Chapter 187 Emperor Zhaoheng learns the truth!
Since Wen Jingfeng entered the palace, Shui Xian had never seen Wen Jingfeng so flustered.
Speaking of Consort Jing, who was made a concubine as soon as she entered the palace, Shui Xian actually kept her distance and adopted a wait-and-see attitude.
After entering the palace, Wen Jingfeng showed no concern for the emperor's favor. When they occasionally met at the morning meeting, Shui Xian always saw that her spirit seemed to be outside the four palace walls, always wandering, like a fairy.
Narcissus did not believe that a mortal being could be without any attachments in the world.
Humans are bound to have desires.
If someone is without desires or wants, then they must be someone who is extremely secretive.
Only at this moment did Shui Xian vaguely glimpse a different side of Consort Jing, who was usually carefree and without desires.
Narcissus recalled Lu Yuanhang, the young master she had met a few days ago.
Looking at Wen Jingfeng's forced composure, she sighed inwardly and chose to tell the truth:
"I have indeed met a talented young man surnamed Lu, who is the young master of the Chang'an Escort Agency."
"Because of the meritorious service of the Chang'an Escort Agency in protecting the emperor, the emperor rewarded the Chang'an Escort Agency handsomely, especially that young master Lu."
She observed Wen Jingfeng's expression and slowly said, "His Majesty loves talent and once intended to recruit Young Master Lu into the court as an official, or to bestow upon him a prestigious marriage."
Wen Jingfeng's hand, which was holding the teacup, tightened almost imperceptibly, and his knuckles turned slightly white.
Narcissus continued, "However, Young Master Lu politely declined. He said he was used to a carefree lifestyle and couldn't stand the constraints of officialdom. As for the marriage..."
She paused, and seeing Wen Jingfeng holding his breath, she said softly, "He said that he has someone he loves, and although they are not meant to be in this life, he does not want to marry another. He would rather wander the world and live out his remaining years there."
There was a moment of silence in the hall, and this sudden quiet made every subtle sound in the hall clearly audible.
Wen Jingfeng lowered her eyes, her long eyelashes concealing all her emotions.
But Narcissus noticed that her other hand, which was resting on her knee, had quietly clenched into a fist and was trembling slightly.
Narcissus did not disturb her, only listening to the faint sound of the breeze blowing across the hall.
After a long while, she finally heard Wen Jingfeng whisper almost inaudibly, his voice as soft as a sigh: "What a... fool..."
In this way, Narcissus became even more certain of her guess.
She never imagined that Wen Jingfeng, who always seemed indifferent to joy or sorrow, would actually place his heart outside.
No wonder, no wonder she didn't care about the Emperor's favor at all after entering the palace.
Perhaps she only saw Consort Wan arrange for Wen Jingfeng to be in front of the Emperor, and assumed that Wen Jingfeng was in cahoots with Consort Wan. This assumption was wrong from the beginning.
Narcissus was filled with conflicting emotions; she was always one to repay kindness with kindness and avenge wrongs.
The key to saving her life was the token that Wen Jingfeng gave her before she left the palace.
Some things cannot be said openly in this palace.
But Narcissus still spoke up to offer some advice, though her voice was soft, it still carried a hint of reminder.
"Consort Jing... Sister, the palace walls are deep and locked, and some old dreams can never be rekindled. Preserving yourself is the only way to ensure long-term safety."
Wen Jingfeng suddenly raised her head, a fleeting glint of tears in her eyes.
But she blinked quickly, forcing back the moisture, and a self-deprecating smile appeared on her lips.
“What the Noble Consort says is true… From the day I stepped into this palace, I have given up all my delusions.”
Wen Jingfeng also realized what was happening and quickly regained his aloof and composed demeanor, rising up and slowly bowing to the narcissus.
"I thank Consort Xie for keeping the matter of that token a secret."
Emperor Zhaoheng personally brought Shui Xian back and met with Lu Yuanhang, but he never asked her about the token, which was probably a well-intentioned concealment by Shui Xian.
Narcissus sighed softly, "If it weren't for Consort Jing's token, I might not have been able to come back. Consort Jing, please get up. I can't accept your thanks."
As she said this, her gaze tentatively turned to Wen Jingfeng, who stood with her head down on the steps.
"Back then, when I was about to leave the palace to pray for blessings, why did Consort Jing give me that token? I beg Consort Jing to enlighten me, as I have been pondering this question for a long time."
Wen Jingfeng slightly tugged at the corners of her lips, revealing a sorrowful smile.
"I gave away that token simply so that things from the common people wouldn't be trapped in this deep palace..."
She did not ask for anything in return for helping Narcissus.
Wen Jingfeng seemed to have come only to ask about the token, and even more so about that... young man.
In an instant, Wen Jingfeng regained her usual aloofness, as if her vulnerability just a moment ago was merely an illusion.
After sitting for a while, she got up to say goodbye.
Narcissus watched her departing figure, feeling a pang of emotion.
This Consort Jing was more insightful and affectionate than she had imagined.
Even though Consort Jing only told her to forget the token, she remembered this kindness.
"Cough cough..."
Narcissus was deep in thought when she was suddenly interrupted by a cough.
Why did I suddenly start coughing for no reason?
Narcissus felt a dry, itchy throat, and what was even more uncomfortable was that her chest felt like she had caught a severe cold.
Just as she was feeling puzzled, Tinglu, who was serving her, hurriedly went to the Imperial Hospital to find Pei Jichuan to take her pulse.
Watching Tinglu's hurried departure, Shuixian suddenly guessed something.
Although she didn't stop Tinglu, she already guessed in her heart... perhaps, she really would die suddenly during childbirth?
Narcissus gently rubbed her temples.
We must let Emperor Zhaoheng know about this constitution as soon as possible...
——
In the following days, Shui Xian rested quietly at Lihe Palace, seemingly waiting patiently for her delivery a month later.
After Shui Xian returned to the palace, Emperor Zhaoheng visited Lihe Palace more frequently, almost every day.
Even if you don't stay overnight at the Lihe Palace, you should still spend half a day with Narcissus.
Emperor Zhaoheng vaguely sensed that Shui Xian's physical condition was abnormal.
Her complexion was no longer as rosy as before. When she spoke to him, although she tried her best to stay alert, it was clear that she was tired and often felt weak and short of breath.
What worried him even more was that she was coughing more and more frequently, and sometimes she would suddenly turn her face away and cover her mouth to cough softly while she was talking.
Her thin, frail shoulders trembled slightly with each cough, which startled him.
"Xian'er, why doesn't your cough get better?"
That day, Emperor Zhaoheng held her hand, his worry growing. "Doesn't Physician Pei come to take your pulse every day, and the medicine he prescribes seem to be working?"
Shui Xian forced a smile, her voice weak: "Your Majesty need not worry. Physician Pei said that carrying twins is more difficult than for ordinary women. These are normal occurrences during pregnancy. Just take good care of yourself."
She looked up, trying to appear alert and not too bad off.
"Perhaps he was running around outside the palace a few days ago and was frightened, and has not fully recovered yet."
The more casually she described it, the stronger Emperor Zhaoheng's unease became.
"Judging from your condition, this is definitely not ordinary pregnancy discomfort."
Emperor Zhaoheng said in a deep voice, "I will summon Pei Jichuan immediately. I want to question him myself!"
He had just stood up when Shui Xian gently tugged at his sleeve and said softly, "Your Majesty, Imperial Physician Pei just left and must still be busy at the Imperial Hospital. It's such a small matter, why trouble him to make another trip? I'm truly fine..."
"no!"
Emperor Zhaoheng resolutely refused and helped her sit back in the cushioned armchair.
"You should rest well. I will come to see you again tonight."
Emperor Zhaoheng did not go directly to the Imperial Hospital, but instead ordered Feng Shunxiang to immediately summon Pei Jichuan to the Qianqing Palace.
Inside the warm pavilion of the Qianqing Palace, Emperor Zhaoheng sat upright on his throne with a calm expression, but the constant tapping of his index finger on the armrest betrayed his inner tension.
Pei Jichuan rushed over and bowed respectfully.
"Your humble servant greets Your Majesty."
"Rise... Physician Pei, how is Consort Jin's health?"
Following his prior agreement with Shui Xian, Pei Jichuan cautiously replied, "Your Majesty, the Imperial Concubine is carrying twins, which is indeed a heavier burden on her body than a single pregnancy. However, as long as she rests peacefully and takes good care of herself, the imperial heirs will certainly be safe, and the Imperial Concubine's health will gradually recover."
Emperor Zhaoheng snorted coldly, showing no interest.
"I see her complexion getting worse every day, her coughing incessantly, and her spirits low... Pei Jichuan, do you think I'm someone to be deceived?"
The emperor's imposing aura arrived instantly. Even though he already knew what was going on, Pei Jichuan still knelt down. In a corner of his heart, there was a genuine feeling—the fear of being reprimanded by the emperor.
"Your Majesty, please calm your anger! Your humble servant... Your humble servant would not dare to deceive Your Majesty!"
He seemed to have been pushed to his limit and struggled to tell the truth.
"Your Majesty! I am guilty! But the Imperial Concubine will not allow me to confess to Your Majesty..."
"Tell me whatever she's asking you to hide!"
Emperor Zhaoheng's ominous premonition was instantly magnified to its extreme, as if he were approaching a cruel truth.
Pei Jichuan's face was drained of color, and his eyes were filled with sorrow.
"It was...it was Madam Yi who inadvertently revealed in prison...that the Imperial Concubine was fed secret medicine from a young age, creating what is known as a fertility-enhancing constitution..."
He swallowed hard before continuing, "She said... with Her Majesty's constitution, carrying three children... would mean... would mean the mother's death!"
He kowtowed heavily, his voice filled with sorrow: "Your Majesty! The Empress is carrying twins! One pregnancy is equivalent to two pregnancies for an average person, and the strain on the mother's body is enormous!"
"Judging from Your Majesty's pulse, your vital energy is severely depleted, far exceeding that of an ordinary pregnant woman... If what Lady Yi says is true... I fear that after this delivery, Your Majesty will..."
Pei Jichuan didn't continue speaking, but the truth behind his unfinished words was already obvious.
Emperor Zhaoheng was struck as if by a thunderbolt. He stood up abruptly, but staggered due to the immense psychological shock, and only managed to steady himself by grabbing the table for support.
At the moment of death?!
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