Chapter 208 Narcissus Establishes the Discipline Office
In the main hall of Lihe Palace, the morning light streamed through the open doors, and the concubines who came and went were all cautious in their words and actions. Even when they were seated inside the hall, they would often look towards the inner rooms.
This marks the first time that Narcissus, as an Imperial Noble Consort, has presided over the morning assembly of the six palaces alone.
Inside the hall, the gilded bronze incense burner with its kylin design emitted wisps of smoke, and through the delicate fragrance, the concubines seated below seemed to be shrouded in mist.
Led by Consort De, Consort Wan, and Consort Jing, each of them maintained a respectful demeanor, but the occasional glances that drifted over revealed either probing, jealousy, or hidden resentment, weaving a fine web within the inner palace.
When Shui Xian stepped into the palace, she had not yet seen anyone else. She only saw Yin Zhu and Ting Lu leading the way as they entered through the curtain. At that moment, all the concubines stood up.
"Greetings to the Imperial Noble Consort—"
Everyone greeted him in unison, their voices surprisingly uniform.
Narcissus entered and sat in the main seat.
She was dressed in a light blue imperial concubine's everyday robes, exuding an air of composure and tranquility, her gaze sweeping peacefully over the crowd.
"Please rise, my sisters. There is nothing of great importance in gathering you all here today. It is merely a routine matter to inquire about the situation in each palace and to share some of my thoughts after I began to manage the six palaces."
Shui Xian thought that now that she held the position of Imperial Noble Consort, perhaps she could do something about it.
“The established practices in the palace have their own reasons, and I have no intention of changing them arbitrarily. However, some minor adjustments may be made to ensure fairness and avoid any trouble.”
She paused, and seeing that everyone was holding their breath, she continued, "Firstly, from now on, the allowances for each palace will be distributed according to the regulations of the Imperial Household Department. High-ranking concubines shall not, for any reason, withhold or delay the allowances of lower-ranking concubines. If there is any dispute, it may be reported to this palace for adjudication."
Consort Wan tightened her grip on the fan slightly. She often took valuable items from lower-ranking concubines under the guise of "keeping them safe."
"Secondly," Shui Xian's gaze swept over the faces of several concubines who usually enjoyed tormenting palace servants and bullying lower-ranking concubines, her tone quite serious. "Sisters in the palace should prioritize harmony."
"I do not wish to see any more instances of bullying or humiliating others without cause. Therefore, I intend to establish a Discipline Department, composed of several respected senior women, who will regularly patrol the palaces. If any injustices are found, they can be reported directly to me."
Upon hearing this, the expressions of the several arrogant concubines below changed. This Discipline Department, ostensibly inspecting palace rules, was actually aimed at the concubines who wantonly bullied and tormented palace servants, stripping them of their power to act recklessly.
Meanwhile, some low-ranking concubines who had been bullied for years and palace servants who were frequently beaten and scolded by their masters secretly breathed a sigh of relief, and their eyes showed more genuine gratitude as they looked at Shui Xian.
Narcissus ignored the changed expressions and simply assigned a few routine tasks in a clear and orderly manner, leaving no room for criticism.
The morning meeting ended in an atmosphere that was outwardly calm but inwardly turbulent.
After the morning meeting, Narcissus thought she would go for a walk in the Imperial Garden to get some fresh air.
In the Imperial Garden in autumn, the chrysanthemums are in full bloom, creating a beautiful scene of vibrant colors.
Just as I turned past a rockery, I heard a series of rather harsh curses.
"You blind fool! This outfit of mine is made of precious Yun brocade... and you just say it was an accident?!"
Huang Guiren was pointing at a girl kneeling on the ground and scolding her sternly. The girl was wearing autumn clothes from the dormitory and had a thin figure.
Narcissus walked around the artificial hill and looked at the scene. She felt that the kneeling girl looked somewhat familiar, but she couldn't remember when she had seen her before.
"This concubine...this concubine really didn't mean it, please forgive me, Consort Huang..."
The girl's voice trembled, and her head was bowed very low.
"Forgive me? What do you have to forgive me for, with your pathetic appearance?"
Consort Huang sneered, her words becoming increasingly sarcastic, "She's just relying on her looks to try and curry favor. Doesn't she even know her own family background? Does she even deserve to soil my clothes?"
Yinzhu whispered in Shuixian's ear, "These are Consort Lin and Consort Huang from the Chuxiu Palace."
Lin Changzai?
The name "Narcissus" sounds familiar, but I can't quite place it from my vague memory.
Lin Changzai trembled all over as Huang Guiren scolded her, tears welling up in her eyes, but she dared not let them fall, nor did she dare to refute.
Unable to bear listening to Consort Huang's scolding any longer, Narcissus slowly walked over.
Yinzhu coughed lightly at the opportune moment.
Hearing the voice, Consort Huang turned around and saw Narcissus. Her arrogant demeanor instantly subsided, and she quickly forced a smile and bowed, saying, "This humble servant greets Your Highness, the Imperial Noble Consort."
Shui Xian's gaze swept over Lin Changzai kneeling on the ground, and the small, inconspicuous wet stain on Huang Guiren's skirt.
His voice was indifferent. "What's going on? Making such a racket in the Imperial Garden so early in the morning."
Consort Huang spoke first: "Your Majesty, it was Consort Lin who was clumsy and spilled tea on my skirt. This is a piece of newly arrived Yun brocade from Suzhou and Hangzhou, which is very precious!"
Shui Xian nodded, her gaze falling on Consort Huang's indeed magnificent dress. After examining it closely for a moment, she said calmly, "Consort Huang's brocade dress has a novel pattern and excellent quality. It is indeed a new style from Suzhou and Hangzhou this autumn."
A hint of smugness appeared on Consort Huang's face.
But then Shui Xian changed the subject, still speaking in a calm and unhurried tone: "However, I remember the records from the Imperial Household Department. Each concubine's allowance should only be one bolt of this batch of brocade. It seems that you received one bolt last month and made a cloak. But I wonder where this bolt you're wearing... came from?"
Narcissus spoke gently, but it frightened Consort Huang so much that she dared not say anything more. Her lips trembled, and she could not utter a single word.
Receiving more than one's allotted monthly allowance from the palace is strictly prohibited by palace rules!
She had asked the head of the Imperial Household Department for extra brocade, and the head of the Imperial Household Department, knowing her distinguished family background, turned a blind eye.
The Imperial Noble Consort has caught her red-handed!
Shui Xian stopped looking at her and instead walked towards Lin Changzai, who was still kneeling on the ground, and gently helped her up: "Lin Changzai, get up. The autumn air is cool, kneeling for too long will harm your health."
Lin Changzai was flattered and stood up shakily, not daring to raise her head.
Shui Xian looked at her and softened her voice: "Since it was an unintentional mistake, just be more careful in the future. Consort Huang is always 'magnanimous', so I'm sure she won't hold it against you too much."
She paused slightly on the word "magnanimous," her gaze sweeping over the ashen-faced Consort Huang with a half-smile.
No one dared to argue further, and she quickly forced a smile that looked more like a grimace: "Yes...this concubine...this concubine dares not hold it against you, dares not..."
Narcissus nodded slightly, said no more, and, holding Yinzhu's hand, continued walking forward as if she had only dealt with a trivial matter.
Huang Guiren was left standing there, her heart pounding with fear and lingering apprehension.
As Lin Changzai watched Shui Xian's departing figure, his eyes were filled with overwhelming gratitude and disbelief at being rescued.
——
In the evening, Emperor Zhaoheng arrived at Lihe Palace, clearly having already heard about the events in the Imperial Garden.
He pulled Narcissus down to sit on the warm couch, his fingers idly playing with a strand of her hair, and chuckled:
"I've heard that my beloved consort is now assisting in the management of the six palaces, and she's become even more authoritative. Even someone as ambitious and competitive as Consort Huang is completely submissive in your presence."
Narcissus nestled in his arms and said softly, "Your Majesty is mocking me. I was merely following the rules."
Narcissus leaned on his shoulder, looking at him with eyes full of trust.
“This harem belongs to the Emperor. I do not want the people below to think that this is a place where one can act recklessly and without law, which would not only offend His Majesty’s ears but also disturb the peace of the sisters.”
Her words not only made it clear that she was acting according to the rules, but also implied that she was maintaining order in the harem and upholding the emperor's reputation.
Upon hearing this, Emperor Zhaoheng was pleased and held her even tighter, lowering his head to kiss her hair, his voice low and satisfied.
"With Xian'er managing this harem for me, I am very at ease."
What he felt was not only Narcissus's gentleness and thoughtfulness, but also the peace of mind she made him feel in terms of matters concerning the harem.
This trust from the emperor, in addition to warmth, also carried a sense of high regard.
Narcissus nestled in Emperor Zhaoheng's arms and peacefully closed her eyes...
——
The following day, Lin Changzai mustered her courage and secretly requested an audience with Shui Xian.
She knelt before the main hall of Lihe Palace, her words earnest: "I am very grateful to the Imperial Noble Consort for helping me out yesterday. If it weren't for Your Highness, I... I really wouldn't know what to do."
Consort Lin raised her head, her eyes filled with trepidation and unease. "This concubine... this concubine was once favored by the Emperor, and I have been filled with trepidation ever since, fearing that Your Majesty would hold it against me..."
Shui Xian, sitting at the head of the table, heard Lin Changzai say this and then remembered why the name Lin Changzai sounded so familiar.
A few days ago, after Emperor Zhaoheng left her place, he should have favored Consort Lin.
She didn't seem to mind, her expression calm. She gently helped Lin up and said softly, "Sister Lin, please get up. Serving the Emperor is our duty as sisters, why should we hold a grudge?"
"His Majesty's favor is bestowed upon all equally, which is a blessing for the nation. Now that you have entered the palace, you only need to behave yourself and live a peaceful life. There is no need to think too much."
Lin Changzai was surprised to find that Shuixian was so kind and gentle, a stark contrast to the image of a bewitching and ruthless concubine she had heard about a few days ago.
He was immediately moved to tears and said many words of gratitude before retreating with trepidation.
After the person left, Tinglu, who was serving nearby, couldn't help but whisper, "Your Highness, why were you so polite to her? She was..."
Narcissus raised her hand, interrupting her.
"We are all pitiful people within these palace walls, why make things difficult for each other?"
She picked up her teacup, gently stirred the floating leaves, and asked casually, "I've heard that many concubines in the palace have recently sought out Physician Ana for treatments."
Tinglu nodded: "Yes, Consort Lin also went. In the harem, almost every concubine and mistress who still wants to compete has secretly gone to see Physician Ana, hoping to conceive a royal heir as soon as possible."
Narcissus's lips curved into a very faint smile, a knowing glint in her eyes, and she said softly:
"If this fertility-enhancing constitution can really be obtained so easily with just a few doses of herbal medicine... then why did Madam Yi need to feed me that secret medicine to change my constitution when I was so young?"
Mrs. Yi isn't stupid.
This secret medicine must be given to children when they are young; how could it be effective if given now?
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