Chapter 82 That focus and gentleness were enough to make any woman fall for him.
Half a month passed quickly, and in the blink of an eye, it was the Empress Dowager's fiftieth birthday.
Despite the deep rift between mother and son, Emperor Zhaoheng and the Empress Dowager maintained a semblance of decorum. People valued filial piety, and the Empress Dowager's birthday celebration was destined to be a grand performance for the world to see.
This year's summer heat is unbearable, and the Empress Dowager has sent word that this year's Autumn Festival will be held at the Imperial Summer Palace in the suburbs of Beijing.
So the grand procession left the palace and headed to the Imperial Summer Palace on the outskirts of Beijing.
This entourage included almost all the concubines in the harem, and even the Empress, who had just recovered from illness, accompanied the Empress Dowager, giving her a grand reception.
On the way, Shui Xian, as a concubine, could not ride with the emperor, but Emperor Zhaoheng, being considerate of her pregnancy, arranged for her to ride in a luxurious carriage second only to the empress's phoenix carriage.
With its gold-lacquered carvings, beaded curtains, and thick cushions and ice chests inside, the interior is designed for comfort and stability.
What is even more remarkable is that, although she was only a concubine, her ceremonial regalia was in accordance with the standards of a noble consort, and Emperor Zhaoheng made no attempt to conceal his high regard for her.
The Emperor wasn't the only one who cared about her; Empress Liu did too.
Halfway through the journey, when they stopped for a short rest at a scenic spot nestled against the mountains and by the water, the Empress specially sent someone to summon Narcissus and invite her to board her phoenix carriage for a chat.
"Consort Jin is feeling unwell, and the journey is bumpy. It would be more comfortable for her to ride with me for the rest of the journey."
A palace maid beside the Empress lifted the carriage curtain with her delicate hand, and the Empress's gentle voice came from inside.
"Thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty the Empress."
With Yinzhu's careful assistance, Shuixian stepped onto the phoenix carriage, which symbolized the supreme honor of the Empress.
Just as she boarded the carriage, she caught a glimpse of Consort Li's carriage not far away, its brocade curtain half-lifted, Consort Li's beautiful face hidden in the shadows, her gaze fixed maliciously in her direction.
Consort Li...
As Shui Xian boarded the carriage, she thought to herself that she didn't suspect the Empress Dowager about the drowning incident, but rather this Consort Li.
Ever since she fell out with Consort Li, Consort Li has been thinking about getting rid of her as soon as possible.
Furthermore, Consort Li had the power to assist in managing the six palaces, so it is likely that she was able to disguise men outside the palace as eunuchs and bring them into the palace.
A few days ago, she mentioned it to Emperor Zhaoheng in a veiled manner, but nothing was found in the subsequent investigation, and the matter was eventually dropped.
The brocade curtain fell behind her, blocking Consort Li's view. Shui Xian also regained her composure and gently replied to Empress Liu's words.
The phoenix carriage was spacious and comfortable, decorated in an elegant yet dignified manner.
The Empress leaned against the soft pillows, her face slightly pale and sickly, but her spirits were still good.
She held Narcissus's hand and asked her how the baby was moving and if she was feeling any discomfort, her words full of concern.
Narcissus replied in a low voice. After traveling for another two hours, the caravan stopped again for a rest.
On a sweltering summer day, the Empress and Narcissus alighted from their sedan chairs side by side and arrived at a small pavilion by the water.
Soon, Consort De brought over a bowl of warm soup and respectfully presented it to the Empress.
"Your Majesty, this is a clear soup that I made with fresh mushrooms and pheasant. It is very nourishing. Please try it."
The Empress accepted it with a smile, praising Consort De's thoughtfulness.
Seeing this, Shui Xian quickly gestured to Yin Zhu to serve several exquisite tea snacks that she had made herself that morning.
"Your Majesty, I am clumsy and have only made some ordinary snacks. I hope Your Majesty will not find them offensive and that they will help you relax on your journey."
The atmosphere inside the pavilion became harmonious for a moment.
Just then, Emperor Zhaoheng, having finished dealing with the affairs at the front, also came looking for them.
His gaze first fell on the Empress, and he asked with concern, "Your Majesty looks alright. Did you manage on the journey?"
The Empress smiled gently and patted the back of Narcissus's hand lightly: "With Consort Jin by my side to keep me company and relieve my boredom, I don't feel bored at all. It's very good."
Emperor Zhaoheng's gaze then turned gently to the narcissus, his eyes filled with appreciation for it.
"With the Empress by your side taking care of you, I can feel more at ease."
Narcissus quickly rose and bowed, her voice filled with gratitude.
"Your Majesty understands. Your Majesty is kind and considerate of my health in every way. The arrangements in the carriage are extremely thoughtful. I am deeply grateful."
Emperor Zhaoheng sat with a few people in the pavilion for a while, and then, for reasons unknown, he was called away by Feng Shunxiang.
After resting for half an hour, the group set off again.
Whether out of consideration for the ailing empress or the pregnant narcissus, the entire procession was deliberately slowed down.
What should have been a four- or five-day journey took more than seven days before we finally arrived at the picturesque Summer Palace.
Upon arriving at the resort, when it came time to arrange accommodations, Narcissus was assigned to Ningxiang Garden, a place with an excellent location.
This courtyard is not only serene and beautiful with lush flowers and trees, but more importantly, it is located right next to the Imperial Palace where the emperor stayed and the Chengxin Terrace where the empress resided.
Its location is so central that it even surpasses the Lanyue Pavilion where Consort Li resides!
This arrangement demonstrates the Emperor's undisguised favoritism towards Narcissus.
As Shui Xian, accompanied by Yin Zhu, slowly entered Ningxiang Garden, she could feel the jealous or envious gazes cast upon her by the other women in the harem.
Narcissus understood perfectly well that the emperor's boundless favor had elevated her to a pedestal, attracting envy and jealousy from everyone.
She looked at the rare and exotic flowers in the courtyard and sighed softly.
Whether this arrangement will bring blessings or curses remains to be seen...
During his stay at the Summer Palace, Emperor Zhaoheng devoted almost all of his leisure time to her.
After finishing his urgent state affairs, he would come to Ningxiang Garden and stroll hand in hand with her through the picturesque garden.
They listened to the babbling of the mountain stream and watched the exotic flowers and plants vying for attention.
Sometimes, when sitting in a pavilion by the water, Emperor Zhaoheng would even personally fan her to drive away mosquitoes, or carefully peel fruit for her and feed it to her lips.
That focus and gentleness are enough to make any woman fall for him.
Consort Li and the others watched from afar. Narcissus would occasionally catch glimpses of their barely concealed jealousy. From a distance, they seemed to want to tear Narcissus apart and devour her whole.
Shui Xian pretended not to see it. She enjoyed Emperor Zhaoheng's favor and appeared to be indulging in it, but she always remained clear-headed and vigilant.
Now that she is about to give birth, she is eager to use this high-profile approach to force out those who are jealous of her.
Emperor Zhaoheng's investigation had just concluded a few days ago, and all the evidence pointed to the Empress Dowager's Cining Palace. Shui Xian felt that something was amiss.
She wasn't entirely dismissive of Emperor Zhaoheng's investigation findings, but she was wary of the slight possibility... what if the real culprit was still hiding in the inner palace...
Narcissus stroked the increasingly active little life inside her, her eyes gentle yet firm.
Whether for the sake of her child or for her own sake, she must remain vigilant at all times.
One evening at dusk, the setting sun cast a warm orange-red hue over the mountain villa, its rays melting into gold.
Tomorrow is the Empress Dowager's birthday banquet, and the manor is bustling with activity.
After finishing his official duties, Emperor Zhaoheng was in a good mood and strolled slowly along the lakeside covered walkway with Shui Xian by his hand.
The long corridor winds and twists, eventually connecting to a waterside pavilion that extends into the heart of the lake.
The lake surface shimmered, reflecting the sunset glow, a breathtaking sight.
As the two were enjoying this rare moment of tranquility, Emperor Zhaoheng's gaze casually swept across the end of the corridor, but his eyes suddenly stopped.
A young girl dressed in a moon-white brocade dress stood by the railing, her back to them, facing the magnificent lake and mountain scenery.
A mountain breeze swept by, lifting the thin veil covering her face.
The afterglow of the setting sun bathed her in a hazy golden glow, her aloof and independent posture breathtakingly beautiful.
A slightly stronger lake breeze swept by, and a corner of the light veil on the girl's face was lifted by the wind and drifted off!
In that instant, a profile even more beautiful than the distant scenery was exposed without any concealment in the dazzling sunset!
The moment Emperor Zhaoheng saw that face clearly, he froze in his tracks!
His hand holding the narcissus tightened instantly!
That face...that face...
Emperor Zhaoheng seemed to see an old friend from the depths of his memory in that familiar profile.
"Wen... Consort Wen?"
He seemed to forget everything around him, subconsciously loosening his grip on Narcissus's hand, and absentmindedly walked toward the plain-clad girl gazing into the distance from the waterside pavilion.
Shui Xian stood there, watching Emperor Zhaoheng's slightly anxious back, knowing that this beautiful scenery and beautiful woman had appeared too coincidentally on the road she and the emperor were bound to take.
I just don't know whose scheme it was.
Just then, Consort Wan's voice rang out from the direction of the distant waterside pavilion.
"Your Majesty! You're here enjoying the scenery too? What a coincidence!"
She approached with light steps, her gaze sweeping over the girl in plain clothes, her smile gentle and charming.
"Your Majesty, this is Miss Wen, whose given name is Jingfeng."
"She is the niece of the late Consort Wen, and she came with her mother to celebrate the Empress Dowager's birthday."
She turned to the girl in plain clothes and called softly, "Jingfeng, why don't you come over and greet the Emperor and Consort Jin?"
Upon hearing the sound, the girl slowly turned around.
With graceful movements, she bowed deeply towards Emperor Zhaoheng and Shui Xian, her voice as clear as a mountain stream.
"Your subject, Wen Jingfeng, greets Your Majesty and Consort Jin."
Narcissus remained silent for a while, then nodded slightly.
The woman in the palace who was related to Consort Wen, namely Yi Guichun's half-sister Yi Shuyao, did indeed bear a resemblance to the person in front of her.
However, there are subtle differences in temperament.
If Yi Shuyao's feigned gentleness, her every move exuding warmth and consideration, is like the finest Hetian white jade, with its delicate and lustrous sheen.
This young lady, Wen Jingfeng, is like a translucent piece of jade, with a soft yet vibrant green hue, making her appear much more lively.
Shui Xian had never met the late Emperor's Consort Wen, but looking at Emperor Zhao Heng's deep gaze, which he had never missed since they met, was a look he had never shown in front of Yi Shu Yao before.
It is estimated that this girl, Wen Jingfeng, who is related to him by blood, is more similar to the white, luminous moonlight in Emperor Zhaoheng's memory.
Narcissus smiled, but her slightly cold gaze swept over Consort Wan.
Consort Wan's move was truly brilliant!
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