Chapter 7 It's either you die or you perish!
As Narcissus slowly awoke, she felt a warm, solid heat source in front of her that made her want to get closer.
She instinctively pressed herself closer to the heat source, but vaguely sensed a man's deep breathing near her ear.
Narcissus finally opened her eyes, and what came into view was a beautifully shaped Adam's apple, and beneath her palm was a rather firm chest.
She unconsciously reached out and pressed it.
Hmm, it feels really good.
A low chuckle came from above his head, "Already energetic after just waking up?"
"ah."
Narcissus let out a soft cry, as if she had just realized Emperor Zhaoheng's presence.
She instinctively tried to pull away, but the quilt was spread open between them, and cool air rushed in. She sensed something, looked down...
"This... how can this servant..."
Shuixian gripped the edge of the quilt tightly; the bright yellow quilt made her skin appear even whiter, and a faint blush rose to her cheeks, whether from the heat or from embarrassment.
Emperor Zhaoheng took in her reaction. Although he also had some reaction, as an emperor, he would not take advantage of her vulnerability.
"You were too cold just now. Even drinking hot medicine didn't help. When I led the army on a northern expedition, I heard a military doctor say that this is the fastest way to revive a frozen person."
Seeing that she was gradually recovering, Emperor Zhaoheng lifted the covers and got up.
The bright yellow nightgown instantly enveloped his tall, straight back, concealing the smooth lines of his broad shoulders and narrow waist. This was a scene that Narcissus had never witnessed during her brief time serving him in her previous life.
Surprisingly, this emperor still maintained such a fit physique after taking off his dragon robe.
While her mind was wandering, Narcissus still maintained her cautious and humble palace maid persona.
"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your timely rescue. This servant is deeply grateful..."
The two were already touching skin to skin, but Narcissus refused to mention the matter of rank.
Emperor Zhaoheng changed into his nightgown and turned to look at her. He saw that Shui Xian had lowered her eyelids and exuded a sense of unworthiness.
She seemed to have never dared to hope that she would have a place by his side.
Emperor Zhaoheng sat on the edge of the couch and lifted her chin with the edge of his index finger.
His gaze met hers domineeringly; now he was not only her emperor, but also her man.
"I've remembered you since the day you took my place in the emperor's bedchamber. Saving you today is my choice, and I will take responsibility for it..."
He paused, then said in a low voice, "I have already instructed Feng Shunxiang to issue an imperial edict to the six palaces, promoting you to the rank of Changzai."
Throughout history, very few palace maids who served the emperor received official ranks. Even those who were granted extraordinary titles were only given the lowest possible rank.
Narcissus hadn't even been summoned to the emperor's bedchamber yet, but she was immediately given the title of Consort...
The honor bestowed upon them is self-evident.
Narcissus's eyes flickered slightly, and tears welled up in them; she looked deeply moved.
But in his heart he thought: Sure enough, for men, what they can't have is always more alluring.
In her previous life, she served the emperor for one night, but never received a title until she gave birth to her son.
Now that she has captured the hearts of men, she has always held a position of power.
Shui Xian thought of Consort Song of Chuxiu Palace. Both of them were newly appointed, and Consort Song, whose father was Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, was of the same rank as her.
She slowly lowered her eyes and spoke again, but this time it was a polite refusal.
"Your Majesty... This servant is of lowly status, as insignificant as dust, and is utterly unworthy of such boundless grace! I beg Your Majesty to rescind your decree!"
Narcissus struggled to support her weak body, clutching the quilt tightly in front of her with one hand, and slowly bowed her head towards Emperor Zhaoheng beside the bed.
She knew that Emperor Zhaoheng's recent aloofness stemmed from his unresolved feelings about the former imperial concubine's background as a palace maid.
At this time, Emperor Zhaoheng proposed to bestow a title, but it was because of Shui Xian's stunning beauty and her meticulous planning.
Narcissus knew that if some knots in their hearts were not untied, even if their feelings for each other deepened later, they would eventually explode.
She must resolve the Emperor's deep-seated resentment about her humble origins today!
Emperor Zhaoheng raised an eyebrow, remembering the fleeting surprise on Shui Xian's face just now. Why did she refuse?
He said in a deep voice, "Tell me, why?"
Narcissus was pale and her voice was weak: "This servant was brought into the palace by Consort Yi as a companion. That night, I served her in her place, which was already an overstepping of the bounds..."
As she spoke, she lightly grasped her hand on the quilt, drawing Emperor Zhaoheng's attention. He noticed the slight frostbite on her hand and her rough fingertips, clearly the result of long hours of hard work.
These scars were not present on Dai Xing that night.
Emperor Zhaoheng's eyes darkened as he listened to Shui Xian continue:
"Your Majesty's kindness to this servant is as heavy as a mountain, this servant... dares not have any more improper thoughts!"
Her words were extremely humble, every sentence emphasizing her unworthiness and the kindness of Consort Yi towards her.
Who was Emperor Zhaoheng?
He recalled the bruises on Narcissus's knees when he removed her clothes earlier; they were clearly the result of being forced to kneel as punishment these past few days.
Considering the frostbite on her hands...
What a remarkable Consort Yi! What a profound favor!
He never imagined that Consort Yi, who was always gentle, graceful, and well-mannered in front of him, would secretly torment an innocent palace maid like this!
These scars silently tell the story of what kind of life Narcissus lived in Changxin Palace!
"You don't need to defend her anymore. Is this how she always treats you?!"
Emperor Zhaoheng reached out and grasped her hand beneath the quilt. The skin beneath her fingers was somewhat rough, and Emperor Zhaoheng couldn't help but feel a pang of sorrow in his heart.
Narcissus bit her lip lightly, a hint of grievance showing in her eyes, but she dared not reveal it, as if she was suppressing it with all her might.
"No, Your Majesty! Her Majesty is just... just a little strict with me. It's... it's because I'm foolish and often make mistakes, which displeases Her Majesty and leads to my punishment. The other sisters... Her Majesty treats them all very well..."
She hurriedly defended herself, as if afraid that the emperor would take his anger out on Consort Yi because of her.
Her eagerness to protect him only made her seem more pitiful and helpless.
Narcissus murmured, her voice growing weaker and weaker.
"Even among servants, there are differences..."
Narcissus's words gave Emperor Zhaoheng a sudden insight.
Yes, although they were all servants, there were differences between each of them.
I've heard that the late emperor's concubine, who rose from the ranks of a palace maid to become a high-ranking imperial consort, was arrogant and domineering even when she was just a palace maid.
It is said that when she was in the Imperial Kitchen, she was already notorious for her violent temper and for frequently beating and scolding other lower-ranking palace servants!
And what about the daffodils in front of us?
She was as delicate as a fragile daffodil, as if a strong wind or rain would break her and crush her.
How could she resemble that wicked concubine who brought ruin to the country? She was clearly a pitiful person who was wantonly bullied by others and didn't even dare to resist!
The emperor's long-standing wariness of palace maids rising to power, deeply rooted in the late imperial concubine's influence, was completely dispelled by Narcissus's words at this moment.
Emperor Zhaoheng, who had suppressed his feelings for a long time, rushed towards Narcissus with overflowing tenderness the moment his inner knot was untied.
"Silly girl..."
Emperor Zhaoheng's throat bobbed slightly. He grasped her slender wrist and pulled her towards him without a word!
Caught off guard, Narcissus let out a soft cry and crashed into his arms.
The next moment, enveloped by the heavy scent of ambergris, his thin lips precisely and domineeringly covered her cool and soft lips!
"Hmm..."
Narcissus felt the emperor's surging passion, her fingertips lightly touching his chest, and her body went limp in his embrace.
She slowly closed her eyes, her breath mingling with his as she experienced this indescribable intimacy.
Her heart, however, was calmer than the cold winter outside the window.
Shui Xian knew that she had finally resolved the emperor's inner conflict, and she had also secured the position of Consort.
She has finally taken a steady and solid step on her path to the imperial harem!
......
Shui Xian spent three full days recuperating in the Qianqing Palace.
For three whole days, she didn't step out of the palace gates.
Emperor Zhaoheng did not take advantage of her vulnerability or summon her to his bedchamber. However, the two shared a bed for three nights, and some things that needed to be explored were explored and understood.
Given Emperor Zhaoheng's momentum, Shui Xian truly suspected that if the imperial physician hadn't advised her to rest for a few days, she would have already been devoured by the man.
Finally, once Narcissus's illness had improved somewhat, it became inconvenient for her to stay in the Qianqing Palace any longer.
Three days is already an honor; if she were to stay any longer, Narcissus fears she might incite hostility from the entire palace.
Narcissus didn't want to make a bunch of enemies in the palace as soon as she embarked on her path to becoming a concubine.
Emperor Zhaoheng had always remembered how Consort Yi had tormented Shuixian these past few days. When he was helping Shuixian choose a palace to live in, he specifically asked Shuixian about it.
Since lower-ranking concubines cannot occupy the main position in a palace, he asked Shui Xian what she meant, which was that he wanted Shui Xian to choose a side palace to live in among the existing main palaces.
Unexpectedly, Narcissus chose Changxin Palace.
Shui Xian said softly, "I am already overwhelmed by His Majesty's grace and honor. I was brought into the palace by Consort Yi and have now been fortunate enough to obtain a rank. If I were to move elsewhere rashly, I fear it would cause controversy... Besides, I am used to living in Changxin Palace."
She curtsied to Emperor Zhaoheng and begged, “Your Majesty, please allow me to return to Changxin Palace and continue to serve Your Highness, so as to fulfill my loyalty.”
Shui Xian spoke with heartfelt sincerity, her earnest expression revealing itself completely to Emperor Zhaoheng.
As an emperor, he had seen too many people who, once they gained power, became arrogant and turned against their former masters.
It is truly rare for someone like Narcissus, who, despite receiving immense favor, still cherishes old feelings and is even willing to return to the side of Consort Yi, who had tormented her.
He was moved by her loyalty and felt even more deeply that Narcissus was pure of heart.
He sighed softly, unable to resist reaching out to stroke the top of her soft hair, his tone indulgent, "If you want to come back, then come back. But..."
Emperor Zhaoheng said meaningfully, "My women, even if they are temporarily residing in a side palace, will never be treated with disrespect!"
He immediately summoned Feng Shunxiang and ordered in a deep voice, "Convey my decree: Consort Shui is to be moved to the west wing of Changxin Palace. The Imperial Household Department is to immediately begin repairs and maintenance, and all expenses shall be in accordance with the regulations for a Noble Lady! Send all the newly presented tribute items—Yun brocade, Shu embroidery, South China Sea pearls, and that white jade Guanyin statue—to Consort Shui. Also, add four more palace maids to serve her and ensure that the wing is properly furnished!"
This is both the emperor's favor and his warning.
He seemed to be using these excessive rewards to warn Consort Yi, the mistress of Changxin Palace, not to arbitrarily humiliate or punish Shui Xian.
Narcissus lowered her eyes and expressed her gratitude.
It is said that you are closer to your friends, but you are closer to your enemies!
Yi Guichun, I'm here.
In this life, on this path through the deep palace, it's either you die or you perish!
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