Chapter 108 Tonight, the Emperor will likely have to stay in the Cold Palace again.
The woman turned around, raised an eyebrow, and said, "Your Highness? You recognize me?"
This woman looked to be around thirty or forty years old, dressed in plain clothes, yet possessed an extraordinary air about her.
Narcissus smiled and said, "It seems I guessed right."
She bowed to the person in front of her according to the etiquette of the palace.
Although this woman was about the same age as the Empress and Consort Li, she looked only a few years older than them.
But she had never heard of such a concubine when Emperor Zhaoheng was still a prince.
Combined with the woman's overall demeanor... she guessed her identity, and after a little probing, she was indeed a concubine of the late emperor.
"You are quite clever."
The Dowager clearly understood that Narcissus had not recognized her, but was merely testing her.
She chuckled and shook her head, then slowly walked to the stone table in the center of the courtyard and poured a cup of tea for Narcissus.
"sit."
Only then did Shui Xian have the opportunity to look around the entire courtyard. Who would have thought that there was such a small courtyard hidden behind the side rooms in the Cold Palace?
Although this small courtyard was in the Cold Palace, it was kept clean and tidy.
There was even a small vegetable garden in the corner, but now that winter has arrived, the soil in the garden is covered with snowflakes and there is not a trace of green.
She and the Empress Dowager were not the only ones in the courtyard; there were also four or five women of different ages.
Judging from their clothing, it was impossible to tell whether they were concubines who had committed crimes or palace maids who accompanied their mistress to the Cold Palace. At this time, they were all wearing coarse cloth clothes similar to those of the Dowager Consort.
Narcissus's observation lasted only a brief moment.
She quickly lowered her head and, following the Empress Dowager's instructions, sat down opposite the stone table.
The stone benches were a bit chilly in the winter, which made the steaming tea on the stone table in front of us seem even hotter.
However, the narcissus did not move.
The Dowager did not try to persuade her again. She simply poured herself another cup of tea from the same teapot and took a sip.
"Narcissus...did you have your own name before you entered the palace as a maid?"
Narcissus met her scrutinizing gaze and said, "I was born into the Yi family and have never had my own name since birth."
Like every slave who has been taken into slavery, she has no right to have a name.
Water is not her surname; Narcissus is her maiden name.
Shui Xiu was also "appreciated" by Madam Yi because she served the eldest daughter. On the day Shui Xiu was born, Madam Yi bestowed upon her the name Shui Xiu.
Just like pet cats and dogs, they were given a pair of names.
Upon hearing this, the Dowager Consort chuckled, "Your name, which isn't really a name, was already ringing in my ears before you even entered the Cold Palace."
Without even asking, Shui Xian knew that it must have been Yi Guichun who had insulted her all night in the Cold Palace that made the Dowager remember her name.
"Please excuse my poor appearance, Your Highness."
She finally picked up the teacup and took a sip.
The tea was broken tea leaves given to the servants in the palace, and the teaware was also of the same standard as that used by the servants.
However, despite the simple environment and furnishings, the Dowager was quite content.
"Now that I'm in the Cold Palace, what palace etiquette do I still have? There's no need to call me Dowager Consort anymore."
The Dowager Consort spoke softly, “My surname is Liu. You don’t need to be bound by your old title. Just call me like everyone else in this courtyard. There’s no need to mention the title ‘Dowager Consort’ again.”
Liu?
Shui Xian subconsciously raised her head. Although the surname Liu is not uncommon, judging from the demeanor of Consort Liu, she could not have been raised by someone from a humble family.
In the imperial court, only the Liu family now holds real power...
"Do you... know the current Empress, Liu Simin?"
This time, Consort Liu did not answer her; she simply smiled and asked in return.
"What? Testing me again?"
Consort Liu said, "I am a former favorite of the late emperor, and now I am in the cold palace. I have long since stopped caring about the affairs of the previous dynasty."
"However, I would like to take care of what's going on in this cold palace..."
At this point, Consort Liu's gaze turned considerably colder.
"You killed Bao Xiaohuai with just a few words, that's quite impressive."
Narcissus spoke gently and responded appropriately, “Humans have no intention to harm tigers, but tigers have the intention to harm humans… If we allow tigers to harm humans without taking action, then it is the humans’ incompetence that is to blame.”
Consort Liu gazed at her, a thoughtful look flashing in her eyes.
"In the cold palace, who is still human...?"
She sighed softly and reminded him, "I'm not intolerant, but if someone tries to set themselves on fire and burn this quiet, cold palace, then I can't just ignore it."
"Thank you for your guidance."
Shui Xian looked at her frankly, recalling Bao Xiaohuai's wariness of Consort Liu's side when he was alive, and knew that in this cold palace, the gentle woman in front of her was the unseen leader.
"I have no other wish than to live in peace and wait for the day when my injustice is redressed."
After speaking, Shui Xian rose and bowed to Consort Liu again to take her leave.
This time, she was not performing the court etiquette, but rather the etiquette of a junior to an elder in the common people.
After Narcissus left, Consort Liu sat in the courtyard for a long time before whispering to the old woman beside her, "She is clever and capable, meticulous, and courageous."
The expressionless old woman appeared gentler beside Consort Liu.
The old woman asked in a low voice, "Should we help her?"
But then Consort Liu shook her head, "It's a pity... she's too sharp."
Her expression was indifferent, clearly indicating that she did not want to be involved in the narcissistic dispute.
"Long confined in a cage, I long to return to nature... I'm utterly weary of the palace intrigues..."
As if in response to her words, a strong wind suddenly blew up from the side room, making the doors and windows whistle.
Consort Liu rose from the stone bench, and the nanny picked up the tea set. Consort Liu then spoke in a low voice.
"It's the time of year when the wind is strong and the cold is biting. Granny, go and close the door so the cold wind doesn't blow in."
While the harem was in turmoil, the imperial court was also in turmoil.
Led by Ruan Chen, powerful officials from prominent families pressed on relentlessly with harsh words.
Ruan Chen stepped forward and earnestly said, "Your Majesty! The witchcraft scourge is a grave crime that threatens the very foundation of the nation. Although the guilty concubine has been demoted to a commoner, the lineage of Princess Yongning remains questionable. I implore Your Majesty to immediately issue an edict to thoroughly investigate, first stripping the princess of her title, and then executing the guilty concubine as a warning to others!"
Even more prominent officials from powerful families stepped forward to echo this sentiment: "A mother's status rises with her son's, and a son's glory is enhanced by his mother's! To continue treating her as a legitimate princess would be disrespectful to our ancestors!"
"We do not intend to mistreat the child, but the fate of the nation is paramount. It would be better to move the princess out of Kunning Palace first..."
Emperor Zhaoheng sat on the dragon throne, listening to the group's unrestrained remarks with a stern face.
Finally, he couldn't help but interrupt sharply: "Insolence!"
"My bloodline is none of your business to presume to know! Are you questioning me?!"
His face was ashen, and if he hadn't been trying his best to restrain himself, he would have almost thrown the memorial at the faces of these ministers!
Emperor Zhaoheng's gaze would always inevitably sweep over the empty seat at the head of the court officials.
That's Prince Duan's seat... Although Prince Duan has been claiming illness and not attending court these days, those who are now stepping forward to offer advice are all people who have been too close to Prince Duan in the past!
Emperor Zhaoheng knew very well that although Yongning was now a princess, she would not inherit the throne, so why were these court officials attacking and blocking her like this?
It's because Yongning is not only his princess, but also his only princess!
Once it is confirmed that Yongning is not of his blood, the world will surely believe that he has no heir!
In this way, adopting a son from one's own clan became a logical and even desirable practice for the people of the world!
Lian Chenxi spoke up at this moment, stepping forward to report, but his gaze was fixed on the court officials who advocated abolishing Princess Yongning's title.
"The witchcraft case has not yet been concluded. How can the young girl be implicated because of the mother's fault? This is not the behavior of a benevolent ruler, and it also violates human ethics and moral principles! Your Majesty, I implore you to investigate thoroughly and not allow slanderous words from petty people to sow discord within the imperial family!"
Ruan Chen was so angry that she trembled when Lian Chenxi, a younger man, refuted her in court.
"You ignorant brat! What do you know?! We are all loyal to the Emperor, and to the fate of the Great Qi Dynasty!"
"You're here using your clever words and flattering expressions to protect that disgraced concubine and her children. What are your true intentions? Could it be that you want to help that vile concubine confuse the royal bloodline and disrupt the order of our court?!"
Lian Chenxi showed no fear and replied loudly, "My only intention is to uphold justice!"
Following Lian Chenxi, several other officials of low rank but with integrity stepped forward to plead for Princess Yongning, emphasizing the innocence of the child.
The imperial court was immediately divided into two distinct factions.
Just as the situation reached a stalemate, Liu Taifu, who had been silently standing at the front of the line, slowly stepped forward.
Although he had relinquished most of his real power, he was still highly respected as the Empress's father and a veteran general who had made outstanding contributions in defending the frontier.
Grand Tutor Liu's voice was steady, carrying a sense of peace born of experience.
“Your Majesty, this old minister believes that Lord Ruan’s concern for the foundation of the nation is evident. However, what Lord Lian and others said is not without reason.”
“Princess Yongning is young and inexperienced, and there is currently no concrete evidence in the witchcraft case. If we rashly abolish her title simply because of her birth mother’s fault, it would be an act of benevolence and would also make the Emperor appear weak-willed, which would easily provoke criticism from the people.”
"In my humble opinion, it would be better to set it aside for now and make a decision when the truth comes to light."
Emperor Zhaoheng gave Grand Tutor Liu a deep look, his heart filled with mixed emotions, but he went along with it on the surface: "Grand Tutor is absolutely right. We will discuss the matter of the princess later."
He said a few words praising Liu Taifu for his profound understanding of righteousness, but when he left court, his face was still gloomy and his mood had not improved.
Emperor Zhaoheng was feeling troubled, so he strolled to a side hall of Kunning Palace to visit his daughter.
Looking at his daughter's innocent sleeping face in the cradle, the frustration in his heart eased slightly.
Lunch was served in Kunning Palace. The Empress was as gentle and considerate as ever, and did not mention any of the troubles in the court.
After having lunch at Kunning Palace, Emperor Zhaoheng returned to Qianqing Palace to handle the backlog of government affairs.
It wasn't until evening that Feng Shunxiang had the Imperial Household Department bring in a green-named plaque, softly reminding him, "Your Majesty, you haven't entered the inner palace for several days..."
Emperor Zhaoheng glanced at the green plaques bearing the names of his concubines, but did not choose any of them.
He simply said, "Withdraw."
Feng Shunxiang understood and respectfully replied, "Yes."
He withdrew silently, but he already knew in his heart that the emperor would probably be sent to the cold palace again tonight.
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