Chapter 66 Planning Before Planning
Yongle Palace was shrouded in darkness, and all around was silent except for the occasional chirping of insects.
Narcissus, dressed only in a plain silk nightgown with a matching thin gauze long robe, strolled slowly alone in the courtyard.
The moonlight, like mercury spilling onto the ground, made her appear even more serene and cold, and faintly revealed the outline of her slightly protruding belly.
She was feeling unbearably hot during her pregnancy and had no ice to cool her down, so she tossed and turned and couldn't sleep. She decided to go out for some fresh air.
Beside the courtyard was an uninhabited side hall, hidden by the eaves, with darkness on the other side of the carved window.
Emperor Zhaoheng stood silently in the shadows, his gaze fixed on the aloof figure under the moonlight through the half-open window.
She walked slowly, stopping occasionally to gently massage her lower back, as if she were a little tired.
He looked very closely and noticed that she had become much thinner and more frail in the two weeks since he last saw her.
Was it discomfort during pregnancy? Or... was she feeling wronged because she was trapped in Yongle Palace?
Emperor Zhaoheng suppressed the urge to push open the door and embrace her, instead remaining hidden deeper in the darkness, like a silent bystander.
After an unknown amount of time, drowsiness overcame her, and she turned around and slowly walked back to the main hall.
The palace doors closed gently behind her, completely blocking out the moonlight and the silent, following gaze.
Emperor Zhaoheng stood in the darkness for a long time until he was sure there was no more movement in the main hall and that all the lamps and candles had been extinguished.
Just as they had arrived, they silently blended into the night and left Yongle Palace, which seemed to have been forgotten by the six palaces.
After returning to the Qianqing Palace, Emperor Zhaoheng summoned Feng Shunxiang.
"Reveal my imperial edict."
Emperor Zhaoheng's gaze fell upon the mountain of memorials, but in his mind, he seemed to see that cold, aloof figure under the moonlight.
"From this moment forward, the daily ice allowance for Yongle Palace must be delivered in full and on time, without the slightest delay. Anyone found negligent will be dealt with by the Censorate."
"Yes." Feng Shunxiang's heart skipped a beat, and he quickly replied.
"Furthermore," Emperor Zhaoheng paused, "have the Imperial Hospital staff on duty, and have them go to Yongle Palace every morning to check on Consort Jin's health, ensuring the safety of both Consort Jin and the unborn child."
As her pregnancy progresses, why is she getting thinner and thinner?
Emperor Zhaoheng fell into deep thought, seemingly unaware of when Feng Shunxiang responded or left.
The next morning, Yinzhu walked in with a long-lost joy on her face.
"The Imperial Household Department has delivered ice! Two whole basins of it!"
She directed two eunuchs to carefully carry the ice blocks into the hall, and a cool breeze instantly filled the stuffy hall, refreshing everyone's spirits.
Then, she brought over a delicate celadon bowl. As soon as the lid was lifted, a rich aroma of ginseng soup wafted out.
"Look, this is a ginseng and black chicken soup that was just stewed in the small kitchen. It's very nourishing. You couldn't eat much when it was hot before, but now that we have ice, the palace is cool. You should eat more tonics to take good care of your health."
Yinzhu carefully placed the soup bowl on the low table in front of Shuixian. "The imperial physician also came to take your pulse this morning and said that you are weak and have excessive internal heat, so you should take good care of yourself."
Narcissus glanced indifferently at the steaming bowl of nourishing soup, but did not reach out.
"Yinzhu, you should drink it."
Yinzhu was stunned, thinking she had misheard.
"Your Majesty, this...this is to nourish your body, isn't it? The imperial physician said that you..."
"I know."
Narcissus interrupted her, her voice gentle, "You've been following me around these past few days, worrying and running errands. You've worked hard. Drink this soup for me."
"But..." Yinzhu looked at her mistress's thinning face and said worriedly, "Your Highness, your health..."
"I know my own body."
Narcissus gently stroked her swollen belly, her gaze calm and serene, filled with all-knowing wisdom.
"Yinzhu, you must remember, in this deep palace, to plan things out, you must first plan your mind."
She looked out the window, as if she could see through the palace walls and into the high and mighty emperor.
"Do you really think that everything that happens in the harem can be hidden from his eyes?"
Narcissus withdrew her gaze and looked at the bowl of tonic soup again. "Drink it. Don't waste it. I know what I'm doing."
——
Inside the main hall of Changxin Palace, the fragrance of sandalwood rose gently from the incense burner.
Yi Guichun was dressed in a peach-pink palace gown, with intricate peach blossom and gold patterns embroidered on the hem.
She carefully arranged her sideburns and hair ornaments in front of the bronze mirror, and felt a sense of awe as she looked at herself in the mirror.
This outfit was an old garment that Emperor Zhaoheng had praised after she first served the emperor shortly after entering the palace.
Upon hearing the announcement from outside the hall, Yi Guichun immediately rose to greet the messenger at the hall entrance, bowing gracefully.
"Your Majesty, I respectfully welcome you."
She deliberately tilted her head slightly and lifted her skirt a little, trying to draw Emperor Zhaoheng's attention to her old clothes.
Emperor Zhaoheng entered the hall, his gaze sweeping over her without lingering, and went straight to sit down in the main seat.
Yi Guichun's smile froze for a moment, then blossomed again as he personally served fragrant tea.
"Your Majesty, look at my attire today..."
She finally couldn't help but remind him softly, with a hint of coquettishness in her voice.
Emperor Zhaoheng then glanced at her again, seemingly trying to recall: "Oh? This dress... looks somewhat familiar."
Yi Guichun said, "Your Majesty has forgotten? This is what I wore when I first entered the palace and accompanied you to admire the moon in Changyin Pavilion... You even said that this color suited me."
"Is that so?" Emperor Zhaoheng picked up his teacup, took a sip, and seemed unconcerned. "I can't remember these trivial matters."
Yi Guichun was not discouraged. She sat down on the embroidered stool below Emperor Zhaoheng and softened her voice even more: "Speaking of when I first entered the palace, I still remember when we were being selected for the imperial concubine selection."
"Back then at home, my mother always said that it was a girl's duty to read poems, songs, and precepts for women. Those serious books about governing the country were of no use and were just a waste of energy."
"But I was so ignorant back then, and during the palace selection, I inadvertently mentioned that I had read those useless books..."
She paused, observing Emperor Zhaoheng's expression, "I didn't expect that Your Majesty would not only not blame me, but also praise me for my pure heart and rare virtue."
She tried to use this old story to prove that her gentle nature had never changed and to rekindle Emperor Zhaoheng's past affection for her.
As Emperor Zhaoheng listened, his gaze fell on the teacup in his hand, his fingertips unconsciously stroking the rim of the cup.
He casually replied, "Oh, yes, that's true."
The atmosphere at dinner was somber and awkward.
Yi Guichun racked his brains for topics, but Emperor Zhaoheng seemed distracted.
Finally, dinner was cleared away.
Yi Guichun's cheeks flushed slightly, and with a hint of shyness, she mustered her courage to approach Emperor Zhaoheng:
"Your Majesty...would you like to stay overnight at Changxin Palace tonight?"
Her voice was filled with expectation.
"Your Majesty, I have specially concocted a new calming incense, using extremely fine ingredients, and I would like to invite you to taste it..."
Emperor Zhaoheng stood up at this moment, interrupting her invitation.
"No, thank you."
He straightened his cuffs and said in a calm tone, "I promised to visit Consort Wen tonight. She is not feeling well."
After saying that, he turned and left without looking at Yi Guichun's slightly pale face, leaving only the words, "My beloved concubine, please get some rest."
"Respectfully seeing off His Majesty..."
Yi Guichun maintained his bowing posture until the bright yellow figure completely disappeared outside the palace gate.
She straightened up with a grim expression, rushed back into the inner room, ripped off her peach-colored outer garment, and slammed it to the ground.
"Yi Shuyao..."
She gritted her teeth, her tone venomous: "A lowly concubine's daughter! She thinks she deserves to be a Noble Lady just because of her face?!"
Yi Guichun was so angry that he trembled all over, feeling a surge of evil fire coursing through his internal organs.
"Your Majesty, please calm down!" Xuemei, who had been standing by her side, couldn't help but whisper a word of comfort when she saw that her emotions were out of control.
"This time... this time I was able to get out of the Cold Palace smoothly, thanks to the medicine that Consort Wen secretly sent in..."
"Smack!"
The crisp, loud slap interrupted Xue Mei's words.
Yi Guichun slapped Xue Mei hard across the face with his backhand, the force of which made Xue Mei stagger.
"You think you're the only one with a mouth?!"
Yi Guichun's eyes were bloodshot as she shouted angrily, "Do I need you to remind me that I owe that little bitch a favor?!"
Xuemei covered her face, tears welling up in her eyes, but she dared not let them fall.
Looking at Yi Guichun's profile, contorted with anger, she felt a chill creep into her heart.
Since taking the medicine that Consort Wen sent, which could temporarily drive people mad, the effects were remarkable, successfully getting Yi Guichun out of the cold palace.
But the empress's temper became increasingly volatile, like a firecracker that could be ignited at any moment.
Consort Wen had sworn that the medicine had no side effects, but Xue Mei, seeing her mistress out of control, couldn't help but feel uneasy.
"Get out! I don't want to see you!" Yi Guichun waved his hand irritably.
Xuemei felt as if she had been granted a pardon. She quickly covered her face, lowered her head, and hurriedly retreated from the suffocating inner room.
Only after returning to her cramped and simple side room did Xuemei dare to let her tears fall.
My cheeks were burning, and my chest felt tight.
She walked wearily to the table to pour herself a glass of water, but her gaze suddenly froze.
On the table, a small and exquisite celadon round box had appeared out of nowhere.
The box was unmarked, and it's unclear who put it there.
Xuemei picked up the box with a puzzled look and gently opened it.
A delicate and subtle fragrance instantly wafts out, revealing a smooth and white paste inside.
She dabbed a little with her finger and gently applied it to the back of her hand, which was still a bit rough from the chilblains. The cool and comfortable feeling instantly relieved the uncomfortable dryness.
This... is a hand-moisturizing and skin-nourishing balm? And it's of extremely high quality.
Xuemei's heart skipped a beat.
She lived alone in this side room. Who would send her such an expensive balm so quietly?
She looked at her haggard face and hands with frostbite scars in the mirror, and hesitated for a long time.
This perfume balm is of unknown origin and should not be used.
But the delicate touch and the light fragrance were simply too tempting for her.
In the end, she couldn't resist and carefully dabbed a little bit, applying it meticulously to her face and hands.
Meanwhile, at Yongle Palace.
Narcissus sat gracefully before her dressing table, toying with a round celadon box in her hand that was exactly the same as the one in Xue Mei's room...
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