Chapter 49 Consort Jin has an affair!
Under Emperor Zhaoheng's orders, the affair in Wenlan Palace was not made public.
Since that day, Emperor Zhaoheng has rarely visited the inner palace.
Upon discovering this, the first thing the ladies of the various palaces did was to inquire about the frequency of Emperor Zhaoheng's visits to Yongle Palace.
After learning that Emperor Zhaoheng was no longer visiting Yongle Palace, the ladies of the palace finally believed that the emperor had something to do recently and was not visiting either the new favorite in Yichang Palace or the imperial heir in Yongle Palace.
Only Shui Xian knew that Emperor Zhaoheng hadn't just stayed away much; he had come secretly and stealthily.
These days, Emperor Zhaoheng has become engrossed in the pleasures she has created. Although it doesn't happen often, he always leaves completely satisfied and content.
The daffodils are satisfied too.
Emperor Zhaoheng missed her, and she used Emperor Zhaoheng's help to alleviate her pregnancy symptoms.
In this matter, Emperor Zhaoheng proved to be extremely useful.
On this fine day, Narcissus and Silver Pearl went for a walk in the Imperial Garden.
Yinzhu was her personal maid. She could no longer use the excuse of visiting relatives after a few times, otherwise it would arouse suspicion.
Yinzhu couldn't explain the inn's operations clearly, only saying that although the innkeeper had given three questions, it hadn't stopped many people from staying there, and the second floor was full of guests.
In this way, it's unknown how much money will be lost.
"It's alright."
Shui Xian gently waved the round fan in her hand. She was currently favored by the emperor, and her family had been rewarded by Emperor Zhaoheng, so they were not short of gold and silver for the time being.
"I wonder if that shopkeeper surnamed Zhou put any effort into setting the questions!"
Yinzhu muttered to herself, thinking of that somewhat suave young man, and felt that he was not very reliable.
Narcissus just smiled and didn't say anything.
In his previous life, Zhou Yan would probably still be a poor scholar who was desperately trying to pass the imperial examinations.
A few months later, his family member fell seriously ill and needed money, so he gave up the imperial examination and became the accountant of "Zhuangyuanlou".
Unexpectedly, Zhou Yan, who was good at studying, was quite capable in accounting and business. At some point, the manager took a liking to him and put him in charge of Zhuangyuanlou. In a short period of time, he made Zhuangyuanlou the number one in the hearts of the scholars.
Occasionally, Zhou Yan would bring people to the Red Night Pavilion for business purposes, either to entertain business partners or to socialize and gather information with the Chamber of Commerce.
Every time, Zhou Yan would come to her room.
Zhou Yan never had anything with her. He always pretended to be a carefree playboy, and when they closed the door, he would only drink with her. Occasionally, when he was in a good mood, he would reveal some of his business secrets.
The idea of setting exam questions and offering discounted accommodations to candidates was all Zhou Yan's idea from his previous life.
Narcissus's advance warning was a way of returning the idea to its rightful owner.
The last time Shui Xian knew about him was from someone else; she heard that Zhou Yan's mother had passed away after being bedridden for several years.
After spending all his family's money on his mother's funeral, Zhou Yan bid farewell to the owner of Zhuangyuanlou Restaurant and once again became a poor scholar preparing for the imperial examinations.
only.
Whether it was due to his increased experience in business and dealing with all sorts of people, or some other reason, Zhou Yan eventually became a third-ranked scholar in the imperial examinations, and was rumored to be the top choice for many noble families as their son-in-law.
Although Shui Xian spent little time with him, she knew him to be a man of deep affection and ideals, and trusted him to run the family inn.
In his past life, he made Zhuangyuanlou the best in the capital. This time, he will surely make Dengdi Inn a great success.
Although Yinzhu didn't know about Shuixian's past life memories, she trusted Shuixian from the bottom of her heart, so she didn't say anything and helped her walk slowly on the bluestone path.
"You don't need to go to the inn during this period to avoid attracting attention. Just wait for the results to be announced in a few days and pay attention to the news coming from outside the palace."
As she spoke, Narcissus held up her round fan and fanned Yinzhu.
Yinzhu smiled and agreed. Her originally quiet and reserved personality became even more cheerful after coming to Shuixian's side.
Suddenly, out of the corner of her eye, Yinzhu caught sight of someone in the distance, and the smile on her lips froze slightly.
She gestured to Narcissus with her eyes, and Narcissus looked up and saw Yingying approaching.
It is Consort Wen.
Consort Wen wore a light pink palace dress with peony and silver patterns, and her hair was adorned with light red coral hairpins. A string of pearl hair ornaments swayed gently with her steps.
Upon approaching, Consort Wen curtsied.
"Hello, Consort Jin."
Shui Xian nodded slightly, her voice clear and cold, "Consort Wen is a year older than me, so I am not worthy to be Consort Wen's older sister."
Among noble ladies, one doesn't hit someone who's smiling.
But Narcissus was never a noblewoman.
Consort Wen's smile froze. She gave an awkward laugh and had no choice but to change her form of address.
“Your Highness Consort Jin,” Yi Shuyao put on a gentle smile, but if you looked closely, you would find that her smile was only superficial.
Yi Shuyao smiled and said, "It's been a long time since I've seen Your Majesty out and about. The weather is fine today, so Your Majesty must be out for a stroll. I'm sure you're in good health and that the dragon child in your womb is healthy and lively."
Her words seemed concerned, but her gaze was inquisitive, falling on the daffodil's lower abdomen, where the slight bulge was hidden by her robe.
Shui Xian noticed Yi Shuyao's probing gaze, but she wasn't surprised at all.
It wasn't just her who had doubts; countless eyes, both inside and outside the palace, were watching her belly, speculating and questioning.
After all, Emperor Zhaoheng had no children for many years, so how could she become pregnant with his offspring after only a few favors?
However.
From Yi Shuyao's probing, Shui Xian astutely gleaned a crucial piece of information:
Yi Shuyao was completely unaware of her own fertility!
Shui Xian thought to herself, Yi Guichun must not have told this secret to Yi Shuyao, her half-sister whom she had always looked down upon!
This gave Narcissus a chance to fight back.
Narcissus seemed offended by Yi Shuyao's probing, and said coldly:
"The Empress and the Crown Prince are being carefully cared for by the imperial physicians, so there is no need for Consort Wen to worry. As for you, Consort Wen, instead of worrying about others, you should think more about how to cultivate your character and avoid trouble."
Having said that, Shui Xian didn't give Yi Shuyao a chance to speak again. Holding Yin Zhu's hand, her tone was slightly impatient:
"I am tired. Yinzhu, return to the palace."
She didn't even glance at Yi Shuyao before turning and leaving with Yinzhu in a slightly hurried manner.
Seeing this, Yi Shuyao felt that even Shui Xian's back view revealed her guilt.
A smug look flashed in her eyes, as if she had discovered some earth-shattering secret.
"She's feeling guilty...she really is feeling guilty!"
Yi Shuyao's eyes flickered slightly, and she whispered the instructions to her trusted maid:
"Go, find reliable people to keep a close watch on Yongle Palace! Especially those around Consort Jin. Report any unusual activity immediately! Remember, it must be done discreetly!"
"Yes, my lord!"
The maid nodded and left as instructed.
Two days later, Yinzhu, who had been observing the movements inside and outside Yongle Palace, noticed something unusual.
She noticed that there was always a low-ranking palace maid with an unfamiliar face lingering in a few inconspicuous corners at the foot of the wall of Yongle Palace. Her gaze seemed unintentional, but she always glanced towards the palace gate.
Yinzhu remained calm and quietly summoned two trusted eunuchs, whispering a few instructions to them.
Soon, the young eunuch reported back.
They followed quietly, and saw the furtive palace maid slip into the back gate of Yichang Palace.
"Your Majesty, just as you predicted."
Yinzhu returned to the main hall of Yongle Palace and reported to Shuixian, who was lazily leaning on a soft couch and eating fruit with a silver fork.
"They were informants sent by Consort Wen. Their methods of surveillance were somewhat sophisticated, but they couldn't hide it from us."
Narcissus used a silver fork to pick up a plump, red cherry and put it in her mouth.
She moved with a languid grace, and upon hearing this, she merely smiled lightly: "Oh? Is that so? That's interesting."
She slowly and deliberately instructed, "Do not disturb her, nor drive her away. Yinzhu, give the order to protect this spy sent by Consort Wen."
"Absolutely, don't let her get exposed."
Narcissus then used a silver fork to poke a cherry, and bright red juice splashed out, landing on the white porcelain plate like fine rouge, or like drops of fresh, dripping blood.
A knowing smile flashed in Yinzhu's eyes, and she nodded in response:
"Yes, Your Majesty, rest assured, this servant will ensure that she finds out comfortably and successfully!"
The days that followed were exceptionally smooth for the young palace maid who had been assigned to monitor Yongle Palace.
The strict security measures she had imagined did not materialize at all.
The servants of Yongle Palace seemed completely unaware of her, a little palace maid who often lingered nearby, and the guards at the palace gates were also lazy. She could even get closer and see clearly who was entering and leaving the palace.
The young palace maid was secretly delighted, thinking that Consort Jin's pregnancy had caused her to neglect palace management, allowing her to take advantage of the situation.
She grew bolder and became even more diligent in her surveillance.
That evening, as night fell, the palace roads became quiet, with few palace servants coming and going.
As usual, the young palace maid hid behind a thicket of trees, her eyes fixed on the direction of Yongle Palace.
Suddenly, her gaze fixed on the side gate of Yongle Palace.
A tall, imposing man dressed in a dark blue guard uniform quietly slipped in through a side door during the brief shift change at Yongle Palace!
Judging by their uniforms, they're... imperial guards?!
The young palace maid frowned slightly, a hint of doubt flashing in her eyes.
The imperial guards only serve by the emperor's side, so why would they be sneaking around Yongle Palace alone at this hour? Did they slip in through a side gate?
The young palace maid suddenly opened her eyes wide.
Adultery! It must be Consort Jin who is having an affair!
She had finally caught Consort Jin red-handed and could now go to Consort Wen for a hefty reward.
She immediately turned around and ran wildly towards Yichang Palace!
At the same time.
Inside the main hall of Yongle Palace.
Narcissus, dressed in her nightgown, was about to go to bed.
The drowsiness she experienced during pregnancy made her rest early.
Suddenly, she vaguely heard the curtain of the inner room being lifted, making a soft rustling sound.
Narcissus did not turn over, but raised her voice slightly and called softly.
"Silver beads?"
The person who came did not make a sound, but walked a few steps to her bedside.
Narcissus sensed something was wrong. As soon as she sat up, she saw that the bed curtains had been lifted by a corner.
The first thing she saw was the man's outstretched hand. He was dressed in a dark blue guard uniform, and his presence carried the chill of the spring night.
He covered Narcissus's lips, which were about to cry out, and the ambergris scent lingered on his sleeve, filling the small space.
Narcissus blinked slightly, looking at the man who had come tonight not wearing a dragon robe, but rather a guard's robe.
Emperor Zhaoheng chuckled softly and then took out a strip of cloth from his robes and blindfolded her.
As darkness fell, Narcissus felt him suddenly lean in, his slender hand unbuttoning the hidden clasp of her nightgown.
"Your Majesty Consort Jin has long admired you."
His hot breath reddened the tips of her ears, causing her to shudder.
"Your Highness, may I be granted a night of pleasure?"
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com