Chapter 133 It's windy outside, I'll accompany you back.
Emperor Zhaoheng did not stay overnight at Lihe Palace that day, but issued an imperial edict the next day.
Although he did not lift Narcissus's confinement, he ordered her to take a walk in the Imperial Garden every day to improve her health.
Upon receiving the imperial edict, Shui Xian instructed Ting Lu to personally deliver it to Feng Shunxiang.
She returned to her inner room by herself. As she lifted the curtain and stepped inside, Narcissus glanced at the pair of Qilin that had disappeared from the antique shelf.
Finally, we found it.
Narcissus slightly curved her eyes, which, reflected in the warm sunlight outside the window, made her eyes appear even clearer, and a faint smile appeared on her face.
After lunch, Shui Xian, accompanied by her maids, went to the Imperial Garden as arranged by Emperor Zhaoheng.
Upon learning that Consort Jin, who was pregnant, was going out, the long street from Lihe Palace to the Imperial Garden, including the Imperial Garden itself, was swept clean of the floating snow.
When Narcissus entered with her maid, she saw a newly renovated garden path.
Every pebble that paved the path was swept clean.
Beside Narcissus was the maid who had given her the sour fruit earlier, named Shu'er.
No matter how much Tinglu insisted, Shuixian didn't take her with her.
Although Tinglu hadn't broken any bones, Shuixian was still worried that her active nature might cause problems with her legs, so she decided to have Shuer accompany her on her daily walks in the Imperial Garden.
The air in the Imperial Garden was crisp and clear in the afternoon, unlike the paths where snow still lingered in the plum garden.
Sunlight shines on the snow, reflecting a dazzling array of light. Patches of red plum blossoms bloom against the backdrop of the white snow, their subtle fragrance wafting through the air.
Upon reaching the vicinity of the plum grove, Narcissus paused to admire the scenery and couldn't help but murmur in admiration:
"These red plum blossoms are blooming beautifully."
Seeing that she liked it, and knowing that she was pregnant and it was inconvenient for her to step into the snow, Shu'er volunteered to go.
"If Your Highness likes it, may I go and pick a few branches for you to put in a vase?"
Narcissus smiled slightly and pointed to a spot not far away: "Thank you for your help, that one that's blooming perfectly."
Shu'er responded, lifted her skirt and stepped into the plum garden. Her embroidered shoes were quickly soaked through in the snow, carrying a noticeable chill.
Her heart was burning with warmth, and she felt that if she could help Consort Jin, her future would be bright.
Just then, a few people emerged from the winding path not far away.
Consort Wan and Consort Yao (Yi Shuyao) arrived together, followed by a group of palace servants.
The daffodils didn't notice them, but they did notice the daffodils.
Yi Shuyao paused, her gaze falling on the figure in the Imperial Garden dressed in a silver-white fox fur coat.
The large fox fur coat concealed her pregnant figure, revealing only her small face, flushed and pale from the cold air, while the white wool surrounding her made her appear even more delicate and graceful.
Despite being confined to her quarters, she seemed to be a stunning beauty nurtured by countless acts of pampering, showing no sign of distress whatsoever.
Yi Shuyao lightly clenched the handkerchief in her hand. She was both dazzled by the beauty of the narcissus and couldn't help but feel jealousy and resentment.
In the distance, Shui Xian directed Shu'er to pick red plum blossoms, unaware that Consort Wan and Consort Yao were walking side by side with her.
Consort Wan had exceptionally good hearing and happened to hear Narcissus call the palace maid's name.
She leaned closer to Yi Shuyao's ear and whispered with a smile:
"Shu'er? Tsk tsk, I wonder which character it is. If it's the same character 'Shu' as your given name, sister, that would be quite a coincidence..."
Yi Shuyao was already displeased when she saw the narcissus, and upon hearing Wanfei's words, a fierce look appeared in her eyes.
Narcissus did this on purpose!
It must be because the Emperor has been visiting her frequently lately, while Narcissus herself has been confined and fallen out of favor, and she is filled with resentment and jealousy, so she deliberately gave the lowly palace maid beside her a name similar to hers.
Thus, he kept her by his side and called her name every day, thus humiliating her!
Yi Shuyao was born to a concubine and was not brought back to the mansion until she grew up. She grew up being observant of others' moods and sometimes thought things through a lot.
She always remembered that Shui Xian was a servant in the Yi family, and now that she had been humiliated by Shui Xian, she felt even more distressed.
Consort Wan watched as Yi Shuyao's gaze grew increasingly dark, until she saw Yi Shuyao lift her leg and walk towards the narcissus. A smile quickly flashed across Consort Wan's face.
When Narcissus saw that Shu'er had picked enough red plums, she called out to her to come back.
Then I heard footsteps approaching from afar.
"Your Majesty, this concubine greets Consort Jin."
Yi Shuyao's voice was respectful enough, but Shui Xian didn't expect Yi Shuyao to take the initiative to greet her. She couldn't help but raise an eyebrow and quietly watch what Yi Shuyao wanted to do.
"Your Majesty is in a fine mood today, and has come to admire the plum blossoms as well."
As Yi Shuyao finished speaking, Consort Wan walked over gracefully.
"But... if Your Majesty dislikes me, you can simply tell me directly. Why resort to such methods, deliberately giving me a maid with a similar name to mine to humiliate me every day?"
After a moment's thought, Narcissus understood.
Her eyes flickered slightly as she looked at Yi Shuyao, "Why do I dislike you? And when did I humiliate you?"
Seeing her completely oblivious and frank appearance, Yi Shuyao was even more furious, convinced that she was pretending to be stupid. She bit her lip and said, "Why does Your Majesty ask when you already know the answer? Isn't it because... because His Majesty has been visiting me more often lately?"
Recently, Consort Jin, who is pregnant, has been confined to her quarters, and rumors are circulating in the palace that she is about to lose power.
Yi Shuyao muttered, "The Empress is resentful, so she resorts to such despicable means..."
Upon hearing this, Narcissus felt it was absurd.
Yi Shuyao suddenly fell out of favor and then regained it. Emperor Zhaoheng only visited her a few more times, but she thought she was so favored.
She's a narcissist, not someone I'd hold a grudge against.
Shui Xian glanced at Consort Wan, who was clearly watching the show, and then killed two birds with one stone by gathering them together and scolding them.
"His Majesty has indeed visited you quite frequently lately. But if you're going to hold a grudge because of that, then the one who should resent you the most is probably Consort Wan, isn't she?"
"After all... His Majesty hasn't set foot in Consort Wan's palace for a long time, doesn't Consort Yao think so?"
Consort Wan was initially happy to see them fighting like dogs, but unexpectedly, the fire suddenly spread to her. She was publicly mocked by Shui Xian for being out of favor, and the fake smile on her face instantly froze.
However, although Shui Xian was confined to her quarters, she was still a Noble Consort, and the cautious Consort Wan would not easily contradict her.
Narcissus, too lazy to engage in any more pointless arguments with them, directly addressed Shu'er, who had just approached carrying plum blossoms, saying, "Shu'er, come here."
"Tell Consort Yao, when was your name given? And what character is it?"
Shu'er quickly stepped forward, knelt down respectfully, and replied, "Your Highness, Consort Yao, my humble name is Shu, meaning virtuous and gentle."
“This is the name I have been registered under since I entered the Imperial Household Department through the preliminary selection two years ago. This can be verified in the Imperial Household Department’s registers and archives.”
More than two years ago?
Upon hearing this, Yi Shuyao turned pale. At that time, she was still in the Yi residence and had not yet entered the palace.
Narcissus asked her calmly, "Did Consort Yao hear me clearly?"
I thought that Yi Shuyao would give up now.
Unexpectedly, after realizing her embarrassment, Yi Shuyao became somewhat persistent in pestering him.
"Before... I misunderstood Your Majesty. I apologize to Your Majesty."
"But now that Your Majesty knows that this servant's name is similar to mine, it is really unpleasant to hear... Could Your Majesty please have mercy and allow this servant to change her name?"
Yi Shuyao thought to herself: Although Shu'er entered the palace earlier than her, who knows if Shui Xian summoned her to serve her because of her similar name?
She always felt that Narcissus's rank was now much higher than hers, and that this would humiliate her.
After all, when she was a concubine's daughter who entered the manor, she had also embarrassed Shui Xian, the legitimate daughter's maid.
Yi Shuyao, who considered herself clever, said:
"Otherwise, people will inevitably think that Your Highness deliberately chose such a maid with a similar name to keep by your side, which would ultimately harm Your Highness's reputation, wouldn't it?"
Narcissus studied her feigned humility, completely unaffected by her high moral standards.
She sneered, "What if I refuse?"
Seeing her firm attitude, Yi Shuyao steeled her heart and actually brought up the emperor.
"If Your Majesty insists on doing so... then I have no choice but to report these grievances to the Emperor."
"I wonder what His Majesty would think if he knew that Consort Jin was still acting so arrogantly and without any remorse during her confinement, just like Consort Li back then."
Before Yi Shuyao could finish speaking, a cold, angry voice suddenly came from behind them.
"Consort Yao, you are but a mere concubine, yet you dare to speak to the Noble Consort in such a manner. I believe the truly arrogant and unruly person is... you!"
Upon hearing this voice, Yi Shuyao felt a chill run down her spine.
She turned her head abruptly, and the next moment she met Emperor Zhaoheng's furious eyes.
"Your Majesty! That's not what I meant..."
Yi Shuyao knelt on the ground, feeling her heart and liver tremble.
Emperor Zhaoheng didn't bother listening to her explanation. He stood there tall and imposing, his bright yellow dragon robe fluttering in the wind, representing the supreme power in the world.
"You dare to offend someone of high status, speak inappropriately, and even use the Emperor to threaten the Imperial Concubine? Who gave you the audacity!"
"Feng Shunxiang!"
Feng Shunxiang, standing to the side, bowed his head and stepped forward, saying, "This servant is here."
"By imperial decree, Consort Yao, of the Yi clan, for her immoral words and actions, offending the Noble Consort, is hereby demoted to the rank of Noble Lady, confined to her quarters for one month, and ordered to copy the palace rules one hundred times! She shall learn properly what rules are!"
Yi Shuyao had finally managed to show her face in front of the Emperor after years of hard work practicing dance, and was even promoted in the Grand Conferment of Titles among the Six Palaces because of the Empress's mention of her.
Unexpectedly, the rank of concubine that she had worked so hard to obtain was lost so easily.
"Your Majesty, please forgive me! Your Majesty..."
Emperor Zhaoheng didn't even glance at her again, his cold gaze sweeping over Consort Wan beside him: "Consort Wan, since you were present, you didn't try to dissuade them, but instead condoned the trouble, you are also at fault... Go back to your own palace and reflect on your actions!"
Consort Wan hurriedly knelt down to express her gratitude.
Emperor Zhaoheng had just finished court and had come here specifically to find Shui Xian. Now that everything was resolved, he stepped forward and took Shui Xian's hand.
He whispered in her ear, his voice filled with undisguised tenderness.
"It's windy outside, I'll accompany you back."
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