Chapter 302 That matter... is settled.
Inside the Qianqing Palace.
Narcissus leaned against the chaise longue covered with soft silk, holding a volume of the Book of Songs in her hands. Her gaze was fixed on the "Guan Guan Jujiu" (the ospreys cry), but her thoughts had already drifted far away.
This morning, after taking Shui Xian's pulse, Pei Jichuan informed her of the results of his investigation.
Ana did indeed secretly prepare a medicinal soup for Emperor Zhaoheng. However, since it concerned the emperor, the soup was prepared using a separate prescription by Ana herself. Pei Jichuan was unsure what the treatment was for.
It has been confirmed that half of the verification has been completed.
Shui Xian knew that even as the empress, she did not have the absolute right to inquire about the emperor's diet and medicine.
She gently stroked her still-flat belly and called Tinglu in.
"No need to investigate further."
Narcissus spoke listlessly, her eyes lowered as she gazed at the summer scenery outside the window, her gaze filled with only coldness.
Tinglu glanced at Shuixian with concern, then curtsied and said, "Yes."
A few days later.
Since Pei Jichuan revealed the truth that day, Shui Xian did not ask Emperor Zhaoheng about the medicine, but suppressed all her suspicions and doubts in her heart.
On the surface, she remained the same gentle, obedient empress, focused on her pregnancy.
Emperor Zhaoheng forbade her to concern herself with palace affairs, so she did not interfere.
She even obediently followed the route he had designated for their walks.
However, beneath this seemingly complete compliance, a rebellion was brewing in the shadows.
On this day, while Emperor Zhaoheng was discussing matters with his ministers in the front hall, Shui Xian summoned Shui Xiu.
"Xiuer, how is the assessment procedure for the first batch of students at the Women Officials Academy being drafted?"
Shui Xiu is now a sixth-rank official in the Bureau of Records, and her demeanor has become increasingly calm and capable.
She quickly took out a scroll from her sleeve and whispered, "Sister, the draft of the regulations has been initially prepared. As you suggested before, we have added practical simulations and moral assessments. However... the Ministry of Rites has some reservations about the clause 'allowing married women to take the exam,' believing it to be immoral."
Narcissus took the scroll, her gaze quickly sweeping over it, her fingertip pointing to a few key points: "Weathering?"
A glint of extreme irony flashed in her eyes.
"Women survive by their own abilities, not by empty reputations. This principle must be upheld."
"If the Ministry of Rites continues to nag, we will bring up the examples of several virtuous empresses and concubines from previous dynasties who also remarried, yet assisted the emperor in achieving a prosperous era, to shut them up."
She said in a calm tone, "You can discuss the specific details with the deputy examiners. If you encounter any difficulties, come back to me."
"Yes, sister."
Shui Xiu put away the scroll and looked at Shui Xian's exquisite makeup, which couldn't hide her fatigue, and felt a little worried.
“Sister, your health is the most important thing right now, these trivial matters…”
"It's alright."
Narcissus interrupted her, gently stroking her still flat stomach, her eyes clear and bright.
"If I can't even spare this little bit of energy, what difference is there between me and those clay or wooden statues of bodhisattvas? Go, be careful, and don't let the emperor know."
After seeing Shui Xiu off, Shui Xian summoned Ting Lu.
"Has there been any rumors in the previous court recently about my pregnancy again?"
She picked up the warm medicine for preventing miscarriage that was sitting on the side, took small sips, and asked the question as if it were just a casual inquiry.
Tinglu leaned closer and whispered, "Your Majesty, outwardly there are endless congratulatory messages. But I have learned that several senior officials, led by Wang Chonggu, the Left Vice Censor-in-Chief of the Censorate, and Zhou Mingyi, the Vice Minister of Rites, have been frequently visiting the residence recently."
"I managed to find out that they seem to be jointly drafting a memorial, the content of which... is mostly the same old tune about the lack of imperial heirs and the need to recruit more virtuous and talented people to expand the imperial lineage."
Narcissus's lips curled into a cold smile.
Sure enough, her pregnancy again did not break their spirits; instead, it further agitated their sensitive nerves.
Are they afraid that the emperor will have few offspring?
What they feared was that all the emperor's children would come from her womb, Shui Xian, and that the maternal relatives would become too powerful, cutting off their path of sending their daughters into the palace to get a share of the spoils!
“Keep an eye on them.”
Shui Xian put down the medicine bowl. "If they only submit memorials and talk empty words, that's fine. But if they dare to take any further action... gather evidence of their unclean deeds among their family members, disciples, and former associates, just in case."
"This servant understands."
Emperor Zhaoheng was not unaware of the gradual alienation from Shui Xian.
He keenly sensed that although Narcissus was still gentle with him, her smile seemed to have lost some of its former liveliness.
She no longer takes the initiative to discuss interesting political matters with him, or offer unique insights into certain palace affairs, as she used to.
Narcissus listened quietly, smiling occasionally. Emperor Zhaoheng vaguely sensed something was wrong, but he couldn't quite put his finger on it.
However, Emperor Zhaoheng did not consider the possibility that their relationship had soured.
He believed that by disbanding the harem for Narcissus, they had become an ordinary couple and were very loving.
He thought she was just prone to fatigue during pregnancy, so he tried even harder to make her happy.
Today he sent people to bring over huge and rare pearls from the South China Sea, and tomorrow he presented her with a mechanical doll that automatically dances, crafted by skilled artisans from the Western Regions. During dinner, he racked his brains to tell her harmless and amusing stories from the court, trying to elicit a genuine smile from her.
However, he always felt that there was a thin veil between them.
The closer he tried to get, the clearer the veil became.
Emperor Zhaoheng felt inexplicably agitated, yet had no way to vent his frustration. He could only attribute this unease to himself, and thus became even more cautious, protecting the narcissus even more closely.
As Emperor Zhaoheng tightened his protection, the undercurrents of the previous dynasty finally came into the open.
At the court assembly that day, Wang Chonggu, the Left Vice Censor-in-Chief of the Censorate, indeed stepped forward and said, with a subtle but pointed remark:
"Your Majesty, the Empress's pregnancy is a blessing to the nation, and we are overjoyed."
"However, after several years on the throne, His Majesty has only Princess Yongning and two young princes, leaving him with a meager lineage. Throughout history, a strong imperial bloodline has been the foundation for a long and prosperous reign..."
Although the court officials had previously advised Emperor Zhaoheng to expand his harem, Emperor Zhaoheng had already strongly opposed it.
But so much time has passed, and the empress is pregnant. As a man, I understand all too well the frustration a wife feels when she is pregnant.
Therefore, the previous dynasty recently proposed to recruit virtuous women from all over the country.
Emperor Zhaoheng sat upright on the dragon throne, his expression unreadable, but his eyes had turned cold.
He listened patiently without immediately reacting, and simply said, "Minister Wang's concern for the foundation of the nation is commendable. However, the Empress and I share a deep affection, and our princes and princesses are all intelligent and healthy. Why should we worry about their weakness? This matter need not be discussed further."
Wang Chonggu and his group met with a stubborn rebuff and had no choice but to retreat dejectedly, but the resentment in their eyes did not dissipate.
After the court session, Emperor Zhaoheng returned to the Qianqing Palace, his brows furrowed with gloom.
He dismissed the palace servants and walked to Narcissus's side.
"Xian'er..."
Emperor Zhaoheng embraced her tightly from behind, his hands unconsciously resting on her lower abdomen, his cheek buried in the crook of her neck, breathing deeply as if drawing strength from something.
Narcissus could sense that he was in low spirits, but she didn't ask anything and just quietly snuggled up to him.
He suddenly spoke, his voice somewhat muffled, "Today in court, someone brought up the old matter again."
Narcissus understood perfectly, but pretended not to understand.
"Um?"
Emperor Zhaoheng hugged her tighter. "It's nothing but the same old clichés, saying that we have few children and that I should select concubines."
He paused, his tone tinged with annoyance, "I have rejected their proposals. I do not wish for anyone else to join."
Emperor Zhaoheng had wanted to share the day's events with Shuixian, so he casually recounted his troubles.
Narcissus leaned against his chest, her eyelids slowly drooping, concealing the bitterness in her eyes.
Did he refuse the talent show for her sake, or for her pregnancy?
She couldn't tell the difference, nor did she dare to think about it too deeply.
Emperor Zhaoheng's aura wafted over, and Shui Xian gently closed her eyes, her eyelashes trembling slightly.
Emperor Zhaoheng looked at her fair and lovely appearance and assumed she was just shy.
He chuckled softly, his hand slowly moving up her stomach. "Xian'er... it's been so long, why are you still shy about this?"
Narcissus turned her face away and took a low breath.
Even though the ice chest had just been replaced, the atmosphere inside the hall gradually warmed up.
Emperor Zhaoheng's voice grew increasingly hoarse, and even Shui Xian could sense it.
"I'm going to the bathing palace... Xian'er, wait for me..."
Emperor Zhaoheng took a deep breath, intending to go to the bathing hall to deal with the matter, just as he had done recently.
However, this time it was different.
Narcissus stopped him.
"Your Majesty, Physician Pei said this while taking your pulse today..."
She paused briefly, then exhaled three words with a delicate, fragrant breath.
"That's fine."
Emperor Zhaoheng froze, his eyes burning with fury as he stared intently at her.
Before Narcissus could react, Emperor Zhaoheng kissed her cherry-colored lips, which were opening and closing.
I don't know how much time passed; it felt like the air had all been used up.
The man suddenly made a decision and abruptly got up and headed towards the bathhouse.
Then came the sound of cold water being poured on him, and the man's hoarse, sexy breathing.
On the couch, Narcissus slowly rose and straightened her disheveled clothes.
The ambergris scent still lingered around him, and his burning skin, which had been in contact with hers, lost its warmth and grew colder inch by inch.
It is astonishing that a man, especially an emperor in a high position, could act like Liu Xiahui (a legendary figure known for his virtuous conduct).
Has he really gone this far for the sake of his child?
The coldness that welled up in her eyes gradually suppressed the lingering spring-like feelings within them.
In the height of summer, it exudes an indifferent chill, like an ice cube...
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