Chapter 315 Tonight, I will neither be the Empress nor the Emperor.
The afternoon cicadas chirped in waves, and the ice chest in the Qianqing Palace was filled with glistening ice.
The cool air filled the hall, but it couldn't dispel the drowsiness in Narcissus's heart.
She leaned against the couch by the window, feeling a slight discomfort in her lower abdomen. The imperial physician said it was a normal reaction in early pregnancy.
But the discomfort, along with the suffocation in her heart, made her feel listless.
"Mother!"
A clear, childlike voice came from outside the hall, and then Yongning rushed in like a little butterfly, followed by two panting old women.
When Narcissus saw her lovely daughter, a genuine smile finally appeared in her eyes.
"Why is Yongning here? Shouldn't he be at school at this hour?"
The little princess wore her hair in two buns today, adorned with pearl tassels. The tassels swayed gently as she ran, making her little face look rosy.
Originally, Emperor Zhaoheng did not want his daughter to enter school at such a young age, but Shuixian insisted, and Emperor Zhaoheng did not stop her.
Yongning rushed to the narcissus couch, looked up at her with bright, sparkling eyes: "Mother, will you come with me to Lihe Palace?"
"My daughter has suddenly started missing that place recently."
Narcissus was startled.
Why did you suddenly want to go there?
Shui Xian reached out and tidied Yong Ning's slightly disheveled hair.
Yongning blinked, then tugged at her sleeve and said coquettishly, "I passed by yesterday and saw that the magnolia tree in the yard was in bloom, all white, and there was such a big patch of it!"
"I remember that Mother loved magnolias the most. Shall we go pick a few branches and put them in a vase?"
Looking into her daughter's expectant eyes, Narcissus felt a warmth in her heart.
"good."
She nodded and tried to get up.
Yinzhu hurriedly stepped forward to help her up: "Your Highness, you've only just recovered..."
"It's alright."
Shuixian had already gotten off the bed. "It would be good for her to accompany Yongning for a walk."
It was nearly evening, but the air was still thick with heat.
The journey from Qianqing Palace to Lihe Palace is only about the length of an incense stick's time, but Shui Xian's forehead was covered in sweat.
Yongning held her hand and chattered on about the interesting things that happened at school, which made her temporarily forget her troubles.
The gates of the Lihe Palace were ajar.
The moment she pushed the door open, Narcissus froze.
The courtyard was spotless, the bluestone path was immaculate, and the originally messy flowers and plants on both sides had been carefully trimmed, with various summer flowers blooming in a pleasing and orderly manner.
Crape myrtle, hibiscus, hydrangea...
The most eye-catching tree was the magnolia tree, which was indeed covered with white flowers, like clouds and snow, quietly blooming under the setting sun.
But that wasn't the most surprising thing for her.
A swing has appeared under the tree at some point.
The rattan chair is entwined with emerald green vines and pale purple morning glories, and two thick hemp ropes hang down from the horizontal branches of the magnolia tree.
Next to the swing, there is a stone table and two stone stools, with a set of celadon tea set on the table.
"this……"
Narcissus turned to look at Yongning.
The little princess had already let go of her hand, run to the swing, and turned back to smile at her: "Mother, come quickly! Isn't this swing beautiful? Father said it was specially made for you!"
Narcissus's heart stirred.
She walked over slowly, her fingers gently tracing the rattan seat of the swing.
It has a warm, smooth feel, clearly not newly made, but carefully polished, without a single burr.
The seats were also covered with a soft cushion, made of elegant moon-white silk embroidered with delicate magnolia patterns.
"Please have a seat!"
Yongning held her hand, his eyes shining like stars.
After hesitating for a moment, Narcissus sat down.
The rattan chair sank slightly, steadily supporting her.
The soft cushions were comfortable, and she gently swayed, causing the swing to begin to move slowly.
A breeze brushed against my cheek, carrying the delicate fragrance of magnolias.
She closed her eyes, savoring the tranquility of the moment.
"how?"
A deep voice sounded beside me.
Narcissus suddenly opened her eyes.
Emperor Zhaoheng appeared beside the stone table at some point, dressed in a moon-white robe that accentuated his tall and straight figure.
He was pouring tea with a calm and elegant demeanor.
It was as if this was just an ordinary afternoon, and the two of them had never had a break in recent days.
Yongning had disappeared, leaving only the two of them in the courtyard.
The cicadas still sing, and the flowers still smell sweet.
But something in the air had quietly changed.
Narcissus got off the swing and sat down at the stone table.
Emperor Zhaoheng pushed the teacup in front of her. The teacup contained a clear, light green tea soup, with a few tea leaves unfurling and floating in the cup.
"It's this year's Longjing tea."
He said, "Try it."
Narcissus picked up her teacup and took a small sip.
It is sweet and refreshing, carrying the freshness of spring mountains after the rain.
It was indeed top-quality Longjing tea, and brewed just right—not too strong, not too weak, exactly the concentration she preferred.
She put down her teacup, looked up at him, and asked, "When did Your Majesty arrive?"
"Just arrived."
Emperor Zhaoheng sat down opposite her and picked up a cup of tea. "I heard that Yongning kept pestering you to come here, so I came to see for myself."
He spoke casually, but Shui Xian knew that he couldn't have just arrived at the Imperial Study and the Palace of Rites.
The teapot was still piping hot, the cushions on the swing were brand new, and the flowers and plants in the yard had clearly been carefully tended.
None of this can be prepared on a whim.
"This courtyard..."
She looked around. "It's very well tidied up."
"I'm just idling around anyway."
Emperor Zhaoheng's gaze fell on her face, then quickly shifted to the magnolia tree. "This tree is growing well, and the flowers are especially beautiful this year."
Narcissus followed his gaze.
The tree was covered in white blossoms, which swayed gently in the wind, with a few petals occasionally falling like snowflakes.
She lowered her eyes, her fingertips caressing the warm teacup. After a long while, she whispered, "Thank you, Your Majesty."
What are you thanking me for?
Thank him for tidying up the yard? Thank him for making the swing? Or thank him...?
Emperor Zhaoheng did not answer.
He simply gazed at her silently, his eyes deep and unfathomable.
Dinner was served at the Lihe Palace.
Emperor Zhaoheng ordered a dining table to be set up under the eaves, facing the summer flowers that filled the courtyard.
The dishes were simple, all light and palatable seasonal dishes.
Steamed chicken in lotus leaves, emerald shrimp, stir-fried lotus root, winter melon soup... and there's also a dish of osmanthus-flavored glutinous rice lotus root, with just the right amount of sweetness, glutinous but not greasy.
Yongning sat between the two, her little mouth chattering non-stop.
The children's innocence and liveliness eased the subtle atmosphere between the adults, and the dinner was unusually peaceful.
After the meal, Yongning was taken back by the nanny to wash up and go to bed.
Emperor Zhaoheng, however, showed no intention of leaving.
"Come for a walk with me."
He said.
Narcissus did not refuse.
Summer nights come late; it's not until the end of the 5-7 PM that the sky gradually darkens.
The Lihe Palace is not large; the distance from the front hall to the back courtyard is only a few dozen steps.
But tonight, walking felt exceptionally long.
Emperor Zhaoheng walked beside her, his pace slow.
The two were about half a step apart, neither too close nor too far.
“When the Lihe Palace has been vacant, I occasionally come to visit it.”
He suddenly spoke, his voice sounding particularly deep in the twilight, "I always feel that this place is more like home than the Qianqing Palace."
Narcissus paused slightly in her steps.
"The Qianqing Palace is too cold, too big, and too empty."
He continued walking, his gaze falling on the palace lanterns that were gradually lighting up in the distance. "Every piece of furniture has its rules, every word has to be carefully considered. Unlike here..."
He stopped and turned to look at her: "These are the flowers you planted, the books you read..."
As dusk settled, the palace lanterns under the eaves lit up one by one, casting a warm yellow glow on his face and softening his usually cold and stern features.
Narcissus looked into his eyes, and in the deep pool, she saw her own reflection.
Small, clear, and enveloped in tenderness.
"emperor……"
She opened her mouth, but didn't know what to say.
"Xian'er," Emperor Zhaoheng suddenly called her name.
Narcissus felt a tremor in her heart.
"I know what you're going to say."
He took a step closer, so close that he could smell a faint scent of ambergris on him.
"But I don't want to hear any of that today."
The narcissus lowered its eyelashes.
Emperor Zhaoheng reached out and gently lifted her chin, forcing her to look up at him.
His fingertips were warm, but his touch was so gentle it was almost delicate.
"Tonight."
He said in a low voice, his eyes filled with a sincerity she rarely saw, "Tonight, I will not be the empress, nor the emperor."
"It's just... Xiao Yiheng and Narcissus."
Narcissus's eyelashes trembled.
She looked at him, at this most noble man in the world, who at this moment had shed all his imperial arrogance before her, leaving only a sincere tenderness.
She suddenly remembered the figure of him silently waiting outside her palace gates in the dead of night.
Emperor Zhaoheng released her hand, then took it in his, leading her step by step toward the backyard.
The backyard of Reiwa Palace was originally just a small garden with some common flowers and plants.
But tonight, the moment Narcissus stepped inside, she froze.
The garden was now filled with glass lanterns.
Transparent glass, shaped into various forms: lotus flowers, magnolias, butterflies, fireflies...
Each lamp held a small candle, and the warm yellow light refracted through the glass, creating a dazzling array of colors that illuminated the entire garden in a dreamlike manner.
What's most amazing is the "lotus pond" in the center of the garden.
It was originally just a small pond with a few koi carp.
But tonight, the water is filled with lotus lanterns...
Pink, white, light purple.
One candle after another, the flames flickering gently in their wicks, reflected on the water's surface like a pool full of stars.
A gentle evening breeze stirs the lotus lanterns as they sway lightly on the water.
Narcissus stood there, almost forgetting to breathe.
Emperor Zhaoheng's voice rang in my ears, deep and gentle, "Within these palace walls, I can give you everything."
He took her hand and led her to the stone bench by the pool.
The stone benches were covered with soft cushions, and the small table next to them was set with fruits and tea.
He helped her sit down, and then sat down beside her, very close to her.
Do you like it?
He asked.
Narcissus gazed at the garden lights and the stars reflected in the pond, and after a long while, she nodded gently.
"like."
This is the truth.
Such beautiful scenery, such thoughtful arrangement, such rare tranquility...
How could she not like it?
A faint smile appeared on Emperor Zhaoheng's lips.
He raised his hand and gently brushed away a petal that had fallen onto her shoulder.
Emperor Zhaoheng said in a low voice, "These lanterns are for you tonight."
Narcissus gently turned her face away, looking at the flickering lights in the pond, trying to calm her emotions.
"Your Majesty, why must you..."
Why go to such lengths?
Emperor Zhaoheng picked up where she left off, chuckling softly, "I've asked myself that question too."
He paused, his voice even lower:
"But the answer is simple... because it's you."
Narcissus's fingertips curled up.
"Because it's you, I want to present all the beautiful things to you."
"Because it's you, I'm willing to put in the effort to do these things that seem meaningless to others."
Narcissus slowly turned her head and looked at him.
The light from the glass lamp reflected on his face, flickering and outlining his deep features.
His eyes held too many emotions she dared not delve into, but at this moment, she suddenly didn't want to run away anymore.
Tonight.
For tonight, let's temporarily forget our identities, our responsibilities, and our past.
I only grow daffodils.
She reached out and gently took his hand.
Emperor Zhaoheng shuddered and almost instinctively grabbed her hand, so tightly that she frowned slightly.
Noticing her expression, he immediately loosened his grip slightly, but was reluctant to let go completely, so he simply held her hand in his palm, as if holding a fragile butterfly.
"Xian'er..."
He called her name, his voice hoarse.
"I'm tired." Narcissus leaned back against the cushion behind her, her gaze still fixed on the lamp in the pond. "I'd like to sit here a little longer."
A glint flashed in Emperor Zhaoheng's eyes.
"Okay." He replied quickly, then added, "I'll accompany you."
Night was falling.
One by one, the glass lanterns in the garden went out, leaving only the lotus lanterns in the pond still lit.
The moonlight shone down, mingling with the candlelight, spreading a shimmering expanse of gold across the water.
Narcissus was a little sleepy.
Pregnancy makes the body prone to fatigue, and having walked quite a bit today, my eyelids are gradually becoming heavy as I lean against the cushion.
In a hazy state, she felt someone gently put their arm around her shoulder, letting her lean against a warm and firm embrace.
The familiar scent of ambergris enveloped her, carrying a reassuring power.
She was so tired that she didn't want to open her eyes or think.
That's settled then.
Tonight.
"Go to sleep."
A deep voice sounded above him, carrying a gentle, comforting tone, "I'm here."
The narcissus is really asleep.
Illuminated by the lotus lanterns filling the pond, and caressed by the gentle summer breeze, in this dreamland that the man had meticulously arranged for her.
She was sleeping soundly...
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