Chapter 308 Brewing Tea for Her
Yinzhu suddenly looked up, "Your Majesty?!"
"The land deed of Dengdi Inn, and the house deeds of the two shops next to it."
Narcissus spoke calmly, as if remarking on the pleasant weather, "From today onwards, they are yours."
"No! This servant cannot accept it!"
As if burned, Yinzhu immediately knelt down. "The inn is Your Highness's life's work. My husband and I are just managing it on Your Highness's behalf. How dare we take it for ourselves?"
"Your Majesty, this is absolutely impossible!"
Narcissus did not immediately help her up, but simply watched her kneeling figure for a long time.
Faintly, she seemed to see her past self, equally loyal, through the silver beads of loyalty.
The hall was silent, save for the sound of Yinzhu's suppressed breathing.
Finally, Narcissus leaned down and personally helped Silver Pearl up, pressing her back onto the embroidered stool.
"This is not a reward."
Narcissus looked directly into Yinzhu's red eyes with a sincere expression. "Yinzhu, listen to me... this is the dowry that the older sister is giving to the younger sister."
Yinzhu's tears rolled down her cheeks instantly.
“You and Zhou Yan have run the inn exceptionally well. Its current value far exceeds the cost I paid for it. You deserve it.”
Narcissus took out a handkerchief and wiped away her tears, her voice soft yet firm.
"not to mention......"
She paused, a genuine smile appearing on her lips.
"With this business, you'll have more confidence within the Zhou family. No matter what happens in the future, you'll have a solid foundation for your livelihood."
"And as you establish yourself outside the palace, the bigger your business grows, the wider your network of information expands, and you're all around me..."
She gripped the silver bead tightly, "and it will always be my source of strength."
Yinzhu was completely stunned.
Looking into Narcissus's calm, watery eyes, she suddenly understood something.
This gift, seemingly a great favor and a sign of trust, is a testament to the deep sisterly bond.
But going even deeper... The fact that Her Majesty officially handed over Dengdi Inn to her means that from now on, this most important source of information outside the palace will be under the full responsibility of Yinzhu, who will be directly accountable to Her Majesty.
This was a trust, a responsibility, and it bound the fates of the two women, mistress and servant, even closer together.
Yinzhu felt a surge of emotion and a sense of responsibility towards Shuixian.
She rose again, and this time, she performed a proper bow.
"Your Majesty, please rest assured."
She spoke each word with conviction: "As long as I live, the inn will remain. As long as I live, this connection will never be broken."
——
After Yinzhu left the palace, Shuixian rode in a phoenix carriage to Kunning Palace.
After she was made empress, Emperor Zhaoheng decreed that the east side hall of Kunning Palace be converted into the place where the empress handled palace affairs, while the main hall remained unchanged as a symbolic central palace, often used for sacrifices or ceremonies.
At this moment, the east hall was piled high with reports, account books, and regulations, reaching half a person's height.
Shui Xian sat down behind the large sandalwood desk, feeling that it had been a long time since she had sat here since she became pregnant.
Since returning to the palace, Emperor Zhaoheng has tacitly allowed her to resume handling official duties.
When I got my hands on the daffodils, I was almost impatient.
She is extremely efficient.
He first reviewed the expansion plan for the Women Officials' School.
With a flick of the vermilion brush, it was accurate.
Then they reviewed the plan for cutting expenses in the harem.
Since Emperor Zhaoheng disbanded the harem, the expenses of the harem have been greatly reduced.
This plan, however, was further refined, specifying new regulations for everything from lamp oil and charcoal to seasonal fruits, and it was estimated that another 30% could be saved. Shui Xian made slight modifications, specifying that the surplus would be allocated to the Salesian Bureau to support orphans and widows, and then it was approved.
Finally, there was a list of the imperial concubines who were moved to a palace in the suburbs of Beijing to live out their retirement.
After the Empress Dowager left the palace, the harem was also disbanded. Several of the late emperor's concubines, who were old and had no children to rely on, petitioned to leave the palace to live out their days in comfort.
Shui Xian carefully checked the rank and annual allowance of each concubine, and carefully added or subtracted a few items of expenses and rewards to ensure that they would have no worries in their later years, without being too extravagant and causing controversy.
An hour later, most of the tasks piled up on his desk had been dealt with.
Shui Xian put down her vermilion brush, rubbed her slightly sore wrist, and was about to call someone to refill her tea when her gaze inadvertently swept over the corner of the table.
There were several unprocessed reports sent from Emperor Zhaoheng's side, pressed there.
Most of them were reports related to the imperial harem.
She picked up the top letter at random. It was a routine report from the Imperial Household Department regarding the autumn tribute silks being stored in the warehouse. She guessed that Emperor Zhaoheng had been handling the affairs of the Imperial Household Department on her behalf a few days ago, and now that Shuixian had regained power, these reports were sent from the imperial desk to her desk.
He put it down and picked up the next letter, which was a record of celestial phenomena submitted by the Imperial Observatory.
The third letter...
Narcissus's hand paused.
It was a secret memorial without a title or signature, sealed with sealing wax of a unique pattern.
Although Narcissus had never seen it before, for some reason, the moment she saw the special pattern, she subconsciously thought of Ana who came from the southern border.
Narcissus's heart skipped a beat.
How did Ana's letter end up here?
Shui Xian immediately recalled what Pei Jichuan had said: Ana was helping Emperor Zhaoheng recuperate, and because it involved the emperor's health, it was not convenient to disclose the secret, so even Pei Jichuan did not know.
It is estimated that the palace staff neglected to send the letters on Emperor Zhaoheng's desk along with the reports from the Imperial Household Department.
Was it deliberately placed here to test her? Or... did Emperor Zhaoheng's statement this morning that "there are no more secrets" actually include opening even such confidential reports to her?
Narcissus's fingertips are icy cold.
Reason told her that she shouldn't demolish it.
This is a letter directly addressed to the emperor. Although she, as empress, has the power to assist in managing the six palaces, she has no right to interfere in the private affairs of the court or even the emperor.
But……
"I entrust my empire and my wealth to you."
"From now on, there will be no secrets between us, and no need for suspicion."
His words from this morning still echo in my ears.
That burning, sincere gaze seems to still be right before my eyes.
Narcissus held the letter in her hand; the thin paper felt as heavy as a thousand pounds.
She should send someone to return it to the Qianqing Palace intact.
She should pretend she didn't see it and continue with other matters.
But……
As if by some strange twist of fate, Narcissus's fingertips touched the sealing wax on the envelope.
"Smack."
A faint, almost inaudible crackling sound.
The sealing wax cracked, and the seal came undone.
Narcissus closed her eyes briefly, and when she opened them again, her gaze was serene.
She pulled out the letter and unfolded it.
The paper was thin yet tough, and the handwriting was in the style of a woman's brush.
"The Empress Dowager's health has been assessed jointly by the minister and Imperial Physician Pei. Her cold has subsided, and her chronic diarrhea is gradually subsiding..."
In the letter, Ana first mentioned the Empress Dowager's imperial body.
"Currently, he is taking one dose of modified Shenling Baizhu Powder daily, supplemented with acupuncture at Guanyuan and Zusanli acupoints. His sleep and appetite are gradually improving, and his pulse is becoming more moderate. It is expected that after another month of treatment, he will return to his previous condition."
It was Ana's handwriting. Narcissus recognized it.
She continued reading.
"After several months of recuperation, His Majesty's old cold ailment has been almost completely cured, and his vital essence is abundant, thus restoring his ability to have offspring to its former state."
The moment she saw the words that followed, Narcissus's breath caught in her throat.
Regarding offspring...the situation has been restored to its original state!
Narcissus's hand, holding the letter, tightened little by little.
The edges of the paper wrinkled at her fingertips, making a soft rustling sound.
She recalled Emperor Zhaoheng's excessive anxiety about her pregnancy, and the sincere look in his eyes when he handed over the seals of his private treasury and the dispatch of his secret guards to her this morning.
...
I see.
It turns out that the so-called "no more secrets" was actually his confidence that he had finally managed to improve his health behind her back, so that he could conceive more children.
My heart grew colder and colder.
It felt like being doused with a bucket of ice water in the dead of winter, chilling you from head to toe, even your fingertips went numb.
Narcissus sat there, motionless for a long time.
The sunlight outside the window gradually slanted westward, stretching her shadow long and casting it alone on the polished gold brick floor.
Finally, she moved.
Narcissus was extremely slow in folding the letter back into its original shape and stuffing it back into the envelope.
Then he took a small piece of new sealing wax, softened it over a candle flame, and carefully resealed the opening.
Her movements were steady and precise.
After doing all this, she put the secret report back at the bottom of the stack of scattered reports.
Then, she picked up the next document awaiting approval.
It was a request from the Ministry of Rites regarding the procedures for the sacrificial ceremony to Heaven.
She picked up the vermilion brush and dipped it in ink.
The pen tip hovered above the paper, not falling for a long time.
The deep red cinnabar ink slowly condensed and dripped down.
A glaring red stain spread across the snow-white paper.
Like blood.
——
When Emperor Zhaoheng returned from court early, Shuixian was sitting in front of the embroidery frame by the window, her silver needle guiding the silk thread, but she did not finish for a long time.
The embroidery frame depicts a pair of mandarin ducks playing in the water, with only half of their wings embroidered.
"Xian'er".
Emperor Zhaoheng's voice came from the doorway, carrying a hint of weariness from returning from court, yet it was all the more gentle.
Narcissus's fingertips trembled slightly, and the silver needle almost pricked her fingertip.
She put down her needlework, stood up, and turned around with a perfectly timed smile on her face: "His Majesty has returned early today."
"Don't move."
Emperor Zhaoheng strode forward, pressed her back onto the embroidered stool, and sat down beside her.
He took out a small celadon jar from his bosom. The jar was plain, with only a few cloud patterns outlined in ink. "This is the first batch of Yunwu tea, a new tribute from Jiangnan. I think you should try it."
Shui Xian took the tea canister, her fingertips touching its cool surface: "Such a small matter could have been brought by a palace servant; there was no need for His Majesty to come personally..."
"I want to cook this for you myself."
Emperor Zhaoheng interrupted her, naturally taking her slightly cool hand in his. "Come on, let's go to the warm pavilion in the back."
Emperor Zhaoheng's smile was deep, his heart and eyes were filled with her.
"Today, I will play the role of a tea master."
The rear hall of the Qianqing Palace is connected to a waterside pavilion with windows on three sides, outside which several pure white jasmine plants bloom in summer.
Inside the pavilion were low couches and tea tables. Before the emperor and empress arrived, the palace servants had already moved the ice chest there, and a breeze made it very cool.
Emperor Zhaoheng removed his court robes and outer garments, leaving only his bright yellow everyday clothes. He rolled up his sleeves, washed his hands, and sat down properly at the tea table.
The narcissus watched quietly.
She watched him fetch water, warm the pot... his movements were so skillful that he didn't seem like a novice.
The moment boiling water is poured into the teapot, white steam rises, the tea leaves unfurl and tumble in the water, making a soft sound and filling the air with an enticing aroma.
When did you learn to brew tea?
Narcissus suddenly asked.
Emperor Zhaoheng glanced at her, a slight smile playing on his lips: "A few days ago, I spent some free time reading a book on tea and also sought advice from an old palace servant in the Tea Supervisor a few times."
He paused, his tone softening further, "I've always thought I should learn from you. Once you're more stable, when it snows, I'll accompany you to the pavilion by the plum grove, where we'll sit around a stove, brew tea, and watch the red plum blossoms reflected in the snow."
He spoke of it casually, as if it were the most natural thing between husband and wife.
Narcissus felt a slight prick in her heart.
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