Chapter 326 A Family of Five
After the birth of Narcissus, life at Lihe Palace suddenly became very slow.
Winter has faded, and the spring sunshine outside the window grows warmer day by day.
Narcissus leaned against the soft couch by the window, a thin velvet blanket draped over her.
Nearly half a month postpartum, her complexion was still somewhat pale, but her spirits were improving day by day.
Pei Jichuan came every day to check her pulse, carefully adjust the prescription, and whispered many details about postpartum care.
Ana also visited twice, leaving behind unique methods of nurturing health in southern Xinjiang.
Emperor Zhaoheng would come every day.
After court, he would always return to the Qianqing Palace to change out of his court robes and into casual clothes. He might have a few reports in his hand, but once he entered the Lihe Palace, he would casually place those reports on a small table to the side, as if they were just unimportant objects.
The first thing he always did was to walk to the cradle and lean down to look at his sleeping little daughter, Yong'an.
The little one had finished his milk and was sleeping soundly, his little mouth smacking unconsciously.
Emperor Zhaoheng would occasionally reach out and lightly touch her soft cheek with his finger, then withdraw his hand, afraid of disturbing her.
Then he turned around and sat down not too far from the narcissus.
The distance was just right.
It would neither make her feel pressured, nor would it make her see him whenever she looked up.
Their conversations always start with the children.
"Qinghe learned another character today, '盛'. I watched him write it several times. Although it was crooked and messy, it still looked somewhat decent."
Emperor Zhaoheng spoke gently, and his smile was always warm when he mentioned children.
Narcissus smiled slightly: "He's impatient by nature, so it's rare for him to be able to calm down and write."
"Qingyan is quite composed. She is learning to recite poetry from Yongning and she does it quite well."
Emperor Zhaoheng continued, his gaze falling on her face. Seeing that she was in good spirits, a look of relief appeared in his eyes.
"The old peach tree in the east corner of the Imperial Garden is blooming exceptionally well this year. When I passed by yesterday, the tree was full of buds, and when I went again this morning, the first flower had already bloomed."
Emperor Zhaoheng said, "If you want to see, wait a few more days until it gets warmer. I will have someone set up a reclining chair under the eaves. You can wrap yourself up tightly and still see."
Narcissus gently touched the bullet head, her gaze turning to the window.
Inside the hall, the atmosphere was more peaceful than ever before, even creating a sense of illusion.
It was as if they were just an ordinary couple in the world, chatting about everyday things on a spring afternoon.
However, both of them knew in their hearts that the impending separation was not far off.
That afternoon, Princess Yongning was brought in by her wet nurse.
The little girl is over two years old. She is wearing a light yellow spring dress and has her hair styled in two round buns, making her look even more adorable.
She has reached the age where she is eager to learn and is full of curiosity about everything.
"Mother!"
Yongning rushed to the narcissus couch, tilting her little face up, her big eyes full of dependence.
Shui Xian's heart melted instantly. She reached out and pulled her daughter to her side, stroking her soft hair: "What did Yongning do today?"
"Recite poetry! Father taught me!"
Yongning, as if presenting a treasure, recited in her childish voice, "Spring slumber is so sweet, I don't even notice the dawn, everywhere I hear birds singing..."
He didn't recite it very fluently and occasionally stumbled, but his earnest little face was enough to make anyone smile.
Emperor Zhaoheng, who followed them, did not disturb them.
He took the twins from the nanny, held them on his lap, one on each side, and sat them on a chair a little further away.
The two little ones were at a curious and active age, and struggled to get closer to their older sister and mother.
Qinghe was especially restless, twisting and turning its little body, and reaching out its chubby little hand towards Yongning.
Emperor Zhaoheng gently took his little hand and coaxed him softly, "Qinghe, be good, we won't disturb you."
He held the two children quietly, his gaze occasionally falling on the mother and daughter not far away, his eyes filled with warmth that was almost overflowing.
A family of five (including little Yong'an in the cradle) lived together in one room.
There were no emperors, no empresses, and no suspicion.
Only between parents and children does affection flow quietly.
Shui Xiu would occasionally come in to deliver things, and whenever she saw this scene, she would stop by the door, unwilling to disturb them, but tears would well up in her eyes.
What my sister asked for was perhaps something as simple as this.
But in this deep palace, the simplest things are often the most extravagant.
On this day, Emperor Zhaoheng noticed that Shui Xian often kept a well-worn travelogue by her side.
That was during her second trimester, when she was in good spirits, and she used it to pass the time.
Between the pages, there were a few corners that she had gently folded; those were places she wanted to go.
She didn't deliberately hide the book; sometimes, engrossed in reading it, she would unconsciously stroke the words, her gaze drifting into the distance.
Emperor Zhaoheng's gaze swept over the book several times, lingering on the folded corner where her fingers rested.
He never asked a question, nor did he linger his gaze there for long.
When he returned the next day, he had an item wrapped in brocade in his hand.
"The old craftsmen in the Imperial Household Department have decent skills."
He spoke casually, as if he were talking about a trivial matter, and placed the brocade wrapping on the small table next to Narcissus, "Since we're just idling around anyway, take a look and see if it's pleasing to the eye."
Narcissus, puzzled, untied the brocade.
Inside was an extremely thick picture book, its cover meticulously bound with supple leather.
She turned to the first page, and her breath hitched slightly.
It is not an ordinary two-dimensional painting.
It was a miniature, three-dimensional landscape of a small town in Jiangnan, with houses of black tiles and white walls arranged in a pleasing, staggered pattern, and a small stone arch bridge spanning a winding stream. Next to it, place names and local features were marked in neat small regular script.
She gently turned to the next page.
It depicts a border town and desert in the northwest. The rough rammed earth city wall model has a great texture, and the silhouette of a caravan of camels is interspersed among them. Although it is very small, it is full of dynamism.
Turning back, we found bamboo houses in the southwest...
This pop-up book presents almost all the places marked with folds in her travelogue in this ingenious way.
Each scenic spot is accompanied by more detailed explanations, and even samples of local specialties and precautions.
This is by no means something that can be accomplished in a day.
Shui Xian raised her eyes and looked at Emperor Zhaoheng, who was sitting to the side, looking down at Yongning playing.
He didn't seem to care about her reaction; his profile appeared serene in the spring sunlight.
Narcissus lowered her eyes, her long eyelashes concealing the turmoil that suddenly welled up in them.
"Very...exquisite."
"Thanks."
Emperor Zhaoheng then raised his head and gave her a gentle smile: "I'm glad you like it."
Since Shui Xian gave birth to her daughter, he did not try to persuade her to stay. The promise he made at the time was a well-considered one, and he was simply using this method to show his support.
However, the warmth between the two did not stop the turmoil in the imperial court.
The atmosphere at the morning court session that day was somewhat tense.
Led by Wang Huanzhang, a former protégé of Liu Taifu and the Left Vice Censor-in-Chief, along with several officials from old aristocratic families, they jointly submitted a memorial to the throne.
The memorial was earnest and full of classical allusions. It first praised the Empress's past merits, and then changed the subject, saying that the Empress was unwell and had not attended to affairs for a long time. The six palaces were without a master and the internal affairs were in chaos, which was not a good omen for the country.
Finally, he tactfully suggested or selected a virtuous and capable person to temporarily manage affairs in order to stabilize the palace and reassure the people.
This means that the imperial edict issued by Emperor Zhaoheng mentioned that Shui Xian was unwell and needed to rest temporarily, which was the Empress's fault and could not continue indefinitely.
After the memorial was read aloud, the senior officials standing in the front row kept their eyes down, seemingly lost in thought.
Officials who had risen from humble backgrounds, such as Lian Chenxi, looked indignant, but due to their seniority and the occasion, they remained silent for the time being.
All eyes were quietly drawn to the throne.
Emperor Zhaoheng listened quietly, his face expressionless. Only after the official reading the memorial finished did he slowly raise his eyes, his gaze as cold as a deep pool.
"Imperial Censor Wang, according to your opinion, the Empress's prolonged absence from state affairs is detrimental to the harmony and stability of the nation?"
Wang Huanzhang felt a chill run down his spine, but the die was cast and he had no choice but to proceed.
"Your Majesty, we are also concerned about the foundation of the nation. The position of Empress is crucial in setting an example for all women in the land; if it remains vacant for too long, it may give rise to rumors..."
"gossip?"
Emperor Zhaoheng interrupted him, tapping lightly on the memorial on his desk with his finger. “Since the Empress entered the palace, she has provided disaster relief, rectified the palace, implemented new policies for female officials, treated the concubines well, and given birth to many imperial heirs… Every single one of these deeds has benefited the country and brought virtue to the harem.”
His voice gradually rose.
"Last year, she personally went to dangerous places to deal with the epidemic, disregarding her own safety. I know very well how many conservatives she offended by implementing new policies! Her successive births have taken a toll on her health, and it is only natural for her to rest and recuperate now!"
Emperor Zhaoheng suddenly grabbed the memorial and threw it on his desk with a sharp "smack," startling everyone in the hall.
“You should ask yourselves this question.”
He coldly swept his gaze over the officials who had submitted their memorials, saying, "The Empress's merits, if you were to combine them, would amount to only a fraction of what she deserves!"
"It is my wish that she is now recuperating!"
Emperor Zhaoheng stood up, the dragon patterns on his bright yellow dragon robe gleaming coldly in the palace light. "But you lot, instead of thinking of serving the country, are only interested in attacking others, making a big fuss about the Empress's recuperation. What are your intentions?!"
He lightly touched his thin lips and finally issued an ultimatum!
"Wang Huanzhang, since you are so worried, I will grant your wish. Effective immediately, you are relieved of your post as Left Vice Censor-in-Chief of the Censorate and shall return home to enjoy your remaining years."
"As for the others who seconded the proposal, they will be fined one year's salary as a warning to others. Anyone who dares to speak ill of the Empress again or disturb her peace and quiet will have no place here to discuss politics!"
The hall was deathly silent; you could hear a pin drop.
Lian Chenxi and other officials from humble backgrounds breathed a sigh of relief, and some even raised their eyebrows slightly as they looked at the group of aristocratic relatives.
Everyone knows that the Empress is the Emperor's Achilles' heel!
For the sake of their own interests, the imperial clans and powerful families targeted a woman, especially a woman with merit and ability. Aren't they ashamed?
On the golden steps, Emperor Zhaoheng sat down again, as if his previous thunderous rage had been an illusion, and his tone returned to calm: "Is there anything else you wish to report?"
No one dared to utter a sound.
This turmoil came to an abrupt end with Emperor Zhaoheng's overwhelmingly forceful suppression.
Shui Xian's position in the inner palace and the imperial court was unshakeable!
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