Chapter 211 A Twisted Sense of Superiority
Half a month passed in the blink of an eye, and the atmosphere of early winter had quietly permeated the palace gardens.
According to ancestral rules, even if the Empress claimed to be ill and "resting quietly," all the concubines still had to go to Kunning Palace to pay their respects on the first and fifteenth of each month, thus fulfilling this superficial rule.
Inside the Kunning Palace, the doors and windows were half-closed in an attempt to let in some fresh air, but the strong smell of medicine still could not be dispelled.
This time, the Empress was truly ill.
The Empress, dressed in casual clothes and without her phoenix crown, leaned listlessly on the phoenix throne covered with bright yellow cushions, receiving the obeisances of the concubines, led by Shui Xian.
"Rise, all of you. Please take a seat."
The Queen's voice was noticeably weak, and her gaze swept gently over the crowd, finally lingering briefly on the composed Narcissus, who sat at the head of the table.
Not wanting to make a fool of herself in front of Narcissus, she said calmly, "My health is so poor, it keeps relapsing. It's kind of you to still remember me and come to visit."
Consort De, Consort Wan, and other high-ranking concubines took their seats in turn, chatting and laughing as they made polite remarks about how the emperor would soon recover.
Lin Changzai stood at the back of the crowd, her head bowed, her expression revealing a barely concealed nervousness. Her slender fingers unconsciously twisted the silk handkerchief in her hand repeatedly.
Consort Huang stood diagonally in front of her, glancing at her every now and then, her lips curling into an undisguised disdain.
The group chatted idly about trivial matters in the palace, and somehow the conversation drifted to the topic of offspring.
Consort Huang covered her mouth with a handkerchief, her voice neither too loud nor too soft, but just loud enough for everyone in the hall to hear clearly, and chuckled softly.
"As for good fortune, it's truly a matter of destiny, something you can't force. Some people burn incense and pray to Buddha every day, hoping for it, but alas... their bellies just won't cooperate."
She abruptly changed the subject, a fawning smile spreading across her face as she looked at Narcissus.
"Unlike our Imperial Noble Consort Jin, who was born a blessed and noble person, surrounded by princes and princesses, all of whom are intelligent and healthy. She is truly the envy of others."
These words, ostensibly flattering Narcissus, were actually a veiled sarcasm aimed precisely at the other concubines who were without favor or children, especially Consort Lin, who was being subtly mocked and had been relying on medication for recuperation.
Sure enough, Lin Changzai's face turned deathly pale in an instant, looking extremely weak and devoid of color.
Her lips trembled slightly, and her chest heaved, as if she were having trouble breathing.
Lin Changyi instinctively covered his mouth with one hand, trying his best to suppress the nausea churning in his throat, while holding onto the table next to him with the other hand, his body swaying slightly uncontrollably.
The Empress frowned, about to say something to maintain the order, when she saw Consort Lin suddenly catch her breath, and without any warning, she closed her eyes and fell to the side.
"ah--!"
Ouch, you bumped into me!
A chorus of exclamations erupted inside the hall, and the previously cheerful scene instantly descended into chaos.
"Quickly summon the imperial physician!"
Narcissus was the first to react. She stood up, her voice calm yet carrying an undeniable authority, instantly silencing the commotion in the hall.
Her gaze swept over the unconscious Lin Changzai, her expression calm, showing no sign of panic despite the sudden turn of events.
After a flurry of activity, Consort Lin was carried by the palace servants to a side hall of Kunning Palace for placement.
The Empress also instructed the concubines to remain in the main hall and await further news.
The Imperial Physician on duty at the Imperial Hospital that day happened to be Physician Pei. Upon hearing the news, he hurriedly brought his medicine box over, his forehead even covered in fine beads of sweat.
The main hall fell silent for a moment, with only the occasional suppressed cough from the Empress and the varying degrees of breathing from the others.
After entering, Physician Pei placed a handkerchief over Consort Lin's wrist and checked her repeatedly before revealing a look of surprise on her face.
The Empress, along with other high-ranking concubines such as Shui Xian, were already standing by Lin Changzai's bedside. Seeing Pei Jichuan's expression, the Empress asked, "How is it? Is something serious?"
Pei Jichuan cleared his throat and unconsciously glanced at the narcissus.
"I believe we should inform His Majesty..."
...
Not long after, Emperor Zhaoheng arrived at Kunning Palace.
Upon receiving the news, he arrived in a sedan chair. After entering the inner chamber, he first glanced at the calm-looking Narcissus. Seeing that she was unharmed, he turned to the Empress and asked in a deep voice, "Empress, what happened?"
The Empress weakly shook her head, about to reply, when there was a commotion from the side hall.
After Emperor Zhaoheng arrived, Imperial Physician Pei took the emperor's pulse again. This time, he was more cautious. After a long while, he withdrew his hand, turned around, and knelt down on the ground with a thud.
Overwhelmed with excitement, his voice trembled noticeably as he reported loudly:
"Congratulations, Your Majesty! Consort Lin... Consort Lin's pulse is positive! Judging from the pulse, it is smooth and strong, like pearls rolling on a plate, indicating that she is more than a month pregnant!"
"What?!"
Physician Pei's words were like a boulder thrown into a calm lake, instantly creating ripples!
Emperor Zhaoheng was completely stunned.
He had difficulty conceiving; apart from Narcissus's child, there had been no good news from the harem for many years.
Consort Lin is of low rank and has only been favored a handful of times, so her memory of her is vague. How could she... how could she suddenly be pregnant?
After the huge surprise came an overwhelming, even indescribable, ecstasy!
The expressions of Consort Wan, Consort De, and others below changed drastically... A mixture of emotions, like a spilled palette of paints, were on display, each with their own thoughts, making the faces of the high-ranking concubines in the inner chamber a fascinating spectacle.
The message was confirmed several times before it was released to the outside world.
Huang Guiren, who was standing outside, lost her composure and blurted out a voice full of doubt. She could not accept this result!
"Impossible! This is absolutely impossible! How could she... how could she be pregnant?!"
After the initial shock and disbelief, Emperor Zhaoheng was filled with joy after Pei Jichuan confirmed it repeatedly.
He laughed loudly, as if all the political worries of the past few days had been swept away in that moment: "Good! Good! Excellent! Truly, Heaven blesses our Great Qi, and our ancestors protect us!"
He was overjoyed and immediately issued an edict: "By my decree, Consort Lin has rendered meritorious service in bearing the imperial heir. Effective immediately, she shall be promoted to the rank of Noble Lady and moved to the East Annex Hall of Jingcheng Palace. All her expenses shall be in accordance with the rank of Noble Lady, plus an additional 30%!"
"The Imperial Medical Academy will dispatch more capable physicians and select several experienced nannies to take good care of Consort Lin's pregnancy. If there is any mishap, I will hold you all responsible!"
"Your Majesty, I congratulate you! Congratulations!"
Inside the room, the high-ranking concubines standing beside Consort Lin's bed rose to their feet and offered their congratulations.
Shui Xian was even more surprised; if Pei Jichuan hadn't diagnosed it himself, she really wouldn't have believed it!
How could this be...?
At this moment, Consort Lin also slowly woke up. In her dazed state, she heard that she was not only pregnant, but had also been promoted to the rank of Noble Lady and given a palace.
She was initially bewildered, as if in a dream, but once she came to her senses, an overwhelming joy instantly overwhelmed her.
However, what followed was an even deeper sense of fear and unease.
She subconsciously reached out and touched her still flat stomach, glancing timidly at the various expressions on the faces of the people in the hall.
The Empress quickly suppressed all outward emotions and put on her flawless, gentle mask once again.
She spoke softly, her voice filled with relief and concern for Consort Lin.
"This is truly a joyous occasion, blessed by our ancestors and the Emperor. Consort Lin's health is now of utmost importance, so she must be careful in everything she does and take good care of herself."
Her gaze shifted to Consort Lin, who was still trembling with fear on the couch, her expression carrying a deep and unfathomable concern, her tone gentle yet laced with hidden motives.
"Consort Lin, you are young and this is your first pregnancy. I'm afraid you don't know much about pregnancy matters. Although there are good imperial physicians and nannies in the palace, they are not as caring as family."
"From today onwards, I will personally send the most capable matron from Kunning Palace to carefully manage and check your daily medications, diet, and living arrangements to ensure that you and the imperial heir are both safe and sound without any mishaps."
These words sound like the Empress's thoughtfulness and sense of responsibility, showing her concern for the safety of the imperial heirs.
However, to discerning eyes, especially to Narcissus, it was clear that the Empress had instantly and firmly grasped Consort Lin and the unborn child in her womb!
Upon hearing this, Emperor Zhaoheng's smile faded slightly, and his deep gaze swept over the Empress's seemingly gentle face.
He had difficulty conceiving, so this pregnancy with Consort Lin was both unexpected and precious.
The empress's eagerness to place him under her wing left him no choice but to overthink things.
"The Empress is still ill and should not worry about such trivial matters."
Emperor Zhaoheng spoke, his voice gentle, interrupting the scheme the Empress had just set up.
"Imperial Noble Consort Jin is now assisting in the management of the six palaces, and her actions are prudent, which greatly comforts me. Consort Lin's pregnancy will be entirely cared for by the Imperial Noble Consort, and all matters related to the safe delivery will be arranged by the Lihe Palace."
His gaze shifted to Narcissus, with obvious trust in her.
"Xian'er, Consort Lin is inexperienced, so please take good care of her."
This sudden imperial decree elicited various reactions from the people in the hall.
Shui Xian felt a slight chill in her heart, but showed no sign on her face. She calmly curtsied and said, "Your Majesty, I will obey your decree and do my utmost to protect the imperial heir."
In the instant she lowered her eyes, she keenly caught out of the corner of her eye that the Empress, standing not far away, seemed to have a fleeting, almost imperceptible curve at the corner of her lips.
The inexplicable doubt in Narcissus's heart deepened.
When Consort Lin, who was on the bed, heard that the Imperial Noble Consort Jin, who was currently enjoying the Emperor's favor, would be in charge of her pregnancy, she was first stunned, and then a look of relief flashed in her eyes.
She timidly raised her eyes, about to cast a grateful glance at Narcissus.
However, the moment her gaze fell upon the narcissus, she happened to meet the narcissus's gaze directed at her.
His gaze was calm and serene, devoid of any deliberate attempt at intimacy, only a cool scrutiny and a probing intent towards her.
Lin Guiren felt a sudden stab to the heart!
A surge of resentment at being looked down upon instantly rose up!
She instantly recalled the past when she had tried to seek refuge with Narcissus several times, but had not received any special favor from her.
Now that she herself is pregnant, she is no longer the lowly servant who had to depend on others for survival. But what does Narcissus mean by that look in her eyes?
Is it because they look down on her? Or do they think she's unworthy to bear dragon offspring?
She thought to herself: It's not just you, Narcissus, who can have this! Serves you right for not helping me back then, look at me now I have one too!
At this moment, a twisted sense of superiority unexpectedly rose within Lin Changzai's heart...
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