Chapter 76 Morning and Evening Greetings, Concubines Gather
Consort Li specially changed into a light blue brocade palace dress today, and simply wore a kingfisher feather headdress.
Recently, both Consort Wen and Narcissus, who have been favored by the Emperor, have a beautiful and gentle appearance. Consort Li thought to herself that Emperor Zhaoheng likes this kind of feeling lately, so she imitated the two of them.
She knew that the Empress Dowager held a prayer meeting in the Buddhist hall on the first and fifteenth of each month, and Emperor Zhaoheng would often come to light lamps to show his filial piety, so she timed her arrival precisely to meet him.
However, what she saw was not the lonely figure of the emperor she had expected, but a couple passionately kissing under the watchful eyes of the gods and Buddhas!
Narcissus! Narcissus again!
She stared intently at the two figures entwined in love, her nails digging deep into her palms!
Finally, she abruptly flicked her sleeve, turned around, and strode away.
Not long after, in Zhaoyang Palace.
"Your Majesty! You're back..."
When the head palace maid Fangfei saw Consort Li rushing in with a gloomy face and brisk steps, her heart sank.
Seeing the undisguised resentment on her face, Fangfei knew something was wrong and quickly signaled to the palace maids serving in the hall to leave.
really!
Upon entering the inner room, Consort Li didn't even look at anything, and with a wave of her hand, she swept a set of fine blue and white porcelain tea set that had just been set out on the low table next to her to the ground!
The exquisite porcelain shattered instantly, with fragments and tea splashing everywhere!
"You bitch!"
Consort Li grabbed anything she could reach and threw it against the wall!
As she smashed the items, she hysterically cursed, "Why her again! A lowly servant!"
Fangfei dared not breathe loudly until Consort Li had exhausted herself smashing things, then she cautiously approached, trying to soothe her: "Your Majesty, please calm down..."
"Calm down? How can you expect me to calm down!"
Consort Li turned her head sharply, her eyes filled with barely suppressed anger.
Since the Empress Dowager issued the imperial decree forbidding Emperor Zhaoheng from seeing Shuixian, Consort Li's mood has improved considerably; she hasn't been this angry in a long time!
However, today in the Buddhist hall, she saw that haunting, lowly maidservant again!
Consort Li was furious. "Tell me! Has the Emperor been bewitched by that vile woman?!"
"Huh?! There were plenty of favored concubines in the palace before! Consort Yun, Consort De, and that short-lived Noble Lady Lan... weren't they all once in the limelight?!"
"But the Emperor's interest in them will only last for six months at most! Then he'll return to my side. I am the most favored concubine in this palace!"
She gritted her teeth and said, "Why this Narcissus of all people?! It's been almost a year since she first served the Emperor! Why is the Emperor so obsessed with her?!"
Consort Li turned around abruptly, looking at the wide-open palace gates, as if she could see that lowly maid through the layers of palace walls.
Her voice suddenly turned icy, carrying a chilling edge.
"I cannot wait for her to give birth. I want her to die immediately!"
The Emperor's favor can only be for her alone!
——
When Narcissus returned to Yongle Palace from the Buddhist hall, the sensation of being ravaged by the emperor still lingered on her lips.
She raised her hand to lightly touch her lips, a smile flashing in her eyes.
This is exactly the effect she wanted!
A kiss under the watchful eyes of gods and Buddhas was enough to make Emperor Zhaoheng never forget it.
Now that she is deeply pregnant and unable to have sex, this forbidden kiss is enough to firmly occupy a corner of the emperor's heart during the days when she cannot serve him.
After lunch, Narcissus did not rest.
She changed into a simple everyday outfit, took Yinzhu's hand, and slowly walked towards Kunning Palace.
The Empress Dowager only forbade her from seeing the Emperor, but did not restrict her movements.
During this period of recuperation, she actually went to Kunning Palace much more often.
The Kunning Palace was still filled with the bitter scent of medicine, but compared to the past, it seemed to have lost some of its pungent odor.
As Shui Xian stepped into the palace, she saw the head of the Imperial Medical Academy bowing and reporting something to the Empress.
"...Her Majesty's pulse has stabilized somewhat compared to a few days ago, but her constitution remains weak. The deficiency of both qi and blood is not a condition that developed overnight. She still needs to rest and recuperate, take her medicine on time, and avoid mental strain and worry..."
Empress Liu leaned against the phoenix couch covered with thick cushions. Her face was still sickly pale, but her brows showed less of their usual weariness and more spirit.
She nodded slightly: "Thank you for the court's decision."
Shui Xian stood quietly to the side and waited until the imperial physician took his leave. Only then did she step forward and bow, saying, "Your Majesty, I pay my respects to Your Majesty the Empress."
When the Empress saw her, a gentle smile appeared on her face, and she gestured for her to sit down: "Consort Jin has arrived. Please sit down. You are not well, so there is no need for formalities."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
Shui Xian sat down on the embroidered stool in front of the bed as instructed, and asked with concern, "I just heard from the imperial physician that Your Majesty's pulse has stabilized a bit, that's wonderful."
She paused, realizing that she had absolutely no idea what illness the Empress had.
"I wonder if there is any effective cure for Her Majesty the Empress's illness?"
The Empress spoke calmly, as if she were talking about something unrelated to herself: "It's an old ailment. It's a congenital weakness that I've had since birth."
She sighed softly, "Ever since I can remember, I've been more sensitive to cold and wind than most people, and I've been taking medicine constantly. All these years, I've just been putting it off."
Upon hearing this, Shui Xian sincerely said, "Your Majesty, the Imperial Medical Academy is full of talented people; perhaps we can find another effective remedy?"
"Your Majesty, I know a new apprentice in the Imperial Hospital named Pei Jichuan."
She added, "This person is Xiao Chuanzi, who used to serve me. Although he is young, he is extremely talented in medicine. He is well-read and has a deep understanding of difficult diseases and traditional remedies."
"If Your Majesty trusts him, why not let him come and take a look? Perhaps he can offer a different perspective?"
The Empress gently shook her head, a serene smile playing on her lips, as if she had seen through the ways of the world: "Consort Jin is very kind. However, regarding my health, from childhood to adulthood, I have consulted countless famous doctors, and even tried many itinerant quacks."
"Back then... when I had just married the Emperor, he also searched far and wide for famous doctors, using prescriptions from the Imperial Hospital and folk remedies gathered from the common people, and I don't know how many he drank..."
A distant memory flashed across her eyes. "All of them have yielded little result. I have long since come to terms with it... Pei Jichuan... there is no need to trouble him."
As she spoke, she couldn't help but cough softly twice, and an unnatural blush rose on her pale face.
Shui Xian quickly said, "Your Majesty, please don't say that. It was my fault for speaking out of turn, which only made Your Majesty think of these things and added to your sadness."
The Empress waved her hand to stop coughing, her voice gentle.
"It's alright. It's fine to talk about these old stories, I'm just afraid you'll find it boring."
"How could I possibly feel bored?"
Narcissus looked at her increasingly rosy face and said softly:
"Your Majesty, I am truly happy for you! Your Majesty's complexion has indeed improved day by day! Even without Pei Jichuan, Your Majesty is surely blessed with good fortune and will continue to recover!"
Upon hearing this, the Empress's smile deepened slightly. She raised her hand and gently stroked her cheek, her eyes showing a rare sense of ease.
"Perhaps it's because... the weather has been exceptionally sunny this summer. With less dampness and chill, I feel more comfortable."
Empress Liu coughed lightly and brought up a matter.
"Now that I'm feeling a little better, I've thought it would be time to resume the daily morning and evening greetings. The inner palace cannot be without someone in charge for too long; otherwise, people will easily become complacent."
Her gaze shifted to Shui Xian's slightly protruding belly, and she said with concern, "Consort Jin, your health is of utmost importance right now. You don't need to participate in the morning and evening greetings. Just stay in Yongle Palace and rest during your pregnancy."
Narcissus slowly rose to her feet, her posture respectful.
"Your Majesty, I thank you for your kindness, but I am not a weak person who cannot take care of myself. As long as my health permits, I will come to pay my respects to Your Majesty on time and listen to your teachings!"
Now, Consort Li is pressing her relentlessly, and with the birth of her child imminent, she must rely on the Empress's protection.
The Empress looked at Narcissus, a hint of relief flashing in her eyes.
She kept her voice very low, and you could faintly hear her weak breathing, but her tone was very firm.
“Consort Jin, I know your situation is not easy. Consort Li’s thoughts are obvious... I know exactly what she wants.”
Shui Xian subconsciously touched her lower abdomen, then looked up to meet the Empress's eyes, which seemed to see through everything.
The Empress continued in a low voice: "Although my body is weak, as long as I have a breath left, I will be the Empress! I hope... to resume the management of the six palaces and do something for you and for this harem."
Her gaze fell on Narcissus's pregnant belly, and she said softly:
"You can rest assured and prepare for childbirth. Once you have safely given birth to the imperial heir... I promise you that I will never allow anyone, especially Consort Li, to take your child away!"
Despite her heavy body, Narcissus still bowed deeply before the Empress.
The Empress's promise touched her heart. Narcissus knew she had made the right gamble. Forming an alliance with this wise and discerning Empress was the most correct step she had taken in the treacherous inner palace!
"Thank you for your grace, Your Majesty!"
The following morning, the long-awaited morning bell rang outside the Kunning Palace.
The long-dormant morning and evening greetings were officially restored at Empress Liu's insistence.
Inside the main hall of Kunning Palace, incense smoke curled gently.
The Empress sat regally on her phoenix throne. Though she still looked ill, her back was straight, her eyes were calm, and she possessed the dignified bearing of someone long accustomed to a high position. Below her, the concubines were seated in order of rank.
Consort Li, the only consort, sat to the left of the Empress, her posture elegant and adorned with jewels.
Consort De of Yichang Palace and Consort Wan of Jingcheng Palace, both holding the rank of Consort, sat opposite Consort Li. The empty chair to Consort Li's left was reserved for Narcissus, who was also a Consort.
Below the rank of Consort are the ranks of Concubines: the charming and graceful Concubine Yun, the aloof and independent Concubine Ning, and the timid and submissive Concubine Qiao. These three, each with a different expression, sit in the lowest position.
As for the other lower-ranking concubines, including Consort Wen and Consort Tuoba, they didn't even have seats and had to stand the entire time during the morning and evening greetings.
Just then, Narcissus stepped into the gates of Kunning Palace. The Empress greeted her with a smile and waved.
"Come sit here."
She stepped forward and curtsied to pay her respects to the Empress. Before the Empress could tell her to rise, Consort Li spoke softly:
"Consort Jin is becoming more and more pampered. With Her Majesty the Empress spoiling and protecting her like this, it doesn't even matter if she's a little late for her morning greetings..."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com