The Legend of Concubine Su

Deep within the majestic and imposing Imperial Palace, Imperial Concubine Su Jingyue sat in her magnificently decorated palace. Within, a dazzling display of rare treasures shone, showcasing the royal nobility and opulence. Yet, behind this splendid splendor, Su Jingyue pondered a crucial matter concerning the future of her personal maid, Xiaoru. Her gaze rested upon Xiaoru with a gentle, penetrating gaze, filled with kindness and compassion, as if she could see into her heart.

On this day, bright sunlight filtered through the exquisitely carved window lattices, casting a shimmering cascade of light and shadow on the palace's gleaming floor, adding a touch of vividness and energy to the stately palace. Su Jingyue, clad in a magnificent palace dress embroidered with intricate golden phoenix patterns, each strand of gold thread imbued with boundless nobility and glory, sat gracefully on a soft couch. Her lips parted, her voice gentle yet resolute: "Xiaoru, I intend to crown you a princess, allowing you to marry with splendor and enjoy an honor unattainable for any woman in this world."

Upon hearing this, Xiaoru's eyes widened instantly, her face filled with astonishment and fear. She couldn't believe her ears. Her Majesty was actually going to make her a princess! This sudden honor left her overwhelmed. She fell to her knees, her hands tightly clutching the corners of her clothes, and said in a trembling voice, "Your Majesty, you must not do this! I am just a humble servant by your side. How can I be crowned a princess? I am willing to serve you for the rest of my life and would never dare to have the slightest inappropriate thoughts."

Seeing this, Su Jingyue stood up slightly and personally stepped forward to help Xiaoru up. Her eyes were filled with tenderness and determination, as if she wanted to convey all her feelings to Xiaoru: "Silly girl, you are my dowry maid. You grew up with me since childhood and we are like sisters. You are completely worthy of these honors. I hope you can understand that your position in my heart is irreplaceable."

Xiaoru raised her head and looked into the loving gaze of the Empress, tears welling in her eyes. She said eagerly, "Empress, in my heart, being by your side is the greatest blessing. I have no way of repaying you for your kindness. I only wish to be with you for the rest of my life and to serve you forever."

Su Jingyue gently wiped the tears from Xiaoru's face and patiently comforted her, "Xiaoru, I know you are loyal and sincere to me. But I also hope that you can find a good home and live a happy and fulfilling life. I have already chosen an excellent marriage for you. The other party is Su Sichen, the son of an important official in the court. He has a good character and outstanding talents. If you marry him, you will not suffer any grievances and will only enjoy all the glory and wealth in the world."

Xiaoru bit her lip, her heart filled with worry and reluctance. She whispered, "Your Majesty, I am of low status and I am afraid I am not worthy of such a good family. I just want to stay by your side and serve you loyally."

Su Jingyue held Xiaoru's hand tightly, and said gently but firmly, "Don't say that. Since I have decided to make you a princess, I will make all the arrangements for you so that you can marry in style. I will give you a generous dowry so that you can stand tall in your husband's family. Don't worry, I will not let you suffer any injustice."

Xiaoru felt a mixture of emotions. She knew the good intentions and painstaking efforts of the Majesty. However, the thought of leaving the Majesty's side filled her with reluctance and uneasiness. Her voice trembled slightly as she choked with sobs as she spoke, "Majesty, I really can't bear to leave you. I've been by your side for so many years and have become accustomed to your presence. I will never forget your kindness to me."

Su Jingyue gently patted Xiaoru's hand, her voice soft but firm: "Xiaoru, I will be reluctant to part with you. But women must get married eventually, this is the inevitable path in life. I hope you can bravely take this step and pursue your own happiness. I believe that you will live a happy and fulfilling life. Moreover, this palace will always be your home, you can come back to see me at any time."

Tears welled up in Xiaoru's eyes once again. She looked at the Empress's eyes, full of love and encouragement, and a warm feeling welled up in her heart. She whispered, "Empress, can I come back to see you in the future?"

Su Jingyue smiled and nodded, her smile as warm as the sunshine in spring. "Of course, the gate of this palace is always open to you. No matter when or where you are, as long as you are willing to come back, I will be here waiting for you."

In the early morning, as the first rays of sunlight penetrated the mist and gently shone upon the glazed tiles of the imperial palace, the entire palace seemed shimmering with a golden glow. This day was a day Xiaoru would never forget—she was canonized as Princess Ruyi. The entire palace was immersed in a festive atmosphere, with red silk hanging high and lanterns ablaze, each spot showcasing the royal nobility and glory.

Xiaoru wore a magnificent palace gown meticulously crafted from the finest silk. The floral and bird designs on it were so vivid that they seemed to spread their wings and burst into life. The silk threads intertwined in the sunlight, shimmering with a dazzling brilliance, framing her like a fairy from a painting. Surrounded by her maids, she slowly entered her dressing room, each step dignified and graceful.

The palace maids expertly and meticulously dressed Xiaoru. They gently gathered her long hair into an exquisite bun and adorned her with dazzling jewels. A particularly striking piece of jewelry, a delicately carved hairpin, was inserted into the bun. The dangling beads swayed gently with Xiaoru's every movement, creating a melodious sound like the sound of nature.

Xiaoru sat before the bronze mirror, quietly gazing at herself. The woman in the mirror was stunningly beautiful, her aura so noble that she could hardly believe it was her former maid. Her eyes held a mixture of surprise and excitement, yet also a hint of indescribable fear and uneasiness. The palace maids exclaimed, "Princess, you are so beautiful, like a fairy from heaven." Xiaoru blushed slightly upon hearing this, and whispered, "This all seems like a dream."

Just then, Su Jingyue slowly walked into the dressing room. She smiled at Xiaoru, her eyes filled with relief and joy. She whispered, "Xiaoru, you look as dazzling today as this hairpin." Xiaoru quickly stood up and bowed, gratefully saying, "Your Majesty, this is all thanks to you." Su Jingyue gently helped her up and said earnestly, "From now on, you are Princess Ruyi. You must always be mindful of your words and actions, and do not bring disgrace upon the royal family." Xiaoru nodded solemnly, secretly vowing to become a worthy princess.

The enthronement ceremony was held in a solemn and dignified atmosphere. Xiaoru, dressed in her finest attire, walked step by step toward the stage under the gaze of the crowd. Her skirt trailed the ground, and her steps swayed gracefully. Each step exuded endless charm, attracting countless glances. When the enthronement decree was read, Xiaoru's heart was filled with excitement and pride.

However, life after her enthronement wasn't all smooth sailing. Returning to her palace, Xiaoru found it difficult to adjust to this sudden change of status. Facing a table overflowing with delicacies, she felt a sense of loss and loss. In the quiet of the night, she would often recall the simple, happy times she had spent with Empress Su Jingyue.

But Xiaoru remained undaunted. She diligently learned the etiquette and rules of a princess, adapting to her new life with effort and wisdom. At a palace banquet, Xiaoru's beauty and grace captivated the attention of numerous nobles. They exclaimed, "Princess Ruyi is truly a beauty." Xiaoru merely smiled, but her conviction only deepened.

However, life at the palace wasn't always smooth sailing. Some who envied Xiaoru began spreading rumors behind her back, attempting to undermine her reputation. Faced with these rumors, Xiaoru felt deeply wronged. She cried to Su Jingyue, "Your Majesty, I don't know how to deal with this." Su Jingyue gently comforted her, "Don't be afraid. As long as you behave properly, these rumors will dispel themselves."

With Su Jingyue's encouragement, Xiaoru gradually grew stronger. She used her wisdom and kindness to face the challenges of the palace. Not only did she earn the respect and love of many, she also gradually became a clear voice within the palace. Her actions proved that no matter what the circumstances, as long as one maintains a pure and kind heart, one will surely shine.