Chapter 103 Soft Jade, Like Her
Everything was unfolding exactly as Shui Xian and Emperor Zhaoheng had predicted during their secret meeting that night in the warm pavilion of Qianqing Palace.
Yinzhu was sent to the Censorate, but it was just a formality.
Emperor Zhaoheng had already planted his trusted confidants among them, ensuring that she would not suffer any real harm.
This weighty imperial decree was his greatest trump card and guarantee for Narcissus, ensuring that even if she encountered danger in the Cold Palace, she could directly send someone to summon him.
However... Narcissus subconsciously placed her hand gently on her lower abdomen.
She did not inform Emperor Zhaoheng of her second pregnancy.
Upon returning from the 100-day celebration that day, she immediately asked Yinzhu to find Pei Jichuan and tasked him with two matters.
One of them was to take her pulse.
As she expected, she became pregnant again a hundred days after giving birth to her daughter.
Pei Jichuan told her that the pregnancy was still in its early stages, and although her pulse was like pearls rolling on a plate, strong and slippery, it was undoubtedly a pregnancy pulse.
Judging from the timing, this should have been her first time serving the emperor after giving birth to her daughter.
In her previous life, she injured her body when giving birth and was later abandoned by Yi Guichun in a brothel, where she suffered inhuman torture and was unable to conceive again.
This time, she suffered severe bleeding during childbirth, and according to Pei Jichuan, she was deficient in both qi and blood.
Narcissus thought she wouldn't be able to conceive under these circumstances, but to her surprise, just like the first time she served the emperor in her previous life, she conceived on the first try.
Narcissus gently stroked her lower abdomen. Even though she knew that the child in her womb was not yet formed, she still felt a vague connection with the child.
This unexpected child was her other trump card...
Just as her thoughts were drifting away, a sudden commotion arose outside the palace gates.
Shui Xian's eyes sharpened, and she quickly gripped the token in her hand. This token was of great importance and could not be revealed prematurely.
She looked around and finally decided to stuff the token into an inconspicuous rat hole in the corner of the wall, and then grabbed a handful of dry grass and debris that had been blown in by the wind to cover it up.
After doing all this, she straightened her slightly disheveled clothes, her face once again showing the unease of entering the cold palace, and quickly walked out.
Outside the dilapidated palace gate, Xiao Lizi's slender figure stood firmly blocking the entrance, her brows furrowed, facing four uninvited guests.
Surprisingly... Narcissus recognized the woman in the lead!
That was Bao Xiaohuai, who entered the palace at the same time as Yi Guichun and even lived in the same palace!
They entered the palace together during the imperial concubine selection. Yi Guichun was granted the title of Noble Lady due to her family background, while Bao Xiaohuai was granted the title of Consort.
However, as soon as she entered the palace, Bao Xiaohuai quickly gained favor with her charming appearance and became incredibly popular. She was also arrogant and domineering, which led to many conflicts with Yi Guichun.
She lived in the same palace as Yi Guichun, and Bao Xiaohuai often made things difficult for her when she was still a palace maid.
Unfortunately, Bao Xiaohuai was all bark and no bite. She was domineering but extremely naive, and her family background was only average among the newly arrived concubines.
Aside from having a good-looking face, she has nothing else to offer.
Not long after Bao Xiaohuai was promoted to the rank of Noble Lady, she quickly lost the Emperor's favor due to Yi Guichun's scheming and framing. She was disliked by Emperor Zhaoheng and directly banished to the Cold Palace.
All told, Bao Xiaohuai has been in this cold palace for almost three years.
Bao Xiaohuai is no longer the charming woman she once was. Her skin has become rougher, and her eyes have become cloudy and fierce, exuding a domineering aura.
She was wearing a worn-out cotton-padded jacket, hands on her hips, looking imperious.
Behind Bao Xiaohuai were three women, who appeared to be either deposed concubines of the late emperor or elderly palace maids, judging from their attire. Two of them were quite tall and strong, with unfriendly expressions, and were clearly not to be trifled with.
Bao Xiaohuai recognized Shuixian's face at a glance. He was stunned for a moment, then burst into shrill laughter as if he had discovered some huge joke.
"Oh my! I thought you were some new abandoned woman, but it's you, Narcissus!"
She looked Narcissus up and down, her simple clothes and empty hair bun filled with schadenfreude.
"When that bitch Yi Guichun came in earlier, she told me that you're really something now, that you've climbed into the emperor's bed and become a concubine, living a life of unparalleled glory! I didn't believe it!"
"I never expected this! Haha, you've finally met your match! You've actually been banished to this godforsaken place!"
She laughed so hard she almost fell over, as if this was the happiest thing for her in three years: "You can know a person's face but not their heart!"
"You used to act like a docile, submissive servant under Yi Guichun, but it turns out you're a real slut at heart. You actually managed to climb the ranks!"
"What a pity, Heaven has eyes. You haven't had enough of being a concubine yet, have you? You're already getting your comeuppance?"
Despite her words implying that she and Narcissus were old acquaintances, Koriko remained expressionless, standing like a pine tree blocking Narcissus's path, showing no intention of backing down.
After Bao Xiaohuai finished laughing, he finally noticed the little eunuch blocking his way.
She clearly didn't take the slender and delicate Riko seriously, and waved her hand impatiently.
"Where did this little bastard come from? Get out of my way! I'm catching up with your master!"
As she spoke, she led the three people behind her toward barging inside, her eyes greedily scanning the narcissus.
“Narcissus, we’ve known each other for a while now. You’re new here and don’t know the rules of this Cold Palace. Life here is tough. I’m practically one of the older folks here, so I can help you out. But…”
She rubbed her fingers together, her meaning crystal clear: "Since we've known each other before, I'll give you a discount."
"Hand over all your silver, jewelry, or valuable clothes to me as a token of respect. From now on, I, Bao Xiaohuai, will protect you in this cold palace and make sure you suffer less! How about it?"
Looking at her roguish demeanor, Shui Xian's voice turned slightly cold: "Bao Xiaohuai? If I remember correctly, your father is a county magistrate, isn't he?"
"She was born into an official's family, yet after spending three years in this cold palace, she's learned to act like a thug and started extorting money?"
Bao Xiaohuai's smile froze instantly, turning into a ferocious expression.
She hated it most when people mentioned her humble background, and she hated it even more when people mocked her current impoverished state! Narcissus's words hit her sore spot perfectly!
"You shameless wench! You don't know what's good for you!"
Bao Xiaohuai flew into a rage and raised his hand to slap Shuixian hard across the face!
"I'll tear your mouth apart!"
However, before she could even see what was happening, her hand was still in mid-air when she suddenly felt a sharp pain in her abdomen!
"ah--!"
Bao Xiaohuai let out a pig-like scream, and his whole body was kicked backward like a kite with a broken string by a huge force.
She fell heavily onto the withered grass and gravel in the yard, clutching her stomach and screaming in agony.
Suddenly, Riko appeared in front of Narcissus, still slightly turned to the side. Her attack was so fast that no one even saw it.
His handsome face remained expressionless, but his eyes were as cold as ice as he swept over Bao Xiaohuai and her three terrified accomplices behind her.
"If you dare to come any closer, you'll get more than just a kick."
Xiao Lizi's voice wasn't loud, but it carried a chilling murderous aura.
The remaining three women, including the two tall ones, were so frightened by the fierce aura emanating from Riko that they took two steps back, their faces pale, and dared not step forward.
Bao Xiaohuai was in so much pain that she was covered in cold sweat. She never expected that the seemingly down-and-out Shuixian, with this inconspicuous little eunuch by her side, would have such terrifying skills!
She struggled to get up, clutching her stomach in pain, sweating profusely, and looking utterly disheveled.
Bao Xiaohuai stared intently at Shuixian and Xiaolizi, his eyes filled with venom, and gritted his teeth as he said, "Fine! Fine, Shuixian!"
"You dare mess with me, Bao Xiaohuai, while I'm in the Cold Palace? I'll make sure you regret it! Let's go!"
She made a harsh statement and watched as Riko took another step towards her.
She dared not linger any longer and, with her three trembling subordinates, fled the dilapidated outbuilding in a sorry state.
Narcissus watched their hurried retreating figures, but her gaze did not relax.
She vaguely noticed the stares of those around her...
Narcissus glanced over instinctively and saw that in the row of equally dilapidated outbuildings across the way, a window had quietly opened and closed, and it seemed as if a pair of eyes were secretly watching her from inside.
This cold palace, seemingly an abandoned place, is actually a melting pot of all sorts of people, with undercurrents surging beneath the surface.
Outside the Cold Palace, countless covetous eyes are watching this place.
She glanced at the darkening sky reflected on the palace walls in the distance, sighed softly, and firmly closed the door to the side room, cutting off all prying eyes from the outside...
......
Meanwhile, inside the Qianqing Palace.
Feng Shunxiang respectfully bowed his head and reported, "Your Majesty, Consort Jin has been safely moved to the Cold Palace for rest."
Emperor Zhaoheng stood by the window, gazing at the gloomy sky outside. He stood with his hands behind his back, the warm candlelight and the cold sky casting a faint dividing line on his handsome face.
After a long silence, he finally spoke, his voice low and cold.
"Yes. Spread the news of her being sent to the Cold Palace discreetly. Especially... make sure those who most want to hear this news get it."
"This old servant understands."
Feng Shunxiang understood immediately.
The emperor was naturally referring to those powerful families who were stirring up trouble, as well as the empress dowager in the harem who had always been biased and might even have been involved.
“This time,” Emperor Zhaoheng turned around, his eyes flashing with a cold, resolute light, “I want to see just how many demons and monsters will be unable to resist jumping out! I will make sure to wipe out these parasites in one fell swoop!”
"Yes, sir!" Feng Shunxiang bowed deeply and quietly withdrew from the main hall.
After Feng Shunxiang left the main hall, Emperor Zhaoheng gently stroked the mutton-fat jade ruyi that he had somehow acquired. The ruyi was a gift from Shui Xian to Yongning, but Emperor Zhaoheng took it and placed it in the Qianqing Palace.
His fingertips gently caressed her warm, jade-like body, and he felt that the cool, soft touch was just like hers.
Emperor Zhaoheng closed his eyes and gently pressed the jade ruyi against his thin lips.
Before his eyes, he seemed to see that beautiful figure.
"Xian'er... hang in there."
He murmured softly, his heart filled with tenderness.
However, when the man opened his eyes again, his gaze turned dark and somber as he looked out at the distant sky.
The winds of change are beginning to rise.
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