Chapter 296 Don't neglect your husband...
Shui Xiu entered the palace as a sixth-rank female official in charge of records. She was granted residence in Lan Yue Xuan and was in charge of organizing and compiling palace documents and records, as well as assisting in drafting some documents for the inner palace.
This position is extremely prestigious and can only be held by those who are learned and meticulous. Although it is not the highest rank, it is a very important and crucial post.
Qian represents Heaven, and Kun represents Earth.
Now, Shui Xian has moved into the Qianqing Palace to live with Emperor Zhaoheng. The Kunning Palace, which had been uninhabited since Liu was given death, has become an important ceremonial venue in the inner palace.
The newly appointed female officials, dressed in uniform light blue official robes, stood respectfully with their heads bowed according to their rank.
Incense burners wafted through the hall, the ceremony was solemn and dignified, and palace attendants stood on both sides.
Narcissus sat gracefully on the phoenix throne. Today, she was dressed in a formal bright yellow auspicious robe with gold phoenix patterns and a newly cast phoenix crown. Every gesture she made exuded elegance and nobility, and her natural majesty was evident.
Her gaze calmly swept over the women below who were about to become the first batch of female officials in the palace, and finally landed on her younger sister, who was standing at the front, dressed in the uniform of a sixth-rank female official.
The eunuch announced the names, and Shui Xiu stepped forward, knelt, and received her title.
Shui Xian personally took the gilded official seal representing the authority of the Si Ji from the tray held by Yin Zhu, and slowly walked down the imperial steps to Shui Xiu.
She bent down and personally pinned the official seal to Shuixiu's waist sash.
As she moved, the jade pendants and pearls on the empress's dress made a soft clinking sound.
At such close range, Shui Xiu could clearly see the undisguised pride in her sister's eyes, as well as the tenderness between sisters hidden beneath the Empress's majesty.
"I hope you will remember to be conscientious in your duties, impartial in your work, and live up to the Emperor's favor and your own learning."
Narcissus's voice was clear and melodious, echoing throughout the hall.
Shui Xiu kowtowed again, her voice firm: "Your subject will do her utmost to live up to the high expectations of Your Majesty and Your Majesty!"
The ceremony was solemn, and the fact that the Empress personally bestowed the seal upon her sister was an even greater honor.
However, Shui Xiu's path to the palace was destined to be anything but peaceful.
After being granted their official titles, the newly appointed female officials were temporarily housed in the same palace garden.
One day, several female officials were chatting idly in the corridor. When the topic turned to the recent examinations and appointments, a seventh-rank female official surnamed Wang, who had a somewhat distant kinship with the Zheng family, a noblewoman who had failed the exams, remarked with a sour tone:
"Speaking of which, Jiang Siji (referring to Shui Xiu) is indeed talented, but... if she weren't the Empress's own sister, this first place and the position of Siji might not have come so naturally, would they?"
She sighed, her face filled with melancholy.
"In the end, blood is thicker than water. Some things, whether they are truly done or just for show... are still knowable."
Though spoken in a low voice, these words quietly took root in the hearts of several people.
After all, they were women who had just entered the palace. Whether they came from noble or humble families, none of them had experienced the infighting within the harem.
Therefore, these words quickly reached Narcissus's ears through her eyes and ears.
Shui Xian did not assign any spies to the residence of the female officials. However, a maid who served there wanted to climb the social ladder, so she reported what she had overheard to Ting Lu, who then reported it to Shui Xian.
Upon hearing this, Narcissus was not angry; her eyes remained calm and still, and in an instant, she had made her decision.
A few days later, all the newly appointed ladies-in-waiting had their first formal collective audience with the Empress to receive her instructions.
Inside the main hall of Kunning Palace, Shui Xian was dressed in casual clothes, but her dignified presence remained undiminished.
Midway through her address, Shui Xian glanced at the female officials below, each with a different expression, and suddenly spoke calmly: "The purpose of this grand examination is to select truly talented individuals. To ensure fairness, names will be anonymously recorded, as you all know."
Standing on high ground, she could clearly see a hint of resentment flash in the eyes of many people below when she uttered those words.
Clearly, many people felt that Shui Xiu's first-place ranking in the top category was due to her deliberate favoritism.
Narcissus spoke slowly, “I fear there are still those who are unaware of the situation, or those who harbor doubts, who may have some misunderstandings about me, or even about the system of female officials itself.”
She paused in her speech, and the room fell silent.
Wang Zhangzhen, who had spoken rudely before, felt a jolt in her heart and instinctively lowered her head.
Shui Xian didn't look at her, but nodded slightly to Ting Lu beside her.
Hearing Lu's meaning, he went down and whispered the instructions.
Before an incense stick could burn, four eunuchs carried in two trays covered with red silk and placed them in the center of the hall.
"What has been brought up are the top five papers in the policy and practical assessments of this major examination."
Narcissus's voice was calm, as if she were completely unaware of the resentment among the female officials.
"To avoid any identification and unnecessary trouble, the exam papers will remain anonymous."
She casually pointed to one of the documents: "Read it."
A female official stepped forward from the queue, respectfully unveiled the red silk, took out the top essay paper, and began to read it aloud.
It took about half an hour to finish reading all five excellent test papers.
After the reading was finished, the hall fell silent.
Narcissus then slowly raised her eyes, her gaze calmly sweeping over everyone, and asked, "What do you all think of this article and this strategy?"
The female officials below exchanged glances, then bowed and sincerely praised, "Your Majesty, this article is exceptionally insightful and truly a masterpiece!"
Everyone turned their attention to the policy document they had read first. Although both were excellent works, that policy document was clearly superior to the others.
Narcissus nodded slightly, her face revealing neither joy nor anger, and said calmly, "I also think this article is excellent."
She paused for a moment, her gaze seemingly casually sweeping over Wang Zhangzhen, whose face was gradually turning pale, before her voice was firm and resolute:
"This policy essay and practical assessment was written by the newly appointed female clerk."
"What!"
A chorus of barely suppressed gasps of surprise rose from inside the hall.
All eyes instantly focused on Shui Xiu, who stood tall and straight at the front, filled with disbelief.
Narcissus's voice continued, carrying the Empress's majesty and resolve: "The method of anonymizing names was personally determined by me."
"Only after all the exam papers have been graded and the rankings have been determined will they be opened and examined in public."
Although Shui Xian did not say it directly, she was clearly indicating that Shui Xiu was truly talented and had no bias whatsoever.
Her gaze turned cold, and her imposing aura intensified: "The system of female officials prioritizes fairness and emphasizes both talent and virtue!"
"I have devoted myself to opening this path to seek out true talent for the court and the people, not to pave the way for anyone's personal gain!"
Her voice was like ice beads falling onto a jade plate, clear and cold.
"I hope that you will all be diligent in your duties, establish yourselves with talent and virtue, and make contributions through hard work!"
These words greatly shocked every female official present.
Wang Zhangzhen was already pale as a ghost, covered in cold sweat, wishing she could disappear into the ground, utterly ashamed.
Even though Narcissus hadn't explicitly named her, she had already guiltily looked away. She could also sense that this was the last chance the Empress was giving her.
——
That night.
Shui Xiu has officially moved into Lan Yue Xuan, a quiet courtyard located on the edge of the palace, which was assigned to her.
Although it is not as luxurious as the palaces of the imperial concubines, it is elegant and clean.
The green bamboo grove, bathed in the quiet moonlight, exudes a unique scholarly atmosphere.
Shui Xian removed her hairpins and jewelry, dressed only in simple everyday clothes, and without disturbing too many people, quietly arrived at Lan Yue Xuan with only Ting Lu by her side.
The two sisters dismissed the palace servants and sat side by side at home, just as they would have done before they were married.
The moonlight outside the window is hazy, and the shadows of flowers sway gently.
"elder sister."
No matter how strong Shui Xiu is outside, she couldn't help but have tears well up in her eyes when she saw her sister.
"Today... thank you, sister, for clearing my name."
She knew that if her sister hadn't publicly shown her exam paper, even if she had gotten first place, she would have had to wear the "connections" label for who knows how long.
Narcissus grasped her sister's hand and gently comforted her.
"Silly girl, why are you thanking me? It's all thanks to your own hard work in writing such an excellent article."
She raised her hand and gently smoothed the stray hairs at Shuixiu's temples, her eyes filled with pride for her younger sister.
"Seeing you so confident and composed now, with your talents on full display, makes your sister happier than anything else."
She paused, gazing at the bright moon outside the window, her voice as soft as a sigh, "This deep palace, seemingly prosperous, is actually cold and desolate. Because you are here, I finally feel a bit more genuine warmth."
A warm feeling welled up in Shui Xiu's heart, and she tightly grasped her sister's hand in return.
Ever since she and her parents were imprisoned and tortured by the Yi family, Shui Xiu secretly made up her mind that she must rely on herself to establish herself in this world.
She felt sorry for her sister, who was fighting alone in the deep palace, and now she could finally come to her sister's side openly.
"Sister, rest assured, Xiu'er will do her best to be a good female official in the Bureau of Records, live up to your expectations, and also use her own abilities to forge a path that belongs to Shui Xiu within these palace walls!"
The two sisters looked at each other and smiled.
At this time, Emperor Zhaoheng returned to the Qianqing Palace after finishing his day's political affairs.
The hall was warmly lit, but Narcissus was not reading under the lamp as usual.
He seemed to sense something and drove to the place next to Shuixiu's residence.
As I entered the courtyard, I saw through the window a heartwarming scene of the two sisters sitting side by side on the tatami mat, whispering to each other.
He paused, and only felt relieved when he saw Narcissus. He couldn't bear to go in and disturb this precious time between sisters, so he stood quietly under the corridor for a moment before turning away.
Later, Shui Xian returned to the Qianqing Palace, where Emperor Zhaoheng was already waiting for her on his couch with a scroll in his hand.
"You went to see the water show?"
He put down his book and naturally pulled Narcissus, who had come closer, to sit on the edge of the couch.
"Yes, now that Xiuer has entered the palace and is by my side, I feel much more at ease."
Emperor Zhaoheng's voice was tinged with laughter. Although he was a ruler who governed a region, he was always surprisingly clingy in front of Shuixian.
He held Narcissus in his arms and let her rest against his chest.
Narcissus could hear his deep voice and feel the vibrations in his chest.
"That's good. You have another caring person by your side, which puts my mind at ease. But..."
He paused deliberately, tightened his arms, and pulled her closer into his embrace. He lowered his head and nuzzled her ear, his warm breath brushing against her earlobe.
"Don't let your sisterly affection overshadow your husband just because your sister is here."
Shui Xian chuckled at his sudden display of jealousy, lightly punched him, and said reproachfully, "How can Your Majesty be jealous of even Xiu'er..."
Before she could finish speaking, he silenced her with a kiss.
As their breaths mingled, Emperor Zhaoheng grabbed her waist and pressed her against the inside of the couch.
The bright moon hangs high, its clear light shining everywhere.
Inside the Qianqing Palace, semi-transparent brocade curtains hung low, casting shimmering light and shadow as the night deepened...
......
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