Chapter 204 The Empress's Secret Exposed!
On the Double Ninth Festival, the sky was high and the clouds were light. Banners fluttered at the foot of Duixiu Mountain, and the royal procession was solemn and dignified, a magnificent scene of the royal procession.
The imperial road winds its way up from the foot of the mountain to the Imperial View Pavilion at the summit.
Emperor Zhaoheng, dressed in a ceremonial robe with twelve imperial symbols, walked at the front, followed by his elaborately dressed concubines and a few high-ranking officials, as a sign of reward and honor.
After all, being able to participate in such a grand sacrificial ceremony was a great honor for any court official.
The Empress has been "unwell" these past few days, but she still insisted on coming today.
She wore the most elaborate and solemn sacrificial phoenix robe, and a four-phoenix crown adorned with pearls and jade.
The more luxurious the jewelry, the paler her face appeared, as if the precious jewels weighed her down, making her seem like a beautifully adorned shell from afar.
She was carefully supported by two palace maids, one on each side, and each step she took up the mountain was extremely slow and difficult.
He would stop every now and then, cover his mouth with a handkerchief, and let out a few suppressed coughs, as if he would collapse from exhaustion at any moment.
The Empress's performance inevitably caught the attention of Emperor Zhaoheng.
Autumn has arrived, and it is quite cool today. Emperor Zhaoheng knows that the Empress's illness worsens whenever the weather gets cold.
If his relationship with the Empress had been better before, Emperor Zhaoheng would have advised her to take care of her health, but now...
Emperor Zhaoheng deliberately ignored the Empress's frail health, focusing solely on climbing slowly towards the Imperial View Pavilion.
The group slowly made their way up the mountain.
Upon reaching a slightly flatter platform, the Queen deliberately slowed her pace.
She glanced at Emperor Zhaoheng, who was not coming over, but was resting alone a short distance away surrounded by a group of palace servants. A cold glint flashed in her eyes as she turned to look at the concubines behind her.
As Narcissus approached, she turned her head and spoke softly, yet with a condescending air that clearly reached Narcissus's ears.
"Consort Jin looks exceptionally radiant today, no wonder she enjoys the Emperor's trust and is entrusted with managing the affairs of the six palaces. However..."
She paused, a barely perceptible chill creeping onto her lips.
"This dignified demeanor of an empress, supported by her maternal clan, cannot be easily maintained by mere beauty and offspring. Sister... you still need to carefully consider this."
These words, seemingly a suggestion, are actually barbed in every sentence.
The Empress's words not only belittled Narcissus's background but also implied that she was unworthy of her position and only relied on her beauty and children to maintain her favor.
Although the surrounding concubines and noblewomen did not hear everything clearly, the atmosphere had already become subtle.
Upon hearing this, Narcissus merely turned her head slightly and returned a smile that was almost one of pity.
Her smiling gaze slowly swept over the Empress, and she said unhurriedly, "Your Majesty's teachings are correct."
"Your Majesty, I am foolish and dull. I only know how to serve Your Majesty wholeheartedly, raise the imperial heirs, and keep to my duty."
The Empress was surprised that Narcissus was not flustered at all, and even managed to fight back. Her expression stiffened slightly.
Shui Xian continued, "As for the demeanor of an empress, there is Your Majesty as a virtuous example to follow. I dare not overstep my bounds and can only learn from you."
She emphasized the word "virtuous" slightly, her gaze sweeping over the Empress's figure, her unspoken words leaving much to ponder.
Whether the empress was virtuous or not, the lower-ranking concubines who were not caught in the storm of the harem might not know, but the higher-ranking concubines around her could almost vaguely sense the ruthlessness beneath the empress's virtuous exterior.
At this moment, everyone listened intently to the narcissus's yin and yang, their expressions subtle.
The Empress was met with a sharp but firm rebuke, and a sinister glint flashed in her eyes.
Just then, Emperor Zhaoheng turned around and saw Shuixian talking to the Empress. Although he didn't know what they were talking about, seeing that the Empress was sitting and Shuixian was standing, he felt sorry for Shuixian's body after giving birth and called her over.
In this way, the Empress could not say anything. She took a deep breath and watched as Narcissus walked past the Emperor.
Fortunately, the repairs were completed quickly.
Even as a Noble Consort, Narcissus could not stand shoulder to shoulder with her and the Emperor at such a solemn sacrificial ceremony.
The Empress felt a strange sense of satisfaction as she walked behind Emperor Zhaoheng, dragging the heavy hem of her auspicious robes.
She kept looking at his back, never turning around to look at the several concubines behind him.
At this moment, there was an illusion of eternity...
We finally arrived at the Yujing Pavilion at the top of the mountain.
The sacrificial ceremony is about to begin. According to the ritual system, the emperor and empress must stand side by side to pay homage to heaven, earth, and ancestors.
Just as the Empress took a deep breath, preparing to force herself to complete this final step and walk to Emperor Zhaoheng's side, her leg suddenly gave way.
The empress swayed slightly, as if tripped by her skirt, and looked about to fall softly to the ground.
It was quite a coincidence that she fell precisely into Emperor Zhaoheng's arms—
He will definitely catch her.
The Empress thought.
She wanted to use her physical vulnerability to gain men's sympathy and affection.
As she expected, Emperor Zhaoheng's brows furrowed instantly, and almost subconsciously, he raised his arm slightly, as if to support her.
At the critical moment, a figure in apricot yellow stepped forward and grabbed the empress's arm.
"Your Majesty! What's wrong?"
The Empress had already adopted a weak and contorted demeanor, but when she looked up, she was met with Narcissus's exquisite yet utterly repulsive face.
Narcissus smiled and helped her up, "It is truly worrying that Her Majesty the Empress's health has deteriorated to this extent!"
The Empress's expression turned slightly cold. When did she get so close to him?
Little did she know that when news of the Empress's serious illness came a few days ago, Shui Xian had already vaguely guessed some of her plans.
If her guess is true, and the Empress's illness is suspicious, then the Empress's weakness must be for a purpose.
Before the Empress could answer, Shui Xian put on a very worried expression and urgently called out, "Where is the imperial physician? Her Majesty the Empress is unwell, please come forward and carefully examine her pulse!"
Pei Jichuan, who had been waiting nearby, immediately responded and stepped forward quickly with his medicine box.
The Empress's expression changed drastically the moment she saw Pei Jichuan. She steadied herself and dodged his outstretched hand.
"No... there's no need to trouble Physician Pei. I'm just... just feeling a little dizzy. I'll be fine after a short rest. Go... go and summon the Imperial Physician."
Upon hearing this, Narcissus's face showed surprise and confusion at the right moment, and her voice echoed clearly inside and outside the Yujing Pavilion.
"Judge? What bad luck! Judge was hit by a carriage on his way out today and has taken a day off."
"Physician Pei's medical skills are superb, and he is deeply trusted by the Emperor. Is Your Highness perhaps... unable to trust the imperial physician whom the Emperor trusts?"
Narcissus's move was completely unexpected by the Empress, whose intention to dodge was quite obvious.
Emperor Zhaoheng slowly lowered his outstretched hand. Looking at the Empress's flickering eyes, he was filled with doubts, and his face darkened completely.
He gave the Queen no further chance to defend herself, his voice icy as he gestured to the side.
"Pei Jichuan, take my pulse."
"Your humble servant obeys the decree."
Pei Jichuan bowed and accepted the order without further hesitation, then stepped forward to take the pulse again.
The Empress tried to struggle, but under Emperor Zhaoheng's cold gaze, she finally gave up and stretched out her wrist, but her fingertips were already ice-cold.
Now, the Empress only hoped that Pei Jichuan, this fellow who came from a servant background, was not skilled in medicine and could not see anything wrong.
However, since entering the Imperial Medical Academy, Pei Jichuan has never slacked off for a single day, and his medical skills have long been proficient.
A moment later, Pei Jichuan withdrew his hand, his expression extremely solemn.
He lifted the front of his official robe and knelt solemnly before Emperor Zhaoheng. His voice was clear and steady, but what he said was utterly astonishing.
"Your Majesty! The Empress's pulse... is deep and strong, yet there is a sense of stagnation within the deep pulse..."
"In my humble opinion, this is no ordinary case of qi and blood deficiency or general weakness and illness! It is caused by long-term use of a certain extremely cold-natured medicine!"
"Your Majesty, I have also examined Your Majesty's pulse records. Although Your Majesty's constitution is slightly weak from birth, if you follow the doctor's advice to properly nourish and regulate your body, your pulse would never show such a deliberate pattern!"
"It must be...it must have been done on purpose."
Was it done intentionally?!
Emperor Zhaoheng's pupils suddenly contracted. Before he could react, he heard the usually frail and weak Empress suddenly exclaim in shock and anger, "Pei Jichuan, what nonsense are you talking about!"
Emperor Zhaoheng already harbored suspicions, and he angrily said to Feng Shunxiang beside him:
"Feng Shunxiang, go to the Imperial Hospital and bring all the imperial physicians on duty to me!"
Feng Shunxiang bowed: "Yes!"
The Empress wanted to argue, but Emperor Zhaoheng's cold, disappointed glance silenced her instantly.
Pei Jichuan stepped aside and stood quietly.
Emperor Zhaoheng's gaze swept over the silent Pei Jichuan, and then couldn't help but glance at Shui Xian, who was dressed in an apricot-yellow auspicious robe.
It is certain that Pei Jichuan was a follower of Shui Xian.
What a coincidence that Pei Jichuan would appear in the accompanying entourage today?
Emperor Zhaoheng sat upright in a chair brought by a palace servant, his right index finger gently tapping on his leg.
Seeing his expression, Shui Xian secretly sensed something was wrong.
Today, in order to avenge my family and make the Empress pay the price she deserves, I have indeed gone too far.
Emperors are often suspicious. Although she has given birth to three children and Emperor Zhaoheng showers her with boundless favor, it remains to be seen whether his favor can outweigh his suspicion...
Narcissus lowered her eyes slightly and tightened her grip on her side.
Soon after, all the imperial physicians from the Imperial Medical Academy were summoned. With Emperor Zhaoheng watching over them, the physicians had no way to lie and could only give a vague account.
After hearing this, Emperor Zhaoheng remained silent for a long time.
The wind was strong on the mountain; all you could hear was the howling of the wind.
Just as everyone was exchanging glances, Emperor Zhaoheng suddenly spoke in a cold and angry tone.
"Liu Si Min! You are very good... truly very good! You have been manipulating me for so many years!"
A surge of anger, a feeling of being fooled, suddenly erupted within him!
For many years, he had felt pity for the Empress's frail health and had been very tolerant of her...
It turns out that all of this was a meticulously planned scheme!
"Your Majesty! No! I didn't! I just..."
The color drained from the Queen's face instantly; she had never imagined that she would encounter such a thing today.
Tears streamed down her face, and she no longer cared about her composure, trying to grab Emperor Zhaoheng's sleeve.
"Your Majesty, I only... I only wish you would look at me more and show me more pity!"
Looking at her tearful appearance, Emperor Zhaoheng's eyes were filled with intense disgust.
He suddenly flicked his sleeve with such force that he sent the rushing empress staggering backward. If a palace maid hadn't caught her in time, she would have almost fallen to the ground.
"Guards! Empress Liu is frail and cold-blooded; she is no longer able to carry out the sacrificial ceremony!"
He stopped looking at her and coldly pronounced: "From this day forward, you shall rest and recuperate in Kunning Palace. Without my decree, you shall not step out of the palace gates! All affairs in the palace shall be temporarily managed by Imperial Noble Consort Jin!"
"emperor--!"
The Empress seemed to have lost her soul, collapsing into the arms of a palace maid. Her carefully applied makeup was smeared with tears, leaving her disheveled and utterly disfigured, devoid of any of her former imperial grace.
Shui Xian stood quietly to the side, coldly watching as the Empress was almost dragged down from the Yujing Pavilion by palace servants, her staggering and disheveled figure disappearing below the steps.
She felt little satisfaction at the prospect of revenge, only a cold indifference as if the dust had settled.
Anyone who harms her family, no matter who they are, must pay the price.
Emperor Zhaoheng took a deep breath, suppressed his surging anger, and turned to walk to Shui Xian's side.
He looked into her clear, calm eyes, sighed softly, and took her hand.
"Xian'er... If it weren't for Pei Jichuan's diagnosis today, I don't know how much longer I would have been deceived by this poisonous woman, and how much longer you would have suffered..."
Shui Xian shook her head slightly, seemingly ignoring Emperor Zhaoheng's suspicions at this moment, playing the role of a docile concubine.
She grasped his hand in return, her voice soft yet firm.
"Your Majesty is too kind. Now that the truth has come out, Your Majesty need not worry about such petty people anymore."
Emperor Zhaoheng gazed at her intently, a complex emotion flickering in his eyes. He nodded slightly and said, "Yes."
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