Chapter 151 A Unique Favor
Tinglu is a good at finding out things; Shuixian was right about her.
Although Wanfangyuan was quite a distance from the imperial city, the clever little girl Tinglu still managed to find out some things.
Someone came to Cining Palace in the evening and went to the Purple Bamboo Garden where Consort Wan lived. It seems that someone was left there.
After listening to Tinglu's report, Shuixian looked at the completely dark sky outside, pondered for a long time, and finally said in a low voice:
"Come with me to the Purple Bamboo Garden."
Tinglu: "Yes."
Inside the Purple Bamboo Garden.
Consort Wan and Yi Shuyao live here. Due to the previous turmoil, neither of them is in the mood to enjoy the scenery. Since they moved in, Zizhu Garden has been quiet all day long.
Consort Wan was practicing calligraphy in her room. Her complexion was not good, and she even seemed a little irritable.
The palace servants attending to her dared not utter a sound. Whether grinding ink or laying paper, they served her with utmost care, for fear of getting into trouble for something.
The tranquility of Zizhuyuan Garden was suddenly broken by the noise at the entrance.
"Consort Jin has arrived!"
The eunuch's announcement echoed through the courtyard, causing Consort Wan to pause in her calligraphy practice and look up at the open gate.
Sure enough, she came face to face with Narcissus, who was wearing a crimson ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress) and walking slowly towards her.
Consort Wan slowly put down her brush, wiped her hands clean with a cloth, and checked each finger for ink stains before rising from her spot and giving a perfunctory curtsy to the narcissus who had already entered the room.
"Your humble servant greets Consort Jin."
Shui Xian's gaze slowly swept over Consort Wan's side, noticing that the palace servants beside her were all those brought from the palace.
"Is Consort Wan settling in well here?"
Narcissus spoke slowly.
Consort Wan noticed her gaze, paused for a moment, then seemed to suddenly realize something, a mocking smile appearing on her lips.
"The Imperial Concubine's information network is quite impressive."
She whispered a few words to the maid beside her, and the maid withdrew. Soon after, she brought in an unfamiliar old woman.
"This is Zhang Mama, sent by Cining Palace. Zhang Mama was supposed to leave the palace with me, but because the Empress Dowager has been using people for Buddhist rituals these past few days, she was sent here a few days later."
On the surface, Consort Wan was explaining to Narcissus, but in reality, she was smiling ambiguously, as if she were watching Narcissus make a fool of herself.
"The Empress Dowager is very considerate. Zhang Mama is an excellent cook, and her cooking is just like the taste of my hometown. So she has ordered Zhang Mama to serve me... Consort Jin, is there a problem?"
Narcissus remained expressionless. "I naturally have no problem."
She did not leave, but took her seat above Consort Wan.
Seeing Narcissus sitting gracefully in the honored seat in the room, Consort Wan was filled with resentment, but she knew the hierarchy of the world.
She hated her intensely, yet she had to admit that Narcissus's rank as a Noble Consort was higher than hers as a Consort.
The palace servants symbolically brought out tea and pastries to accompany it. Consort Wan waited and waited, but Consort Jin seemed to have no shame and couldn't understand her unwelcoming expression at all. She just sat in her own place and enjoyed her tea and pastries.
If someone were watching from a distance, they might think she was a regular customer and that they were on very good terms with her.
Consort Wan was the first to lose her composure. Now, when she looked at Narcissus, it was as if she were watching someone of far lower birth than herself flaunting their superior status in front of her.
How could she not be angry?
"Consort Jin, even at this point, you can still eat?"
She feigned mystery, wanting to see how Narcissus would become anxious and vulnerable because of her words.
However.
The narcissus remained serene.
Why can't I eat?
She smiled faintly, "Could it be that Consort Wan put medicine in this tea and pastries? Trying to poison me?"
When faced with Narcissus's gentle smile, Consort Wan smiled awkwardly, as Narcissus's reaction was not what she had expected.
But soon, she stopped laughing.
"Someone come here, this tea and pastries are a bit stale, bring up another serving for Consort Jin."
Consort Wan gave her trusted maid a wink, signaling her to take away the tea and pastries that Narcissus had only used halfway and leave them for later.
She now strongly suspects that Narcissus poisoned her tea and pastries in an attempt to frame her for plotting to harm the imperial heir!
Shui Xian allowed the maid to take away the tea and pastries, and throughout the process, she silently watched the flustered Consort Wan.
It seems that Consort Wan is mostly unaware of what happened to Yi Guichun.
The arrival of people from Cining Palace should only be a coincidence.
As Shui Xian pondered this in her heart, she finally stood up amidst Consort Wan's bewildered gaze.
"It is late, so I will not disturb you any longer. Consort Wan, please rest early."
Consort Wan looked completely bewildered as she watched Narcissus arrive and then leave.
"What is that?"
After Narcissus's procession disappeared outside the gate of the Purple Bamboo Garden, in front of the palace servants, Consort Wan couldn't help but glare in the direction where Consort Jin had left.
She returned to the inner room, her face full of anger, but as the curtain fell, her anger slowly subsided.
At this moment, the only person by her side was Zhang Mama, who had been sent by Cining Palace.
"Just as my aunt predicted... Consort Jin's spies are mostly focused on the Cining Palace."
Consort Wan scoffed lightly, saying disdainfully.
Zhang Mama said respectfully, "The Empress Dowager's intention is for this old woman to conceal the real commotion."
"At tomorrow's Flower Festival, please follow the Empress Dowager's arrangements."
Consort Wan's expression turned somewhat unpleasant again.
She recalled the Empress Dowager's instructions that Zhang Mama had given her a few hours earlier after arriving at the Purple Bamboo Garden.
"I understand!"
Consort Wan spoke with considerable impatience, then turned away angrily and stood in a corner of the inner room.
We must fight until both sides are severely injured!
——
The following day was the Flower Festival celebration.
At dawn, a solemn and dignified flower goddess ceremony was held in front of the largest altar in the garden. Consorts Shui Xian and De Guifei, dressed in formal court attire, led the concubines of the harem in burning incense, offering sacrifices, and reciting prayers in accordance with regulations.
Shui Xian was graceful and elegant, shining like a pearl among the concubines. Even when she was placed next to Consort De, who was of the same rank, her inner composure and the air nurtured by the emperor's favor subtly overshadowed those around her.
Consort De remained calm and composed, as always, seemingly unaware of the undercurrents of comparison around her.
The sacrificial ceremony was completed, and it was nearly noon.
The banquet had already been set up in the Wanfangyuan Garden.
Surrounded by flowers, the imperial table sits in the center, with concubines seated on either side according to their rank. The table is laden with seasonal delicacies and exquisite tea snacks.
When Emperor Zhaoheng arrived, everyone rose to greet him, shouting "Long live the Emperor!"
The emperor seemed to be in a good mood today, with a smile on his face, and raised his hand to signal everyone to rise.
His gaze swept across the table, lingering briefly on Narcissus. Though the doting expression was subtle, it was enough to make the concubines, who were constantly watching the emperor's countenance, feel a tightness in their hearts.
When the banquet was in full swing, the steward of the Imperial Household Department presented a tray covered with bright yellow brocade, on which were placed various pearl flowers in the shape of rare flowers, for the Emperor to bestow upon his favorite person as a sign of favor.
This was a customary practice at the Flower Festival Banquet, and a segment that the concubines secretly looked forward to.
Emperor Zhaoheng glanced at it briefly, and with his slender fingers picked up a daffodil-shaped beaded flower made of rice grains and pearls.
The flowers were lifelike, elegant yet luxurious.
"The narcissus is elegant and refined, which perfectly matches the temperament of my beloved concubine."
Emperor Zhaoheng's voice was not loud, but it clearly reached everyone's ears.
He rose himself, walked to the narcissus table, and amidst countless envious or jealous gazes, gently placed the pearl flower in her hair.
This was the first pearl flower he bestowed upon her, representing the emperor's supreme favor.
"Your Majesty, I thank you for your kindness."
Narcissus rose, bowed gracefully, and as she slightly raised her head, her eyes met the emperor's for a fleeting moment, revealing an overwhelming tenderness.
The atmosphere at the table suddenly became subtle, with people exchanging glances and grinding their teeth in secret.
Emperor Zhaoheng then bestowed pearl flowers upon several high-ranking concubines, but his words were merely polite gestures and could not compare to the care he had shown to Narcissus earlier.
As for the lower-ranking concubines, Emperor Zhaoheng simply instructed the steward of the Imperial Household Department to distribute them as usual.
However, his exclusive favor to Narcissus meant that the other concubines had nothing to compare themselves to.
Since everyone was equally out of favor, aside from being jealous of Narcissus, the atmosphere among the concubines was much more relaxed.
Just as everyone was drinking and laughing, Consort Yao, Yi Shuyao, who was sitting at the lower end of the table, suddenly stood up, held a cup of wine, and bowed in the direction of the emperor.
"Your Majesty, I congratulate you on your great victory in the Northwest!"
When the great victory in the Northwest was mentioned, Emperor Zhaoheng's smile deepened, clearly very pleased: "Thank you for your thoughtfulness."
Noticing the curious glances coming from all around, Yi Shuyao seemed encouraged and continued:
"I received a letter from home yesterday informing me of my elder brother's imminent triumphant return. I was overjoyed, which is why I spoke a little longer than expected..."
Emperor Zhaoheng nodded, "General Yi has rendered such a great service, and I am deeply gratified."
Emperor Zhaoheng was clearly intrigued and explained to the crowd in a loud voice: "General Yi Xingyao's surprise attack this time greatly defeated the enemy's royal court and enhanced our national prestige. He is truly a pillar of the nation!"
Upon seeing this, all the concubines rose and congratulated the Emperor in unison: "Congratulations, Your Majesty! May Heaven bless the Great Qi!"
Emperor Zhaoheng laughed and gestured for everyone to take their seats.
He turned his gaze to Yi Shuyao and asked casually, "General Yi is valiant. You must have had quite a bit of contact with Consort Yao when you are at home?"
A fleeting hint of embarrassment crossed Yi Shuyao's face. She lowered her head and said softly:
"Your Majesty, I grew up in seclusion, while my elder brother was away practicing martial arts all year round. Therefore, I did not have much contact with my elder brother on a regular basis."
This statement was originally intended to appear reserved and to highlight the differences between men and women.
However, Narcissus, who had been sitting quietly at the head of the table, raised her eyes slightly and spoke slowly with a hint of doubt:
"Oh? That's strange."
"You just said that you learned of General Yi's triumphant return from a letter from home. Since you don't have much contact with your elder brother, why would the Yi family specifically write to the palace to inform you of such frontline military secrets that haven't even been officially announced to the world?"
Yi Shuyao opened her mouth, but for a moment she didn't know how to defend herself.
Emperor Zhaoheng's smile faded, and his eyes darkened slightly.
Yi Xingyao had just made a great contribution, and he was unwilling to delve into the matter at the moment, but Shui Xian's words were like a thorn, gently pricking him.
He was about to raise his hand, to say something to gloat over the matter, both to save face for the Yi family and to give this reckless Consort Yao a warning...
Just then, a loud commotion erupted at the garden entrance, accompanied by the panicked cries of palace servants trying to dissuade the emperor, abruptly disrupting the harmony of the banquet and interrupting his impending words.
Everyone's attention was involuntarily drawn to it.
A figure stumbled and broke through the palace servants' obstruction, bursting into the grand feast surrounded by a hundred flowers.
The concubines were initially alarmed, but fell silent when they saw the intruder's face.
The person who barged into the banquet wearing an apricot-colored cloak and with disheveled hair was none other than Yi Guichun, who had been insane for a long time!
Why is she here?!
Yi Guichun fell to the ground in front of Emperor Zhaoheng. When he spoke, he was clear-headed and showed no signs of madness.
"Your Majesty! Your Majesty! Your Majesty... Your Majesty, I have been assassinated! Jin Gui, the young lady Jin Gui, died protecting me!"
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com