Chapter 83 Men...aren't they all like this?
Even if a woman of marriageable age mistakenly sees the emperor's face, she cannot stay long according to etiquette.
Wen Jingfeng put her veil back on, curtsied again, and said in a clear and melodious voice, "This subject takes her leave."
Then, under Consort Wan's smiling gaze, she turned and left along the path on the other side of the waterside pavilion, her white-clad figure quickly disappearing into the deepening twilight.
Emperor Zhaoheng's gaze remained fixed on the disappearing figure, unable to snap out of his daze for a long time.
He stood tall in the evening breeze, the afterglow of the setting sun outlining the contours of his handsome profile, a sense of indescribable melancholy emanating from him.
Narcissus stood quietly half a step behind him, keenly sensing the fluctuations in the emperor's heart.
She knew that this woman named Wen Jingfeng was like a pebble thrown into stagnant water; the ripples she stirred in the emperor's heart would never subside.
really.
The following day, at the Empress Dowager's birthday banquet, Shui Xian saw Wen Jingfeng again.
The Empress Dowager's fiftieth birthday banquet was grand and luxurious, with music, singing and dancing.
After everyone had taken turns offering their birthday wishes, the Empress Dowager was beaming with joy, a rare sight indeed since Emperor Zhaoheng's strict investigation of the Cining Palace.
Her gaze swept over Emperor Zhaoheng beside her, and she gave him a rare smile.
"Your Majesty, today is my birthday, and I am overjoyed to see the daughter of an old friend."
"That girl from the Wen family named Jingfeng, in my opinion, has quite a bit of her aunt's charm back in the day."
As she spoke, the Empress Dowager looked at Wen Jingfeng, who was sitting quietly in the distance, and recalled with a smile.
"Jingfeng, your aunt's water sleeve dance was once famous throughout the capital. I wonder if you have learned it? Why don't you perform a dance to celebrate my birthday?"
"Your Majesty is too kind. I have made a fool of myself."
Wen Jingfeng got up and was led by a waiter to a side room to change her clothes. She came out in less than the time it takes for an incense stick to burn.
She changed into a flowing, cloud-patterned dress, still in a simple color, but it made her figure appear even more graceful.
As the music began, she danced gracefully amidst the banquet.
The girl's dance was light and graceful, like flowing wind and swirling snow. Every spin and every glance carried a cool and otherworldly charm.
That wasn't a deliberate imitation, but a natural resemblance that perfectly captured the unique charm of the late Emperor's Consort Wen!
Shui Xian clearly saw that when Wen Jingfeng began to dance, Emperor Zhaoheng's fingers, which were gripping the wine cup, suddenly tightened.
The shock and reminiscence in his eyes were even greater than at yesterday's dusk!
The Empress Dowager watched the Emperor's reaction with satisfaction, a hint of coldness flashing in her eyes.
Of course she remembered that when Consort Wen first entered the palace, she amazed not only the late emperor but also Emperor Zhaoheng, who was then a prince, with her dance.
At that time, she only felt that Consort Wen's seductive charm was a terrible sin.
Unexpectedly, times have changed, and now she has to rely on her memories of that vile woman to shake the emperor's defenses!
After the birthday banquet that evening, Emperor Zhaoheng did not summon Wen Jingfeng.
However.
The next morning, Yinzhu solemnly reported to Shuixian in a low voice.
"Your Majesty, last night someone saw the Emperor and that Miss Wen having a long talk in the waterside pavilion at the end of the covered corridor until late at night."
Emperor Zhaoheng almost never spent time with women without granting them a title or rank.
Last time, Yi Guichun offered narcissus as a substitute for a blessing, but he sent her back because she was frightened.
Clearly, Yinzhu had also thought of this. She cautiously raised her eyes to look at Shuixian, her eyes filled with undisguised worry.
"The last time His Majesty made such an exception was when it was Your Majesty..."
Narcissus was dressing in front of the mirror when she heard this, and her movements did not stop at all.
She looked at herself in the bronze mirror, seeing a very faint curve at the corner of her lips.
"Aren't all men like that?"
Does she expect a powerful man to dote on her exclusively?
Narcissus gently stroked her swollen belly, feeling the movement of the fetus inside, a clear-headed look flashing in her eyes.
The love of an emperor is the most ethereal and useless thing; the only reliable thing is power.
Shortly after the birthday banquet, the imperial entourage, which had been away from the palace for many days, finally returned to the capital in a grand procession.
Returning with the concubines was the sedan chair of the Wen family's daughter.
Just when everyone thought Wen Jingfeng would be like Yi Shuyao before him, first being granted the title of Noble Lady and then gradually promoted, a shocking imperial edict was issued:
By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: Wen Jingfeng, of the Wen clan, is virtuous and prudent by nature, adept at domestic duties. Her gentle, kind, respectful, frugal, and upright character has won my heart. She is hereby conferred the title of Consort Jing and granted residence in the main hall of Roujia Palace. So be it!
Consort Jing!
She was directly promoted to the rank of Imperial Concubine! She was granted residence in the main hall of Roujia Palace!
Roujia Palace...that was the palace where the late Emperor Wenfei lived!
The speed of this investiture, the high rank, and the immense favor bestowed upon the recipients were almost unprecedented!
The entire harem was instantly in an uproar!
Countless people cast mocking glances at Yongle Palace, feeling that Consort Jin, who had only been promoted to the rank of Consort because she was pregnant with the Emperor's child, seemed to have become a huge joke in front of this newly emerged favorite.
As dawn broke, the main hall of Kunning Palace was filled with the rich aroma of medicinal herbs.
The Empress's complexion seemed to have improved somewhat due to her rest and recuperation at the Summer Palace.
The atmosphere of today's morning reflection was particularly different.
The newly appointed Consort Jing, Wen Jingfeng, undoubtedly became the focus of everyone's attention.
She wore a moon-white silk dress, embroidered with several ink bamboos in blue thread, and the hem of the dress revealed faint cloud patterns. A plain jade hairpin loosely held her hair in a bun, and two small pearls adorned her ears.
"Your Majesty, I pay my respects. May Your Majesty enjoy boundless blessings and peace."
It was precisely this extreme simplicity and aloofness that made her stand out among the bejeweled concubines, like an orchid quietly blooming in a secluded valley, possessing her own unique elegance.
Consort Li sat to the left of the Empress, watching the young Wen Jingfeng take his seat in the empty seat next to Narcissus. She lightly pressed her bright red nail polished fingers against the corner of her eye.
Her arrogant gaze swept between Shui Xian and Wen Jingfeng, then she chuckled softly.
"Consort Jin, the other day at the Summer Palace, the Emperor practically doted on you! Tsk tsk tsk, that favor was truly the envy of everyone! What's wrong?"
Her tone suddenly shifted, becoming laced with sarcasm.
"How long has it been? The new concubine has already entered the palace, been directly granted the title of Consort, and moved into Roujia Palace?"
"Consort Jin, do you think this harem truly lives up to the old saying: 'Only the laughter of the new concubines is heard, while the cries of the old ones are never heard'?"
Consort Li spoke in a sarcastic tone, her voice not loud, but everyone present could hear her clearly.
The Empress sat upright on her throne, her brows slightly furrowed, seemingly displeased with Consort Li's indiscretion, but she did not immediately speak to stop her.
Consort Wan lowered her eyes, intently stirring the floating tea leaves in her teacup, as if she were detached from the situation.
Consort De frowned slightly, her gaze towards Narcissus filled with worry.
Narcissus slowly raised her eyes, about to retort.
However, at that moment, a clear and calm sound, like jade striking each other, rang out, carrying obvious displeasure.
"Your Highness is mistaken."
Everyone was stunned upon hearing this voice.
Looking in the direction of the voice, the speaker turned out to be the newly appointed Consort Jing, Wen Jingfeng.
She sat upright in her seat, her gaze calmly meeting Consort Li's vicious eyes.
"The sisters in the harem all serve the Emperor. Which sister the Emperor favors is a matter of grace and fate."
"Consort Jin is now pregnant with the emperor's child and is carrying the imperial heir. Her efforts are truly commendable."
She spoke with reason and evidence, and her voice gradually grew cold.
"As a high-ranking concubine, Your Highness should be considerate and caring, setting an example for your sisters in the harem. How could you speak so frivolously, make sarcastic remarks, and sow discord among your sisters?"
At this point, Wen Jingfeng's tone carried a faint yet extremely damaging hint of disdain.
"Moreover, the saying of 'new concubines and old concubines' makes one view the emperor's feelings for the harem too superficially and utilitarianly."
"His Majesty is the supreme ruler, with the world at his fingertips. How can such common, vulgar language be used to presume to understand his affection for the women in his harem?"
Consort Li's harsh expression froze instantly. She stared wide-eyed at Wen Jingfeng in disbelief, her face flushing red and then turning pale – a truly dramatic sight!
She never expected that her plan to instigate a conflict between Shui Xian and the new favorite Consort Jing, so that she could reap the benefits, would backfire. Instead of taking the bait, Consort Jing turned her guns on that lowly maid Shui Xian!
And in front of everyone, he so righteously accused her of being immoral, sowing discord, and making unwarranted comments about the emperor's mind!
This is simply humiliating Consort Li by rubbing her face in the ground!
"you!"
Consort Li was furious. Her mind went blank for a moment, and she couldn't think of a way to retaliate. Instead, she stood frozen in place.
The atmosphere in the hall instantly became somewhat strange, as no one expected that Consort Jing would speak up for Narcissus.
Everyone was stunned by this sudden reversal!
Even the Empress's eyes flashed with surprise.
The Empress coughed lightly at the opportune moment, breaking the awkward silence.
She looked at Consort Li and, following Consort Jing's earlier words, severely punished her, saying:
"What Consort Jing said is very true."
"Consort Li, your words were inappropriate and unbecoming of a concubine. Go back and copy the 'Admonitions for Women' three times, calm your mind, and carefully consider what you said today."
"Alright, everyone, you can all leave now."
The Empress's calm words brought Wen Jingfeng's first morning meeting to a close.
Consort Li, sitting to the side, not only failed to embarrass Shui Xian, but also made the Empress, who had regained power, punish her by making her copy the "Admonitions for Women" in front of everyone!
This was an utter disgrace to the arrogant Consort Li!
Consort Li suddenly gripped the corner of the table beside her, the cold metal armor striking the sandalwood table with a dull thud.
Then, amidst the somewhat wary gazes of the others, Consort Li rose and stormed off.
With Yinzhu's help, Shuixian slowly walked out of Kunning Palace.
The summer sun was dazzling, but she felt her mind was in turmoil.
What happened in Kunning Palace just now was completely beyond her expectations.
Why would Wen Jingfeng help her? Openly offending Consort Li under those circumstances was hardly a wise move.
Is she truly as aloof and arrogant as she claims, disdainful of vying for favor, and utterly disgusted by Consort Li's behavior? Or... does she have ulterior motives?
Was it at the behest of Consort Wan and the Empress Dowager, a deliberate attempt to appease her? Or... was there some other reason she hadn't yet figured out?
Just as Narcissus lowered her eyes in thought, a clear, cold voice rang out beside her:
"Consort Jin."
Shui Xian glanced sideways and saw that Wen Jingfeng had walked up to her at some point.
The newly appointed Consort Jing had little expression on her face. She looked at Narcissus and actually took the initiative to invite her.
"If it's convenient for Your Majesty... would you allow me to visit Yongle Palace later?"
What exactly does Wen Jingfeng want to do?
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