Pampered Consort's Acting Awards - Chapter 91

In the third quarter of the period of shi, the sun gradually ascended.

 

Since Xiao Lianyu left, Xiao Yu sat alone in the hall, his brows furrowed, absently twisting the ring on his hand. He remained silent for a good while.

 

The hall’s door creaked open, and Eunuch Sheng hurried in with an urgent report.

 

Seeing the emperor in such a state after a long time, Eunuch Sheng couldn’t help but be startled. But considering Minister Xue’s anxious demeanor, he bowed respectfully, “Your Majesty, this is the judicial result from the Ministry of Justice.”

 

Xiao Yu took it, glanced over, and asked, “How is it on Jida’s side?”

 

“Both the Second Prince and Princess Baoyin have regained consciousness. Princess Baoyin… has been insisting on expressing her gratitude to Your Majesty in person.” Pausing, Eunuch Sheng shifted the conversation, “Your Majesty, your medication hasn’t been changed yet. Should I summon Imperial Physician Ning to the hall?”

 

Xiao Yu rubbed his temple and stood up abruptly, saying in a deep voice, “No need. I’ll go see Jida first.”

 

As Eunuch Sheng moved to assist him, Xiao Yu withdrew his hand, stating, “I’m fine.”

 

Eunuch Sheng hurriedly followed, expressing concern, “Your Majesty! Falling from the horse is no trivial matter! Didn’t Imperial Physician Ning mention yesterday? This injury affects the muscles and bones. Proper rest for at least a hundred days is necessary, especially considering the injury to Your Majesty’s neck. Coupled with the heat, it might leave lingering issues if not taken seriously. It must not be underestimated!”

 

Xiao Yu felt somewhat helpless. He had led troops at eighteen to face the enemy, barely tending to minor injuries on the battlefield with just some herbal remedies. Was it really necessary to change the medicine three times a day for such trivial wounds?

 

Eunuch Sheng remained undeterred, persisting, “Your Majesty, most of those old injuries haven’t been properly tended to. They ache twofold in the rainy season. This neglect weighs heavily on my mind. In any case, when will you receive Princess Baoyin?”

 

Xiao Yu halted his steps. “I will see her brother first.”

 

Eunuch Sheng pressed on, “Nothing is more important than Your Majesty’s well-being. Before seeing anyone else, it’s best for you to meet with Imperial Physician Ning.”

 

Xiao Yu tuned him out, thinking sarcastically, “Rest for a hundred days? Will the court even function?”

 

As he stepped out of the hall, barely descending the steps, he collided with the approaching Qin Ling, who was holding a lacquered tray with inner garments, white cloth, and a brown medicine bottle.

 

Qin Ling looked up at him. “Where is Your Majesty headed?”

 

Xiao Yu’s throat bobbed as he changed his words, “Feeling tired, thinking of resting for a while.”

 

“That’s perfect,” Qin Ling’s lips curved slightly. “Imperial Physician Ning mentioned that it’s the heat season now. Your Majesty’s neck injury needs the medicine changed to prevent lingering issues. Complications in the future would be troublesome.”

 

Xiao Yu turned and followed her back into the hall. His gaze landed upon her. Her stature remained tall and slender, not as frail as Changning had described, unable to support clothing.

 

Qin Ling cut the white cloth and applied the medicine brought by Imperial Physician Ning and the pain-relieving clove powder. She approached his side, tilting her head up. “Your Majesty, please sit down. I can’t reach it otherwise.”

 

Xiao Yu complied and sat down. Qin Ling bowed and proceeded to change his medicine. Her breath brushed against his neck as she worked, causing Xiao Yu to tilt his head away slightly.

 

Qin Ling spoke softly, “Does it hurt?”

 

Xiao Yu looked straight ahead, “A bit.”

 

“In that case, I’ll be gentler,” Qin Ling said softly. Her fingertips touched his back lightly as she murmured, “Blood has seeped out, and the scab has stuck to your clothes. I’ve brought inner garments; shall we change those too?”

 

Xiao Yu glanced at his left arm, hinting, “Ah Ling, my left arm…”

 

Qin Ling nodded, “Your Majesty, just stay seated and don’t move.” She helped him remove his clothing, observing the bruising on his left arm, furrowing her brow. “Can you still lift your arm?”

 

Xiao Yu raised it slightly, his voice hoarse, “Yes, although slowly.”

 

Eunuch Sheng’s mouth twitched slightly.

 

Qin Ling carefully assisted him in changing attire. When she switched the sleeve on his left arm, the emperor let out a faint “hiss.” Qin Ling immediately whispered, “Rest for a hundred days to mend muscles and bones. When you return to the capital, Your Majesty, please take care.”

 

“I understand.” Xiao Yu lifted his right hand and pinched the waist, “Ah Ling, have you lost weight again?”

 

Eunuch Sheng’s mouth twitched again. Before a curse managed to break out, he chose to bow respectfully and withdraw.

 

As Eunuch Sheng closed the hall doors, Lu Ze hurriedly approached, “There’s an urgent matter, I need to see His Majesty. Kindly inform him, Gonggong.”

 

Eunuch Sheng’s eyes held an incomprehensible desolation, lips tight but filled with deep sorrow, “Lord Lu, please wait. His Majesty is unwell and changing his medication. It might take a while for him to come out.” 

 

Lu Ze frowned, “Changing medication? Yesterday, His Majesty told me it wasn’t serious. Has it worsened? Will he still depart for the capital?”

 

Eunuch Sheng’s lips maintained the same curve as he whispered, “Zhaoyi Qin is inside, changing His Majesty’s medication.”

 

The severity of his condition varied from person to person.

 

“Alright, I’ll come back later.” Lu Ze refrained from expressing any desire for favor. Regarding that person inside, she wasn’t just a consort but the emperor’s heart’s obsession. Lu Ze dared not vie for affection when it came to Qin Ling.

 

***

 

That afternoon, the emperor swiftly departed with all the officials for the capital. The ten thousand iron riders from Yuzhou and the Mongolian envoy were among the entourage, making the procession larger than when they had initially set out.

 

In later years, it was rumored that the peril of the Mount Li hunting expedition in the fifth year of Yanxi surpassed even the events of the thirty-eighth year of Yongchang, exceeding expectations in danger and intensity. First, the emperor got injured, then the Mongolian royals narrowly escaped death, followed by the capture of nine fifth-ranked officials. Subsequently, a massive fire revealed children hidden by the princess, and finally, a remnant of the Su family, Su Huai’an, appeared at Mount Li.

 

Despite the emperor’s attempts to suppress and strictly forbid the spread of the news, it seemed as if everyone harbored someone “absolutely reliable and unyielding in keeping secrets.” Before the carriages arrived, the news had already reached the capital.

 

The more secretive the news, the more rampant the spread.

 

Xiao Yu had anticipated this and swiftly sent word to Zhuang Sheng upon their arrival.

 

As soon as they entered the capital, every major tea house, tavern, theater, and stores discussed the incident.

 

On Yunli Street, at the Wangyue Tower:

 

“Have you heard? Su Huai’an has returned to the capital!”

 

“It’s not surprising anymore. Lin, did you know the princess had a child with that Su?”

 

“Is the princess insane? How could she have a child with that traitor?”

 

“The Su family colluded with the enemy. Su Huai’an has no face to show in this world! In my opinion, that child should follow his father into prison.”

 

“The Holy One showed favoritism to the demonic consort back then, leading to lax governance. Now, letting Su Jingbei’s offspring survive in this world is chilling to all hearts under heaven.”

 

“Our sixty thousand soldiers of Great Zhou died in vain.”

 

Whenever someone voiced these irrepressible and rebellious remarks, a “knowledgeable person” happened to pass by, waving a hand and saying, “What’s the fuss about these old events? Do you all know about the joint trial by the Three Temples?”

 

“What? Joint trial by the Three Temples?”

 

“I heard that the Su family wasn’t involved in treason. They were victimized by traitors from an enemy country, and there’s hidden truth in the four-year-old case.”

 

“Is what you’re saying true?”

 

The “knowledgeable person” continued loudly, “Of course, it’s true! If it weren’t a major case, why would it involve the Ministry of Justice, the Dali Temple, and the Censorate? There’s no falsehood in the joint trial by the Three Temples!”

 

The crowd nodded in agreement but hesitated, “But… the princess’ child…”

 

The “knowledgeable person” interjected, “This goes back to the Lantern Festival four years ago when enemy spies attempted to abduct the princess…”

 

Overnight, various rumors spread like wildfire. Just the old stories of Su Huai’an and the princess transformed into seven or eight versions.

 

However, one thing remained consistent—everyone’s attention focused on the joint trial by the Three Temples, scheduled for two days later.

 

On the evening of the trial, someone knocked on the door of the princess’ residence. The sky was slightly dark, drizzling lightly, yet Lu Ze arrived without an umbrella. He peered, furrowing his brows, “Kindly inform Her Highness; I have urgent matters to discuss with her.”

 

Qing Yu was startled; she didn’t expect the visitor to be Lu Ze, the commander of the Imperial Bodyguards.

 

Hurriedly, Qing Yu went to inform, “Your Highness, Commander Lu Ze is here requesting an audience.”

 

Lu Ze? What did he want?

 

Xiao Lianyu gently laid down her sleeping daughter and walked out, lifting her skirt.

 

Glancing at the package in his hand, Xiao Lianyu understood who Lu Ze was representing today. She spoke coldly, “I won’t accept things from unknown origins.”

 

Lu Ze responded, “Please, Your Highness, make it convenient. I still need to report back.”

 

Xiao Lianyu retorted, “What report does a marquis have with a convicted criminal?”

 

Lu Ze didn’t dare provoke her and resorted to emotional tactics, speaking softly, “I’m just fulfilling someone’s entrusted task, Changning.”

 

Xiao Lianyu received the package with a stern expression. Returning to her inner chamber, she casually tossed the package aside. Every few moments, she glanced at it—three times she hesitated, but eventually, she reached out and opened it.

 

A plum-colored satin cloth wrapped a hollowed-out wooden box made of yellow rosewood. Inside lay jade pendants engraved with the names Su Youlin and Su Lingyi.

 

Xiao Lianyu traced the fresh inscriptions on the jade pendants, almost envisioning the man’s earnest expression as he carefully carved them. Lost in thoughts, her eyes suddenly welled up. Clutching her fist, intending to return them, she lifted the box and noticed a crimson letter at the bottom, inscribed with “To My Wife” in bold letters.

 

Xiao Lianyu’s gaze froze.

 

After a while, she trembled and unfolded the letter.

 

Inside were only a few brief lines:

 

“Surviving these four years in obscurity, unaware of becoming a father. Bearing your grievances for years, Jingming dares not expect forgiveness from you. I only hope you won’t abandon me and find solace in the future.

 

Your husband, Su Huai’an.

Recorded in the prison of Dali Temple.”

 

In the blink of an eye, tears fell onto the letter. Her nose tingled, and with hands clutching her knees, she cried bitterly, muttering curses through sobs.

 

The chaotic sound of rain outside stirred her emotions. Tossing and turning, unable to sleep, she suddenly sat up, grabbed an umbrella, donned her cloak, and pushed herself out.

 

The carriage rattled through Yunli Street, halting at the prison, memories flooding her mind.

 

It was another summer.

It was the Dali Temple again.

 

Amidst the soft murmurs in the rain, a solemn bailiff at the Dali Temple blocked her path. “Who goes there?”

 

The princess raised her hand, unveiling her identity with her token. No one dared claim ignorance of the princess at the Dali Temple.

 

The bailiff, recognizing her, refrained from further interference, showing respect, and ushered her inside.

 

She passed through a dim corridor.

 

Within the prison, silence reigned, candles flickered but didn’t extinguish. There stood the man, poised and composed, his attire impeccable. He wasn’t restrained by shackles, seemingly anticipating her arrival.

 

Xiao Lianyu dropped her oil-paper umbrella, removed her cloak, and slowly approached him, standing opposite outside the cell, meeting his gaze.

 

His stature still exuded grace, yet his eyes lacked the spirited vigor of bygone days.

 

Words she intended to say failed to escape her lips, yet tears flowed uncontrollably from her eyes. Her lips quivered as she softly reprimanded, “Who allowed you to address me as your wife…”

 

The moment the words escaped, Su Huai’an stepped forward, extending his arm, gently encircling her neck, and leaned down to kiss her through the dark cell bars.

 

Lips met, parted, and entwined fervently, heedless of any consequences.

 

Xiao Lianyu wanted to bite him fiercely, but her teeth barely grazed his lips. Trembling, she couldn’t bring herself to be harsh.

 

He naturally sensed her hesitation. If she didn’t bite, he’d press deeper.

 

Su Huai’an murmured, “Here, bite.”

 

After what seemed like an eternity, noisy voices approached from outside.

 

Xiao Lianyu instantly pushed him away. Footsteps drew closer, and officials of the Dali Temple stood at the doorway. They halted, observing the two inside. Chief Minister Zheng even glanced at the key hanging at his waist.

 

Xiao Lianyu nonchalantly picked up her fallen cloak, put it on, adjusted her veil, and walked away.

 

Su Huai’an watched her retreating figure, his voice neither loud nor soft, “After the joint trial by the Three Temples, I’ll personally come to make amends.”