Chapter 227 Heart to Heart with Xian'er
Although it's only early winter, Beijing has been unusually cold these days.
The branches were covered with translucent white frost, but at this very moment, the palace road leading to Cining Palace was unusually lively.
Led by Consort Wan, Noble Lady Huang and several other concubines who usually gathered together were all dressed up, their clothes fragrant and their hair swaying in the breeze.
They appeared to be discussing the Empress Dowager's illness with great concern, but in reality, they kept glancing towards the direction of the Qianqing Palace out of the corner of their eyes.
"The Empress Dowager is unwell, which is truly worrying."
Consort Wan took a handkerchief and gently pressed away non-existent tears. Her voice was gentle, yet carried an unavoidable air of affectation.
"As imperial concubines, we cannot share the burden of state affairs with the emperor, but we can only do our best in fulfilling our filial duties."
Consort Huang immediately chimed in, her tone carrying a hint of flattery and a subtle disparagement of someone.
“What Consort Wan says is true. However… it is said that Imperial Noble Consort Jin is weak after childbirth and needs to rest. I’m afraid she won’t be able to serve the Empress Dowager with medicine. In the end, we sisters will have to do this hard work.”
The lower-ranking concubines nearby also echoed in hushed tones.
"Yes, the Imperial Noble Consort is of noble birth and cannot compare to us in terms of physical strength. It is our blessing to be able to show filial piety at the Empress Dowager's bedside."
In her words, she subtly misinterpreted Narcissus's inability to attend to the ailing Empress Dowager as an unwillingness to do so, and even as a self-proclaimed noble and delicate person.
They became exemplary models of filial piety and virtue, demonstrating understanding, willingness to endure hardship, and a strong sense of responsibility.
They secretly hoped that if they could take this opportunity to show their faces in front of the emperor and demonstrate their filial piety, they might be able to gain even a little bit of pity.
This matter is naturally risky, but in any case, it is better than the days when I am almost suffocating under the pressure of the Imperial Noble Consort.
After the court session, Emperor Zhaoheng walked slowly toward the Cining Palace.
Although the mother and son had grown apart because of Xiao Yirui's affair, they were still connected by blood. Hearing that the Empress Dowager's condition was fluctuating, he was still worried and decided to go to Cining Palace to visit her in person.
When the imperial carriage arrived at the gate of Cining Palace, it saw Consort Wan and others gathered there.
When the wind blows, you can smell the fragrance of cosmetics mixed with the chill of early winter, which seems a bit cloying.
Emperor Zhaoheng frowned almost imperceptibly.
Meanwhile, at the same time, Shui Xian in Lihe Palace was terrified to hear that Emperor Zhaoheng was going to Cining Palace in person!
She disregarded her decorum and didn't even have time to change her clothes. She simply put on a white rabbit fur cloak and rode in a sedan chair toward the Cining Palace.
Fortunately, with Consort Wan and the others keeping Emperor Zhaoheng occupied, he didn't immediately head to Cining Palace, which allowed Shui Xian to arrive before he stepped inside!
When Narcissus arrived just in time, she was slightly out of breath because she had gotten out of the sedan chair and walked rather quickly.
She disregarded the numerous concubines present and stepped forward, kneeling to block Emperor Zhaoheng's path.
"Your Majesty! Please wait!"
Emperor Zhaoheng paused, looking at her in surprise.
He knew well how the Empress Dowager tormented Shui Xian, and when the Empress Dowager first fell ill, he privately told Shui Xian not to come.
Why did Narcissus suddenly come to Cining Palace today without any warning?
Narcissus raised her head, her eyes filled with genuine worry. She couldn't speak directly about the plague, since it was related to her rebirth.
She could only focus on the two points of "the emperor's health" and "the unclear condition" in her urgent advice.
"His Majesty is of noble birth and the fate of the nation rests upon his shoulders... The Empress Dowager's condition is still unclear, and the imperial physicians have not been able to determine the exact cause of her illness. The situation remains unknown."
"Your Majesty, I am deeply worried. I implore you to prioritize the well-being of the nation and postpone your visit until the imperial physicians have made a clear diagnosis and ensured that everything is alright before making a decision!"
Her obstruction stemmed from her fear that Emperor Zhaoheng might contract the plague.
It might even be possible to save Consort Wan and the others.
Consort Wan and the others had been in the vicinity for several days. Initially, Shui Xian suspected that the Empress Dowager was suffering from the plague and had openly and secretly tried to stop Consort Wan and the others.
However, Consort Wan and others subtly blocked her advances, citing her jealousy as the reason.
Shui Xian did not want the plague to spread in the palace, so she simply used her power as the Imperial Noble Consort to temporarily hold the Phoenix Seal, saying that she wanted the Empress Dowager to rest well, and prevented anyone except the people from the Imperial Hospital from visiting her.
As for the Imperial Hospital, Shui Xian had already secretly passed on the message to Pei Jichuan.
Meanwhile, Zhou Yan and Lian Chenxi were secretly tasked with discreetly searching for the plague outside the palace, attempting to stop it before it caused too many casualties.
However, in the eyes of Consort Wan and others, her actions were seen as an overbearing act of monopolizing the Emperor's heart.
At this moment, Consort Wan and the others looked at Narcissus with a hint of disgust.
Emperor Zhaoheng did not notice the gazes of Consort Wan and the others; his eyes were only on Shui Xian.
He looked at Narcissus's flushed cheeks from running, and at the genuine worry and anxiety in her eyes, and felt a sense of comfort in his heart.
He thought that she was too concerned about his safety, which was why she had acted so irrationally to stop him.
Emperor Zhaoheng personally bent down and helped Shuixian up, his large hand naturally taking her slightly cool hand and enveloping it in his warm palm.
This gesture is intimate and natural, carrying an unspoken sense of protection.
He gazed at her tenderly, his deep voice filled with comfort and appreciation for her care.
"I understand Xian'er's feelings."
Emperor Zhaoheng was determined to visit the Empress Dowager today; otherwise, if he didn't go to Cining Palace for a long time, he would definitely be nagged by the people of the previous dynasty.
"It is precisely because the Empress Dowager's condition is still unclear that I, as her son, need to visit her in person to reassure her and to understand the truth."
His gaze turned to Narcissus, filled with pity: "And you, when you gave birth to twins, you were severely weakened and nearly died from postpartum hemorrhage. The Imperial Hospital repeatedly warned you that you need to rest quietly for a long time, avoid unclean things and prevent illness, and most importantly, avoid overexertion and exposure to disease."
"You must return to the palace immediately. How can I knowingly allow you to venture into such a dangerous place?"
These words not only responded to Shui Xian's advice, but also clearly demonstrated his thorough understanding of Shui Xian's physical condition and his utmost care for her in front of everyone.
He didn't let her go not because he didn't trust her, but because he couldn't bear to part with her and because he cherished her!
Immediately, Emperor Zhaoheng turned to Consort Wan and the others, whose faces had already stiffened, and his tone regained its imperial aloofness and undisguised majesty.
“I am very pleased with your filial piety. However, the Empress Dowager needs to rest quietly now. Too many people will disturb her peace and will not help her condition. I will make arrangements for attending to her. You may leave.”
When Consort Wan and the others heard that the emperor had not only rejected their request to attend to the ailing emperor, but also so clearly expressed his care for Narcissus, they were consumed by jealousy and felt extremely resentful.
Consort Wan, relying on her higher rank, still wanted to put up a fight, forcing a smile and saying, "Your Majesty, we concubines are not afraid of hardship or illness, we only wish to share the burdens of the Empress Dowager and Your Majesty, and hope to share the burdens with Your Majesty..."
Emperor Zhaoheng's gaze swept over her indifferently, his eyes revealing neither joy nor anger, yet it made Consort Wan's words catch in her throat.
"With the Imperial Noble Consort assisting in managing all affairs of the palace, I am very at ease."
He paused briefly, and every word he spoke resonated deeply in the hearts of everyone present.
"As for those who stay by my side and share my joys and sorrows..."
His gaze swept over the concubines' instantly pale faces, finally settling on Shui Xian's calm and moving eyes, and he said in a deep voice.
"Having Xian'er alone is enough."
These words, though not explicitly named, were a direct slap in the face to Consort Wan.
She hadn't even finished speaking when Emperor Zhaoheng rejected her like that...
Shui Xian stood there, stunned, her hand still tightly held by Emperor Zhaoheng, the warmth of his palm so real.
His shocking words, "With Xian'er alone, that's enough," echoed in her ears. Shui Xian had never imagined that Emperor Zhaoheng would have such a thought.
A complex mix of emotions surged within her.
There was a deep worry about his potential danger, like a thread wrapped around my heart, which I couldn't shake off for a while.
Emperor Zhaoheng wanted to enter Cining Palace, but he felt Shuixian's hand come back to him, and she pulled him back with some force.
"emperor......"
Narcissus gently took his hand, her beautiful eyes seemingly filled with water, gazing at him with a pitiful, watery light.
"Your Majesty, I prepared dinner at Lihe Palace. I did not intend to disturb you, but I accidentally mentioned it to Yongning. Yongning is eagerly awaiting her father's visit..."
Today, Shui Xian must stop Emperor Zhao Heng.
If he were to contract the disease, it would not only destabilize the court, but also spread it to the children.
Although Shui Xian had not yet come up with a particularly good way to keep the rest of the harem outside Cining Palace.
But she could stop it as soon as possible; the longer she delayed, the faster Pei Jichuan, who had already begun searching through ancient books, would be able to find a way to treat the epidemic.
Emperor Zhaoheng found it strange, as Shuixian had never been a clingy person.
But when he thought of the young and adorable Yongning, who was waiting for him in the Lihe Palace, Emperor Zhaoheng's eyes softened.
"In that case, prepare to travel to Lihe Palace."
He stopped his steps from heading towards the main hall of Cining Palace, turned around, and left with Shuixian.
Behind him, Consort Wan slowly lowered her gaze, feeling an indescribable sense of suffocation.
She must report today's events to Her Majesty the Empress.
She can't be the only one who feels stifled!
——
Consort Wan sent someone to Kunning Palace to vividly recount to the Empress the Emperor's speech in front of Cining Palace that day.
"Crack—!"
The Empress slammed the teacup in her hand to the ground, shards of porcelain flying everywhere, tea spilling out and staining the luxurious carpet.
Her chest heaved violently, her face contorted and grotesque with extreme jealousy!
"Great, very good! Very good indeed!"
She went to great lengths, even using the Empress Dowager's illness to set up a deadly trap, but not only did she fail to harm Shui Xian in the slightest, she also inadvertently caused Emperor Zhaoheng to make such a resolute declaration of exclusive favor in front of everyone!
This completely shattered her last remaining hope of turning the tide!
In the emperor's heart, she was already a figurehead empress!
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