Chapter 43 Competing for Imperial Favor
Inside the warm pavilion, the thin spring sunlight streamed through the window lattice, illuminating the serene profile of the narcissus.
They look seven or eight parts alike? The Yi family's scheme is actually exploiting the past of Emperor Zhaoheng!
Yinzhu is efficient and has gathered all the information about Consort Wen in the past few days.
Yinzhu continued in a low voice, "According to the fragmented memories of those old palace servants, Consort Wen entered the palace in the late years of the late emperor. At that time, the late emperor's concubine, who came from a palace maid background, was already the most favored concubine in the six palaces and wielded immense power."
She truthfully reported what she had found out: "When Consort Wen entered the palace, she was only a Noble Lady and was not considered to be favored. It took her several years to finally be promoted to the rank of Consort."
At this point, Yinzhu paused slightly, meeting Shuixian's gaze before continuing:
"It is said that... Consort Wen was gentle and kind, well-educated and reasonable, and got along very well with the Emperor, who was still a prince at the time. The two met by chance in the Imperial Garden and discussed poetry, calligraphy and painting, and they seemed to have become... kindred spirits."
"And then?" Narcissus's voice was unusually calm, yet it seemed as if she foresaw the impending disaster.
Within this deep palace, there were inherently insurmountable taboos between princes and their fathers and concubines.
Yinzhu sighed: "Later, Consort Wen... became pregnant."
Narcissus's breath hitched slightly.
Yinzhu said, "This should have been a joyous occasion. But somehow, the news reached the ears of that Imperial Concubine. She...she actually accused Consort Wen of having an affair with a prince before the late Emperor!"
"At that time, the late emperor was already old and suspicious. His favoritism towards the Consort made him even more suspicious."
Narcissus didn't press the matter, but she already had a vague premonition.
Sure enough, Silver Pearl said:
"This matter was suppressed and not publicized. But Consort Wen, in order to prove her innocence, and also... to protect the Emperor, who was then a prince..."
As the matter involved palace secrets, Yinzhu's voice grew even lower: "She...she actually knelt outside Yongle Palace for a long time and refused to get up!"
Yongle Palace!
Narcissus felt as if she had fallen into an ice cellar, and subconsciously looked up: "What did you say? Yongle Palace?!"
Yinzhu's face also turned extremely pale. She nodded heavily and said, "Yes... it is the Yongle Palace where Your Majesty is currently residing! It was the palace of that Imperial Concubine back then!"
"Consort Wen knelt outside the Imperial Concubine's palace for a long time. It was the dead of winter, and Consort Wen was already weak and pregnant. In the end... she suffered a miscarriage and hemorrhage, and... she just passed away."
Yinzhu's voice lowered, filled with a deep sigh.
Now that she knows the truth, Narcissus finally understands everything.
Why did Consort Wen kneel outside Yongle Palace for a long time on the second day after entering the palace?
She wasn't trying to apologize on behalf of Yi Guichun at all! She was clearly recreating the scene of Consort Wen's tragic death outside Yongle Palace!
The Yi family must know about this palace secret.
Wen Changzai was using this extreme method to awaken the deepest guilt in Emperor Zhaoheng's heart!
“Your Majesty,” Yinzhu comforted, “Don’t overthink it! The Emperor’s decision to let you stay in Yongle Palace must be because he values you! Yongle Palace is one of the most prestigious palaces in the palace complex, with a good location, beautiful scenery, and the most recent renovations.”
“At that time, you had a palace to move to during your pregnancy. Apart from this place, the other good places were either occupied or too far from the Emperor. The Emperor must have wanted to give you and your heir the best!”
Narcissus slowly closed her eyes, and when she opened them again, her eyes were filled with a cold clarity.
She twitched the corner of her mouth. "We've already moved in. Worrying about these things is just pointless and a waste of time."
The most urgent task is to respond!
Wen Changzai's series of actions have pushed her into an extremely dangerous situation!
She came from humble origins, but has suddenly gained favor with the emperor, and now she lives in the Yongle Palace...
All these factors combined make him a sitting duck!
If Consort Wen only needs to play the pitiful and helpless role of Consort Wen from time to time, Emperor Zhaoheng's guilt towards his former lover will gradually diminish his affection for Shui Xian!
Yinzhu hesitated for a moment, then said, "Your Highness, this servant...this servant also asked that old nanny whether Consort Wen and the Emperor at the time actually had..."
She dared not say the rest.
Narcissus's voice was icy: "Does it matter whether there are facts or not?"
She scoffed lightly, "The important thing is that Consort Wen is an irreparable regret in the Emperor's heart!"
Narcissus tapped her fingers lightly on the table, deep in thought.
The most foolish thing to do is to confront Wen Changzai head-on and personally get involved in the conflict.
That would only make her appear jealous and vicious, confirming her accusation of being arrogant because of the emperor's favor, and completely pushing Emperor Zhaoheng's heart towards Consort Wen!
She needs an ally, or rather, someone who can rival Consort Wen and share the Emperor's favor with her!
Narcissus closed her eyes, and the faces of the imperial concubines in the harem flashed through her mind.
Ultimately, she came to mind the most suitable candidate.
Narcissus opened her eyes and leaned down to whisper in Silver Pearl's ear...
......
A few days later, at Yongle Palace.
After the palace gates opened, a tall figure strode in.
The visitor was none other than Tuoba Changzai.
Unlike the other concubines who wore elaborate and cumbersome palace attire, she wore a modified brocade robe with narrow sleeves and a fitted waist, designed for ease of movement.
What is most striking is her hairstyle. Instead of the common palace hairstyle, she braided her thick, black hair into several thick, shiny braids, with brightly colored ropes cleverly wrapped around them.
She was like a wild rose growing freely in spring, exuding vitality and a free spirit that seemed out of place in the deep palace.
Tuoba Changzai walked into the hall and performed a curt and efficient salute according to the rules.
"This humble servant, of the Tuoba clan, greets Consort Jin. May Your Highness enjoy boundless blessings and peace!"
Shui Xian smiled gently and gestured for her to sit down: "Sister, there's no need for formalities, please sit down. Yin Zhu, brew the grassland milk tea that the Emperor bestowed upon you the other day, and let Consort Tuoba taste whether it's authentic."
Tuoba Changzai's eyes lit up: "Thank you, Your Majesty! I really do miss the taste of my hometown."
She sat down readily, her posture still relaxed.
Yinzhu withdrew in response and soon returned carrying an exquisite silver teapot and two silver bowls. Steam rose gently from the spout of the teapot, carrying a rich aroma of milk and tea.
Yinzhu walked to Tuoba Changzai's side, carefully picked up the silver pot, and pretended to pour it into the silver bowl in front of her.
However, at the very moment of pouring, Yinzhu's wrist seemed to tremble accidentally, and the scalding hot milk tea spilled out, most of it landing on Tuoba Changzai's brocade robe sleeves!
"Oh dear!" Tuoba Changzai exclaimed, suddenly standing up and looking at her wet sleeves with surprise on her face.
She instinctively shook her hand, as if she had been burned, but only frowned slightly and did not immediately lash out.
Shui Xian lowered her eyes to scrutinize Tuoba Changzai's reaction.
She only saw surprise, but she didn't see any contempt or disgust that Tuoba Changzai showed towards Yinzhu.
Narcissus's eyes flickered slightly, and she suddenly slammed her hand on the table, scolding, "You worthless wretch!"
She angrily retorted, "You can't even pour milk tea properly, what use are you to me?! You've disturbed Consort Chang, and even ten of your worthless lives wouldn't be enough to pay for it!"
Narcissus pointed at Silver Pearl and shouted sternly, "Guards! Drag this stupid servant out and give him twenty strokes of the cane!"
Yinzhu was so frightened that she knelt on the ground, trembling: "Your Majesty, spare me! This servant knows her mistake!"
The palace servants outside responded and were about to come in to arrest the person.
"Wait a minute!"
Tuoba Changzai's clear voice rang out.
She stepped forward, blocking Yinzhu's path, her brows furrowed:
"Your Highness, please calm your anger! Miss Yinzhu did not do it intentionally; she merely spilled the milk tea accidentally—it's only human nature! A piece of clothing can be washed; why resort to such severe punishment?"
Her tone was frank and direct, showing no fear of offending the high-ranking Narcissus.
Shui Xian raised an eyebrow slightly and scoffed, "Tuoba Changzai is kind-hearted, but the palace has its own rules. A servant is a servant, born to serve her master. Let alone punishing her with a cane, even taking her life is just a matter of a master's word."
Upon hearing this, Tuoba Changzai's bright eyes flashed with strong disapproval!
"Your Majesty, you are mistaken! If someone does something wrong, they can be taught and made amends. How can you take someone's life so easily? This...this is too cruel!"
Disappointment flickered in her eyes: "Since I entered the palace, I've seen Your Highness treat everyone with gentleness and politeness, and I thought Your Highness was one of the few reasonable people in the palace. I never expected..."
Tuoba Changzai shook her head in disappointment, "So that's how it is... a sycophantic and opportunistic person! In that case, I'll take my leave and dare not bother Your Majesty any longer!"
After saying that, she turned to leave, showing no mercy whatsoever.
"Please stay!" Yinzhu quickly called out, her face no longer showing any fear.
"Sister Tuoba, please wait."
Narcissus's voice rang out at the same time, much gentler than before when they were at loggerheads.
Tuoba Changzai stopped in his tracks and turned back in confusion.
Shui Xian winked at Yin Zhu: "Go and fetch my new palace dress that I haven't worn yet, and have Consort Tuoba change into it."
She then looked at Consort Tuoba, who looked puzzled, and gave her a sincere smile:
"My sister is straightforward and outspoken, with a fiery temper, truly living up to her reputation. Just now... it was my fault, I frightened her."
Tuoba Changzai was completely dumbfounded. Looking at Shuixian's warm, spring-like smile, and then at Yinzhu beside her who seemed completely unaffected, she had no idea what was going on.
"Your Majesty... what's wrong?"
Narcissus gestured for her to sit down again, walked over to her, poured her a bowl of milk tea, pushed it towards her, and explained gently:
"Please don't be offended, sister. I invited you here today for two reasons. First, I genuinely feel a connection with you. Second... to be honest, I am currently six months pregnant, and in this deep palace, it is truly not easy to find one or two sisters who share the same temperament and can help each other."
She paused, then looked at Tuoba Changzai with an honest gaze:
"I saw my sister a few times from afar at the palace banquet before. Her cheerful and bright personality left a deep impression on me."
Narcissus smiled. "I invited you here today specifically so that Yinzhu could test you and confirm whether you are truly as kind-hearted as the rumors say, rather than... a sycophant who fawns on the powerful and bullies the weak."
She frankly revealed the truth behind the farce that had just occurred.
Tuoba Changzai listened in a daze, remaining stunned for several breaths.
She blinked her large, light brown eyes, then suddenly burst out laughing, and gave the narcissus a thumbs-up:
"Your Majesty! Brilliant! Absolutely brilliant! You really gave me a fright just now! My heart was in my throat. I really thought you were a... cough."
Tuoba Changzai coughed awkwardly, not finishing her sentence, which was probably not a pleasant word.
"I didn't expect it to be a test! Your Majesty is very shrewd, I admire you!"
Shuixian smiled too; Tuoba Changzai's straightforwardness and sincerity dispelled her last doubts.
Her gaze turned serious: "Then, I will get straight to the point. My sister must have her own wishes for entering the palace. Judging from your temperament, you are by no means someone who is content with obscurity."
"If you, my sister, are also interested in vying for the Emperor's favor in this harem and seeking a better future, I may be able to lend you a hand."
Did the Yi family use every trick in the book to create the emperor's ideal woman?
Then she will bring up the blazing sun from the grasslands and see who wins between the sun and the moon!
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