Chapter 24 I've already bullied you so many times tonight, one more time won't make a difference.
That night, Emperor Zhaoheng did not come to see the narcissus as he had promised, but instead stayed at Zhaoyang Palace.
What Narcissus was waiting for was snow plum blossoms that arrived late at night.
Yinzhu first stopped the person, indicating that Miss Xuemei had already rested and should come again tomorrow.
Xuemei handed her a brocade box and told her to give the box to Shuixian, who would then let her in.
Yinzhu delivered the items inside, and soon after, as expected, she came to invite Xuemei in with a bad expression.
Xuemei showed an expression of expectation and walked into Chengming Hall under the moonlight.
Shui Xian was dressed in her nightgown, clearly having gotten up in a hurry. She had a brocade robe draped over her shoulders, and on the table beside her was the brocade box that Xue Mei had just brought in.
The brocade box had been opened, and inside were several broken pieces of porcelain.
The edges of the porcelain shards were stained with dried blood, making the broken edges appear even sharper, and the sight was somewhat shocking against the backdrop of the brocade box.
Narcissus's expression was not good, and she asked Xuemei in a cold voice, "What does this mean?"
Xuemei gestured for Shuixian to dismiss the others before approaching Shuixian and whispering, "This is a gift from Consort Yi, who cherishes the deep bond between mistress and servant."
She smiled slightly, her lowered voice carrying an icy chill:
“Your Highness’s mother broke the imperial porcelain vase at the Yi residence, and she certainly doesn’t deny it.”
Xue Mei's voice grew colder and colder, "Master said that the old woman is very stubborn, and it took some effort to get her to admit her mistake."
"However, now the whole family has admitted their mistakes, including the young master's younger sister, Shui Xiu, who just turned fourteen and is growing more and more beautiful..."
Narcissus's eyes widened in shock, her expression one of disbelief.
"You...you are treacherous! Why did you harm my family!"
Xuemei said expressionlessly, "Originally, they were all to be killed according to the rules, but my lady was merciful and specially wrote a letter to stop the master."
"My mistress, out of consideration for our past relationship as mistress and servant, has given you, my lord, a special chance... It all depends on whether you accept it..."
Narcissus looked flustered, as if her emotions were being tugged by her family.
After a long while, Shui Xian, with tears in her eyes and clenching her teeth, bowed her head to Xue Mei, and even more so to Consort Yi, the mistress behind Xue Mei.
"What are your orders, Consort Yi?"
Xuemei said in a low voice, "My lady should be confined to her quarters for the Emperor's birthday banquet in half a month. Your Highness would be best to plead with the Emperor on my lady's behalf."
Her gaze swept over Shui Xian's frightened yet still beautiful face. "Your Highness is currently favored by the Emperor and will surely be able to help Your Highness obtain His Majesty's favor."
"If you are willing but unable, then Your Highness will not be able to care about the relationship between master and servant. You will have no choice but to let the Yi family kill and sell off your family. By then, it will be too late for your family to regret it."
Narcissus bit her lip tightly, on the verge of tears.
Xuemei smiled with satisfaction as she looked at Shuixian's submissive posture.
She nodded slightly, said no more, turned around, and stepped into the cool moonlight, leaving Chengming Palace silently as she had come.
The moment the palace doors closed, the look of panic on Narcissus's face faded like the tide.
She raised her hand to wipe away her tears, her face expressionless, only cold.
Sure enough... it's the same old routine again.
Regardless of past or present lives, Yi Guichun's most effective and vicious method of dealing with her was always to manipulate her closest relatives who were slaves in the Yi household.
Her parents and her younger sister, Shuixiu, were still lowly servants in the Yi family.
Born into a lowly family...
A bitter feeling welled up in Narcissus's heart.
Their identities were like the heaviest shackles in the world; they were the private property of the Yi family, and their lives, honor, and disgrace all depended on the master's whim.
Even though she is now the emperor's favorite, legally speaking, the emperor cannot forcibly interfere in the family affairs of his officials when the Yi family is dealing with a servant who has committed a serious offense.
Mother...
Narcissus's gaze fell back on the blood-stained shards of porcelain in the brocade box.
Her mother had served in the Yi household for decades and was known for her prudence, never making a mistake in all those years.
How could it be that on the first mistake, the imperial gift was accidentally broken?
This is clearly a fabricated charge that the Yi family used to frame my mother and force her to admit to!
"The Yi family..."
No wonder they were able to raise such a vicious eldest daughter as Yi Guichun; like father, like son!
The master of the Yi family, now serving as an official in the court, is the truly ruthless one!
After a surge of deep-seated hatred welled up in Narcissus's heart, her mind became unusually clear.
She cannot rescue her family yet!
Narcissus knew that her family, like herself in her previous life, had been disciplined for far too long.
Temporary rescue cannot completely wash away the deep-seated servility in their bones!
Only by personally experiencing the cruelty of the Yi family can one truly understand the truth that no one in this world can be relied upon but oneself!
Narcissus slowly closed the lid of the brocade box, shutting out the glaring bloodstains.
Only her slightly trembling hand, tightly gripping the brocade box, betrayed the heartache she felt, beyond reason.
Those were her family members, her youngest sister!
The more heartbroken Shui Xian felt, the more overwhelming her hatred for Yi Guichun and the Yi family became!
As the master, you can play with and abuse them at will!
Sooner or later, the entire Yi family will pay the price for their actions!
Ten days passed in the blink of an eye, like quicksand.
Inside Changxin Palace, Consort Yi, confined to her quarters, paced restlessly like a trapped beast.
With the Emperor's birthday approaching, it is the perfect springboard for her to regain favor and even further advance to the position of Imperial Concubine!
She absolutely cannot be trapped here to die from this damned confinement!
"Xuemei!" Consort Yi stopped abruptly, her voice filled with barely suppressed urgency. "That wretched maid Shuixian, has she made a move? Has she gone to plead with the Emperor?"
Xuemei lowered her head and answered cautiously, "Your Majesty, there is no movement from Chengming Palace."
"No?!" Consort Yi exclaimed incredulously and angrily. "Then has she served the emperor these past few days?"
"She served the emperor twice. The emperor also frequently visited Chengming Hall for meals and short stays."
Xuemei reported the truth.
"How dare she ignore my request?!"
Consort Yi trembled with rage, her voice dark and menacing: "And what about Zhaoyang Palace? Has she gone to fawn over that fool Consort Li again?"
"Yes... Consort Shuixian has been frequently visiting Zhaoyang Palace lately." Xuemei's voice was even lower.
"You lowly servant! You treacherous servant who betrayed your master for personal gain!"
Consort Yi was furious. She grabbed a white jade paperweight from the table and slammed it to the ground with a sharp, piercing sound!
"Does she think she can rest easy just because she's hooked up with that fool, Consort Li? That she can get rid of me? Dream on! I'll see whether her family's lives are tougher, or her backbone is tougher!"
Unlike Consort Yi's desperate struggle, Chengming Palace was filled with increasingly strong imperial favor.
On the bed in Chengming Hall, the brocade quilt was in disarray, and the air was filled with an indescribable sweet scent.
Emperor Zhaoheng leaned against the headboard, his strong arm around Shuixian's smooth shoulder, his fingertips unconsciously caressing her delicate skin, enjoying the rare tenderness.
Narcissus nestled in his arms, her long eyelashes casting soft shadows under her eyelids, making her look exceptionally docile.
She remained silent for a moment, as if hesitating, before finally speaking softly, "Your Majesty..."
"Hmm?" Emperor Zhaoheng responded in a low voice, his tone slightly hoarse at the end.
"I went to the Imperial Garden for a stroll today, and passed by Changxin Palace..."
Narcissus lightly traced the muscular outline of the man's abdomen with her fingertips. "The palace gates are tightly closed, it looks so desolate. I'm reminded of the days I spent in Changxin Palace, Consort Yi..."
She stopped there, not saying anything more, but looked at Emperor Zhaoheng with pleading eyes that seemed to have been soaked in water.
This is the best time for a man to speak.
"What?" Emperor Zhaoheng looked down at her, his voice unreadable. "Are you pleading for her?"
Shui Xian immediately shook her head, her exposed lotus-like arms affectionately clinging to the man's shoulder: "This concubine dares not. His Majesty has his reasons for punishing Your Highness by confining you to your quarters."
She paused slightly, "I just... I just thought that Your Majesty has always been strong-willed, and now that you are confined to the palace, with the Emperor's birthday approaching, you must be suffering greatly and feeling very sad."
These words, like a warm stream, gently soothed the anger in Emperor Zhaoheng's heart caused by Consort Yi's suggestion of adoption.
He recalled that Consort Yi had been in the palace for three years. Although she had some ulterior motives, she was generally well-behaved and served the palace diligently.
When he punished her by confining her to her quarters, besides being angry, he did indeed intend to use the opportunity to put pressure on the Yi family and balance the harem.
Now that time has passed, Narcissus's suggestion has quietly taken root in his heart.
He gently pinched Narcissus's delicate chin, making her lift her head, and looked at her intently: "You're quite soft-hearted. She treated you like that, and you still think of her?"
Narcissus met his gaze, her eyes filled with utter dependence. She stretched out her slender finger and gently poked Emperor Zhaoheng's firm chest: "I don't care about her! I only care about Your Majesty..."
Her voice was soft and sweet, with a seductive ending, and her body pressed closer to her like a water snake. "Your Majesty cherishes me, so naturally I should also think of Your Majesty's interests."
Emperor Zhaoheng's Adam's apple bobbed slightly, and he felt that the innocent girl in his arms was now as alluring as a fairy.
No man could resist the charm of a woman who blends innocence and allure.
He perked up again, and Narcissus noticed, playfully scolding, "Your Majesty always knows how to bully me..."
Emperor Zhaoheng chuckled softly, his chest heaving.
He whispered hoarsely in her ear, his large hand gradually moving down her exquisite curves.
"I've already bullied you so many times tonight, one more time won't make a difference."
He seemed to be bewitched by Narcissus, wanting only to bury himself deeply in her tender embrace.
The embarrassing sounds didn't gradually subside until dawn. Once again, taking advantage of Emperor Zhaoheng's deep sleep, Shui Xian went barefoot to the dressing table.
The hidden compartment in the bracelet is easily exposed; it's merely a stopgap measure.
Now that she has moved into Chengming Palace, Xiaochuanzi has renovated her dressing table and placed pills in a hidden compartment.
This morning, Xiao Chuanzi took her pulse. Now that she has moved to Chengming Palace, it is inconvenient for Consort Yi to send her pregnancy-preserving medicine.
She hadn't taken it for a long time, and Xiaochuanzi said that the remaining toxins in her body had been cleared.
Narcissus skillfully retrieved the pill from the hidden compartment, letting the round pill roll between her fingers.
Consort Yi is about to be released from confinement, and Consort Li also has ulterior motives. Her maid, Fangfei, is quite cunning.
A storm was brewing and swirling above the palace walls of the inner palace.
Perhaps, the time will come.
After pondering for a long time, Narcissus finally put the pill back into the hidden compartment of the dressing table, turned around, and went back to her bed...
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