frightfiction Chapter 290 The Daughter of the Martial Arts Alliance Leader Enters the Palace
Chapter 290 The Daughter of the Martial Arts Alliance Leader Enters the Palace
In the early morning at the Xijing Kingdom's palace, sunlight pierced through the thin clouds, and the soft light gilded the majestic palace with a golden edge.
In front of the Hall of Supreme Harmony, layers of white marble steps rise like a giant silver dragon, gleaming with a cool light in the sunlight. Palace servants move about, their robes fluttering, and the entire palace is immersed in a solemn and dignified atmosphere.
Jiang Youan, dressed in a bright yellow dragon robe and wearing a crown, stood majestically at the palace gate. Today, he was to welcome someone extremely important to him—Su Liyue, the daughter of Su Zhentian, the leader of the martial arts alliance. Since their parting in Qingping Town, Jiang Youan's longing for Su Liyue had grown like a tidal wave, intensifying with each passing day. After much effort, he finally persuaded Su Liyue and her father to bring her into the palace.
Before long, a procession slowly approached. Su Liyue sat in the carriage, her heart pounding with unease. She peeked through the curtains, gazing at the towering palace walls and imposing gates, a sense of fear rising within her. This journey into the palace was a completely new challenge for her; she was about to step into a utterly unfamiliar world.
After the carriage came to a stop, Jiang Youan quickly stepped forward and personally opened the door for Su Liyue. "Miss Su, you must be tired from your journey," Jiang Youan said with a smile, his eyes full of tenderness.
Su Liyue wore a light blue long dress, the hem of which fluttered in the wind, like a blooming blue lotus. She stepped down from the carriage and bowed to Jiang You'an: "Your Highness, thank you for your concern."
Jiang Youan looked at Su Liyue, a warm feeling welling up in his heart: "Miss Su, there's no need for such formalities. This will be your home from now on." As he spoke, he extended his hand, gesturing for Su Liyue to follow him.
Su Liyue followed Jiang Youan into the palace. Along the way, she curiously observed everything around her. The magnificent palaces, exquisite carvings, and splendid decorations dazzled her. However, she also sensed the oppressive atmosphere within the palace, a stark contrast to the free and easy life of Qingping Town.
The two arrived at a secluded palace—Lan Yue Pavilion. This was the residence that Jiang Youan had meticulously prepared for Su Liyue. The pavilion was elegantly decorated, fully furnished, and offered a beautiful view of the lake from the windows.
"Miss Su, are you satisfied with this place?" Jiang Youan asked.
Su Liyue looked around and said with a smile, "Your Highness has gone to great lengths. This place is beautiful."
Just then, palace maids entered carrying tea and snacks. Jiang Youan dismissed the maids and personally poured Su Liyue a cup of tea: "Miss Su, this is a special fragrant tea from the palace. Please try it."
Su Liyue took the teacup and took a small sip: "Hmm, the tea is fragrant and has a sweet aftertaste. It is indeed a good tea."
Jiang Youan looked at Su Liyue and said earnestly, "Miss Su, you don't need to be reserved in this palace. If you need anything, just let me know. I will do my best to make you happy here."
Touched, Su Liyue said, "Your Highness, it is my honor to receive your care. However, I am new to the palace and am not yet familiar with the rules here. I hope Your Highness will give me some guidance."
Jiang Youan nodded and said, "Of course. Although there are many rules in the palace, you don't need to worry too much. I will arrange for someone to teach you, and you can adapt slowly."
To help Su Liyue adapt to palace life as quickly as possible, Jiang Youan specially arranged for an experienced matron to teach her court etiquette and rules. Under the matron's guidance, Su Liyue studied diligently every day, practicing meticulously everything from walking posture and tone of voice to various intricate rituals.
However, the palace was not as peaceful as imagined. Some of the concubines in the harem were filled with jealousy when they learned that Jiang You'an had brought a woman from the martial arts world into the palace. They began to plot to give Su Liyue a hard time.
One day, while strolling in the Imperial Garden, Su Liyue encountered Liu Ruyan, Jiang Youan's concubine. Liu Ruyan was dressed in magnificent palace attire, her makeup exquisite, and she was followed by a group of palace maids. When she saw Su Liyue, a hint of disdain flashed in her eyes.
"Oh, isn't this Miss Su? I heard you're the daughter of the martial arts alliance leader, how come you don't even know basic court etiquette, wandering around the Imperial Garden at will?" Liu Ruyan said sarcastically.
Su Liyue was displeased, but still politely bowed: "Your Highness, I am new to the palace. If I have offended you in any way, I hope Your Highness will forgive me."
Liu Ruyan snorted coldly: "Have any leniency? You, a woman from the martial world, are you worthy of entering the palace? You are simply disgracing the royal family."
Just as Su Liyue was at a loss for what to do, Jiang Youan happened to pass by. Seeing this, his face darkened: "Consort Liu, what are you doing? Miss Su is a distinguished guest invited by this prince; how can you be so rude!"
Upon seeing this, Liu Ruyan quickly bowed and said, "Your Highness, I only wish to teach Miss Su some manners since I noticed she doesn't know how to behave."
Jiang Youan said coldly, "I will handle Miss Su's affairs. If you dare to make things difficult for Miss Su again, don't blame me for being impolite!" After saying that, he took Su Liyue's hand and left the Imperial Garden.
Back at Lan Yue Pavilion, Jiang Youan comforted Su Liyue: "Miss Su, I'm sorry you had to suffer. Consort Liu has always been jealous, so don't take it to heart. In the future, if anyone dares to make things difficult for you, just tell me."
Tears welled up in Su Liyue's eyes as she said, moved, "Your Highness, with you here, Liyue has nothing to fear."
The sunlight of Xijing Kingdom shone on the vermilion walls of the palace, reflecting a warm glow. However, inside Lan Yue Pavilion, Su Liyue was dejected after being humiliated by Liu Ruyan. After her personal maid reported the matter to Jiang Youan, the news spread like wildfire, quickly reaching Jia Xiaoyan's ears.
At that moment, Jia Xiaoyan was leisurely playing with the parrot in the Jiaofang Palace. Upon hearing the palace maid's report, the birdseed in her hand instantly fell to the ground, and her brows furrowed tightly: "Such a thing has happened? Consort Liu is far too presumptuous!" With that, she got up and hurried to Lanyue Pavilion.
Upon entering Lan Yue Pavilion, Jia Xiaoyan immediately spotted Su Liyue sitting on the couch, looking forlorn. She quickly stepped forward and gently embraced Su Liyue, saying, "Child, I'm so sorry you've suffered like this." Su Liyue looked up and saw the concern in Jia Xiaoyan's eyes. Her heart warmed, and tears welled up in her eyes. "Your Majesty," she said, "Liyue has been very careful since entering the palace, but I still managed to cause trouble."
Jia Xiaoyan gently stroked Su Liyue's hair and comforted her, "Silly child, this is not your fault. Consort Liu has always been arrogant and domineering because of her looks. I will not let her off easily." Just then, Jiang Youan rushed over and immediately bowed when he saw Jia Xiaoyan, "Mother, I was negligent and caused Miss Su to suffer."
Jia Xiaoyan looked at her son and said earnestly, "You'an, Miss Su has come from afar to marry into the country, so we must take even better care of her. If we can't even protect her in this palace, how will we explain to the Martial Alliance in the future?" Jiang You'an nodded repeatedly, his eyes filled with self-reproach.
After calming Su Liyue down, Jia Xiaoyan decided to go to Jiang Liushen and ask him to resolve the matter. At that moment, Jiang Liushen was handling state affairs in the Imperial Study. Upon hearing Jia Xiaoyan's request for an audience, he immediately put down the memorial he was holding.
"Your Majesty, are you aware of Consort Liu's humiliation of Miss Su in the Imperial Garden?" Jia Xiaoyan asked bluntly as soon as she entered. Jiang Liushen frowned slightly and put down his pen: "Such a thing happened? Consort Liu is utterly outrageous!"
Jia Xiaoyan sat down to the side and continued, "Miss Su is not only the daughter of the martial arts alliance leader, but also the person You'an admires. Now that she has just entered the palace, she has been humiliated like this. If word gets out, what will the martial arts alliance think? This is extremely detrimental to You'an's reputation and the relationship between the court and the martial arts world."
Jiang Liu pondered for a moment, a cold glint flashing in his eyes: "What my beloved consort says is absolutely right. Consort Liu disregards palace rules and acts recklessly. She must be severely punished to serve as a warning to others."
Soon, Liu Ruyan was summoned to the Imperial Study. As soon as she entered, she sensed that something was amiss, and a sense of unease welled up inside her. "Your Majesty and Your Highness, I pay my respects," Liu Ruyan said, her voice trembling slightly.
Jiang Liushen looked at her coldly: "Consort Liu, do you know your crime?" Liu Ruyan was startled, but forced herself to remain calm: "Your Majesty, I do not know what crime I have committed."
"Hmph!" Jiang Liushen snorted coldly, "You humiliated Miss Su in the Imperial Garden, disregarded palace rules, and damaged the relationship between the court and the martial arts alliance. How dare you say you are unaware of your crime?"
Liu Ruyan knelt on the ground with a thud and kowtowed repeatedly: "Your Majesty, I know I was wrong. I acted impulsively that day. Please forgive me this time."
Jia Xiaoyan said coldly from the side, "Consort Liu, I have been very tolerant of you because you are Consort You'an's concubine. I never expected you to be so arrogant. If you are not severely punished this time, won't you cause chaos in the palace in the future?"
Jiang Liu pondered for a moment, then finally ordered: "Consort Liu, from this day forth, be confined to the Cold Palace to reflect on your mistakes. If you commit another offense, you will not be spared!"
Upon hearing this, Liu Ruyan collapsed to the ground, her eyes filled with despair. She never imagined that her momentary impulse would result in such severe punishment.
The news caused an uproar in the palace. The concubines quickly restrained their behavior, no longer daring to offend Su Liyue. Su Liyue, upon learning that Liu Ruyan had been banished to the Cold Palace, felt a mix of emotions. She was grateful for Jia Xiaoyan and Jiang Liushen's protection, but also realized that in the palace, every word and action had to be carefully considered.
After this incident, Jia Xiaoyan took even better care of Su Liyue, often summoning her to the Jiaofang Palace to teach her court etiquette and how to conduct herself. Su Liyue lived up to expectations and studied diligently.