Little Palace Maid Desires a Higher Seat of Honor - Chapter 58

Chapter 58: Picking Lotus Flowers

Since Su Jieyu became pregnant, things in the palace appeared unchanged on the surface, but underneath, turbulent undercurrents had long been surging.

Su Jieyu was obedient as well—when the Empress instructed her to stay in the palace and focus on her pregnancy, she quietly remained in the Qingyu Courtyard, enduring the most accident-prone first three months of pregnancy with sheer willpower.

At the start of July, the lotus flowers were in full bloom, their fragrance filling the air.

News came from the Qingyu Courtyard that Su Jieyu had lost her appetite. It was said that in the middle of the night yesterday, she suddenly craved meat.
The imperial kitchen dared not be negligent, so they quickly prepared a table full of dishes, both meat and vegetable, and sent them over. But as soon as she caught the smell of meat, she vomited violently until she was nearly unconscious.

Yun Si had accompanied Tan Yuanchu to the Qingyu Courtyard several times. In just two months, Su Jieyu had been tormented by pregnancy symptoms to the point of utter exhaustion. She had visibly grown thinner and was noticeably haggard.

Yun Si had once served Lu Cairen, especially during the early stages of Lu Cairen’s pregnancy. Even though Lu Cairen had been under confinement and was often irritable and gloomy, she hadn’t become as alarmingly thin as Su Jieyu.

Yun Si occasionally heard people in the palace envy Su Jieyu for being pregnant, but after seeing her condition with her own eyes, Yun Si didn’t feel envious in the slightest.

Every time she went to the Qingyu Courtyard, she felt uneasy and on edge. Just one pregnancy had utterly broken Su Guipin—the entire courtyard was steeped in the bitter scent of medicine.

Yun Si had been quieter lately. Tan Yuanchu noticed this, especially during their more intimate moments—she seemed somewhat distracted.

That day, as they left the Qingyu Courtyard, Tan Yuanchu noticed Yun Si subconsciously touch her lower abdomen.
She looked a little listless.

Tan Yuanchu sensed something and furrowed his brows.

Yun Si had always served at the Emperor’s side, often staying overnight in the Yangxin Hall. In terms of how often she shared his bed, it wasn’t infrequent—naturally, the possibility of pregnancy existed. Seeing Su Jieyu’s condition, it was only natural for her to feel frightened.

Once they returned to the Yangxin Hall and everyone else had withdrawn, Tan Yuanchu pulled Yun Si’s hand over.

“Frightened?”

Yun Si obediently leaned into Tan Yuanchu’s arms and softly said, “This servant is afraid.”

The girl pouted slightly, her dark brows drooping wearily. Tan Yuanchu glanced at her—normally, she seemed healthy enough, but once or twice a year she would fall ill. Because of that, he had unconsciously formed the impression that her health wasn’t good.

Tan Yuanchu’s gaze dimmed slightly. If this girl became pregnant and ended up like Su Jieyu—growing thin and haggard day by day…

He frowned faintly, without showing it, and didn’t continue the thought. He said casually, “I recall the Imperial Medical Bureau has a kind of medicine that prevents pregnancy.”

Yun Si’s face went pale. She couldn’t believe what she had just heard. She had only said she was afraid, and he wanted to strip away her chance of bearing a child?

When Tan Yuanchu lowered his head, he saw her almond eyes brimming red, about to cry. Her lips were bitten so hard they’d gone bloodless. He was a little puzzled. “What’s wrong?”

The girl bit her lip, broke free from his arms, and retreated to a corner of the divan, her entire body radiating resistance.

“You want this servant to drink a sterility potion?”

Tan Yuanchu choked. Rolling his eyes with irritation, he said coldly, “What nonsense is going on in that head of yours all day?”

Seeing his reaction, Yun Si was a beat late in realizing she had misunderstood. She let out a quiet sigh of relief in her heart, but on the surface she pouted.

“Then who told Your Majesty to say something so frightening? How could this servant not be scared?”

Fine, no matter how you looked at it, she had the upper hand.

Tan Yuanchu couldn’t be bothered to argue with her anymore, but the girl burrowed back into his arms, raising her almond-shaped eyes to look up at him. It was easy to fall for the illusion—hard to stay angry at her for even a moment. Tan Yuanchu tugged at the corner of his lips.

Other than pretending to be sweet, what else did she know how to do?

Even so, he still pulled her back into his embrace, though his tone remained cold.

“The Imperial Medical Bureau has medicine that can prevent pregnancy for a short time. If you’re afraid, send someone to fetch it.”

There were plenty of concubines in the harem hoping to conceive—one more or less didn’t matter. In any case, he wouldn’t lack heirs. But this person—she was the only one.

Yun Si was a little stunned.

She hadn’t expected Tan Yuanchu to say something like that. She was slightly confused—weren’t royal families supposed to value offspring greatly?

Even before she entered the palace, she had heard that men outside the palace also placed great importance on heirs—some even used the excuse of being childless for years to divorce their wives.

Yun Si, for once, was left confused by Tan Yuanchu.

Did he not want her to bear him an heir?

Thinking this, Yun Si didn’t feel it was strange—after all, the imperial harem had thousands of beauties. He didn’t lack someone who could bear him children.

Yun Si lowered her head, staying silent for a long while.

Tan Yuanchu looked down at her. Her face was still a little pale. He frowned subtly, not letting it show.

“What now?”

Yun Si looked up at him and pressed her lips together for a long moment before asking softly,
“Your Majesty… do you not care at all whether this servant bears your heir?”

The moment Tan Yuanchu heard that, he knew her habit of overthinking had returned. His temples throbbed slightly—normally, she seemed like such a clever person. Why did she always turn foolish when it actually mattered?

“It was you who said you were afraid. I considered things on your behalf, and now you’re saying I don’t care about you? You’re becoming harder and harder to please.”

Did she not understand that most of the concubines in the harem were selected precisely because the royal family wanted to continue its bloodline?

Did she really not feel anything—whether or not he hoped she’d become pregnant soon?

She had no conscience at all.

Tan Yuanchu stood up, not wanting to bother with this frustrating creature any longer. But just as he was about to turn and leave, he suddenly felt a light tug on his sleeve. He turned his head coldly.

He saw the girl looking up at him, staring fixedly without blinking.

Tan Yuanchu’s tone remained cold, “Let go.”

Yun Si shook her head, refusing to release him, even tightening her grip slightly. She bit her lip and said softly, “Your Majesty, this servant won’t take the medicine.”

Tan Yuanchu’s body paused ever so slightly. He raised his eyes, his gaze landing on Yun Si—not too heavy, not too light.

Then he heard her speak again, in a gentle whisper, but without the slightest hesitation.

“This servant is afraid… but this servant also wants to bear Your Majesty’s child.”

It was a deeply affectionate scene—but Tan Yuanchu only gave her a meaningful glance. So many concubines in the harem longed to bear royal heirs and couldn’t, and now here she was, treating it like it was some kind of hardship?

To carry a royal heir—how many benefits came with that?

As long as the child was born safely and grew up well, at the very least, he would be granted the title of prince. She, in turn, could expect to be honored with the title of Imperial Consort Dowager.

Tan Yuanchu wasn’t unaware that at most, only a third of her words about “bearing him a child” came from genuine feeling. But somehow, the irritation in his heart slowly faded.

How many concubines in the harem weren’t hoping to gain riches and status through motherhood?

She was just one of them.

Her fear of the potential dangers of pregnancy was real—even as she said those words, she still instinctively pressed her lips together.

Sometimes, Tan Yuanchu found it unbelievable himself. He wasn’t blind to it—he had come to expect less and less from Yun Si. It was as if he was always finding excuses for her false affection.

Tan Yuanchu ultimately just left her with one sentence.

“Suit yourself.”

He was about to leave, but the hand holding onto him didn’t let go. She still looked up at him with those almond-shaped eyes and softly asked,
“Are you still angry with this servant?”

Tan Yuanchu only lowered his gaze and tapped her forehead lightly with his knuckles, speaking casually, “There’s still a pile of memorials I haven’t read. Get up and grind ink for me.”

No outsider knew such a conversation had taken place inside—otherwise, the jealousy would’ve been endless.

In the Qingyu courtyard, Su Jieyu lay on her bed. Ever since she became pregnant, she frequently suffered from aching in her lower back, and today was no exception. When lunch was brought, she couldn’t eat and vomited again, even bringing up bile.

She was so tormented she wanted to cry.

Bai Shao looked at her with deep concern. “Mistress how are you feeling?”

Su jieyu looked down at her still-flat belly. Three months in, the pregnancy still hadn’t begun to show, and she didn’t even need to alter the size of her dresses.

No, actually, she did need to.

She had lost a noticeable amount of weight recently—even her old clothes now hung loosely on her, leaving her looking hollow and frail.

Su Jieyu said nothing. She had known this path would be difficult when she chose it. Regret now was pointless and useless.

There was only one thing she truly worried about—she was afraid she wouldn’t be able to keep the child.

She knew her own body well. This child was placing too much strain on her. If in the end she couldn’t carry the pregnancy to term, wouldn’t everything she had endured be in vain?

Su Jieyu refused to accept that outcome.

After a long silence, she bit out her words.
“Send someone to the Imperial Kitchen again. I want another meal prepared.”

Imperial Physician Li, who was overseeing her pregnancy, always looked deeply concerned whenever she couldn’t eat. He didn’t need to say much— Su Jieyu already understood clearly: in her current state, barely eating a bite all day, there was no way it would be good for the child in her womb.

Because of this, even if she had to force herself Su Jieyu would still try to eat a little more.

The Imperial Kitchen, trembling with fear, sent over a variety of dishes—yet as expected, Su Jieyu touched any of it.

But no one dared to complain that she was troublesome.

When the news reached the Emperor, Tan Yuanchu frowned slightly. Yun Si, dressed today in a dark cyan satin gown embroidered with lotus flowers and mandarin ducks, lowered her gaze and casually glanced at the floral patterns on her dress. She spoke as if unintentionally.

“This servant remembers there’s a countryside dish…”

Tan Yuanchu raised an eyebrow and looked at her. In truth, Yun Si rarely involved herself in harem matters. When she did speak up, it usually carried a deeper meaning.

“I think it’s called Beggar’s Chicken—you prepare the chicken, then wrap it in lotus leaves and mud to slow-cook it. The freshness of the lotus leaves helps eliminate the meat’s gamey smell—perhaps Concubine Su would be able to eat it.”

The moment he heard the words “lotus leaves,” Tan Yuanchu instantly understood her intention.

Pretending to help Su Jieyu with her troubles was just a cover—the real goal was to annoy Rong Zhaoyi.

Yun Si’s elegant brows knit slightly, as if she were genuinely concerned with easing Tan Yuanchu’s burden. “This servant isn’t sure if the method will work, but since Su Jieyu can’t stomach anything at the moment, why not give it a try? What does Your Majesty think?”

Tan Yuanchu glanced at her indifferently. After a long pause, he finally gave a slight nod.

As soon as he nodded, a faint smile appeared on the girl’s face, her features bright and charming.

“This servant knows where to find lotus leaves. Why not let this servant pick some and deliver them to the Imperial Kitchen?”

At those words, not only did Tan Yuanchu fall silent, but Xu Shunfu subconsciously raised a hand to touch his nose. Yun Si girl, don’t you think your intentions are a bit too obvious?

Causing trouble for Rong Zhaoyi was one thing—but you still want to personally stab a thorn straight into her heart?

Yun Si acted as if she hadn’t noticed the shift in the atmosphere.
She blinked her almond eyes and said,
“This servant has also been making sachets lately. I thought I could pick a few lotus flowers while I’m there. Since entering the palace, I haven’t had the chance to touch a lotus flower even once.”

The lotus flowers in the Lotus Pond had been planted by Tan Yuanchu for Rong Zhaoyi, and she valued them greatly. Even the other concubines in the harem didn’t dare to pick them casually—let alone Yun Si, who was merely a servant.

Tan Yuanchu raised a hand to his forehead.

“If you want to go, then go.”

Yun Si bowed and respectfully turned to leave.

Xu Shunfu looked like he wanted to speak but hesitated. “Your Majesty, isn’t this… a bit inappropriate?”

Tan Yuanchu, head down and busy with state affairs, responded casually upon hearing that.

“What, am I supposed to tell her the lotus flowers in the Lotus Pond all belong to Rong Zhaoyi and that she’s not allowed to pick them?”

The entire harem tacitly acknowledged that as truth, but there was no official rule.

He spoke lightly, but Xu Shunfu could already imagine what kind of rage would erupt in Changchun Palace once Rong Zhaoyi heard the news.

And Xu Shunfu was not wrong. The Lotus Pond was not far from Changchun Palace. Yun Si had only just arrived at the pond when Rong Zhaoyi already received word.

Rong Zhaoyi lazily lifted her eyes. “What does she want to do?”

Tong Yun’s expression was unpleasant. “This servant saw her heading straight toward the Lotus Pond.”

Rong Zhaoyi’s brows furrowed, and she couldn’t sit still. Who didn’t know the Lotus Pond was planted by the Emperor for her?
How dared Yun Si approach it?

Rong Zhaoyi immediately left Changchun Palace with her attendants. There was a pavilion near the Lotus Pond and even a scenic tower for viewing. By the time she arrived, some concubines, having caught wind of the commotion, were already seated in the pavilion—subtly casting glances in this direction.

She arrived a step too late—just in time to see Yun Si bend down and pluck a lotus flower right under her nose.

Rong Zhaoyi rarely lost her temper in front of others, but now she couldn’t help the color draining from her face.

She had been in the palace for many years, and no one had ever dared slap her in the face like this!

“Stop!”

Hearing the commotion, Yun Si finally turned around. When she saw Rong Zhaoyi, she looked slightly surprised.
She straightened up and bowed politely.

“This servant greets Rong Zhaoyi.”

She was still holding the freshly plucked lotus flower in her hand. When Rong Zhaoyi’s gaze landed on it, she could no longer control her emotions. Her face went cold.

“Insolent! Who gave you permission to touch the lotus flowers in this pond?!”

Yun Si showed not the slightest hint of panic. After spending so much time in the Yangxin Hall, she had picked up Tan Yuanchu’s calm and offhanded manner.

“Your Ladyship must be joking. Naturally, this servant is acting under His Majesty’s orders.”

The surroundings were quiet, and her words naturally reached everyone present. People couldn’t help but exchange glances.

Rong Zhaoyi clenched the handkerchief in her hand. Even though she had expected this answer—for without the Emperor’s permission, how could Yun Si dare touch the flowers in this pond?—hearing Yun Si actually say it still sent a chill through her heart.

His Majesty…

How could he do this?

Had he forgotten?
This entire lotus pond had clearly been planted by him—for her.

If just anyone could pick the flowers, then what meaning was left in this pond of lotus blooms?

Rong Zhaoyi’s face paled ever so slightly, barely noticeably. Whenever she clashed with anyone in the harem, she had always been nonchalant, believing that no one could threaten her position. Until now. This woman before her had just proven with her actions that everything she thought was “special” could be broken.

Rong Zhaoyi didn’t want to believe it.

“Impossible.”

Yun Si merely lifted her eyes to meet Rong Zhaoyi’s gaze, and said calmly, neither servile nor arrogant.
“This servant wouldn’t dare speak recklessly. If Your Ladyship doesn’t believe me, you may send someone to verify it with His Majesty.”

Her composed manner made some people uneasy. Before Rong Zhaoyi could speak, someone couldn’t help but interject.

“You’re just a servant, and yet you dare speak to Her Ladyship like that?”

Those nearby were startled—no one expected someone to be foolish enough to insert themselves into this matter. Yun Si might not hold a formal title, but she served in the Yangxin Hall, how could she be compared to a common servant?

Even Yun Si was a little surprised.
Her friction with Rong Zhaoyi wasn’t exactly a secret. The harem was full of women who knew how to protect themselves, so she hadn’t expected anyone to jump in.

She glanced at the speaker, eyes narrowing slightly.

“This servant does not believe I’ve acted with any disrespect. Unless An Cairen believes there was something improper in my conduct?”

An Cairen had only spoken out on impulse, but now that the words were out, she had no choice but to step forward stiffly. She hadn’t expected Yun Si to be so blunt and unyielding, and that made her flush with embarrassment and anger.

“Well, well! A mere servant—and you dare question your superiors?”

The way she kept repeating “servant” as if afraid Yun Si might forget her status made Yun Si feel thoroughly disgusted.

Ignoring An Cairen, Yun Si turned her gaze back to Rong Zhaoyi.

“This servant still needs to gather lotus flowers and leaves. If Her Ladyship has no further instructions, this servant will continue.”

When she stood up, Rong Zhaoyi caught sight of the embroidery on Yun Si’s gown—and her expression grew even colder.

An Cairen, furious at being ignored, didn’t dare cross Rong Zhaoyi or openly provoke Yun Si, who was from the Yangxin Hall. All she could do was prod Rong Zhaoyi resentfully.

“Your Ladyship, after such rudeness… are you really going to let her off so easily?”

Yun Si hadn’t come alone—Qiu Yuan was with her. Hearing the exchange, Qiu Yuan frowned and looked toward An Cairen:

“Yun Si serves in the Yangxin Hall. Even if she had done something wrong—which she hasn’t—it’s still not the place of outsiders to punish her.”

Rong Zhaoyi swept a cold glance at An Cairen. She might detest Yun Si, but that didn’t mean she was foolish enough to be used by others. Yun Si had said she was acting under the Emperor’s orders—who would dare stop her?

Even Rong Zhaoyi could only watch helplessly as she picked the lotus flowers and walked away.

Before leaving, Yun Si gave Rong Zhaoyi another deep, respectful curtsey, as if showing extra deference—but no one could ignore the armful of lotus flowers and leaves she carried with her.

An Cairen was left humiliated, looking bad from every angle. Her expression darkened as she shot a discreet glance at Rong Zhaoyi, silently cursing—So much for being favored. You can’t even touch a servant.

Still stewing in frustration, she muttered under her breath.

“Didn’t His Majesty plant this whole pond of lotus flowers for Your Ladyship? How could you just let her walk away with them?”

Before Rong Zhaoyi could respond, she added,
“If today’s incident gets out, won’t everyone think they can come pick flowers too?”

Everyone around them was speechless. If you’re going to stir trouble, could you please not drag the rest of us into it?

Rong Zhaoyi might not be able to do anything about Yun Si, who had the Emperor’s verbal approval—but that didn’t mean she’d let others act out in front of her. Her tone turned icily cold, “Does An Cairen wish to try as well?”

Meeting that frosty gaze, An Cairen’s back went cold in an instant. She immediately fell silent, stammering, “This concubine wouldn’t dare.”

Tong Yun looked nervously at her ladyship, too afraid to speak.

Rong Zhaoyi’s knuckles turned white as she clenched her handkerchief, her face expressionless as she stared at Yun Si’s retreating figure.

“Come with this palace to see His Majesty.”