Chapter 241 The Happiness of Raising Children
As night fell, the Forbidden City's many palaces were enveloped in tranquility, with only the palace lanterns hanging from the eaves swaying gently in the chilly night breeze, casting a warm, dim glow.
Inside the Lihe Palace, the underground heating system was burning brightly, and the incense burner was filled with the fragrant smoke of styrax, spreading warmth and dispelling the chill of deep winter.
Only a few glass palace lanterns were lit inside the hall, casting a soft, flowing light.
The light illuminated the exquisite furnishings inside the hall, as well as the serene and gentle profile of Narcissus. She was reading a book, her skirt draped over the soft couch, and everything seemed so relaxed.
Not long after.
Familiar footsteps and the eunuch's rapid announcement came from outside the hall. Shui Xian put down the book she was reading, a faint smile naturally spreading across her lips, and rose to greet him.
Emperor Zhaoheng arrived under the cover of night, his shoulders still damp with the lingering chill of the night.
Shui Xian stepped forward and naturally took off his heavy black cloak embroidered with gold dragon patterns, handing it to Yin Zhu beside her, and then handed him a cup of hot tea that had been prepared in advance and was at the perfect temperature.
"Your Majesty has worked hard."
Her voice was soft, like a warm spring breeze in the cold winter night.
Emperor Zhaoheng took the teacup and his gaze fell on her.
Perhaps because she was inside the palace, she was only wearing a light purple soft satin dress, her black hair loosely tied up, and a simple white jade hairpin in her hair.
Under the lamplight, her eyebrows and eyes appeared even more gentle and charming.
The tension that had gripped me during the day due to the complexities of court politics unexpectedly eased the moment I saw her smiling eyes.
As I walked through the cold night, the slight chill on my skin seemed to melt away with the warmth of the room and her gentle gaze.
He reached out and naturally pulled her into his arms.
Emperor Zhaoheng gently rubbed his cheek against the top of her fragrant hair, took a deep breath, and sighed, "Seeing Xian'er makes me forget my hardships."
Narcissus nestled in his arms, reached out and gently stroked his furrowed brow with her fingertips, and whispered, "While state affairs are important, Your Majesty should also take care of your health."
Emperor Zhaoheng took her warm hand in his cool palm and led her back to sit down on the warm couch.
The flickering candlelight cast the silhouettes of the two people nestled together onto the screen.
In just a few breaths, you can see the figures gradually approaching, and some even overlap, forming a deeper shadow.
"Were Qingyan and Qinghe well-behaved today?"
Emperor Zhaoheng asked casually, his tone gentle as a father.
When the children were mentioned, the smile in Narcissus's eyes deepened.
"When Qingyan woke up from his afternoon nap, he insisted on grabbing Qinghe's toes and playing with them, which made Qinghe cry. After the wet nurse finally managed to soothe him, he crawled over and babbled as if he was apologizing, which was quite amusing."
When the topic turned to twins, Narcissus's voice was filled with affection.
In her previous life, she never had time to take care of her children. This time, however, she was able to have three adorable children by her side, and Narcissus felt an indescribable joy and happiness in raising children.
Upon hearing Narcissus mention the amusing incident involving the twins that day, Emperor Zhaoheng imagined the scene and couldn't help but chuckle.
At this point, the slight irritation caused by the courtiers' arguments during the day completely vanished.
He looked down at the woman in his arms, whose face appeared even more radiant and jade-like under the lamplight, his fingertips unconsciously twirling a stray strand of her hair.
The man's gaze was tender and undisguised, enveloping Narcissus like a fragrant mist, as if it could actually permeate her thin clothes.
The atmosphere inside the hall grew increasingly ambiguous... and heated up.
As night deepened, faint, sticky sounds could be heard coming from inside the room.
The air inside the tent was filled with a warm fragrance. Emperor Zhaoheng's kisses were delicate and gentle, filled with endless affection, falling on Shuixian's brows and eyelids, and finally covering her slightly cool lips.
Narcissus's eyelashes trembled slightly, and she slowly closed her eyes, responding gracefully.
The bright moon in the sky seemed to fall into her embrace, and the twinkling stars accompanied her. At this moment, Narcissus was like a goddess in a celestial palace, so light that she seemed to be able to fly to the sky on clouds.
His movements were extremely patient and tender, and only when he felt the softness of her body and her response did he gradually deepen the kiss.
Clothes gradually fell away, skin touched, body temperature mingled.
As the brocade quilt swayed, Emperor Zhaoheng whispered soft, warm words in her ear, full of affection and contentment.
His praise was like that of a deity; at this moment, she was even higher than the emperor, holding his joys and sorrows in her hands.
"Xian'er... my Xian'er..."
Narcissus's cheeks were flushed, as if painted with the finest rouge, and her dark hair, damp with sweat, clung to her forehead and neck, adding to her delicate and languid charm.
She clung to his strong arm, rising and falling in the waves he created, soft sobs escaping her throat.
After the passion subsided, the tent was filled with a languid and ambiguous atmosphere, a result of the lingering desire.
Shui Xian felt weak all over, the blush on her cheeks still lingering, as she leaned against Emperor Zhaoheng's sweaty chest, breathing slightly heavily.
Emperor Zhaoheng leaned against the headboard, his arm still possessively wrapped around her slender waist, while his other hand gently stroked her black hair, which was draped over the pillow like the finest silk.
The man's brows furrowed with the relaxation that comes after a satisfying meal.
After a moment of silence, Emperor Zhaoheng seemed to remember something and casually broke the tranquility of the tent: "Today, the Empress Dowager left the heir of Prince Duan behind, saying that she would raise him herself."
Upon hearing this, Narcissus's eyelashes fluttered slightly, her tone calm and unwavering, revealing no trace of joy or anger, as if she were merely stating a trivial matter unrelated to herself.
"After experiencing such a great upheaval, the Empress Dowager must have suffered both physically and mentally. She must be looking for something to rely on, and having a child by her side could help alleviate her loneliness."
She paused, then gently traced his chest with her fingertips.
"The Empress Dowager also said that when Qingyan and Qinghe are older and more sensible, the Crown Prince should come to Lihe Palace more often to play with them. They are about the same age, so they can have each other as companions."
She relayed these words verbatim, without any personal emotion, neither complaining nor agreeing.
However, upon hearing this, Emperor Zhaoheng immediately frowned, his previous laziness and comfort instantly replaced by displeasure.
He snorted coldly, making no attempt to hide his disgust for the father and son: "Nonsense! What kind of scoundrel is Xiao Yirui? He's a wolf in sheep's clothing, he deserves to die!"
"His son, spoiled by such a woman, how good can he be? I heard that today in the Imperial Garden, that brat dared to lay a hand on Yongning! So arrogant and ruthless at such a young age, and Mother still wants him to accompany my son? It's utterly absurd!"
He grew angrier as he spoke, tightening his arms around Narcissus and pulling her closer into his embrace. His tone was resolute, filled with an unbelievable forcefulness.
"My princes and princesses are the continuation of my bloodline with yours. They are of the highest order and preciousness. How could such worthless bastards be allowed to touch them? They will corrupt my children!"
He looked down at the narcissus, his gaze deep and thoughtful.
"If the Empress Dowager is truly lonely and wants to raise a child to relieve her boredom, she can simply choose a few orphans from the collateral branches of the imperial clan who are well-behaved and sensible."
"Tomorrow I will speak with the Empress Dowager. This child should be sent back to Prince Duan's residence to be raised, or another honest and law-abiding family of the imperial clan should be found to foster him. He must not be allowed to stay in the palace, and he must not be allowed to get close to Qingyan and Qinghe even a step!"
Sensing the undisguised protection in his words, Narcissus felt little emotional, but a hint of worry appeared on her face.
Instead of taking the opportunity to fan the flames, she gently advised, "Your Majesty, please calm down. Everything is up to Your Majesty and the Empress Dowager to decide. Your Majesty..."
"Your Majesty, I was just thinking that Her Majesty the Empress Dowager has just lost Xiao Yirui and is still heartbroken. She is now devoted to this young prince and cherishes him like a treasure. If Your Majesty were to forcibly send the young prince away now, I'm afraid... I'm afraid Her Majesty the Empress Dowager is still recovering from her illness and cannot bear such a shock, which would only damage the bond between mother and son."
She hesitated to speak, showing remarkable understanding and consideration for the bigger picture.
When Emperor Zhaoheng saw how sensible she was, not only did she not take advantage of his favor, but she also considered his feelings, the Empress Dowager's feelings, and their mother-son relationship in every way, his heart was filled with boundless affection.
He lowered his head and tenderly kissed the top of her fragrant hair, sighing:
"Xian'er, you are just too kind, always thinking of others. As for the Empress Dowager, I know what I'm doing and will find a proper way to avoid making her too sad, while also ensuring that the child doesn't threaten your and the children's safety."
He cupped her face in his hands, making her look into his eyes, his gaze intense, his tone more solemn than ever before.
"In the end, no one in this palace can wrong you, and I... will never allow it."
Narcissus met his deep eyes, where her reflection was clearly seen, as if she truly was the only treasure he cherished.
She softly hummed in agreement, burying her face back in the warmth of his neck, concealing the complex thoughts that flashed across her eyes.
Emperor Zhaoheng felt her dependence and felt even more satisfied. He thought, what's wrong with dealing with his mother for the sake of the woman in his arms?
He held her tightly, and the two fell asleep in each other's arms, their body temperatures mingling and their breaths mingling.
As night deepened, the emperor and his concubines embraced in the Lihe Palace, a scene of harmony and tranquility unfolding.
However, a different scene unfolded in the nearby Cining Palace. The young Crown Prince Chengge, having been suddenly separated from his mother and placed in an unfamiliar environment, was crying incessantly due to the fright he had suffered during the day, and no amount of coaxing or comforting from the palace servants could soothe him.
The Empress Dowager leaned against the couch, listening to the wailing coming from the side hall. Her face showed exhaustion and barely concealed irritability. She gently rubbed her temples, tossing and turning, unable to fall asleep.
The palace lanterns cast long shadows of hers onto the cold palace walls, a lonely and heavy sight.
This night, some people are destined to have a sleepless night...
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