The Legend of Concubine Su

Su Jingyue, the beloved imperial concubine cherished by the emperor, endured a life deep within the palace walls, seemingly luxurious yet monotonous. Her days resembled a meticulously crafted jade, radiant yet cold and hard. Yet, deep within this seemingly tranquil palace, she harbored a secret dream—a dream to one day escape the gilded cage and experience the everyday life of ordinary people, the simple yet genuine joys of life.

Finally, on a sunny morning when everything was reviving, when the first ray of sunlight from the Forbidden City penetrated the mist and gently sprinkled on the glazed tiles, Su Jingyue made a decision that left everyone dumbfounded.

She wore a pale blue cloth gown, its sleeves fluttering, seemingly blending in with the morning breeze. The fabric was soft, as light as clouds, and embroidered with a few simple, elegant patterns, adding a touch of grace. She wore a white belt around her waist, simple yet elegant, further emphasizing her slender figure.

Su Jingyue's hair was combed into a simple bun, fixed with only a white jade hairpin, and a few strands of hair fell by her ears, which made her look more elegant and refined.

Like two nimble kittens, they silently darted through the shadows of the palace, skillfully avoiding patrolling guards and curious maids. After countless heart-pounding moments, they finally managed to slip out of the palace gates that symbolized power and nobility and stepped into the bustling and bustling capital.

The streets and alleys of the capital were bustling with activity, the dazzling array of goods and the resounding cries of hawkers interweaving into a vibrant symphony of life. While Xiaoru was filled with anxiety, constantly glancing back, fearing discovery, Su Jingyue felt as if she were in a whole new world. Her eyes widened, she surveyed her surroundings with curiosity, as excited as a child. The busy vendors, the children at play, the simple-dressed yet beaming common people... all of this felt so new and familiar to her.

Walking down the street, Su Jingyue looked around, filled with curiosity. She spotted a vendor selling sugar figurines and dragged Xiaoru over. They marveled at the artisans skillfully crafting lifelike animal figures from sugar syrup. She also spotted a vendor selling kites. The colorful kites hung on the wall, fluttering in the wind, were truly beautiful. So she dragged Xiaoru over to see the kites, asking her what this and that were.

Xiaoru felt relieved when she saw Su Jingyue's happy face. She thought it was good for the young lady to go out for a walk, which was better than being bored at home. However, she still did not dare to let her guard down and kept an eye on the surroundings, fearing that someone would recognize them.

As she walked, Su Jingyue came to the door of a bookstore. Seeing that it was filled with a variety of books, she couldn't help but walk in to take a look. She picked up a poetry collection and opened it. She was intoxicated by the beautiful verses written on it. She also picked up a history book and flipped through a few pages. She saw many historical stories and figures recorded in it, which opened her eyes.

Seeing that Su Jingyue was engrossed in reading, Xiaoru whispered, "Miss, we should go back." Su Jingyue reluctantly put down the book in her hand and said, "Okay, let's go." The two walked out of the bookstore and continued to stroll on the street. Suddenly, Su Jingyue heard a melodious piano sound coming from not far away. She looked in the direction of the sound and saw a teahouse in front of her, with bursts of laughter coming from inside.

In a corner of the capital's bustling market, Su Jingyue and Xiaoru found a relatively quiet spot. They unpacked the ingredients and tools they had prepared. It turned out that Su Jingyue was not only a beautiful and intelligent imperial concubine, but also a hidden pastry master. She decided to set up a small stall here, selling cakes she had crafted in the palace. These cakes, not only varied in shape and color, embodied Su Jingyue's unique understanding of folk life and her creativity. Their alluring aroma quickly attracted the attention and attention of passersby.

People gathered around, curiously inquiring about the origins and flavors of this novel treat. Su Jingyue patiently answered each question with a smile, personally cutting slices of cake for everyone to taste. The cakes were delicate and rich, their flavor mellow but not cloying, leaving everyone with an unforgettable experience. The young scholar was particularly impressed, declaring it the most delicious delicacy he had ever encountered. As word spread, a long line formed in front of Su Jingyue's cake stall, eager to buy and taste this rare imperial delicacy.

However, just as they were basking in the joy of their success, an unexpected visitor shattered their tranquility. A rich, ostentatious young man, dressed in finery and boasting, approached with several attendants. Upon seeing Su Jingyue's appearance, his eyes lit up, and he began flirting with her. Xiaoru, blushing with anger, was about to step forward to argue, but Su Jingyue gently stopped her. She took a deep breath to calm herself, then slowly stood up and stared at the rich young man with a piercing gaze.

"I am Imperial Concubine Su Jingyue!" Her voice was soft, but the majesty and power within it resonated like thunder in everyone's ears. The wealthy young man paled with fear, trembling all over. He knelt on the ground, kowtowed repeatedly, and begged for mercy: "I, Imperial Concubine, please spare my life... I have been blind and ignorant... I have offended you... Please have mercy..." His forehead slammed against the ground, making a resounding sound.

The surrounding crowd was also stunned by this sudden turn of events. They stared at the unfolding scene in amazement, momentarily at a loss for what to do. However, after a moment, they regained their composure and cast glances of surprise and admiration. They admired Su Jingyue's courage and wisdom. The decisiveness and bravery displayed by this imperial concubine at a crucial moment were truly remarkable.

At this moment, the palace guards also discovered Su Jingyue's whereabouts. They quickly took action and searched everywhere for Su Jingyue's whereabouts. After some twists and turns, they finally found her at the market and escorted her back to the palace safely.

On the way back to the palace, Su Jingyue sat in the sedan chair, with a lot of thoughts in her mind. Today's experience made her understand that even in the palace, she must remain vigilant and witty.

Although this adventure out of the palace ended hastily, Su Jingyue gained many precious experiences and memories. She experienced the warmth and humanity of ordinary people and realized the preciousness and rarity of freedom. Returning to the palace, she reclaimed that glittering yet somewhat dull world, but her heart was filled with new hope and motivation. She knew that no matter where she lived, as long as she maintained a love for life and a courageous spirit of exploration, she could live a vibrant and beautiful life. This experience would become one of her most precious treasures, forever etched in her heart.