Chapter 245 A Short Night
Under such daily influence, Yongning indeed began to show subtle changes.
She became more concerned about her clothes and appearance than before, and would occasionally order the palace maids who served her to wash and dress in a childish voice: "This princess wants to wear a red beaded flower with sparkling stones today!"
"The color of this dress is not nice, change it! I want the one with embroidered butterflies that Consort Wan gave me!"
Although they are still young, these commands sound more like childish naiveté, but the possessiveness and pickiness based on status and taken for granted are already beginning to show.
When Narcissus realized this, she was filled with worry.
When Tinglu and Yinzhu saw the worried Narcissus, they couldn't understand why she was so worried.
In ordinary families, there is a fear of fostering a child's extravagant personality.
But who is Yongning? Yongning is a princess of a country, and she is entitled to enjoy such a luxurious life!
Shui Xian didn't argue with them; what she cared about was agreeing with Emperor Zhaoheng on how to educate their children.
She waited until the day Emperor Zhaoheng finished dealing with state affairs.
Feng Shunxiang had already informed Lihe Palace that Emperor Zhaoheng would come over at noon to have dinner with Shuixian.
Narcissus had arranged for a meal well in advance and was waiting on the side.
Before noon, Emperor Zhaoheng stepped into the palace.
A small figure rushed over like a swallow returning to its nest and hugged his leg.
"Father! Father!"
Yongning tilted her little face up, her dark eyes filled with anticipation and a confidence born of being pampered.
"Is it true that Consort Wan said Yongning is the most noble and beautiful princess in the world?"
Emperor Zhaoheng was delighted by his daughter's innocent and charming question. He laughed heartily, bent down, and easily lifted Yongning above his head. Watching her excited giggles, he affirmed without hesitation:
"Of course! My Yongning is the most precious, noble, and beautiful little princess of the Great Qi! No one can compare to her!"
Yongning immediately beamed with joy, wrapped her arms around Emperor Zhaoheng's neck, and proudly shook her little head.
Shui Xian stood aside, watching the father and daughter's intimate interaction and listening to Emperor Zhaoheng's undisguised words of doting affection.
Although a gentle smile played on her lips, her brows furrowed slightly without her noticing.
The emperor's favor is both honey and poison; excessive pampering will only lead Yongning astray.
After dinner, when Yongning was tired from playing, his wet nurse carried him downstairs to rest.
Only the Emperor and Empress remained in the hall, creating a warm atmosphere.
Shui Xian nestled beside Emperor Zhaoheng, poured him a cup of hot tea, and spoke with a hint of undisguised worry in her voice.
She spoke softly, "Your Majesty, Yongning is still young and her temperament is not yet settled. I've noticed lately that she seems to particularly enjoy hearing praise and doting comments about her, and she's also starting to care about her clothing and appearance..."
Narcissus patiently offered her advice.
"I fear that she is too young and if she hears too much of this kind of talk, she will become arrogant and lose her kindness and humility, which would not be good."
Emperor Zhaoheng took the teacup, casually grasped her hand, and said with a smile, "Xian'er, you're just too cautious."
"My daughter, the eldest princess of the Great Qi, is of incomparably noble status. What's wrong with her being a little spoiled? I will protect her and indulge her! Yongning is pure and innocent by nature, and with a wise and virtuous mother like you by her side to teach her at all times, what serious mistakes could she possibly make? You're just worrying too much."
He clearly thought that Narcissus was being overly pessimistic and demanding too much of a child who was not even two years old.
Seeing his reaction, Narcissus knew that further words would be futile and might even displease him, so she stopped insisting and suppressed her worries, softly echoing his words:
"Your Majesty is right. Perhaps I am overthinking things."
As night deepened, the candlelight flickered inside the hall.
Emperor Zhaoheng had just played with his daughter, and now he was accompanied by the beautiful Shui Xian.
He looked at the delicate profile of Narcissus under the lamplight, and the mention of Yongning reminded him of how Ana had completely overcome her pregnancy-promoting constitution.
Previously, out of consideration for Narcissus's health, Emperor Zhaoheng did not dare to get close to her often, and even had the mistaken idea that he would get close to her after her pregnancy was stable.
The thought that from now on they would have no more worries... made Emperor Zhaoheng's mind start to wander.
The man leaned close to Narcissus's ear, his voice low and hot.
He chuckled softly, his tone suggestive: "I know what's going on with Yongning, Xian'er, there's no need to worry too much... The night is too short..."
His hand gently encircled her waist, his fingertips expertly unbuttoning the hidden buttons of Narcissus's dress, gradually slipping inside...
Narcissus sensed the heat emanating from his body and the longing in his words, and knew that it was not the right time to spoil his mood with his daughter's education.
She suppressed the lingering worry in her heart, her eyes slightly shifting, a hint of shyness in her gaze, and with a mixture of resistance and resistance, she leaned back onto the soft couch by the window...
The window seat was slightly cool, but it couldn't extinguish the passion surging between the two...
......
After realizing that Emperor Zhaoheng would not support her in this matter, Shui Xian observed Yongning more closely in the days that followed.
She discovered that, under Consort Wan's influence, Yongning's arrogance had indeed become more pronounced.
When it's time for snacks, she'll point to her favorite plate of hibiscus cake and declare in a childlike voice, yet with an unyielding tone, "This cake is the best, it belongs to Yongning! I won't give it to anyone else!"
If she saw a young palace maid wearing a delicate silk flower in her hair, she would point at it and order, "The flower in her hair is beautiful, bring it to me!"
These behaviors, due to their young age, are more a manifestation of a child's innocent yet domineering possessiveness, and do not involve much malice.
But that sense of privilege—the feeling that I must have what I want—has already begun to sprout quietly in the young heart of the child, like a tender bud.
Narcissus tried to reason with her.
"Yongning, dim sum tastes best when everyone eats it together."
"That flower belongs to the palace maid; we can't just take things from other people."
Yongning looked at her mother with her big, bright eyes, her little face full of confusion, as if she understood, yet also as if she didn't.
She may be able to suppress her desires for the time being, but the sense of entitlement that stems from her status has not been eradicated.
Empty preaching that children cannot understand appears pale and powerless in the face of the temptations that Consort Wan creates day after day with exquisite gifts.
Narcissus knew that for such a young child, a firsthand experience was far more effective than a thousand admonitions.
She needed to let Yongning see and experience for herself that a noble status brought not only magnificent jewels, but also the responsibilities that followed.
This is not easy to teach, after all, young children are simple-minded and have no interest in anything profound.
The fine clothes and jewelry were extremely luxurious, and Shui Xian wanted to influence Yong Ning while preventing him from developing a rebellious mentality. This was by no means a simple matter.
Consort Wan still came to "chat" every day without fail, rain or shine.
She keenly noticed the subtle changes in Yongning and was secretly pleased with herself. She then intensified her efforts, subtly continuing to instill in Yongning the concepts of the supremacy of appearance and the nobility of a princess.
Consort Wan would even occasionally hint with envy, "Our Princess Yongning was born to enjoy a life of luxury. Whatever she wants, the Emperor and the Imperial Noble Consort would probably find a way to pluck the stars and the moon from the sky for her!"
Shui Xian coldly observed Consort Wan's performance, inwardly sneering.
Shui Xian did not directly refuse Consort Wan.
Now she had made up her mind. As a princess, Consort Wan was the first to try to please Yongning, but not the last.
She could stop Consort Wan for a while, but she couldn't stand in front of Yongning all the time. She wanted Yongning to truly realize that even if Consort Wan placed something precious in front of him, it wouldn't affect him.
The sun was shining brightly that afternoon.
Shui Xian gently picked up Yong Ning, who was playing with building blocks, and let her sit on her lap. She asked softly, "Yong Ning, aren't you bored playing in the palace all day? Would you like to go outside the capital with your mother and see the common people?"
"Outside the imperial city?"
Yongning had never left the palace before and was full of curiosity about this unfamiliar concept. She was immediately attracted and clapped her little hands, squirming excitedly in her mother's arms.
"I want to go, I want to go! Mother is the best! What's it like outside? Are there any fun things to do? Are there any delicious things to eat?"
Looking at her daughter's innocent and expectant smile, Narcissus's last hesitation vanished.
She gently stroked Yongning's hair and said softly, "Outside, there are many, many people, and many things that you can't see in the palace. May your mother take you to see them?"
"good!"
Yongning gave a loud reply, put his arm around Shuixian's neck, and gave her a quick kiss on the cheek.
Narcissus held her daughter's soft little body in her arms, gazing at the vast sky outside the palace, her mind made up.
That evening, Shui Xian found an opportunity, deliberately choosing a time when Emperor Zhaoheng was unable to leave the palace with her, so that his presence would not interfere with her teaching and guidance of her daughter.
She explained to Emperor Zhaoheng her desire to take Yongning out of the palace to see the lives of ordinary people and let her know about their hardships.
Emperor Zhaoheng was somewhat surprised upon hearing this, then laughed and said, "Yongning is not even two years old yet, what can he understand? Is Xian'er being too impatient?"
He felt that Narcissus's expectations of her daughter were too high.
However, Emperor Zhaoheng's trust in Shui Xian did not lead him to consider refusing her.
Narcissus's tone was gentle, yet subtly revealed a firm resolve.
“Your Majesty, I do not wish for her to immediately understand the hardships of ordinary people. I simply hope that she will know from a young age that the world is not just about the splendor and prosperity of the palace. Letting her see the world outside the palace walls and hear the sounds of the common people will ultimately benefit her character development.”
"Besides, with me watching over her carefully and guards protecting her, Yongning will not suffer any mishap."
Looking into Shui Xian's clear and earnest eyes, Emperor Zhaoheng thought of her usual steady actions and her excellent methods of teaching children. In addition, he already had a deep affection and trust for Shui Xian, so he no longer objected and readily agreed: "Very well, since Xian'er thinks it is beneficial, then go. I will have someone select a team of the most capable guards to accompany you and protect you, and make sure that you and your daughter are safe and sound."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
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