Chapter 269 The Background of Emperor Zhaoheng?
The next day, at dawn, the imperial carriage and entourage headed straight for the Cold Palace on the west side of the palace.
In stark contrast to the gloomy and dilapidated atmosphere of the Cold Palace, the Empress's carriage today appears exceptionally solemn and dignified.
The bright yellow canopy, the well-trained palace servants, and the narcissus seated on the phoenix carriage, dressed in a bright red auspicious robe with phoenix patterns and wearing a phoenix crown, all demonstrated the majestic majesty of the Empress.
The eunuch in charge of the Cold Palace had already received the news and led all the palace servants who were still able to move to kneel inside and outside the palace gates to welcome the emperor's carriage. Everyone was silent as if they were cicadas in winter.
Shui Xian did not go directly to Liu Simin's residence, but first sat for a while in the main hall of the Cold Palace, listened to the trembling report of the head eunuch, and inquired about the general situation of all the concubines and palace servants who had been demoted to this place.
"I have come here today for two reasons: first, to observe the situation, and second, to deliver an imperial decree."
Narcissus's clear voice echoed in the empty, dilapidated palace: "His Majesty is benevolent, remembering Heaven's virtue of cherishing life. Even though she is in the cold palace, she is still a human life."
"From this day forward, the allowance for those in the Cold Palace will be increased as appropriate. Food and drink must be kept clean and warm, and clothing and bedding must be changed and replenished on time for all four seasons. If you are sick, you may consult a physician regularly."
Her gaze swept calmly over the gaunt faces below, their eyes either numb or filled with surprise.
"Although you bear the blame, the Emperor's grace is boundless. I hope you will reflect on your mistakes and behave yourselves."
This action was not a show of force, but a dignified and benevolent act.
As an empress, when she acts with compassion, no one can find fault with her actions; they will only praise her virtue and magnanimity.
After announcing the decree, Narcissus rose and, surrounded by palace servants, slowly inspected the desolate palace courtyard.
She walked with ease, as if she were strolling in the imperial garden, rather than on this land that symbolized despair.
Upon reaching a particularly dilapidated palace, Narcissus paused slightly.
This is where Liu Simin is being held captive.
"Who lives here is..."
Narcissus asked the question seemingly casually.
The head eunuch quickly bowed and replied, "Your Majesty, it is...it is the deposed Empress Liu."
Narcissus nodded, her expression calm and composed, and instructed, "Send in a set of the newly allocated bedding and seasonal clothing."
Her voice was calm. "Although she is the deposed Empress Liu, who is morally flawed, His Majesty is kind and considerate of her former position as Empress, and cannot bear to see her in such a miserable state. As Empress, I should be even more considerate of His Majesty's wishes and treat everyone equally."
Her voice was neither too loud nor too soft, yet it clearly penetrated the rickety wooden door and entered the room.
As soon as he finished speaking, the tightly closed door was suddenly pulled open from the inside with a piercing bang.
Liu Simin stood inside the door, still wearing that gray coarse cloth dress, her face looking particularly haggard and mean due to long-term resentment and torment.
Only those eyes, burning with fierce fire, were fixed intently on the narcissus.
However, when her gaze swept over the corner of the paper that was faintly visible from Narcissus's sleeve, which was extremely similar to the envelope from yesterday, her pupils suddenly contracted!
A terrible, unacceptable thought flashed through her mind.
Her letter! The Emperor not only didn't read it, he might even... have given it to Narcissus!
This is the woman she hates and is most jealous of!
"It's you!"
Liu Simin's voice was filled with disbelief, shock, anger, and overwhelming hatred: "You read it?! You read that letter?!"
Narcissus slowly turned around, meeting her gaze that seemed to spit fire.
Compared to Liu Simin's agitated outburst, Shuixian remained calm and composed, like a snow lotus standing serenely on a mountaintop.
Her gaze was calm and unwavering, even carrying a hint of pity as if she were looking at a clown.
"I hold the Phoenix Seal and assist in managing the six palaces."
Shui Xian spoke, her voice steady, yet each word like an ice bead falling onto a jade plate, carrying the imposing aura of someone in a high position: "What's wrong with examining some unimportant old items and clarifying trivial palace matters?"
She didn't even admit or deny whether she had read the letter, but this condescending attitude was more damaging than any direct mockery.
This silent declaration shattered the last vestige of hope in Liu Simin's heart—her lingering affection for the past and her pitiful illusion that she still held some weight in Emperor Zhaoheng's heart.
She felt like a complete joke; all her scheming and expectations seemed so laughable and so vulnerable in front of the other person.
Extreme anger and despair surged within her chest.
Narcissus no longer looked at her face, which was distorted by extreme emotional turmoil, nor paid attention to her eyes, which seemed to want to devour people.
She turned around calmly and, surrounded by palace servants, slowly walked away along the path she had come from.
The hem of the phoenix robe trailed across the desolate ground, without being stained by a speck of dust.
Behind her, Liu Simin stared intently at her back, her body trembling violently from the extreme impact.
Suffering such a humiliating disgrace, Liu Simin's remaining rationality completely collapsed.
Back in that cold cell, she paced back and forth like a trapped beast, her eyes flashing with a mad and ruthless light.
The humiliation inflicted by Narcissus and the ruthlessness of Emperor Zhaoheng drove her to the brink of despair.
Since they won't let her have an easy time, then nobody should have an easy time either! Let's fight to the death, let's all perish together!
She clenched her fist tightly, knowing she had to use the most deeply buried piece, the last one she could use in this deep palace.
That was Qiuwen, a trusted maidservant of Consort De.
This woman and her entire family had received great favors from the Liu family, and her younger brother was even under the control of the Liu family's former subordinates.
At this moment, she had to risk everything and use a highly secretive old channel used for procuring supplies from the Cold Palace to send out a desperate order—
She ordered Qiuwen to spread the secret about Emperor Zhaoheng's origins at all costs, in the most subtle yet intriguing way possible!
She wanted to throw this filth at Cining Palace and Qianqing Palace, and she wanted to ensure that the entire Great Qi Dynasty would be in turmoil!
-
A few days later, an eerie atmosphere began to permeate certain corners of the capital.
In teahouses, taverns, and bustling streets, whispers, tinged with mystery, began to circulate.
"Have you heard? That Empress Dowager in the palace... she was betrothed to someone before she entered the palace..."
"Shh! Keep your voice down! Are you out of your mind?"
"Just between the two of us, I've heard that the other party is a young and promising general, surnamed Yue..."
"Tsk tsk, once she entered the palace, could she really break off all ties? Who knew what would happen later... Hehe, the man above her (referring to Emperor Zhaoheng) doesn't look much like the late emperor..."
"Watch your mouth! Watch your mouth! You can't say things like that carelessly, or you'll lose your head!"
"I've only heard about it..."
Rumors spread like moss, silently yet stubbornly.
Although the content did not name names and was vague and ambiguous, its target was exceptionally clear.
It directly points to the Empress Dowager's pre-entry marriage agreement, implying that she still has feelings for her former lover, General Yue, and even alluding to doubts about the current emperor's bloodline!
This rumor instantly stirred up a huge undercurrent throughout the government and the public.
Involving the deepest secrets of the palace, concerning the legitimacy of the throne and the reputation of the royal family, its destructive power is unimaginable.
The Imperial Study in the Qianqing Palace.
The commander of the secret guards knelt on the ground, holding his breath and focusing intently, reporting every single word of the filthy rumors circulating in the marketplace to the emperor on his throne.
As the guards recounted their account, the air in the imperial study seemed to freeze, and the temperature plummeted. Emperor Zhaoheng's previously serene face instantly turned icy.
The fingers gripping the vermilion brush were so tight that the knuckles turned white, and the veins on the back of the hand bulged.
"Bang!"
With a loud crash, the fine sandalwood imperial desk was violently shaken, and the imperial brushes on the brush holder rolled to the ground.
"You bastard!"
Emperor Zhaoheng was furious, his chilling aura almost freezing the air. "Who dares to be so audacious! To slander the Empress Dowager's reputation and speak ill of the foundations of the nation!"
He would never allow anyone, in any way, to shake the foundation of his Xiao family's empire!
This is no longer just a simple rumor, but a blatant act of treason!
"check!"
Emperor Zhaoheng's voice was like ice, filled with unmistakable killing intent, "Investigate thoroughly! Dig three feet into the ground, find this mastermind behind it all! I want him to be torn to pieces to set the record straight!"
The secret guards were extremely efficient, tracing the rumors backward.
Soon, all the clues, whether direct or indirect, began to subtly point to one person—
Lian Chenxi, a former top scholar and third-place finisher in the imperial examinations.
He appears to be a key figure in this network of rumors, bridging the gap between earlier and later stages.
Upon receiving the secret report from his guards, Emperor Zhaoheng's face turned icy cold, and his eyes revealed murderous intent.
"Issue my decree."
His voice was icy cold, devoid of any warmth. "Secretly arrest Lian Chenxi, imprison him in the Imperial Prison, and keep him under strict guard! I will interrogate him personally!"
When the news reached the Lihe Palace, Shui Xian unexpectedly stood up.
She had heard the rumors circulating recently; Zhou Yan had already passed on the information to her through Yinzhu.
But... Shui Xian never expected that the clues found by Emperor Zhaoheng's secret guards would all point to Lian Chenxi.
Although Shui Xian and Lian Chenxi didn't interact much, unlike Zhou Yan whom she had personally mentored, Lian Chenxi was too upright, and Shui Xian knew she couldn't win him over too much, so she only maintained a gentlemanly relationship with him.
But Shui Xian believed that Lian Chenxi was definitely not the kind of person who spread rumors.
Narcissus gradually understood the key...
Presumably, this was done by Liu, the deposed empress who was confined to the cold palace.
I just don't know why she's in such a hurry to get rid of Lian Chenxi.
Shui Xian fell into deep thought, feeling that the move of deposing the empress was very strange.
Perhaps there is some secret she is unaware of?
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com