Chapter 254 He's going to kill her!
While the narcissus was gaining increasing popularity among the common people, a storm was quietly brewing in the imperial court targeting it.
Inside the Golden Palace, civil and military officials stood on both sides. The shouts of "Long live the Emperor!" had just faded and their echoes still reverberated between the majestic palace buildings. The courtiers looked at each other, and an undeniable sense of oppression filled the air.
Emperor Zhaoheng sat upright on the dragon throne, his bright yellow dragon robe gleaming coldly in the winter sunlight.
His gaze was deep as he looked at the officials below him, preparing to discuss politics as usual.
However, before Feng Shunxiang could announce, "Those with matters to report, please speak; those without, please leave the court," Liu Taifu, who was ranked first among the civil officials, stepped forward with his jade tablet in hand, trembling, and bowed deeply.
"Your Majesty! This old minister has a matter to report, which concerns the national dignity and the stability of the country, and I have no choice but to do so!"
Grand Tutor Liu's voice was old, yet it carried a profound and sorrowful power, instantly attracting everyone's attention.
When Emperor Zhaoheng saw Liu Taifu step forward, he couldn't help but think of the Empress, who was now claiming to be recuperating but was actually imprisoned in Kunning Palace.
His brow furrowed slightly, and he said in a low voice, "What does the Grand Tutor have to report?"
Grand Tutor Liu slowly rose to his feet and suddenly brought up an old story.
"Does Your Majesty still remember the late Emperor, when Ma, who came from a palace maid background, used her seductive skills to bewitch the Emperor's heart and eventually became an Imperial Noble Consort, thus interfering in court affairs, causing chaos in the court and the harem, and almost shaking the foundation of the country?"
Upon hearing this, the expressions of many senior officials in the hall changed.
That was indeed a painful memory from the previous dynasty. A concubine who started as a palace maid was deeply favored by the late emperor. In the end, she became arrogant because of his favor and even colluded with court officials, almost causing a great disaster.
This Lady Ma even once wanted the late emperor to pass the throne to her youngest son.
If it weren't for Emperor Zhaoheng's outstanding military achievements and the support of a group of veteran officials in the court, the person sitting on the throne now would probably be the youngest son of that Imperial Noble Consort!
This was also a wound deep in Emperor Zhaoheng's heart that he did not want to touch.
Seeing that he had successfully evoked memories among the crowd, Grand Tutor Liu's voice grew even more sorrowful, his criticism now directed at the present: "Your Majesty! The lessons of the past are still fresh in our minds! Now, there is also an Imperial Noble Consort in the palace, of humble origin, born to a servant girl in my family!"
"However, through her methods, she not only took over the Phoenix Seal and wielded immense power in the six palaces, but also used the guise of free medical consultations outside the palace to win over the hearts of the people. There were quite a few people who only knew about the Imperial Noble Consort and not about the Emperor!"
Grand Tutor Liu had served Emperor Zhaoheng when he was still a prince, so he naturally knew what kind of words could make an emperor wary!
Grand Tutor Liu said with great distress, "How is this any different from the actions of Lady Ma in the past? If this continues, I fear... I fear the calamity of the wicked concubine will be repeated, and the country will be in ruins!"
Before he finished speaking, several old princes from the imperial clan, who had already made arrangements, stepped forward one after another. They spoke in turn, some with deep sorrow and others with righteous indignation, all of them focusing on Shui Xian's background and the folk free clinics that were now "winning people's hearts".
Every word they uttered was an attempt to pin the label of a wicked concubine who brought ruin to the country on Narcissus.
"Your Majesty! The Imperial Noble Consort is of lowly birth and should not hold such a high position!"
"She used the guise of free medical consultations to engage in bribery; her intentions are despicable!"
"Your Majesty, interference in politics by the empress dowager is a sign of national ruin!"
...
Emperor Zhaoheng's face gradually darkened as these remarks were made.
If he hadn't shared the same heart with Narcissus, perhaps he would have truly doubted her.
But he saw the kindness in Narcissus.
Although Emperor Zhaoheng trusted Pei Jichuan, as an emperor, he also secretly sent his guards to folk clinics to investigate the situation.
The clinic staff, unaware of the secret guards' identities, spoke only their true feelings.
They hadn't expected the palace to respond to the epidemic so quickly. This epidemic was extremely dangerous; if it weren't for the Emperor and the Imperial Noble Consort's prompt action, the disease would likely have spread widely throughout the capital, causing immense suffering to the people...
The past events flashed through his mind, and Emperor Zhaoheng suddenly slammed his hand on the armrest of the dragon throne and stood up abruptly.
The emperor's power pressed down like a physical force, and the entire Golden Palace fell silent instantly!
"presumptuous!"
Emperor Zhaoheng's voice was filled with overwhelming rage, "Grand Tutor Liu! My fellow imperial relatives! You eat the emperor's food, yet you do not think of sharing the country's burdens. Instead, you are making baseless accusations and framing my concubines!"
He snorted coldly, "The Imperial Noble Consort is benevolent and virtuous, cares deeply for the people, and promotes free medical clinics, saving countless lives. This is a great merit!"
Emperor Zhaoheng first acknowledged Shui Xian's contribution, then raised his hand and pointed at the court officials below, coldly rebuking them.
"How dare you presume to make such base assumptions!"
"As for birth? I am the Son of Heaven. Whoever I deem noble, is noble! When did it become your place to question my harem, to question the mother of my children?!"
His gaze, seemingly carrying a sharp, cold glint, swept fiercely over the kneeling courtiers below, his tone chilling.
"What do the past affairs of the late emperor have to do with today? If anyone dares to slander the Imperial Noble Consort with baseless accusations, don't blame me for showing no mercy to the emperor!"
Grand Tutor Liu's eyes widened in shock. He hadn't expected that Emperor Zhaoheng, who had always disliked being mentioned alongside the late emperor, would now seem completely unconcerned.
How much did he really trust that lowly maid...?
Fortunately, he had a backup plan.
"Report—!"
Just as all was quiet, Emperor Zhaoheng's anger was interrupted by the announcement from the eunuch outside the palace.
The eunuch rushed in with small steps and knelt down with a thud.
"Your Majesty! There is a man outside the palace gate who claims to be... claims to be Yi Xingyao, saying he has an extremely urgent matter and needs to see Your Majesty! He... he is holding a weapon, covered in blood, and has been apprehended!"
Yi Xingyao?
Upon hearing this name, Emperor Zhaoheng felt an even stronger sense of foreboding.
After escaping, Yi Xingyao was like a slippery eel, impossible to catch.
Why has Yi Xingyao walked right into this trap?
Emperor Zhaoheng pursed his thin lips and said sternly, "Bring him here!"
Soon, two imperial guards escorted a blood-covered man as he staggered into the main hall.
This person is none other than Yi Xingyao!
His once heroic face was now twisted, with a twisted and eerie smile on his lips, like a demon crawling out of hell.
As soon as he entered the main hall, he broke free from the guards' restraints and shouted at the top of his lungs.
"Your Majesty, I, a guilty subject, pay my respects! I have come to beg Your Majesty for forgiveness and to beg for your life!"
As soon as Yi Xingyao finished speaking, he was restrained by the guards again. He raised his face to look at Emperor Zhaoheng on the throne, a chilling madness hidden in his eyes.
really.
With Yi Xingyao's actions, there was absolutely no chance of him returning alive.
He deliberately sought death; he was truly insane!
This move left everyone stunned.
Emperor Zhaoheng suppressed the turmoil in his heart and said coldly, "Yi Xingyao, what you have done... you deserve to die! What face do you have to see me? What crime do you have to confess?"
The fact that Yi Xingyao had kidnapped Shui Xian has never been made public.
Emperor Zhaoheng feared that it would tarnish Shui Xian's innocence and reputation. He believed in Shui Xian, but the world's contempt weighed heavily on him.
Not making it public is the best way to protect the daffodils.
Yi Xingyao chuckled twice, his narrow eyes fixed on Emperor Zhaoheng. Just as Emperor Zhaoheng sensed something was wrong and was about to send someone to arrest Yi Xingyao...
Yi Xingyao suddenly spoke, uttering extremely crazy remarks!
"The crime of this treacherous subject... is to deceive the emperor! The crime is... to have had an affair with the Imperial Noble Consort Shuixian!"
"What?!"
"He and the Imperial Noble Consort had a secret affair long ago?!"
The entire court was thrown into chaos by Yi Xingyao's words.
Even if Shui Xian was an imperial concubine, in this world, a woman's reputation is more important than anything else!
If a concubine in an ordinary family truly had an affair with another man, she would be drowned in a pig cage or beaten to death with sticks!
Not to mention the Imperial Noble Consort who bore Emperor Zhaoheng three sons...
Below the golden steps, the courtiers exchanged glances, their eyes flashing with meaningful speculation.
How could Emperor Zhaoheng, who had been childless for so long, suddenly impregnate the Imperial Noble Consort...?
Could it be that this is somehow related to Yi Xingyao?
Yi Xingyao completely disregarded everyone's reactions and laughed as he uttered words that could kill Shui Xian!
"Your Majesty! Do you know... that your precious twins, Qingyan and Qinghe... are not your bloodline at all! They... they are the bastards of this sinful minister! They were born of this sinful minister and that vile woman Shuixian!"
As he spoke, he pulled out an old handkerchief from his pocket, faded but still faintly embroidered with daffodils, and held it high.
Yi Xingyao's eyes were fanatical and twisted: "This is the token! It was given to this disgraced official by her when she was in the Yi residence! If Your Majesty does not believe me, you can take a closer look at the embroidery on it! Isn't it the work of her, Shui Xian?!"
He seemed lost in his memories and began to describe them in detail.
His words were half true and half false, mixed with his own wild fantasies: "...When she was still in the Yi family, I made a vow with her...under the moon, under the flowers and moon...She was so beautiful, so delicate, only I could protect her...But she! But she was vain! She forgot our past love after entering the palace! She climbed up to Your Majesty! But what I can't have...no one else can have either!!"
He suddenly roared and burst into laughter.
"I'd rather she go to hell with me than let her live as a high-ranking imperial concubine, basking in the glory of others! Your Majesty! Kill this wicked minister! Kill that unfaithful slut! And those two bastards! Let our family be reunited in the underworld!"
Yi Xingyao learned that Shui Xian was now highly regarded among the people, while he himself looked like a stray dog in a sorry state.
His sense of imbalance grew stronger and stronger.
Madness, paranoia, destruction.
If Yi Xingyao can't have Narcissus, he'd rather destroy her!
When the Liu family contacted him, Yi Xingyao couldn't help but feel a surge of emotion at the thought of Shui Xian dying with resentment because of his slander.
As long as she hated him before she died, that was a mark he personally left in her heart!
He's going to kill her!
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