Chapter 9 Tonight... would you like to serve me in bed?
It took the Imperial Household Department staff nearly an hour to move all the precious items bestowed by Emperor Zhaoheng into the West Annex Hall and arrange them properly.
At first, Consort Yi stood at the door watching, but when she saw the continuous stream of gifts being carried in, she turned around and went back to the main hall with a livid face.
As for Consort Song, she watched with envy as loads of treasures were carried into the west wing of Narcissus's residence.
She had just mocked Narcissus for never having seen anything good, but the Emperor unexpectedly bestowed so many treasures upon her.
Finally, Consort Song returned to the East Annex Hall in a huff and slammed the door shut.
In the west wing, Narcissus stood alone inside.
The surrounding furnishings were incredibly luxurious.
The shimmering brocade and the warm, lustrous pearls all testify to the emperor's favor.
This honor was her weapon, and something she knew Yi Guichun would absolutely not tolerate.
Consort Yi will never let this go.
Sure enough, after Shui Xian finished tidying up and had just sat down, before she could even drink a cup of hot tea, Xue Mei, the head maid of Consort Yi, arrived.
"Your Highness, Her Majesty requests your presence."
What's meant to come will come.
Narcissus rose calmly and said, "Please lead the way."
Upon entering the main hall of Changxin Palace once again, Consort Yi sat in the main seat with a forced smile on her face.
On the table, the bowl of medicine was still there, still emitting a bitter smell, but most of the heat had dissipated.
"Sit down." Consort Yi's voice was unreadable.
As instructed, Shui Xian sat down on the embroidered stool below, her posture respectful.
"His Majesty's favor is truly astounding. I have never received so many rewards at once..."
Consort Yi spoke slowly, a deep jealousy flashing in her eyes.
Despite receiving so many rewards, the Emperor has never bestowed any upon her!
"How dare I rival Your Majesty's brilliance?"
Narcissus immediately rose and knelt down, her posture humble:
"Perhaps His Majesty took pity on my humble origins and the fact that I was frostbitten in the snow, and thus bestowed upon me more gifts as a form of comfort. I am truly terrified!"
Consort Yi stared at her for a long time, a cold glint flashing in her eyes.
Pity? When has the Emperor ever shown such pity to any other woman?!
"That's enough." Consort Yi waved her hand, seemingly unwilling to dwell on the matter any longer. She picked up the bowl of medicine again, stirred it with a spoon, and handed it to Narcissus.
"I specially had the imperial physician prescribe this medicine to strengthen your body and improve your health. The medicine will be less effective if it gets cold, so drink it while it's still warm."
The bowl of dark brown medicine emitted a strong, bitter smell.
In her previous life, Consort Yi did not bestow any tonics upon her.
Shui Xian had no idea whether the medicine was good or bad.
However, under Consort Yi's watchful gaze, Narcissus had no choice.
Narcissus accepted the medicine bowl with both hands.
The bowl was slightly cool, and the medicine was thick.
Under Yi Fei's icy gaze, she slowly brought the bowl to her lips, tilted her head back, and drank it down in one gulp.
"very good."
Consort Yi looked at the empty medicine bowl with satisfaction, a fake smile on her face. "That's more like it. I'm doing this for your own good."
Instead of letting Narcissus leave, she pulled her aside and started talking about something else.
"Now that you have suddenly gained the Emperor's favor, your popularity is too high. Countless eyes are watching you, envious of you. The inner palace is treacherous; it's easy to dodge open attacks, but hard to guard against hidden arrows."
She spoke earnestly, as if she were thinking of Narcissus's best interests:
"In my opinion, you should... feign illness and rest properly in Changxin Palace for a while."
“Firstly, by avoiding the eye of the storm, those who resent you will have nowhere to strike… Secondly,” she paused meaningfully, “it will also give the Emperor… a break.”
Consort Yi covered her mouth and chuckled, "Men, they never cherish what they get too easily. If you avoid him and keep him in suspense, he'll remember you more, and his favor will last longer. Don't you think that makes sense?"
The Emperor suddenly found it amusing. If Narcissus were to successfully gain the Emperor's favor, she would likely be promoted after a few such instances.
Consort Yi thought that if she let Narcissus cool off the Emperor for a while, the Emperor might forget about Narcissus, and then Narcissus would be completely in her hands, at her mercy.
Narcissus lowered her eyes, revealing a grateful expression.
"Your Majesty is so thoughtful, while I am so foolish as to have overlooked this! I will follow Your Majesty's arrangements!"
"Yes, it's good that you understand." Consort Yi nodded in satisfaction when she saw that Narcissus was so obedient.
"Then it's settled. I'll have the Imperial Household Department remove your nameplate shortly. You can rest peacefully in the West Annex and don't go out unless necessary. If you need anything, just have a maid come to find Xuemei."
"Yes, thank you for your grace, Your Majesty." Shui Xian kowtowed in thanks, and then rose to take her leave at Consort Yi's signal.
Upon returning to the west wing, Shui Xian immediately rushed to the spittoon in the corner and pressed her hand against her stomach.
With a violent bout of dry heaving, she vomited up most of the black medicine!
When she could vomit nothing more, only acidic fluid remained, Narcissus leaned against the wall, panting, as if completely exhausted.
Looking at the pool of dark, murky medicine in the spittoon, Shui Xian's eyes were icy.
Whether or not this is a pregnancy-preserving medicine, it must never be ingested if it was given by Consort Yi!
She caught her breath for a moment, then forced herself to walk to the dressing table.
Among the items bestowed by Emperor Zhaoheng were several simple, plain silver hairpins.
Narcissus picked up one of the stems and examined the medicine she had just vomited.
A moment later, when Narcissus pulled out the silver hairpin, the tip of the originally shiny hairpin was covered with a layer of dull bluish-gray!
It really is poisonous!
Consort Yi, what a cruel heart you have! In this life, just because she was promoted to the rank of Consort, you want to take her life?!
With a cold face, Shui Xian picked up the spittoon, walked to a pot of blooming begonia by the window, and poured all the medicine into the soil of the pot without hesitation!
The dark brown liquid quickly seeped into the soil, leaving only a dark trace.
Consort Yi wanted her to take sick leave and avoid the Emperor's favor? She just wanted the Emperor to gradually forget about her.
But Consort Yi didn't know that during those three days in Qianqing Palace, she hadn't actually served the emperor!
A man who has tasted some sweetness but has not been satisfied is not deterred by a small green card.
——
For several days in a row, Emperor Zhaoheng did not set foot in the inner palace.
The mountains of memorials filled Emperor Zhaoheng's time.
However, whenever the night was quiet and he lay on his dragon bed, Emperor Zhaoheng could not help but recall those three days of absurdity.
That evening, having finally finished dealing with the backlog of government affairs, Emperor Zhaoheng leaned back on his dragon throne and closed his eyes to rest for a while.
Feng Shunxiang seized the opportunity, carrying a tray full of green plaques, and quietly walked to the imperial desk, kneeling respectfully: "Your Majesty, it's time to choose a plaque."
Emperor Zhaoheng slowly opened his eyes, his deep gaze sweeping across the tray.
Consort Wan, Noble Consort Li, Consort Rong... His gaze subconsciously searched for that familiar name.
However, after scanning back and forth twice, the green plaque with the name "Narcissus" engraved on it could not be found!
"Where's the 'Narcissus Always On' sign?"
Emperor Zhaoheng's voice was low and emotionless, yet it made Feng Shunxiang's heart skip a beat.
Feng Shunxiang hurriedly replied, "Your Majesty, a message has been sent from Changxin Palace to the Imperial Household Department, saying that Consort Shuixian caught a chill in the snow a few days ago and is still not fully recovered. She needs to rest for some time, so her nameplate has been temporarily removed for recuperation."
"You caught a chill? Are you still not fully recovered?"
Emperor Zhaoheng's brows were furrowed.
That day at Qianqing Palace, the imperial physician clearly said that the cold had been dispelled and that all that was needed was proper recuperation.
How come she's sick again after only a few days? How does Consort Yi take care of people?
"Prepare the carriage." Emperor Zhaoheng stood up. "To Changxin Palace!"
He wanted to go and see for himself how ill she was! Why couldn't she even hang a sign?
Inside Changxin Palace.
Upon receiving news of the Emperor's sudden arrival, Consort Yi immediately ordered someone to inform Consort Song to prepare for his arrival.
Consort Song rushed over to confirm, and Consort Yi gently comforted her:
"Don't panic, sister. His Majesty hasn't visited the inner palace in a long time. His visit to Changxin Palace today is your opportunity. I will recommend you to His Majesty later. You should prepare well and make sure to show your most charming style."
Upon hearing this, Consort Song was overjoyed.
The Emperor has finally arrived! She has been waiting for this moment for so long!
She quickly curtsied, her voice brimming with barely suppressed excitement: "Thank you for your kindness, Your Highness! I will go and do my hair and makeup now, and I will certainly not disappoint Your Highness's expectations!"
She turned and strode quickly toward her east wing, deliberately pausing as she passed the tightly closed door of the west wing.
Thinking of that lowly maidservant inside, who was unable to see the emperor due to illness, Consort Song curled her lips into a cruel, cold smile:
"Sister, I'm off to attend to His Majesty. You should rest peacefully in your room, little sister! When His Majesty arrives, don't wander around outside and catch a cold!"
Consort Song's smug boasting reached the west side hall.
Inside the west wing, Narcissus was dressing in front of a mirror.
Hearing Song Changzai's provocation outside the door, Shuixian's lips curved slightly.
Serving the Emperor? It seems Consort Song's hopes are about to be dashed!
Not long after, shouts of "Long live the Emperor!" came from outside the palace; Emperor Zhaoheng had arrived.
Inside the main hall, Consort Yi, accompanied by Consort Song, who was dressed in elaborate attire, respectfully greeted the emperor.
Song Changyi, dressed in a light pink silk dress, lowered her head, looking shy and timid, waiting for Consort Yi to recommend her.
"May Your Majesty enjoy boundless blessings," Consort Yi said with a beaming smile. "Consort Song, having heard of Your Majesty's arrival, has come especially to..."
"Where is Narcissus?" Emperor Zhaoheng interrupted Consort Yi directly, his gaze sweeping across the hall, but he did not see that slender figure.
"I heard she is ill? How ill is she? Has the imperial physician examined her?"
Both Consort Yi and Consort Song's smiles froze. Consort Yi hadn't expected that the Emperor's first question upon entering would be about Narcissus!
She hadn't prepared for this and couldn't come up with a name for the illness in a short time.
He could only force himself to remain calm and said, "Your Majesty, Shui Xian... is still feeling unwell. A few days ago, the cold penetrated her bones, damaging her vital energy. The imperial physician said... she needs to rest well and avoid exposure to wind..."
Emperor Zhaoheng noticed her barely concealed guilt and began to suspect her.
"What illness does she have? What are her symptoms? What prescription did the imperial physician give?"
"This..." Consort Yi was speechless when asked the question.
She was just making up an excuse to avoid being favored by the emperor; she didn't actually have any illness or remedy.
She stammered, "It's probably... a lingering cold that needs to be treated slowly..."
Seeing her evasive expression and vague words, Emperor Zhaoheng's suspicions deepened.
He ignored Consort Yi, stood up abruptly, and strode towards the west side hall.
"Your Majesty!" Consort Yi exclaimed in alarm, stepping forward to try and stop her. "Narcissus is still ill; she might pass on her illness to Your Majesty. Your Majesty's health is paramount!"
"The Emperor's health is of utmost importance?" Emperor Zhaoheng's voice was as cold as ice. "You, in your position, don't even know what illness she has? Or is she... not sick at all?"
As they were talking, Emperor Zhaoheng had already reached the entrance of the West Annex Hall and pushed the door open without hesitation.
The hall was brightly lit by candles and filled with a faint scent of ink.
What came into Emperor Zhaoheng's view was not a sickbed.
Narcissus was sitting upright at her desk by the window, dressed in plain clothes, her black hair loosely tied up.
She held a pen in her hand, and a sheet of snow-white Xuan paper was spread out in front of her. She was writing something with complete concentration.
The dim candlelight cast a soft glow around her, making her look serene and beautiful, without a trace of illness.
Hearing the door open, Shui Xian looked up in surprise and saw Emperor Zhaoheng. She hurriedly put down her pen and was about to rise to curtsy: "Your Majesty... Your Majesty? What brings you here? I have been so disrespectful..."
Emperor Zhaoheng walked a few steps to the desk, his gaze sweeping over her still-healthy face before finally settling on the paper covered with delicate calligraphy.
Although the handwriting is somewhat unskilled, it is neat and elegant, showing that the writer has put in the effort.
The paper was copied with Buddhist scriptures for praying for blessings and warding off disasters.
"Aren't you sick? Why aren't you lying down? What are you doing copying these things?"
The narcissus hung its head, as if it had done something wrong, and its voice was barely audible.
"This humble servant...this humble servant is not actually seriously ill. It's just that Her Majesty is considerate, saying that my sudden favor might attract jealousy, and has asked me to feign illness and rest quietly in the palace for a while to avoid the limelight..."
Her voice trailed off at this point, "I spend my days in the palace, filled with anxiety and unease. Thinking of the Emperor's great kindness towards me, I... I wished to copy some Buddhist scriptures to pray for His Majesty's well-being, and for the longevity of the nation..."
Emperor Zhaoheng looked at her hands, which were slightly clenched with nervousness, and the displeasure he felt for deceiving the emperor had long since vanished, leaving only the satisfaction of being quietly pleased.
It was Consort Yi's idea to feign illness, and even while confined to her room, she continued to copy scriptures and pray for his well-being.
What a silly girl...
He put down the scroll, reached out and lifted Narcissus's chin, forcing her to look at him.
In the candlelight, her face, without heavy makeup, was exquisitely beautiful. She looked timid, yet she made one want to cherish her dearly.
“Tell me,” Emperor Zhaoheng’s voice deepened, carrying a hint of coaxing, as he gently stroked her delicate chin with his thumb.
"Tonight...would you like to serve me in bed?"
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