Chapter 77 I personally calmed Xian'er's nerves.
"Consort Jin is becoming more and more pampered. With the Empress's doting care, it doesn't matter if she arrives late for her morning greetings... We older sisters can only be envious."
Consort Li's words were barbed and sarcastic, openly saying that Narcissus was spoiled and arrogant, and secretly implicating the Empress as well, accusing the Empress of favoritism.
Narcissus showed no displeasure. Without even glancing at Consort Li, she explained to the Empress:
"Your Majesty, please forgive me. It was not my intention to be late. This morning, when I was preparing my sedan chair, someone from the Imperial Household Department came to tell me that Consort Li had ordered it to be taken away and repainted, so it would be unusable for a while."
"I am unwell and dared not delay Your Majesty's morning greetings, so I made a difficult walk here, which is why I am a little late."
"Oh?" Consort Li seemed to have just remembered this. "So that's what it was about."
"I ordered the Imperial Household Department to repair all the palanquins of concubines and above. What? Those clueless servants in the Imperial Household Department have notified all the other concubines, but forgot to inform Consort Jin?"
Consort Li scoffed and said disdainfully:
"I guess those snobbish servants in the Imperial Household Department haven't gotten used to it yet! They still think that Consort Jin... is just that little maid from Changxin Palace back then."
"Consort Li!"
On the phoenix throne, the Empress's eyes flashed with a sharp light. "Watch your words!"
Consort Li was taken aback by the Empress's sudden display of power. She pursed her lips but ultimately dared not contradict her again.
The Empress slowly withdrew her gaze and placed it on Narcissus, her tone becoming gentle again.
"Consort Jin, you have been wronged. Get up and sit down to talk."
After Narcissus settled into the empty chair next to Consort Li, the Empress looked at Consort Li again, her voice tinged with illness.
"I have been unwell and bedridden for a long time. The affairs of the six palaces have indeed been managed thanks to the assistance of Consort Li. Thank you for your hard work."
Upon hearing this, Consort Li's face had just shown a smug expression when the Empress's tone suddenly changed, becoming imposing and authoritative.
"However, although I am ill, I am still the Empress. It is my oversight to let my sister, Consort Li, bear all the burdens alone."
"It seems that the Imperial Household Department has made such a mistake today, daring to neglect the Empress Dowager. This is truly unacceptable. I suppose it is because my sister is too busy with her affairs and has not been able to attend to everything."
The Empress coughed lightly twice before continuing, "The affairs of the Imperial Household Department are extremely complicated, time-consuming, and prone to errors."
"I will take on the extra work and manage it myself for the time being. This will allow my sister to relax a bit and not overwork herself."
Consort Li's smile froze instantly. She never expected that her intention to humiliate Narcissus in public would lead to the Empress taking advantage of the situation and stripping her of her power!
Even if the Empress was frail and sickly, she was still the head of the six palaces. In front of so many people, Consort Li had no room for rebuttal.
Consort Li suppressed her anger and said in a low voice, "Your Majesty the Empress is so kind... I thank Your Majesty for your grace."
The Empress nodded, seemingly exhausted. She gave a few perfunctory instructions about maintaining harmony, and less than a quarter of an hour later, she dismissed all the concubines, citing feeling unwell.
After the morning audience concluded, the concubines filed out of Kunning Palace.
Shui Xian, holding Yin Zhu's hand, walked side by side with Tuoba Guiren.
Her pregnant belly was obvious, and walking under the scorching summer sun, she inevitably felt a little tired and just wanted to get back to Yongle Palace to rest as soon as possible.
Just as they rounded the corner of the main hall of Kunning Palace and were about to head towards Yongle Palace, they saw Consort Li and Consort Yun talking quietly under a cluster of magnolia trees in full bloom not far away.
Consort Yun, with her sharp eyes, spotted Narcissus and Consort Tuoba from afar. Her charming smile remained unchanged as she gestured towards Consort Li with her lip.
Consort Li turned around and met Narcissus's gaze.
The frustration she had felt earlier in the palace seemed to find an outlet, and a malicious smile curled at the corner of her mouth.
"...Hmph, what's there to be so smug about? So what if she's pregnant? Whether she can give birth, whether she can raise her to adulthood, is still uncertain! In this harem, only the most resilient children live long..."
Upon hearing Consort Li's vicious words, which were almost a curse on Narcissus, Consort Tuoba's eyebrows furrowed instantly, and she was about to rush forward to argue.
Shui Xian grabbed Tuoba Guiren's wrist, signaling her to calm down.
Immediately afterwards, her expression remained calm, as if she had not heard Consort Li's hurtful words.
She released Consort Kaiba's hand and walked steadily to Consort Li and Consort Yun, bowing slightly in accordance with the rules.
"Your Majesty, this concubine greets Consort Li."
Consort Li looked down at her as she bowed, snorted, and did not tell her to rise.
Shui Xian slowly straightened up on her own, her gaze calmly meeting that of Consort Li.
"Your Majesty's rank is lower than that of the Imperial Concubine, and I would not dare to comment on Your Majesty's words and actions. However, what Your Majesty just said concerns the safety of the imperial heir and the very lifeblood of the nation."
"Even if such words came from the mouth of the Noble Consort, I dare to urge Your Majesty to be careful with your words!"
Wasn't it a private curse against her and the imperial heirs?
Shui Xian calmly revealed the truth, to see if Consort Li dared to wear this heavy hat of "harming the imperial heir".
Consort Yun's charming smile faltered, and she quickly smoothed things over, smiling apologetically at Narcissus:
"Oh dear, Consort Jin, you flatter me. The Imperial Concubine was just joking; it shouldn't be taken seriously."
Consort Yun's submission did not make Consort Li bow her head.
She is a Noble Consort, how could she bow down to Consort Jin?!
Consort Li ignored Fangfei's anxious expression and continued to argue with Narcissus.
"What a sharp-tongued Consort Jin! I think you've forgotten your place! Do you really think that just because you've been made a consort, you can rise to the top like a phoenix?"
"Only you know how much you've schemed and plotted step by step. Your cunning and methods are truly reminiscent of the late Imperial Concubine!"
Consort Li, her expression agitated, reprimanded Narcissus without hearing the steady footsteps approaching from afar, nor did she see Consort Yun's face change drastically.
Her voice was icy as she warned Narcissus, "Let me tell you, as long as I am alive, I will never allow the wicked concubine's past misdeeds to be repeated on you!"
"Causing chaos in the palace?"
The emperor's deep voice came from behind him, cold and filled with barely suppressed anger.
"Is Consort Li referring to my Consort Jin?"
Upon hearing this voice, Consort Li's face instantly drained of color, and Consort Yun beside her turned even paler, quickly curtsying in greeting.
Emperor Zhaoheng, dressed in bright yellow casual clothes, was already standing not far away.
May Your Majesty enjoy boundless blessings and peace!
Everyone bowed and paid their respects. Unexpectedly, Emperor Zhaoheng, who should have been attending the morning court session, appeared at Kunning Palace.
Emperor Zhaoheng's voice was slightly deep, "I originally thought that since the Empress had resumed her morning and evening greetings after many years, I would come and see her after court, but I didn't expect... I ended up watching a good show."
He walked step by step on the bluestone slabs, straight to Consort Li.
Emperor Zhaoheng looked down at the woman who had accompanied him for many years when he was still a prince, and saw her face twisted with jealousy. His eyes were filled with undisguised disappointment.
His voice was icy cold: "Ruan Huan, I never knew you... had become such a hideous person, spewing such vicious words?"
Consort Li slowly raised her eyes, meeting Emperor Zhaoheng's icy gaze, her heart aching so much she could hardly breathe.
"Your Majesty! I...I only spoke carelessly! It was Consort Jin..."
That's enough.
Emperor Zhaoheng said disappointedly, "I heard it clearly... cursing the imperial heir, slandering concubines, and dragging in the past! Which of these is the virtue a Noble Consort should have?"
Consort Li had never been reprimanded by Emperor Zhaoheng like this before. Even when she went too far before, Emperor Zhaoheng had never spoken to her with such coldness.
She felt that the Emperor's blame today was entirely because of that vile woman, Narcissus.
Consort Li's pride prevented her from pleading or acting coquettish in front of everyone; she instinctively invoked the Empress Dowager's name to try and intimidate the Emperor.
"Your Majesty! Don't forget that the Empress Dowager has decreed that you should not be too close to Consort Jin before she gives birth."
As soon as she finished speaking, Shui Xian saw a hint of anxiety flash across Fang Fei's face behind Consort Li.
Sure enough, Emperor Zhaoheng's voice suddenly became even colder.
"I see that Consort Jin has been frightened by your harsh words. The imperial heir is of utmost importance!"
"If the Empress Dowager knew that your words and actions were inappropriate and had frightened the concubine who was carrying the imperial child, she probably wouldn't blame me for needing to accompany and comfort Consort Jin at this time to ensure the safety of the imperial child!"
He turned his gaze to Narcissus, who immediately cooperated by placing one hand on her chest and the other on her lower abdomen, her face revealing a vulnerable expression of shock and unease.
Consort Li opened her mouth, but was speechless.
Emperor Zhaoheng walked past the kneeling Consort Li and, under Consort Li's jealous gaze, took Narcissus's hand.
"Come, I will accompany you back to Yongle Palace."
Consort Li's entanglement, instead, pushed Emperor Zhaoheng step by step towards Shuixian.
How could she accept this?
Consort Keli had no excuse to stop them, so she could only watch the two leave side by side with a cold face.
Not long after, in Yongle Palace.
Taking advantage of Shui Xian's fright, Emperor Zhaoheng entered Shui Xian's palace several months later.
Yinzhu and the others, being very perceptive, stayed outside and did not follow the two inside.
Shui Xian felt the burning heat of Emperor Zhaoheng's palm as he held her left hand tightly; she could even feel the lines of his palm rubbing against hers.
"emperor......"
As the man pulled her towards the inner room, Shui Xian was about to remind him that she was already quite pregnant and should not have sex.
Emperor Zhaoheng had already turned around and embraced her.
Since their last parting at the Buddhist temple, he finally held the person he had been longing for day and night in his arms once again.
A smile played on his thin lips as he said in a hoarse voice, "I will personally calm Xian'er's nerves..."
The last syllable faded between their pressed lips, and he half-carried Narcissus towards the soft couch...
......
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