Chapter 247 No matter how much Narcissus begged for mercy, he wouldn't let her go...
As evening falls, the Lihe Palace is bathed in a warm golden glow from the setting sun.
The floor heater was very warm, and the hall was filled with a calming, light pear scent. The warmth and the delicate fragrance intertwined, making the space feel even more cozy and tranquil.
Emperor Zhaoheng arrived as dusk fell.
He had been busy all day, and only when he arrived at Lihe Palace did he take off his court robes and change into his everyday clothes.
Just as Emperor Zhaoheng was changing his clothes, the wet nurse brought the children over.
Emperor Zhaoheng had just lifted the curtain and emerged from the inner chamber when, before he could even find Narcissus, a small figure fluttered to his legs like a joyful butterfly.
"Father! Father!"
Yongning looked up with her rosy cheeks, her eyes, as beautiful as daffodils, sparkling with excitement.
She couldn't wait to share her feat.
Yongning tugged at Emperor Zhaoheng's robes, her voice still childish, and tried her best to repeat, "Yongning... went out with Mother! There are so many people outside, I'm sick, it's cold..."
She gestured with her little hands, trying to describe the pitiful state of those people, "Yongning gave all the shiny stones (jewelry) that Consort Wan gave her to Mother! Mother said to exchange them for warm clothes and sweet food and give them to them! Then they won't be cold or hungry!"
Yongning tilted her head back, her little face full of innocence, yet also radiating a light of nascent understanding.
She announced in a clear voice, "My mother said that Yongning is a princess and has... has responsibilities! Yongning feels that helping others is more joyful than wearing pretty stones!"
Emperor Zhaoheng lowered his head, looking into his daughter's clear, untainted eyes, and listening to her innocent yet benevolent words, deeply touching the softest part of his heart.
As a father, he couldn't help but feel affection and tenderness when his daughter gave away the jewelry she liked.
However, as an emperor, the joy he felt at the princess's benevolence intertwined with his own feelings, transforming into an indescribable sense of pride.
He laughed loudly, then lifted Yongning high in the air, eliciting a string of silvery laughter from her.
"Good! Good! My Yongning is truly my good daughter!"
Emperor Zhaoheng looked at his giggling daughter in his arms and couldn't help but use the best words to describe her.
"Compassionate and kind-hearted, with the people at heart, such a young age already... Good, very good!"
Emperor Zhaoheng, holding Yongning in his arms, turned to Shuixian, who had appeared at some unknown time and stood smiling beside him, her gaze intense and full of affirmation.
His deep eyes held gratitude for the narcissus.
"Xian'er, you have taught Yongning exceptionally well! I am very pleased!"
Overjoyed, Emperor Zhaoheng immediately instructed his attendant Feng Shunxiang: "Issue my decree to allocate another five thousand taels of silver from my imperial treasury in the name of the Imperial Noble Consort, to expand the free clinics in the suburbs of the capital and to purchase more medicines and grains, so that more people can benefit!"
"Furthermore, I hereby issue an edict to the Imperial Medical Academy: those who volunteer to practice medicine among the common people and achieve remarkable results will be generously rewarded by me! This shall also be an important criterion for the Imperial Medical Academy's assessment!"
"Your servant obeys!"
Feng Shunxiang quickly bowed in agreement, secretly sighing that the Imperial Noble Consort's position in the Emperor's heart was truly unmatched.
Listening to his father's praise and decree, Yongning didn't fully understand the meaning of the silver and the decree, but he could feel his father's happiness. He giggled along, his little face beaming with satisfaction and joy at being affirmed...
......
As night deepened, Yongning and the twins grew tired from playing and were gently coaxed by their wet nurse to go to the side hall to rest.
The candlelight flickered inside the hall, leaving only Emperor Zhaoheng and Shui Xian.
Emperor Zhaoheng dismissed the palace servants, reached out and gently pulled Shuixian into his arms, letting her sit sideways on his firm lap.
His arms were wrapped around her waist, his deep eyes gazing at her, the tenderness and affection in his eyes making Narcissus's heart flutter slightly.
Emperor Zhaoheng: "Xian'er, seeing Yongning like this today, I am deeply moved."
He raised his hand, his fingertips gently stroking Narcissus's soft cheek, his gaze fixed on her with deep intensity: "I know that in the harem, the education of princes and princesses is often based on rules, etiquette, power, and interests."
Emperor Zhaoheng's hand touched her chin, gently pinched it, and he couldn't help but sigh.
"Only you, neither arrogant nor indulgent, guide Yongning to distinguish right from wrong and to have a benevolent heart. Xian'er, you not only have a beauty that can topple kingdoms, but also a grand vision and magnanimity that makes you a mother of the world."
"To have you as my consort is my good fortune, Yongning's blessing, and the blessing of my Great Qi."
This praise is extremely high.
Narcissus nestled in his arms, feeling the strong, rhythmic heartbeat of his chest.
Narcissus lowered her eyes slightly, her long eyelashes casting faint shadows beneath them, and said softly, "Your Majesty flatters me. I merely feel that as a member of the imperial family, enjoying the support of the people, I should be even more aware of their hardships and have compassion for them. Otherwise, how am I any different from those rich but heartless commoners?"
She leaned back, resting lightly against his chest, her arms entwined around his strong arms.
"I was merely fulfilling my duty as a mother."
"Your sense of duty surpasses that of countless others."
Emperor Zhaoheng sighed softly, slowly leaned down, and gently pressed his warm lips to her forehead, then slowly moved down, finally covering her slightly cool lips.
This was a kiss filled with tenderness and affection, unlike the possessive kisses of the past; instead, it felt more like a silent promise.
Narcissus closed her eyes, accepting his gentle demands, and a few ripples spread through her heart.
No matter how much she told herself to stay clear-headed, Emperor Zhaoheng's unreserved praise and affection were like a flame, quietly melting away her frozen defenses.
That night, Emperor Zhaoheng stayed at the Lihe Palace.
Emperor Zhaoheng held her in his arms, and no matter how much Shui Xian begged for mercy, he wouldn't let her go, forcibly leading her into that dazzling scene.
He seemed determined to translate his overflowing admiration and love into concrete actions.
Narcissus had no choice but to abandon all the troubles of the court and the harem and immerse herself in this moment of tenderness and affection.
Night deepened...
......
folk.
The reputation of the Imperial Noble Consort for her benevolent rule and love for the people spread rapidly among the common people as Emperor Zhaoheng dispatched a continuous stream of supplies.
The free clinic outside Dengdi Inn has more than doubled in size, and people are flocking to it for medical treatment, with queues stretching from one end of the street to the other.
Pei Jichuan and Ana led a small group of young imperial physicians and apprentices who had volunteered to come. They were so busy that they didn't even have time to drink water.
Ana's secret techniques from southern Xinjiang, combined with Pei Jichuan's superb medical skills, have indeed saved many critically ill patients, earning her an excellent reputation.
Some people who had been deeply indebted to her, grateful for her life-saving grace, spontaneously gathered to discuss raising money to erect a longevity tablet for the imperial concubine, who was like a bodhisattva, and to offer sacrifices to her morning and evening, praying for her good health and long-lasting blessings.
However......
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