Chapter 265 Secrets of the Imperial Harem
It was still early, but everything in the Lihe Palace was already in good order.
Today, something important is happening.
Narcissus was dressed in a bright yellow casual dress, with a phoenix hairpin in her hair, and had a calm and composed demeanor.
Shui Xiu changed into a more formal lotus-colored palace dress and stood beside Shui Xian. She showed no timidity, her eyes were clear, and her demeanor was graceful and poised.
"Sister, am I... properly dressed like this?"
Shui Xiu tilted her head slightly and asked Shui Xian in a soft voice, with a touch of girlish naiveté.
Narcissus straightened a simple pearl hairpin in her hair, her gaze gentle: "Very good."
Narcissus carefully advised, "In front of the Empress Dowager, there is no need to be overly reserved, but you must not be impolite either. Just be calm and composed."
The entourage escorted the Empress's carriage to the Cining Palace.
Emperor Zhaoheng was already waiting for her at Cining Palace.
Yongning and her twins were also carried by their wet nurse as they prepared to pay their respects to the Empress Dowager.
Inside the Cining Palace, the air was filled with the fragrance of sandalwood.
The Empress Dowager sat in the main seat. After experiencing the turmoil, her brows had lost some of their former sharpness, and gained more calmness and scrutiny.
Consort Wan, Consort De, and other high-ranking concubines were already seated according to their rank. Upon seeing the Emperor and Empress enter, they all rose and bowed.
"Your Majesty, I pay my respects. May Your Majesty be blessed with ten thousand years of happiness and peace."
Emperor Zhaoheng and Shui Xian were the first to pay their respects.
"Granddaughter greets Imperial Grandmother." (Yong)
Ning followed suit and bowed in a proper manner, her voice still childish, which brought a smile to the Empress Dowager's face.
The twins were also held by their wet nurse and bowed.
"Get up, everyone."
The Empress Dowager spoke calmly, her gaze sweeping over Narcissus before finally settling on Shuixiu beside her.
"Is this the Empress's younger sister, Miss Shuixiu?"
Shui Xiu stepped forward, knelt down in accordance with etiquette, and said in a clear and melodious voice: "This humble woman, Shui Xiu, greets Your Majesty the Empress Dowager. May Your Majesty live a thousand years and be well."
"Rise, come closer, let me see you."
The Empress Dowager waved her hand.
Shui Xiu got up as instructed, walked steadily to the bottom of the jade steps, lowered her head slightly, her posture respectful but not humble.
The Empress Dowager carefully examined her and saw that her eyebrows and eyes were lively and her gaze was clear and open. She also noticed that her posture and manner of bowing were quite proper, which was obviously due to the careful instruction she received from Shui Xian.
"Yes, he's a neat and tidy child."
The Empress Dowager nodded, her tone revealing neither joy nor anger, "Are you settling in well in the palace?"
Shui Xiu respectfully replied, "Your Majesty, everything is fine in the palace. Her Majesty the Empress has been very kind to me, and His Majesty the Emperor has also been very kind and protective. I am deeply grateful."
At this moment, Consort Wan, who was sitting at the lower end, spoke with a smile, her voice still gentle and graceful.
"The Empress and her sister share a deep sisterly bond, which is truly enviable. However..."
Her gaze swept over Shui Xiu almost imperceptibly. "The rules in this palace are very strict, unlike the freedom outside. Miss Shui Xiu is new here, so I'm afraid there are many inconveniences. She must be careful and learn from her experience."
These words, seemingly out of concern, actually implied that Shui Xiu came from a humble background, carrying a subtle sense of belittling.
Shui Xian frowned almost imperceptibly, about to speak, when she saw Shui Xiu raise her head to face Consort Wan with a smile that was neither humble nor arrogant.
"Thank you for your concern, Consort Xie Wan."
Shui Xiu spoke clearly and calmly, “The Empress Dowager’s benevolence extends to the harem, and the Empress’s kindness sets an example for all women.”
"I don't see the rules of the palace as a constraint. I am fortunate to be able to enter the palace to accompany my sister. This is a good opportunity for me to learn the etiquette and virtues of the palace in order to make up for my own shortcomings. I am only grateful and dare not say that it is inconvenient."
Her words both flattered the Empress Dowager and Narcissus, and cleverly responded to Consort Wan's claim of "inconvenience."
Shui Xiu cleverly stated that she was there to learn, adopting a humble yet watertight stance, which made Wan Fei's earlier words seem rather petty.
Consort Wan tightened her grip on the handkerchief, but could not say anything more. She could only chuckle awkwardly, "Miss Shuixiu is truly quick-witted and sensible."
The Empress Dowager remained outwardly calm, but inwardly she held Shui Xiu in even higher regard.
This girl is not only beautiful, but also quick-witted and knows how to handle things properly.
She glanced at Narcissus, who sat calmly on her phoenix throne, and thought to herself, "These two sisters are not simple."
After chatting for a while longer, the concubines tactfully took their leave.
The Empress Dowager spoke up, saying, "The Empress and Shuixiu, please stay and talk with me some more."
After everyone had left, only the Empress Dowager, Shui Xian, Shui Xiu, and a few trusted palace maids remained in the hall.
The palace maids served fragrant tea and fruit again.
The Empress Dowager picked up the teacup, gently stirred the floating leaves, and her gaze fell on Shui Xiu again.
"I think you're a very perceptive child. Your sister... has raised you very well."
Shui Xian's heart tightened, unsure of the Empress Dowager's purpose, but her expression remained gentle as she gave a slight bow.
"Your Majesty flatters me. Xiu'er is kind-hearted by nature, and I only gave her a little guidance."
The Empress Dowager put down her teacup, looked at the narcissus, and spoke in a distant tone, subtly hinting at something.
"The position of Empress is incredibly prestigious, but only the Empress herself knows the true weight of it."
Her gaze was deep, as if she could see through people's hearts. "Your actions now are both kind and strict, quite methodical. The court and the harem are gradually improving."
"The emperor trusts you completely and without reservation."
Narcissus lowered her eyes and listened respectfully.
The Empress Dowager's tone shifted slightly, carrying a sense of worldly wisdom and a warning to Narcissus.
"However, water overflows when it's full, and the moon wanes after it's full. Sometimes, being too perfect can lead to losing sight of the true meaning. Deep affection is short-lived, and extreme strength leads to humiliation. Do you understand?"
These words served as a wake-up call, ringing in Narcissus's heart.
The Empress Dowager was reminding her that Emperor Zhaoheng's love was pure and intense. If she always responded with perfect, feigned "love," in the long run, the emperor might notice that it was not genuine.
As expected of the Empress Dowager, she vaguely sensed that Shui Xian's feelings for Emperor Zhaoheng were not genuine...
Narcissus's mind raced, and she timely showed a look of gratitude, her voice becoming even softer.
"Your Majesty's teachings will be remembered. I will always reflect on myself, be dutiful, do my best to share the Emperor's burdens, manage the harem well, and live up to the trust of the Emperor and the Empress Dowager."
The Empress Dowager gave her a deep look, her eyes, which had seen it all, filled with complex emotions.
There was admiration, there was apprehension... In the end, she only sighed almost inaudibly and waved her hand.
"Very well. You... are indeed the most suitable person to sit in this rear seat. Go, I am tired."
When intelligent people talk to each other, they sometimes understand each other's meaning without needing to spell it out.
"Yes, this humble woman takes her leave."
Shui Xian and Shui Xiu bowed respectfully and withdrew from Cining Palace.
On the way back to Lihe Palace, Shuixiu couldn't help but whisper, "Sister, what did the Empress Dowager mean by her last words?"
Although she was intelligent, she had not yet fully grasped the intrigues and scheming within the palace.
Narcissus gazed at the distant, layered palaces, her voice calm.
"It means... the Empress Dowager will spend her remaining years in the imperial palace and will not stay in the inner palace for long..."
Shui Xiu hadn't understood anything to begin with, and hearing this made her even more confused.
When did you start talking about imperial palaces and harems?
Narcissus simply smiled slightly, gently ruffled her sister's hair, and didn't continue speaking.
Three days later.
The Empress Dowager's imperial carriage departed for a temporary palace in the suburbs of Beijing for quiet recuperation.
The emperor and empress, along with civil and military officials and concubines, saw them off outside the palace gates.
The procession was magnificent, with banners waving in the wind.
Before leaving, the Empress Dowager found a moment to privately bring up the old matter with Emperor Zhaoheng, implying that as an emperor, he should bestow his favors equally to maintain balance in the previous dynasty.
Upon hearing this, Emperor Zhaoheng frowned slightly, looked at the Empress Dowager with a firm gaze, and spoke with unwavering determination.
"Mother, there is no need to mention this matter again. Xian'er and I are not only husband and wife, but also confidants. Our hearts are connected, which is beyond the reach of others."
"The harem is peaceful and harmonious now because of her virtuous and prudent management. My mind has already made up its mind and will not change."
His voice was not loud, but it was clear enough to reach the ears of several important officials and concubines nearby.
Everyone had different expressions, but they all knew in their hearts that the Emperor was determined to favor the Empress exclusively.
Looking at his resolute expression and then at the graceful Narcissus beside him, the Empress Dowager finally sighed helplessly, said no more, and turned to board the imperial carriage.
The magnificent imperial carriage, surrounded by guards and palace attendants, slowly departed from the palace.
Inside the carriage, the Empress Dowager leaned against a soft pillow, closing her eyes to rest.
But in her mind, she recalled Shui Xiu's graceful words and actions, and Shui Xian's seemingly docile but actually scheming and pitiful response.
"The deposed empress in the cold palace is of no use. Consort Wan... has too little vision."
The Empress Dowager murmured to herself, her voice audible only to herself.
"This woman now... her methods, temperament, and vision are all extraordinary. The emperor's affection is deep, bordering on obsessive. I hope... that what she desires is only the glory and honor of being empress."
The Empress Dowager sighed, her voice echoing softly within the carriage, unheard by anyone...
...
The Cold Palace.
Inside the dilapidated palace, Liu Simin, who had been demoted to a commoner, looked haggard, but her eyes shone with an almost obsessive light.
She found Consort Liu, who was also imprisoned there.
"Aunt! We can't just give up like this! We can't!"
Liu Simin grabbed Liu Taifei's thin arm and shook it repeatedly.
“I know… I know Father’s secret! You know it too, don’t you? That secret about the Emperor’s origins…”
"shut up!"
Consort Liu abruptly interrupted her, a flicker of fear crossing her previously calm eyes.
She forcefully shook off Liu Simin's hand and said sharply, "Are you crazy! How dare you bring up those things? Do you want our entire Liu family to be executed?"
Liu Simin, however, seemed to have grasped at the last straw and laughed maniacally.
"Execute the entire family? Haha... Aunt, what difference is there between us and being dead now?"
"That bitch! Narcissus! She stole everything from me! Your Majesty, the Empress... I'll make her pay! We must join forces! We must use those secrets..."
Looking at her niece, who seemed to have gone mad, Consort Liu's face showed deep fear.
Those long-buried palace secrets, powerful enough to stir up a monstrous storm, were nightmares she would rather take to her grave than ever revisit.
Not far away, behind the shadow of a clump of withered bushes, Consort Lin, who had requested to be confined to the cold palace because of Duo'er's death, was calmly watching all of this.
She knew all too well the ways of Narcissus and the Emperor's current protection of her; Liu Simin's actions were tantamount to courting his own destruction.
She stepped back gently, having already made up her mind.
That night, a secret letter, delivered through the old procurement channels of the Cold Palace, was quietly handed to Tinglu.
The letter contained only a few words, written in Lin Shuren's handwriting.
"Commoner Liu wishes to join forces with the Dowager Consort, as it concerns a secret about his origins..."
Narcissus whispered to the light.
She raised an eyebrow slightly. What was Lin Shuren saying?
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