Phoenix Dance: The Eldest Daughter's Physician Consort Shocks the World

Su Yao moved into the palace, hoping to spend peaceful years with Xiao Yi. However, she did not expect that beneath the seemingly calm surface of the palace, undercurrents were surging and dangers were lurking everywhere.

Upon entering the palace, Su Yao immediately felt the gazes of all sides—jealousy, resentment, curiosity, and scrutiny. The Empress, as the head of the harem, was the first to strike. One day, Su Yao was admiring the flowers in the Imperial Garden when she happened to encounter the Empress leading a group of concubines. The Empress stopped, a forced smile on her face, and said, "Oh, isn't this Consort Su? What a fine mood you're in! Even the flowers in this Imperial Garden can't compare to your beauty, sister; you've even bewitched the Emperor." Su Yao bowed respectfully, "Your Majesty is too kind. I was merely enjoying the palace scenery in my leisure time; how could I dare compare myself to the flowers?"

An arrogant concubine chimed in, "Hmph, who knows if she used some seductive tricks to bewitch the Emperor? Someone of such lowly birth dares to try and gain a foothold in this harem." Su Yao was inwardly furious, but maintained a smile, saying, "Although I am of humble origin, my heart is truly devoted to the Emperor, and I have never harbored any ill intentions. But you, sister, are you perhaps jealous of the Emperor's favor towards me?" The concubines' expressions varied upon hearing this, and even the Empress frowned slightly, gently rebuking, "Silence! In this harem, one must be careful with one's words and actions, lest one lose one's composure."

Upon returning to the palace, Su Yao's personal maid, Cui'er, said angrily, "Miss, these people have gone too far. They bully you just because of their status." Su Yao comforted her, "Cui'er, don't be angry. In the harem, strife is inevitable. We can only deal with it carefully and not lose our composure."

Meanwhile, the court was also in turmoil. Some former officials had reservations about Xiao Yi's heavy reliance on Su Yao, arguing that the empress should not interfere in politics, and that Su Yao, being a woman, should not be involved in court affairs. Xiao Yi vehemently opposed these opinions in court: "Consort Su is exceptionally intelligent and kind-hearted. When I discuss state affairs with her, I am merely listening to the opinions of the common people. How can this be considered interference in politics? I know my limits, and my beloved ministers need not say more."

However, the rumors did not stop. Knowing her current predicament, Su Yao, not wanting to be a burden to Xiao Yi, began to intentionally reduce her meetings with him, instead focusing her energy on managing palace affairs and helping the poor. She established a palace academy, teaching the maids to read, write, and do needlework, and frequently used her own monthly allowance to purchase food and clothing to aid disaster victims outside the palace.

One day, Xiao Yi visited Su Yao's palace and saw her haggard face. His heart ached. "Su Yao," he said, "I know you've suffered injustice in this harem. It's my fault; I failed to protect you." Su Yao shook her head. "Your Majesty," she replied, "I'm not wronged. I just don't want to cause Your Majesty any trouble in court because of me. I will do my best to fulfill my duties and not cause Your Majesty any trouble." Xiao Yi held Su Yao's hand tightly. "Su Yao," he said, "you don't need to be so cautious. I believe time will prove everything, and those rumors will eventually dissipate."

But things weren't as simple as Xiao Yi had imagined. Soon after, rumors spread throughout the palace that Su Yao had mistreated palace maids and embezzled relief supplies, causing a great uproar. Su Yao understood that someone was deliberately sabotaging her, trying to kill her. She calmly said to Cui'er, "Cui'er, we can't just sit here and wait to die. Go find some reliable people to secretly investigate this matter and see who's behind it all."

Cui'er accepted the order and, after several days of investigation, finally discovered that it was the work of a concubine surnamed Wang. Jealous of Su Yao's favor with the emperor and dissatisfied with Su Yao's policies in the palace, she conspired with a minister in the previous court who harbored resentment towards Xiao Yi to orchestrate this series of conspiracies. Upon learning the truth, Su Yao did not immediately expose the scheme but instead gathered sufficient evidence.

At a palace banquet, Su Yao, seeing her opportunity, presented evidence to Xiao Yi in front of everyone: "Your Majesty, I have recently heard some rumors about me, which have deeply saddened me. Today, I present the evidence I have gathered, and humbly request Your Majesty to investigate thoroughly and clear my name." After reading the evidence, Xiao Yi's face darkened: "How dare you! Spreading rumors and causing trouble in the harem! Guards! Seize the Princess and that minister and hand them over to the Ministry of Justice for severe punishment!"

After this incident, the concubines in the harem witnessed Su Yao's methods and wisdom, and dared not provoke her again. The ministers in the court also understood Xiao Yi's intention to protect Su Yao and gradually stopped impeaching her. Su Yao temporarily secured her position in this turbulent harem, but she knew that the road ahead was long, and she must be even more cautious to survive in this deep palace and, together with Xiao Yi, protect the hard-won empire.