Autumn rain carrying a chill seeped through the grey tiles of Jiaofang Palace as Su Mingyue clutched a gilded hand warmer, gazing at the eastern pearl hairpin in her temples reflected in the bronze mirror. It was a new reward from The Emperor the previous night, casting a warm glow under the candlelight that made her brows and eyes appear all the more radiant and captivating. Yet she knew how much blood and tears were hidden behind this radiance.
Three years ago, she was merely a draft participant whose wooden tag had been turned down during the selection. Only because her father had performed meritorious service in water control in Jiangnan was she exceptionally conferred the rank of Jieyu. When she first entered the palace, she was extremely cautious, not even daring to make a sound when walking for fear of displeasing any of the high-ranking consorts. Until that day, when she bumped into Noble Consort Shu in the Imperial Garden.
At that time, Noble Consort Shu was pregnant and enjoying the flowers with a group of imperial concubines. Because Su Mingyue was a fraction slow in lowering her head to salute, Noble Consort Shu poured the hot tea in her hand directly onto her, snapping, "A mere Jieyu, and you dare to act presumptuously before this Palace?" The scalding tea burned her skin, and the jeering laughter of the surrounding concubines pierced into her heart like silver needles.
Chapter 105