Chapter 186 I'm Too Late
Cining Palace is some distance from Lihe Palace. Once upon a time, the current Empress Dowager lived in Lihe Palace with Emperor Zhaoheng when he was still a prince.
Occasionally, when Emperor Zhaoheng passed by the gate of Lihe Palace, he would recall some scattered memories with his mother.
Time has passed, and when Emperor Zhaoheng steps into the Lihe Palace again today, all he can see and think about is the woman in his arms.
Emperor Zhaoheng personally carried Shui Xian down from the sedan chair and strode into the main hall of Lihe Palace.
Yinzhu didn't go to Cining Palace with Shuixian. At this moment, she was drying clothes in the courtyard, using the perfect blazing sun to dry the palace dress embroidered with exquisite patterns.
Since the daffodils are currently pregnant and cannot use fragrance, I've placed some fresh, tender flowers around them instead.
After a midday, the clothes were naturally soaked with the warm fragrance of flowers.
Hearing a commotion at the door, Yinzhu looked up and saw the Emperor carrying his concubine in.
She was startled and quickly went up to lift the curtain for her two masters.
Shui Xian leaned against Emperor Zhaoheng's chest, hooking her arm around his shoulder for support.
Now that she was pregnant with twins and her body was quite heavy, Shui Xian did not want Emperor Zhaoheng to have the impression that she was heavy, even though she was pregnant.
As a concubine, one cannot relax for a moment when facing the emperor.
Emperor Zhaoheng carried her into the inner room and gently placed her on the couch.
Yinzhu quickly stepped forward to remove her embroidered shoes and covered her with a thin quilt. She kept her face down and her body half-bent, minimizing her presence.
Emperor Zhaoheng sat down on a round-backed chair and did not leave immediately. After Yinzhu helped Shuixian put on soft pillows to lean against, he quietly told the palace servants around him to leave.
Tinglu, who had just gone with Yinzhu, had already tacitly retreated when Yinzhu stepped forward and went to the small kitchen to bring back the calming soup that had been kept warm before going to Cining Palace.
She placed the calming tea on the small table beside the narcissus couch and then left with the others.
Emperor Zhaoheng rose, the hem of his bright yellow dragon robe just beginning to fall, then he tugged at it again and sat down beside Narcissus's couch.
Emperor Zhaoheng personally picked up the bowl of calming soup and used the white porcelain spoon inside to scoop a full spoonful for Narcissus.
"It's my fault for being late, and I'm sorry you had to suffer."
Shui Xian took the calming sweet soup from the porcelain spoon that Emperor Zhaoheng brought to her lips, her eyelashes drooping, and remained silent.
One spoonful after another.
When Emperor Zhaoheng fed her the fifth spoonful, the white porcelain spoon lightly touched her cherry-colored lips, smudged some of her lip rouge, and revealed the thin, translucent sheen of her lips after drinking the calming soup.
"Use some more..."
Before Emperor Zhaoheng could finish speaking, a crystal tear rolled down her cheek.
Snap.
Tears streamed down her smooth cheeks, over her pointed chin, and finally fell onto the brocade quilt, leaving a dark, damp mark.
"Your Majesty... although I was abducted, my chastity remains intact. If Your Majesty does not believe me, I can verify my body..."
Narcissus looked up, her eyes brimming with grievance and helplessness, which eventually turned into tears that fell to the ground.
She knew that if this matter wasn't explained clearly now, Emperor Zhaoheng might develop a grudge in his heart later.
What she needed to do was to dispel Emperor Zhaoheng's suspicions once and for all, and to explain everything clearly in one go.
Emperor Zhaoheng put down the calming soup, held Narcissus's hand firmly, and stopped her from taking off her outer garment.
"Don't take a single word of those absurd words to heart. I trust you, and I will always trust you."
Narcissus paused slightly, seemingly surprised by Emperor Zhaoheng's answer.
She suddenly lowered her head, burying her slightly cool cheeks in their clasped hands, and sobbed softly, "Your Majesty, I will always remember whose woman I am. If that day ever comes, I would rather die than..."
Yeah, right.
Having been reborn, Narcissus cherishes her life most.
But she also knew that men, especially emperors, who seemed the toughest, were actually the most insecure, fearing that their women would be taken by others. She had to use the most resolute attitude to dispel Emperor Zhaoheng's suspicions.
Perhaps even Emperor Zhaoheng himself didn't realize at this moment how much suspicion it would arouse if she didn't explain things clearly now, and he suddenly remembered it someday.
"Xian'er... don't talk nonsense. If anything happens to you, I... won't let you off easily!"
Emperor Zhaoheng felt the dampness in his palm and looked at the woman in front of him who had been suffering outside all these days. His heart ached slightly, and he reached out and held her tightly in his arms.
Fortunately, he didn't lose her.
Emperor Zhaoheng gently kissed her cheek, his voice soft and seductive.
That night, Emperor Zhaoheng stayed at the Lihe Palace.
The emperor and empress slept in the same bed. Although they did not consummate their marriage, their affection remained constant. Occasionally, the man's low, gentle whispers could be heard from inside the bedchamber, which gradually quieted down late into the night.
The next morning.
Emperor Zhaoheng woke up early, and even in his sleep, he held Shuixian's hand tightly, and the two held hands like that all night.
He turned around quietly, trying not to disturb the narcissus who was still fast asleep beside him.
The morning light shone through the bed curtains, not bright, but enough to see her sleeping face clearly. Since she returned to the palace, it was said that she did not sleep well in her dreams, and last night she was also occasionally awakened from her dreams.
His peaceful sleeping face softened Emperor Zhaoheng's heart.
He stared at her for a while until he heard Tinglu's soft voice calling from outside the tent, reminding him that it was time to wash up and prepare for court.
Then, he quietly got up, washed his face and changed his clothes, and had a simple breakfast.
Before going to court, Emperor Zhaoheng specifically instructed the palace servants: "Let Consort Jin rest well and don't rush to get up. If anything happens, go to the Qianqing Palace to report immediately."
When Narcissus woke up, it was nearly 9:00 AM.
She had just been helped by Yinzhu to wash her face and comb her hair when Pei Jichuan came to check her pulse.
The pulse diagnosis took longer than usual, and Pei Jichuan's expression was solemn.
After returning to the palace, the first thing Shui Xian did was summon Pei Jichuan and tell him what Yi Xingyao had told her: that she had a special constitution and would die suddenly after giving birth to no more than three children.
Pei Jichuan has been poring over ancient books for days, but he has not been able to find a single word or phrase in them.
The person facing a life-or-death crisis is Shui Xian, but Pei Jichuan looks several times more haggard than her.
Pei Jichuan couldn't discern any signs of impending death from the pulse. With a worried expression, he said, "Judging from your pulse, yesterday's disturbance, coupled with your previous travels, has significantly damaged your vital energy. You need to rest more and absolutely must not get angry or overwork yourself."
After speaking, Pei Jichuan pursed his lips, dissatisfied with himself for only being able to utter such useless words.
Narcissus remained calm, as if she had expected this: "I know."
Shui Xian noticed that Pei Jichuan seemed to want to say something but hesitated.
"Is there anything else?"
Pei Jichuan hesitated for a moment before whispering, "Your Majesty, I secretly went to the Ministry of Justice prison to see Madam Yi, hoping to find out from her about Your Majesty's special constitution..."
After failing to find a solution by searching through ancient books, Pei Jichuan went to the Ministry of Justice prison immediately.
He went to the prison to see Mrs. Yi, who had once been a noblewoman but had now fallen from grace.
Pei Jichuan set conditions for Madam Yi within the limits of his power, but Madam Yi's request remained the same from beginning to end...
He said carefully, "Madam Yi has put forward conditions."
Narcissus's eyes narrowed, somewhat surprised.
"explain."
"She claims to know all the inside information about the secret medicine that alters one's constitution."
"But she insists that Your Majesty must personally visit her in prison before she will speak."
Pei Jichuan's tone was heavy and full of worry.
"But in my humble opinion, this woman is vicious and hates Your Majesty to the core. Even if you go there in person, she will never tell you the truth. On the contrary, she is very likely to take the opportunity to humiliate and provoke you, which will do nothing but harm Your Majesty's health and the stability of the imperial heirs!"
Since it concerned Narcissus's life, Pei Jichuan dared not take the risk and could only convey Madam Yi's request to Narcissus.
Pei Jichuan's thoughts were in turmoil. He didn't want Consort Jin to be affected by going to that place, especially if she was truly provoked by Madam Yi's words... But if she didn't go, and if there really was a solution...
Shui Xian remained silent for a moment. After all, Pei Jichuan only knew the surface and didn't really understand Madam Yi's personality.
Based on Shui Xian's understanding of Madam Yi, Madam Yi would never tell her the solution to this constitution, given that she was an enemy who used imperial power to kill Yi Guichun.
Narcissus saw things clearly and understood that Madam Yi was at her wit's end and wanted to drag her down with her.
"What Physician Pei said is consistent with what I thought."
She raised her eyes, her gaze calm. "She won't tell. Even if she does, it will likely be half true and half false, and may even contain lies."
"So, what does Your Highness mean..."
"The Emperor must be informed of this matter."
Narcissus spoke with certainty, tinged with a deeper meaning, "But how to inform them of this requires a method..."
Pei Jichuan instantly understood her intention, "What does Your Majesty need me to do?"
Narcissus whispered a few words in his ear, and Pei Jichuan's eyes flashed with surprise, his admiration for her growing even stronger.
Consort Jin's courage and determination were beyond the reach of ordinary people.
For a fleeting moment, he couldn't help but think that if Consort Jin hadn't been confined to the deep palace, and if she were a man, it wouldn't be unreasonable for her to achieve great things.
The two had just finished discussing their strategy, with only a few minor details remaining to be discussed, when Tinglu strode in from outside the hall.
"Your Majesty, Consort Jing has come to visit."
A knowing glint flashed in Narcissus's eyes. She instructed Yinzhu to escort Pei Jichuan out through the side gate of Lihe Palace.
After Pei Jichuan left the courtyard, she whispered to Tinglu, "Please invite Consort Jing in."
Not long after, Consort Jing, Wen Jingfeng, walked in from outside, led by Tinglu. Today, she was wearing a moon-white palace dress with a dark bamboo leaf pattern, which made her look even more aloof and otherworldly.
Upon entering the main hall, Consort Jing first greeted Narcissus according to etiquette.
Shui Xian couldn't help but notice that Wen Jingfeng had come alone; she hadn't even brought her personal maid with her.
Narcissus subtly withdrew her gaze, invited her to sit down, and ordered tea and refreshments to be served.
After exchanging a few pleasantries, Wen Jingfeng explained the purpose of her visit.
"I heard... that the Emperor brought my sister back to the palace the other day, and that the righteous men from the Chang'an Escort Agency helped him?"
Narcissus understood; she had anticipated that Wen Jingfeng would come.
After all, the Chang'an Escort Agency had contributed a lot to the rescue operation, and if it weren't for the token that Wen Jingfeng gave her before she left the palace, she wouldn't have been able to attract the attention of the Chang'an Escort Agency during her kidnapping by Yi Xingyao.
"I really have to thank Consort Jing. If it weren't for your token... I wouldn't be where I am today."
Shui Xian scrutinized Wen Jingfeng. Although she didn't know why Wen Jingfeng would suddenly give her the token, the two of them didn't have much interaction on a daily basis, and they couldn't even be considered friends.
To rashly offer assistance in this inner palace is nothing more than a means to an end for personal gain...
However, to Shui Xian's surprise, Wen Jingfeng didn't seem to be after profit.
Wen Jingfeng picked up the teacup, but put it down again without taking a sip.
Her mind was slightly agitated. After hesitating for a long while, she asked in a low voice:
"Did Consort Jin see a martial arts figure named Lu Yuanhang this time?"
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