Chu He - Chapter 1

Chapter 1

Before I left the palace, the Empress Dowager specially summoned me for an audience.

I was her niece, a noble daughter of Clan Chu. Half a month ago, she had promised me the position of Noble Consort.

She looked at me and sighed.

“You have been frail since childhood and spent thirteen years recuperating in Medicine King Valley in Bianzhou. Your parents felt they had wronged you, which was why they begged me to secure such a future for you. The emperor agreed to it at first, but…”

But now, for Consort Shu’s sake, Pei Lin was determined to send me out of the palace.

I knelt in the hall. Hearing this, I could not help asking, “Is this Consort Shu truly so favored?”

The Empress Dowager was silent for a moment.

In the end, she only said, “The emperor loves and cherishes her. He treats her as his wife.”

Even young masters from ordinary official households had bedchamber maids and concubines, yet here, in the depths of the palace, with countless peerless beauties at his side, he treated Consort Shu as his wife.

I thought for a moment.

“Did His Majesty say that I could choose one of the princes to be my husband?”

The Empress Dowager nodded. “Prince Jing has met you before. He is exceptionally talented and handsome as well. After he heard of this matter, he made a special trip to the palace and said he has long been deeply in love with you. What do you think?”

At this point, I had no room to refuse.

I was just about to thank her for her grace.

But from outside came a soft, pleasant voice.

“When it comes to marriage, fate matters too. I specially had someone make a tube of lots. Why not have Miss Chu shake it? Whichever one falls out, that is the man she will marry.”

The newcomer was none other than Consort Shu, Su Jinyue.

Dressed in resplendent robes, she looked down at me from above and smiled faintly.

“This is also His Majesty’s will.”

When she finished speaking, the Empress Dowager frowned, but in the end, she said nothing more.

After all, she was not the emperor’s birth mother.

I had no choice but to take the lot tube.

Then I gave it a gentle shake.

A bamboo lot fell to the floor. Su Jinyue bent down to pick it up. When she saw the name written on it, she was first surprised, then gave me an unreadable look before saying, “It is Prince Su.”

At those words, even the Empress Dowager lifted her eyes and looked over. “Changfeng?”

I had grown up in Bianzhou and had not heard much about these people. Nor did I understand why they reacted that way when Prince Su was mentioned. But no matter what, my marriage was settled just like that.

Chapter 2

After leaving Cining Palace, I let out a breath of relief.

In truth, not entering the palace was fine too. I had not been the one to dirty that dance dress at all, but Su Jinyue was currently in His Majesty’s favor, so naturally, whatever she said was the truth. I had a hundred mouths and still could not defend myself.

If things were going to be like this from now on, wouldn’t I have to suffer grievances for the rest of my life?

Willows swayed in the spring breeze; pavilions and tiled eaves lined the way.

I walked along the palace road toward the exit. Halfway there, I saw the imperial palanquin approaching from not far away.

My steps halted. I moved to the side and bowed in greeting.

With my head lowered, I could not see his appearance.

But I heard his voice, cold and clear as jade striking stone.

“You are Chu Sanniang?”

Seeing this, the eunuch beside him quietly reminded me, “Miss Chu, hurry and raise your head to answer.”

When I first entered the palace, I had met this Eunuch Li twice. To ensure I ate a little better, I had even given him a few ingots of gold, so we could be considered to have a slight connection. He did this because he feared I did not understand palace etiquette and would offend Pei Lin.

Hearing him, I was just about to lift my head.

But Pei Lin said, “No need.”

Only then did I remember that he had promised Su Jinyue he would not see me.

I said, “Yes.”

Just then, a faint breeze stirred. He said, “I heard you came from Bianzhou. I wanted to ask you about someone.”

I was stunned.

I had thought that the first time he spoke to me, perhaps he would seek justice for his Consort Shu and condemn me, or perhaps he would tell me to await my marriage in peace and become a proper Princess Consort Su in the future.

But I never expected it.

What he asked was something like this.

I was just about to speak when another voice rang out.

“Your Majesty, did you come looking for me?”

“You clearly promised me you wouldn’t see her!”

Pei Lin chuckled, sounding somewhat helpless. “I was only asking her one question.”

“I don’t care. You have to punish her.”

“How should I punish her?”

Su Jinyue’s skirt stopped in front of me.

I clenched my palms.

In the next instant, I heard her say, “Have her kneel here for two hours.”

The surroundings fell silent for a moment. After quite a while, the emperor spoke.

“As you wish.”