Little Palace Maid Desires a Higher Seat of Honor - Chapter 78

Chapter 78: “You can’t leave me behind.”

Consort Jing and the Empress were once close friends.

That was what Qiu Bolin wanted to tell her. A flicker of surprise flashed across Yun Si’s almond-shaped eyes, she had to admit, she was quite taken aback by this revelation.

After all, Consort Jing had been in the palace for five years and had always lived a secluded life. On the surface, it seemed as though she and the Empress had no interaction whatsoever.

Just then, Qiu Yuan suddenly spoke, “Mistress, have some pineapple.”

Yun Si snapped out of her thoughts and, understanding her cue, turned her head, just in time to see Tan Yuanchu walking over. He glanced at her and Qiu Bolin and asked, unhurriedly, “What are you two talking about?”

Qiu Bolin said nothing. Yun Si rested her cheek on her hand and blinked her almond eyes, speaking softly, “We were discussing when His Majesty might finally look at the two of us.”

Tan Yuanchu didn’t believe a single word of it. He shook his head and chuckled lightly.

“Stop leading others astray.”

Qiu Bolin acted as if she didn’t hear the word “others” in his sentence. She simply kept her head lowered and smiled faintly.

Yun Si shot him a half-playful, half-annoyed glare and muttered, not too loudly or softly.

“In His Majesty’s eyes, there’s nothing good about me anywhere.”

Tan Yuanchu sat down beside her. At her words, he only gave a casual comment,

“Nonsense.”

Qiu Bolin couldn’t help but laugh. Yun Si’s face flushed red from embarrassment, her ears burning slightly. Before both she and Tan Yuanchu could look her way, Qiu Bolin quickly stood up.

“I’d also like to walk around a bit. Forgive me for taking my leave, Your Majesty, Yun Jieyu.”

Yun Si didn’t stop her, but looked up and glanced around. She noticed that although everyone appeared to be minding their own business, in reality, their attention was subtly focused on the pavilion.

Yun Si took a bite of the pineapple and grumbled in a muffled voice,

“Ever since Your Majesty showed up, I haven’t had a moment’s peace.”

Tan Yuanchu gave her words some thought, then raised an eyebrow and asked in return,

“Are you complaining about Me?”

The woman drooped her almond-shaped eyes and didn’t even lift her head.

“How would I dare?”

But there wasn’t a hint of actual fear in her tone.

Tan Yuanchu was about to say something when another person entered the pavilion, Rong Zhaoyi gracefully walked in, her skirt just brushing her ankles, not quite touching the water. Her face held a mildly teasing smile:

“Your Majesty made me look all over for you. I turned around, and you had already vanished.”

Yun Si pressed her fingers lightly to her lips and gave a soft cough, as if her throat was uncomfortable.

She didn’t say anything, yet somehow, it was as though she had said everything.

Tan Yuanchu, for once, felt a bit awkward. He glanced at Rong Zhaoyi. He had always thought she was perceptive, but lately, she kept doing the most tactless things.

Rong Zhaoyi seemed unaware of the shift in atmosphere and naturally took a seat beside Tan Yuanchu.

Yun Si tilted her head and said, loud and clear:

“Dog skin plaster.”

The three words, so sudden and without warning, echoed through the pavilion. Xu Shunfu glanced at Yun Jieyu to confirm what he’d just heard, dumbfounded.

Rong Zhaoyi suddenly turned her head to stare at Yun Si, her expression instantly turning extremely unpleasant.

“Yun Jieyu, how dare you!”

Her rank was, after all, higher than Yun Si’s. No matter how displeased Yun Si was, she should have kept it to herself, at most muttered under her breath.
How could she openly insult her?

Yun Si looked at Rong Zhaoyi with an innocent, puzzled expression, almond eyes full of confusion:

“Why is Your Ladyship Zhaoyi suddenly scolding me?”

Rong Zhaoyi’s chest heaved with anger. She turned to Tan Yuanchu.

“Your Majesty, Yun Jieyu is being insubordinate. Will you not discipline her?”

Yun Si cut her off, her tone feigning realization:

“Wait… Does Ladyship Zhaoyi think I was referring to you just now?”

“You’ve misunderstood.”

“This morning, when I got up, I accidentally bumped my leg. The servants said to put on a plaster. I just suddenly remembered the name of the plaster and said it out loud.”

Yun Si blinked her almond-shaped eyes in apparent confusion and said, “Why is Ladyship Zhaoyi so agitated? Even if I misspoke just now, those three words, dog skin plaster, have nothing to do with you, do they?”

Rong Zhaoyi’s face turned ashen.

After all that Yun Si had just said, if she still insisted on having the emperor punish her, it would be no different than admitting she was clinging to His Majesty like a plaster.

She thought Yun Si was sharp-tongued, but even more frustrating was that she had no comeback. For the moment, she was stuck in an impossible position.

Tan Yuanchu glanced at Yun Si as if nothing had happened.

There were pastries and fruit on the stone table. He had just cracked open a walnut and was about to eat the meat, but now he tossed it aside. His tone was calm, emotionless,

“Every time you meet, it ends in a quarrel. Can’t you two ever be quiet?”

Yun Si’s heart suddenly tightened. Rong Zhaoyi seemed like she still wanted to argue, but Yun Si lowered her eyes meekly. Her almond-shaped lashes trembled slightly, and she stayed completely silent.

Tan Yuanchu stood up and walked away.

Xu Shunfu sighed inwardly and quickly followed.

In a short while, only Rong Zhaoyi and Yun Si were left in the pavilion. The anxiety on Rong Zhaoyi’s face had vanished at some point, replaced by a composed calm. Only her eyes remained icy. She glanced at Yun Si with a condescending look and deliberately lowered her voice.

“Yun Jieyu, just how long do you think you can keep being so smug?”

Rong Zhaoyi hadn’t held Tan Yuanchu’s favor for so long by being a fool. She could see clearly that the emperor’s affection for Yun Si ran deep, deeper than what was ordinary.

But she didn’t believe someone as emotionally detached as the emperor would show Yun Si endless, boundless favor.

“Those whom the gods wish to destroy, they first make arrogant.”

Rong Zhaoyi knew well that Yun Si loathed her bitterly, and maintaining one’s sense of proportion was always a delicate matter. Once she got used to targeting her, could Yun Si keep her behavior in check forever?

Rong Zhaoyi thought not.

And, indeed, she was right.

The emperor was someone who followed the rules, and also someone who didn’t. He could tolerate Yun Si breaking the rules up to a point, but there would come a time when he’d feel she had gone too far.

A faint sting in Yun Si’s palm helped her keep her composure.

She replied coolly, “As expected of Ladyship Zhaoyi, always scheming, no matter the time or place. I can’t help but admire you for that.”

Even if she calmed her heart again, it would only be peaceful for half a year.

Qiu Yuan frowned. Yun Si continued, “In this harem, everyone is caught in schemes. Who can really tell who is scheming against whom?”

Qiu Yuan didn’t understand.

But Yun Si didn’t explain further. She suddenly looked up toward a certain direction. The person standing respectfully there met her gaze, and there seemed to be a faint trace of worry in their eyes.

Yun Si stood up, and Qiu Yuan followed. As they passed by a palace maid, the tray in the maid’s hands suddenly tilted and, without any warning, spilled toward Yun Si. She cried out in alarm, “Be careful—”

In almost that instant, before Qiu Yuan could even grab Yun Si, everyone heard a splash — “plop”— and when they turned their heads, all they saw was a burst of water rippling across the lake!

Qiu Yuan immediately rushed to the edge, reaching out repeatedly to try to grab the person who had fallen in. In her panic, she blurted out,
“Girl—”

Qiu Yuan saw the palace maid frozen in shock beside her and suddenly raised her voice sharply.
“Help! Someone fell in!”

Tan Yuanchu had only just walked a short distance away. Consort De and Consort Jing were standing together talking. When they saw him approach, both looked a little surprised.

“Your Majesty, what brings you here?”

Before Tan Yuanchu could reply, he heard Qiu Yuan’s shout. A wave of dread rose in his heart. He abruptly turned around and saw Qiu Yuan throwing herself down. He looked around the area, but no matter where he looked, he couldn’t find any trace of the woman.

The waterside pavilion had descended into chaos, and ripples spread continuously across the lake.

Tan Yuanchu’s expression changed instantly. He spun around, fury flashing in his eyes, and shouted.

“Save her!”

Consort De watched Tan Yuanchu’s back with a cold gaze. After a moment’s pause, she furrowed her brows, seemingly not having expected such an incident, and hurried after him.

Liu Gui supported her mistress and whispered in panic, “My Ladyship!”

Consort Jing held her hand. She was the only one who hadn’t moved. Her voice remained completely calm.

“Don’t panic.”

Liu Gui suddenly looked up.

“But she—”

“It was bound to happen sooner or later,” Consort Jing cut her off coolly.

Liu Gui bit her lip and fell silent.

—

The August lake water wasn’t exactly cold, but it carried no warmth either.

When Yun Si fell into the water, the only feeling in her heart was a kind of grim affirmation—“So it’s finally come.”

She opened her eyes and looked up. The lake’s surface was a mess of chaos. The scene was all too familiar.

If Lu Cairen knew that so many people tried to seek justice for her after her death, would she feel pleased down in the afterlife?

Yun Si only felt it was ironic.

She struggled only twice before letting herself sink downward. She forced herself to suppress every instinct to survive, everything today had been a test from the beginning.

The deeper she sank, the colder and sharper the lake water became.

When Yun Si boarded the pleasure boat earlier, she had seen Lu Song. They had exchanged a glance, and she had easily seen the worry in his eyes.

At the banquet, she had seemed a little distracted. It wasn’t just because of Consort Jing, but also because of Lu Song.

Lu Song’s worry could only stem from Consort De.

What was Consort De trying to do?

Yun Si didn’t know, but since this was happening on the lake, she had already prepared herself for anything.

The moment she fell into the water, Yun Si instantly understood Consort De’s intention.

There were so many people present, even Tan Yuanchu was here. Even if she fell into the water, she would be rescued quickly, her life wouldn’t truly be in danger.

Then Consort De’s purpose was obvious.

When a person unexpectedly falls into the water, what’s their first instinct? Even though Yun Si was prepared, at the moment she plunged in, her body still instinctively tried to swim up, driven by the reflex to survive.

Fortunately, she quickly regained control of her mind.

She must not swim up!

But she couldn’t hold her breath anymore. Water seeped into her nose bit by bit. The suffocating feeling surged up violently. Yun Si’s cheeks turned red from holding it in. She raised her hand to cover her nose and mouth, trying to block out the water, but the breathlessness only grew stronger. She knew she would be saved soon, but even so, she still felt fear.

The feeling of nearing death was terrifying.

It also filled her heart with cold hatred.

What had she done wrong? True, she had harmed Lu Cairen, but should she have allowed Lu to deliver her to Chang Deyi like a gift?

When a person is of low status, even their life is cheap, let alone their purity.

Yang Jieyu, Rong Zhaoyi, Consort De… what did Lu Cairen mean to them? Nothing. They only wanted Yun Si dead.
All with righteous excuses and elegant pretenses.

Her eyes were wide open, but she couldn’t make out the people on shore. Among them, how many truly wanted her to survive?

The lake water stung her eyes more and more. Just when Yun Si could no longer endure, she finally saw someone swimming toward her. She flailed slightly, the surface rippling outward, and at the very last moment, someone reached her and pulled her into their arms.

Yun Si weakly clutched his sleeve.

He lowered his head, and kissed her.

The motion was a little urgent.

Yun Si couldn’t clearly see his expression. She vaguely sensed from his movements that he was panicked. But she couldn’t think about any of that.

She could only desperately draw breath from his mouth.

He bit her.

The slight pain forced Yun Si to regain her clarity, and at last, she clearly saw him.

Yun Si had never seen Tan Yuanchu in such a disheveled state.

Water drenched his face, his dark hair in a mess, the jade hairpiece tilted askew. The man who was always so noble and proper was now utterly disheveled. His face was cold and sunken, and the look in his eyes was so dark it was frightening.

She froze in shock.

“Splash—”

The people on shore heard the noise and hurriedly looked toward the lake. When Xu Shunfu had seen the Emperor jump in, he had been utterly stunned and had been anxiously pacing the shore. Now that he finally saw them, he cried out in panic,

“Why are you all still standing there?! Hurry and help His Majesty up!”

Yun Si weakly wrapped her arms around Tan Yuanchu’s neck, tilting her head back and desperately gasping for air. Water streamed down her face, not just water, but tears from the corners of her eyes as well.

Tan Yuanchu held her tightly around the waist, as if only that could suppress the panic that had surged within him.

Moments later, they were pulled onto shore. Yun Si clutched Tan Yuanchu with all her strength. Suddenly, she collapsed into his arms and burst into loud sobs.

“Your Majesty—!”

Her tears fell fast and fierce. Her once-beautiful brows and eyes were now red and swollen, forced into a state of sheer helplessness. She cried so hard she couldn’t catch her breath, coughing between sobs. Her thin robe was completely soaked through.

Tan Yuanchu held her protectively, kissed her forehead, and his voice seemed slightly unsteady.

“I’m here.”

He had clearly seen the fear and terror in her eyes, none of the usual calm or clarity remained. All the color had drained from her face. She looked as if she were on the verge of falling apart. Just one glance at her would send panic through anyone’s heart.

Tan Yuanchu clutched her tightly and softly repeated again, “I’m here.”

“Don’t be afraid, don’t be afraid. It’s over.”

His voice was light, no one could tell if he was comforting the woman in his arms or himself.

The sound of crying in his arms did not cease. The crowd stood at a distance, no one dared approach. Especially seeing the Emperor in such a soaked and wretched state, yet caring only for the woman in his arms, they couldn’t help but exchange glances, silently staring at the scene before them.

Xu Shunfu finally broke the heavy silence.

“Your Majesty, the boat is here. The Jieyu has fallen into the water, and with the wind blowing out here, perhaps it’s best to bring her back to the palace first?”

In that short time, Tan Yuanchu seemed to have completely calmed down. He lifted the woman in his arms and stood up, about to turn and leave when Qiu Yuan suddenly spoke,

“Your Majesty, what should be done with the one who pushed Jieyu into the water?”

“Bring her.”

Tan Yuanchu didn’t even turn his head, but his voice was icy cold, sending a chill through everyone and giving rise to a vague sense of impending storm.

The small boat carried them away from the crowd.

Yun Si was carried into Songya Pavilion. It was her second day at the temporary palace, and both times she had been brought in by Tan Yuanchu’s arms. Imperial Physician Chang was already waiting inside. After taking her pulse, he merely prescribed a calming decoction. Basins of hot water were continually brought into the hall.

All the consorts were blocked from entering. The palace maid who had caused the incident knelt sobbing in the courtyard. Qiu Yuan had someone bring stools for the consorts to sit, handling everything with meticulous precision.

Xu Shunfu cast a glance at Qiu Yuan. A sigh stirred in his heart. She had only been away from the Yangxin Hall  for just over a month, yet he already felt she seemed a little unfamiliar now.

Inside the hall, warm water had been brought in. The bathing room was filled with steam. When Yun Si was touched by the heat, she shivered and trembled all over.

Tan Yuanchu bathed with her, holding her close. The woman couldn’t help but shed tears again in his arms.

Tan Yuanchu asked softly, “Is it too hot?”

She silently shook her head, tears falling soundlessly, splashing onto the water and vanishing without a trace. She suppressed the sob in her voice and asked,

“Are you angry at me?”

Tan Yuanchu’s hands froze for a moment. He wanted to deny it, but he knew the woman was too perceptive, she wouldn’t believe him.

His silence gave her the answer.

She bit her lip hard, trying to swallow down all her emotions. Her almond eyes were flushed and red. She coughed in between sobs, her whole body trembling.

A faint, indescribable bitterness welled up in Tan Yuanchu’s heart.

She choked out, “You’re angry because I disrespected her…”

“…You don’t know anything…”

She cried as she shook her head. Today, she was especially upset, no matter what, the tears just wouldn’t stop.

Tan Yuanchu couldn’t tell whether she was crying out of fear that he was angry, or from the lingering terror of having fallen into the water.

Tan Yuanchu touched her fingertips, they were cold, very cold. Even soaked in warm water, they hadn’t warmed up at all. The chill made Tan Yuanchu feel a pang of panic.

He instinctively pulled her closer, and said in a low voice to remind her, “If you don’t tell me anything, how could I possibly know?”

She shook her head, crying continuously, “No… I… I don’t dare…”

Tan Yuanchu frowned.

She buried herself in his arms, sobbing quietly. Tears shimmered on her face, and Tan Yuanchu heard her murmuring almost like a delirious whisper.

“I really hate her… Not just hate—she disgusts me…”

Tan Yuanchu’s heart sank sharply. His eyes darkened, though imperceptibly.
Disgusts?

What exactly had Rong Zhaoyi done to her?

Because of her status, many consorts in the harem targeted her, but the only one she had ever described like this was Rong Zhaoyi.

She had always known what he liked about her, and had gladly played that part.

But only when facing Rong Zhaoyi did she lose her usual composure again and again, always finding subtle ways to retaliate against her.

Before Tan Yuanchu could make sense of it all, the woman in his arms choked out another line.

“You mustn’t leave me.”

“The moment you go, they’ll never tolerate me again…”

There were only the two of them in the hall, and the silence was eerie. In that silence, the woman lifted her head. Tear stains streaked her pale face, and her reddened almond eyes shimmered with light. She looked up at him in a blur, holding back broken sobs.

It felt like she was pleading with him.

But also like she was stating a fact.

He had only left her for a moment, barely even half a quarter of an hour, and she had nearly disappeared.

Tan Yuanchu understood: after today, he could never leave her alone again.

She had taught him a lesson.

There was no way he would ever make the same mistake again.

He lowered his head and kissed her. She was forced to tilt her head up. He seemed to be kissing neither fast nor slow, unhurried and deliberate, yet only Yun Si knew that this kiss landed with urgency and fierceness. Her tears were still falling, yet her arms kept wrapping around him. Her body was trembling lightly, and Tan Yuanchu held her tightly in his arms. She had no strength left, gradually collapsing into his embrace.

For a long time, in the hall so silent that a pin drop could be heard, she had no strength to raise her head, but looked at him without blinking. His figure was clearly reflected in her apricot eyes. Her voice was very soft, yet it landed steadily in Tan Yuanchu’s ears.

“Your Majesty saved this concubine’s life.”