Chapter 94 My Fairy deserves the best of everything in the world
The rain has just stopped.
Narcissus leaned lazily against Emperor Zhaoheng's firm chest. Recalling the madness of just moments before, she couldn't help but tilt her head back and ask softly:
"Your Majesty... what's wrong with you today? Why are you in such a hurry..."
Emperor Zhaoheng had calmed down by now, and the violence that arose from suspicion in his heart had long been dispelled by Shui Xian's gentle and compliant manner.
He looked down at the bewildered expression on the flushed face of the person in his arms, and he felt as if he had been bewitched.
He was truly out of his mind, his judgment was swayed by a few words he overheard from Kunning Palace.
How could he doubt her, considering how she treated him, bore him children, and even survived a near-death experience?
"It's nothing." Emperor Zhaoheng pulled his arms closer, holding her even tighter in his embrace, his hoarse voice carrying an almost imperceptible huskiness and self-mockery.
"It's just... I think you're still young, and I... am twelve years older than you after all."
Upon hearing this, Narcissus was taken aback at first, then couldn't help but burst out laughing, playfully punching him lightly.
"What is Your Majesty saying!"
Her eyes sparkled with captivating charm. "Your Majesty, you are in the prime of your life, wise and powerful, how could you...?"
It should be noted that when Emperor Zhaoheng was still a prince, he lived and ate with the soldiers in the army, which forged his body into a strong and resilient one.
Although he no longer personally went to battle after ascending the throne, he never slacked off in his daily martial arts practice.
His physique was more robust and muscular than many young generals in their early twenties, and he was also full of energy.
Narcissus's assessment was not empty talk or deception, but rather a heartfelt praise based on her own experience.
Emperor Zhaoheng was pleased by her shy reaction.
He chuckled softly, his chest heaving, and lowered his head to kiss her smooth forehead, then slid down her nose, finally capturing her slightly swollen red lips in a tender, lingering kiss, filled with endless tenderness.
......
The next morning.
As Shui Xian and Emperor Zhaoheng were having breakfast together, a maid from Kunning Palace came to deliver the Empress's imperial edict:
"Her Majesty the Empress decrees that after the morning and evening greetings of Consort Jin, she may remain in Kunning Palace to discuss the details of Princess Yongning's 100-day celebration."
Upon hearing this, Emperor Zhaoheng's face showed a satisfied expression: "The Empress is indeed meticulous and thoughtful. The hundred-day celebration is a major event. You should discuss it with the Empress and listen to her arrangements."
He looked at Narcissus and gently reminded her, "It's windy today. When you go to Kunning Palace later, remember to wear more clothes and be careful not to catch a cold."
Narcissus nodded gently: "Your Majesty, I obey."
"Her Majesty the Empress has treated me and Yongning very well. During this time, she has allowed me to visit the princess often. I am extremely grateful."
Emperor Zhaoheng held Shuixian's fair hand, even more pleased with the harmony between the Empress and Shuixian. After the meal, he happily set off for court.
Narcissus then changed her clothes and makeup, and took the silver beads to Kunning Palace to participate in the morning and evening greetings.
The seating arrangement in the main hall of Kunning Palace has quietly changed.
As the newly promoted Consort Jin, Shui Xian sat in the same seat that Consort Li used to occupy, just below the Empress's throne.
Now, Consort Li can only sit at the end of the ranks of concubines, feeling utterly resentful.
When Narcissus, dressed in the palace attire befitting a Noble Consort, gracefully entered the hall, a twisted look of jealousy flashed across Consort Li's face.
She had no choice but to rise with the others, curtsy to Narcissus, and say perfunctorily, "Your Majesty, I pay my respects to Consort Jin."
Narcissus kept her eyes straight ahead and walked with a leisurely pace, seemingly unaware of the sullen Consort Li.
She walked straight to the front and bowed gracefully to the Empress on the phoenix throne: "Your Majesty, I pay my respects to Your Majesty. May Your Majesty enjoy boundless blessings and peace."
"Consort Jin, please excuse the formalities and have a seat." The Empress smiled gently and raised her hand.
The morning and evening prayers began.
As usual, the Empress gave a few words of instruction before bringing up the winter palace affairs: "...In previous years, the palace consumed a great deal of charcoal, resulting in much waste and extravagance..."
She paused meaningfully at this point, glancing at Consort Li, who had once assisted in managing the six palaces and was now Consort Li, before continuing:
“This year, the allowances for each palace will be distributed in accordance with regulations. If there is any shortage, the reason must be explained to the palace and supplements will be made as appropriate after verification.”
As she spoke, her gaze gently turned to the narcissus below, a hopeful smile on her face.
"I truly hope that Consort Jin will recover soon. Once you are fully recovered, I will be able to share the heavy responsibility of managing the six palaces with you."
Shui Xian said gently, "Your Majesty the Empress is very kind, and I am deeply grateful. However, I am weak after childbirth and need time to recuperate. I am afraid I will not be able to shoulder this great responsibility and will fail Your Majesty's high expectations."
As soon as she finished speaking, Consort Li, who was sitting at the end, couldn't help but let out a very soft sneer and interrupted in a sarcastic tone.
"Oh, so Consort Jin still needs to recuperate? Then why did His Majesty stay overnight at Yongle Palace last night, and even make a record of it...?"
"So, when you're serving the emperor, you don't need to recuperate?"
Clearly, the news that Emperor Zhaoheng stayed overnight at Yongle Palace last night and recorded his night with the emperor has spread throughout the six palaces.
Before Narcissus could speak, the Empress gave her a light rebuke.
"It is Consort Jin's duty to serve His Majesty and to produce offspring for the royal family!"
"Consort Li, as a palace concubine, instead of being careful with your words and actions, you dare to make unwarranted comments. What kind of behavior is this?"
Consort Li was clearly indignant, but she didn't dare to refute the Empress in public. She snorted coldly and turned her face away.
After reprimanding Consort Li, the Empress turned to Narcissus and said in a gentle tone, "Sister, you don't need to take it to heart... Take good care of yourself and give birth to more healthy imperial offspring for the Emperor as soon as possible. That is the right thing to do."
Narcissus immediately curtsied: "I will obey Your Majesty the Empress's teachings."
Shortly afterward, the Queen finally announced the end of the morning assembly.
Consort Li was the first to stand up, gave a perfunctory curtsy, and then quickly left Kunning Palace without looking back, her back view filled with resentment.
Narcissus was kept behind by the Empress to discuss the arrangements for the 100-day celebration.
Inside the warm pavilion, the Empress's complexion still carried a sickly pallor, but she methodically recounted the procedures for the hundred-day celebration:
The banquet must be held according to the highest standards for a legitimate princess, and the guest list must include important members of the imperial family, high-ranking officials, and noblewomen of noble rank. The gifts given must be both valuable and auspicious.
Finally, she emphasized: "According to ancestral custom, on the hundredth day after a princess's birth, the chief envoy of the Imperial Astronomical Bureau must be invited to the palace to determine the princess's fate, calculate her fortune and longevity, and set up an altar to pray for blessings and ward off disasters, so as to seek the protection of heaven and ensure peace and prosperity."
After the Empress finished explaining the general procedures, she looked at Shui Xian with gentle eyes: "Consort Jin, you are Yongning's birth mother. Do you have any opinions or additions regarding these arrangements?"
Narcissus immediately rose and bowed deeply.
"Your Majesty the Empress is the mother of the nation. As Yongning's legal mother, Your Majesty has handled the hundred-day banquet with utmost care. All matters are entirely at Your Majesty's discretion!"
"It is already a great blessing for me to be able to listen to Your Majesty's teachings and learn a thing or two. I would never dare to say a word against Your Majesty's arrangements!"
At this point, Narcissus said respectfully:
"Yongning is fortunate to be raised and taught by Your Highness personally, and to receive Your Highness's grace and protection. It is a great blessing that she has accumulated in her previous life! Your Majesty can only feel at ease and at ease."
Her words emphasized that the Empress was Yongning's legitimate mother.
The daffodil's humility and submissive attitude are almost impeccable.
As the Empress listened, her smile indeed became more genuine.
She came down and personally helped Narcissus up, holding her hand and exclaiming, "Good sister, get up quickly."
"You are so righteous, polite and respectful, and always put Yongning and the royal family's dignity first. It is truly gratifying to me."
The Empress looked at the narcissus in front of her, her eyes and brows full of kindness.
After she returned to her position as the phoenix, she coughed lightly again.
After Granny Sun stepped forward and brought a bowl of the Empress's usual lung-clearing drink, the Empress took some with a porcelain spoon and gradually felt better.
Seeing that the Empress was in poor health, Shui Xian dared not delay her rest any longer, so she got up and took her leave.
The Empress put down her soup bowl and gave an apologetic smile: "My health... well, Consort Jin, please be careful on your way back, it's freezing cold... cough cough..."
She smiled gently and said, "You must take good care of your health so that you can help me manage the harem as soon as possible."
"yes."
Narcissus left Kunning Palace with Silver Pearl.
Behind her, the Empress gradually suppressed her smile, leaned back on the cushioned Phoenix Throne, and sighed softly.
"Granny, it's getting colder and colder lately. When will my cough get better...?"
Granny Sun comforted her, "It'll be soon, Your Majesty, please be patient..."
The voices of master and servant echoed in the empty Kunning Palace, creating a series of reverberations that made the palace seem even more desolate.
——
Upon returning to Yongle Palace, Shui Xian was surprised to find that Emperor Zhaoheng had come again after court.
Moreover, he was not alone; he was followed by a large entourage of palace servants from the Imperial Household Department, who carried various brocade boxes and lacquer trays.
"Xian'er is back?"
When Emperor Zhaoheng saw her, a smile appeared on his face, and he beckoned her to come closer, saying, "Come and take a look."
The head steward of the Imperial Household Department immediately bowed and, with a beaming smile, directed the palace servants to present the items one by one.
The place was filled with a dazzling array of extremely rare and precious items:
The finest bird's nest, century-old ginseng... are all top-grade tonics that nourish qi and blood.
Even more eye-catching was a cloisonné enamel crown adorned with a hundred flowers, gleaming brightly in the brocade box. Beside it, a palace maid held a set of brocade cloud-patterned auspicious robes, symbolizing the noble status of the Imperial Concubine!
"Your Majesty, this..."
Shui Xian was deeply moved as she looked at the gifts that filled almost half of the main hall.
Emperor Zhaoheng stepped forward, grasped her hand, and gazed intently at her, his eyes brimming with an unyielding intensity: "Xian'er, you have endured hardship in giving birth to your daughter; this is what you deserve."
"Especially this Hundred Flowers Crown and the Imperial Concubine's Auspicious Robe, which I specially ordered the Imperial Household Department to make for you. Come, put them on and let me see."
An emperor's command is also a form of favor.
Suppressing the turmoil in her heart, Shui Xian, with the help of Yin Zhu and the palace maids, went into the inner room to change her clothes.
A moment later, the beaded curtain of the inner room was gently parted by a slender hand.
Shui Xian, dressed in a crimson imperial concubine robe slightly lighter than bright red, gracefully emerged. The luxurious fabric accentuated her snow-white skin and exquisite figure, making her even more charming than before her pregnancy.
What's even more captivating is the cloisonné enamel crown adorning her dark, cloud-like hair.
Piled up with jewels and covered with pearls, her already stunning beauty was enhanced, making her appear like a celestial being, truly a beauty of unparalleled grace.
Emperor Zhaoheng's eyes were filled with undisguised amazement. He stepped forward, took Narcissus's hand, and after examining her closely, he couldn't help but sigh.
"My fairy deserves the best of everything in the world."
After he finished speaking, he leaned down and kissed her...
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