Chapter 158 She almost became his concubine
"Your Majesty... is becoming more and more improper."
Narcissus blushed, turned her head away from him, and looked delicate and soft, making people want to bully her even more.
Seeing her embarrassment, Emperor Zhaoheng chuckled and stopped pressing her, saying only, "Xian'er is shy, I won't say anything more."
"But I will only feel at ease if I use more."
Narcissus couldn't refuse him, so she reluctantly ate a small half bowl of soup and a few bites of refreshing vegetables, but refused to eat any more.
Emperor Zhaoheng knew that her appetite had indeed been like this recently, so he did not insist. He only instructed the palace servants to prepare warm snacks later in the evening in case she got hungry at night.
During this period, Narcissus could clearly feel her body getting heavier and heavier, and the rate of weight gain seemed to be much faster than that of ordinary pregnant women.
She had never been pregnant with twins before and didn't know if this was normal, but she always had a lingering worry in her heart.
Having lived through two lifetimes, she knew better than anyone that rapid weight gain posed a huge risk to childbirth and was a devastating blow to her carefully maintained appearance and skin.
Narcissus could not allow herself to become bloated from bearing children, or even lose the emperor's favor after childbirth.
Therefore, even with the emperor's decree and the imperial physician's assurance, she still strictly controlled her diet, focusing on light and nourishing foods, and refusing to touch sweet or greasy things no matter how much she craved them.
Every night after her bath, she, who is now unable to move easily, has Shu'er use a carefully blended rose oil to gently massage her increasingly swollen abdomen and legs to prevent her skin from tearing and developing stretch marks.
In the depths of the palace, the emperor's favor was always closely related to a woman's appearance and figure, and she knew that she was far from being able to ignore her appearance.
Beauty fades and love wanes—this is an eternal truth, and she dared not slacken her efforts in the slightest.
A few days later, Yi Xingyao finally led his troops back to the capital in triumph.
I heard that the people of the capital lined the streets to welcome him, throwing fruit at his carriage, creating an unprecedented spectacle.
Emperor Zhaoheng held a grand banquet in the palace to welcome Yi Xingyao and the meritorious generals and soldiers, to show his boundless imperial favor.
In the imperial harem, Yi Guichun and Yi Shuyao, as Yi Xingyao's younger sister and half-sister respectively, were naturally among the concubines invited to accompany him.
Today, Yi Guichun dressed up in an extremely solemn and luxurious manner, wearing a palace dress in the style of a concubine, with pearls and gemstones on her head and colorful gemstones and red gold earrings.
She strived to present the elegance and nobility of a daughter of the Yi family to her brother and others. When she arrived at the banquet, Yi Guichun's eyes and brows could not hide his excitement and pride.
Yi Shuyao also wore a rare rose-colored long dress, and her hair was adorned with several decent hairpins, but compared to Yi Guichun, she still looked rather dull.
She followed behind Yi Guichun with her head bowed and eyes down, trying hard to appear proud, but her eyes always revealed a hint of nervousness, making her seem even more petty.
Consort De attended the event. Although she was a woman of simple tastes, today was a grand banquet to reward the soldiers, so she dressed appropriately. Her gilded skirt with intertwined branches spread out on the ground, a luxurious outfit that was not usually seen on her.
Consort Jin, who has been enjoying great popularity recently, did not attend. She sent someone ahead of time to inform the Emperor that she was experiencing some discomfort due to pregnancy and was feeling listless, fearing that she might be disrespectful in front of him. She therefore apologized to the Emperor and politely declined the palace banquet.
Upon hearing this, Emperor Zhaoheng merely nodded slightly to indicate that he understood, and instructed the palace servants to take good care of him, without saying anything more.
He sat on his throne, receiving the homage of the victorious soldiers.
Emperor Zhaoheng's gaze fell on the leader, none other than Yi Xingyao, the meritorious official of this campaign.
Yi Xingyao had already removed his armor and was now dressed in official robes. He looked slightly travel-worn, but his handsome appearance and the refined look he had gained from his experiences in the Northwest still attracted the attention of the ladies of the court.
Yi Xingyao is currently unmarried.
Women with unmarried daughters in their households, and even civil and military officials living nearby, were all making plans in their hearts.
On his throne, Emperor Zhaoheng looked at Yi Xingyao with a gentle smile.
Emperor Zhaoheng seemed to value this meritorious official highly, bestowing upon him honors and praises according to regulations, fully demonstrating the reliance and favor that a wise ruler has for meritorious officials.
Yi Xingyao also played the role of a loyal minister admirably.
"Thank you, Your Majesty! Long live the Emperor!"
Yi Xingyao knelt to express his gratitude to the emperor, his demeanor respectful and courteous, creating an atmosphere of harmony between the emperor and his subject.
Only when Yi Xingyao occasionally glanced at the throne did a fleeting glint of ruthlessness and violence flash across his deep eyes, so quick that it went unnoticed.
When Yi Xingyao turned around and returned to his seat, he passed by the empty seat next to Consort De, where Consort Jin was sitting. He glanced at the empty seat without making it obvious.
Only Yi Guichun, who was standing nearby, noticed this presumptuous glance.
Yi Guichun kept his expression hidden, afraid of attracting attention to their presence, and even more afraid of noticing his elder brother's feelings for that lowly maid...
However, her hand, which was under the table, was already clenched tightly.
The cold, hard armor embedded itself in her palm, but the pain was nothing compared to the deep hatred she felt for Narcissus.
Why should I?!
Yi Guichun felt as if a voice was shouting in his heart.
This was a question she often asked herself after she learned that she needed that lowly maid to have her own child.
Why?! Why does everyone like that lowly maid?!
Yi Guichun was already adept at disguising himself, and no one present could detect what he was thinking.
The banquet was lively, with toasts and laughter, singing and dancing, and the sounds of string and wind instruments filling the air.
Yi Guichun tried his best to maintain a dignified and proper demeanor, occasionally talking in hushed tones with familiar noblewomen, but his gaze would always involuntarily drift toward the emperor and his brother.
Yi Shuyao's seat was arranged in a corner quite far from the main seat. Throughout the banquet, almost no one noticed her, and no one gave her a second glance because she was General Yi's sister.
She looked at Yi Guichun, who was surrounded and flattered by everyone, then at her radiant brother in the distance, and compared that to her own desolate situation. She twisted the handkerchief in her hand tighter and tighter.
In her mind, Yi Shuyao suddenly remembered the plate of osmanthus cake that Shui Xian had casually given her a few days ago...
......
The banquet lasted until 9 PM.
Emperor Zhaoheng had drunk quite a bit of wine, and when he left his seat, his steps seemed a little unsteady, so he was carefully supported by the eunuchs who were nearby.
"Your Majesty, are you returning to the Hall of Mental Cultivation, or..."
Feng Shunxiang was off today, and a rather young eunuch was serving Emperor Zhaoheng.
Emperor Zhaoheng rubbed his temples, his voice heavy with drunkenness.
"I feel a little dizzy, I'll go to the nearby Changxin Palace to rest for a while..."
Changxin Palace is Yi Guichun's current residence.
The young eunuch understood immediately and quickly agreed, carefully helping the emperor toward Changxin Palace.
Yi Guichun had left his seat half an hour earlier. She was waiting in Changxin Palace and had already received the news in advance. Overjoyed, she quickly took a bath and prepared.
Amidst her busy schedule, Yi Guichun instructed the palace servants to prepare a hangover soup and hot water. She then quickly redressed and changed into a more alluring nightgown, awaiting the emperor's arrival.
Emperor Zhaoheng was helped into the inner chamber of Changxin Palace and laid down on a couch. He seemed to be very drunk, with his eyes closed and his breathing heavy.
The palace servants gently removed his boots, covered him with a thin blanket, and then bowed and retreated to the outer room to wait.
Yi Guichun sat down at the dressing table in the outer room, and a palace maid combed her hair. "Your Majesty, tonight..."
The Emperor is so drunk, he probably won't make it.
The maidservant serving her now is a trusted servant sent by the Yi family. The maidservant naturally knows that Yi Guichun has not been favored by the emperor for a long time.
Finally, the Emperor arrived at Changxin Palace, but he was drunk... What should we do?
Yi Guichun was also somewhat disappointed. She looked at her carefully made-up face in the mirror, and a hint of disappointment flashed in her eyes.
Tonight... I guess I won't be able to serve you in bed.
But she had other plans!
She took a deep breath, deliberately raised her voice slightly, and said to her trusted confidante beside her, seemingly unintentionally:
"Today's banquet is truly lively. My brother is even more radiant than before, and His Majesty is also very pleased. It's just a pity... that Consort Jin was unable to attend today."
She paused, listening intently to the sounds from the inner room. Seeing no response, she continued in a tone tinged with regret, "Speaking of which... Consort Jin didn't arrive today, I'm afraid... Alas, she'll inevitably feel awkward seeing her brother."
"After all, back when we were in the manor, Father almost gave her to my brother as a concubine."
"Although the war in the Northwest broke out later and the matter did not come to fruition, the bond between us is still somewhat different."
Her voice wasn't loud, but it was clear enough to enter the quiet inner room.
On the couch in the inner chamber, Emperor Zhaoheng, who should have been soundly asleep and dead drunk, suddenly opened his eyes.
Where was there even a trace of drunkenness in those deep, clear, narrow eyes?
Today, Yi Xingyao returned in triumph, so naturally he came to Yi Guichun's palace. He originally intended to pretend to be drunk, but unexpectedly he overheard Yi Guichun and a palace maid talking about the past.
Narcissus... almost became Yi Xingyao's concubine?
Emperor Zhaoheng stared at the tent ceiling in the darkness, his gaze growing increasingly somber...
......
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