Little Palace Maid Desires a Higher Seat of Honor - Chapter 72

Chapter 72: Agate Bead Bracelet

The wind was cold and harsh all night, rustling through the bamboo grove. Tonight, few in the harem could sleep peacefully.

Except for one person.

The lights in Panju Hall were extinguished early. Even the lanterns on the palace walls had gone out. The night watch palace attendants huddled under the eaves with their heads lowered, it was unclear whether they were dozing off.

When Xu Shunfu arrived, the atmosphere in Chu’an Palace was chilly and quiet. He craned his neck for a look, Panju Hall was completely dark, not a single light showing, and the hall doors were all shut.

Xu Shunfu clicked his tongue inwardly. The other consorts in the palace all wished their hall lanterns could stay lit endlessly, yet Yun Jieyu made no effort to conceal her emotions at all.

He kept the Emperor’s instructions in mind. After a moment of hesitation, he walked toward Panju Hall.

The footsteps and lantern light startled the doorkeepers awake. Song Fu jolted up and, upon seeing Eunuch Xu, was momentarily stunned. Not daring to shout and disturb the resting mistress inside, he hurriedly stepped forward.

“Eunuch Xu, what brings you here?”

As soon as the words left his mouth, he slapped his forehead, a trace of nervousness surfacing.
“Did His Majesty have some instructions?”

After asking, Song Fu also began to think it over.

It was deep in the night, and their mistress hadn’t attended bedchamber duty tonight. Logically, the Emperor should be resting in Kunning Palace right now, what could he need Eunuch Xu to come for at this hour?

Despite his doubts, Song Fu kept his expression completely composed.

Xu Shunfu cleared his throat and asked, “Has the Jieyu gone to bed?”

Song Fu glanced at the dimly lit hall. Truthfully, he wasn’t sure whether the mistress had slept or not. But regardless, if His Majesty had an instruction, she would have to get up anyway. The question didn’t really matter.

After a moment of hesitation, Songfu gave an answer.

“The mistress just lay down not long ago.”

Xu Shunfu didn’t press further and stated his purpose directly, “Today, when Yun Jieyu visited the Yangxin Hall, she left something behind. His Majesty instructed this servant to bring it to her.”

Song Fu was puzzled. What item had to be delivered in the middle of the night?

Xu Shunfu exchanged a glance with an attendant who had followed him. The attendant stepped forward and presented a brocade box. The box was opened to reveal a bracelet made of agate beads, dark red agate beads that stood out strikingly under the pale moonlight.

Song Fu subtly raised his eyebrows, when had his mistress ever had such brightly colored agate beads?

So it turned out His Majesty had sent something to his mistress.

Song Fu respectfully lowered his head. “This servant will go inform the mistress at once.”

He was stopped by Xu Shunfu.

“His Majesty instructed that if Mistress Yun Jieyu has already gone to bed, there’s no need to wake her. Once she wakes, you may then give the brocade box to her.”

Since he had said so, Song Fu naturally had to agree.

He respectfully held the brocade box, watching with wide eyes as the people from the imperial front court came and went silently.

Lowering his head to glance at the brocade box, Song Fu suddenly curled his lips into a smile.

This Panju Hall, he had truly come to the right place.

It wasn’t until the next morning that Yun Si learned Xu Shunfu had come by during the night. She raised her eyebrows in surprise. After returning yesterday, she had eaten supper and gone to bed early.

Su Jieyu might disregard everything, but Yun Si never liked to exhaust herself.

She loved enjoyment, what she sought in rank was fine clothes and rich food. Losing sleep over a man was simply not her style.

After a dreamless night, there wasn’t a hint of darkness under her eyes. Her cheeks glowed with radiance, her skin like congealed cream, as if a lotus reflected in the mirror. With just a light touch of makeup, she had peach-pink cheeks and powdered face. A casual glance of her eyes brimmed with endless allure, making it impossible for anyone to look away.

Yun Si propped her chin in her hand and said softly, “What is it? Bring it here for me to see.”

The brocade box was presented, and inside lay vermilion agate beads, quietly resting, their color exceptionally vivid.

Yun Si exchanged a glance with Qiu Yuan. Qiu Yuan’s voice was calm,

“Jieyu’s fair skin pairs perfectly with such a color.”

Yun Si raised her hand and toyed with the agate bead strand, somewhat curious. “Tell me, why would he suddenly think to send me this?”

The color of this agate was indeed a bit unorthodox, but recalling Tan Yuanchu’s usual unruly behavior, Yun Si felt there was no need to make a fuss.

She had even seen Consort De wearing a red jade bracelet, something this small didn’t count for much.

Qiu Yuan glanced at her and couldn’t help saying, “You already know everything in your heart, yet you still have to ask me.”

Yun Si was choked by the words and glared at her in annoyance.

She had deliberately turned and left yesterday, partly because she couldn’t be bothered to keep watching, and partly because she had always acted as though she was fond of the Emperor. Seeing him embrace another, of course she had to appear displeased.

Whether she was truly displeased didn’t matter. What mattered was making Tan Yuanchu think she was displeased.

Yun Ni extended a fair wrist. Qiu Yuan understood and helped her put on a string of beads. Yun Si examined it from side to side and asked Qiu Yuan,

“Does it look good?”

How could it not look good?

That slender, fair wrist swayed lightly before the eyes, the deep red agate beads making her look even fairer. The contrast of red and white intertwined, making one want to seize that wrist and toy with it.

The young woman raised her head with a smiling gaze. Her usual bright apricot eyes now carried a hint of soft sweetness, adding a touch of seductive charm out of nowhere that stirred up an itch in one’s heart.

A flash of amazement passed through Qiu Yuan’s eyes. She quickly looked away and muttered in a low voice, “Mistress always draws attention.”

With such beauty, it wasn’t only men in the world who would be captivated, if she had been born outside the palace, even women would find it hard not to feel fondness.

But in this palace, everyone’s interests were intertwined. With such looks, she would easily touch on others’ interests, so it was naturally difficult for people to look upon her favorably.

Once she finished helping her dress up, Qiu Yuan finally remembered something.

“His Majesty handed the investigation of the Punishment Department matter over to Her Highness the Empress. I heard all the palace staff who were on duty the day Qiu Su died have been detained.”

Yun Si shrugged. Her thoughts were already on the summer retreat at the temporary palace three days later.

Since entering the palace, she hadn’t left once. She had been trapped within these palace walls for a full four years.

As for Su Jieyu’s miscarriage, that was a struggle between the higher-ranked consorts. It had nothing to do with them; they couldn’t get involved.

Of course, once it was confirmed who had caused Su Jieyu’s miscarriage, Yun Si was still very much interested in knowing the truth.

Who told that person behind the scenes to stir up muddy waters and drag her into it as well.

Yun Si didn’t have many virtues, but holding grudges was certainly one of them.

She made it in time for the morning greeting at the hour of the Dragon. The atmosphere in the hall today was livelier than yesterday, and low murmurs of conversation rose in the palace. Someone even struck up a conversation with Yun Si.

“I heard the scenery at the summer palace is quite beautiful, shaded and cool, perfect for escaping the heat. Each year when going to the summer palace, the consorts all stay in separate courtyards. Since Elder Sister Jieyu is deeply favored by His Majesty, I wonder which courtyard Elder Sister will be assigned to.”

How many halls the summer palace had was no secret. After all, while new consorts had never been there, the old ones in the palace had gone to the summer palace to escape the summer heat before.

The places everyone longed for were no more than a few palaces, those with beautiful scenery, those close to the Emperor’s residence. A combination of both would be ideal.

The woman speaking to Yun Si wore a serene smile,

“I heard that Songya Pavilion has uniquely beautiful scenery, offers shade and coolness, and most importantly, it is the closest to the QinZhen Hall where His Majesty usually handles state affairs. I heard that many sisters long to live in Songya Pavilion.”

These words caught Yun Si’s interest.

She glanced at the speaker. Yun Si recognized her, it was Lu Pin from Baohua Hall, a consort who had followed from the old residence. She had enjoyed mediocre favor in the past, her rank neither high nor low, not very noticeable, and not someone others would easily provoke.

Yun Si quietly considered Lu Pin’s purpose in speaking to her, but outwardly she curved her apricot eyes slightly and asked softly,

“Lu Pin thinks so too?”

Lu Pin shook her head without a moment’s hesitation.
“I prefer quiet. Songya Pavilion does not suit me.”

Words like that, Yun Si always let in one ear and out the other, never taking them to heart. Speaking in such a way, as if without any desires, how many people in this palace could truly be like that?

Yun Si found it dull and didn’t continue the conversation with Lu Pin. She pressed her lips into a smile, turned her head toward the direction of the inner hall, and didn’t give Lu Pin another chance to speak to her.

Lu Pin glanced at her, her brows furrowing slightly and imperceptibly.

There was a movement from the inner hall. The Empress soon came out, and surprisingly, Rong Zhaoyi followed behind her. Yun Si suddenly remembered that the little princess was still at Kunning Palace, so it wasn’t hard to understand why Rong Zhaoyi had arrived there early.

Once the Empress sat down, she spoke directly,

“The day after tomorrow we will head to the summer palace. Make sure you’re all prepared and don’t forget anything.”

She still didn’t mention any follow-up about Su Jieyu’s miscarriage. Someone couldn’t hold back and asked, “Your Highness, has there been any result regarding Su Jieyu’s matter?”

Otherwise, without any conclusion, everyone’s heart would remain uneasy, afraid they might be schemed against at any moment.

In this harem, doing nothing didn’t guarantee lifelong innocence.

Yun Si glanced at the one who spoke, it was Liu Yunu, the very same Liu Yunu who, back when making scented incense, had caused Lu Cairen to miscarry.

Yun Si raised her brows slightly, a trace of contemplation flickering through her eyes without a trace.

Tan Yuanchu had handed the investigation of Su Jieyu’s miscarriage to the Empress. Everyone knew the Empress was looking into it, but she had never announced how far the investigation had gone, whether there was any progress or any clues.

Everyone was kept in the dark, knowing nothing. It was no wonder someone couldn’t help but jump out.

The Empress glanced at Liu Yunu and said calmly, “When the result comes out, I will naturally inform you.”

Liu Yunu paused and didn’t dare press her further.

Yun Si looked toward Qiu Baolin, who took a sip of tea and said unhurriedly, “This concubine recalls that this matter has nothing to do with Liu Yunu, but Liu Yunu seems very eager to know who the culprit is.”

Liu Yunu stiffened all over. She bit her lip and said with grievance, “Is Elder Sister suspecting me? I’ve had no past grudges nor recent conflicts with Su Jieyu, why would I harm her?”

Yun Si raised her hand to press against her lips, this excuse sounded familiar.

It seemed that back when Lu Cairen miscarried, Liu Yunu had said exactly the same thing.

Qiu Baolin looked a bit surprised. “Why would Liu Yunu think so? I was merely curious. If I said something wrong, I hope Liu Yunu will forgive me.”

Liu Yunu’s face flushed red from being choked off. She bit out, “This concubine just thinks that if the person who harmed Su Jieyu isn’t found soon, everyone in the palace will remain in constant fear. Yun Jieyu has already been falsely accused once, what if someone else gets framed too?”

“This concubine holds a humble position and a light voice. Of course I would be afraid.”

Yun Si hadn’t expected to be dragged into this. Was Liu Yunu trying to imply something?

She had already been framed once, so when the culprit behind Su Jieyu’s miscarriage was found later, would it also not necessarily be the real culprit?

So her being framed could even be used by others in the future as a way to clear themselves?

Yun Si slightly narrowed her eyes. She spoke softly and slowly,

“Liu Yunu is worrying too much. With Her Highness the Empress personally handling the investigation, there will naturally be no false accusations or wrongful cases. Could it be that Liu Yunu does not trust Her Highness the Empress?”

The Empress’s expression became even more indifferent between her brows and eyes. She raised her gaze calmly and looked at Liu Yunu.

A bit of cold sweat appeared on Liu Yunu’s forehead.
She hurriedly said, “Of course not! Yun Jieyu is right, it was I who overthought.”