Chapter 19 Xian'er Loves Me and Satisfies Me
New Year's Day is the beginning of the year and is one of the most important festivals for the entire palace.
During the day, an outer court banquet was held in the Taihe Hall, attended mostly by princes, ministers, and envoys from foreign vassal states, showcasing the power and authority of the Great Qi state.
In the evening, an inner court banquet was held in Baohua Hall. The attendees were changed to imperial concubines and close relatives of the imperial clan, reflecting the family reunion.
Consort Yi was in charge of the inner court banquet in Baohua Palace.
On New Year's Day, the Baohua Hall was adorned with gold and jade, and the sounds of string and wind instruments filled the air.
The Empress Dowager sat at the head of the table, dressed in a magnificent crimson-purple robe, exuding elegance and grace.
Emperor Zhaoheng, dressed in a bright yellow dragon robe, stood to the side, which made his face appear even more stern and gave the Empress Dowager a sense of distance.
The Empress was absent due to her poor health, and Consort Li and Consort Yi sat on the left and right sides of the high seat.
Consort Li, dressed in a bright red and gold palace gown, surrounded by pearls and jade, was enjoying her position of honor, second only to the Empress, and looked at Consort Yi with undisguised arrogance.
Consort Yi, dressed in a royal blue brocade palace gown, with exquisite makeup, sat regally, a gentle smile playing on her lips, a stark contrast to Consort Li.
The other concubines sat behind them according to their rank, and the sounds of string and wind instruments drowned out the whispers below, with only a little noise audible.
Just then, the palace doors opened, and a graceful figure stepped into the Baohua Palace.
Today, Narcissus is dressed in a moon-white brocade dress, with a light blue brocade cloak over it. Her simple and plain attire is completely out of place with the magnificent colors of the hall.
However, it was precisely this serene and aloof quality, like orchids in a secluded valley, that instantly caught Emperor Zhaoheng's attention.
Emperor Zhaoheng's heart stirred slightly. The annoyance he had felt from being urged to have an heir by his court officials and the Empress Dowager for days dissipated somewhat the moment he saw her.
He raised his hand, his voice not loud, yet clearly penetrating the sounds of string and wind instruments throughout the hall: "Narcissus, come to my side."
The Emperor's words immediately drew everyone's attention to Shui Xian.
How could a mere attendant be able to serve the emperor?
This is an honor that even many high-ranking concubines might not receive!
Consort Li's smug expression froze, and Consort Yi's hand holding the teacup tightened almost imperceptibly...
Narcissus felt the complex gazes coming from all directions. She slowly lowered her eyes, concealing all her emotions, and respectfully walked to the brocade stool next to Emperor Zhaoheng and sat down, her posture docile.
As soon as she got close, Shui Xian smelled a faint scent of wine on Emperor Zhaoheng.
She glanced up and saw that the Nine Dragons Golden Cup in front of Emperor Zhaoheng had been filled several times. The man's brows were furrowed with a hint of melancholy, clearly indicating that today's banquet was not a pleasant occasion for him.
Narcissus understood and gently advised, "Your Majesty, too much wine is harmful to your health. You should take extra care of your health during the New Year's banquet."
Her gentle voice, filled with concern, flowed like a gentle stream, soothing the emperor's agitated heart.
Emperor Zhaoheng turned his head to look at her, his tone softening: "Yes, I understand."
Just then, a eunuch at the palace gate announced loudly: "Prince Duan, Princess Duan, and Prince Duan's heir are here to pay their respects!"
The atmosphere inside the hall changed slightly.
Prince Duan, dressed in a royal robe, entered with a woman adorned with jewels. In front of them, a chubby five-year-old boy, dressed in a bright red brocade jacket, rushed in like a little cannonball.
He wandered around the hall without any manners, looking left and right, and even tried to grab the pastries on the tray of a palace maid next to him.
"Cheng-ge'er! Slow down!" Princess Duan called out from behind, feigning concern but her face showed indulgence and a lack of restraint.
Upon seeing the chubby boy, the Empress Dowager's cold expression vanished, replaced by a loving smile. She beckoned him repeatedly, saying, "Cheng-ge'er, come quickly to your grandmother!"
Having received the Empress Dowager's summons, Cheng-ge'er became even more fearless. He ran up to the Empress Dowager's seat, and without even bowing, he threw himself into her arms and whined, "Grandmother! Cheng-ge'er wants to eat that!"
His chubby little finger pointed to a plate of exquisite tribute snacks on the imperial table.
"Alright, alright, whatever you say!"
The Empress Dowager smiled from ear to ear, personally feeding him snacks and letting him climb up and down her phoenix chair, tugging at the tassels on her robes.
The noisy children were completely out of place at the solemn palace banquet, yet no one dared to utter a single word.
Shui Xian sat beside Emperor Zhaoheng and could clearly see the emperor's fingers tighten slightly as he held the wine cup, his eyes filled with icy coldness.
She subtly withdrew her gaze, just in time to see Consort Yi's face beam with an even wider smile than before, as she spoke towards the Empress Dowager and Cheng Ge'er.
"Your Majesty is right. The Crown Prince is indeed lively and adorable, and he seems much more intelligent than ordinary children!"
Consort Yi's voice was gentle and pleasant, with a deliberate flattery, "I have heard that the young prince, at such a young age, already knows a thousand characters and can recite a thousand poems. He is exceptionally intelligent and truly has the appearance of a royal prodigy!"
Her praise made Princess Duan beam with joy, and she nodded repeatedly.
The Empress Dowager stroked Cheng Ge'er's head, her face full of pride.
Narcissus raised an eyebrow. "What a remarkable person who knows a thousand characters and can recite a thousand poems!"
Consort Yi's flattery was far too outrageous in her attempt to please the Empress Dowager and Prince Duan's residence.
Emperor Zhaoheng beside her gave a soft snort, the sound so faint that only the narcissus, who was standing right next to her, could hear it clearly.
Narcissus felt a slight stirring in her heart, sensing the emperor's subtle attitude.
Consort Yi wants to curry favor? Then she'll deliberately stir things up.
She leaned slightly closer to Emperor Zhaoheng's ear and, in a voice only the two of them could hear, chuckled mischievously:
"Your Majesty, I find the young prince lively and interesting, and Consort Yi praises him to the skies. I... would like to test whether it's true or not for you?"
Emperor Zhaoheng glanced at her, and when he met the liveliness in her eyes, the slight annoyance in his heart was somewhat relieved by this little accomplice.
A hint of interest flashed in his eyes, and he nodded almost imperceptibly.
With tacit permission, Shui Xian looked at Cheng Ge'er, who was munching on a snack in the Empress Dowager's arms, and asked curiously, "Your Highness, Consort Yi just praised you for being able to recite a thousand poems, which is truly remarkable! I wonder if Your Highness could recite one for the Emperor and the Empress Dowager? So that we concubines can also broaden our horizons?"
Her tone was sincere, as if she were merely curious because of Yi Fei's words, without any malice.
Consort Yi glanced at her, wondering what Narcissus was doing.
It's just reciting poems. How difficult could it be for a five-year-old royal child to recite poems... She turned to look at Cheng Ge'er, who was nestled in the Empress Dowager's arms, wiping the oil from his hands onto his phoenix robe.
Consort Yi's heart skipped a beat... Could it be that Cheng-ge'er really can't recite it?
Cheng-ge'er was eating pastry crumbs when he was suddenly called out. He looked up blankly, his chubby face covered in oil.
Reciting poems? What reciting poems? He was spoiled rotten and hated nothing more than his teacher teaching him to recite!
Emperor Zhaoheng spoke up at the opportune moment, adding fuel to the fire: "Oh? Is what Consort Yi said true? Cheng'er can already recite a thousand poems? I'd like to hear it too."
The Empress Dowager lowered her head and coaxed her grandson, "Cheng'er, hurry up, recite a poem for your imperial uncle, just your favorite one, 'Ode to the Goose'?"
Cheng Ge'er looked at the Empress Dowager, then at Emperor Zhaoheng, and then at all the eyes staring at him below, feeling extremely irritated.
He suddenly twisted his body, broke free from the Empress Dowager's embrace, and stomped his feet, shouting, "No, no! I want to eat snacks! I want to go play!"
As he spoke, he started running and jumping on the carpet in front of the throne without a care in the world. His chubby little legs kicked over a fruit platter held by a standing eunuch, and the fruits rolled all over the ground, causing a low gasp.
The hall fell silent instantly, and the music also stopped.
Prince Duan's face turned extremely ugly, and Princess Duan was so embarrassed that she didn't know what to do. She wanted to grab her son but was afraid of losing her dignity in front of the emperor.
The Empress Dowager's loving expression vanished, replaced by a somber look.
Upon seeing this, Shui Xian immediately showed a look of fear and unease. She quickly rose and slightly curtsied in the direction of Consort Yi: "Your Highness, please forgive me. It was all my fault. I shouldn't have made things difficult for the young master. He is still young, and being lively and active is his nature. I was just too curious and misunderstood Your Highness's meaning..."
Narcissus made a mistake, but apologized to Consort Yi first...
Those present noticed this scene and all remembered something.
This narcissus was originally a maidservant of Consort Yi, and now she still lives in the same palace as Consort Yi. Does this mean that narcissus also means Consort Yi's will?
The Empress Dowager clearly thought the same thing; her expression grew increasingly gloomy as she coldly looked at Consort Yi.
"Consort Yi! I always thought you were a composed person, so why are you speaking so recklessly today? Cheng'er is still a child, yet you dare to speak so presumptuously and boastfully before the Emperor, misleading everyone and disrupting the palace banquet! This is utterly disgraceful!"
The Empress Dowager thought that Consort Yi and her servant were putting on an act in front of her, just to embarrass Cheng Ge'er, and vented all her anger on Consort Yi.
Consort Yi's face turned ashen, and she hurriedly rose from her seat and knelt on the ground: "Your Majesty, please calm your anger! I...I was just overjoyed and spoke without thinking. I had no intention of exaggeration or falsehood! Please, Your Majesty, see the truth!"
She hated Narcissus to the core, but dared not utter a single word in rebuttal, and could only bury her head deeply.
Emperor Zhaoheng coldly looked at Consort Yi kneeling on the ground. How could he not know that she had been openly and secretly currying favor with the Empress Dowager and advocating for the adoption of the Prince Duan's heir?
The Yi family had repeatedly pressured him with their court officials during the previous dynasty, much to Emperor Zhaoheng's annoyance.
Today's farce has provided him with an excellent opportunity to teach him a lesson.
"The Empress Dowager's reprimand is correct," Emperor Zhaoheng said slowly. "As a consort, Consort Yi should be cautious in her words and actions, setting an example for the harem. Today, however, she spoke recklessly and improperly before the Emperor, disrupting the palace banquet and incurring the Empress Dowager's wrath, even frightening the Prince Duan's heir. This trend must not be allowed to continue!"
He coldly declared, "From this day forward, Consort Yi is to be confined to Changxin Palace for one month, copying the 'Admonitions for Women' and 'Inner Instructions' one hundred times, and reflecting on her faults! Without my decree, she is not to step out of the palace gates even half a step!"
"Your Majesty!" Consort Yi looked up abruptly, her eyes filled with shock.
Confined to his quarters! And this happened at the New Year's banquet, in front of all the concubines and imperial relatives! This is an utter disgrace!
She only said a few extra words, how could she be punished so severely!
"What? Does Consort Yi have any objections?" Emperor Zhaoheng's voice suddenly turned cold, carrying an unquestionable imperial majesty.
Consort Yi felt as if she had fallen into an ice cave when she met that cold gaze: "Your Majesty... I accept the imperial decree and thank you. I know I was wrong and will certainly reflect on my mistakes behind closed doors."
The hall was deathly silent; everyone was stunned by the sudden and severe punishment.
Emperor Zhaoheng stopped looking at Consort Yi kneeling on the ground and turned his gaze to Shui Xian beside him.
Today, Shui Xian helped him vent his anger, which made Emperor Zhaoheng even more fond of her. He said loudly, "Perfect timing. While all the palaces are here, I also want to announce something: Shui Xian is a gentle and polite lady who is kind and understanding. She has won my heart. She is hereby promoted to the rank of Noble Lady and granted residence in Chengming Palace."
Chengming Hall!
Even Narcissus never expected that the Emperor would grant her permission to reside in Chengming Palace.
That was an exquisite palace garden quite close to the Qianqing Palace, much better than the west side hall of the Changxin Palace!
More importantly, this decree was issued immediately after punishing Consort Yi, which was tantamount to declaring in front of everyone that he was going to protect Shui Xian and completely remove her from Consort Yi's control!
Shui Xian immediately rose and gracefully bowed, saying, "This humble servant thanks Your Majesty for your great favor!"
After moving away from Consort Yi's Changxin Palace, she was able to recuperate and detoxify more peacefully, no longer having to be personally watched by Xue Mei to drink her medicine every time!
Immediately, Emperor Zhaoheng did not linger at the banquet. He stepped forward, took Shui Xian's hand, and led her away from Baohua Palace in front of everyone to their new residence.
Upon arriving at Chengming Hall, before Shui Xian could even look around, Emperor Zhaoheng bent down, picked her up, and strode toward the bed.
"Xian'er loves me and helps me vent my anger, so I should also love Xian'er well..."
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