Chapter 56 His Beloved Concubine
The banquet at Xinglin failed to select a third-place scholar, and instead resulted in a death. This strange event quickly became the talk of the town for many days.
For several days in a row, the atmosphere in the inner palace was extremely oppressive.
Since returning to the palace, Emperor Zhaoheng has not set foot in the inner palace. From the concubines to the palace servants, everyone is secretly trying to figure out the unfathomable imperial intentions.
Several days later, everything finally settled down.
Lian Chenxi was awarded the title of Tan Hua Lang (third-ranked scholar), while Ban Yaozong, the second-ranked scholar, was stripped of his academic honors after it was discovered that he had been in contact with the framing official.
In addition, both the servant who took poison at the Apricot Grove Banquet and the eunuch who was later found dead deep in the Apricot Grove turned this farce of the Apricot Grove Banquet into an unsolved mystery.
Emperor Zhaoheng, immediately after the event concluded, went to Yongle Palace.
Narcissus had already received the news and, with Yinzhu's careful support, knelt before the palace gate to receive the emperor.
"Your Majesty, I respectfully welcome you. May Your Majesty enjoy boundless blessings and peace."
She was more than four months pregnant, but because of her slender figure, the curve of her pregnant belly was not very obvious.
All you can see is that the waist of her palace dress has some extra fabric, and from a distance, you can't even tell that she is pregnant.
"No need for formalities." Emperor Zhaoheng stepped forward quickly and offered a helping hand.
The man's gaze lingered on her waist for a moment. "How is my beloved concubine's health? How is the pregnancy progressing?"
"Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. Your concubine and the imperial heir are both safe and sound. The imperial physicians check our pulses every day and say that everything is stable."
Narcissus rose to her feet and responded softly.
Emperor Zhaoheng nodded and followed her into the hall.
He briefly inquired about Narcissus's daily life and then had a light lunch with her.
The investigation over the past few days left Emperor Zhaoheng looking exhausted.
After lunch, Shui Xian washed her hands and came behind Emperor Zhaoheng, gently massaging his forehead.
After a long while, Emperor Zhaoheng grasped her hand, pulled her wrist, and embraced her.
"At the Apricot Grove Banquet, do you blame me?"
Emperor Zhaoheng opened his eyes, his deep gaze enveloping her.
Seeing this, Yinzhu, who had been standing guard at the door, quietly led the other palace servants away.
As the palace doors slowly closed, only Shui Xian and Emperor Zhaoheng remained inside.
He embraced her intimately.
"How could I blame Your Majesty?"
Narcissus slowly shook her head, making no attempt to conceal anything, and looked back at Emperor Zhaoheng.
“Even a saint cannot guard against a frame-up by someone with ulterior motives.”
Shui Xian was not surprised that Emperor Zhaoheng had suspected her at the time.
Whether it was the love poem or Lian Chenxi's unusual behavior, everything pointed to her having an affair with Lian Chenxi.
As for love...
Emperors are often suspicious, indifferent, and cold-hearted; Shui Xian never dared to hope that Emperor Zhao Heng would love her to the core.
Now, how much better off is she?
They were saying things they knew Emperor Zhaoheng would like to hear, and their relationship was full of hypocrisy and scheming from the very beginning.
"I... feel ashamed before you."
Emperor Zhaoheng sighed softly and pulled her closer.
Narcissus leaned against his chest, listening to the steady beating of his heart, and slowly closed her eyes...
......
Emperor Zhaoheng did not linger. He still had state affairs to attend to in the front court, and soon after the meal, he departed.
Before leaving, he gave Narcissus precious ornaments and herbs to calm her nerves and help her have a safe pregnancy.
Emperor Zhaoheng then left with peace of mind, and before leaving, he specifically instructed Shui Xian that she was pregnant and there was no need for him to see her off.
Watching the bright yellow procession disappear outside the palace gates, Shui Xian slowly sat down, supporting herself on the edge of the table, her delicate brows slightly furrowed.
“Silver Pearl,” she called softly.
"How do you think... how did the Emperor treat me today?"
Yinzhu was tidying up the teacups when she heard this and immediately said:
"Your Majesty is overthinking it. His Majesty treats you very well."
"Look at these gifts sent by the Imperial Household Department, they are all extremely rare treasures. His Majesty is thinking of the Empress and the imperial heir."
On the table were the precious items that the Imperial Household Department had just sent.
Shui Xianfu picked up one of the jade bracelets; it felt warm and smooth to the touch, unlike the slightly cool touch on her fingertips.
If she remembered correctly, Emperor Zhaoheng had only called her "beloved concubine" since they first met.
He never mentioned the name "Fairy" before, though he did mention "Narcissus".
She put the jade bracelet down again, let the silver beads put it away, and then whispered:
"Go and invite the noble Tuoba over for a seat."
Yinzhu accepted the order and left.
Before long, Tuoba Guiren strode in.
"Your Majesty called me?" Her voice was cheerful, carrying a vitality that was different from the lifeless atmosphere of the inner palace.
Shui Xian smiled and nodded, gesturing for her to sit down. Just as she instructed the palace servants to bring tea and snacks, Yin Zhu hurriedly entered again.
Yinzhu walked over quickly and reported in a low voice:
"Your Majesty, we have just received news that Consort Wen... has been kneeling outside the gate of Qianqing Palace for an hour now."
Just as Tuoba Guiren picked up his teacup, he heard this and his eyes widened in surprise:
"Huh? The Emperor didn't punish her, so why is she kneeling there? Isn't she just asking for trouble?"
After the banquet at Xinglin, although Ban Bangyan was punished, Emperor Zhaoheng did not punish Yi Shuyao at all.
Noble Lady Tuoba never expected that Noble Lady Wen was going to do this.
Why go out of your way to suffer?
Shui Xian picked up her teacup and gently flicked the tea leaves with the lid.
She said calmly, "This is called retreating to advance."
"A strategic retreat?" Tuoba Guiren was even more confused.
“Hmm,” Shui Xian took a sip of tea and turned her head to look at Tuoba Guiren.
"Although the Emperor did not explicitly punish her, how could the Emperor not have suspicions in his heart when she and Ban Yaozong sang in unison at the Apricot Grove Banquet?"
"At this moment, she is kneeling and begging for forgiveness, seemingly admitting her mistakes and accepting punishment, but in reality, she is using a self-inflicted injury to gain the emperor's pity."
At this point, Shui Xian paused, suddenly recalling the past events in the inner quarters of the Yi family mansion.
Years ago, Aunt Gui used this same tactic to turn the tide when Madam Yi had the upper hand. She stubbornly knelt for a long time and eventually won back Yi Ming's affection.
Yi Shuyao does indeed resemble her mother quite a bit.
She slightly curled the corners of her lips, a hint of coldness flashing in her eyes.
"Ultimately, it's about understanding men's nature. Sometimes, showing weakness is more powerful than arguing."
Tuoba Guiren listened in a daze, scratching his head.
"The intricacies of the inner palace are truly a headache! It's more difficult than taming a wild horse!"
She sighed sincerely, looking at Narcissus with a hint of admiration, "Your Majesty is truly amazing; you know everything."
Narcissus chuckled: "Your straightforward and honest nature is one of your strengths."
She advised, "But in this deep palace, sometimes being too straightforward can easily lead to trouble. Do you remember what I taught you?"
Consort Tuoba nodded vigorously: "I remember, I remember! It's all thanks to Your Majesty for teaching me these things that the Emperor is willing to listen to me talk more about the Tuoba tribe."
Gratitude shone in her eyes. "After the Tuoba tribe submitted, life wasn't easy. Those officials sent there... sigh. I went to the palace to let the Emperor know the truth."
"But when I first arrived, I knew nothing and almost couldn't even see the Emperor. Luckily, the Empress helped me!"
She held Narcissus's hand and said sincerely, "Your Majesty, rest assured, I am not an ungrateful person. I will always protect Your Majesty!"
In the beginning, Shui Xian chose Tuoba Guiren for training because she valued her straightforward personality.
In the treacherous world of the palace, honesty is a rare and precious quality.
Narcissus felt a warmth in her heart and invited her to her storeroom to pick out some things.
Since Shuixian became pregnant, Emperor Zhaoheng has bestowed many gifts upon her, and the storerooms of Yongle Palace are now overflowing with goods.
Shui Xian led Tuoba Guiren to make a selection, and not long after, Yin Zhu came back to report.
"Your Majesty, I heard that His Majesty has granted Consort Wen permission to punish herself. From today onwards, Consort Wen will be confined to Yichang Palace for a whole month to reflect on her mistakes."
Upon hearing this, the nobleman Tuoba clapped his hands in delight.
"Although the punishment wasn't severe, it was still satisfying."
She entered the palace around the same time as Consort Wen, and they competed for the emperor's favor for a period of time, resulting in many frictions.
Now that Consort Wen has been punished, Tuoba is naturally delighted.
Upon hearing this, Narcissus felt a deep emptiness in her heart.
Logically speaking, Ban Yaozong should have been stripped of his official title, and Consort Wen should have been confined to her quarters.
It looks like she's the winner...
But.
She recalled Emperor Zhaoheng's arrival today. Although his words were intimate, she still felt that something was amiss.
This unease lingered in her heart until that night, when Narcissus looked out at the deep darkness of the night and finally made a decision.
"Yinzhu, go to the small kitchen and stew a bowl of light and nourishing bird's nest soup."
Soon after, Narcissus, carrying silver beads and an exquisite food box, arrived at the majestic gate of the Qianqing Palace.
When Feng Shunxiang saw her, he gave her a respectful smile:
"Greetings, Consort Jin! Why have you come in person? His Majesty is still discussing matters with his court officials."
"I have stewed some bird's nest soup. Thinking that Your Majesty is working hard, I am sending it to Your Majesty to nourish your body."
Narcissus smiled gently and spoke to Feng Shunxiang.
"Your Majesty is very kind."
Feng Shunxiang bowed immediately, "This servant will go and inform Your Highness immediately. Please wait a moment."
A moment later, Feng Shunxiang returned and led Shuixian into the hall: "His Majesty asked the Empress to sit in the warm pavilion for a while. He will come after he finishes discussing matters with the court officials."
Narcissus nodded and led Yinzhu into the warm pavilion.
After settling her in, Feng Shunxiang left.
Inside the hall, the air was thick with the scent of ambergris. Shui Xian had Yin Zhu arrange the bird's nest soup on the round table, while she herself sat down on the soft couch by the window.
This was the first time she had entered the Qianqing Palace while Emperor Zhaoheng was away.
Emperor Zhaoheng usually discussed matters with his court officials in the Qinzheng Hall, which was not far from the Qianqing Palace.
After she sat down on the soft couch, she subconsciously looked around at her surroundings.
The Qianqing Palace was maintained by palace servants who constantly changed the fresh fruits, flowers, and precious ornaments.
Beside the soft couch, there were several folded books stacked together, with the top one half-open, revealing some writing.
Narcissus's gaze didn't linger; she simply swept past it.
The next moment, she suddenly realized something and took a closer look at the open memorial.
The two characters "Consort Jin" were clearly visible on the memorial.
Is she ginseng?
The memorial was some distance from where she was sitting.
Narcissus couldn't help but stand up and reach out her hand towards the pile of memorials...
......
Suddenly, Emperor Zhaoheng's voice, which could not be discerned as joy or anger, came from behind her.
"My beloved concubine, what are you doing?"
Shui Xian turned around in surprise and saw that Emperor Zhaoheng had silently appeared beside the beaded curtain at the entrance of the warm pavilion.
His cool gaze was heavily enveloping her...
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