jdhmnovel Chapter 301 The Empress's Grace
Chapter 301 The Empress's Grace
In the autumn of the Western Jing Kingdom's palace, sunlight filters through dappled leaves, casting golden patches on the ground.
In the courtyard of Jiaofang Palace, chrysanthemums were vying for attention, some as red as fire, some as white as snow, and some as yellow as gold, emitting a faint and elegant fragrance.
Su Liyue, dressed in a plain palace dress, strolled leisurely in the courtyard, enjoying the rare tranquility.
Suddenly, a burst of noisy footsteps broke the silence.
Su Liyue looked in the direction of the sound and saw several palace maids carrying a little maidservant hurriedly approaching.
The young maid's face was as pale as paper, her lips were purple, her eyes were tightly closed, large beads of sweat rolled down her forehead, and her whole body was trembling incessantly.
"What happened?" Su Liyue quickly stepped forward and asked with concern.
The leading palace maid knelt down with a thud and cried, “Your Majesty, this is Xiu’er, a maid from the laundry room. She accidentally fell into the river while washing clothes today. After being rescued, she has been unconscious ever since. We wanted to find the imperial physicians, but they have all been summoned by His Majesty and will not be back for a while. We have no other choice but to beg Your Majesty to save her life.”
Su Liyue frowned, reached out to check Xiu'er's breathing, and found that her breath was weak and her condition was critical. "Quickly, carry Xiu'er into the palace," Su Liyue ordered decisively.
The palace maids dared not delay and quickly carried Xiu'er into the Jiaofang Palace.
While instructing the palace maids to prepare hot water and towels, Su Liyue personally took Xiu'er's pulse.
After a moment, she frowned slightly, having roughly made a judgment in her mind.
"Xiuer was drowning and then caught a chill, and then choked on water, which caused her to have difficulty breathing."
"If she doesn't receive timely treatment, her life may be in danger," Su Liyue said.
"Your Majesty, what should we do?" the palace maids asked anxiously.
Su Liyue pondered for a moment and said, "Go and prepare some ginger, brown sugar, and some mugwort. I will use moxibustion and ginger soup to dispel the cold from Xiu'er."
After receiving their orders, the palace maids hurriedly left. Before long, all the necessary items were prepared. Su Liyue personally brewed ginger soup, and after it was ready, she carefully helped Xiu'er up and used a spoon to feed her the ginger soup little by little.
"Slow down, don't choke," Su Liyue said softly, her eyes full of concern.
After feeding Xiu'er the ginger soup, Su Liyue began moxibustion. She lit the moxa stick and gently moved it over Xiu'er's acupoints, allowing the warmth to penetrate her body.
During the moxibustion process, Su Liyue was completely focused and dared not slack off in the slightest, and fine beads of sweat appeared on her forehead.
Under Su Liyue's meticulous care, Xiu'er's complexion gradually improved, and her breathing became steady. After a long while, Xiu'er slowly opened her eyes, still with a trace of confusion in them.
"Xiuer, you're awake!" Su Liyue said happily, a relieved smile on her face.
When Xiuer saw Su Liyue, a look of fear flashed in her eyes. She struggled to get up and curtsy, saying, "Your Majesty... Xiuer deserves to die..."
Su Liyue quickly pressed Xiu'er down and said gently, "Xiu'er, you just woke up and your body is still very weak. Don't move around. You're alright now that you've woken up."
With tears in her eyes, Xiu'er said gratefully, "Your Majesty, you saved my life. I have no way to repay you, I am willing to serve you like a cow or a horse."
Su Liyue gently stroked Xiu'er's head and said, "Silly child, life is precious. Saving you is what I should do. You should take good care of your injuries and go back to your own business once you've recovered."
In the days that followed, Su Liyue visited Xiuer personally every day, inquiring about her health and bringing her nourishing medicinal soups. Under Su Liyue's meticulous care, Xiuer gradually recovered.
One day, Xiu'er came before Su Liyue, knelt down and bowed: "Your Majesty, Xiu'er has fully recovered. Thank you for saving my life and for your meticulous care."
Su Liyue smiled and helped Xiu'er up: "It's good that you've recovered. Be careful in the future, and never put yourself in danger again."
Xiuer nodded emphatically: "Xiuer will definitely keep Your Majesty's teachings in mind."
From then on, Xiuer felt grateful to Su Liyue and became more and more serious and responsible in her work.
In the depths of winter, the biting north wind howled like a ferocious beast, sweeping across the entire Forbidden City, and the snow on the glazed tiles rustled as it was blown.
Xiuer wrapped her thin cotton coat tightly around herself and carefully stepped into Changchun Palace.
This is the palace of Consort Liu Ruoyan. The carved beams and painted rafters appear even colder and more solemn against the backdrop of white snow.
As soon as Xiuer stepped across the threshold, she heard a crisp sound of porcelain colliding.
She instinctively hid behind a pillar, barely daring to breathe. Liu Ruoyan, dressed in a magnificent red-gold pheasant-patterned palace dress, paced back and forth in the warm pavilion, the hem of her dress brushing against the exquisite Persian carpet on the floor.
"Your Majesty, this powder is colorless and odorless. If taken continuously for three months, it will cause the Empress's blood and qi to decline, and even the imperial physicians will find it difficult to detect." The speaker was Cui'er, Liu Ruoyan's trusted maid. She held an exquisite sandalwood box in her hands, which contained a pale gray powder that shimmered with an eerie light under the candlelight.
Liu Ruoyan stopped in her tracks, her slender phoenix eyes narrowing slightly, a ruthless glint in them: "Hmph, that bitch Su Liyue, ever since she entered the palace, she's been constantly putting me in a superior position. His Majesty dotes on her, even entrusting her with managing all the affairs of the harem. If I don't get rid of her, I'll never have a chance to rise above my station!"
Xiuer hid behind a pillar, her heart pounding. She never imagined that after escaping death, she would stumble upon such a shocking conspiracy. Liu Ruoyan's voice, like a sharp blade, pierced the cold air of Changchun Palace.
"Cui'er, this matter must be done flawlessly." Liu Ruoyan tapped the table lightly with her fingers adorned with jade nail guards. "First, find an opportunity to slip the drug into the Empress's tea and snacks. Don't use too much, so as not to arouse suspicion."
Cui'er nodded and bowed: "Your Majesty, rest assured, this servant will arrange everything properly. This powder was bought from the Western Regions at great expense, and it will surely eliminate the Empress without anyone noticing."
Liu Ruoyan gave a satisfied sneer, her gaze piercing through the carved window lattice towards the direction of Jiaofang Palace: "Su Liyue, Su Liyue, your glory won't last long. Once you're dead, the position of Empress will be mine."
Xiu'er hid in the shadows, barely daring to breathe. She remembered how Su Liyue had taken meticulous care of her when she fell into the water and lost consciousness, personally brewing ginger soup and applying moxibustion to dispel the cold, pulling her back from the brink of death. How could she not repay this life-saving grace? But Liu Ruoyan wielded immense power in the harem, and if she rashly exposed her, her life would likely be in danger.
Just then, Cui'er suddenly walked towards the pillar. Xiu'er was startled and accidentally kicked a flowerpot in her haste. "Who's there?" Cui'er shouted sharply.
Xiuer knew she couldn't avoid it, so she had no choice but to bite the bullet and come out, kneeling down with a thud: "This servant Xiuer just came back from outside and accidentally disturbed Your Highness and my sister."
Liu Ruoyan walked up to Xiuer and looked her down at her: "Xiuer? I remember you're from the laundry room, how come you've come here?"
Xiuer's mind raced, and she said, "Your Majesty, a few days ago I fell into the water and lost consciousness, but was rescued by the Empress. Now that I have recovered, I have come to pay my respects to Your Majesty and thank you for your care."
A hint of suspicion flashed in Liu Ruoyan's eyes: "Hmph, you're quite thoughtful. Since you're here, stay and help Cui'er with her work."
Xiuer's heart tightened, realizing she had been caught up in this conspiracy, but she dared not disobey and could only reply, "This servant will obey Your Highness's orders."
In the days that followed, Xiu'er walked on thin ice in Changchun Palace. Cui'er began frequently arranging for her to deliver tea and snacks to Jiaofang Palace, and before each trip, Cui'er would add a small amount of medicinal powder to the tea and snacks. Xiu'er was extremely anxious, but she couldn't find an opportunity to inform Su Liyue.
One day, Xiu'er was ordered to deliver tea and snacks to the Jiaofang Palace. Looking at the tray, she was torn between her inner turmoil. Just then, a sudden idea struck her. Taking advantage of Cui'er's inattention, she secretly poured out the medicinal powder and replaced it with some harmless powder.
Upon arriving at Jiaofang Palace, Su Liyue saw Xiuer and asked with a smile, "Xiuer, how have you been in Changchun Palace?"
Xiuer's eyes reddened, and she almost cried. She forced back her tears and said, "Your Majesty, Xiuer is doing well. I've brought you some freshly made tea and snacks today, please enjoy them."
Su Liyue accepted the tea and snacks, and was about to taste them when Xiuer suddenly knelt down with a thud: "Your Majesty, the tea and snacks are poisoned!"
Su Liyue was slightly startled and put down her tea and snacks: "Xiuer, please get up and speak slowly."
Xiuer recounted the conspiracy she had overheard at Changchun Palace. After listening, Su Liyue's expression turned solemn: "I never expected Consort Liu to be so audacious as to attempt to harm me. Xiuer, you did a good job. If it weren't for you, I would probably have already fallen into their trap."
Su Liyue pondered for a moment, then instructed, "Xiuer, do not make this public for now. Go back to Changchun Palace and act as Consort Liu instructed. I have my own plans."
Xiuer accepted the order and left. Su Liyue watched her departing figure, a cold glint flashing in her eyes.
The Forbidden City was blanketed in snow, but inside the Jiaofang Palace, it was warm and inviting. The fragrant aroma of ambergris rose from the gilded incense burner, a stark contrast to the biting wind outside. Su Liyue leaned against the carved canopy bed, a secret letter from Xiu'er clutched in her hand. Her brow furrowed, she pondered for a long time before instructing a palace maid to send a message to Jiang You'an, inviting him to discuss important matters.
A short while later, Jiang Youan, dressed in black casual clothes, strode into the Jiaofang Palace. He immediately noticed Su Liyue's solemn expression and asked with concern, "Liyue, what happened? Are you feeling unwell?"
Su Liyue stood up and handed the secret letter that Xiuer had brought to Jiang Youan: "Your Majesty, Consort Liu intends to harm me. This is the news I just received."
Jiang Youan took the secret letter, quickly glanced through it, and his face instantly darkened. His hands under his dragon robe clenched into fists: "How dare Liu Ruoyan be so bold! I will definitely bring her to justice and avenge you."
Su Liyue shook her head slightly, a hint of worry flashing in her eyes: "Your Majesty, Consort Liu dared to commit such a treasonous act, there may be another conspiracy behind it. If we act rashly and alert her, it may make the situation even more complicated. I am worried that this is not only a struggle in the harem, but may also endanger the court."
Upon hearing this, Jiang Youan's heart skipped a beat, and he paced back and forth in the hall: "You're right. The Liu family wields immense power in the court. If they truly collude with the harem, the consequences would be unimaginable. Li Yue, what are your thoughts?"
Su Liyue pondered for a moment and slowly said, "Your Majesty, I think we might as well turn the tables on them. We can pretend to be poisoned by Consort Liu, secretly set up a plan, lure the snake out of its hole, and expose the mastermind behind it."
Jiang Youan stopped, his eyes revealing approval: "Li Yue, this plan is brilliant! But it's too dangerous. What if something goes wrong..."
Su Liyue stepped forward and took Jiang Youan's hand: "Your Majesty, I will act carefully. Only in this way can we completely eliminate Consort Liu and her cronies and restore peace to the harem and the court."
Jiang Youan gazed at Su Liyue, his eyes filled with tenderness and trust: "Alright, everything will be as you say. I will arrange for secret guards to protect you. If there is any danger, stop immediately."
With the plan finalized, a counterattack against Consort Liu quietly began. Following Su Liyue's instructions, Xiu'er continued to infiltrate Changchun Palace, relaying messages. Meanwhile, Su Liyue feigned poisoning, her face turning pale daily, her appetite diminished, and even her movements becoming sluggish.
The news quickly reached Consort Liu's ears. Inside Changchun Palace, Liu Ruoyan heard that Su Liyue's health was deteriorating, and a smug smile appeared on her face: "Hmph, Su Liyue, you've finally met your match! Cui'er, increase the dosage of the medicine and send it over as soon as possible to finish her off completely."
Cui'er accepted the order and left. Meanwhile, Jiang You'an, under the pretext of inquiring about the Empress's condition, frequently visited the Jiaofang Palace. On the surface, he appeared deeply worried, summoning imperial physicians everywhere to treat Su Liyue; secretly, he and Su Liyue were busy discussing countermeasures and deploying troops.
A few days later, Xiuer secretly slipped out of Changchun Palace under the cover of night and came to Jiaofang Palace. She looked flustered and whispered, "Your Majesty, Consort Liu ordered Cuier to prepare a large amount of poison, intending to solve the problem once and for all. Moreover, I also heard that Consort Liu seems to be exchanging letters with several ministers in the court, plotting an even bigger conspiracy."
Su Liyue and Jiang Youan exchanged a glance, a cold glint in their eyes. Jiang Youan said, "It seems they can't hold back any longer. Liyue, it's time to close the net."
Su Liyue nodded: "Xiuer, you did a good job. Go back and tell Consort Liu that my condition has worsened and I don't have much time left."
Xiu'er accepted the order and left. After Xiu'er left, Jiang You'an immediately summoned his trusted ministers and arranged for people to closely monitor the Liu family's every move in the court. He also secretly mobilized the Imperial Guards to be ready to deal with any emergencies.
Everything was ready; all that was needed was for Consort Liu to walk into the trap. A few days later, Liu Ruoyan learned that Su Liyue was critically ill and, believing her conspiracy had succeeded, was overjoyed. She couldn't wait to contact her allies in court, planning to seize power in the harem and then control the court.
Just as Liu Ruoyan was secretly meeting with her accomplices, Jiang Youan gave the order, and the Imperial Guards surged in like a tide, surrounding them completely. Upon seeing this, Liu Ruoyan turned deathly pale and collapsed to the ground: "Impossible, how could this be..."
Jiang Youan looked at her coldly: "Liu Ruoyan, your conspiracy is over. You attempted to murder the Empress and colluded with court officials; your crimes are unforgivable!"
As Liu Ruoyan was being taken away, Su Liyue stepped out from behind the curtain and looked at her calmly: "Consort Liu, neither the harem nor the court will tolerate your troublemaking."