply because their temperaments matched.

Su Qingyao chatted with her a while longer before rising to leave. Nanny He was already waiting outside. She first came forward to pay respects, then said with a smile, Your Highness’s future is surely bright ahead. Shall this old servant lock up the East Side Hall?

Lock it, Su Qingyao said. These past six months, I am deeply grateful for your care, Nanny.

Nanny He personally locked the door of the eastern side hall and said, Your Majesty is most gracious. If there is anything this old servant can assist with in the future, Your Majesty need only send someone. Whatever can be done, this old servant will certainly do it.

The old lady’s words were spoken with great clarity and revealed a confidence that others lacked. Su Qingyao reached out to Liulv and personally handed Nanny He a heavy sachet.

I won’t say much else. I wish you good health, Nanny.

After saying this, Su Qingyao prepared to leave. Liulv held an umbrella for her and accompanied her out of the Azure Cloud Palace.

Su Qingyao turned around and glanced at the plaque of the Azure Cloud Palace before saying, Let’s go.

Nanny He remained in the gatehouse, squinting as she weighed the sachet in her hand. Even without opening it, she knew exactly how much silver was inside.

Her goddaughter, Xiaolian, approached with a smile and said, Consort Zhaoyi has always been generous. What a pity she’s leaving.

Nanny He tucked the sachet into her bosom and chuckled, Wanting to serve Her Majesty isn’t so difficult, is it?

Meanwhile, Su Qingyao strolled leisurely to the main gate of the Scarlet Smoke Palace. Before she could even look up, the voices of young palace maids greeting her could be heard from ahead: Greetings to Consort Zhaoyi.

Only then did Su Qingyao look up and see two young maids standing guard at the entrance. As soon as they noticed her, they hurriedly bowed. A somewhat familiar figure emerged hastily from the palace—it was Yingdong, the steward aunt serving under Consort Xian.

In her previous life, Su Qingyao had been quite familiar with her, but in this life, they had yet to cross paths. That Yingdong came out to greet her was no surprise to Su Qingyao.

Although Consort Xian held the lowest rank among the Four Consorts, she was still a principal consort beyond the reach of ordinary people. Due to her frail health since childhood, her family had specially arranged for an aunt to accompany her into the palace—this was none other than Yingdong. Most affairs in Consort Xian’s palace were managed by Yingdong, and externally, Yingdong was exceptionally adept at handling people, displaying great tact and diplomacy.

On this day of Su Qingyao’s relocation, it was certain that Yingdong would come out to welcome her.

Su Qingyao understood this well and was very courteous. Before Yingdong even reached the gate, Su Qingyao smiled first.

Yingdong had never interacted with her before, having only caught glimpses of her during routine greetings. It was impossible to discern her temperament from such brief encounters. But now, seeing her smile first, Yingdong felt a wave of relief.

At the very least, surface-level courtesy could be maintained, ensuring that life in the Scarlet Smoke Palace wouldn’t become too lively in the future.

Yingdong quickened her pace and walked directly up to Su Qingyao, performing a crisp bow: Greetings to Consort Zhaoyi. We welcome Your Majesty to the palace.

As she spoke, she led Su Qingyao inside.

Stepping once again into the Scarlet Smoke Palace, where she had lived for over a decade in her previous life, Su Qingyao gazed at the familiar plants and scenery, feeling for the first time a sense of surreal detachment, as if an entire lifetime had passed.

The pomegranate tree in the front courtyard was gone, replaced by a lilac bush. At this time of year, it was lush with greenery.

Yingdong said, Consort Xian is fond of plants and occasionally strolls in the garden to relax. If Your Majesty enjoys such pastimes, you may send a maid to inform us whenever you wish to take a walk. You are welcome to come and admire the scenery.

Even though both resided in side halls, the treatment of a Consort Zhaoyi was vastly different from that of a Talented Lady. Someone as good-natured as Consort Xian even allowed access to the front courtyard garden—truly a kind gesture.

Su Qingyao smiled faintly and said, I have long heard of Consort Xian’s thoughtfulness. Now that I am here, I find the Scarlet Smoke Palace exceptionally pleasant. I consider myself fortunate.

The more polite she was, the more relaxed Yingdong felt. Leading her through the moon gate, they looked up to see the spacious rear courtyard.

The rear courtyard only had a small flower bed built in the center, still planted with a single lilac tree.

It was a late-blooming tree, now flowering on its branches, carrying waves of delicate fragrance. A gentle breeze blew, and the petals drifted down with the wind, fluttering and falling into Su Qingyao’s hand.

Yingdong pointed to the side hall on the right and said, Your Highness, the eastern side hall has arrived.

Su Qingyao turned to look, and the eastern side hall of Scarlet Smoke Palace came into view.

The entire eastern side hall was four pillars wider than the previous Azure Cloud Palace. Not only was the main hall spacious and bright, but a tea room was also partitioned in front of the study on the left side. From outside, one could see its exquisite and orderly layout.

Her palace maids and Yellow Gate Attendants were now waiting by the door, standing properly and respectfully.

Seeing Su Qingyao turn to look at them, they bowed in unison: Greetings to Your Highness.

Su Qingyao looked at this new home and suddenly smiled: Rise, all of you. Let’s go in and take a look.

Liuqin took two or three quick steps forward, following her as she stepped into the main hall.

Another breeze blew, and the lilac petals followed her graceful figure, scattering into the hall like falling rain. Instantly, the fragrance filled the air.

Su Qingyao stood in the main hall, quietly gazing around.

Every vase, bowl, table, and stand in the hall was an old acquaintance. They stood quietly in their places, unmoving despite the passage of time.

Fragments of past and present lives came to her like falling petals, causing her to fall into sudden stillness.

It seemed as though everything had changed, yet nothing had changed at all.

Author’s Note: Consort Zhaoyi Su: Moving house! Living in a bigger home now!