Chapter 117 Tonight, I, Your Majesty, will express my sincere gratitude...
Ruan Huan's death did not cause much of a stir in the harem.
The most eye-catching event in the palace these days is none other than the ceremony for Narcissus's investiture as a Noble Consort.
Many years after the Emperor ascended the throne, apart from Ruan Huan, who had been with him since he was a prince, Shui Xian was the first imperial concubine to be formally conferred a title in the palace.
Not to mention, she came from the Cold Palace.
Not only was he not demoted, but he gained even more favor from the Emperor, a favor that was truly enviable.
This morning, during the morning audience, because of the fine weather—a rare warm winter day—the number of concubines present was exceptionally high.
The underground heating in Kunning Palace was exceptionally warm. High-ranking concubines of the rank of Pin or above took their seats, while lower-ranking concubines stood behind them.
The room was filled with the maids and servants who served them.
The small room was filled with a warm, fragrant aroma.
Narcissus arrived at just the right time. She wore a pomegranate-red floral satin palace dress, with an apricot-colored rabbit fur cloak over it. Her hair was adorned with a gold-inlaid jade hairpin newly bestowed by the Emperor, the tassels of which swayed gently with her steps.
As soon as she entered, the Kunning Palace main hall, which had been filled with some soft noises, immediately became quieter.
The other concubines cast mixed glances at her, some with envy, others with barely concealed jealousy.
As if unaware, Narcissus walked to the first empty seat to the left of the Empress's throne and sat down calmly.
The Empress was wearing a bright yellow phoenix robe today. She was frail and felt a bit cold, so she held a hand warmer by her side in the warm main hall.
Upon seeing Narcissus arrive, a gentle smile appeared on the Empress's face.
"Consort Jin looks very well today."
The Queen's voice was gentle, seemingly conveying concern for Narcissus.
Narcissus bowed slightly and said with a gentle smile, "Thanks to Her Majesty the Empress's good fortune."
"It's because you proved yourself capable."
The Empress's gaze swept subtly over her lower abdomen. "To bear children for the Emperor and produce imperial offspring is a great achievement."
"Now that your name has been cleared and you have returned to the palace, it is clear that Heaven has taken pity on you."
"Your Majesty's kindness makes me feel deeply humbled."
Narcissus lowered her eyes, her voice gentle, but her heart was cold.
She and the Empress are now like players of chess.
No matter what schemes they have in mind, they always put on a flawless show.
The Empress nodded, her gaze towards Narcissus gentle and graceful.
Anyone who didn't know better would definitely think she and Narcissus were best friends.
At this moment, the Empress suddenly said, "Consort Jin is currently enjoying great favor from the Emperor, and the ceremony to confer her the title of Consort is imminent. I have been thinking that this is a great joy for the palace."
She gently stroked the hand warmer in her hand, as if she were considering, "Why not take advantage of this auspicious occasion to bestow titles upon all the women in the six palaces, so that all the sisters can also share in Consort Jin's favor and enjoy the Emperor's grace?"
After speaking, the Empress looked at Narcissus and posed the question: "What does Consort Jin think?"
Upon hearing this, the eyes of all the concubines in the hall lit up instantly, their gazes fixed intently on Narcissus, filled with anticipation.
This is the first time since the Emperor ascended the throne that the grand conferment of titles upon the six palaces has been mentioned. Who wouldn't want to take this opportunity to advance their career?
However, their expectations of Narcissus turned into an invisible pressure.
Narcissus naturally sensed it, and she thought to herself:
The Empress's suggestion not only divided the favor among the concubines, allowing the spotlight that should have been focused on her to be shared with the other concubines, but also allowed the Empress to gain the good reputation of bestowing favors upon herself, thus killing two birds with one stone.
The Empress has placed her here; how can Narcissus possibly refuse?
She rose and curtsied: "Your Majesty the Empress is virtuous and kind, always thinking of the women in the harem. This is truly a blessing for the entire palace. How could I possibly have any objections?"
"...Everything is up to Her Majesty the Empress."
The Empress nodded. "In that case, I will discuss it with the Emperor and then draft a list of those to be promoted."
According to the rules, the matter of bestowing titles upon the six palaces was a matter concerning the harem.
Although the Empress said she wanted to discuss it with the Emperor, everyone knew that she had immense power in this matter.
Sure enough, as soon as the morning audience ended, many concubines gathered around the Empress, their words full of flattery and ingratiation.
Consort Yao (Yi Shuyao), Consort Yun, and others stood close to the Empress, as if afraid of missing them.
Those lower-ranking concubines and ladies-in-waiting looked on expectantly, hoping to gain the Empress's favor.
Shui Xian watched this scene with a cold eye, not stepping forward to join in the fun. She simply curtsied to the Empress and said, "Your Majesty, I wish to go to the side hall to see Yongning."
The Empress smiled and agreed, her tone kind: "Go ahead, she is your daughter after all, it is only right that you visit her more often."
In the side hall, Yongning was being held by her wet nurse and playing with a cloth tiger. When she saw Shuixian, she stretched out her hand and babbled.
After not seeing her for many days, Narcissus's heart softened instantly. She took her daughter and kissed her soft little face.
A mother and daughter are of one heart, but she cannot always have her daughter by her side.
If the Empress hadn't been at fault, how could she possibly ask for her child back?
For some reason, Emperor Zhaoheng was unusually insistent on the matter of the Empress raising Yongning.
Narcissus secretly tried several times, but failed each time.
After playing with her daughter for a while, Shui Xian asked the wet nurse about Yin Zhu, who worked at Kun Ning Palace. The wet nurse only said that Miss Yin Zhu was diligent and had just been helping with laundry in the backyard.
Upon hearing this, Shui Xian frowned slightly, handed Yong Ning back to the wet nurse, and headed towards the backyard of Kun Ning Palace.
When Shuixian went to the backyard, she found Yinzhu with her sleeves rolled up, washing clothes for several maids in a basin of cold water.
In the dead of winter, her hands were red with cold.
A pang of heartache flashed across Narcissus's eyes as she stepped forward and called out, "Yinzhu."
Yinzhu looked up upon hearing the voice, and seeing it was her, she quickly wiped her hands and bowed, saying, "This servant greets Consort Jin."
"Now that I have returned from the Cold Palace, come with me back to Yongle Palace."
Seeing that no one was around, Narcissus spoke directly.
Yinzhu shook her head, her gaze firm: "Your Highness, you instructed me to stay by the princess's side, so I must stay."
“The princess cannot be without someone of her own by her side... This servant believes that one day I will be able to return to serve Her Highness.”
Upon hearing this, Tinglu, who was standing next to Shuixian, couldn't help but show admiration in her eyes.
Previously, when the Imperial Concubine returned from the Cold Palace, she sent a message to Miss Yinzhu, but Yinzhu did not choose to return to Yongle Palace.
Everyone knows that if Yinzhu stays with the princess, it would be a good decision for both Shuixian and her daughter.
However, if Yinzhu stayed in Kunning Palace, she could not become a prominent palace maid serving the Consort; instead, she would have to serve the wet nurses and nannies.
Yinzhu's willingness to stay in Kunning Palace truly demonstrates her unwavering loyalty.
Knowing her loyalty, Narcissus didn't press the matter further. Instead, she secretly slipped a packet of silver into her hand and whispered, "Be careful in everything you do. Protecting yourself is the most important thing."
Yinzhu nodded emphatically. Afraid of running into the other palace servants of Kunning Palace, she persuaded Shuixian to leave, even though she was somewhat reluctant.
Leaving Kunning Palace, I walked along the palace path back to Yongle Palace.
Shui Xian looked at Ting Lu beside her and took the initiative to speak: "Ting Lu, Yin Zhu is someone I used to know. She didn't come back to suppress you."
“I will always remember your kindness in helping me in the cold palace. In the future, when I assist in managing the six palaces, there will be many affairs and I will need capable people. You are all my right-hand men, and there is no difference in rank. You just need to make the most of your strengths.”
Tinglu replied frankly, “Your Majesty, rest assured, I understand. Sister Yinzhu is loyal and skilled, and I respect her greatly.”
She said with radiant eyes, "This servant will do her best to show Your Majesty my worth."
Narcissus nodded slightly, relieved.
She disdained using Yi Guichun's divisive tactics to control her palace maids.
At the Yi residence, the rift between her and Camellia was not something that developed overnight, but rather accumulated over time.
Narcissus did not want to control Silver Pearl and Listening Dew through such despicable means; some things needed to be said in advance.
They soon returned to Yongle Palace.
Narcissus leaned against the soft couch, feeling slightly tired.
Tinglu thoughtfully brought over a bowl of warm hawthorn soup: "Your Majesty, have some soup to whet your appetite."
Looking at Narcissus, she finally couldn't help but bring up what happened during the morning audience earlier, "Her Majesty the Empress's arrangement is clearly intended to let others steal the limelight from Her Majesty's conferment of the title of Imperial Concubine."
"This grand investiture ceremony, the first one the Emperor has held since ascending the throne, has become her pretext for bestowing favors."
Narcissus stirred the soup slowly with a white porcelain spoon, her expression calm: "What's the rush? Do you think others can steal the limelight just because they want to?"
She raised her eyes and said, "Go and investigate carefully who is proposed for promotion this time, and what their ranking is. Report back to me."
"yes."
He listened and agreed.
After finishing her soup, Shui Xian touched the gold hairpin hanging from her hair, its shimmering light making her features appear even more exquisite.
She suddenly smiled faintly: "Tinglu, it seems that I haven't properly expressed my gratitude since His Majesty decided to hold a grand investiture ceremony."
Tinglu seemed to understand something and smiled, "This servant will help Your Highness get dressed up properly."
......
That night, at the Qianqing Palace.
When Feng Shunxiang announced the arrival of Consort Jin, Emperor Zhaoheng was reviewing memorials.
Looking up, she saw Narcissus enter wearing a snow-white fox fur coat. The hall was warm, and she took off her coat, revealing a simple and elegant soft silk dress underneath.
Although the dress was light in color, the fabric fit her perfectly, subtly outlining her slender curves. Because her pregnancy was still in its early stages, her lower abdomen remained flat.
Her jet-black hair was loosely tied up, with only a magnolia blossom, freshly picked from the flower room, adorning her temple. She was exquisitely beautiful, yet subtly alluring.
She stepped forward slowly, without saying much, and obediently stood by the imperial desk to grind ink for him.
The beauty under the lamp, her eyes lowered in focus, her profile incredibly gentle.
Emperor Zhaoheng put down his vermilion brush, his gaze darkening slightly as it fell on the small patch of delicate skin at her slightly lowered neckline: "It's late and the dew is heavy. Instead of resting properly in the palace, you've come here to see me. Is something the matter?"
The narcissus raised its eyes, as if holding a pool of spring water.
She stood up but did not answer. Instead, she took a few light steps to his side and sat down on his lap.
Narcissus nestled her soft body into his arms, carrying a hint of the cool night breeze.
Feng Shunxiang, with keen insight, lowered his head, silently made a hand gesture, and led all the palace servants standing in the hall to quietly retreat.
Emperor Zhaoheng's arm naturally encircled her waist, the warmth of his palm seeping through the soft silk.
Narcissus stretched out her lotus-like arms and hooked them around his neck, her voice soft and gentle.
"Your Majesty's great favor in granting me this grand investiture ceremony is something I am deeply grateful for."
"My pregnancy was not stable a few days ago, so I dared not come to express my gratitude."
She paused, then raised her face, her lips almost brushing against his chin.
Looking into his increasingly deep eyes, she said softly, "The imperial physician said that my pregnancy is stable... I came tonight specifically to thank Your Majesty..."
Before the words were even finished, the echo was swallowed between his lips and teeth.
Emperor Zhaoheng reached out and pulled her up by the knees, then strode towards the bedchamber...
......
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