Chapter 257 The Secret of Consort De!
Just as Consort Wan was feeling triumphant, the Empress Dowager's imperial carriage set off from the imperial palace in the suburbs of Beijing at an astonishing speed to return to the capital.
The official explanation is that the Empress Dowager was in good health and missed her grandson, so she returned to the palace.
But those who are well-versed in palace intrigues understand that the Empress Dowager's sudden return to the palace is inevitably related to the "bloodline mystery" that is currently causing a great uproar.
The Cining Palace was quickly cleaned and renovated to welcome its former owner.
The first thing the Empress Dowager did upon returning to the palace was to order her twin sons, Qingyan and Qinghe, to be immediately brought from the Qianqing Palace, where they were temporarily being cared for, to the Cining Palace.
When the wet nurse brought the two swaddled infants to the Empress Dowager, the Empress Dowager's expression, which had been slightly tired from the long journey, instantly became extremely serious and focused.
She gestured for all the palace servants to leave, leaving only her most trusted nanny.
The Empress Dowager first examined Qingyan. The soft, white baby had just woken up, and his beautiful eyes looked curiously at his unfamiliar grandmother. He didn't cry or fuss; instead, he grinned with his toothless little mouth and revealed an innocent smile.
The Empress Dowager reached out, her hand trembling slightly, and gently stroked Qingyan's eyebrows, nose, and lips...
Those eyebrows, those facial features... they're practically identical to Emperor Zhaoheng when he was young, like they were carved from the same mold!
She raised Emperor Zhaoheng for more than ten years and had a vivid memory of her own son's appearance when he was young. There was no way she could mistake him!
She then looked at Qinghe. Although he was more handsome than his brother, the charm between his brows was exactly the same as that of Emperor Zhaoheng.
"So similar...too similar..."
The Empress Dowager murmured to herself, her doubts gradually dispelled.
The slight doubt she had because of Yi Xingyao's accusations and Shui Xian's background vanished almost entirely when she saw her two grandsons who looked exactly like her son when he was young!
In this world, how can children who are not related by blood be so similar?
Yi Xingyao's accusations seem so absurd and ridiculous at this moment!
Just then, her trusted nanny, seemingly casually, whispered, "Your Majesty, during the time you've been away from the palace, the rumors and gossip in the palace... alas, are quite rampant. Some people have even dared to speak ill of the bloodlines of the two princes."
"What do you mean... not the Emperor's biological son? That's utterly despicable! It's clear that someone can't stand seeing the imperial family... can't stand seeing the two princes doing well, and wants to shake the foundations of the nation!"
The nanny was clever; she didn't mention Narcissus, but instead focused on the two princes.
Some things don't need to be said; everyone understands.
The twins are Emperor Zhaoheng's only two sons. If it is proven that these two princes are not Emperor Zhaoheng's bloodline, the world will surely be thrown into chaos.
The Empress Dowager, who had previously insisted that Emperor Zhaoheng inherit the throne from the young master, has changed her mind after raising the child in the imperial palace for some time.
If Cheng-ge'er were to succeed to the throne, the world would only become more chaotic.
As for protecting Cheng-ge'er, that would be enough: let him become a leisurely prince who receives a salary.
Having lived through two reigns and witnessed countless power struggles within the harem, how could the Empress Dowager not understand the sordid nature of it all?
Someone actually dared to make a fuss about the bloodline of her own grandson. This is not only targeting Shui Xian, but also a provocation against the dignity of the royal family and a contempt for her authority as the Empress Dowager!
The Empress Dowager looked at Qingyan, who was giving her an innocent smile in her arms, and her eyes gradually turned cold.
Regardless of her feelings towards Narcissus, and regardless of any past grievances, at this moment, these two grandsons, who share the same blood as her son, are the royal lineage she must uphold!
Anyone who attempts to tarnish the purity of this bloodline, or even shake the foundation of the nation, is an enemy she absolutely cannot tolerate!
The Empress Dowager's return to the capital was like a boulder thrown into a seemingly calm lake, but in reality, it stirred up new waves.
She hosted a small family banquet at the Cining Palace.
The only invitees were Emperor Zhaoheng and Shui Xian, who was granted special permission to temporarily leave Lihe Palace.
The hall was warm and cozy, dispelling the chill of late autumn and seemingly isolating one from the outside world's disturbances.
The dishes were not extravagant, but each one was exquisite, and all were the flavors that Emperor Zhaoheng usually liked.
Although the Empress Dowager did not say anything explicitly, her actions already showed that she intended to reconcile with Emperor Zhaoheng.
All of this was observed by Shui Xian, who had just entered the palace. She looked up at the Empress Dowager, who was sitting on the phoenix throne with graying temples, and felt a little more at ease when she noticed the Empress Dowager's gentle attitude.
The Queen Mother's expression was peaceful, even bearing a long-lost kindness.
Instead of letting the wet nurse take the baby away, she held Qinghe in her arms herself and gently played with him.
Qinghe was quieter than her brother. With her beautiful eyes wide open, she looked at her grandmother curiously, her little hands unconsciously clutching the embroidery on the Empress Dowager's clothes.
The Empress Dowager gently patted her grandson's back while looking up at Emperor Zhaoheng sitting below her, her tone carrying a sense of感慨 (gǎnkǎi, a feeling of deep emotion or reflection) born from the vicissitudes of life.
"Your Majesty, look at this little fellow, that nose, that curve of his lips..."
She extended her finger, which was not covered by a nail guard, and gently tapped Qinghe's little nose. "You look exactly like you did when you were just a month old! I remember it clearly. The late emperor was holding you then and said that your nose was so straight and prominent that you would surely become a powerful ruler in the future."
The Empress Dowager's gaze swept over the narcissus, who sat quietly with her eyes down, dressed in simple clothes, before finally settling on Emperor Zhaoheng's face. Her voice deepened, carrying a clear chill.
"I don't know where these demons and monsters came from, daring to fabricate such malicious rumors!"
"To slander the imperial lineage and undermine the very foundation of the nation is an act despicable sin! Your Majesty, this matter must not be tolerated!"
These words, spoken by the Empress Dowager, carried immense weight.
She did not directly mention Yi Xingyao, nor did she comment on Shui Xian. Instead, she affirmed the blood relationship between the twins and Emperor Zhaoheng in an unquestionable manner, and characterized the slanderers as those who were undermining the foundation of the country.
Upon hearing this, Emperor Zhaoheng felt a great weight lifted from his heart, and he quickly stood up to express his opinion.
"Your Majesty, you are wise! I absolutely do not believe such nonsense! I will investigate this thoroughly and will never let those who framed the imperial heir get away with it!"
Narcissus also rose at the opportune moment, bowed gracefully, her voice gentle yet tinged with a slight sob.
"Your Majesty, I thank you for your keen insight!"
She looked up, her eyes glistening with tears, expressing gratitude perfectly.
The Empress Dowager looked at her, her gaze momentarily conflicted, but ultimately waved her hand and said, "Get up."
Her tone was cold and hard, but she spoke in a softer tone than she had ever spoken before.
"Take care of yourself, take care of the children... There are always wise people in this palace."
They gained some support from the Empress Dowager, which only stabilized the basic situation.
Narcissus knew that the key to completely thwarting this conspiracy and clearing her name lay in bringing down the queen and her forces behind it.
Consort De in the palace was a crucial part of her plan.
She chose a dark night, avoiding attention, and with only her absolutely loyal Yinzhu, left Lihe Palace and quietly arrived at Yichang Palace, where Consort De resided.
Yichang Palace, as always, exudes a quiet and serene atmosphere.
When Consort De heard that Narcissus had come to visit, a deep sense of surprise flashed in her eyes.
Narcissus is in a delicate situation now, so why would she suddenly visit her late at night?
Consort De was very wise; she didn't even ask why Narcissus, who was under imperial confinement, could come in the middle of the night.
She always seemed like an outsider in the palace, yet she saw things much more clearly than others.
Once Emperor Zhaoheng placed his trust in Shui Xian, he would not easily retract it.
After hesitating for a moment, she invited Narcissus in and dismissed all the palace servants.
The candlelight inside the hall was dim. Consort De, dressed in her everyday clothes, had a deep-seated melancholy that had lingered between her brows, which became even more pronounced in the dim light.
Narcissus made no small talk, nor did she recount her recent situation.
She simply looked at Consort De quietly, her gaze clear and insightful, as if she could see through the layers of her inner world.
"Consort De, although I haven't had a deep relationship with you over the years, I have still kept an eye on you from time to time..."
She smiled slightly, without directly stating her purpose, and slowly said, "Consort De manages the six palaces with composure and is praised by everyone. But I always feel that... there is always an unyielding melancholy between Consort De's brows, as if she is carrying a very heavy burden of worries that she cannot let go of."
Consort De trembled almost imperceptibly, instinctively avoiding Shui Xian's gaze, and forced herself to remain calm, saying, "Your Highness is too kind. I... I simply prefer quiet."
Narcissus shook her head slightly, her tone carrying a sense of shared sorrow.
"Now that I have suffered such a great calamity and am imprisoned, unable to defend myself, I realize what a despairing feeling it is to be framed and powerless to defend myself."
"Sometimes, when the night is still and quiet, I can't help but wonder if there are people in this world who are like me right now, or even worse... It's not that they are powerless to defend themselves, but that they bury certain secrets deep in their hearts and can't find peace?"
She paused, looked earnestly at Consort De, and spoke even softer, yet every word struck Consort De's heart.
"You said... are some secrets, if carried on like this, more painful than having the courage to confess everything?"
"Confessing may lead to punishment, but at least... it brings inner peace, and it can... atone for one's sins."
The words "atonement" caused Consort De to lose her composure instantly, her face changing color abruptly.
She suddenly looked up, her lips trembling involuntarily, her eyes filled with shock and a hint of panic at having her secret exposed.
Narcissus... what did she find out?
How much did she actually know?!
Shui Xian said no more. She stood up and gave a slight curtsy to the distraught Consort De: "It is late at night. I cannot stay any longer. I hope you will forgive me for disturbing your peace."
"I take my leave."
After saying this, she stopped looking at Consort De's reaction and, with Yinzhu in tow, quietly left Yichang Palace as she had come.
After Narcissus left, Yichang Palace fell into complete silence.
Consort De sat alone in the dim candlelight, Narcissus's words echoing repeatedly in her mind like a curse.
"Bearing secrets...atonement..."
She could no longer maintain her composure; she gripped the armrests of the chair tightly with both hands, and her body began to tremble uncontrollably.
Those images that she had deliberately forgotten and buried deep in her heart for many years rushed into her mind in the dead of night, like wild beasts breaking free of their cages.
Memories from many years ago tormented her once again at night—
Consort De clutched her head in anguish, curling her body up...
"ah!"
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