The Legend of Concubine Su

Chapter 106 Su Jingyue Talks to the Emperor

The sun was shining brightly, the breeze gentle and gentle. In the imperial gardens of the palace, the Emperor and Su Jingyue engaged in a leisurely game of Go. They were surrounded by flowers, their delicate fragrance filling the air, bringing a sense of joy. The black and white pieces on the chessboard were arranged in a rhythmic pattern, as if it were the purest dialogue between heaven and earth, each move imbued with wisdom and strategy.

Sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting dappled shadows on the two of them. This warm light lent them a touch of warmth and tranquility, making the entire scene resemble a beautiful painting. The Emperor gazed intently at the chessboard, pondering his next move, while Su Jingyue quietly awaited his decision. Just then, Su Jingyue gently lowered the chess piece, seemingly shattering the tranquility. Her gaze was gentle yet firm as she softly asked, "Your Majesty, have you ever heard the legendary story of 'Liang Shanbo and Zhu Yingtai'?" Her voice was as soft as a spring breeze caressing flower petals, yet the anticipation and curiosity within were palpable.

The Emperor was slightly startled upon hearing this, then a smile curved his lips. He replied gently, "I do know a thing or two. My beloved concubine, why are you so elegant today, bringing up such a folk tale? Is there something on your mind?"

Su Jingyue shook her head slightly, a trace of worry flashing in her eyes. "Your Majesty, I am simply moved by the deep love between Liang Zhu and their unwavering devotion, even in the face of numerous obstacles. However, the appearance of Ma Wencai has become a stumbling block in their love..."

The emperor nodded gently, expressing his understanding. "Indeed, Ma Wencai's treachery brought great pain to Liang Zhu's love. But this is also the charm of the story, making people yearn for true love."

Su Jingyue smiled slightly and continued, "Your Majesty is absolutely right. I believe that the love between Liang Zhu is like the sound of flowing water in the mountains, the harmonious music of a zither and a harp; it is also like the soaring phoenix, the harmonious singing of a crane and a phoenix. Such deep affection and friendship are truly rare in this world."

The Emperor smiled in agreement, "Indeed, the love between Liang and Zhu is truly moving. Their love story has been passed down through the ages, becoming a classic that will be passed down through the ages."

Su Jingyue's eyes were hazy, as if she was immersed in the touching story: "Your Majesty, I hope our love can be as steadfast as Liang Zhu's, and we can stick to it to the end no matter what difficulties we encounter."

The emperor reached out and held Su Jingyue's hand, saying gently: "The relationship between me and my beloved concubine is naturally not inferior to that of Liang Zhu."

The two smiled at each other, and their love for each other grew stronger.

Upon hearing this, the Emperor stared at Su Jingyue with a sharp gaze, his tone slightly puzzled. "My beloved concubine seems to be very worried today. Could it be related to this story?" Su Jingyue took a deep breath and looked at the Emperor with a firm gaze, as if she had made a great decision. Then she slowly knelt on the ground, her voice filled with pleading and expectation: "Your Majesty, a few days ago, I had the honor of visiting Princess Saimu of Tubo. She confided her secret to me. It turns out that Princess Saimu also has a childhood sweetheart. The two are deeply in love, but for various reasons, they cannot be together. The princess earnestly asks Your Majesty to help their friendship."

The Emperor looked at Su Jingyue, who knelt on the ground, and a wave of emotion and relief welled up in his heart. He knew full well that the relationship between Tubo and the Central Plains was delicate and complex. If he easily let Princess Saimu go, he would be hard pressed to explain to the Tubo King. However, facing Su Jingyue's earnest request, how could he bear to refuse? So, he gently helped Su Jingyue to her feet and said softly, "I understand your beloved concubine's intentions, but this matter is of great importance and requires careful consideration."

Su Jingyue nodded gratefully, a glimmer of hope in her eyes. She knew the Emperor had agreed to consider the matter. While the outcome was uncertain, there was at least a glimmer of hope. In the days ahead, she would do her utmost to secure a chance for happiness for Princess Saimu. At the same time, she understood that her actions might cause some turmoil, but as long as she could help others realize their wishes, it would all be worth it.

After a moment's contemplation, the Emperor finally spoke, "My beloved concubine, please rise. I have my own plans for this matter. While I cannot directly release Concubine Xi back to Tubo, I can find another solution. I intend to have Concubine Xi remain in the palace for the time being, without favoring her, to preserve her innocence. In the meantime, I will arrange for her beloved to take the imperial examination. If he succeeds and places in the top three, I will use this opportunity to explain the situation to the Tubo King and adopt Concubine Xi as my adopted daughter, making her a princess and granting her marriage to her beloved. This way, I can both save Tubo's reputation and help these two lovers be together."

Upon hearing this, Su Jingyue's eyes flashed with joy, and she quickly expressed her gratitude, "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your grace! On behalf of Princess Saimu and her lover, I would like to express my deepest gratitude to Your Majesty." Then, she hurried back to the bedroom and told Princess Saimu the good news.

Upon hearing this, Princess Saimu was initially shocked, then burst into tears. She tightly grasped Su Jingyue's hand and said, "Thank you, Imperial Concubine, for your great kindness! I have no way to repay you, but I wish to repay you by tying a knot in my next life." She quickly wrote a letter to her beloved, her words filled with longing and anticipation for the future. After completing the letter, she solemnly handed it to Su Jingyue, saying, "Please, Imperial Concubine, pass this letter on to the Zamp (her beloved) on my behalf, and tell him that Saimu is waiting for his return."

Su Jingyue took the letter, feeling a surge of emotion. Knowing its importance, she instructed Xiaoru, "Xiaoru, you must personally deliver this letter to the Zamp. No mistakes are allowed. Remember, no one else should know about this." Xiaoru nodded, a determined glint in her eyes, and then quietly slipped out of the palace, embarking on a journey to spread love and hope.

Xiaoru crossed the palace walls in the night, feeling a mixture of nervousness and anticipation. She knew the importance of this letter: it held the future of Princess Saimu and her beloved, and also the delicate balance between the two kingdoms. Carefully avoiding patrolling guards and leveraging her familiarity with the palace's terrain, Xiaoru finally reached a secluded corner gate.

She took a deep breath and gently pushed open the corner door. Beyond was a deserted alley. Xiaoru quickly hid the letter and, blending into the night, hurried out of the palace. In the moonlight, her figure seemed resolute and determined. She knew she wasn't just delivering a letter; she was paving a path of hope for two lovers.

After many twists and turns, Xiaoru finally delivered the letter safely to the Zamp. He opened it and read it, tears glistening in his eyes. He clutched the letter tightly, as if holding Princess Saimu's heart. He looked at Xiaoru with gratitude, deeply aware of the weight of this favor. Xiaoru, on the other hand, simply smiled and nodded, silently turning away and reentering the deep palace to continue her mission and loyalty.