Chapter 125 He said, "I will never leave you, even in life and death."
Consort Liu probed Narcissus's attitude.
She knew that Shui Xian must know her identity, but although she was a member of the Liu family, she had been in the cold palace for several years and had long lost all power in the eyes of outsiders.
Consort Liu believed that Narcissus might help her, but she would definitely hesitate and even try to bargain.
However.
"Please speak, Madam."
There was not a trace of hesitation in Narcissus's clear eyes.
She knew that what Consort Liu had asked her to do was definitely not an easy task, but in this world, risk and opportunity always go hand in hand.
Narcissus dares to do it, and even more so, dares to take responsibility for it!
Consort Liu was surprised that Narcissus agreed so readily. Instead, Consort Liu hesitated for a moment, not quite understanding what was happening.
“I…I have an old friend who lives in the southern part of the city outside the palace. I haven’t seen him for many years. I only know that he…lives in poverty. With the end of the year approaching, I want to send him some money and clothes to help him out, but I am unable to leave the palace to deliver them.”
As she spoke, Consort Liu got up and went to a chest to the side, where she took out a slightly worn love knot.
A love knot?
Shui Xian noticed that she seemed to have guessed the entanglement between Consort Liu and that person.
A fleeting complex emotion crossed Consort Liu's eyes. "This matter has nothing to do with the disputes in the court and the harem. It's just... an old friendship."
Looking at the love knot tightly clutched in her hand, Shui Xian understood that this was no ordinary old friend.
After a moment's thought, she realized that although the matter was somewhat risky, if she could do favors for Consort Liu, she might gain her assistance in the future.
"Don't worry, Madam, I will arrange this matter properly."
Narcissus accepted the somewhat aged love knot.
The edges of the concentric knot are smooth, which is obviously due to frequent rubbing by the hands.
Consort Liu regained her calm and composed demeanor. "He has a jade pendant. If you handle this matter well, you can use that jade pendant to come to me, and I will naturally tell you some things you need to know."
As she spoke, she gave Narcissus another slip of paper, on which was written the detailed address of the man's residence.
Upon seeing the already written note, Narcissus subconsciously glanced at Consort Liu.
During the time she spent in the Cold Palace, she thought she was trying to build a relationship with Consort Liu and gain her trust.
It's likely that Consort Liu had already planned to use her to send a message.
Such a calm and intelligent person, trapped in this desolate palace, is it because of a momentary mistake, or... intentional?
Narcissus left the cold palace in deep thought.
——
When Shuixian returned to Lihe Palace, it was already late at night. Although the wind and snow had stopped, the chill in the winter night felt even heavier.
She left Tinglu alone in the inner room, gave her the love knot that Consort Liu had given her, and told Tinglu the address.
Tinglu was quick-witted and memorized the address in no time. Shuixian then burned the note with the handwriting of Consort Liu in the candlelight to make sure no trace was left.
Although Consort Liu was a concubine of the late emperor, and is now even in the Cold Palace.
But like every woman in this palace, once she entered the palace, she was the emperor's woman, regardless of life or death.
Helping Consort Liu pass some things out of the palace was not a big deal, but if it were discovered, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that she was helping the Consort to commit adultery in the harem.
At this point, caution is advised.
Just as he finished dealing with the matter, a voice announced from outside: "The Emperor has arrived."
This morning in Kunning Palace, after watching Shui Xian receive the Phoenix Seal, Emperor Zhaoheng made up his mind that he would definitely come to see her after he finished dealing with the affairs of the previous dynasty.
If Narcissus encounters any difficulties, he can help her resolve them.
Emperor Zhaoheng stepped into the inner room and casually handed his cloak to Tinglu, who was standing next to him.
His handsome features showed signs of weariness from the hustle and bustle of court affairs, but when he saw the graceful profile of Narcissus in the inner room, he felt more at ease and naturally took her hand.
Narcissus was sitting on a soft couch by the window, with the account books she had checked earlier laid out on the table beside her.
Emperor Zhaoheng's gaze fell on the stack of account books, and he couldn't help but frown slightly.
"Why are you still looking at these things so late?"
She's pregnant now, so she can't overexert herself.
Shui Xian let him hold her hand, revealing a faint smile that showed her dependence on Emperor Zhaoheng.
"Her Majesty the Empress has entrusted me with many matters at the end of the year. I am afraid of failing Her Majesty's expectations and just want to get things sorted out as soon as possible."
She paused, then looked up at him.
Her chin, which had become even smaller due to recent morning sickness, appeared pointed in the candlelight, making her eyes look even darker and brighter, giving her the delicate charm of a young girl immersed in love.
"I heard from Eunuch Feng that His Majesty is coming tonight... I will feel at ease once His Majesty arrives."
Emperor Zhaoheng was extremely pleased and pulled her to sit down. "I heard today that you went to the Dowager Consort's residence? And you even sent her some allowance?"
"yes."
Shui Xian nodded gently, leaning on Emperor Zhaoheng's shoulder, seemingly in a casual sigh.
"I was merely conducting my routine inspection, but what I saw was truly heartbreaking. The Dowager Consorts are all very old, without children, and they lack charcoal for heating in the winter..."
"It pains me to see this. After all, she was the late Emperor's concubine, and her food, clothing, and daily necessities should not be treated poorly. Your Majesty... will you not blame me for overstepping my bounds?"
It was just a small thing, but she cared so much about his opinion.
Emperor Zhaoheng raised his hand and gently stroked her cheek. He shook his head and said:
"How could I blame you? You are kind-hearted and handle things with propriety, so I am naturally at ease."
The winter wind rustled against the window, and the charcoal fire beside the couch burned just right, warming the room.
Narcissus leaned against his chest, and she could feel Emperor Zhaoheng's warm hand gently stroking her loose black hair.
Narcissus lowered her voice, “Your Majesty… I was in the Dowager Consort’s quarters today, and looking at them… I was actually very scared.”
"What are you afraid of?"
Emperor Zhaoheng lowered his eyes and stared intently as his slender hand ran through her hair.
"Your Majesty, I was simply saddened to see the desolate state of the Dowager Consorts in their later years..."
Narcissus adjusted her posture slightly, revealing a hint of vulnerability.
This vulnerability, as seen by Emperor Zhaoheng, was so pitiful.
"They were once beautiful women, favored by the emperor, but now they can only endure their days in that desolate courtyard..."
Narcissus thought of the women she had seen at the Dowager's place earlier that day.
The late emperor has passed away, leaving behind these women.
They may seem to live a peaceful and comfortable life in the deep palace, but in reality, they are still governed by the rules of the court.
He sits listlessly in the Empress Dowager's quarters all day long... What's the difference between yesterday, today, or tomorrow?
They appeared to be alive, but in reality, they had already departed with the passing of the late emperor.
All that remains are empty shells that have wasted their lives in this world.
Narcissus's fragility was feigned, but at this moment, only she knew that deep in her eyes lay a trace of genuine pain.
Today's imperial concubine may well become tomorrow's dowager concubine.
She empathized with him.
"nonsense!"
Emperor Zhaoheng interrupted her, hugged her tighter, and spoke in a deep and powerful voice.
"With me here, I will never let you fall to this state."
He gently lifted Narcissus's chin and soothed her unease with a kiss.
"Xian'er..."
Emperor Zhaoheng's heart was filled with tenderness, and he made a heartfelt promise.
"I will never leave you, even in life and death."
She was favored in the imperial harem, and their love was intense and passionate.
......
As the night deepened, the Lihe Palace was shrouded in silence.
The candlelight suddenly went out with a soft click, accompanied by a wisp of smoke, plunging the room into complete darkness.
The sound of Emperor Zhaoheng's steady breathing came from beside him. There was a morning court session the next day, and after he had enjoyed himself, he fell into a deep sleep.
Narcissus slowly opened her eyes in the darkness, turned her head, and looked at the silhouette of the man in the darkness.
Emperor Zhaoheng's promise of "never to be apart in life and death" still seemed to echo in her ears, but Shui Xian was still completely clear-headed.
The man's promise did not stir the slightest ripple in her heart.
She didn't believe a single word of it.
She raised her hand and gently stroked her slightly protruding belly. Beneath the soft touch was a tiny life connected to her by blood.
In this cannibalistic palace, one can only rely on oneself.
The Dowager Consort truly empathized with the numb and lonely concubines of the late emperor.
However, she only allows herself a moment of empathy, but never indulges in it.
Self-pity is the beginning of weakness, and weakness cannot last long in this cannibalistic palace.
Consort Liu chose to exile herself, confining herself to the Cold Palace. Perhaps she found some peace and quiet, but that was not the freedom that Narcissus wanted.
What she wants is to stand at an unparalleled height and wield unshakeable power.
Only then can you truly take control of your destiny, protect those you want to protect, and become the person you want to be.
In the quiet night, she slowly closed her eyes.
Sleep peacefully.
——
Time passed quickly during Narcissus's reign.
Before she knew it, Narcissus was four months pregnant.
As the symptoms of morning sickness gradually disappeared, and with the Lunar New Year approaching, Narcissus didn't even have time to rest properly before throwing herself into the preparations for the grand New Year's Eve banquet.
The New Year's Eve banquet was an extremely important event in the palace, and Shui Xian personally attended to every detail, from selecting guests to arranging the program. Everything required Shui Xian's approval.
Finally, thanks to Shui Xian's intensive preparations, the grand banquet was successfully held on New Year's Eve.
Whether it's the entertaining shows or the exquisite dishes, there's nothing to criticize.
Throughout the meal, exclamations of praise were heard incessantly.
"This year's banquet was truly exceptionally well-organized."
"Yes, it's even more lively and exquisite than in previous years. Consort Jin has really gone to great lengths."
"......"
These words were subtly heard by Emperor Zhaoheng.
He sat upright in the main seat, looking at the beautifully dressed Narcissus beside him, whose profile was stunning, and his eyes were filled with undisguised admiration.
Both the Empress Dowager and the Empress were absent from today's New Year's Eve banquet due to illness.
Regardless of whether those powerful families and officials looked up to Narcissus, it couldn't overshadow her dazzling radiance at that moment.
However, amidst this harmonious atmosphere, Emperor Zhaoheng also heard some discordant voices...
Princess Duan was talking quietly with a female member of the imperial family next to her, but their voices happened to reach Emperor Zhaoheng's ears.
"Her Highness Consort Jin is truly a woman of exquisite wisdom. This banquet is even more lively than in previous years, and everything is handled perfectly."
Princess Consort Duan sighed, "Yes, I remember when the late Imperial Noble Consort was alive, she was also most skilled at organizing these palace banquets..."
The smile on Emperor Zhaoheng's face gradually faded.
His gaze turned icy, and he slammed his wine glass down on the table, speaking coldly amidst the melodious music:
"Princess Consort Duan, if you have something to say, why don't you come and say it to me?"
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com