The Legend of Concubine Su

As time passed, Su Jingyue, once a humble noblewoman, climbed to the heights of imperial concubine through her wisdom and perseverance amidst the turbulent times of the harem. Her figure became increasingly dazzling within the palace walls, becoming a unique feature of the harem.

On this day, the sun was shining brightly, and the spring breeze was gentle and warm, giving people a comfortable and pleasant feeling. The Queen suddenly felt interested and decided to invite all the concubines in the harem to gather together for a grand and luxurious banquet.

At the banquet, the Emperor and Empress sat side by side, their faces filled with sweet smiles of happiness, their eyes revealing their deep love for each other and their eager anticipation for the banquet. Surrounding them were Concubine Li, Concubine Jiang, Concubine Li, Su Jingyue, and other concubines. Each had their own unique style, some dignified and elegant, others charming and alluring, each showcasing their own unique charm.

Noble Lady Li, clad in a magnificent palace attire, commanded attention with her beauty and elegance. Concubine Jiang captivated everyone with her gentle and graceful demeanor. Concubine Li's beauty and charm were unforgettable. And Su Jingyue stood out with her fresh and refined image, her smile warming the heart like the spring sun. These beautiful concubines made the entire banquet hall ablaze with brilliance.

At the climax of the banquet, Concubine Jiang suddenly proposed, "I'm thinking, since we're all sisters of the Emperor and Empress, why don't we take this opportunity to show off some of our talents and entertain the Empress and Emperor?" Her eyes flickered with anticipation as she swept over the crowd. Everyone nodded in agreement, knowing this was a great opportunity to showcase their talents.

The Emperor's lips curled up slightly in an appreciative smile, and he nodded in agreement. "That's excellent," he said, his voice deep and powerful, carrying an irresistible majesty.

Thus, a unique talent show kicked off.

Concubine Li took the stage first. Dressed in a pink silk gown, she gracefully strode onto the stage. Holding a brush, a confident smile lit her face. Gently wielding the brush, she sketched a pair of lifelike mandarin ducks on the rice paper. Their feathers were so delicate and lifelike, you could almost feel their softness. Concubine Li smiled and said, "With this painting, I wish the Emperor and the Empress a loving and long life together." Her words were gentle and sincere, conveying her sincere wishes for the Emperor and Empress. The audience applauded, praising Concubine Li's talent and thoughtfulness.

Then, Concubine Li slowly approached the guzheng, her posture graceful and dignified. She gently sat down, placed her hands on the strings, and gently plucked them. Suddenly, a melodious guzheng tune flowed out. The melody was like a mountain stream, crystal clear, and like the song of birds in the forest, melodious and sweet. Concubine Li's fingering was skillful and flexible, and her playing was full of emotion, immersing one in nature, feeling its tranquility and beauty. Everyone listened quietly, immersed in the world of music. When the last note fell, the audience erupted in applause. Concubine Li stood up, bowed slightly, and expressed her gratitude.

When it was Su Jingyue's turn, she took a deep breath and secretly resolved to showcase her unique talents. After all, she had traveled from the modern era and wasn't particularly adept at performing arts like music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. However, she wasn't completely without merit, possessing a melodious voice and a courageous spirit to experiment and innovate.

Then, she gently cleared her throat, and then sang a modern pop song in her clear and sweet voice - "Climbing the Spring Mountain": "In February, the willows are drunk with spring smoke, and on March 3rd, the mountains are covered with green grass. The most beautiful weather in the world is April. The spring water in the river is as green as blue, the spring scenery is so noisy that people can't sleep, and the spring rain fills the pond and calls the water lilies..."

As the song began to play, the entire hall seemed enveloped by this beautiful music. Everyone stopped what they were doing and quietly listened to this unfamiliar yet moving song. Su Jingyue's voice flowed through everyone's hearts like a clear spring, making them feel an unprecedented joy and emotion.

The refreshing melody, unique lyrics, and her soulful performance captivated everyone present. The Emperor was so enchanted that he couldn't stop smiling, exclaiming in admiration, "How many secrets does Concubine Su have that I don't know? Let Concubine Su sleep with me tonight!"

As night fell, the entire palace was immersed in silence. Su Jingyue was carefully carried into the Hall of Mental Cultivation by a group of young eunuchs. Her face was filled with shyness and nervousness, her hands tightly grasping the corners of her clothes, and her body was trembling slightly.

The emperor sat on the dragon throne, his eyes fixed on the beautiful woman before him. Her face was as delicate as a flower, her skin as white as snow, and her large eyes sparkled brightly. An inexplicable emotion welled up in the emperor's heart. He slowly stood up and walked towards Su Jingyue.

He gently stroked her hair, feeling her softness and warmth. Su Jingyue's face flushed like a ripe apple. She lowered her head, not daring to look directly into the emperor's eyes. The emperor smiled slightly and said softly, "Don't be afraid. I will treat you well."

Inside the hibiscus tent, candlelight flickered as the two spent an unforgettable night together. The next morning, as the first rays of sunlight streamed into the Hall of Mental Cultivation, the young eunuchs were already waiting outside. Holding the imperial edict, they read aloud: "The Emperor, by the Mandate of Heaven, decrees: Concubine Su is gentle and virtuous, with upright character. She is hereby canonized as a noble consort. This is my decree!"

This news was like a thunderclap, causing an uproar among the concubines. They began to whisper and discuss, surprised and envious of Su Jingyue's promotion. For a time, Su Jingyue became the target of public criticism and attracted much attention.

"I heard that the emperor has appointed Su Jingyue as a royal concubine!" a palace maid said excitedly.

"What? Imperial Concubine? How long has she been in the palace? How come she was promoted to Imperial Concubine so quickly?" another palace maid asked in disbelief.

"Yes, she must have something special, otherwise why would the emperor value her so much?" someone speculated.

"Hmph, he's just a newcomer, what's so great about him?" Some people said jealously.

However, for Su Jingyue, this is just a new starting point in her life. She knows that she shoulders more responsibilities and obligations and must hold herself to higher standards in order to gain a firm foothold in this complex palace environment.

"Congratulations on your promotion, sister. I've come here specially to congratulate you." Su Jingyue's good sister, Li Guiren, walked over with a smile and saluted her.

"Thank you, sister. I still have a lot to learn and hope to get your guidance in the future." Su Jingyue said modestly.

"Sister, you're joking. Please take care of me in the future." Li Guiren replied with a smile.

As time went by, Su Jingyue gradually adapted to the status of a noble concubine, but she always maintained a clear mind and a humble attitude. She understood that only by constantly improving herself could she survive in the palace.

Su Jingyue knelt on the ground, taking the imperial edict with both hands, tears welling in her eyes. She knew all this had been hard-earned, the effort and sacrifice she had expended to achieve her current position and glory. She looked up at the almighty Emperor, her heart filled with gratitude and reverence. She cried out, "Your Majesty, I thank you! Long live the Emperor!" At that moment, she seemed to see an even brighter future for herself.