Chapter 53: Joy Arises from the Heart

Staring at the medicine delivered into her hand, Su Xin stood frozen, unable to recover her senses for a moment. A glimmer of bewilderment flickered in her eyes, and she murmured, “Lady Wen is truly kind-hearted…”

With this thought lingering, the other concubines watching were equally at a loss, none understanding what Lady Wen meant by her gesture.

“Lady Wen, you’re so attentive to a mere servant—surely there’s no benefit to be gained from it,” one remarked.

“Exactly, and besides, she’s that vixen’s maid. I’m afraid when the time comes, she won’t show gratitude but will bite you instead. You’ll only suffer for it!” Another chimed in, their voices laced with sarcasm, making the scene uncomfortable to witness.

Su Xin glared at them coldly, disregarding the pain on her face. Wearing an air of arrogance, she retorted icily, “Rest assured, Lady Rong is kind and generous. I would never stoop to the level of ingratitude that some people here display!”

Having spoken, she turned and curtsied deeply to Lady Wen, her tone respectful. “Thank you for the medicine, Lady Wen. Though I am lowly and have nothing to repay you with, if ever you require my service, I will risk my life without hesitation.”

“Enough, you may go. Look at your face—if you delay any longer, it’ll swell up like a pig.” Lady Wen joked lightly. Though her words were hardly pleasant, they carried a hint of warmth.

Not wishing to entangle herself further, Su Xin withdrew.

Meanwhile, Jun Yeli, his face flushed with anger, hurried into the Xuanji Palace, vexed and restless.

“What illness does that woman have, that she can’t even leave her chambers? Has she called for the imperial physician?” He still held the pile of jade ruyi sent to him, a stomach full of inexplicable grievances stirred by all these blessings, yet his thoughts kept returning to matters he shouldn’t dwell on.

Lost in contemplation, Jun Yeli found himself already at the gates of Xuanji Palace.

The doors were wide open, the courtyard desolate and empty of life.

“What’s this? Not a soul in sight?” He had heard that Hua Rong had dismissed all unnecessary attendants, but he hadn’t expected it to be so deserted—colder than even the Cold Palace.

Puzzled, Jun Yeli stepped into the courtyard, cautiously exploring.

It was only upon reaching the rear garden that he heard bursts of playful laughter.

“Look at the pearl bracelet Her Ladyship gave me last time! Isn’t it pretty? It matches my fair skin perfectly, making me look even more beautiful!”

“Indeed, Her Ladyship’s taste is impeccable. These earrings suit me just right!”

Just two palace maids, laughing and comparing the gifts they’d received, unable to hide their joy.

Jun Yeli was left speechless at the sight. Why did it feel as if the whole world was against him? Whenever he was in a foul mood, everyone else seemed to be delighted.

He breathed in deeply, hands clasped behind his back, scanning the courtyard for Hua Rong but finding no trace of her. He then stepped forward, cleared his throat, and drew the maids’ attention.

At the sight of the man in yellow robes, Chunxia and Qiudong jumped in fright.

“Ah! Your Majesty, what brings you here? Didn’t Her Ladyship say—” The maid realized her mistake, quickly covering her mouth, her eyes betraying a panic that was hard to decipher.

Jun Yeli furrowed his brows, hands still behind his back, feigning composure though his gaze betrayed anticipation. “Mm, what did she say?”

“She… she didn’t say much…” she shook her head, clearly not one for telling lies.

“Speak now, or be prepared to answer for deceiving your emperor and implicate your entire family!” Jun Yeli felt as if a kitten were scratching away at his heart—whenever it came to matters regarding Hua Rong, he could not help but pry.

Both maids’ hearts sank, knowing they stood no chance against his authority. They knelt and pleaded, “Forgive us, Your Majesty. Her Ladyship merely said that Your Majesty would be lost to the pleasures of the new consort and would not visit any other ladies for several days.”

There was nothing wrong with that statement.

Beauty in one’s arms—since ancient times, what king has ever resisted such temptation?

Jun Yeli did not press further but instead asked, hands still clasped behind his back, his expression somber, “With what tone did she say it?”

What an odd question.

The two maids glanced at each other, eyes lifting as if recalling the scene from that day.

One of them suddenly brightened, “Her Ladyship was very happy about Your Majesty marrying another consort. She even rewarded us all, saying it was a cause for celebration throughout the palace!”

…

The atmosphere grew awkward at once.

Jun Yeli’s taut face finally cracked, his expression darkening like the onset of a storm, an indescribable mood settling over him.

Chunxia, unaware of the cause, whispered to Qiudong, “What’s going on? Did we say something wrong? That’s exactly what she said…”

In their minds, Hua Rong, as the leading lady of the harem, would never misspeak. Yet they could not fathom the source of the emperor’s anger.

“Enough. Where is Lady Rong now? I wish to see her!” Jun Yeli gripped the jade ruyi in his hand, as if ready to barge in and see her himself.

The maids exchanged glances, one trembling as she pointed toward the back garden. “Your Majesty, Her Ladyship is over there…”

Jun Yeli wasted no words, striding quickly toward the rear garden.

He had not yet reached the garden when he heard, from afar, a cheerful and melodious song.

“Today is a good day, oh such a good day…”

Such exuberant joy, and on a day like this! For a concubine of the harem, unless she had drunk several jugs of wine, how could she be so happy? Was she mad?

Did the harem women not need to compete for favor? Was she truly willing to hand her husband over to another?

Jun Yeli’s brows tightened, never relaxing for a moment. As he drew closer, a slender figure in plain dress caught his eye.

Her skirt trailed carelessly on the ground, unbothered by the bits of earth clinging to it, crouched motionless among the vegetable beds. Surrounded by lush greenery, she made a picturesque scene.

But most captivating of all was the lively, enchanting song overflowing with joy.