Chapter 212 Fragrant and Soft
After discovering that Lin Changzai was pregnant, no matter how strange Shuixian found it, she temporarily suppressed her doubts since Pei Jichuan had already reached a conclusion.
After the six palaces finished paying their respects, the concubines left Lihe Palace.
After making some minor adjustments, Shui Xian instructed the palace servants to prepare a reward for Consort Lin.
"Bring the newly presented brocade, the top-quality bird's nest and Changbai ginseng that the Emperor bestowed upon us the other day... and a pair of kingfisher feather hairpins."
After changing her clothes, Shui Xian sat in front of the mirror, having Ting Lu comb her hair again while personally giving instructions and making arrangements.
"I will personally go to Jingcheng Palace to see Consort Lin."
"Your Majesty."
Yinzhu whispered a reminder, "There were only two bolts of that Ten-Mile Flowing Light Brocade in total. The Emperor bestowed them both upon you, one was given to Princess Yongning for tailoring, and this one..."
The ten-mile-long shimmering brocade was different from the shimmering brocade presented as tribute before. It was said to be made using a new technique this year, and it looked dazzling from afar.
Even those with minimal material desires couldn't help but feel a pang of heartache at the thought of giving away this piece of cloth.
She couldn't help but admire the narcissus in the mirror. Her mistress was so beautiful and charming. As a maid, she really wanted to use these exquisite things to adorn her mistress.
Narcissus glanced at the silver bead through the bronze mirror, her gaze steady and calm; she didn't value these material possessions much.
"It is precisely because it is so rare that it shows how much I value the imperial heirs and care for my concubines. Go and take it."
Not only that, Emperor Zhaoheng arranged for her to take care of Consort Lin's pregnancy, but also because Consort Lin had been visiting her at Lihe Palace recently.
Although Shui Xian didn't know whether Consort Lin's pregnancy was real, deep down she still felt that, given Consort Lin's personality, she shouldn't be capable of doing anything bad.
She has always been as cautious as a rabbit...
Narcissus recalled the undisguised joy that Consort Lin had shown when she was promoted to the rank of Consort today, and couldn't help but sigh in her heart, if Consort Lin really had a problem with this pregnancy... she hoped that Consort Lin wouldn't be devastated by the truth.
She thought this way not because she didn't want to believe that Consort Lin was truly pregnant.
Aside from her special constitution, neither in her past life nor in this one has Emperor Zhaoheng's harem had another woman who conceived.
Shui Xian didn't think that Consort Lin would be special; no matter how she thought about it, she couldn't imagine that Consort Lin would be pregnant.
Yinzhu said no more, bowed and withdrew to prepare.
One hour later.
The east wing of Jingcheng Palace had only been hastily tidied up due to the suddenness of the imperial edict.
The Imperial Household Department added many new items here. Although it cannot compare to the main hall, it has been completely renewed and exudes the air of a newly rich family.
Consort Lin was resting on the couch in the inner room when she heard that the Imperial Noble Consort had arrived. She hurriedly tried to get up and pay her respects with the help of her maid.
"Lie down quickly, no need for formalities."
As Narcissus entered the inner room, she brought with her a delicate fragrance of roses.
Behind her followed palace servants carrying gifts, who smiled as they looked at Consort Lin.
"You are now pregnant; everything should be done for the sake of the imperial heir."
She stepped forward herself, gently helped Consort Lin up, and lingered her gaze on her face for a moment.
"Your complexion still looks a bit weak. I have already instructed the Imperial Hospital to take good care of you."
Consort Lin lowered her head, flattered and surprised, her voice as soft as a mosquito's buzz.
"Your Highness, I am deeply grateful for your concern. I never imagined that such a blessing would fall upon me, and I am filled with trepidation..."
"This is a joyous occasion, there is no need to be alarmed."
Shuixian gestured to the palace servants to present the gifts one by one, especially the shimmering brocade that shimmered with magnificent colors under the light.
"This fabric is quite soft and comfortable; it's suitable for making dresses or baby swaddling clothes. Have the imperial kitchen prepare these tonics carefully so I can nourish myself properly."
Consort Lin's gaze was instantly drawn to the magnificent ten-mile-long shimmering brocade.
She couldn't help but reach out and carefully stroke it; the smooth, soft touch made her fingertips tremble slightly.
A cold, sarcastic smile involuntarily curled at the corners of her lips; though fleeting, it did not escape Narcissus's notice.
"This humble servant... thanks Your Highness the Imperial Noble Consort for your generous reward!"
Consort Lin raised her head, seemingly in gratitude.
"Your Majesty has shown me such great kindness, I truly do not know how to repay you..."
"Take care of your pregnancy and give birth to a healthy heir for the Emperor; that would be the best way to repay him."
Narcissus slowly withdrew her gaze, her tone remaining unchanged and gentle.
"Now you are staying in the East Annex of Jingcheng Palace. If there is anything you need and it is not in accordance with your wishes, you can send someone directly to Lihe Palace to report. In all matters, the safety of the imperial heir is the priority."
Next, Shui Xian gave a few more instructions to the palace maids and eunuchs guarding the palace, and then got up and left, as if she had really just come to routinely care for a pregnant concubine.
Only after Narcissus's figure disappeared outside the palace gate did Consort Lin slowly straighten up.
She waved away her attendants and walked alone to the shimmering brocade. She reached out again, her fingertips almost greedily caressing its brilliant colors.
"Imperial Noble Consort..."
She murmured softly. At this moment, there was no gratitude in Consort Lin's eyes, only a burning, even somewhat frantic, competitive desire.
"Your reward to me now is nothing but a condescending act of charity. Do you think I'm still the same Lin Changzai who could be bullied at will?"
She picked up the fabric, pressed her face close to the cool brocade, and a triumphant glint flashed in her usually timid eyes.
"If the Emperor values me, I might actually become pregnant. Then... this harem, this favor, might not be all yours to enjoy!"
Lin Guiren hummed an unknown tune, filled with anticipation for her future noble status, and slowly walked towards the inner room.
Outside the carved window, thick clouds obscured the moon, casting a dark shadow over the courtyard of Jingcheng Palace.
Tonight was mostly cloudy with little sunshine; it took a long time for the clouds that had been obscuring the moon to slowly dissipate...
——
The following day, at Lihe Palace.
Pei Jichuan, carrying his medicine chest, arrived on time to check Shui Xian's pulse.
Narcissus sat upright in a round-backed chair, placing her outstretched wrist on the rosewood round table carved with peonies beside her.
After Pei Jichuan finished taking her pulse, she waved her hand, signaling the other palace servants to leave, leaving only Yinzhu by her side.
"Imperial Physician Pei, yesterday you examined Consort Lin's pulse. Are you certain it is indeed a pregnancy pulse?"
Pei Jichuan's expression hardened, and he stood up to reply.
"Your Majesty, I have confirmed this repeatedly. Consort Lin's pulse is smooth and clear, undoubtedly indicating that she is pregnant."
Narcissus: "The emperor has difficulty conceiving. Why is it that, apart from myself, no concubine in the harem has become pregnant for so long?"
This is the strangest thing about Narcissus. Consort Lin occasionally served the emperor, but suddenly became pregnant... This matter is really getting stranger and stranger the more you think about it.
Pei Jichuan hesitated for a moment, then cautiously said, "While it is difficult for the Emperor to have an heir, it is not entirely impossible. However, in recent years, there has been little good news from the harem..."
As a doctor, he couldn't explain it either, but what he diagnosed yesterday was indeed a positive pregnancy pulse.
Judging from his expression, Shui Xian knew that Consort Lin's pulse was probably fine.
She nodded slightly. "I understand."
However, it's always better to be cautious.
"His Majesty has entrusted me with the care of Consort Lin's pregnancy, a weighty responsibility. You must pay close attention to her medical records from now on and report back to me in detail every three days."
"I obey the order."
After Pei Jichuan left, Shui Xian rubbed her temples, a look of weariness on her face.
The palace had only recently returned to peace when Consort Lin suddenly became pregnant, inevitably causing turmoil once again.
Yinzhu promptly served a cup of warm, calming tea. Looking at the pensive expression on Shuixian's face, she speculated:
"Does Your Highness find Consort Lin's pregnancy... suspicious?"
Narcissus took the teacup but did not drink it immediately, only saying, "It is somewhat sudden..."
Before she could finish speaking, Emperor Zhaoheng suddenly arrived at Lihe Palace, forcing the conversation between Shuixian and Yinzhu to a halt.
The master and servant hurriedly got up to greet him.
Emperor Zhaoheng stepped into the palace, removing his dark cloak, which was stained with the fine rain.
His gaze immediately fell on Narcissus's face, and he noticed that although Narcissus had concealed it well, she could not hide the weariness between his brows.
"What's wrong?"
He stepped forward, naturally took her hand, and led her to sit down at the table.
"You seem to have something on your mind. Are you tired from all the work?"
Narcissus leaned against him, not directly mentioning her doubts about Consort Lin's first pregnancy, but only softly said:
"I am not tired... It's just that I am worried about Consort Lin's first pregnancy, which is also the first time I have taken care of someone else's pregnancy. I am afraid that I will not take good care of her and will fail Your Majesty's trust."
Upon hearing this, Emperor Zhaoheng's eyes lit up with a smile, as if he rarely saw Narcissus so cautious.
"Since I have entrusted this matter to you, it means I trust you to handle it well. Just go ahead and do it; I'll take care of everything."
Emperor Zhaoheng pulled Shuixian into his arms and sat her on his lap. Shuixian felt his strong arms encircling her waist, and the scent of ambergris slowly and ambiguously wafted over her.
Emperor Zhaoheng embraced her, his Adam's apple bobbing slightly.
"Xian'er, I believe you."
Narcissus felt a warmth in her heart, buried her face in his chest, and softly murmured "Mmm".
Emperor Zhaoheng felt satisfied by her dependence, and the unpleasantness he had just felt due to the trivial matters of the previous dynasty completely disappeared.
He lowered his head and kissed her gentle eyebrows and eyes. Soon after, the man's kisses gradually moved downwards.
Upon seeing this, Yinzhu, who was serving nearby, retreated almost silently and carefully closed the door behind her.
From beginning to end, not a sound was made.
Tinglu had just brought out some pastries from the small kitchen when she saw this and asked softly, "Sister Yinzhu, why is the door closed?"
Yinzhu smiled and said, "No need for pastries, go boil some water. They'll probably be calling for water soon."
Tinglu only came to serve Shuixian after Shuixian became pregnant, so she was not as familiar with some things between Shuixian and Emperor Zhaoheng as Yinzhu.
Tinglu looked up in surprise at the sunlight outside the corridor.
"The sun is still high in the sky."
Yinzhu didn't answer, but just pushed her to boil water.
Now that the Empress has recovered somewhat, the Emperor gradually relaxed his guard after a few attempts to test her.
Although Yinzhu was a young girl and didn't know the pleasures of that kind of thing, when she looked at her own fragrant and soft empress, she always felt that it was only natural for the emperor to be addicted.
The subsequent events involving warm red curtains and tumultuous sex need not be detailed.
——
Two days later, Yinzhu, on the orders of Shuixian, assisted the Imperial Household Department in distributing the monthly allowance of rouge and face powder to the various palaces.
She was always calm and composed, and occasionally chatted with the palace maids and eunuchs who did odd jobs at the bottom of the palace. She could find out some inconspicuous information without making a sound.
On this day, while walking in a secluded part of the Imperial Garden, I happened to see a young palace maid I didn't recognize squatting behind a rockery, secretly wiping away tears. She was thin and looked no more than thirteen or fourteen years old.
Yinzhu recognized her; she seemed to be a lowly palace maid named Xiaoduo, responsible for sweeping and cleaning in Jingcheng Palace.
Yinzhu paused, stepped forward, and handed over a clean handkerchief.
Xiao Duo was startled. Upon seeing that it was Yin Zhu, a favored maidservant of the Imperial Noble Consort, she became even more terrified and quickly knelt down, saying, "This servant..."
Yinzhu helped her up, her voice softening.
"Don't be afraid. Is someone in Jingcheng Palace making things difficult for you? Consort Lin is pregnant now, so everyone in the palace should take good care of her."
Upon hearing the name "Consort Lin," Xiao Duo visibly trembled, her eyes darting away, her lips moving as if she wanted to say something.
But in the end, she just shook her head vigorously, tears falling even more fiercely: "No, no... I was careless... Miss Yinzhu, I still have work to finish, I'll take my leave now..."
After saying that, she seemed terrified, grabbed a broom from the side, and ran away quickly.
Yinzhu looked in the direction she disappeared and frowned slightly.
The young palace maid's expression didn't seem like that of someone who was simply wronged; rather, it seemed like...
She silently kept this matter in mind, deciding that she would carefully report back to the Empress when she returned.
This matter is probably not as calm as it appears on the surface...
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