I See the Noble Consort's Charm - Chapter 61:

Chapter 61:

Although Su Qingyao didn’t need to personally handle the palace move, it was still exhausting enough. That evening, lying in the new daybed, she found herself unusually unable to sleep.

Liuqin seemed to share her thoughts, bringing in a bowl of Tranquility Soup and asking,Would Your Highness like some Tranquility Soup?

Su Qingyao propped herself up on her elbow and said,I just happen to be unable to sleep. Your timing is perfect.

Liuqin came over to open the bed curtains and handed her the porcelain bowl. After she finished drinking it in two gulps, Liuqin brought clear water for her to rinse her mouth.

We’ve been busy all day and moved to a new palace. Not to mention Your Highness, even we servants feel unaccustomed, Liuqin said with a smile.Liulv just went to get the Tranquility Soup, thinking we should all have a bowl to rest well and avoid being listless tomorrow.

Su Qingyao had just moved to Scarlet Smoke Palace. After settling in here, she would need to visit Consort Xian in the coming days, then invite Consort Zheng over for a banquet to show friendliness.

Only after all these matters were completed would she be fully settled and able to enjoy peace for quite some time.

Su Qingyao nodded and said,You’ve all worked hard today. Sleep in tomorrow morning, no need to get up early to work.

She had always been a kind mistress who never mistreated her palace maids. Because of this, in her previous life when she reached a high rank, many young maids preferred to serve in her palace rather than attend to Emperor Xingwu’s young and beautiful consorts.

For palace maids, stability was most important.

Who would willingly suffer when they could live comfortably?

Knowing her compassionate nature, Liuqin said,After having the soup, Your Highness should rest early and not worry about these matters.Su Qingyao nodded at her without rebuttal, then turned over and quickly fell asleep.

The next morning, Su Qingyao woke up early. Gently twitching her delicate nose, she caught the scent of lilac fragrance from outside the window. The scent was somewhat unfamiliar but not unpleasant, likely something she would come to enjoy.

Su Qingyao lay quietly for a while. Though she heard no movement outside, she guessed someone must already be awake.

She pulled the bell cord, and faint door opening sounds came from outside. Liulv’s voice sounded beyond:Is Your Highness rising?

Su Qingyao made an affirmative sound, and Liulv came over to draw back the bed curtains, smiling as she said,This palace is more spacious. It’s quite cool in the morning even without opening the windows. Can Your Highness smell the lilac outside?

I can smell it, Su Qingyao said, being helped up to sit and slowly drinking warm water.Are you all accustomed to this scent?

Everyone had different preferences. If anyone couldn’t tolerate the smell, they should speak up, otherwise falling ill would be troublesome.

Liulv brought over shoes and socks, then turned to instruct Meizhi to soak the washcloth before returning to the bedside. Kneeling, she helped Su Qingyao put on her shoes:Sister Liuqin specifically asked everyone yesterday. We can all adapt, so please don’t worry, Your Highness.

Su Qingyao said nothing more.

After washing up, Su Qingyao left the bedchamber and went directly to sit in the main hall. Taohong was arranging breakfast with Yuanguo, but Liuqin was nowhere to be seen.

As Su Qingyao sat down, before she could ask, Liulv said,Sister Liuqin went to the storeroom to check accounts. She said she’ll return soon and that if Your Highness misses her, you’ll have to wait.

Liulv rarely made jokes, but this one genuinely amused Su Qingyao.

You little minx, how did you learn to be as clever and smooth-tongued as your sister? Su Qingyao laughed as she picked up her chopsticks and began her morning meal.

After becoming Consort Zhaoyi, every aspect of her life—clothing, food, housing, and transportation—had changed.

Following the imperial decree, the palace servants no longer needed to fetch meals themselves. The supervisor of the Imperial Kitchen specially brought two junior eunuchs, stating that from then on, these two would be solely responsible for delivering meals to Consort Zhaoyi. The palace servants were instructed to memorize their appearances and waist tokens to avoid any mistakes.

Each day when the junior eunuchs delivered the meals, a list would be sent over. If there were any seasonal delicacies available, Su Qingyao’s table would never lack them.

Back when she was still Talented Lady Su, even if the Imperial Kitchen and Bureau of Palace Affairs wanted to curry favor, there was little they could do. Her rank limited what was appropriate—anything beyond that would be considered overstepping and could be used against her.

Now that she had risen in status, both the Imperial Kitchen and Bureau of Palace Affairs breathed a sigh of relief, finding their work much smoother.

Just like the current breakfast spread before her: there were six types of steamed dim sum alone, plus fresh shrimp wontons, sesame tangyuan, shredded chicken noodles, and various other dishes covering the entire table. To top it off, two servings of stewed delicacies were provided for Her Highness to enjoy at her leisure during the morning.

Anyone would be in a good mood receiving such flattering treatment.

Su Qingyao was no exception. After happily finishing her breakfast, she held a pot of oolong tea, sat in the tearoom humming a tune while reading.

She hadn’t been reading long when Liuqin returned.

Su Qingyao asked,Was there any issue?

Liuqin shook her head:None, but I couldn’t rest easy without checking everything once more.

Among the imperial gifts she received, some couldn’t be used as presents to give away. For example, that Four Gentlemen screen depicting plum, orchid, bamboo, and chrysanthemum, adorned with jade, pearls, agate, and coral—though only palm-sized and placed on the daybed table merely for decoration.

Yet such a small item must never be lost. Every imperial gift specifically recorded by name must be treated with utmost care.

Su Qingyao said,I trust your work completely.

Liuqin smiled without responding.

Coincidentally, the Imperial Kitchen had delivered strawberries earlier that morning. Liuqin sat nearby, cutting them into small pieces and feeding them to Su Qingyao.

The strawberries this season weren’t particularly large but were full of flavor—each bite filled the heart with sweetness:See, we’re already enjoying these today.

Su Qingyao said with a laugh. She wasn’t being sarcastic nor melancholic, just somewhat contemplative.

But Liuqin said:That we can enjoy them is good enough.

Su Qingyao glanced at her and suddenly remembered something:Oh dear, I forgot—today we must invite Consort Zheng.

Liuqin had also been busy all morning. Returning to see Su Qingyao sitting peacefully reading, she had forgotten too.

When Su Qingyao suddenly mentioned it, she slapped her forehead:Fortunately Her Highness has a good memory, otherwise it would have been a major problem.

Saying this, she quickly had Meizhi fetch the previously prepared invitation, reapplied some rouge to Su Qingyao’s face, then assisted her up to change into hard-soled shoes before heading out.

While they were preparing, Taohong had already gone ahead to announce their arrival at the West Side Hall.

Just as Su Qingyao passed the fragrant lilac tree and was about to reach the entrance of the West Side Hall, a bright figure appeared in the doorway opposite—it was Consort Zheng herself coming out to greet her.

Seeing her, Su Qingyao couldn’t help but smile.

In her previous life, she had been quite close with Zheng Jieyu, having lived together for over a decade. There was some friendship between them, so upon seeing her again, Su Qingyao felt somewhat happy.

Seeing Su Qingyao smile, Zheng Jieyu couldn’t help but smile as well.Greetings, Sister Su. Welcome to your new palace.

Zheng Jieyu stepped out of her room and properly performed a curtsy, yet her words were warm as she addressed Su Qingyao assister. Su Qingyao felt a warmth in her heart and replied,You’re too kind, Sister Zheng.

Hearing this form of address, Zheng Jieyu knew Su Qingyao had no intention of asserting dominance over her and couldn’t help but sigh in relief.

Once the two entered the main hall and sat down, Zheng Jieyu said,I had intended to visit you personally after you settled in, but instead you came to my palace first. I’m ashamed of my lack of courtesy and hope you won’t take offense.

Su Qingyao gently reassured her,How could I? It’s only natural for me to visit first, since my moving around has disturbed both Consort Xian and you.

Zheng Jieyu blinked her eyes and smiled tenderly.Well, we have a long future ahead of us. Let’s skip the formalities, shall we?

Su Qingyao nodded.Very well.

Zheng Jieyu was very beautiful, with a melon seed-shaped face and willow leaf eyebrows, her smile gentle and affectionate. Su Qingyao had always felt she was superior to herself. Zheng Jieyu had entered the palace three years earlier than Su Qingyao and, thanks to her father and brothers’ influence at court, had gradually risen to the rank of Consort of Grace, seemingly living a comfortable life.

In her previous life, Su Qingyao had moved to Scarlet Smoke Palace several years later. By then, Consort Xian was already bedridden, and the affairs of Scarlet Smoke Palace were entirely managed by Zheng Jieyu, who carried herself with the dignity of a chief consort.

Sure enough, not long after Su Qingyao moved in, Zheng Jieyu was promoted to Consort Zhaoyi and managed Scarlet Smoke Palace with even greater ease.

Back then, it was she who had taken care of Su Qingyao.

Now, however, the tables had turned. With Su Qingyao’s arrival as Consort Zhaoyi, Zheng Jieyu’s chances of promotion became slim. If she were to be promoted, it would likely require her to move to another palace.

Su Qingyao was well aware of this but could do nothing about it. Seeing Zheng Jieyu’s cheerful demeanor just now had slightly eased her concerns.

They had been good friends in the past, and in this life, she didn’t want to sever their bond.

From now on, we’ll be living in the same palace and must look out for each other. Consort Xian is a kind person, so let’s work together, live steadily, and avoid bringing trouble upon her, Su Qingyao said earnestly.

Zheng Jieyu lowered her eyes and replied softly,Sister speaks wisely. I will follow your lead.

Su Qingyao smiled with satisfaction.

Today’s visit was merely to invite her to a banquet. After exchanging a few brief words, Su Qingyao left. Zheng Jieyu politely saw her to the door and waited until she entered the eastern side hall before turning back to her bedchamber.

Her chief maid, Zhenzhu, was instructing a junior maid to clear the teacups from the table. Seeing Zheng Jieyu return, she hurried over with concern.Your Highness, what should we do now?

They had been managing Scarlet Smoke Palace for three years, and for Su Qingyao to come and reap the benefits was hardly fair.

Zheng Jieyu’s face darkened, all traces of her earlier gentleness gone, replaced by boundless coldness.What can we do? His Majesty favors her.

Zhenzhu whispered,Shall we write another letter home? So that our lord can make preparations early.

Zheng Jieyu lowered her head and took a sip of tea but said nothing.

Zhenzhu was somewhat afraid of her. Seeing her stern expression, she didn’t dare say more, quickly refilling the teapot and standing silently by her side.

Consort Zheng lowered her head to gaze at the clear tea in her cup, her fingers gripping the delicate porcelain so tightly it seemed on the verge of shattering.How could it be such a coincidence? she murmured.

At this critical moment, Su Qingyao had moved into Scarlet Smoke Palace and was immediately appointed as Consort Zhaoyi.

Was this Su Qingyao’s own wish, or had His Majesty noticed something? It was impossible to discern.

Consort Zheng took a deep breath, tightly closed her eyes, and when she reopened them, her gaze was filled with resolve.

Prepare the writing materials. I need to write to my father.

Meanwhile, Su Qingyao returned to the eastern side hall, wrote two more invitation cards, reviewed the banquet menu for three days later, and finally sat down to read.

She had just finished one chapter when someone arrived outside.

Soon Liuqin entered, a slight smile on her face.Your Highness, it’s someone from Qian Yuan Palace.

Su Qingyao set down her book and looked up at her.

Liuqin continued,His Majesty invites Your Highness to visit the Imperial Garden this afternoon. He mentioned that the lilacs and wisteria are in full bloom, and the scenery is particularly beautiful.

Su Qingyao was genuinely surprised.His Majesty is inviting me to the Imperial Garden?

Why did she feel there was something peculiar about this?

Author’s note:

Consort Zhaoyi Su: Has Your Majesty suffered some kind of shock?

His Majesty: Can’t I just want to be romantic for a little while?