Chapter 10 Give Me a Child
Narcissus trembled slightly, as if startled by the blunt question. Her cheeks flushed instantly, and her eyes darted away in a panic.
She bit her lower lip lightly, hesitated for a moment:
"But Consort Song said...it's her turn to serve the Emperor tonight..."
She deliberately brought up Consort Song, diverting the conflict.
Sure enough, when Emperor Zhaoheng recalled the flamboyant figure outside the palace, a wave of disgust washed over him.
His gaze was fixed on Shui Xian's blushing face, domineering and forceful: "I only ask you if you want it? As long as you nod, tonight, I only want you."
Narcissus's ears turned red. She raised her watery eyes and quickly glanced at Emperor Zhaoheng.
Then, under Emperor Zhaoheng's possessive gaze, she nodded very slightly.
Emperor Zhaoheng's eyes suddenly darkened. He said no more, bent down, put his long arm under her knees, and wrapped his other hand around her slender waist, easily lifting her up in his arms!
"Ah!" Narcissus exclaimed softly, instinctively wrapping her arms around his neck.
Emperor Zhaoheng held her in his arms, turned around, and strode out of the west wing.
Outside the palace gates, Consort Yi and the meticulously dressed Consort Song waited anxiously.
When they saw Emperor Zhaoheng carrying Shuixian, who was dressed in plain clothes and had her hair loose, the expressions on their faces froze instantly!
Consort Yi's face turned ashen.
Song Changzai was struck dumb, and even her carefully applied makeup couldn't hide her jealousy!
Shouldn't the Emperor favor her tonight?! How could it be that lowly maid!
Emperor Zhaoheng didn't even glance at them, holding the warm and soft woman in his arms, and uttered a cold sentence: "Prepare the carriage for Qianqing Palace!"
The biting cold wind in the courtyard could not cool the burning jealousy in Consort Song's heart!
She watched helplessly as Emperor Zhaoheng, holding Narcissus, stepped onto the imperial carriage as if he were carrying some rare treasure.
The bright yellow curtain fell, completely blocking her view and shattering all her expectations and fantasies for the night.
The carefully chosen dress, the countless times practiced demure poses... all became a huge joke!
"How could... how could it be her?!" Consort Song's voice was distorted with extreme anger. "It should have been me! Consort Yi, didn't you say... didn't you say the Emperor would summon me tonight?!"
Seeing Consort Song on the verge of losing control, Consort Yi felt a surge of irritation.
Emperor Zhaoheng taking Shuixian away was completely unexpected for her.
But at this moment, she was more worried that Song Changzai might say something inappropriate in the courtyard.
"Shut up!" Consort Yi grabbed Consort Song's wrist.
"Do you want the entire palace to hear your loss of composure? Come in with me!"
Without giving her a chance to explain, she practically dragged the distraught Consort Song into the inner chamber of the main hall and waved away all the palace servants.
Only the two of them remained in the inner room. The stove was burning brightly, but it couldn't dispel the deathly pallor on Consort Song's face.
"Your Majesty!" Consort Song abruptly shook off Consort Yi's hand, her chest heaving violently, unable to suppress her emotions any longer.
"That vixen, Narcissus! She's a shameless vixen! How dare she steal my opportunities time and time again?!"
"Your Majesty, look at her! She dares to seduce the Emperor with her hair all disheveled! She's utterly shameless..."
"Enough!" Consort Yi slammed her hand on the table, her face ashen. "How dare you speak such vulgarities in front of me! You are a lady of noble birth, not a shrew from the marketplace!"
Song Changzai flinched at her sharp shout, but the immense humiliation still made her indignant.
Consort Yi took a deep breath, suppressing her anger at having her plans disrupted by the Emperor and Narcissus. She quickly adopted a helpless expression, and her voice softened slightly:
"Sister Song, please calm down. It is my fault, it is my fault... I misjudged people and failed to teach them properly."
She sighed, her tone filled with self-reproach, "I originally thought that since Narcissus was someone I brought into the palace, and she was an honest and dutiful person, it would be a blessing for her to have a chance to appear before the Emperor."
"Who would have thought... Alas, I misjudged her. I never expected her to be so scheming and shameless in vying for favor! It has caused you, my sister, to suffer. I... I am truly ashamed of you."
Her apology, seemingly taking responsibility upon herself, was actually fueling Song Changzai's anger with every word.
Sure enough, as Song Changzai listened, her hatred for Shui Xian grew even stronger!
She felt that even Consort Yi had been deceived by Shui Xian's pitiful appearance.
"Your Majesty, I...I don't blame you!"
Consort Song's voice trembled with tears, filled with resentment, "I just... I just can't swallow this insult! Look at me, today in front of the Emperor... I've completely lost face!"
"All the servants in the palace are watching! From now on... how will I ever be able to maintain my position in the harem?"
She thought that if the news of her failure to serve the emperor that day got out, Consort Song would be unable to resist tearing Shui Xian apart alive.
With red-rimmed eyes, Consort Song glanced suggestively at Consort Yi.
"Besides... Your Majesty, the tributes my father sent to the palace were no small sum! I ask for nothing more than an opportunity to serve the Emperor. Is that too much to ask?"
"Your Majesty...you must give me a definite answer!"
She didn't dare to threaten Consort Yi directly, but her words carried a hint of questioning.
A cold glint flashed in Consort Yi's eyes!
What a scoundrel, Consort Song! How dare she use the gold and silver she received to blackmail her?
"Consort Song!" Consort Yi's voice was stern. "Watch your words! I appreciate your father's intentions, but the matter of serving the emperor is a matter of imperial will. How can I arrange it at will?"
Her gaze suddenly turned icy, unlike her previous gentleness, making Song Changzai feel as if he had fallen into an ice cellar.
"Your Majesty, please calm your anger!"
Consort Song was so frightened that her face turned even paler than before, and her voice trembled. "This concubine...this concubine misspoke! This concubine was just momentarily blinded by anger, and had absolutely no intention of questioning Your Majesty!"
The fierceness in Consort Yi's eyes gradually subsided.
She picked up the slightly cool teacup on the table, took a sip, and her voice regained its usual calm:
"Get up. Considering this is your first offense, I will not pursue the matter. However, in this deep palace, you must always remember what you should and should not say. Otherwise, you will be in trouble if you speak carelessly, and no one can save you."
She put down her teacup, her tone soothing, "The matter of serving the emperor in bed cannot be rushed. Today, His Majesty... was merely momentarily bewitched by that lowly maid."
"With your excellent family background and good looks, why would you be afraid of not having a chance? Go back and rest well, and calm your mind."
Consort Song felt as if she had been granted a pardon, and dared not say another word, only responding with obsequious nods:
"Yes, yes, thank you for your guidance, Your Highness. I will take my leave now."
She was shocked to realize the ruthlessness in Consort Yi's bones. Consort Song broke out in a cold sweat and felt a chill run down her spine.
Song Changzai fled in a panic, her retreating figure revealing her fear.
Inside the room, all that remained in Consort Yi's eyes was calculation.
She sat alone in the inner room, the candlelight casting flickering shadows on her face.
"Xuemei," Consort Yi called out in a deep voice.
Xuemei, who had been waiting outside the door, immediately entered silently and stood at attention, saying, "Your Majesty."
Consort Yi's eyes were deep and unfathomable: "Pass down my message: From now on... anything sent by Consort Song from there will not be accepted. Return it as is."
A hint of surprise flashed in Xue Mei's eyes, but she immediately lowered her head and replied, "Yes, this servant understands."
Consort Yi waved her hand, and Xue Mei silently withdrew.
Silence returned to the inner room.
Consort Yi picked up the cup of tea, which had long since gone cold, but did not drink it. She simply stared at the tea leaves floating in the cup, her eyes dark and unfathomable.
Song Chang's words about gold and silver were like a thorn piercing her heart.
This idiot is getting out of control.
She needs to carefully consider whether befriending Consort Song is worthwhile.
——
Inside the Qianqing Palace, Shui Xian was unaware of what had happened at the Changxin Palace.
The bright yellow gauze curtains hung low, isolating her from the outside world's disturbances. She was immersed in Emperor Zhaoheng's intense desire, which had been suppressed for several days, and had no time to think about anything else.
Her black hair was spread out on the pillow, making her unmade-up face appear even whiter, and her slender white fingers clenched in nervousness.
Emperor Zhaoheng stood beside the couch, his tall figure looming over her.
"Are you afraid?" His deep voice echoed in the quiet inner hall, slightly hoarse and magnetic.
Narcissus curled up slightly, her whole body like a boiled shrimp, letting his gaze sweep over every inch of her curves.
She said softly but firmly, "With His Majesty here, I... am not afraid."
These words, tinged with dependence, instantly pleased the emperor.
He chuckled softly and leaned down: "Very good."
Emperor Zhaoheng's hot breath brushed against her ear, sending shivers down Narcissus's spine...
......
"Bring me the handkerchief."
Emperor Zhaoheng slightly raised himself up and saw that Shui Xian looked bewildered. He then personally took out a snow-white brocade handkerchief from under his pillow.
The moment that pure white appeared in the bright yellow world, Narcissus understood.
She never expected that this thing would be kept under her pillow.
If she doesn't come today, then...
"Don't get distracted."
Emperor Zhaoheng whispered in her ear, unable to resist punishing her for being distracted.
Narcissus couldn't help but ask, and he answered in a hoarse voice.
"That handkerchief has been under my pillow for almost half a month. It has been kept there ever since Xian'er was recuperating in the Qianqing Palace."
At that time, Narcissus was still recovering, and he did not intend anything, but was afraid of overestimating his self-control.
After all, the self-control that emperors once took pride in crumbled whenever they encountered her.
Narcissus misunderstood his meaning and gently pushed his chest, which only provoked an even more thorough retaliation.
After a long while, when the moon climbed over the wall, Emperor Zhaoheng sat up and used the square towel that had been prepared by the bedside to wipe the water droplets from his chest.
Narcissus lay wearily on the inside, feeling Emperor Zhaoheng lie back down beside her and hold her tightly in his arms.
She said weakly, "Your Majesty... this is my first time..."
"I will no longer torment you."
Emperor Zhaoheng leaned down and kissed her cheek, then placed his hand on her lower abdomen. His deep voice, accompanied by the subtle vibrations of his chest, clearly reached her ears.
"Xian'er, give me a child."
Narcissus can probably guess.
The reason Consort Yi initially offered her up was likely because of her pregnancy.
Only then could an emperor with a lingering resentment towards his former concubine be able to tolerate summoning a palace maid.
Whether in the harem or the court, emperors who are rumored to have no heirs all desire nothing more than an offspring of their own.
Based on her past life, if there are no problems, she could conceive Emperor Zhaoheng's heir with just one act of favor.
Not to mention, this wasn't the first time.
Narcissus's voice was languid as she leaned against him, "Of course."
She said, "Narcissus also wants to have a child for the Emperor."
Shui Xian needed a child more than Emperor Zhao Heng, so that she, as a servant, could truly establish herself in the palace.
That evening, after taking a bath, Narcissus dragged her tired body back to Changxin Palace.
Lower-ranking concubines did not have the right to spend the night in the Qianqing Palace. This was a rule established by their ancestors, which even Emperor Zhaoheng could not violate.
She was exhausted. As soon as she stepped into the west wing, she saw Xue Mei waiting inside with a bowl of medicine.
Seeing that Shui Xian had only returned late at night, Xue Mei's face remained expressionless; she simply handed over the medicine bowl.
"My lady, this is a medicine specially bestowed upon you by Her Majesty to help prevent miscarriage."
A pregnancy-stabilizing medicine? Is it the kind that can change the color of a silver hairpin?
Shui Xian didn't understand why Consort Yi wanted to harm her.
But just like in her previous life, from beginning to end, Consort Yi didn't need any reason to harm her.
She didn't forget to act, accepting the bowl of medicine with a grateful expression and drinking it all in front of Xuemei.
Xuemei waited patiently until Shuixian returned the empty medicine bowl, but Xuemei still didn't leave.
She calmly said, "My lady, is there anything I need to report to Her Majesty?"
Since Xuemei had already asked, Shuixian could only swallow the last mouthful of medicine and smile, "It's nothing, it's very late, I need to rest."
Upon hearing Narcissus speak, Xuemei curtsied.
"This servant takes her leave!"
After leaving the west wing, she went to the main hall.
It was nearly midnight, and the moon was high in the sky, but Consort Yi was still not asleep, and candlelight flickered in the inner room.
Xuemei went in and knelt before the bed. "Your Majesty, I saw that Shuixian drank the medicine."
"I understand."
Consort Yi was silent for a moment, then suddenly asked, "What time is it now?"
"Your Majesty, it is nearly 1:00 AM."
Chou hour?
Consort Yi on the bed gripped the corner of the blanket tightly. She roughly calculated the time, and a cold glint flashed in her eyes.
Your Majesty... do you really favor Narcissus so much?
That lowly maid! How dare she win the Emperor's favor!
What about needing children to consolidate her position, what about the family... At this moment, all of these were thrown to the back of Yi Fei's mind. She only had one thought left!
She wants Narcissus dead!
"After that, every time you serve her the emperor, you must give her that bowl of medicine to prevent miscarriage."
"Make sure she drinks it!"
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