Chapter 8 This should have been her chance to win the emperor's favor
The narcissus flowers arrived at Changxin Palace before the imperial gifts were bestowed.
It wasn't that the Imperial Household Department was negligent, but rather that Emperor Zhaoheng's rewards were excessive, and they all needed to be checked and aligned before being sent to the emperor.
Three days later, when I stepped into the gates of Changxin Palace again, the palace servants could hardly recognize Shui Xian.
She wore a brand-new sky-blue palace dress, with a moon-white cloak with dark patterns draped over her shoulders. Honey-colored mink fur trim trailed to the hem of her skirt, gently brushing against it with her steps.
Her hair was styled in a gentle, flowing bun, adorned with few extravagant decorations, just a few blue-green velvet flowers, secured with a few jade hairpins.
Three days of careful rest and constant nourishment helped her shed her previous pale and sickly appearance, and her eyes and brows gained a touch of delicate beauty from being carefully cared for.
If not told, how would anyone know that she was a lowly palace maid just three days ago?
Everyone says that favor nurtures people, and now the narcissus is more like a master than its master.
Upon entering, Shui Xian first went to the main hall to kneel and pay her respects to Consort Yi.
"This servant... no, this concubine is Narcissus, paying respects to Consort Yi. I have been fortunate enough to return to Changxin Palace by the Emperor's grace, and I have come to express my gratitude for the past kindness shown to me by Your Highness."
She knelt on the green brocade carpet with gold trim laid out in front of Consort Yi's seat, the velvet flower in her hair trembling slightly with her movements.
Consort Yi sat on the throne in the main hall of Changxin Palace. Ever since she heard that Shui Xian had been granted the title of Changzai, she felt uneasy, as if a stone had been stuck in her heart.
"Oh."
Consort Yi's eyes were icy cold as she placed her hands on her knees and looked down at the kneeling Narcissus.
"Get up."
Consort Yi coldly curled her lips, "Now that you are a concubine, there is no need for such a grand ceremony. I cannot accept it."
Narcissus rose as instructed, her posture respectful:
"Your Majesty will always be my mistress. Without Your Majesty's past support, how could I have such good fortune today?"
Consort Yi stroked the cold ruby nail guards with her hand and sneered, "This good fortune has come at a very opportune time."
"How could it be such a coincidence that the Emperor happened to see us in the snow that day?"
She clenched her fists tightly, her gaze almost piercing into Narcissus's flesh: "Narcissus, I truly underestimated your cunning before."
Narcissus feigned fear and quickly knelt down again:
"Your Majesty! How dare I! How could a servant like me possibly know His Majesty's whereabouts?"
Her voice choked with sobs, as if she had suffered a great injustice, "If I had even the slightest scheming intention, may I be struck by lightning and die a horrible death!"
It's just a vow; it's something you can just say off the cuff.
If oaths were truly effective, most of the men in brothels would have died long ago.
It is common to see men who kneel before their wives today, weeping and swearing oaths, only to reappear in brothels the next day seeking pleasure.
Consort Yi stared at her for a long time, and was actually somewhat convinced by her.
Yes, even a concubine like her might not know in advance which palace the emperor is going to, let alone a lowly maid!
She was unaware that Narcissus possessed memories of a past life.
Shui Xian remembered that on the day Consort Song visited Consort Yi, the Emperor happened to be at Changxin Palace.
Consort Yi introduced Consort Song to Emperor Zhaoheng, and Consort Song served him that very night.
Therefore, when Song Changzai proposed the punishment, Shui Xian did not resist and even obediently knelt in the snow.
Because she knew that the more miserable and pitiful she appeared, the more distinct she would be from the domineering former imperial concubine in Emperor Zhaoheng's mind.
Consort Yi was unaware of these things, and her tense expression eased slightly.
She leaned forward slightly, her voice softening: "Alright, I was just saying it casually, look how scared you are. You grew up by my side since you were little, don't I know you? You're the most honest and dutiful person I know."
Consort Yi put on a fake smile: "Now that you have won the Emperor's favor and been granted the title of Consort, I am truly happy for you."
"In the end, we've been like sisters since we were mistress and servant. Your well-being brings me honor, doesn't it?"
"I will never forget Your Majesty's kindness!" Narcissus feigned gratitude.
"If it weren't for Your Majesty giving me that night... that night I had the opportunity to be favored in place of Your Majesty, allowing me to appear before the Emperor, His Majesty probably wouldn't even know who I am. I will remember this forever!"
Shui Xian's repeated expressions of loyalty finally brought a hint of genuine satisfaction to Consort Yi's face.
She stood up, gracefully stepped down from the main seat, and affectionately took Narcissus's hand. Touching her, she felt that her skin was delicate and soft, even more so than before. A surge of jealousy welled up in her heart again, but her smile became even warmer.
"Good sister, I am relieved that you think this way."
Consort Yi pulled her towards the inner room and sighed:
"I originally thought that once you gave birth to the imperial heir, I would ask the Emperor for a great favor on your behalf."
"At that time, I will bestow gold and silver upon you, release you from the palace, and then beg the Emperor for mercy to free your parents from their lowly status. I will find you a beautiful place with clear waters and lush mountains, and let you marry into a wealthy and honest family."
She patted Narcissus's hand and sighed:
"But now... since you have been conferred the title of Consort, this deep palace and high walls will be your prison for life. From now on, every step you take will be fraught with danger, open attacks and hidden arrows... Alas, my sister, these peaceful days are ultimately not meant for you."
Narcissus lowered her head and listened respectfully, but her heart was filled with icy coldness.
Ordinary life? Abundant and stable?
Images from her past life flashed before her eyes:
It was the news that she was abandoned in a brothel by Consort Yi before she had fully recovered from childbirth; it was the news that her parents and sister had been executed by the Yi family under a ridiculous pretext; it was the horrific scene of her being manipulated and then brutally murdered...
A surge of overwhelming hatred welled up in Narcissus's heart. She forced herself to raise her head and forced a grateful smile onto her face.
"Your Majesty's kindness towards me is as high as the heavens and as deep as the earth! It is my misfortune that I have failed to live up to Your Majesty's good intentions..."
Consort Yi pulled her to sit on the soft couch in the inner room, and she softly called for her maid Xuemei.
Soon after, Xue Mei, who was already prepared, brought a steaming bowl of medicine into the inner room.
The air was suddenly filled with a bitter medicinal smell, but Narcissus pretended not to understand.
"This is......?"
"My dear sister, this is a health-preserving medicine that I got from the imperial physician. If you can become pregnant one day, that would be the greatest blessing of all."
Consort Yi took the medicine bowl from Xue Mei and, without saying a word, stuffed it into Shui Xian's hand.
"Drink it, it's good for you."
The medicine bowl was very hot, and the medicine inside was even hotter.
Shuixian placed the medicine bowl on the table. "It's still hot. I'll drink it in a bit."
"No rush," Consort Yi glanced at the medicine bowl subtly, then reached out and pushed it further into the table.
"It's a good opportunity for us to have a chat."
"Oh, right, there's something else I need to tell you."
Consort Yi said casually, "I noticed that Consort Song is about the same age as you and you get along well, so I arranged for her to move to the East Annex of Changxin Palace. The two of you can stay together and look after each other, and talk to each other to relieve boredom."
"Judging by the time, she should be arriving with her things by now. Perfect timing, you can also formally greet each other, since you'll be living in the same palace from now on and seeing each other all the time."
A cold glint flashed imperceptibly in Narcissus's eyes.
To take care of?
By placing Consort Song, who hated her to the core, under her very nose, Consort Yi clearly intended to have Consort Song keep an eye on her every day and cause trouble.
In her previous life, Consort Song did not live in Changxin Palace. It seems that her appointment as Consort Song has indeed made Consort Yi feel an unprecedented threat.
On the surface, she simply complied, saying, "Your Majesty's arrangement is naturally excellent."
Before the words were finished, a commotion arose outside the hall.
The shouts of palace servants carrying boxes and the arrogant commands of Consort Song mingled together and clearly reached the palace.
"They're here." Consort Yi pulled Shui Xian to her feet. "Let's go greet them."
The two stepped out of the main hall and saw Consort Song standing at the entrance of Changxin Palace, dressed in a brand-new lake-blue palace gown, with exquisite pearls and jade ornaments in her hair.
She was directing several eunuchs to carefully move several heavy boxes containing books and paintings.
"Be careful! If you damage any of these genuine masterpieces, you'll be in for a world of trouble!"
After speaking, Song Changyi looked up and saw Consort Yi, and the figure of hers in a sky-blue color beside her.
When his gaze fell upon Shui Xian's stunningly beautiful face, Song Changzai's eyes instantly ignited with jealous fury.
It was that wretched maid! If she hadn't pretended to be pitiful in the snow and seduced the Emperor that day, Consort Yi would have introduced herself to the Emperor long ago!
That night should have been her chance to win the emperor's favor! It was all ruined by that wretched maid!
"Greetings to Consort Yi."
Consort Song curtsied, and only after rising did her gaze seemingly casually sweep over the narcissus:
"Narcissus... I hope you are well. It's only been three days since we last met, and you've gone from being a servant to a lady-in-waiting!"
Song Changzai's words were sarcastic, and her voice was slightly cold.
Following protocol, Shui Xian slightly curtsied and said, "I hope Consort Song is well."
She seemed oblivious to Song Changzai's sarcasm, her expression remaining calm and composed.
Consort Song's gaze swept over Shui Xian, and when she saw that Shui Xian didn't even have a single maidservant by her side, she felt a sense of superiority.
She chuckled softly, deliberately raising her voice as she addressed the eunuchs carrying the things:
“Be careful! My rosewood dressing table and those two official kiln plum vases were specially found by my father.”
Song Changzai glanced at the narcissus with disdain, "Unlike some people, who have a name but can't even find a decent piece of furniture in their house. It's bare and looks shabby!"
These words were a veiled insult, and the palace servants attending to the emperor heard them clearly, their eyes involuntarily glancing furtively at Narcissus.
Consort Yi was delighted, but on the surface she scolded, "Sister Song, what are you saying? Shui Xian has just been promoted to the rank of Changzai, so things should be added gradually."
She turned to Shui Xian, looking very concerned: "Shui Xian, I have some personal savings here. You can take it and use it to buy some daily necessities. It's not good to be too frugal and lose face for our Changxin Palace."
As she spoke, she gestured for Xue Mei to fetch the silver.
Narcissus politely declined.
Consort Yi's lavish behavior only confirmed her impoverished situation, making Consort Song and all the servants in the palace look down on her even more.
Seeing her refusal, Consort Yi's smile deepened, "We've been mistress and servant for a time, after all. Let Xuemei fetch a hundred taels to help you with your purchases..."
Before she finished speaking, another group of people suddenly arrived in front of the Changxin Palace gate.
The head steward of the Imperial Household Department personally led a long procession of palace servants carrying various brocade boxes and heavy trunks, and they surged into the gate of Changxin Palace in a grand procession.
The scene was so grand that it practically filled the entire courtyard!
When Consort Yi and the others looked over upon hearing the sound, the obsequious gaze of the head of the Imperial Household Department quickly caught sight of Narcissus in the courtyard.
With a broad smile, he strode to the narcissus, bowed deeply, and spoke in a loud voice:
"This servant has come to deliver a reward to Consort Shuixian on His Majesty's orders!"
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