Little Palace Maid Desires a Higher Seat of Honor - Chapter 120

Chapter 120: Unconscious

The peaceful conclusion of the New Year’s banquet made Yun Si, for a time, wonder if she had been a little too suspicious.

Though she had seen Qi Guipin and Su Jieyu together, Qi Guipin was no fool, why would she choose Su Jieyu as an ally?

Still, caution never hurt.
Yun Si dared not relax her guard completely.

She did not dwell on the matter too much, however. After the New Year, her belly grew larger by the day. Unlike before, when loose robes could still conceal her figure, now her pregnant form was plainly visible to the naked eye.

When she looked down, she could barely see her toes.

Aside from this, there was another matter that left the concubines of the harem distracted, no one could feel it had nothing to do with them.

No sooner had morning court resumed after the New Year than voices urging His Majesty to hold the imperial selection of new consorts surged like a tide. Even though Yun Si was in the harem, she had already heard the rumors.

The selection was meant to ensure the imperial bloodline’s continuation, but since the last selection three years ago, not a single new imperial heir had been born.

With the heir apparent still undecided and the Emperor’s favor toward the Eldest Prince shifting, the court officials’ ambitions stirred.
The clamor for a new selection reached an unprecedented height.

In the first month, a snowfall blanketed the capital. Pushing open the lattice window brought a sense of heaviness; everywhere the eye landed was a field of pure white.
In Cining Palace, the red plum blossoms were in full bloom, hanging from the branches like the only color in all heaven and earth.

No one could see the red plums of Cining Palace.

But the camellias were still in bloom, and anyone passing Chu’an Palace could see them, the grand white petals blended seamlessly with the snowy scenery, so that from a distance, it was hard to tell where the flowers ended and the snow began.

No incense was burned in Chu’an Palace anymore. Qiu Yuan would from time to time pick different flowers to decorate the palace, but the camellias she had never touched even once.

Midway through the hour of Chen, there was some movement from behind the bed curtains. Qiu Yuan stepped forward and lifted them. Now that Her Ladyship’s belly had grown large, getting up was difficult, and the servants of Chu’an Palace served her with utmost care.

Still half-drowsy, Yun Si stretched an arm out from under the covers, only for the chill in the air to make her shiver instantly awake.

“Why is it so cold?”

Qiu Yuan replied, “It’s snowing outside.”

At this, Yun Si turned her head to look through the window lattice. All she saw was white, the treetops silvered, and palace servants struggling to sweep a path clear. She looked up at Qiu Yuan, her gaze questioning.

Qiu Yuan understood at once.

“Please rest assured, Your Ladyship. This servant has already sent word to Kunning Palace to excuse you from greeting today.”

After snow, the paths became slippery. Even without being told, Qiu Yuan knew that in such weather, it was best for Her Ladyship not to go out.

It was a quarter of an hour before Yun Si finally rose from the bed. When she had finished washing and dressing, Song Fu entered to say that breakfast had been set.

While Yun Si was eating, she noticed Song Fu’s expression as though he had something to say but hesitated.
Curious, she asked, “What is it?”

In a low, respectful tone, Song Fu said, “After morning greetings ended today, Su Jieyu stayed in Kunning Palace for another half an hour.”

With their interests in conflict, Song Fu naturally disliked Su Jieyu. He inwardly resented her constant clinging to the Empress, but there was nothing he could do about it.

Yun Si swallowed a mouthful of porridge.

Song Fu went on, frowning.

“Those at Central Province Hall also no longer dare to take any action.”

Yun Si set her bowl down and said softly, “Then let it be. Have him do nothing at all.”

Better not to expose herself.

Song Fu respectfully obeyed.

The heavy snow took three full days to melt. During those three days, Yun Si stayed behind closed doors. It wasn’t until the day the skies finally cleared that she resumed going to Kunning Palace to pay her respects.

The twenty-eighth day of the first month was the Empress’s birthday.

The concubines in the palace all liked to have their birthday banquets celebrated grandly, but the Empress alone passed hers quietly every year, simply saying that with the New Year’s banquet just over, it was not fitting to spend more resources.

Yun Si had chosen her birthday gift, a string of agate beads. She had asked for the agates from Tan Yuanchu and, in her idle moments, polished each bead herself and strung them together. In the warm sunlight, the beads shone with a deep crimson hue.

Yun Si’s feelings toward the Empress were, in truth, quite complicated, but she could not deny that in her heart she felt a certain gratitude toward her.

She was grateful that the Empress had never been stingy in her guidance, whether it was palace affairs, household management, or handling subordinates, the Empress had never kept anything to herself. As long as Yun Si wished to learn, she would teach her everything she knew.

It might have looked light and insubstantial, as though it brought no tangible benefits, but Yun Shi knew well that this was a weighty kindness.

And yet, in this treacherous palace, her feelings were inevitably complicated.

Yun Si brought her gift to Kunning Palace. She was not the only one, every concubine had done the same. The gifts were presented one after another. Yun Si glanced at the Empress and felt that something was amiss.

She could not tell if it was just her imagination, but the Empress seemed far more pale than before.

Yun Si suddenly remembered that the Empress had once said her health was not good. She glanced at the snow just thawing outside the hall, could it be that she had caught a chill during the snowfall?

Her heart was unsettled, but seeing the Empress’s expression calm as usual, Yun Si gradually set aside her doubts.

She wanted to gently remind the Empress to summon an imperial physician, but out of the corner of her eye, she saw Su Jieyu sitting fixed in her seat as if nailed there. Yun Shi abruptly held her tongue, remembering that the Empress did not want others to know about her health troubles.

As the first month drew to an end, the talk of the imperial selection grew louder and spread into the harem.

With the snow only just melted, Yun Si dared not ride in her palanquin. She and Qiu Yuan walked back to Chu’an Palace. On the way, Yun Shi saw Qiu Baolin.

Qiu Baolin bowed to her. Her expression was calm as she fell into step beside Yun Si, keeping a slight distance.

“Your Ladyship, have you heard about the matter of the selection?”

Yun Si nodded lightly. The triennial selection was routine; she had long been mentally prepared and truly did not think much of it, though occasionally, there was still a flicker of hesitation.

—It seemed this pregnancy of hers had come at a rather inopportune time.

Qiu Baolin observed her expression, and seeing that she showed no sign of disappointment, finally felt relieved. Her relationship with Xi Xiurong could not be called good or bad, only tacit.
Naturally, Qiu Baolin did not wish for Xi Xiurong to lose her composure.

“Your Ladyship, what matters most right now is the imperial heir in your womb,” Qiu Baolin suddenly lowered her voice, “and it won’t delay things for long.”

Following the pattern of past selections, the imperial edict would be announced to the realm around the third month. After all preparations were complete and the chosen young ladies entered the palace, it would be the sixth month.

Then, after the preliminary selection, the palace selection, and a series of other procedures, the final conferment of titles would not happen until the seventh month.

Qiu Baolin glanced at Her Ladyship’s round belly.

By then, Her Ladyship would have already given birth safely to the imperial heir. With the Emperor’s regard for both her and the child, there would be no need at all to worry about new concubines taking away her favor.

Yun Si realized what she was implying and was a little surprised. She had never carefully calculated her due date, nor connected the timing to the selection, but it turned out Qiu Baolin had already thought of this.

Accepting her goodwill, Yun Si said softly,

“Rest assured, I will not sacrifice the greater good for a small matter.”

—

By mid-second month, Tan Yuanchu had been coming to Chu’an Palace more and more frequently, to the point that neither Yun Si nor the rest of the harem found it strange anymore. Yun Si no longer felt the initial nervousness and dread.

Late at night, Yun Si was suddenly awakened by a sharp cramp. Her face turned pale in an instant as she opened her eyes in pain. Her leg curled involuntarily, and she could not help tugging at the man beside her, sobbing softly,

“Your Majesty…”

She often woke at night feeling thirsty, and getting up was difficult. Tan Yuanchu, knowing this, would set tea on the table before bed and never slept too deeply. The moment he heard the faint sound, he woke at once.

Sitting up, Tan Yuanchu asked in a low voice,

“What’s wrong?”

Yun Si’s face was tightly knit in pain, her breath hissing between her teeth. “My… leg… hurts…”

Recalling what the imperial physician had once advised, Tan Yuanchu realized at once what it was. His hand, which had been around her waist, moved down along her leg.

The woman, curled in his arms, sobbed quietly, and his brows furrowed involuntarily.

“A cramp?”

She answered with a muffled hum.

Tan Yuanchu pressed on the cramped area, massaging it bit by bit. At first, her muffled cries came with every touch. Only after some time did the cramping gradually subside. She sniffled, half-asleep in his arms, and Tan Yuanchu did not dare to wake her.

When he opened his eyes again, he had hardly slept.
As dawn approached, fatigue was plain on his face.

Before he could rest, a shout echoed through the palace, and the doors of Chu’an Palace were pounded from outside. Tan Yuanchu opened his eyes with a frown. Xu Shunfu’s anxious voice came through,

“Your Majesty, word from Kunning Palace, Her Highness the Empress has vomited blood and fallen unconscious!”

The bad news struck like a blow to the head. Tan Yuanchu’s eyes snapped wide open, a cold, cutting light within that made others shudder.

Yun Si was startled awake by the commotion. She had been nestled in his arms, but upon hearing the news, she immediately and sensibly withdrew.

Tan Yuanchu’s movement to rise halted briefly as he lowered his gaze to her.

Yun Si, struggling to sit up, her brows gently furrowed, tilted her head to say to him,

“Your Majesty need not worry for me. With Her Highness suddenly unconscious, Kunning Palace must be in chaos. You should go at once to steady everyone’s hearts. I will come afterward.”

Tan Yuanchu also knew the urgency of the matter. Without hesitation, his voice low and hoarse, he said, “Don’t rush. Take your time, and make sure Qiu Yuan and the palace maids go with you.”

Leaving her with that instruction, Tan Yuanchu did not delay, turning and striding out of Chu’an Palace. Yun Si caught a glimpse of Xu Shunfu’s panic-stricken face and could not help letting out a quiet breath.

Those serving before the throne were already in such a panic that Yun Si dared not imagine what chaos might be brewing within the harem.

The instant she sat up, a sudden sharp pain flared at the root of her leg, so intense she nearly collapsed back onto the bed. Qiu Yuan let out a startled cry, but Yun Si looked up at her, brows tightly knit, and shook her head.

Tan Yuanchu had only gone a short way; any commotion in the hall would immediately reach his ears.

With the Empress critically ill, any action on her part that might delay the Emperor could become grounds for others to accuse her.

Yun Si bit down hard on her lip, cold sweat breaking out on her forehead from the pain. One hand pressed firmly on the cramped muscle, forcing it to ease as quickly as possible.She ground out with difficulty.

“…Help me change.”

Qiu Yuan looked at her with worry but, knowing there was no time to waste, bit her lip and fetched the court dress. Chu’an Palace bustled in orderly fashion, yet Yun Si lifted her gaze toward Kunning Palace. For some reason, unease stirred in her heart.

Truth be told, if the Empress truly came to harm, it would not be a bad thing for her.

She was now with child and deeply favored by the Emperor, if the Empress’s position became vacant, she would certainly have a chance to contend for it.

But…

Flashes of past moments with the Empress surfaced in her mind. She closed her eyes briefly and urged in a low voice,

“Hurry.”

By the time the cramp eased and she had changed her clothes, nearly two quarters of an hour had passed.
She wasted no more time. The night air was heavy with dew, and unease gnawed at her that today’s incident might not be mere accident. She did not dare take the palanquin, letting Qiu Yuan support her as she made her way step by step toward Kunning Palace.

The cold wind cut at her face, stinging even through the thick crane cloak she wore.

Yet all of that was nothing compared to the words that rang out the moment she stepped inside Kunning Palace.

“Your Majesty, the agate beads Xi Xiurong gave to Her Majesty were poisoned! To plot against the Empress is an unforgivable crime, please, Your Majesty, do not show leniency to the culprit!”

The hall fell silent; the voice struck like thunder in everyone’s ears.

Yun Si’s steps seemed nailed to the floor. Just then, the bead curtain was lifted, and at the sound of movement, all turned to see her standing there, her face pale from wind and frost, staring expressionlessly at the person kneeling on the floor.

Kunning Palace was full of people, yet neither the Empress nor Bai Zhi was in sight.
Several people knelt, among them imperial physicians and palace maids. The one who had spoken was none other than Su Jieyu.

At the sight of Yun Si in that state, Tan Yuanchu instinctively moved forward.

Tears streaked Su Jieyu’s face, her hatred for the Empress’s would-be murderer plain to see. Seeing the Emperor’s movement, she could not help but remind,

“Your Majesty, Her Highness is still lying inside!”

The cramp struck Yun Si without warning; her legs buckled, and she would have fallen had Qiu Yuan not cried out and caught her. Tan Yuanchu’s expression changed, ignoring Su Jieyu’s words, he strode forward in time to catch Yun Si before she hit the ground, his voice sharp with alarm.

“Where does it hurt?”

In his arms, her lashes trembled, and tears slipped down like broken pearls. Clutching tightly at his robe, her face pale from pain, she said nothing of her discomfort, only looked up at him without blinking.

“Your Majesty, I did not harm Her Highness. Do you believe me?”

She was not a good person.

But she had never harbored the slightest ill will toward the Empress.

Too few people in her life had ever shown her genuine kindness; no one knew how she cherished what little of it she had been given.

Her eyes were red, her body trembling from pain, yet she asked a question that had nothing to do with her physical suffering.

A faint, indescribable ache welled in Tan Yuanchu’s chest. She never hid her true self from him, when had she ever shown malice toward the Empress?

From the very beginning, he had never doubted her.

His gaze was cold and steady as he declared, without hesitation,

“I believe you.”

The hall instantly fell into a deathly silence. Yun Si herself was momentarily stunned.

She had merely acted on instinct, seizing every opportunity in her favor, yet she had not expected Tan Yuanchu to say he believed her without the slightest pause.

Yun Si bit her lip, tears welling in her almond eyes as she said in a trembling voice,

“Someone is framing me.”

Qiu Yuan, crying at the side, spoke of the hardships Her Ladyship had endured on the way here, while the woman herself was filled with bitter grievance.

Tan Yuanchu brushed back the damp black hair clinging to her brow, and Xu Shunfu, quick to read the situation, brought over a chair. Only after settling her onto it did Tan Yuanchu lean down and assure her in a low voice,

“I know. I will find out the truth and will not let you suffer injustice.”

Su Jieyu had not expected that, with evidence so conclusive, the Emperor would still have not the slightest doubt about Yun Si. She exclaimed in disbelief,

“Your Majesty!”

Tan Yuanchu suddenly turned his head toward her. Meeting the deep darkness in his eyes, Su Jieyu felt a chill to her bones for a moment, but then she saw Yun Si’s high, round belly and the Emperor’s instinctive protectiveness toward her, and it was as if a fire ignited in her heart, burning so hot it seared her lungs.

Why?

She hated Yun Si, hated her to the very core!

Her own child had never seen the light of day, yet Yun Si could carry hers in peace.

Everyone said she was protected by the Empress, but in truth?
The Empress had merely used her! Only when she saw her health ruined, with no more hope of vying for favor, did she show her a bit of pity.

The Empress already owed her!

And Yun Si?
Yun Si had done nothing, yet received the Empress’s special regard.

She had longed for imperial favor, even drinking dubious remedies just to make the Emperor glance her way, yet Yun Si obtained it all with ease.

Everything she wanted ended up in Yun Si’s hands.

Watching this disparity with her own eyes was driving her to madness. Even if, even if she could have just one of those things, it would have been something.

But she had nothing!

Su Jieyu dug her nails deep into her palm, straightened her back, and lifted her head to face the Emperor.

“Her Highness vomited blood and fell unconscious. The Imperial Physicians found poison on the agate beads Xi Xiurong gave her, this is precisely what caused her collapse. The evidence is conclusive, yet Your Majesty, out of bias, chooses to ignore it. Such partiality, such blindness to right and wrong, will chill the hearts of all under heaven!”

Everyone was stunned, wishing they could go deaf on the spot.

Su Jieyu had actually rebuked the Emperor to his face for not knowing right from wrong?
How was this any different from pointing at his nose and scolding him?

Was she mad?!

Even Yun Si, despite enduring pain, could not help but look at Su Jieyu in astonishment.

That she could remain calm upon hearing there was poison on the beads she had gifted was not because she was certain Tan Yuanchu would believe her, it was because she knew that as soon as the Empress awoke, her innocence would be proven.

But her reaction seemed to have provoked Su Jieyu.

Yun Si glanced at Tan Yuanchu’s expression and could not help but swallow nervously.