Chapter 112 Xian'er... truly my precious darling.
"Xian'er, do you know what you're saying?"
Emperor Zhaoheng paused in his hand that was gently stroking her shoulder, his eyes as deep as the night outside the window.
Narcissus avoided his gaze and leaned against him, her cool cheek pressed against his well-defined chest.
"Your Majesty, since it is necessary to stabilize the remaining power of the Ruan family at this moment, why not... first strip Consort Li of her title and then bestow upon her more rewards?"
"The Ruan family will surely assume that the Emperor is wary of their great power and thus lower their guard, and may even reveal more flaws."
Narcissus pretended to be completely unaware.
"Your Majesty... I don't really understand either, what do you think?"
She nestled close to him, able to hear his heart pounding, each beat like a hammer against her eardrums.
Emperor Zhaoheng rolled over and pinned her down. His eyes seemed to be overflowing with surprise as he looked at her.
"Xian'er! This plan is brilliant!"
He leaned in and kissed her lips, murmuring in a hoarse voice, "Xian'er... truly my darling..."
The night in the cold palace once again became scalding and tender...
......
The following day, an imperial edict nearly stunned the entire harem.
Consort Ruan Huan is promoted to Imperial Concubine Li!
Although she had not yet returned to the position of Imperial Concubine, Consort Li was overjoyed when she received the imperial decree!
She had been living in constant fear due to the changes in her family, but now that the emperor had not only not implicated her, but had even promoted her rank, she became very pleased.
After delivering the imperial decree, Feng Shunxiang left. Consort Li sat blankly on the carved armchair, constantly stroking the silks and satins bestowed by the Emperor, feeling her heart overflowing with emotion.
Chi Xia, standing to the side, flattered, "Congratulations, Your Majesty! Not long ago, Your Majesty was worried... but now it seems that His Majesty still values Your Majesty and the Ruan family!"
"Late Summer..."
Consort Li murmured, "A few days ago, my family suffered such a great calamity. I thought... I thought the Emperor was really going to abandon me and the Ruan family..."
Chi Xia hurriedly comforted him, "His Majesty still cares for the Empress, and he values the loyalty of the entire Ruan family!"
"In my opinion, the previous investigation might have been orchestrated by Lian Chenxi and his gang of scoundrels who slandered the Emperor, forcing him to put on a show."
These words struck a chord with Consort Li.
Her father and brothers served as officials in the court for many years, making great contributions and being extremely loyal to the emperor. How could the emperor really dislike the Ruan family because of some unfounded accusations?
It must be due to pressure from the previous dynasty; now that the turmoil has subsided, they immediately came to appease her!
"That's right, that must be it!"
Consort Li's face regained its radiance.
"Chi Xia, take all these fabrics and quickly tailor a few of the latest palace dresses for me! I must look my best in front of the Emperor."
As she spoke, she couldn't help but raise her hand to touch the corner of her eye, feeling that she had been worrying too much these past few days, and that it seemed to have added some fine lines.
Now that she has regained her rank as a concubine, she must dress up and take good care of herself to repay the emperor with an even more beautiful appearance.
A few days later, Consort Li, dressed in a crimson palace gown made of newly bestowed cloud brocade, set off for Kunning Palace at the appointed time.
She had already found out that at this time, the Emperor was most likely visiting Princess Yongning in Kunning Palace.
Sure enough, when she stepped into the main hall of Kunning Palace, she saw Emperor Zhaoheng holding the princess on his lap and playing with her, while the empress stood by and watched them with a smile.
This scene stirred jealousy in Consort Li's heart, and she couldn't help but lightly clench the handkerchief in her hand.
Consort Li suppressed her displeasure, stepped forward slowly, and gracefully curtsied to pay her respects.
"Your Majesty, I pay my respects to the Empress."
Emperor Zhaoheng glanced at her, his gaze lingering for a moment on her overly flamboyant attire, and said in a flat tone, "Get up."
The Empress seemed oblivious to Consort Li's ambition to win the Emperor's favor, and simply smiled gently, "Consort Li has arrived."
Consort Li stood up, took a brocade box from Chi Xia behind her, opened it, and inside was an exquisitely crafted red gold necklace adorned with tiny bells.
She looked at Emperor Zhaoheng with a smile and said, "I was delighted to hear that Princess Yongning's health is gradually improving, so I specially prepared a small gift."
"This is a recast version of the thousand-petal gold peony hairpin that I made. I asked the best craftsmen in the capital to make it. I hope that the princess will be safe, happy and healthy every year."
Upon hearing this, Emperor Zhaoheng glanced at the necklace again.
"I remember this peony hairpin was part of your dowry. I often saw you wearing it. Why was it recast?"
Consort Li was secretly pleased to see the Emperor's attention, and her tone became even more humble.
"As long as it makes the princess smile, let alone a dowry hairpin, I would be willing to travel the world to find the most precious jewels for her, no matter how much effort or money it takes!"
Emperor Zhaoheng's expression seemed to soften somewhat, and he nodded slightly: "You're very thoughtful... Let me see it."
Consort Li's heart fluttered, and she quickly stepped forward, holding the necklace in her hands.
As she passed by Emperor Zhaoheng, she deliberately held up her necklace higher, making her slender hands appear even more delicate and eye-catching.
Emperor Zhaoheng took the necklace from her hand and personally placed the small, exquisite gold necklace on Yongning, who was on his lap.
The gold jewelry complemented the baby's delicate skin perfectly.
At this moment, the Empress, who was sitting next to her, suddenly chuckled, her gaze falling on Consort Li's beautiful face, her tone filled with admiration.
"Has Consort Li been using any special beauty regimen lately?"
"I see that my sister's complexion is getting better and better. Her skin is delicate and smooth, even more radiant and bright than before. She is truly a sight to behold."
She turned to look at Emperor Zhaoheng, her tone slightly self-deprecating.
"Your Majesty, look, I am about the same age as Consort Li, but I am already old and faded, while Consort Li is still as delicate as a young girl of sixteen. I am so envious."
Consort Li was immediately pleased with herself for being praised so publicly by the Empress, especially in front of the Emperor.
She subconsciously raised her hand to gently stroke her smooth cheek and smiled, "Your Majesty flatters me. I merely use ordinary perfumes and lotions on a daily basis..."
"If there's anything special about it, it's that Tianxianglou uses the finest pearls, carefully grinds them into powder, and only makes three jars a year, all of which are sent to my palace."
"Applying pearl powder to the face is the best way to nourish the skin."
As she spoke, she glanced at the Empress with a deliberately showy air, and said in a seemingly generous but actually mocking tone:
"If Your Majesty doesn't mind, once the new pearl powder from Tianxiang Pavilion arrives this year, I'll have someone send you a jar to try."
The Empress seemed oblivious to the mockery in Consort Li's words; her smile remained unchanged, still gentle.
"I have also heard of the pearl powder from Tianxianglou. I heard it is very valuable, with one tael of pearl powder probably worth ten taels of gold."
"My sister is so kind. I thank you in advance."
Upon hearing what the Empress said, Emperor Zhaoheng's expression darkened slightly.
One tael of pearl powder costs ten taels of gold?
The corruption case involving the Ruan family has not yet been completely resolved. One of the reasons Ruan Chen was dismissed was that the source of his huge wealth was unclear.
Consort Li's life remained so extravagant, which was enough to show how much wealth the Ruan family had accumulated!
After speaking, Consort Li immediately realized that she had misspoke!
Seeing the emperor's face instantly turn cold and grim, she panicked, her face turning deathly pale. She opened her mouth to try and stammer, "Your Majesty... Your Majesty didn't mean that..."
However, Emperor Zhaoheng quickly concealed the coldness on his face, as if the somber atmosphere just now was merely a misunderstanding by Consort Li.
He even reached out and grasped Li Fei's slightly cool fingertips, gently pulling her closer to him.
Emperor Zhaoheng's voice was inscrutable, and upon closer listening, it even carried a hint of soothing.
"My beloved concubine is naturally beautiful, and it is only right that she be nourished with good things. I think... very good."
Consort Li was almost overwhelmed with happiness. She never expected that her momentary slip of the tongue would be forgiven by Emperor Zhaoheng.
A look of joy inevitably appeared on her face, and she couldn't help but glance triumphantly at the Empress beside Emperor Zhaoheng.
Consort Li's gaze seemed to say, "Although you are the Empress, the Emperor still favors me!"
When Consort Li came out of Kunning Palace, she had a happy look on her face and her steps were much lighter.
She said smugly to Chi Xiazhi beside her, "Just watch! Before long, I will not only regain my position as a Noble Consort, but even... Imperial Noble Consort... or even higher positions are not out of the question!"
However, what she received was not the imperial decree to promote her to the rank of Imperial Concubine, but the shocking news that the Ruan family's corruption case had been thoroughly investigated, and that Ruan Chen, the head of the Ruan family, and his core cronies had been sentenced to exile three thousand miles away and all their property had been confiscated!
Consort Li had only been dreaming of becoming a Noble Consort for less than half a month when such a cruel reality brought her crashing down from her pedestal.
When she heard the news from Chi Xia, Consort Li didn't even have time to put her hair up properly before she staggered off to the Qianqing Palace to find the Emperor.
"There must be some misunderstanding?! How could that be! His Majesty visited my Zhaoyang Palace just a few days ago..."
Her steps were unsteady, and before she even reached the entrance of Zhaoyang Palace, she was greeted by Eunuch Feng Shunxiang.
Upon seeing Feng Shunxiang, Consort Li seemed to have seen a savior. "Eunuch Feng, is His Majesty in the Imperial Study? I wish to see His Majesty..."
Before she could finish speaking, a bright yellow imperial edict fell from Feng Shunxiang's palm.
Feng Shunxiang, with a solemn expression, stood in the courtyard of Zhaoyang Palace, unfurled the imperial edict, and proclaimed:
"By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: Lady Nguyen's virtue is flawed; she is arrogant and extravagant, unfit for the position of Consort. Effective immediately, her title is stripped, she is demoted to the rank of Attendant-in-Waiting, and she is to be relocated to the western side hall of Zhaoyang Palace to reflect on her transgressions! So be it—"
Consort Li could never have imagined that Feng Shunxiang would bring such a message to Zhaoyang Palace.
"No...it's impossible...His Majesty clearly..."
Ruan Huan... is now Consort Ruan. She shook her head in disbelief, her eyes fixed on the bright yellow imperial edict, her face suddenly turning deathly pale.
"How could this happen?! Yesterday... yesterday he was still..."
Extreme shock instantly gripped her; her blood surged, her vision went black, and she actually coughed up a mouthful of blood.
"Your Majesty!"
Chi Xia was so frightened that she pounced on him and screamed.
Ruan Changzai's body went limp, and he collapsed to the ground, completely losing consciousness...
Who could have imagined that one thought could lead to heaven, and another to hell?
In just half a month, this once favored concubine, Lady Ruan, withered away like a faded flower in the cold depths of winter...
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