Chapter 160 My woman, how could she give birth to another man's bastard child!
In the Palace of Rites.
Shui Xian was not affected by the "confinement" because, as a noble consort, the servants of the Imperial Household Department dared not mistreat her.
Previously, Eunuch Qian had been arguing with Narcissus as if he had lost his mind. Later, after Narcissus took charge of the six palaces, she casually found a reason to demote Eunuch Qian to a post outside the palace.
The fate of that eunuch Qian was still fresh in everyone's mind, so the Imperial Household Department only dared to tamper with minor matters, and dared not be negligent in major matters.
Half a month has passed in the blink of an eye. The sun is blazing, warming people up, and summer is gradually approaching.
Shui Xian held the tiny, soft Yong Ning on the warm couch by the window, holding a picture book with various embroidery patterns, and gently taught her daughter to recognize the pictures in the book.
"Zhao Zhao, look, these are the kitten's eyes, round and bright..."
Compared to Yongning's title, Shuixian still prefers to call her by her name, Yuanzhao.
Nestled in her mother's warm, soft embrace, little Yongning was captivated by the interesting embroidery patterns. Her delicate little fingers timidly reached out to touch the picture book...
"Bang!"
The palace door was suddenly and rudely pushed open from the outside, slamming against the wall with a loud bang and shattering the carefully maintained tranquility inside.
Yongning trembled with fright and burst into tears, clutching her mother's fragrant clothes tightly.
Yi Guichun, dressed in a crimson palace gown embroidered with gold, barged in with a frosty expression, accompanied by a group of seemingly capable eunuchs and maids from the Imperial Household Department.
Ignoring Tinglu, Shuer, and the others who tried to stop her, she rushed straight to Shuixian in the inner room.
"They're all under house arrest, and they still have the leisure to teach their daughter flower patterns?"
Yi Guichun slammed the two account books he was holding onto the low rosewood table in front of Shuixian with such force that the teacups on the table shook, splashing water stains and soiling the patterned booklets.
Shui Xian protected Yong Ning, her eyes cold as she looked at Yi Guichun.
Yi Guichun pointed with his nail-painted fingers to several places in the account book that were prominently circled in vermilion ink.
"Consort Jin, take a look for yourself... The expenses of Lihe Palace in the past three months have exceeded those of the Empress's Palace by more than double!"
"You've bought ten boxes of the finest rouge alone, and no less than a hundred bolts of brocade from Jiangnan! You're pregnant now, how can you use all this cosmetics? You're clearly treating the palace's money like water, living a life of extravagance!"
She finished speaking in one breath, and before Shui Xian could react, her gaze suddenly fixed on Yong Ning, who was so frightened that he kept burrowing into Shui Xian's arms.
"Furthermore, Princess Yongning is such a young child. She spends all her time with the confined empress, staying in this small world. What good things can she learn?"
"If this goes on for too long, she'll probably pick up this wasteful habit completely! It would be better if I took her back to Changxin Palace to raise her. I'll definitely teach her to be well-mannered and knowledgeable, which is much better than her staying with you now!"
As she spoke, her fingers touched Yongning's sleeve.
Yongning burst into tears, her face pale, her little hands clutching Shuixian's clothes tightly, refusing to let go.
Seeing that the other party dared to make a move directly, Shui Xian did not hesitate to protect Yong Ning even more tightly behind her, while her other hand precisely grabbed Yi Guichun's outstretched wrist, stopping her movement.
"Consort Yi!"
The narcissus was surrounded by the air of a noble consort, and for a moment she was so dignified that Consort Yi subconsciously avoided looking at her.
"Who gave you the audacity to try and snatch my child?!"
She shook off Yi Guichun's hand, then hugged Yongning and gently patted the pouting Yongning, who was frightened by the scene.
As she spoke, Narcissus pointed to the purchasing brochure and said in a cold voice:
"Those cosmetics, brocades, and silks were specially bestowed upon me by the Emperor a few days ago when he saw that I was feeling down during my pregnancy. They were meant to cheer me up and were prepared for my unborn child! When did it become your place to criticize them!"
The mention of the Emperor only fueled Yi Guichun's anger, as every word Shui Xian uttered was a reminder of the Emperor's past favor towards her.
This was a level of favor that Yi Guichun had never experienced before. Even though Shui Xian was now confined to Yongle Palace, Yi Guichun could not tolerate the fact that this lowly maid Shui Xian held the rank of Imperial Concubine above her!
Jealousy, like a shadow, devoured her conscience. Yi Guichun now wanted to kill this wretched maidservant in front of her day and night!
She gave a wink to a eunuch beside her. The eunuch groaned inwardly, but now that Consort Yi's elder brother had made outstanding military achievements, the Emperor had specially granted Consort Yi the privilege of assisting in managing the six palaces, and he dared not offend Yi Guichun.
The slightly overweight eunuch had no choice but to step forward, his face plastered with a fawning yet troubled smile.
“The amounts on this... well, there are indeed some records of overspending.”
Just as the two sides were deadlocked, Xiao Lizi's loud announcement came from outside the hall: "The Emperor has arrived—"
Everyone was taken aback.
Yi Guichun reacted very quickly; as soon as Emperor Zhaoheng strode into the hall, she immediately knelt down.
"Your Majesty! Your Majesty, you've finally arrived! Look at Consort Jin, she..."
"Her extravagant spending far exceeds her allotted allowance. When I kindly came to advise her with the account books, she not only refused to listen but also argued back! I was worried that Princess Yongning might be corrupted by her, so I suggested that I take her in and educate her. She actually pushed me!"
"Your Majesty, I did everything for the sake of frugality in the harem and for the good of the princess!"
Emperor Zhaoheng looked down at Yi Guichun, who was crying out for justice. He glanced at the two account books on the table, then his gaze fell on Yongning, who was hiding behind Shuixian on the soft couch, her little face still wet with tears.
Despite this scene, Emperor Zhaoheng's expression remained unchanged.
He didn't examine the account books closely, nor did he ask a single question. He seemed to have already accepted Yi Guichun's words, and turned to Shui Xian, saying indifferently:
"Since you are under house arrest, you should have kept to your duties and reflected on your mistakes. Overspending and causing controversy is indeed your fault."
He paused, seemingly oblivious to Shui Xian's sudden pallor, and easily issued the decree: "From this day forward, all expenses at Lihe Palace shall be halved, and no further special treatment shall be permitted."
"Consort Jin, you should reflect on your actions in the palace."
Upon hearing this, Yi Guichun's eyes flashed with wild joy, and he immediately tried to press his advantage, proposing again that Yongning be taken away: "Your Majesty is wise! What about Princess Yongning, she..."
However, Emperor Zhaoheng raised his hand to interrupt her, his gaze falling on Yongning, who was clinging tightly to her mother and looking terrified. His tone seemed to soften a little.
“Yongning is still young. If she suddenly leaves her birth mother, she may not be able to adapt, which would be detrimental to her growth. For now... let her stay with the Imperial Concubine.”
Yi Guichun's joy froze, instantly turning ugly.
Does Emperor Zhaoheng's decision to keep Yongning by Shuixian's side mean that his feelings for Shuixian have not been completely severed?
Just as Yi Guichun was beginning to have doubts, Emperor Zhaoheng suddenly changed the subject.
He looked at her, his tone softening.
“Consort Yi, you have no children. I know that you are often lonely in the palace and love children. This time, Consort Jin’s pregnancy with twins is a blessing from heaven.”
"After she gives birth, if it is a prince... I will allow you to take one to Changxin Palace to raise, which will fulfill your wish to be a mother and give you someone to rely on in the future."
These words instantly extinguished Yi Guichun's previous displeasure, making her overjoyed!
If only she could raise the prince!
What an incredible favor! She could almost picture the glorious future she would enjoy, thanks to her son!
She immediately kowtowed deeply, her voice trembling with excitement: "Your Majesty, I thank you for your grace! Long live the Emperor!"
Yi Guichun lowered his head, concealing the excitement and pride in his eyes.
The Emperor's attitude has already explained everything. It's not that he doesn't want to give her the child, but that he wants to give her the prince!
Indeed, Princess Yongning is nothing special, but if she could raise a prince...
The positions of Empress and Empress Dowager would be easily within their grasp.
Yi Guichun was overjoyed and couldn't help but glance smugly at the narcissus when he looked up.
Narcissus, however, lowered her head, concealing all her emotions, her gentleness tinged with a hint of resentment.
"Your Majesty, I obey your decree and thank you for your grace."
Only her fingertips, hidden in her sleeve, subtly pinched her palm, using the slight sting to maintain the pain on her face, cooperating with Emperor Zhaoheng to complete the play perfectly.
Yi Guichun left Lihe Palace with a sense of triumph.
Upon returning to Changxin Palace, she immediately dismissed all the palace servants, leaving only her most trusted confidants.
She sat in front of her dressing table, facing the mirror, stroking the pearl hairpin the emperor had just bestowed upon her, an irrepressible smile playing on her lips.
The more she thought about it, the smuger she became. She immediately ordered her confidants to prepare paper and ink, and then got up to write down the emperor's promises in detail in a secret letter, especially emphasizing the joyous news that she would soon gain custody of the prince.
After writing it, she carefully sealed it with sealing wax, summoned her trusted maid, and whispered, "Immediately! Send it back to my brother's residence right away! Do not make a mistake!"
The maid obeyed and hurriedly left.
Yi Guichun was still excited. She paced around a few times, then couldn't help but chuckle softly and mutter to herself.
"Once I have a prince, the Yi family will be at its zenith, and I will be the most honored woman in this harem! Narcissus, you lowly servant, so what if you can give birth? You'll still have to obediently be delivered into my hands, won't you?"
Her triumphant and arrogant laughter echoed from Changxin Palace.
Not long after, in the study of the Yi family mansion, Yi Xingyao had just changed into a silver-gray riding and archery outfit and was adjusting his cuffs in front of a full-length bronze mirror.
His fair complexion appeared even more handsome and sharp against the backdrop of dark clothing. His dark hair was neatly tied up, revealing his well-defined profile and high nose bridge.
He exudes a cold and sharp aura.
A servant hurried in and respectfully presented the secret letter.
Yi Xingyao opened it casually, his eyes quickly scanning over it.
When he saw the words "The Emperor promised to send the dragon prince," his pale fingertips clenched the letter tightly, almost crushing it, his knuckles turning white from the force.
In an instant, a terrifying, obsessive, and sinister glint appeared in his eyes, and the atmosphere around him seemed to drop.
"She wants a dragon prince?"
Yi Xingyao's voice was deep and menacing, "Did you even ask me if I agreed?!"
He turned his head sharply, his gaze fixed on his confidante: "Go back and tell Consort Yi! Tell her to find a way to make the Emperor completely dislike Shui Xian as soon as possible and get her out of the palace! The sooner the better!"
The man's tone was urgent and frantic, filled with an incomprehensible fanaticism: "Once Narcissus is by my side, her unborn child will need not be kept!"
"How could my woman give birth to another man's bastard child!"
Yi Xingyao's words startled the attendant.
That's a dragon's offspring; if this gets out...
Ignoring all of this, Yi Xingyao's gaze swept over the open sandalwood box on the corner of the desk, inside which lay a simple silver hairpin.
That was a gift he had given to Narcissus, which Narcissus left in his room before she went to the palace, and he has treasured it ever since.
He reached out and picked up the hairpin. The cool metallic touch slightly calmed the madness in his eyes, transforming it into a deeper, more morbid possessiveness.
The man's fingertips traced the simple patterns on the hairpin repeatedly, his tone cold yet tinged with a twisted tenderness, like a lover's whisper, yet chilling to the bone:
"You promised to wait for me to come back... You can only be mine!"
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