Chapter 307 A Man's Temperament, Sometimes Unavoidable...
Morning light streamed through the cloud-patterned carved windows of the inner hall of the Qianqing Palace, casting a scattering of fine golden spots on the ground.
Narcissus woke up to a chorus of children's chatter.
Before she even opened her eyes, she heard Yongning's clear voice lowered as she told a story outside the curtains, with an air of seriousness.
"...Then, Father Emperor squatted down by the edge of the field, just like that old farmer, and rolled up his sleeves here!"
Yongning gestured on her small, lotus-root-like arms, "Plant those green seedlings. Qingyan, look, it's like this..."
Narcissus gently lifted a corner of the curtain.
On the Persian velvet carpet in the inner hall, Yongning, dressed in a pale yellow ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress), was bending over as if planting rice seedlings.
Qingyan imitated her, her little face tense and serious. She stuck her chubby little hand into the air, but because she used too much force, she sat down on the blanket with a thud.
"No, no, that's not right."
Qinghe corrected him in a childish voice, squatting down beside him, "Father...like this..."
As he spoke, he gently patted the blanket with his little hand, and his earnest expression made Shui Xian's lips curl into a smile.
"And then what?"
Qingyan got up and pressed her sister for answers.
"Later, Father lost his footing and stepped into a mud puddle!"
The three children burst into laughter.
Narcissus watched quietly, feeling a deep warmth in her heart.
Just as she was about to get up, a pair of warm arms gently wrapped around her waist from behind.
Emperor Zhaoheng wore only a bright yellow sleeping robe, his hair was not tied up and was draped lazily over his shoulders.
He spoke in a hoarse voice, his breath brushing against her ear: "How is it? Have I done a good job as a farmer?"
His voice was hoarse from the early morning, and he couldn't hide his laughter.
Narcissus leaned against him, not turning around, but looking at the children: "If the court officials had seen the Emperor in that state a few days ago, they would have been shocked."
"Before them, I am the emperor."
Emperor Zhaoheng tightened his grip on her arm and whispered in her ear, "In front of Xian'er and the children, I am just her husband and father... What's wrong with that?"
He spoke of it so naturally, as if it were a matter of course.
Narcissus felt a slight tremor in her heart, but ultimately did not respond.
The palace maids filed in carrying copper basins and towels. After the Emperor and Empress finished washing up, breakfast was already laid out in the outer room.
On the round table made of rosewood, five sets of bowls and chopsticks were neatly arranged.
Emperor Zhaoheng led Shuixian to her seat, and Yongning immediately sat down next to his mother, while Qingyan and Qinghe squeezed to the left and right of their father.
"Mother, this is delicious!"
Yongning picked up a delicate, translucent shrimp dumpling and placed it on the plate in front of Shuixian.
Seeing this, Qingyan also tried her best to pick up a piece of jujube cake with her still unsteady chopsticks: "It's sweet!"
Qinghe got anxious and grabbed a piece of sweet osmanthus lotus root with her little hand, about to hand it over, but Emperor Zhaoheng stopped her with a smile: "Qinghe, use chopsticks."
"But... the chopsticks won't listen to me..."
Qinghe muttered softly, looking aggrieved.
Emperor Zhaoheng simply picked up his son and placed him on his lap, holding his little hand and patiently teaching him how to pick up the piece of candied lotus root.
The man's profile appeared exceptionally gentle in the morning light, bearing no resemblance to his commanding presence in the imperial court.
Narcissus lowered her head to drink the porridge, the warm millet soothing her stomach.
She watched as Emperor Zhaoheng carefully wiped the sugar stains from Qinghe's lips, and watched as Yongning secretly took the carrot slices she didn't like from her own bowl and quietly put them into Qingyan's bowl.
"Yongning".
Before Shui Xian could speak, Emperor Zhaoheng's gaze had already swept over her.
Yongning froze, sticking out her tongue.
"Eating carrots is good for Yongning."
Emperor Zhaoheng spoke gently, yet with a father's authority, "You promised your father yesterday that you would no longer be picky about food."
Yongning said with a pained expression, "But Father, it doesn't taste good..."
"Okay then."
Emperor Zhaoheng put down his chopsticks, a half-smile on his face, and said, "If you finish these carrot slices, I will allow you to skip one calligraphy assignment for today."
"real?"
Yongning's eyes lit up.
Although she is still young, the emperor and empress have arranged daily lessons for her.
Each day, only one hour is dedicated to instruction, but it is taught by the best tutor.
Emperor Zhaoheng: "A ruler's word is his bond."
"Thank you, Father Emperor!"
Yongning was overjoyed and immediately stuffed the carrot slices into his mouth, puffing out his cheeks and chewing hard. His fearless look amused the two twins.
As Narcissus watched this scene, the smile on her lips became more genuine.
Such a morning, with the laughter and joy of ordinary people, was a luxury she could never have dreamed of in her previous life.
It has now come true.
She lowered her head, avoiding the tender, captivating gaze that Emperor Zhaoheng cast at her, and whispered to Yongning, "Eat slowly, don't choke."
After breakfast, Emperor Zhaoheng did not immediately change his clothes and go to court as usual.
He waved away the palace maids who wanted to help him with his dressing, and personally led Narcissus to the dressing table.
The rosewood dressing table was just added yesterday. It was newly made by the Imperial Household Department and is carved with a pattern of twin lotus flowers.
The mirror's surface was as smooth as a silver plate, reflecting the two figures.
"I am here."
Emperor Zhaoheng took out a jade comb from his makeup box, making a very soft sound.
Narcissus paused slightly, but did not refuse.
She looked at the man standing behind her in the bronze mirror. She saw Emperor Zhaoheng loosen her casually tied-up black hair, and her dark hair cascaded down to her shoulders like a waterfall.
His combing technique was initially a little clumsy, but his strength was extremely gentle as he combed from the top of his head to the ends, one stroke after another.
The hall was extremely quiet, with only the soft sound of a jade comb brushing against hair and the faint chirping of birds coming from outside the window.
"Xian'er's hair is so beautiful."
Emperor Zhaoheng sighed softly, a strand of hair twirling between his fingers, “Like the finest ink satin.”
Narcissus lowered her eyes: "Your Majesty flatters me."
"I am telling the truth."
Emperor Zhaoheng put down the jade comb and picked up the nine-phoenix pearl-holding gold hairpin from the dressing table.
The hair ornament is exquisitely crafted, with nine phoenixes spiraling upwards, each holding a pearl in its beak, the largest one hanging in the center, shimmering with light.
He carefully inserted the hair ornament into her already styled hair bun, adjusting the angle so that the pearl hung precisely on her forehead.
"Does Xian'er know the origin of this hair ornament?"
Emperor Zhaoheng leaned down and whispered in her ear.
A warm breath brushed against her earlobe, and Narcissus's fingertips curled slightly: "Your Majesty, I do not know."
"This belongs to the first empress of Emperor Taizu."
Emperor Zhaoheng's voice was deep and slow, carrying a certain solemnity, "Emperor Taizu personally placed this hairpin on Empress Yuan's head, saying: 'The one who governs the world should be in charge of the education of women, so that the universe is in order and yin and yang are each in their proper place.'"
Narcissus's heart skipped a beat as she looked at him in the mirror.
Emperor Zhaoheng was also gazing intently at her reflection in the mirror, his eyes deep and unfathomable.
“I think,” he said, emphasizing each word, “that Xian’er is a better match for it than the Empress Dowager and the Great Ancestor.”
After he finished speaking, he did not leave. Instead, he took something out of his sleeve and gently placed it in the palm of the narcissus's hand, which was spread out on her lap.
A cool and heavy touch.
Narcissus looked down and saw the crimson gold seal.
It was the private treasury seal that he had given her last night at Qinglan Villa.
“Every word I spoke last night was from the bottom of my heart.”
Emperor Zhaoheng grasped her hand tightly, holding the seal in his palm. "This morning I issued an edict informing the Imperial Household Department and even the commander of the secret guards that from today onwards, seeing this seal is as if seeing me."
"Within and outside the palace, all my private property and secret guards can be mobilized and drawn upon with this seal."
He paused, looking at the narcissus's suddenly raised eyes in the mirror, and slowly added the last sentence.
"I entrust my empire and my wealth to you."
"From now on, there will be no secrets between us, and no need for suspicion."
There are no more secrets.
There's no need for suspicion.
Narcissus held the cold seal in her hand, her fingertips turning slightly white.
The lines along the edge of the seal pressed against her palm, providing a clear tactile sensation and reminding her that this was not a dream.
Narcissus lowered her eyelashes, concealing the turbulent thoughts in her eyes.
When I looked up again, I was moved to tears at just the right moment.
She turned around, looked up at Emperor Zhaoheng, and held the seal tightly in her palm, pressing it against her heart.
"Your Majesty's kindness is immense, and I... do not know how to repay it."
Narcissus's voice was soft and gentle, with a slight tremor.
Emperor Zhaoheng smiled, a smile that vaguely carried the same unrestrained air he had when he was outside the palace.
He reached out and pulled her into his arms, sighing contentedly, "Silly fairy, I don't need you to report this."
"Your best way to repay me is to stay by my side, accompany me, and watch the children grow up."
Narcissus nestled in his arms, her cheek pressed against his chest. She closed her eyes and softly murmured "Mmm."
——
Emperor Zhaoheng finally changed his clothes and went to court.
The tranquility of the Qianqing Palace was restored. Shui Xian sat alone on the soft couch by the window, still holding the red gold seal in her hand, her fingertips unconsciously stroking the cold patterns on it.
About half an hour later, a palace maid announced from outside the hall: "Your Majesty, Aunt Yinzhu requests an audience."
Narcissus snapped out of her daze and put the seal into a hidden compartment next to her: "Let her in."
Yinzhu was dressed in a female official's uniform, with a lake-blue background and silver embroidery, and she had a more composed demeanor than when she was a palace maid.
She entered the hall and bowed respectfully: "This servant greets Your Majesty the Empress."
"Get up, there are no outsiders here."
Narcissus gestured for her to come closer and dismissed the palace servants who were attending to her.
The palace doors closed gently.
Yinzhu then straightened up, a genuine smile on her face, and sat down on the embroidered stool next to Shuixian.
"Your Majesty looks much better."
Yinzhu examined Shuixian's face and breathed a sigh of relief. "I noticed you looked worried a few days ago, but you look more relaxed now."
Narcissus smiled, ignoring the conversation, and asked instead, "Did something happen at the inn when you went to the palace today?"
"yes."
Yinzhu straightened her expression, took out a not-so-thick booklet from her sleeve, and presented it with both hands. "This is a summary of the accounts of Dengdi Inn for the previous season, as well as... excerpts of information from various sources that I secretly collected as instructed by Your Highness."
Narcissus took it, but did not open it immediately.
She looked at Yinzhu and suddenly asked, "How does Zhou Yan treat you?"
Yinzhu was surprised by her sudden question, her cheeks flushed slightly, but her eyes shone with tenderness.
“He…treated me extremely well. He never questioned anything I made at the inn. He also consulted me on all matters, big and small, at home.”
"That's good."
Narcissus nodded, her tone gratified, "I was always worried that you would suffer after marrying him. Although Zhou Yan is mine, a man's nature can sometimes be unpredictable..."
"Your Majesty, please rest assured."
Yinzhu's voice was soft yet firm, "He wouldn't dare, and he wouldn't."
Narcissus smiled, and this time it was a genuine smile.
She took Yinzhu's hand and examined her closely to make sure that Yinzhu hadn't been wronged, which put her at ease.
Narcissus opened the booklet that Silver Pearl had brought.
The accounts are well-organized, and profits have increased by 30% compared to the previous quarter.
Not only is the inn itself thriving, but the warehouses that have expanded to the west of the city are also starting to generate stable profits.
What caught Shuixian's attention even more was the news summary section, where Yinzhu meticulously recorded the recent news and developments in various parts of the capital in her delicate small regular script:
The dispute between legitimate and illegitimate children sparked by an official taking a concubine, subtle clues about fluctuations in grain prices, and the connections between the owners of several silk shops...
Although trivial, these are all realities of life that are difficult to experience within the palace walls.
When she turned to the last page, Narcissus's gaze stopped.
The document stated that two of the thirteen women hired to renounce their citizenship had passed the initial selection by female officials and were being prepared for review.
One of them was originally an embroiderer, skilled in double-sided embroidery with different colors. Another one... was a concubine's daughter from a former imperial censor's family who was confiscated and sent to the Jiaofangsi (a government-run entertainment institution). She was knowledgeable in music and good at calculations.
Narcissus traced the words with her fingertips for a long time before softly saying, "Well done."
Yinzhu lowered her head: "It was Her Majesty who gave them a way to live."
"The road is one you walk yourself."
Shui Xian closed the booklet, looked up at Yin Zhu, and suddenly changed the subject, "Yin Zhu, go and fetch the small sandalwood box at the bottom of the makeup box over there."
Although Yinzhu was puzzled, she still got up as instructed and took a small, exquisite wooden box from the dressing table.
Narcissus took it and opened it.
Inside were not jewelry, but several neatly folded contracts.
She took out the contract and, under Yinzhu's questioning gaze, gently pushed it in front of her.
"This is……"
Yinzhu looked down and when she saw the words "Dengdi Inn Land Deed" in large characters on the top sheet of paper, she was suddenly shocked and looked up abruptly, "Your Majesty?!"
"This is......"
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