Chapter 264 The Unruly Young Marquis
Inside a side hall of the Lihe Palace, Shui Xiu was dressed in a pale yellow palace gown with delicate rose patterns embroidered on the hem, which made her already lively eyebrows and eyes even more charming and girlish.
She is currently residing in the palace as the Empress's younger sister to accompany Narcissus. Although she is still lively, she has also become more dignified and appropriate for her status.
However, when she is alone with the narcissus behind closed doors, she still chatters away like a little sparrow.
As it turns out, no matter how much Shuixiu studies or experiences, she is still the lively and adorable little sister when facing her older sister.
"...Sister, you didn't see it. Manager Zhou is usually such a composed person, but during the wedding ceremony, he was so nervous that he almost stumbled over his own feet..."
"I was clever enough to sneak up and help Sister Yinzhu straighten her veil, which was about to get caught on the tassels, during the wedding ceremony!"
Shui Xiu sat on the embroidered stool below Shui Xian, gesturing wildly as she described the details of Yin Zhu's wedding, her eyes sparkling like stars.
"The inn was packed with people inside and out. The locals on the street corner all said that this was all thanks to the Empress's good fortune. It was because of the Empress's benevolence that everyone around her was blessed with such good marriages!"
Narcissus leaned against the phoenix couch, holding a scroll in her hands, but did not look at it closely.
As she listened to her sister's vivid description, she could almost picture the lively and festive scene in her mind, and a smile of satisfaction crept onto her lips.
But deep within that smile, a faint longing for the vibrancy and freedom outside the palace unconsciously rippled across the lake of her heart.
Shui Xiu was talking enthusiastically when her gaze inadvertently swept over her sister's calm profile.
When she saw the loneliness hidden deep in her eyes, so incongruous with the splendor of the palace, her excitement gradually subsided.
Shui Xiu leaned closer, lowered her voice, and sounded somewhat puzzled.
"Sister, you are now the most honored woman in the world. The Emperor treats you so well, and Yongning and the two princes are all well-behaved and adorable. Why... do I always feel that you are not happy?"
Upon hearing this, Narcissus looked up at her sister's innocent and concerned face, feeling a pang of sadness in her heart.
She put down the book, her fingertips slightly cool.
The smile that rose beside her peach-blossom lips was still gentle, but it was tinged with a sense of detachment that came from seeing through the ways of the world.
“Silly girl, honor and happiness are two different things. The higher you stand, the farther you see, but the heavier the shackles you bear.”
She paused, her gaze sweeping over the exquisitely carved beams and painted rafters, and the opulent furnishings of the hall…
Finally, her gaze fell on the sky outside the window, her voice as soft as a whisper.
"Freedom... I have never truly possessed it since the day I was born a slave. Now, it's just a bigger, more magnificent cage."
The word "cage" had barely faded from the sound when Xiao Lizi's clear voice rang out from outside the hall: "His Majesty has arrived—"
With steady footsteps, Emperor Zhaoheng entered the palace with a smile.
His steps faltered almost imperceptibly the instant he stepped inside.
The word "cage" that he had just heard so faintly seemed to drift into his ears, causing a fleeting, strange feeling to pass through his mind.
Shui Xian and Shui Xiu quickly stood up and bowed to each other.
"Your humble servant greets Your Majesty."
Emperor Zhaoheng strode forward and personally helped Shuixian up. His gaze swept over her face, and seeing that she looked as usual, still gentle and beautiful, the strange feeling he had just felt disappeared.
Yes, he must have misheard.
He turned to Shui Xiu and smiled, "I am very pleased that you have come to the palace to accompany your sister. What were you talking about just now, so engrossed in your conversation?"
His tone was gentle and casual, as if he were talking to someone at home.
Shui Xian felt a slight tightness in her chest; she didn't know how much of the conversation between the two sisters had been overheard by Emperor Zhaoheng.
It was also because she suddenly saw Shui Xiu that she became much less wary of her relatives.
However, she remained calm and composed, responding with a slight smile.
"Your Majesty, I was just talking to Xiuer about Yinzhu's marriage. I was happy for her, so I couldn't help but say a few more words."
Shui Xiu, quick-witted, immediately chimed in, her voice clear and melodious: "Yes, Your Majesty! My sister also said that she hopes all lovers in the world can overcome all difficulties and become a couple like Sister Yinzhu and Manager Zhou!"
She skillfully steered the conversation away smoothly and naturally.
The last trace of doubt in Emperor Zhaoheng's eyes dissipated. He put his arm around Shuixian's shoulder and sat down, smiling as he said, "Xian'er is always so kind-hearted."
He didn't delve into the few syllables he had just heard, assuming they were just private conversations between sisters.
Narcissus carefully observed his expression, and after several hours of caution, she finally felt at ease.
The following day, Emperor Zhaoheng, in high spirits, went to Lihe Palace after court.
Behind him followed Yuan Chiyu, who had come to report on military affairs in the Northwest.
After the formalities, Emperor Zhaoheng's gaze fell on Shuixiu, who was speaking to Shuixian. Recalling Feng Shunxiang's report yesterday that Shuixiu had returned to the capital on her own, he smiled and said to Shuixian:
"Xian'er, do you know who escorted your little sister back to the capital a few days ago? It was our Marquis Yixin."
His tone was clearly teasing, and his gaze shifted to the tall and upright Yuan Chiyu beside him.
"Chi Yu, I remember you usually find these trivial tasks of picking up and guiding people the most unbearable, but today you're being so attentive?"
Yuan Chiyu's expression suddenly tightened, and his ears involuntarily flushed slightly. He clasped his hands, about to explain that they had just met outside and that they had not agreed to return to the capital together.
Shui Xiu was, after all, a woman, and a woman's reputation was more important than anything else.
Unexpectedly, Shui Xiu laughed heartily and said to Emperor Zhaoheng in a graceful manner, "Your Majesty, you have misunderstood!"
"We met outside the palace; we're friends who've been through thick and thin together!"
Her tone was frank, her eyes crinkled with a smile, showing none of the shyness or awkwardness that a typical woman would have when talking about a man outside the marriage. She simply regarded Yuan Chiyu as a partner with whom she could help each other.
"Isn't it normal for friends to help each other out?"
The word "friend" felt like a fine needle, gently pricking Yuan Chiyu's heart.
The explanation that was on the tip of his tongue was swallowed back instantly. His face darkened almost imperceptibly, his thin lips tightened, and he bowed to Emperor Zhaoheng again with a stiff voice: "Your subject... was indeed on the way."
All of this was clearly seen by Narcissus.
The younger sister's complete unawareness, even her utter composure, contrasted sharply with Yuan Chiyu's momentarily frozen expression.
Narcissus immediately understood.
This unruly young marquis actually harbored some genuine feelings for his naive younger sister.
Her mind raced, but her expression remained impassive. She simply smiled gently and smoothed things over, saying, "I see. Xiu'er is straightforward by nature. She must have received a lot of care from the young marquis when she was outside the palace. I haven't had a chance to thank him yet."
Shui Xian spoke tactfully, saving Yuan Chiyu's face without revealing his hidden thoughts and embarrassing him, while also gently changing the subject and easing the tense atmosphere.
Emperor Zhaoheng glanced at Shui Xiu, who had a frank and open expression, and then at Yuan Chiyu, whose face was tense and whose ears were still flushed. He found it amusing, laughed, and stopped to investigate. Instead, he asked about military affairs in the Northwest.
Before long, the wet nurses and nannies brought Yongning and the twins Qingyan and Qinghe over to pay their respects.
Yuan Chiyu pursed his thin lips and took the opportunity to leave.
Emperor Zhaoheng brought him here only to tease him, and there was nothing important to discuss, so he nodded and let him leave.
Once Yuan Chiyu left, only their own family members remained in the hall.
The Palace of Reiwa was filled with the joyful laughter of children.
Emperor Zhaoheng held Yongning on his lap, listening to his little daughter chattering away in her childish words. His usually stern face softened unexpectedly.
Narcissus bent down to tease her babbling twins, watching their fair little faces light up with bright smiles, her eyes filled with genuine tenderness.
Shui Xiu watched this heartwarming and perfect scene with a smile, occasionally going over to tease the little ones. She loved them so much that she adored these little ones born to her older sister.
Looking at the children surrounding her and feeling the loving gaze that Emperor Zhaoheng cast at her from time to time, Shui Xian's heart couldn't help but soften.
This worldly happiness of family life and the emperor's exclusive favor were luxuries she never dared to dream of during her turbulent past life.
However, the longing for freedom that she had felt during her conversation with Shui Xiu a few days earlier still unexpectedly welled up in her heart.
She possessed more and more, yet she never truly possessed freedom...
Emperor Zhaoheng was completely immersed in this immense happiness.
With his beautiful wife by his side and his children around him, he felt that life couldn't be more perfect.
As Emperor Zhaoheng gazed at the gentle and serene profile of Narcissus, his heart surged with love, and he felt that he could give anything to protect this beautiful moment.
That night.
Emperor Zhaoheng stayed overnight at Lihe Palace.
The crimson waves surged, the moon rose above the branches, and the tender embrace finally subsided.
Exhausted, Narcissus didn't even have the energy to have a tender conversation with Emperor Zhaoheng. Her eyelids closed wearily, and she soon drifted off to sleep.
Emperor Zhaoheng, however, was preoccupied with handling state affairs during the day and spending the night with Shui Xian, so his mind was in turmoil and he did not sleep soundly.
In a daze, he woke up again and subconsciously looked at the person next to him.
The moonlight, like water, flowed quietly over the narcissus's peaceful sleeping face.
Her dream seemed far from peaceful; her long eyelashes trembled slightly.
Narcissus's longing for freedom has not ceased in her dreams lately.
The bustling scene outside the palace that Shui Xiu depicted during the day intertwined and surged with the desperate images of the brothels deep in her memory.
Ultimately, they converged into a brand new dream.
She dreamt of a time when, after implementing a new policy for female officials, countless women were able to leave their secluded homes, study, and gain respect and a foothold in society through their own talents…
This vision dispelled the nightmare and brought strength.
As Narcissus slept, a faint, hopeful smile unconsciously crept onto her lips.
Emperor Zhaoheng opened his eyes at that moment and caught sight of that smile.
His mind was shaken. At this moment, Emperor Zhaoheng was absolutely certain that his fairy was showing such a happy smile in her sleep because she loved him so deeply.
He carefully leaned down and kissed her smiling lips with utmost gentleness and tenderness.
"Xian'er, I will never let you down."
He silently recited the prayer in his heart, then contentedly pulled her into a tighter embrace, as if he were embracing the whole world's perfection, and fell into a deep sleep.
Meanwhile, in his arms, the seemingly peacefully sleeping Narcissus was, in the depths of her unseen dreams, sketching out a magnificent vision for the broader world in her heart.
She may never have had true freedom, but she believes that through her efforts, more and more people can have it...
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