Chapter 182 Capturing Madam Yi
A cold arrow engraved with the character "易" (Yi) pierced through the air, accompanied by the sound of breaking wood, and slammed into the crossbeam of the carriage.
"Protect the Emperor!"
Xiao Lizi was the first to react. Dressed in dark, close-fitting clothes, he had already drawn his sword and stood in front of the blue-draped carriage.
In an instant, the seemingly peaceful open space was flooded with secret guards.
The emperor's bodyguards were far from ordinary; they formed a human wall in the blink of an eye, using their flesh and blood to block any gaps around the carriage!
Other small teams, without even discussing it, went into the mountains and forests in groups, trying to find Yi Xingyao in the dense forest.
Inside the carriage, upon hearing the order to "protect the emperor," Emperor Zhaoheng immediately wrapped Shui Xian completely in a large dragon-patterned cloak.
Narcissus's cheek pressed against his firm, warm chest, and she could clearly feel his muscles tense instantly and his steady, powerful heartbeat.
The figures of the guards could be vaguely seen through the curtain.
The carriage started moving, and escorted by a group of guards, it sped off towards a direction far away from the mountains and forests.
Narcissus sensed that this ordinary blue-draped carriage was naturally not as stable as the royal carriage, and the frame even made some small noises while driving.
Normally, the coachman would be so afraid of losing his head from the slightest bump in the road that he only knew that if the emperor were to be assassinated while he was here, not only would he lose one head, but his entire family would be in danger!
Inside the carriage, Shui Xian could barely keep her balance by bracing herself against the side wall.
Narcissus tilted her head slightly; the bloodstains on her face had not yet been washed away, but her eyes had already regained their composure.
"Your Majesty, Yi Xingyao has few loyal followers left. That arrow proves he hasn't gone far. Searching the mountains now has a very high chance of finding him!"
Shui Xian wished she could get rid of him as soon as possible. With that madman Yi Xingyao out all day, she couldn't sleep peacefully at night.
Emperor Zhaoheng lowered his eyes, looking at the pale yet composed face of the person in his arms. The concubines in the harem have always been like flowers in a greenhouse, precious yet fragile.
Now, without her fine clothes and even with dust on her face and bloodstains on her clothes, Shui Xian appears incredibly resilient. In fact, when she talks about Yi Xingyao, a hint of ruthlessness flashes in her eyes.
He had never seen this side of Narcissus before, and admiration welled up in his heart without him noticing.
Emperor Zhaoheng bent his long, slender fingers and tapped the inside of the carriage three times with his knuckles.
Emperor Zhaoheng then said in a deep voice to the outside of the carriage: "Search the mountains and eliminate the remaining rebels!"
"yes!"
Upon hearing the signal, the guards who had come forward received the order. Some remained in place to escort the emperor and the imperial concubine out, while others shot into the forest like arrows, immediately scattering in all directions to try and find Yi Xingyao.
Emperor Zhaoheng and Shuixian finally arrived at a safe open space outside the mountains, where the Imperial Guards were stationed and guarded by secret guards.
Before long, the guards returned with a man to report.
None of the assassins who followed Yi Xingyao survived, whether they were killed or committed suicide.
Only Madam Yi, with her hair disheveled, clothes torn, and abrasions on her face, was led to the carriage in a disheveled state, her hands tied behind her back.
Xiao Lizi respectfully lifted a corner of the carriage curtain, revealing Emperor Zhaoheng's cold and stern profile.
And beside her was Narcissus, who was being protected by Emperor Zhaoheng. Emperor Zhaoheng had just sent someone to summon the imperial physician, but the physician had not yet arrived, so Narcissus was waiting here.
Madam Yi was forced to kneel on the cold ground. When she looked up, she met the gaze of Narcissus looking down at her.
Madam Yi's eyes flashed with a bone-chilling hatred. She struggled to get up, but was held down firmly by the guards behind her.
"Narcissus! You vile woman, you lowly servant! So vicious, so corrupt in the harem and the court, you will surely meet a terrible end!"
Madam Yi was on the verge of collapse. She never expected that before she could avenge Yi Guichun, she herself, who should have escaped, would be captured by Emperor Zhaoheng's men...
Narcissus watched silently as she cursed viciously. She looked at the woman in front of her, whom she had once thought was as noble as a goddess, but now, stripped of all her hypocrisy, she was nothing more than a wicked person.
Just because Madam Yi was born into a noble family, while she was born a slave, Madam Yi was able to ruin her life so easily!
The area was surrounded by the Imperial Guards, making it safe enough.
Narcissus raised her hand, gesturing for Riko to help her out of the car.
Emperor Zhaoheng was naturally worried about her getting close to that seemingly insane woman, but seeing her resolute expression, he nodded slightly and had Xiao Lizi help her out of the carriage first.
After that, I got out of the car and stood beside her.
The dragon-patterned cloak represents the confidence brought by supreme imperial power!
Narcissus stood before Madam Yi, though she was disheveled and her clothes were stained with blood.
But her overall demeanor was even more graceful than that of Madam Yi, a former lady of a prominent family.
Narcissus's next words sent a chill down Madam Yi's spine.
“Madam,” Narcissus addressed her with this long-unheard title, her tone as indifferent as if discussing something unimportant, “Do you know that the first time I learned of my existence was to help Yi Guichun, who had difficulty conceiving, get pregnant… What was I thinking?”
Madam Yi sneered, "My Yi family raised you..."
Before she could finish speaking, Shui Xian continued, "Yes, the Yi family raised me, but what right did I have to choose?"
"My parents are not incompetent, they were just not born into a prominent family like the Yi family."
It is often said that it is difficult for children from poor families to achieve great things, but for those from impoverished families who have experienced decline, the heights they have reached are beyond the reach of ordinary people.
They can't read or write, so all they can do is sell themselves!
Madam Yi felt no guilt whatsoever. She raised her head as if it were the most natural thing in the world, and said, "That's because your life is worthless!"
Narcissus said expressionlessly:
"It's not that I'm worthless, but that you, when I was five years old, had your personal maid feed me bowl after bowl of secret medicine!"
Emperor Zhaoheng knew that Shuixian had an unusual constitution, but upon hearing this, looking at Shuixian's swollen belly and thinking about how she had drunk bowl after bowl of medicine when she was young, a moment of pity involuntarily swept through his heart.
Narcissus's lips curled into a chilling smile as she looked down at Madam Yi and said mockingly:
"Madam, the Yi family has been completely destroyed... All that immense wealth has vanished in an instant, and all our scheming has become a laughing stock. Do you know that it all started with the bowl of secret medicine you fed me?"
"What...what nonsense are you spouting!"
Madam Yi was suddenly startled. What Narcissus said was the truth that Madam Yi had been least willing to face during this period of time!
If she hadn't given Shui Xian that secret medicine to change her constitution, perhaps the Yi family would still be alive, and perhaps her daughter would still be alive and well...
All of this originated from her!
Seeing the panic in Madam Yi's eyes, Shui Xian took a small step forward, leaned down, and stared directly into Madam Yi's eyes without flinching.
"Whether I'm talking nonsense or not, you know best in your heart."
"You altered my constitution, using me as a tool for Yi Guichun to consolidate his favor, discarding me like worn-out shoes after you've used me... Have you ever considered that that bowl of medicine would ultimately backfire, becoming a poison that would destroy yourself, your daughter, and your entire Yi family?"
"Karma...this is all retribution..."
Mrs. Yi's eyes were unfocused, and she sat down heavily on the ground. She could not accept such a huge blow and was in great pain.
Narcissus observed everything coldly. She knew that it was absolutely impossible to make Madam Yi feel apologetic towards her.
Madam Yi looked down on servants from the bottom of her heart. In fact, in the hearts of these high-ranking "masters," the value of a single servant might not even be as great as that of a precious antique.
But she will surely suffer for her mistake!
Emperor Zhaoheng stared at Shui Xian, whose profile was cold and aloof, with an undisguised ruthlessness flashing in her eyes. He paused for a moment before giving the order in a deep voice.
"Put this wicked woman in a prison cart, keep her under strict guard, and take her back to the capital for joint trial by the three judicial authorities!"
"yes!"
The guards obeyed the order and dragged the distraught Madam Yi away without any mercy.
Narcissus slowly turned around and met Emperor Zhaoheng's thoughtful gaze.
She knew that it wasn't good to show her true colors in front of men, but if she remained silent and let the guards take Madam Yi away today, she would definitely regret it.
Shui Xian pursed her lips slightly. She offered no explanation and simply stood quietly beside Emperor Zhaoheng.
Finally, Emperor Zhaoheng's expression relaxed. He sighed deeply, stepped forward, and grasped Shui Xian's soft hand, intertwining their fingers.
"Xian'er, you've suffered so much..."
...
That evening, the emperor and his entourage did not rush on their journey, but instead settled down at a nearby royal villa.
The bedchamber was brightly lit. In the height of summer, ice chests were used, and a gentle, comfortable breeze wafted through the air as the palace servants fanned themselves with feather fans.
Narcissus had already bathed and changed into clean nightgowns, her long, wet hair cascading down her back.
She came to the bedside, and before the palace maids could come in to comb her hair, Emperor Zhaoheng took her wrist.
On her fair wrists, there were clear red marks from rope binding and bluish-purple bruises.
Emperor Zhaoheng took out the imperial blood-activating and stasis-removing ointment, dipped his fingertip in it, and applied and massaged it onto her little by little.
"It is my fault that I failed to protect you and caused you to suffer this calamity."
Shui Xian raised her eyes and gently shook her head: "It's not Your Majesty's fault, it's just that the villains are too cunning. I am already very fortunate to have returned to Your Majesty's side safely."
Emperor Zhaoheng put down the ointment, cupped her cold hands in his warm palms, and locked his gaze on her intently.
"Xian'er, I dare not think of it, if you..."
His Adam's apple bobbed, and he swallowed the ominous word back.
The man tightened his arms around her, pulling her into his embrace. "It's good that you're back, it's good that you're back."
Narcissus nestled in his arms, and the fear and exhaustion of the past few days seemed to finally find an outlet, and her body and mind gradually relaxed.
Meanwhile, deep within the imperial palace.
In Kunning Palace, just as the Empress was about to retire for the night, a palace maid hurried in and whispered a few words in her ear.
The Empress paused, a shadow crossing her eyes: "Ping An... is the news true?"
"The Emperor personally escorted them back. I heard they stayed at a villa outside the city and did not travel overnight."
The Empress closed her eyes, and the tightly clenched hands on the bedding betrayed her chaotic thoughts.
"I understand."
At almost the same time, the Cining Palace also received the news.
The Empress Dowager, holding her prayer beads, listened to the nanny's report and then gave a cold laugh.
"Pregnant with six months of pregnancy, and having been stranded for many days... how could her innocent reputation remain untarnished?"
Consort Wan, who had been summoned at the last minute, glanced at him and cautiously asked, "What does Aunt mean?"
The Empress Dowager glanced at her, her tone indifferent: "I have no particular meaning. It's just that in this palace, gossip can melt metal and accumulate to destroy bones."
"Consort Jin has been frightened and will likely need to rest and recuperate."
Her voice betrayed a hint of age, yet her power-wielding demeanor remained as it had in her youth.
"Consort Wan, go to Kunning Palace and do as I say..."
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