Chapter 22 Arrogant but Foolish
In the afternoon, Narcissus and Silver Pearl walked on the palace road leading to Zhaoyang Palace.
The palace walls are towering, and the vermilion walls and green tiles frame the vast sky, leaving only a narrow strip, which makes it feel extremely oppressive.
"My lady," Yinzhu said in a low voice, her voice filled with concern, "...Should I go to the Qianqing Palace to inform the Emperor?"
Everyone in the palace knew about the arrogance of the mistress of Zhaoyang Palace, and Yinzhu was worried that Shuixian would suffer if she had to deal with it alone.
Narcissus didn't stop walking. "No need."
She lowered her voice and said calmly, "Consort Li is arrogant, shallow-minded, and even... somewhat foolish."
Shui Xian recalled the maid who had come to Chengming Palace during the day, "but the girl Fangfei beside her is very meticulous and a formidable character. I heard that she is the strategist that Consort Li brought into the palace from her residence."
Her gaze calmly swept over the towering glazed tiles of the palace walls. "Today is just a test. At most, Consort Li will use some minor tricks to make things difficult for me. She won't dare to do anything too outrageous to me at this critical moment."
"Inviting the Emperor would be a waste of our talents and would only make us look insecure. It might not even win the Emperor's favor."
There were other things, but Narcissus didn't tell Silver Pearl all of them.
She had other things on her mind.
Consort Yi is currently only under house arrest; the Yi family's foundation still exists.
Emperor Zhaoheng, in his dealings with the harem, ultimately valued a balance of power. Even though he currently favored her, he did not completely neglect the others.
It's only a matter of time before Consort Yi regains favor; when that time comes, she will surely do everything in her power to avenge herself.
Shui Xian knew that she had no power or influence, no connections in the previous dynasty, and that even her parents and younger sister, who had been reduced to lowly status, were still in the hands of the Yi family.
She couldn't just wait for Consort Yi to regain favor; she had to prepare in advance.
Narcissus's gaze fell on the plaque of Zhaoyang Palace at the end of the palace road.
She needs a better weapon... Whether Consort Li can become her weapon depends on today.
Shui Xian took a deep breath, concealing the sharpness in her eyes and adopting a gentle expression before stepping into Zhaoyang Palace.
As soon as you step through the palace gates, a rich, warm fragrance mixed with the scent of flowers wafts towards you.
Keep in mind that this was in the dead of winter, yet the courtyard was already lavishly decorated. Exquisite flower seeds were brought in from the greenhouse, and palace servants were fanning the courtyard, their fingers chapped from the cold, all to spread the rich fragrance of the flowers throughout the courtyard.
Everywhere the eye falls, there is extreme extravagance.
Fangfei was already waiting inside the door. Upon seeing Shuixian, she immediately smiled gently and curtsied, saying, "Greetings, Your Excellency. My mistress is already waiting in the main hall. Please follow me."
Narcissus nodded slightly and followed Fangfei through the courtyard into the main hall.
The main hall was even more magnificent. Consort Li, Ruan Huan, sat on the main seat in a carved rosewood chair, dressed in a bright red peony brocade palace gown. Her high-piled hair was adorned with jewels and sparkling gold.
Her alluring phoenix eyes scrutinized Narcissus as she entered, looking her up and down without any politeness.
Upon seeing the young and beautiful face of the narcissus, Consort Li felt a surge of intense jealousy.
She subconsciously raised her hand and gently touched the corner of her eye with her fingers painted with bright red nail polish. There, beneath the thick layer of makeup, lay fine lines that only she knew about.
Time waits for no one, but this lowly maid is in the prime of her life!
An unnamed anger instantly flared up.
"Narcissus, you have quite the airs!"
Consort Li curled her red lips and said sarcastically, "The congratulatory gifts I sent were only delivered several hours late, Your Excellency. Could it be that you've just gained the Emperor's favor and already look down on my Zhaoyang Palace?"
Shui Xian thought to herself: Consort Li is indeed domineering.
On the surface, however, she appeared terrified and quickly curtsied, saying, "Your Highness, please calm your anger! I would never dare to be presumptuous! I am deeply grateful for Your Highness's kindness in bestowing this congratulatory gift, and I should have come to express my gratitude immediately."
"It's just that the relocation of the palace is a busy and complicated affair. I was afraid that my appearance might offend Your Majesty's dignity, so I tidied myself up a bit and only dared to come and pay my respects in the afternoon."
She adopted an extremely humble posture: "I have already asked Aunt Fangfei to report the time on my behalf. If there is anything inappropriate, please punish me, Your Majesty."
Consort Li was taken aback by her soft words, and the anger she wanted to vent was stuck in her chest.
Fangfei stepped forward at the opportune moment and said gently, "Your Majesty, Consort Shuixian did indeed ask me to convey her intention to visit this afternoon. It was my oversight that I failed to inform Your Majesty in time. Please forgive me, Your Majesty."
In fact, Fangfei had already informed Consort Li, but since Consort Li wanted to vent her anger, she naturally had to offer Consort Li a way out.
Consort Li snorted, still relentlessly pressing the issue: "Fine! I'm not that petty. But since you've arrived, what about your gift? Let me see what good things the Emperor has bestowed upon you?"
Narcissus gestured for Silver Pearl to step forward and present a delicate brocade box.
Fangfei took it and presented it to Consort Li.
Consort Li opened it casually, revealing a delicate and exquisite red coral ornament with a unique shape and vibrant color.
"Hmph," Consort Li scoffed without holding back after just one glance.
"What rare thing do I think this is? This quality of red coral is only a treasure in the eyes of you ignorant servants. In Zhaoyang Palace, it wouldn't even qualify to be displayed as a bonsai in a corner!"
She casually tossed the brocade box to Fangfei, her attitude utterly contemptuous.
Shui Xian showed no displeasure: "Your Majesty is right. How can the items His Majesty bestowed upon me compare to the priceless treasures bestowed upon Your Majesty? Your Majesty is so dignified, naturally everything you use is of the finest quality."
She knew perfectly well what Consort Li cared about most: the Emperor's favor and unparalleled honor.
These words, every single one, were meant to elevate Consort Li while belittling himself, placing Consort Li on a pedestal.
Sure enough, upon hearing this incredibly pleasing flattery, Consort Li's anger, fueled by jealousy, dissipated almost entirely.
She touched the phoenix hairpin at her temple, and couldn't help but smile: "Hmph, at least you have some self-awareness. Get up, and have a seat."
Fangfei stepped forward to help Shuixian up and led her to sit down on a stool.
As soon as Shui Xian sat down, an inconspicuous little eunuch hurried in from outside the hall and whispered a few words in Fang Fei's ear.
Fangfei nodded, waved for him to leave, then walked to Consort Li's side and whispered her report.
Consort Li looked surprised upon hearing this. She turned to look at Shui Xian with some confusion: "You... didn't send anyone to the Qianqing Palace to complain?"
Narcissus's heart skipped a beat.
In her previous life, she had little interaction with Consort Li and was unaware that Consort Li possessed such cunning, planting spies outside the Qianqing Palace to monitor whether the concubines of the various palaces were going to the Emperor for help!
This thought... isn't entirely foolish.
It's unclear whether this was Consort Li's own idea or Fangfei's.
A look of bewilderment immediately appeared on her face: "Complain? What makes you say that, Your Majesty? I came here sincerely to pay my respects and express my gratitude to Your Majesty. My heart is filled with nothing but admiration for Your Majesty. How could I have any grievances that require me to complain to the Emperor?"
"This concubine...this concubine also wishes to talk more with Your Majesty and get closer to you."
Her performance, coupled with her clear and innocent eyes, left Consort Li speechless for a moment.
She looked at Narcissus suspiciously, as if trying to find any trace of pretense on her face, but only saw a flawless sincerity.
Just then, Consort Li seemed to remember something, and her tone shifted, becoming deliberately difficult:
"Speaking of which, Consort Yi was confined to her quarters by the Emperor, and you, as her former personal maid, now live with her in Changxin Palace... Oh, no, you've moved to Chengming Palace now."
She paused deliberately, observing the narcissus's reaction with what she thought was cleverness.
"Consort Yi has met such an end; what does Consort Shui Xian think of this?"
"I have always been irreconcilable with that Yi Guichun. If you still cherish the affection for your former master and side with her, then you are going against me!"
After one test comes another, and after one sarcasm comes yet another!
Shui Xian felt terrified under the gazes of Consort Li and Fang Fei.
She suddenly stood up from the embroidered stool, but her knees buckled and she knelt down on the ground.
"Your Majesty, please understand! This humble servant..."
Narcissus choked up for a while, as if she had something difficult to say, and hesitated to speak.
But the tears fell like broken beads, large drops landing on the gleaming floor tiles, leaving a small, dark, damp stain.
Consort Li and Fangfei exchanged a glance. Consort Li softened her voice and said, "It's alright, just say what you have to say!"
"I...I had no choice in this matter!"
Shui Xian nervously clutched the hem of her dress: "Your Highness Consort Yi... it is true that she... she is my former mistress, but how could I... how could I dare to have even the slightest thought of siding with her?"
"The truth is that my parents and my young sister are still servants in the Yi household. Their lives and fortunes are all in the hands of Consort Yi and her father!"
Her shoulders trembled helplessly: "I live in constant fear, as if walking on thin ice, terrified of making a mistake that would bring trouble to my family... Waaah..."
Having lived two lives together, Narcissus had long since trained herself to the point where she could count her tears as they fell, letting them fall on the left or right side at will—a skill she possessed beyond measure.
Shui Xian added, "In my heart and mind, I have only reverence for Your Majesty. I would never dare to be disrespectful in the slightest, much less oppose Your Majesty!"
"But... but Consort Yi is very powerful, and I am but a nobody. The lives of my parents and sister are all in her hands. I really... really have no choice but to do what I'm told!"
She bent down again, her forehead pressed against the cold ground, her frail body trembling violently from crying, making her look incredibly pitiful.
The entire main hall of Zhaoyang Palace was silent, with only the suppressed sobs of Narcissus echoing through the room.
Looking at the weeping Narcissus at her feet, Consort Li was completely convinced by Narcissus's words.
If it were fake, she certainly couldn't have acted so well!
This Narcissus was not a confidante of Consort Yi at all, but a pitiful wretch who was coerced by Consort Yi with the lives of her family members!
Consort Li felt a sudden sense of relief and even a little bit of secret joy.
That vile woman, Yi Guichun, actually used such despicable means to control a servant!
Now this pawn, who knows many of Consort Yi's secrets and harbors deep resentment towards her, has actually taken the initiative to surrender to me?
She subconsciously looked at Fangfei.
Fangfei nodded almost imperceptibly to Consort Li.
Fangfei had previously analyzed that if they could use Shuixian's resentment towards Yifei to frame her, it would definitely be a powerful weapon to strike at that smiling tiger!
In retrospect, these daffodils are simply a godsend breakthrough!
Consort Li's expression instantly brightened. She rose herself, walked to Narcissus, and extended her hand, adorned with nail polish, as if to help her up.
"Oh dear, get up, get up! Look at you, crying like this, it breaks my heart to see you like this."
Her tone softened considerably: "I had no idea you had suffered so much injustice. That Yi Guichun is truly a heartless viper, treating even those closest to him with such cruelty and coercion!"
She helped Narcissus up and even used a handkerchief to wipe away her tears.
"Don't be afraid," Consort Li said with a smile. "As long as you are truly loyal to me, I will naturally stand up for you!"
"As for Consort Yi... Hmph, she can barely protect herself, yet she dares to threaten you with her family? Rest assured, with me here, I will definitely protect you. As for your parents and sister... I will also find a way."
Shui Xian rose to her feet, tears streaming down her face, and said gratefully, "Thank you... thank you for your great kindness, Your Highness! Your Highness is merciful, and I... I am willing to serve Your Highness like a dog or a horse!"
She lowered her head, letting Consort Li hold her hand, appearing extremely submissive.
Consort Li looked at her with satisfaction, as if she could already see the scene of using Narcissus to completely trample Consort Yi underfoot, and the smile on her face became more and more radiant and smug.
However, no one saw that, hidden beneath her lowered eyelashes, a calculating glint flashed in Narcissus's eyes.
She finally had the sharp knife that was Consort Li in her hand.
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