Chapter 289 Dissolving the Harem
Early morning, the main hall of Lihe Palace.
The concubines sat in order of rank, and the time for the morning audience had arrived, but an unusual and subtle atmosphere permeated the hall.
The news that Consort Chen had been banished to the Cold Palace after the former servant of the Wen family confessed a few days ago had spread throughout the palace overnight.
Although the specific reasons were kept secret, they were all related to the Empress's visit to Yonglu Palace a few days ago and the fact that Consort Jing had not made an appearance.
Various speculations are brewing beneath the surface.
Many people's eyes lingered on Shui Xian's calm face and the empty seat that belonged to Consort Jing.
The whispers were barely audible, yet they added to the oppressive atmosphere of an impending storm.
Narcissus sat regally on the phoenix throne, dressed in a bright yellow palace gown with a hundred birds paying homage to the phoenix, surrounded by pearls and jade, exuding a dignified and serene air.
Her gaze swept calmly across the crowd below, taking in all sorts of expressions, but she said nothing, simply handling the daily palace affairs as usual.
Just as the morning audience was drawing to a close, and the concubines were filled with unease, wondering if the Empress would make a statement regarding Consort Jing, a clear and resonant voice of a palace attendant suddenly came from outside the hall:
"His Majesty has arrived!"
Why did the Emperor suddenly come here?
Everyone was startled and hurriedly stood up, straightened their clothes, bowed their heads, and knelt respectfully to welcome the emperor.
Even Shui Xian raised her eyebrows slightly, somewhat surprised that Emperor Zhaoheng would suddenly arrive at this moment. She calmly stood up and stood beside the phoenix throne.
Emperor Zhaoheng stepped into the hall with steady steps. Today he was not wearing court robes, but only a dark-colored casual robe with dark dragon patterns embroidered in gold thread, which made him look even more upright and imposing.
Without looking to the side, he walked straight up the steps to Narcissus's side.
He didn't immediately tell everyone to rise, but first gave her a reassuring yet firm look before sitting down next to her.
"Rise."
Emperor Zhaoheng's voice was not loud, but it carried the majesty and composure of an emperor, clearly reaching everyone's ears.
After the concubines expressed their gratitude, they rose and sat down again, but each of them unconsciously lowered their breathing, wondering whether Emperor Zhaoheng's appearance today was a blessing or a curse.
Emperor Zhaoheng's calm gaze slowly swept over the faces below, some charming and some beautiful. He remained silent for a moment before speaking.
His voice was steady and powerful, echoing in the silent hall, but what he said left everyone stunned.
He did not mention Consort Jing's matter first, but spoke of the woman within the high walls of the palace in an unprecedented tone.
"I have come today to say a few words to you."
He said slowly, “I know that many of you have learned music, chess, calligraphy and painting since childhood, and each of you has your own talents and ambitions. However, from the day you stepped into the palace, your youth, talents and even the joys and sorrows of your life are mostly tied to these four palace walls and to me alone.”
He mentioned the endless struggles within the palace for imperial favor, for offspring, and for the honor and disgrace of the family. His words contained no accusation, but rather a sense of weariness and pity born of insight.
"I have witnessed too many open and covert attacks, too much pointless infighting... Sometimes when I think about it, I feel melancholy."
The concubines were deeply shaken, finding it hard to believe that these words could come from the emperor.
They secretly glanced up at the majestic and unfamiliar emperor on the throne, and then at the empress beside him whose eyes were equally clouded with emotion.
Finally, Emperor Zhaoheng turned his gaze to the narcissus beside him, and his tone became resolute.
"However, my heart has long belonged entirely to the Empress, and there is no room for anyone else. The Empress and I have been through life and death together, and we know and cherish each other. Heaven and earth can bear witness to this."
"I also do not wish to see more young women in their prime wasting their time and losing their will in this deep palace because of me."
Just then, Emperor Zhaoheng seemed to remember Consort Jing's matter. He turned to Feng Shunxiang and ordered, "Bring Consort Jing to the palace."
Soon, Wen Jingfeng was brought up.
Although her face was somewhat pale, her eyes were unusually calm, even carrying a kind of resolute determination, as if she was prepared to withstand any thunderous wrath.
Consort Jing bowed in accordance with etiquette, her posture still elegant, yet exuding a sense of aloofness.
Emperor Zhaoheng looked at her, but instead of questioning her harshly as everyone expected, he asked in an almost peaceful tone, "Wen Jingfeng, today I am giving you a chance to choose. If I allow you to leave the palace and give up your position as a concubine, are you willing?"
These words shocked the entire hall!
Even the narcissus glanced sideways at Emperor Zhaoheng's profile.
Wen Jingfeng looked up abruptly, her eyes filled with disbelief.
She looked at Emperor Zhaoheng's calm and expressionless face, then at the narcissus beside him, and for a moment she couldn't tell whether this was a test or just a formality before his deposition.
But the longing and yearning for freedom that had been suppressed in his heart for many years broke through all his concerns at this moment.
She closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and when she opened them again, her eyes were filled with determination.
She bowed deeply, performing a solemn salute, her voice clear and firm, resounding throughout the entire hall:
"Your Majesty, if I could leave the palace, even if I had to live a simple life and face many hardships, I would gladly die for it!"
"Though the palace is infinitely noble, it is not what my heart desires! I... beg Your Majesty to grant my wish!"
Upon hearing Consort Jing's words, the hall erupted in chaos, with whispers turning into uncontrollable exclamations.
A concubine actually admitted in public that she did not want to stay in the palace? This is simply unheard of!
However, what astonished everyone even more was that Emperor Zhaoheng, upon hearing this, not only did not become furious, but instead showed an almost relieved smile on his face.
He faced the assembled concubines, who were so shocked they were almost speechless, and declared in a resounding voice:
"Very well! I grant your permission!"
He stopped looking at Wen Jingfeng and instead nodded slightly to Feng Shunxiang.
Feng Shunxiang immediately stepped forward, unfolded the bright yellow imperial edict he had prepared beforehand, and read it aloud in a high-pitched yet clear voice:
"By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: I, having received the favor of Heaven and ruled over all realms, should also show compassion for the women of the palace. To prevent the beauties of the six palaces from wasting their youthful years and to demonstrate my benevolence, the harem is hereby dissolved, effective immediately!"
"All concubines in the palace, regardless of their rank, who voluntarily resign and leave the palace, may receive a generous reward and return to their families. They may marry as they please in the future. Their families shall not be held accountable for this, and the court will protect them."
"Those who do not wish to leave the palace may be moved to a temporary palace in the suburbs of Beijing to live out their days in comfort. All their provisions and expenses will be provided in accordance with the old system without any reduction. However, they will no longer be my concubines, but will only enjoy the provisions provided by members of the imperial clan. So be it!"
After the imperial edict was read, the entire Lihe Palace fell into a deathly silence; you could hear a pin drop.
Everyone seemed frozen in place, staring in disbelief, as if they couldn't comprehend what they were hearing.
Disband...the harem?
This is something unprecedented and horrifying since the beginning of time!
Emperor Zhaoheng's gaze fell once again on Wen Jingfeng, who was still kneeling on the ground, equally stunned by this earth-shattering change.
"Wen, I grant you permission to leave the palace, strip you of your title of Consort Jing, and restore your original name. From this day forward, you are free."
At this moment, Emperor Zhaoheng realized with absolute clarity that his letting go of Wen Jingfeng was not only about fulfilling the wishes of an innocent woman... but also about completely letting go of the shadow of "Consort Wen" that had troubled him for many years.
His heart was completely occupied by the vivid image of Narcissus and the children they had conceived together, leaving no room for the past.
Then, under the still-shocked gazes of everyone, Emperor Zhaoheng stood up, tightly grasped Shuixian's hand, and pulled her up with him.
"From this day forward, my harem shall consist of only the Empress! My children shall be born solely to the Empress! This will be witnessed by Heaven and Earth, and testified to by our ancestors, and will never change!"
Narcissus stared blankly as he held her hand, looking up at his sharply defined profile as she listened to his shocking and historic declaration.
She had always regarded his feelings as the emperor's heart, which needed to be carefully maintained and utilized, freezing her heart layer by layer, leaving only calculation and clarity.
But at this moment, looking into his eyes, at the unmistakable sincerity that almost burned her... her usually strong defenses crumbled, and a surge of heat welled up within her.
After the imperial edict was issued, the news spread throughout the palace at top speed, and then spread like wildfire to the previous dynasty and the common people.
The world was in uproar!
The palace was instantly abuzz with excitement.
The concubines reacted in different ways. Some were overjoyed, as if they had heard heavenly music, and couldn't wait to pack their bags and rush towards freedom.
Some were bewildered and at a loss, accustomed to court life and unsure of what the future held; others were devastated, unable to accept the sudden disappearance of their wealth and glory...
...
Narcissus walked alone to the highest point of the Lihe Palace and gazed into the distance from the railing.
Beneath my feet lies a continuous expanse of glazed tiles, a deep palace garden about to undergo a complete transformation.
The setting sun blazed like fire, painting the entire sky and palace in a magnificent golden-red hue.
Her heart was as turbulent and restless as the clouds in the sky.
Footsteps sounded from behind, steady and familiar.
Emperor Zhaoheng came up behind her, stretched out his arms, and gently but firmly embraced her.
"Xian'er, from now on, this vast palace will no longer be a place for fighting."
"This will be the home of you, me, Yongning, Qingyan, Qinghe... our whole family."
Feeling the warmth coming from behind her, and listening to the ordinary yet precious scene he described in his words, Narcissus slowly turned around and hugged his strong waist.
She buried her face deeply in his firm chest and responded softly, yet with unparalleled clarity:
"Um."
On the palace walls, the afterglow of the setting sun, like molten gold, cast long shadows of the two people embracing tightly onto the vermilion walls, so close that they seemed inseparable...
...
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