Chapter 120 The smile on Madam Yi's face shifted to Shui Xiu's face.
The 22nd day of the twelfth lunar month is an auspicious day chosen by the Ministry of Rites. Today, the grand ceremony for bestowing titles upon the six palaces will be held in the Hall of Supreme Harmony.
Before the hour of Yin (3-5 AM), Narcissus had already gotten up.
She sat gracefully in front of her dressing table, which was adorned with various exquisite pieces of jewelry.
It features a full range of items, including gold and kingfisher feathers, rubies and corals, pearls and agates.
These are all precious items that Emperor Zhaoheng has bestowed upon them over the years.
Behind her, layers of imperial concubine-style auspicious robes were laid out on the clothes rack. The base was a slightly darker crimson than bright red, and auspicious patterns were embroidered with gold thread. Under the candlelight, they looked even more luxurious.
In the bronze mirror, Narcissus's face appeared slightly pale; the torment of morning sickness had not been relieved at all by today's grand ceremony.
Before applying her makeup, she reluctantly ate two or three pieces of light cloud cake, then waved her hand to indicate that they should be removed.
While gently combing her long hair, Tinglu spoke softly, trying to distract her and ease her discomfort:
"Your Majesty, today is the grand conferment of titles upon the six palaces. His Majesty has bestowed a special favor, allowing the family members of those who have been conferred titles to enter the palace to witness the ceremony."
Upon hearing her family's voice, Narcissus glanced sideways at the reflection of Tinglu in the bronze mirror.
Seeing that she was interested, Tinglu continued:
"I heard that Your Highness's younger sister is now sixteen. I wonder if she is betrothed yet?"
Upon hearing this, Narcissus's eyes flickered slightly.
She paused for a moment, then shook her head. The kingfisher hairpin she had just adorned her head with dappled kingfisher feathers swayed gently, and the pearl tassels clinked softly against each other.
Shui Xian's selfish motive was naturally that she didn't want her younger sister to get involved in marriage too early, but Shui Xiu was indeed of marriageable age, and as her older sister, she couldn't let her down.
She kept this matter in mind and then instructed, "Once they enter the palace, send someone to take good care of them and make sure nothing goes wrong."
Tinglu respectfully agreed, but she was somewhat puzzled.
With the Empress's current favor and the rank of Imperial Concubine, who wouldn't look up to her family members when they enter the palace?
Why the need for such cautious instructions?
But seeing the tired profile of Narcissus due to recent morning sickness, she didn't want to ask any more questions or disturb her, and simply kept those words firmly in her heart.
——
5:00 AM (卯时).
Outside the palace gates, Shui Xiu and her parents, accompanied by a young eunuch, walked step by step into the solemn imperial city.
They wore their finest clothes, which Narcissus's mother had made after several sleepless nights using fabric that Narcissus had previously sent from the palace.
The fabrics in the palace were much finer and softer than usual, and the colors were also brighter, but they still couldn't compare to those of aristocratic families who had accumulated wealth over many years.
When they entered the palace, compared with the jeweled and wealthy ladies around them, they still looked rather shabby and plain.
Shui Xiu could clearly feel the stiffness in her parents' bodies and their unease.
Although they have now escaped the cycle of poverty, Narcissus's parents still can't shake the feeling that they are inferior whenever they see these prestigious families.
The young eunuch who led the way was very polite, smiling and looking very festive.
"His Majesty and the Imperial Concubine have both specifically instructed me to serve you all well. If you need anything, please just let me know."
Upon hearing this, Narcissus's parents were flattered and thanked her repeatedly. Their humble attitude was almost frightening, which surprised the little eunuch.
Having spent so long in the palace, he was used to being fawned over and bullied, and this was the first time he had ever been treated with such genuine courtesy by his master's family.
The young eunuch became even more cautious and served the child with greater care.
They were led to a specially designated waiting area outside the Hall of Supreme Harmony, where they consciously stood in the least conspicuous corner.
The surrounding wealthy families gathered in twos and threes, but no one went up to talk to Narcissus's parents. They even occasionally cast mocking glances at them.
This deliberate isolation made Shui Xiu unconsciously clench her hands at her sides.
At that moment, she spotted a familiar face among the aristocratic crowd.
Mrs. Yi was standing in the center of the crowd, looking over with a mocking expression.
She is Yi Shuyao's legal mother and Yi Guichun's biological mother. At this moment, she is whispering with several ladies from prominent families with whom she has a good relationship.
Madam Yi's voice wasn't loud, but it drifted into Shui Xiu's ears, as well as those of the two sisters' parents, on the cold winter wind.
"The servants who were once servants in my household are now my equals... So, sometimes, you have to be willing to go all out and sacrifice everything..."
Madam Yi's words subtly mocked Shui Xian, who had climbed into the emperor's bed as a lowly maid and was now a concubine. She couldn't help but reveal a mocking smile and scoffed:
"A monkey wearing a crown is still a monkey at heart; it can't learn human dignity."
The phrase "a monkey wearing a hat" refers to a macaque that doesn't even look human when wearing a hat. Now, Madam Yi uses it to satirize the Shui Xian family, saying that no matter how they dress, they can't hide their servile nature.
Shui Xian's parents couldn't understand this literary allusion, but Shui Xiu, who had a tutor at home and was literate, could understand it.
Although Narcissus's parents couldn't understand what they were hearing, they could hear the snickers of several ladies coming from the other side.
They had once served as servants in the Yi household, and although they had now escaped their lowly status, they still couldn't help but feel inferior when they saw Madam Yi on such an important occasion.
Seeing her parents being humiliated, Shui Xiu felt an overwhelming rage.
Unlike her parents, who had served as servants in the Yi household for half their lives, some of the rules and doctrines were not particularly deeply ingrained in her mind.
In particular, the fact that Shui Xian paid for a tutor to study at home gave Shui Xiu a greater sense of dignity and independence.
To her parents' astonishment, Shui Xiu walked directly up to Madam Yi.
She first performed a standard curtsy with neither servility nor arrogance, and then said in a clear voice:
"May Madam Yi be well."
Madam Yi was taken aback when she saw that this young girl dared to step forward directly.
Shui Xiu raised her eyes and looked at her without fear, saying directly, "The Yi family was indeed my former master. My family and I are always grateful for this bond between master and servant."
She smiled, seemingly expressing her gratitude to the Yi family: "If it weren't for the virtue of Consort Yi in the past, who recommended my sister to the Emperor to serve before him, how could we have received such a great favor from the Emperor today, allowing my family to be freed from our lowly status?"
“My family will never forget this kindness.”
His words were all too clear in the quiet hall.
Every word she uttered, seemingly expressing gratitude to the Yi family for their past patronage, was actually meant to subtly point out a certain message to these aristocratic families:
My sister didn't climb into the emperor's bed on her own initiative; it was Yi Guichun who sent her to the emperor's bed in order to win his favor.
Sure enough, after Shui Xiu said those words, the other ladies from prominent families began to look at Madam Yi differently.
The more prestigious and influential a family is, the more it values appearances.
The thought that Shui Xian was a servant brought into the palace by Yi Guichun and later offered up by Yi Guichun to compete for favor must have been a plan from the very beginning.
Some things can be done behind closed doors, but if they are exposed openly, they are easily ridiculed by others who consider themselves to have a sense of shame.
The smile on Madam Yi's face shifted to Shui Xiu's face.
Shui Xiu knew that this was not a bustling market or vegetable market. If she were to directly argue with Madam Yi, she would easily embarrass herself for her sister.
However, if arsenic were to be sent out wrapped in icing, even Madam Yi would have to admit she was in the wrong.
Madam Yi's arrogance froze instantly. She looked at Shui Xiu, a ruthless glint flashing in her eyes.
Shui Xiu also grew up in the Yi family. Now she was being ridiculed by this lowly maid, which was a disgrace!
Just as Madam Yi was about to retort, a clear clapping sound suddenly came from behind everyone.
Snap, snap, snap.
Everyone looked in the direction of the sound and saw that Emperor Zhaoheng, dressed in a bright yellow dragon robe, was standing not far away, with Feng Shunxiang and a group of eunuchs following silently behind him.
The emperor's face remained calm, revealing neither joy nor anger, but his deep eyes were fixed on Shui Xiu.
"Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!"
In an instant, regardless of one's expression or which side one was on, it all changed.
Everyone present knelt down in unison to pay their respects to the emperor.
Narcissus's parents had never seen such a scene before. Although they had been to the palace before, they had never seen the emperor's face.
They were stunned for a moment before hurriedly kneeling down, their bodies trembling involuntarily.
Narcissus's father was extremely anxious, constantly glancing at his daughter out of the corner of his eye, fearing that her recklessness had brought about a terrible disaster.
In the silence, only the steady footsteps of Emperor Zhaoheng could be heard approaching slowly.
He stopped in front of Shui Xiu, who was kneeling beside Madam Yi with her back straight.
Emperor Zhaoheng did not reprimand them; instead, he calmly announced an edict that surprised everyone:
"She is intelligent, polite, and speaks with propriety, much like her elder sister... I am very pleased!"
"A hundred acres of prime farmland on the outskirts of Beijing will be rewarded for their beautiful scenery."
The decree was issued, and the entire audience was astonished!
You should know that Shui Xiu was still an unmarried girl, yet the emperor bestowed upon her a hundred acres of fertile land!
This is far more than an ordinary gift of pearls and silk; it is of extraordinary significance!
This was not only a huge loss of face, but also a clear declaration of the emperor's attitude.
He values Consort Jin highly, and he will not tolerate anyone belittling her family either!
The noble ladies who had been snickering and looking down on her were startled and looked up in disbelief at the slender girl kneeling on the ground.
A look of jealousy welled up in Madam Yi's eyes.
Shui Xiu was also greatly shocked, but she forced herself to remain calm and bowed deeply according to the etiquette taught by the teacher.
"This humble woman, Shui Xiu, thanks Your Majesty for your great favor! Long live the Emperor!"
Her calm and composed demeanor contrasted sharply with the restless and anxious ladies around her.
Her slender yet upright back was seen by a pair of cynical eyes in the line of relatives waiting to enter the hall not far away.
Prince Duan gently stroked his cheek, looking at Shui Xiu, who had grown up and had a beautiful face similar to her sister.
He slightly curled the corners of his lips, and a flash of interest, like a hunter eyeing its prey, suddenly appeared in his eyes.
interesting.
......
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