Chapter 166 Silly Fairy...
As the Empress Dowager's birthday banquet approached, Shui Xian was confined to the Lihe Palace during the preparations.
Although Shui Xian has now regained her power to assist in managing the six palaces, given her discord with the Empress Dowager, she took advantage of Emperor Zhaoheng's imperial decree that "Consort Jin needs to rest and recuperate" to avoid the task of preparing for the Empress Dowager's birthday banquet.
However, some things cannot be avoided simply by trying to avoid them.
Five days before the Empress Dowager's birthday banquet, the chief eunuch beside the Empress Dowager arrived at Lihe Palace with an imperial edict.
Grandpa Sun had a smiling face, fair skin, and no beard. If you ignored the deep wrinkles on his face, he would look quite young.
Upon entering the main hall, he saw Narcissus having breakfast, and Eunuch Sun first bowed respectfully.
"Consort Jin, receive the imperial decree."
With the help of a maid, Narcissus stood up from the table, supporting her waist.
Unaware of the Empress Dowager's intentions, she attempted to kneel down, but was stopped by Eunuch Sun.
"Consort Jin is in poor health, and the Empress Dowager is very considerate. She has granted Your Highness permission to receive the decree while standing."
Then, Eunuch Sun unfolded the imperial edict and read it aloud:
"Empress Dowager's decree: I have heard that Consort Jin is pregnant with twins and is suffering greatly, and her longing for her family must be intense. On the occasion of my birthday, I hereby bestow upon her the grace that her birth mother and her sister be allowed to enter the palace for a banquet, to comfort their familial bond and celebrate my birthday together. This is my decree—"
After reading it, Eunuch Sun closed the imperial edict, presented it to Narcissus with both hands, and his smile became even more gentle.
"Your Highness Consort Jin, this is an immense favor! The Empress Dowager still cares about you and knows that you miss your family during your pregnancy, so she made this special exception."
Eunuch Sun said, “This is an honor that even the Empress’s mother has never received. It shows that the Empress Dowager wants to ease the tension between you and Your Majesty and enjoy family life together.”
His words conveyed the Empress Dowager's kindness and magnanimity, and her intention to reconcile past grievances.
Indeed, upon careful consideration, Shui Xian realized that the Empress Dowager hadn't bothered her for quite some time.
Things have been quite peaceful lately.
She pondered in her heart, but showed no sign on her face, supporting her waist and slightly curtsying her knees to express her gratitude.
"Your Majesty, I thank you for your grace. May Your Majesty live a thousand years."
If this scene were seen by others, it would truly be a picture of filial piety and compassion.
However, beneath Narcissus's lowered eyelashes, there was no warmth in her clear eyes, only icy coldness.
The Empress Dowager's sudden act of kindness... how could she not believe it?
After Eunuch Sun and his entourage left, Yinzhu stepped forward to support Shuixian, and whispered worriedly, "Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager has always been kind to you..."
"This imperial edict came suddenly today; I'm afraid... it's not for good purposes."
If Yinzhu could see it, how could Shuixian not?
Supporting Yinzhu's hand, Shuixian slowly sat back down at the table and handed the imperial edict to Yinzhu, instructing her to keep it safe.
She sighed, “This is no grace at all. It’s clearly because they see I’m about to give birth and can’t think of any other way to torment me, so they’re using my family as a pawn. This birthday banquet is obviously a trap set up specifically for me.”
As Narcissus spoke, her fingertips couldn't help but gently stroke her swollen belly.
If the Empress Dowager only wants to torment her, that's fine. But what if the Empress Dowager hasn't completely given up on the idea of adopting her, and has already set her sights on her womb...
Looking at the table full of dishes, Shui Xian lost her appetite, her mind filled with thoughts and plans.
——
On the afternoon of the same day the Empress Dowager's decree arrived, the Lihe Palace welcomed a guest who had become somewhat familiar with them recently.
Consort Yun brought several boxes of the finest bird's nest and donkey-hide gelatin to visit Lihe Palace.
Shuixian was resting in the inner room when she heard the news of Consort Yun's visit. After pondering it briefly with the Empress Dowager's decree from this morning, she said to Tinglu, who was serving in the outer room:
"Let Consort Yun come in."
Tinglu was slightly surprised. Consort Yun had been visiting Lihe Palace every few days recently, but the Imperial Concubine had never allowed her in, nor had she accepted any gifts from Consort Yun.
Why were they suddenly allowed in today?
Tinglu had many questions in her mind, but she trusted her mistress's decision and immediately went outside to welcome Consort Yun in.
As soon as Consort Yun entered the room and saw Narcissus, who had just taken her seat in the main seat, she put on a look of deep regret.
Before Yunpin could speak, tears streamed down her face. She wiped her eyes with a handkerchief, her voice choked with sobs.
"Your Highness, Consort Jin! In the past, I was blinded by greed and confused, and was misled by Consort Ruan and Consort Wan, doing many things that I have wronged Your Highness..."
She truly lives up to her reputation as a former "skinny horse" (a euphemism for a prostitute), every move she makes exudes charm, and even her crying is so sorrowful that it breaks one's heart.
Consort Yun cried, "Now I am filled with remorse! I beg Your Majesty to have mercy and give me a chance to reform!"
Shui Xian didn't respond, but Yun Pin didn't feel awkward. She slowly raised her tearful eyes and solemnly declared her loyalty.
"Your Majesty is currently six months pregnant and it is inconvenient for you to exert yourself. Your Majesty is willing to serve you with utmost loyalty and secretly keep an eye on the movements in Cining Palace and Jingcheng Palace. If I hear anything, I will report it to Your Majesty immediately!"
Narcissus listened quietly, her face revealing neither joy nor anger.
Seeing this, Consort Yun pressed her advantage, saying, "For example, today the Empress Dowager granted the Consort's family special permission to enter the palace. Although this is a great favor, there are many people and eyes at the birthday banquet. I was thinking that if Your Majesty could bring the Lady and the Young Lady to the palace for a short stay beforehand, it would not only demonstrate Your Majesty's great favor..."
"This will also allow Madam and Miss to familiarize themselves with the palace rules, so they won't be nervous at the banquet and make mistakes, which could lead to them being taken advantage of by villains. Your Majesty is willing to arrange everything and ensure that Madam and Miss enter in a grand and dignified manner!"
After Consort Yun finished her performance, she asked Tinglu, who was standing nearby, to help her up.
“Please rise, Consort Yun. What’s past is past, so there’s no need to bring it up again.”
Narcissus's eyes seemed to spark with joy. "It's rare for you to have this kind of heart now. I am very pleased."
She seemed persuaded and nodded: "As for the matter of my family entering the palace... what you said makes sense. Then let's make arrangements as you say."
Upon hearing this, Consort Yun immediately kowtowed and said, "Your Majesty, I will certainly not fail your trust!"
After Consort Yun left with profuse thanks, Tinglu, who had been standing by her side, couldn't help but step forward.
"Your Majesty, Consort Yun has always been at odds with Consort Tuoba, and the two have had numerous conflicts in the palace."
"Her sudden surrender today makes me feel... uneasy. If we get too close to her, will it upset Her Majesty the Empress?"
Narcissus gave Tinglu an approving look: "It's good that you thought of this."
She calmly gazed in the direction where Consort Yun had disappeared outside the palace. "Whether her surrender is genuine or not, we'll find out soon enough."
Shui Xian instructed, "Ting Lu, go and investigate immediately whether Consort Yun has had any private dealings with Consort Wan recently, especially with the Cining Palace."
"In particular, the arrangements for the seating and meals of my family members must be thoroughly investigated!"
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
Hearing Lu accept the order, he turned to leave.
"etc."
Narcissus suddenly called out to her.
She supported her back and slowly walked back to the inner room, taking down the sharp, gem-encrusted dagger that Tuoba Yu had given her from the antique shelf.
She grasped the hilt of the knife, and with a gentle pull, removed the exquisite scabbard, carefully wrapped it in a soft silk cloth, and handed it to Tinglu.
"Give this to Tuoba. When she sees this, she will naturally understand what I mean."
Although Tinglu did not understand the deeper meaning, she knew that her master must have made arrangements, and solemnly accepted the document: "This servant understands."
Shui Xian carefully put the short blade away and instructed, "Also, have Yin Zhu personally leave the palace to see my mother and sister."
She walked to the desk and quickly wrote down a note.
After finishing, Shui Xian sealed the note and handed it to Yin Zhu: "Make sure Yin Zhu personally delivers it to Shui Xiu and tells them to do as the letter says and to be careful in everything they do."
Tinglu: "Yes!"
——
In the evening, Emperor Zhaoheng visited Lihe Palace as usual.
After the meal, the two sat side by side on the soft couch in the warm pavilion.
Emperor Zhaoheng looked at the memorials that had been moved from the Qianqing Palace, while Shuixian leaned against a large, soft pillow, flipping through a book.
After reading for a while, Narcissus suddenly looked up from her book and brought up the matter of the Empress Dowager's birthday banquet.
"Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager has issued an imperial decree today, granting my mother and sister special permission to enter the palace for a banquet..."
Upon hearing the words "Empress Dowager," Emperor Zhaoheng paused his writing and looked over.
Shui Xian continued, "I am deeply grateful for the Empress Dowager's kindness. However... I still feel somewhat uneasy."
“My mother and sister have lived outside the palace for a long time and are unfamiliar with the rules of the palace. I am afraid that if they say or do something wrong, they might offend the Empress Dowager or any of the noble ladies of the imperial family, which would not only disappoint the Empress Dowager’s good intentions but also cause trouble for the Emperor.”
Seeing Shui Xian's worried expression, Emperor Zhaoheng put down his imperial brush and reached out to embrace her.
"Silly fairy, what are you thinking... With me here, what are you afraid of?"
He whispered in her ear, "Since the Empress Dowager has granted you the privilege of allowing your family to enter the palace, that is a good thing."
"You only need to focus on your pregnancy. As for the birthday banquet, I will arrange everything. I will not allow anyone to have the opportunity to embarrass you or your family."
It was common knowledge that the Empress Dowager disliked narcissus.
Emperor Zhaoheng did not want Shui Xian to worry, and his promise already showed his attitude.
Emperor Zhaoheng will send people to protect the Empress Dowager at this birthday banquet.
Narcissus nestled in his arms, softly humming in agreement, burying her face in the crook of his neck, concealing the complex thoughts in her eyes.
——
While Lihe Palace was filled with warmth, Jingcheng Palace presented a completely different scene.
Taking advantage of the darkness, Consort Yun secretly requested an audience with Consort Wan.
Consort Wan dismissed her attendants, leaving only two palace maids to guard outside the door.
Consort Yun stepped forward and reported in a low voice, unable to hide her excitement: "Your Highness, it's done! Consort Jin has believed my surrender and agreed to my suggestion, promising to bring her mother and sister into the palace ahead of schedule!"
Upon hearing this, Consort Wan's eyes flashed with a moment of smugness.
"very good."
She handed Yunpin a paper package: "If you take this for three consecutive days, you will gradually lose your mind, become insane, and behave like a drunkard, making all sorts of ugly mistakes."
"Furthermore, it is impossible to trace the cause of the outburst, and even the most skilled imperial physicians would be unable to determine the reason for the outburst."
Consort Wan instructed Consort Yun, "Ever since Consort Jin's family entered the palace, you must make them drink the stuff."
"At the Empress Dowager's birthday banquet, in front of everyone, if they talk nonsense and even offend the imperial carriage... the one who will lose face will be Consort Jin, who is currently enjoying the Emperor's favor!"
After speaking, Consort Wan and Consort Yun exchanged a glance, both revealing smiles of smug satisfaction...
......
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