Pampered Consort's Acting Awards - Chapter 88

The rain gradually stopped, yet the sky remained heavy.

 

Inside the Fulan Hall, Xiao Lianyu lay in Su Huai’an’s embrace, her hand grasping his arm, noting its thickness and length. 

 

Her long hair brushed against him, teasingly tickling his skin and causing an itch in his heart. He sighed quietly, shifting to say, “Ah, I should begin my duty.”

 

Xiao Lianyu blinked. “So soon?”

 

Su Huai’an smirked slightly, “Would you like officials from Yunli Street to see me leaving the princess’ residence so early?”

 

Hearing this, Xiao Lianyu quickly released his arm, obediently looking up, offering, “Then let me help you change.”

 

But a princess didn’t serve others. With a gentle touch, Su Huai’an pressed her down onto the couch. “Rest.”

 

Xiao Lianyu opened his fan, lazily resting it on the tip of her nose while watching him change with only her eyes.

 

Once dressed neatly, he transformed back into the distinguished Vice-minister of the Dali Temple, almost unrecognizable from the previous day.

 

She teased, “I like Lord Su’s fan.” And how he looked yesterday.

 

He replied, “Then I’ll leave it with you.”

 

Before he left, Xiao Lianyu tiptoed closer, and Su Huai’an bent down to kiss her cheek, whispering in her ear, “In the future, you mustn’t touch those medicines again.”

 

The princess acquiesced readily. She wouldn’t touch them again, even if given silver as payment.

 

Su Huai’an asked again, “What else must you do?”

 

Xiao Lianyu mouthed, “Enter the palace and ask for a decree.”

 

As Su Huai’an left the princess’ residence, he closed the door behind him and couldn’t resist pinching the bridge of his nose. The illustrious heir of the House of Zhen, a fourth-ranking official of the court, had fallen to such a state.

 

Meanwhile, Xiao Lianyu took a nap in her chamber. When she woke, she sat in the courtyard sipping tea, fanning herself, contemplating how to broach the topic of her marriage with her imperial brother and the empress dowager. The princess was restless to wed, unable to sleep well, and the next day, she ventured into the palace to gauge the emperor’s inclination.

 

Though hesitant, the emperor still promised her that the imperial decree for her marriage would be issued when the Duke of Zhen returned triumphantly from the campaign.

 

However, before news of the triumphant battle arrived, the report from the Governor of Langzhou came first.

 

“The Duke of Zhen Su Jǐngběi has rebelled.”

“Sixty thousand soldiers of Great Zhou are trapped in Mihe, not one alive.”

 

In an instant, these two sentences spread throughout the capital.

 

Initially, the palace’s attitude was nearly unanimous, with no one believing the duke would rebel. The Ministry of Justice and the Imperial Guards worked tirelessly day and night to investigate the case. Everyone seemed to await Su’s family’s vindication, but no one anticipated that evidence, witness testimony, and physical evidence would emerge one after another, implicating him publicly.

 

Xiao Lianyu gripped the letter in her hand, abruptly standing up. “Impossible. I must see Imperial Brother.”

 

Qing Yu blocked her path, saying, “Your Highness! The consort dowager has sent word: the Six Ministries are gathered in the Yangxin Hall. Nobody can enter the palace!”

 

“But…”

 

Bang!

 

Suddenly, a loud thud echoed through the room, followed by indistinct, agitated voices.

 

Xiao Lianyu summoned someone in, furrowing her brow. “What’s happening outside?”

 

A guard entered, saying, “Your Highness, it’s a commotion from the duke’s residence.”

 

Upon hearing this, Xiao Lianyu hastily lifted her skirt and rushed out. Standing on Yunli Street, she saw officials from the Ministry of Justice and the Imperial Guards storming the duke’s residence. The heavy plaque lay on the ground, surrounded by angry shouts from the people: “Traitor! Enemy of the state!”

 

Thousands who once revered him now scorned and spat at him.

 

Xiao Lianyu staggered backward.

 

She knew full well that confiscating property and titles wouldn’t be the beginning once the evidence was irrefutable. Collaborating with the enemy, sixty thousand lives lost—Su Huai’an wouldn’t just lose his life, but face a gruesome execution.

 

The clear blue sky of the capital suddenly turned tumultuous, leaves rustling loudly, a chill wind mixing with the smell of earth. The darkened sky bore no resemblance to summer.

 

Panicked, Xiao Lianyu paced inside her chamber. As a stick of incense burned out, she retrieved a stack of silver notes from a box, murmuring, “Qing Yu, prepare a carriage for leaving the city immediately.”

 

Qing Yu couldn’t believe it. “Princess, what are you planning to do?”

 

Xiao Lianyu was on the verge of collapse, repeating, “Qing Yu, he can’t be a traitor! If he were a spy, why would he stay in the capital waiting to die…”

 

Qing Yu knew how deeply attached the princess was to Su Huai’an, but this matter was grave. “Whether Lord Su harbored treason or not, the evidence is there. Your Highness, you mustn’t do something foolish. If Lord Su wanted to live, he wouldn’t have waited until today.”

 

Deep down, Xiao Lianyu understood this as well. She muttered, “Qing Yu, just follow my instructions for now.”

 

With that, she left the residence without looking back.

 

From the grand princess’ residence to the Dali Temple took only a moment. Xiao Lianyu dismounted swiftly, barged into the kitchen, grabbed Su Huai’an’s sleeve, her voice trembling, “Come with me.”

 

Su Huai’an withdrew his hand.

 

“I’m telling you to come with me!”

 

Su Huai’an met her gaze. His Adam’s apple bobbed up and down, a myriad of words condensed into one, “Promise me, you won’t do anything foolish in the future.”

 

Xiao Lianyu’s eyes were red, her teeth clenched in silence.

 

Su Huai’an moved to a table in the office, removed the black veil from his head, and took off his official robes, neatly folding away the honor and pride of the eldest son of the Su family.

 

Xiao Lianyu watched his slow yet precise movements, tears streaming down her cheeks.

 

Dressed in simple clothes, Su Huai’an turned towards Chief Minister Zheng Baishou and knelt straight down, “I am destined to bring shame to my mentor and disgrace to my family’s name. From this day forth, the Zheng family shall bear no connection to the Su family.” He kowtowed deeply thrice, expressing his gratitude for his mentor’s teachings. “May Your Excellency enjoy good health from now on, and may your students prosper everywhere,” he said.

 

With a heavy heart and aching soul, Zheng Baishou choked back tears, shaking his head. This was the one he treasured most. His life shouldn’t have ended like this.

 

Footsteps approached, and several soldiers rushed into the Dali Temple. Xiao Lianyu grabbed Su Huai’an’s sleeve tightly.

 

Su Huai’an patted her hand, forcing her to let go. He whispered softly, “Close your eyes later, Your Highness. Don’t look.”

 

Xue Xiangyang entered the Dali Temple with the imperial decree, approaching Su Huai’an. “Su Huai’an, as per the decree, you are charged.”

 

Once again, Su Huai’an knelt, and Xiao Lianyu instantly shut her eyes.

 

Silence enveloped the surroundings, plunging everything into utter darkness.

 

After reading the decree, Xue Xiangyang asked Su Huai’an, “The evidence against the Su family for colluding with the enemy is clear. Do you plead guilty?”

 

Su Huai’an pondered for a while before uttering, “Regarding the above, the guilty party has no defense.”

 

Xue Xiangyang spoke thus and raised his arm, gesturing forward sharply. “Put on the restraints; take him away.”

 

Zheng Baishou stepped forward. “Lord Xue.”

 

Xue Xiangyang gestured with his head, his tone cold. “I’ve already given ample time to Lord Zheng. Don’t make it difficult for me. Please step back.”

 

The clanking of chains resounded, piercing Xiao Lianyu’s trembling body. The cold iron seemed to weigh upon her as well, but she forcibly kept her eyes shut.

 

He forbade her to look, so she abided.

 

In the first year of the Yanxi era, during that scorching summer, chaos engulfed the capital. Even with the eldest son of the Su family arrested and imprisoned, the public anger remained unquelled. The nation teetered on the brink, and the new emperor had to lead an expedition himself.

 

During this time, Xiao Lianyu made countless attempts at the Ministry of Justice. Stubbornly, she sought to know if he lived.

 

Initially, Xue Xiangyang advised her against meddling, reminding her, as an imperial princess, not to associate with a convicted traitor. But seeing her persist, he dispatched people to watch her every move, intercepting the grand princess’ carriage whenever it appeared.

 

Days passed in a blur, as if unaware of the passing months and years.

 

Until one clear morning, Xiao Lianyu woke up feeling nauseated. She glanced at the date—the ninth day of the seventh month.

 

Her intuition kicked in; she didn’t call for the imperial physician. Instead, she arranged her hair into a married woman’s bun, donned a veil, and went alone to a clinic.

 

The physician chuckled, congratulating her. Although the time was early, her pulse indicated she was expecting.

 

Qing Yu was terrified, kneeling in the courtyard, choked with sobs. “I failed to advise Your Highness. I’m at fault.”

 

But Xiao Lianyu remained lost in thought.

 

Qing Yu couldn’t hide her anxiety, a thread of unease running through her. She whispered, “May I… May I go and prepare some medicinal decoction?”

 

Xiao Lianyu replied faintly, “Qing Yu, please wait a bit longer…”

 

Qing Yu insisted, “Your Highness, we can’t wait for this matter!” If her belly grew, if anyone found out, it would be over.

 

But Xiao Lianyu, resolute, said, “There’s no need to say more.”

 

The plane trees rustled softly as the moon set behind the window lattice. Xiao Lianyu sat quietly in the Fulan Hall the entire night, holding a slip of paper in her hand— “Flourishing flowers, full moon, longevity.” She gently lifted the corners of her lips. Flourishing flowers and a full moon had been her relentless pursuit.

 

She touched her abdomen, murmuring, “Su Jingming, this is Ah Yu’s final act of defiance.”

 

The following day, she entered the palace at the break of dawn. The relationship between her and Su Huai’an was widely known in the capital. Seeing her worn-out appearance, the consort dowager couldn’t help but sigh, “Have you not slept for several days again?”

 

Xiao Lianyu noticed the worry lines around her mother’s eyes and spoke softly, “It’s this daughter’s filial impropriety that worries Mother.”

 

The consort dowager embraced her, gently patting her back. “Speak up, tell Mother anything.”

 

Xiao Lianyu, her eyes red though she didn’t shed tears, her voice hoarse and trembling, said, “He’s about to be executed, and I can’t bear it anymore, Mother. Can I leave the capital for a while?”

 

Consort Dowager Sun lowered her head and furrowed her brow. “Leave the capital? Where do you plan to go?”

 

“To Mount Lí Villa,” Xiao Lianyu replied.

 

The consort dowager looked at her with confusion. “Mount Li? And how long do you plan to stay?”

 

“Until the end of the year,” Xiao Lianyu murmured.

 

It was widely known that Su Huai’an would soon face execution by slow slicing, and she didn’t want to remain in the capital, weighed down by her emotions.

 

The consort dowager sighed deeply, repeating, “Until the end of the year?”

 

Xiao Lianyu nodded and added, “Mother… with the emperor absent from the palace, could you negotiate with the empress dowager on my behalf?”

 

“Mother will speak for you,” the consort dowager said, her eyes searching, “Is there anything else you’re keeping from me?”

 

Xiao Lianyu shook her head, asserting that there wasn’t.

 

Exiting the Shou’an Palace, Xiao Lianyu hesitated for a moment. Concerned about her sister-in-law, she turned and headed toward Kunning Palace.

 

Kunning Palace was no longer as lively as before. She arrived at the entrance and had a young eunuch announce her presence.

 

After a while, Su Ling appeared at the entrance of Kunning Palace, still wearing a faint smile. “Changning, what brings you here?”

 

The current state of Kunning Palace might not have been a cold palace, but it was almost as desolate.

 

Xiao Lianyu gazed at the frail Su Líng, suddenly overwhelmed with emotion. Her sister-in-law was already six months pregnant, yet her build couldn’t even properly fit her clothes.

 

“Why… why are you so thin, Sister-in-law?” Xiao Lianyu covered her mouth with her hand, letting tears fall freely to the ground. “How could my brother be so cruel… when there’s a child in your belly…”

 

Su Ling reached out to wipe away Xiao Lianyu’s tears. “Kunning Palace is fine; it’s not your brother’s concern.”

 

Feeling the chilliness in her sister-in-law’s gesture, Xiao Lianyu disregarded everything and stepped into Kunning Palace, embracing Su Ling.

 

“Sister-in-law…”

 

Su Ling patted her back gently. “Changning… don’t cry.”

 

“In the future, don’t go causing trouble at the Ministry of Justice, alright?” Su Líng whispered into her ear. Xiao Lianyu sobbed against her shoulder. Su Ling whispered, “Go quickly. There are too many prying eyes in the palace; don’t let anyone see.”

 

Xiao Lianyu glanced at her sister-in-law’s belly, choking out, “Take care, Sister-in-law…”

 

Su Ling smiled gently, but after a moment, the attendant Shangyi Xu came to assist her. “Your Ladyship, it’s time for your meal,” she said to Su Ling.

 

Su Ling responded with a “hmm.”

 

As Su Ling took a few steps, she paused suddenly and smiled, “Changning, remember to visit the palace more often in the future and talk to your brother.”

 

Her smile was as gentle and resolute as ever, concealing all the hidden pain.

 

At that moment, the princess never imagined it would be her last encounter with Su Ling.