Chapter 322 He lost!
Winter at Reiwa Palace is enveloped in a carefully maintained tranquility.
Since the day Emperor Zhaoheng stormed out, although the palace gate was not locked, everyone understood that the Empress was under house arrest in effect.
Yet, throughout the entire palace, not a single person dared to mistreat them.
The daily expenses of the Lihe Palace are still at the highest level for the Empress.
Although Emperor Zhaoheng no longer set foot there, he would ask Feng Shunxiang every day: "How did the Empress go today? Did she sleep well? Is she feeling unwell?"
Feng Shunxiang was well-prepared and answered calmly, while Emperor Zhaoheng listened quietly.
Emperor Zhaoheng was suffering.
Narcissus knows.
But she chose to ignore it.
She still washed and dressed every day, had breakfast, and then went to the newly set-up study in the Reiwa Palace.
She is now in the final stages of her pregnancy, her belly is very large, and she has some difficulty moving around, but she still insists on going to the study every day.
She reads books and practices calligraphy.
Every day at 9:00 AM, the nanny would bring Yongning, Qingyan, and Qinghe over on time.
This is the only time of day that Narcissus truly smiles.
Narcissus would recite poems with them, tell them stories, and listen to their chatter about interesting things that happened in the Qianqing Palace.
Although Emperor Zhaoheng did not visit her, he often took the children to the Qianqing Palace, personally taught them to write, and played with them.
Narcissus knew all of this.
But she never responded, as if she had completely forgotten about Emperor Zhaoheng.
Emperor Zhaoheng had inquired about Empress Yongning's reaction. Upon hearing Yongning say that his mother had little reaction, Emperor Zhaoheng remained silent for a long while before speaking:
"Father knows."
He gently patted Yongning's head, his eyes darkening slightly...
......
That afternoon, Narcissus was practicing calligraphy in the warm pavilion.
Just then, a palace maid named Qingdai brought in tea and snacks.
She gently placed the teacup beside Shui Xian, the sound crisp and clear, carrying a hint of innocent curiosity.
"This servant went to the Imperial Household Department to collect my allowance and overheard the eunuchs there discussing..."
She paused, as if recalling something: "They said that several high-ranking officials from the previous dynasty were again advising the emperor to hold a selection of concubines, saying something like... the emperor's side can't always be empty; it's against etiquette..."
She glanced at Narcissus's face and lowered her voice even further.
"They also said that His Majesty is now in his prime, in good health, and naturally... the more offspring the better."
"Your Majesty, please don't be discouraged!"
Shui Xian raised her eyes and looked at Qing Dai. As she gazed at Qing Dai's young face, her eyes gradually deepened.
Qingdai felt a tremor in her heart when she saw that gaze, and quickly lowered her head.
"This servant has spoken out of turn...This servant deserves to die!"
Narcissus said nothing.
She simply released her grip and placed the teacup back on the table.
Then, she picked up her brush again, spread out a new sheet of Xuan paper, dipped it in ink, and continued writing.
How could Narcissus not know that there was a problem with indigo?
Previously, she would have Yinzhu and Tinglu investigate.
But now, utterly exhausted, she feels that everything is tiring.
I'm so tired...
That night, at the Qianqing Palace.
After Emperor Zhaoheng finished reviewing the last memorial, he put down his vermilion brush and rubbed his throbbing temples.
The hall was brightly lit by candles, yet its emptiness was unsettling.
He got up and walked to the window.
The night outside the window was deep, and the outline of the Lihe Palace in the distance was faintly visible in the darkness, with only a few scattered lights that seemed like bright stars in the night.
"What time is it?"
He asked.
Feng Shunxiang bowed and said, "Your Majesty, it is 3:45 PM."
Emperor Zhaoheng was silent for a moment, then suddenly said, "I... am going out for a walk."
He didn't say where he was going, but Feng Shunxiang knew perfectly well.
The group left the Qianqing Palace quietly and headed towards the Lihe Palace.
Night had fallen, and apart from the guards on duty, the palace road was deserted.
The biting wind stung my cheeks.
Emperor Zhaoheng stopped some distance from the gate of Lihe Palace.
He stood there in the shadows, gazing at the silent palace.
A slender silhouette was reflected on the window paper of the main hall of the Reiwa Palace.
She wasn't asleep yet; she was sitting by the window, seemingly...reading?
Emperor Zhaoheng watched quietly for a long time.
After a while, Feng Shunxiang couldn't help but whisper, "Your Majesty, it's windy tonight, please take care of your health. If you wish to see the Empress, perhaps..."
"No need."
Emperor Zhaoheng interrupted him, his voice low and hoarse, "She doesn't want to see me."
He had seen with his own eyes the resolute and distant look in her eyes when she looked at him.
He knew that the door in her heart had already been closed to him.
"Feng Shunxiang, tell me... what exactly did I do wrong?"
Feng Shunxiang was startled and immediately knelt down: "Your Majesty! Your Majesty is the Son of Heaven, how could you be wrong! It is we servants who have not served you well..."
"That's not what I'm asking you."
Emperor Zhaoheng waved his hand wearily, "I'm asking... haven't I treated her well enough?"
Feng Shunxiang was speechless.
He couldn't answer that question.
He said it was "good enough," but the Empress was truly heartbroken and wanted to leave.
To say it's "not good enough"... The Emperor's treatment of the Empress is already an unprecedented favor in the history of dynasties.
Emperor Zhaoheng did not need his answer.
He was just asking himself the question.
But he himself had no answer.
After standing there for about fifteen minutes, until the lights in the Lihe Palace went out, Emperor Zhaoheng slowly turned around.
"Let's go back."
His voice was filled with an overwhelming weariness.
The following day, Emperor Zhaoheng summoned Pei Jichuan to the Qianqing Palace.
He asked in great detail: "How has the Empress been eating and living these days? Is her pulse stable?"
Pei Jichuan answered them one by one. Finally, after hesitating for a moment, he said in a low voice, "Your Majesty, the Empress is in good health, but... she seems to be somewhat unsettled."
Emperor Zhaoheng frowned: "You seem uneasy? Why?"
Pei Jichuan lowered his head: "Your Majesty... I dare not presume to speculate. However, pregnant women are sensitive and prone to overthinking. They need to rest and recuperate, and should not... should not be subjected to any further stimulation."
He dared not say too much.
The thing that Narcissus asked him to investigate in secret was probably the crux of Narcissus's problem.
Emperor Zhaoheng, however, misunderstood.
He thought that Narcissus's unease was due to his house arrest and the argument that day.
Emperor Zhaoheng, annoyed, dismissed Pei Jichuan.
He began sending things to the Lihe Palace more frequently.
Rare medicinal herbs, exquisite jewelry, and even glass lamps newly presented as tribute from foreign lands...
He wanted to use these things to tell her: I care about you.
But he didn't know that when these things were sent to Lihe Palace, Shuixian would only glance at them before having Tinglu put them into the storeroom.
Even with the glass lamp she had once praised, she only said lightly, "Put it away, don't break it."
Then, I continued to read her books and practice her calligraphy.
It was as if those priceless treasures were no different from dust to her.
February 7th, night.
The Palace of Rites was completely silent.
Narcissus sat at her desk, a plain sheet of paper spread out in front of her.
The ink is ground, and the brush is moistened.
She remained silent for a long time.
The charcoal fire inside the hall was warm, but she felt her hands and feet were ice cold.
After a long while, she finally picked up her pen.
This time, there were only a few words.
After she finished writing, she quietly looked at those few lines of text.
The ink was still wet, glistening with a damp sheen under the candlelight.
She folded the letter, put it in an envelope, and sealed it.
"Silver Beads".
Narcissus called softly.
Yinzhu came in from the outer room and saw the letter in her hand, "Your Majesty..."
"Send it to the Qianqing Palace." Shui Xian handed her the letter. "Go now."
The palace doors opened and closed again.
A cold wind blew in, causing the candlelight to flicker violently.
The narcissus sat motionless in place.
Gently place your palm on your protruding belly.
Just then, the child gently kicked her.
It's very light, yet clear.
Narcissus closed her eyes, and tears silently streamed down her face.
sorry.
My mother might not be a good mother.
Holding the letter, Yinzhu hurried along the palace path late at night.
Despite the biting cold wind, she felt the letter in her palm was burning hot.
Just as she reached the palace gate, two dark figures silently blocked her path.
They are secret guards.
"Miss Yinzhu."
One of them spoke, his voice icy, "His Majesty has decreed that no one is allowed to enter or leave the Lihe Palace without authorization. Please return."
Yinzhu gritted her teeth and held up the letter in her hand: "This servant is ordered by Her Majesty the Empress to deliver this letter to His Majesty! This letter is written by Her Majesty herself, and must be personally delivered to His Majesty!"
The guards exchanged a glance, and one of them took the letter: "We will pass it on to the Emperor. Please return, young lady."
Yinzhu wanted to argue, but another guard stepped forward, the silent pressure forcing her to retreat.
She watched helplessly as the letter was taken away by the guards and disappeared in the direction of the Qianqing Palace.
The Qianqing Palace.
Emperor Zhaoheng was still awake.
He sat behind his desk, holding a memorial in his hand.
Feng Shunxiang quietly entered, holding a letter in his hands: "Your Majesty, the secret guards just delivered this... It's a letter from the Empress to Your Majesty."
Emperor Zhaoheng suddenly looked up!
He practically snatched the letter from him, his fingertips trembling slightly from the force.
Open it and pull out the letter.
There was only one thin sheet.
Only a few words.
He scanned it quickly:
The palace walls are at four corners, and the sky is only on one side.
Your Majesty is weary. It has nothing to do with honor or favor; I only seek peace of mind.
I hope Your Majesty will grant my request.
......
To grant my wish? Ha, to grant my wish!
Emperor Zhaoheng gripped the letter tightly, his knuckles turning white from the excessive force, almost crushing the thin paper.
In his eyes, a torrent of pain and bewilderment surged.
She didn't want his favor, nor his empire.
She might even... not want him anymore.
She simply wants to live freely, as an individual.
Even if that freedom doesn't include him.
After a long while, he suddenly chuckled softly.
The laughter was hoarse, broken, and filled with endless self-mockery.
He lost.
They suffered a crushing defeat.
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