Chapter 92 Brother, please don't misunderstand.

"emperor......"

Upon hearing Emperor Zhaoheng's voice, Shui Xian quickly bowed and greeted him towards the door.

A hint of grievance flashed across her pale face.

Emperor Zhaoheng, dressed in bright yellow robes, had already stepped into Tingyu Pavilion. His expression was solemn, and his dignified gaze swept over the curtsy Narcissus before finally settling on Prince Duan, who was slowly rising.

Emperor Zhaoheng did not come alone; following closely behind him was Consort Li, whom he had not seen for a long time.

Although Consort Li had been demoted from Imperial Noble Consort to Consort, and was no longer as arrogant and domineering as before, her attire still exuded boundless luxury.

She wore a scarlet brocade palace dress with gold trim, the collar and sleeves edged with the finest snow fox fur, and a phoenix hairpin inlaid with kingfisher feathers and rubies swayed gently with her steps, shimmering with light.

Consort Li was delighted to see Shui Xian in trouble, and subtly glanced at Shui Xian and Prince Duan.

Prince Duan rose perfunctorily and bowed to Emperor Zhaoheng: "Your subject greets Your Majesty! What a coincidence that Your Majesty has come to Tingyu Pavilion!"

He remained calm and unperturbed, completely unconcerned about what Emperor Zhaoheng might have overheard.

"Just now, I was talking to Consort Jin about the very elegant and unique fragrance she was wearing. I love studying fragrances and asked a few more questions out of curiosity. Please don't misunderstand, Your Majesty!"

Prince Duan explained his earlier rude teasing in a few words, saying that it was because he loved Xiang that he had acted this way.

Consort Li covered her mouth and chuckled at the opportune moment, looking at the Emperor and saying sweetly, "Yes, Your Majesty. I have also heard that the Ningxiang Pavilion, which Prince Duan opened in the capital, is extremely popular among noble ladies."

“Even my younger sister often visits and praises it highly. It is evident that His Highness Prince Duan is indeed highly accomplished and knowledgeable in the art of incense.”

Emperor Zhaoheng glanced at her subtly, pursed his thin lips, and said nothing.

Shui Xian sensed the coldness emanating from Emperor Zhaoheng and knew that if some things were not explained clearly, not to mention what Prince Duan might do, she feared that her hard-won favor would be affected.

Her voice was cold as she said, "I was just returning from visiting Princess Yongning at Kunning Palace when I happened to meet the Empress Dowager and Prince Duan here."

"His Highness Prince Duan said that the Empress Dowager was here and invited me to come in and pay my respects. The Empress Dowager also said that I should stay and wait for a while. I dare not disobey the imperial decree, so I am here."

In just a few words, she clearly explained everything that had just happened.

The fact that a concubine and a prince of the imperial family were alone in a room was a matter that could be serious or minor, and Shui Xian was not about to gamble on it.

Upon hearing her mention her daughter, Emperor Zhaoheng's stern expression seemed to soften slightly.

He stepped forward and directly reached out to grasp the narcissus's slightly cool hand.

His palms were warm, and the way he held Narcissus's hand seemed to be a comforting gesture.

"Your hands are so cold?"

He frowned slightly and said in a low voice, "It's already winter, and the air is cold. Xian'er is not fully recovered yet, so it's best for her to stay in the palace and rest more rather than go out."

Narcissus obediently let him hold her hand, and said with lowered eyes, "Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. I will remember it."

This scene, witnessed by Consort Li, pierced her heart with pain.

Looking at their tightly clasped hands, she couldn't help but clench her fingertips, which were hanging down in her sleeves.

Once upon a time, the Emperor cherished her just as much, but now he treats this lowly servant girl with such care!

However, having experienced the blow of being demoted, she knew that regaining favor would not be easy. With the Emperor finally showing her some kindness, Consort Li no longer dared to act as willfully as before.

She could only clench her hands tightly in her sleeves, while still maintaining a proper smile on her face.

Just then, the curtain of the warm pavilion was lifted, and the Empress Dowager walked out surrounded by palace maids.

Upon seeing Emperor Zhaoheng and Consort Li appear outside, a hint of surprise flashed across the Empress Dowager's eyes, but she quickly regained her composure.

Shui Xian immediately seized the opportunity, curtsied to the Empress Dowager again, and said in a respectful voice with a subtle hint: "May Your Majesty the Empress Dowager be well."

"You asked me to stay earlier, saying you had something to say to me privately? What is it? I am all ears."

On the surface, she was asking the Empress Dowager a question, but in reality, she was telling Emperor Zhaoheng that her decision to stay was entirely in accordance with the Empress Dowager's orders, and not because she wanted to be alone with Prince Duan!

The Empress Dowager was momentarily speechless upon hearing her question.

She originally kept Narcissus because she wanted to privately request that Princess Yongning be taken to Cining Palace to be raised.

She was now alone in Cining Palace, and Cheng Ge'er could not enter the palace often. Seeing the chubby little Yuan Zhao, she naturally had her own thoughts.

However, looking at Emperor Zhaoheng's cold and stern face, the Empress Dowager knew that today was not a good time to bring up this matter.

"oh?"

The Empress Dowager feigned surprise, "I was just putting Cheng'er to sleep and completely forgot. It's nothing important, let's talk about it another day."

She casually brushed the topic aside.

Shui Xian thought to herself, "The Empress Dowager insisted on keeping me here earlier, but now she's not saying anything."

However, on the surface, she only showed respect and affection.

She didn't want to stay in Tingyuxuan any longer, especially being alone in a room with that two-faced Prince Duan.

Shui Xian thought she had seen all kinds of human nature and was used to shameless people, but the hypocrite like Prince Duan, who was despicable in private but solemn and upright on the surface, still broadened her horizons.

"Your Majesty the Empress still has some official duties to attend to in the palace. She is very kind to me as I am weak after childbirth and has specially arranged for the Imperial Household Department to send some new palace maids. I will need to go back and train them a bit..."

"If there are no further instructions, I shall take my leave."

Upon hearing this, Emperor Zhaoheng nodded slightly.

"Yes, Your Majesty is very thoughtful. You should return to the palace and get some rest."

"Your Majesty, I take my leave."

Narcissus bowed again and, supported by Silver Pearl, quickly left.

She only breathed a slight sigh of relief after walking quite a distance, her back already feeling icy cold.

Inside Tingyu Pavilion, the atmosphere became somewhat subtle after Narcissus left.

Because of his filial piety, which was of paramount importance, Emperor Zhaoheng stayed here and exchanged a few very superficial pleasantries with the Empress Dowager, which were nothing more than empty polite words.

After listening for a while, Consort Li, while enjoying her tea and snacks, subtly steered the conversation toward Prince Duan.

"Speaking of which, Your Highness Prince Duan, why didn't you come with me to the palace this time? I remember that you are very filial and often accompany the Empress Dowager."

Before the Empress Dowager, Prince Duan immediately abandoned his sanctimonious demeanor and became very polite to Consort Li.

"Your Highness Consort Lao Li is concerned. My wife has been suffering from headaches these past few days and is not fit to go out. However, since the Empress Dowager misses Cheng Ge'er, I brought him to the palace alone."

Upon hearing this, the Empress Dowager smiled with satisfaction. Looking at her youngest son, she was very pleased.

“Yi Rui has always been filial and always thinks of me.”

Her unusually gentle tone was filled with affection for her youngest son.

Consort Li smiled gently and said, "Isn't that right? I've heard that His Highness Prince Duan has been a frequent visitor to Cining Palace lately. His filial piety is truly touching."

She paused, then looked meaningfully at Emperor Zhaoheng.

"Speaking of which, Cining Palace is not too far from Kunning Palace. Chengge'er is lively and adorable. When Princess Yongning grows up a bit more, the two children can play together and keep each other company. How lively that would be!"

These were the words the Empress Dowager loved to hear.

After Shui Xian became pregnant, she did consider taking action, but the emperor was too wary, and she could only watch helplessly as Shui Xian gave birth.

Now that Narcissus has given birth, she is still a useless girl. The Empress Dowager once again wanted to bring up the matter of inheriting the prince, but Emperor Zhaoheng seems to be avoiding her these days.

It's one thing that she doesn't come to Cining Palace often, but whenever she tries to bring up the matter of adoption, Emperor Zhaoheng always cleverly deflects the question.

Although her eldest son is talented in both literature and military affairs, he is always cold and distant by nature. If his son were to succeed to the throne, what status would she, as the Empress Dowager, have?

But Cheng-ge'er is different. Not only is Cheng-ge'er obedient and considerate, but he also shares the same bloodline as the current emperor. In the Empress Dowager's heart, Cheng-ge'er is the best candidate to inherit the throne.

The Empress Dowager opened her mouth, about to bring up the matter of adoption again, when Emperor Zhaoheng suddenly reprimanded Consort Li.

"You talk too much! When did it become your place to interfere in the affairs of the previous dynasty?"

Consort Li was reprimanded, and a wronged expression immediately appeared on her face. She leaned forward and gently tugged at Emperor Zhaoheng's sleeve, her voice carrying a coquettish tone.

"Your Majesty... I only meant it casually because I thought the Empress Dowager enjoys lively gatherings. How could Your Majesty speak of me like that..."

Seeing this, Prince Duan quickly smiled and smoothed things over.

"Your Majesty, please calm your anger. Consort Li meant well. Speaking of which, seeing you and Consort Li so affectionate reminds me of when Consort Li first entered the Prince's residence as a concubine..."

When the old days of the Prince's residence were mentioned, a hint of nostalgia flashed across Consort Li's brows.

Those days when she was cherished by Emperor Zhaoheng were her most beautiful memories.

She couldn't help but sigh, "Yes...time flies, it's truly nostalgic..."

The Empress Dowager opened her mouth again, but was interrupted by Emperor Zhaoheng with a bow.

"It's getting late, and I have important matters to attend to. If Your Majesty has nothing else to say, I will take my leave now."

As he spoke, Emperor Zhaoheng rose from his seat.

Although the Empress Dowager and the Emperor were not on good terms, he was, after all, her own son who had crawled out of her womb. Judging from his expression, she knew he did not want to talk about adoption.

She pursed her lips slightly, thought for a moment, and then let Emperor Zhaoheng and Consort Li leave.

As they left Tingyu Pavilion, Emperor Zhaoheng walked with a hurried pace, and Consort Li could barely keep up.

Upon reaching a fork in the road, Emperor Zhaoheng suddenly turned around, looked at Consort Li, and spoke in an icy voice.

“Consort Li! You are now an elder in the palace. You should learn to be more composed and sensible, like the Empress.”

"Go back to Zhaoyang Palace by yourself in a while. I haven't been to Kunning Palace for a long time. I'll have dinner there tonight."

Consort Li looked at the man's cold eyes and brows, and felt only bitterness and grievance.

"Yes... Your Majesty understands."

After seeing the Emperor off, Consort Li's eyes were already red.

She looked in the direction of Kunning Palace and suddenly spat viciously in a voice only she could hear.

"The Empress...is sensible? Bah!"