Chapter 203 The Double Ninth Festival Scheme
For several days, Biluo, with her unique aloofness and elusive charm, firmly captured Prince Duan's heart.
Xiao Yirui was so engrossed in this land of beauties that he seemed to have temporarily forgotten the troubles of being imprisoned.
Inside the curtains, Biluo feigned a close embrace, her slender fingers tracing circles on his chest.
“Your Highness is of noble birth, a son of the dragon and a grandson of the phoenix. How can you be confined to this small place for long? It breaks my heart to see you like this…”
Prince Duan, holding her close, darkened upon hearing this and said bitterly, "Don't worry, my darling! Once this storm passes... that wretched maid, along with her ungrateful sister, I won't let a single one of them go!"
Biluo lowered her eyes, concealing the surging murderous intent within them, and nestled obediently in his arms.
Clever as she was, she had already figured out who had a grudge against Prince Duan by listening to his words.
However, Biluo couldn't understand why the Imperial Noble Consort, who was currently enjoying great favor in the palace, knew her.
There are some things that Biluo would not be foolish enough to ask.
That night, she used a personal maid arranged by Zhou Yan to spread the word about Prince Duan's hateful words and the current situation of the Prince's residence.
——
Inside the Palace of Rites.
When Emperor Zhaoheng finished his official duties, he saw Shuixian leaning alone by the window, her brows shrouded in a deep sorrow, making her appear even more frail than usual.
"Xian'er, what are you thinking about?"
Emperor Zhaoheng stepped forward and naturally put his arm around her shoulder. He felt extremely tender towards her, as if he were holding her in his hands for fear of dropping her, or keeping her in his mouth for fear of her melting away.
Narcissus nestled into his arms, her voice low and hoarse with a hint of sob.
"Your Majesty... I am fine."
"But every time I close my eyes, I always think of Xiuer that day... her clothes disheveled, her look of fear and helplessness... It's my fault. If I weren't in this palace, they wouldn't have been involved in this mess and suffered such a fright..."
As Narcissus spoke, tears, like tiny pearls, began to fall from her eyes.
Against the backdrop of the light coming through the window, her eyes appeared even more shallow, and her voice carried a hint of grievance.
Upon hearing this, Emperor Zhaoheng tightened his grip, his anger towards Prince Duan intensified, and his pity for Shui Xian reached its peak.
He lowered his head, kissed the top of her head, and touched her cheek with his own.
The man's tone was resolute, carrying the weight of an emperor's promise.
"Don't overthink it! This has nothing to do with you!"
"Rest assured, with me here, no one will be able to harm you or your family in the slightest. As for Prince Duan, I will not let him off lightly. Once everything is investigated, I will give you and Shuixiu an explanation!"
Narcissus trembled slightly in his arms, as if comforted by his words, yet also as if feeling even more aggrieved.
She raised her teary eyes and looked at him, her voice soft and dependent: "With Your Majesty's words, I... I feel at ease."
She buried her face in his chest, concealing the fleeting, almost chillingly rational scheme that crossed her eyes.
All of this was paving the way for her plan.
It's much more satisfying for her to do it herself than to rely on others!
——
Inside the Kunning Palace, the Empress was putting on her makeup in front of the mirror.
She deliberately had the palace maid apply less makeup, which made her face appear even paler, and her brows were shrouded in a lingering "sickness".
The Double Ninth Festival mountain climbing ceremony is just around the corner...
She looked at herself in the bronze mirror, her voice weak and sounding like she was dying, but her eyes were icy cold as she sneered:
"Even in my frail body, I insist on attending the sacrificial ceremony to pray for the Emperor and the Empress Dowager... No matter how angry the Emperor is, he must still remember some of our childhood bond, right?"
She needed to create an opportunity, a chance for Emperor Zhaoheng to get close to her, see her vulnerability and helplessness, and thus soften his heart.
She instructed the nanny who stood at her sides, "Go tell our people at the Imperial Hospital that the dosage of the medicine prepared for me this time must be precise."
They had to appear weak and frail, showing the difficulty of attending the ceremony despite their illness, but they also couldn't actually miss the appointed time and displease the emperor.
The Empress appeared extremely adept, clearly indicating that this was not the first time she had used her weakened physical condition as leverage to make Emperor Zhaoheng consider her feelings and dare not touch her.
At this moment, Consort Wan came to pay her respects. Seeing the Empress's appearance, she quickly echoed her.
"Empress, despite your poor health, still care about the country and insist on holding the sacrificial ceremony. His Majesty is benevolent and filial, and will surely appreciate your good intentions."
The Empress smiled faintly, but the smile did not reach her eyes; only a chill remained.
She stroked her pale face in the bronze mirror and said softly:
"The Emperor and I have been husband and wife for many years. There is still some affection between us."
She needed this "sickness" as a weapon to pry open the emperor's defenses again.
Married couples naturally have a bond that differs from that of others...
——
Inside the Lihe Palace, Yinzhu has successfully returned to the palace to report her mission.
"Your Majesty, Lord Zhou says the matter has been settled."
Yinzhu reported in a low voice, paused, a very faint blush appeared on her face, and her voice became even lower.
Seeing her expression, Narcissus smiled genuinely and teased, "Is that all you've said?"
"Lord Zhou... even asked me specifically if it was hard working in the palace, and told me to... be careful in everything."
Shui Xian glanced at Yin Zhu and saw that her ears were slightly red, and she understood.
She smiled gently and said in a mild tone, "Zhou Yan is a reliable person. Since he cares about you, you should accept his kindness. In the palace, it is a blessing to have someone who cares about you and thinks of you."
Knowing that Yinzhu was shy, Shuixian didn't want her to miss out on this good match, so she said this.
Yinzhu's cheeks flushed even redder, and she lowered her head, stammering in agreement.
Just then, Riko quietly entered and whispered her report.
"Your Majesty, we've found out. The little eunuch who helped Her Majesty the Empress deal with the sachet that Miss Shuixiu left behind at the palace banquet was found in the well behind the laundry department the night before last. It's said he accidentally fell into the well."
Narcissus remained unmoved: "Dead men tell no tales? Ha, no problem."
"The cleaner you clean it, the more obvious the traces become."
"Go and investigate carefully."
She turned her gaze to the window, where the sky was already beginning to lighten with the first hint of dawn.
The Double Ninth Festival is approaching.
The plan is in place, the net has been cast, all that remains is the Double Ninth Festival...
The day before the Double Ninth Festival.
News suddenly came from Kunning Palace that the Empress's condition had worsened.
The head of the Imperial Medical Academy personally went to examine the patient's pulse. Afterwards, he shook his head and sighed solemnly as he faced the waiting palace servants and the concubines who had rushed over upon hearing the news.
"Her Majesty the Empress is frail and has been overly worried, resulting in a deficiency of both qi and blood. She truly needs to rest and recuperate, and should not overexert herself..."
News of the Empress's "serious illness" spread instantly, both inside and outside the palace. However, inside Kunning Palace, the Empress struggled to sit up from her sickbed and spoke to her nanny, her voice weak yet firm.
"Tomorrow is the Double Ninth Festival, a grand ceremony for climbing mountains and worshipping heaven, earth, and ancestors... Bring me the antidote, I must go..."
Consort Wan, Noble Lady Yao, and other concubines who were attached to the Empress went to visit her, speaking earnestly and expressing their admiration and concern for the Empress's insistence on performing the sacrificial rites despite her illness.
For a time, in the imperial harem...
The news that "the empress is virtuous and prays for blessings despite her illness" gradually spread, attempting to gain sympathy and put invisible pressure on Emperor Zhaoheng.
When Narcissus heard the news at the Lihe Palace, she simply smiled faintly.
"Listen to the dew."
"This servant is here."
"Go and find out where the imperial physician whom Her Majesty the Empress relies on is right now after he/she took Her Majesty's pulse."
A moment later, Tinglu reported: "Your Majesty, Physician Chen just left the palace half an hour ago."
Shui Xian summoned Ting Lu to her side and gave her careful instructions. She told Lian Chenxi to use whatever means necessary to stop or distract Imperial Physician Chen on the Double Ninth Festival the next day.
Afterwards, Shui Xian sent Ting Lu to the Imperial Hospital and summoned Pei Jichuan, who had been waiting there for the past few days.
Narcissus sat in a round-backed chair, her voice tinged with seriousness.
"Pei Jichuan."
"Your humble servant is here."
"You will accompany her to the sacrificial ceremony tomorrow. Prepare all your skills, and whatever 'discomfort' the Empress may have, you must step forward immediately and carefully examine her."
Narcissus looked at him calmly, her words carrying a deeper meaning, “You must… make a clear diagnosis, so that the Emperor and all the ministers can hear and see it clearly.”
"Your Majesty understands."
Pei Jichuan understood immediately and bowed respectfully.
Xiao Lizi also appeared silently and reported in a low voice: "Your Majesty, rest assured, our people have been arranged along the imperial road of Duixiu Mountain, and we will ensure that Physician Pei can get to you in time."
After speaking, Pei Jichuan stepped forward again and presented the secret letter that Zhou Yan had sent through him to Shui Xian.
This was sent to his residence by Zhou Yan early this morning. After all, silver beads are not easy to exchange, so Zhou Yan entrusted Pei Jichuan to deliver them to Shui Xian.
Shuixian unfolded the small note, and after reading Prince Duan's words, her eyes instantly turned icy cold.
She chuckled softly, brought the note close to the candlelight, and watched it turn to ashes.
"Grasshoppers in autumn are oblivious to their own mortality."
She muttered to herself, her voice devoid of joy or anger, only filled with a chilling murderous intent, "I'd like to see how long he can keep jumping around like this."
The Double Ninth Festival, a time for climbing mountains, is just around the corner.
Tomorrow, in the spotlight, she will make that empress pay the price!
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