Chapter 137 She's implying the emperor is impotent.
Granny Sun's suicide brought the Yongning poisoning case to a close.
After the investigation was halted, Emperor Zhaoheng specially sent Feng Shunxiang to Lihe Palace to personally inform Shuixian that Granny Sun was the mastermind behind the Yongning poisoning case.
No incense was used in the Lihe Palace, but the pepper paste painted on the walls continuously emitted a faint, warm fragrance.
Standing before Shui Xian, Feng Shunxiang became even more respectful and said, "In recent days, His Majesty has never forgotten Princess Yongning's poisoning. He has been secretly sending people to investigate, and even specifically told Imperial Physician Pei not to reveal the investigation to Consort Jin."
"The purpose is to allow Consort Jin to recover her health and not worry about these trivial matters."
Feng Shunxiang could make even the blackest thing sound white.
Due to various considerations, Emperor Zhaoheng did not inform Shuixian of the details and progress of the investigation into the Yongning poisoning case. However, in Feng Shunxiang's words, it became Emperor Zhaoheng's concern.
However, Shui Xian cooperated with their performance, revealing her shock at Emperor Zhaoheng's unexpected actions, which also conveyed a sense of joy and shyness at being valued.
Seeing her reaction, Feng Shunxiang continued, "Now... we've finally found the source."
"It was Granny Sun, who served the Empress. She harbored evil intentions due to personal grudges and has now left a confession before committing suicide. The Emperor said that since the real culprit has been brought to justice, this matter is considered closed, and Your Majesty can rest assured."
Shui Xian knew that Emperor Zhao Heng wanted to have the best of both worlds.
He wanted to fulfill his relationship with her and give her an explanation, but he also wanted to maintain his status as husband and wife with the empress, as well as the seemingly stable court and imperial power.
Narcissus knew, and she hated herself for knowing, that all she could do now was feign a touched smile.
"So that's how it was—it was that wicked servant who caused all this trouble!"
"Thank you for informing me, Eunuch Feng. If it weren't for you, I would never have known that His Majesty had been so diligent and painstaking in searching for the true culprit for Yongning and for me without my knowledge..."
"Your Majesty's grace is deeply appreciated by me. I am filled with gratitude."
Her words were filled with complete trust in the emperor and heartfelt gratitude, as if she were completely unaware of the calculations and scheming behind this outcome.
Seeing Shui Xian's reaction, Feng Shunxiang secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
It should be noted that the rank above Consort is now Imperial Noble Consort.
There is no precedent in any dynasty for establishing an imperial concubine while the empress is still alive.
This Consort Jin is currently enjoying the Emperor's favor and is pregnant with twins. Although she and Consort De are both consorts, it is obvious to anyone with discerning eyes that their statuses are clearly different.
Consort Jin was able to resist the temptation of the Imperial Noble Consort and did not pursue and intercept the Empress.
Feng Shunxiang was surprised and felt admiration for the narcissus for the first time.
If it was unintentional, then so be it; but if it was intentional... Such a sense of propriety and knowing when to advance and retreat—this kind of temperament and wisdom is truly remarkable.
His smile became even more sincere: "Your Majesty is too kind. His Majesty always keeps Your Majesty and the little princess in his heart."
Narcissus nodded slightly, as if remembering something, and started a conversation, a hint of shame showing on her face.
"Furthermore, I would like to ask Eunuch Feng to convey to His Majesty that... Some time ago, I was feeling wronged and treated His Majesty coldly and distantly, which was really wrong of me. Now that I think about it, I am truly ashamed... I hope His Majesty will not take my petty temper to heart."
Feng Shunxiang immediately smiled and agreed: "Your Majesty, rest assured, I will convey your words to His Majesty without missing a single one. His Majesty will surely be pleased to hear them."
Sure enough, when Feng Shunxiang reported Shui Xian's reaction and words to Emperor Zhaoheng verbatim, the emperor was stunned.
He had anticipated that Narcissus might be disappointed, dissatisfied, or even ask him to investigate the Empress, but he never expected her to react this way!
An indescribable mix of emotions instantly seized Emperor Zhaoheng's heart.
There was guilt, relief, and a deep sense of being completely trusted.
Emperor Zhaoheng's emotions, which had cooled slightly a few days ago because of Shui Xian's hint that the Empress had a problem, surged up again, washing over his chest and filling many gaps that even he was unaware of.
He recalled that since Shui Xian started bleeding, although he often visited her, he had not stayed overnight with her because of her health and the reputation of being confined to her quarters. He felt a surge of pity for her.
However, besides pity, there was even more longing for her.
"Feng Shunxiang".
"Your servant is here."
"Summon Pei Jichuan to see me."
Emperor Zhaoheng tapped his long fingers lightly on the imperial desk, a gesture he often made while deep in thought, but the smile on his lips, which he could not hide, betrayed his true feelings.
Feng Shunxiang: "Yes."
He understood.
It seems His Majesty will be spending the night at Lihe Palace.
——
Now that the Yongning poisoning case has been closed, Shuixian's confinement order has naturally been lifted.
That evening, Emperor Zhaoheng came to Shuixian's place for dinner.
As if feeling guilty, Narcissus's actions and expressions were no longer cold towards her as before. Like spring water warmed by the sun, her warmth was captivating and alluring.
Emperor Zhaoheng's heart was burning with desire for her. Just as he was about to hold her hand and say some sweet and affectionate words, a sound suddenly came from the palace gate. It turned out that the wet nurse was carrying Yongning into the palace.
With his daughter present, Emperor Zhaoheng naturally had no interest in anything else.
He watched as Shui Xian held Yong Ning in her arms, and Shu Er brought out a special meal prepared for Yong Ning. Shui Xian even personally held a porcelain spoon and fed Yong Ning the easily digestible porridge spoonful by spoonful.
In the candlelight, her whole body seemed to be coated with a layer of pale gold light. As she held Yongning in her arms, her expression unconsciously became vivid and colorful with Yongning's response.
After Yongning was born, she was sent to Kunning Palace and did not live with Shuixian normally.
Emperor Zhaoheng rarely saw Shui Xian love her daughter so much, and couldn't help but quietly observe her closely.
At first, he was touched by Narcissus's care and gentleness.
Later, Emperor Zhaoheng gradually felt a surge of jealousy.
She clearly said she wanted to thank him, so why is she now only thinking about her daughter?
Why not let the wet nurse feed her?
Emperor Zhaoheng asked in a calm voice, though his seemingly peaceful tone actually concealed a hint of dissatisfaction.
Shui Xian's heart is with her daughter. Now, she has to feed Yong Ning by hand for every meal so that she can make up for the time she has missed with her daughter.
Her mind wasn't on the man, so she naturally didn't sense the subtle jealousy in his tone.
An emperor may not show his joy on his face, but if he does show even a fraction of it, then he is certainly already extremely pleased.
"Your Majesty, I enjoy taking care of you."
Narcissus, unaware of the approaching storm, answered casually.
This further confirmed Emperor Zhaoheng's suspicion that Shui Xian's heart was clearly not with him.
Emperor Zhaoheng raised an eyebrow and gestured for the wet nurse to take Yongning away.
The emperor had given the order, and the wet nurse dared not disobey. She could only ask Shui Xian for her opinion before hurriedly carrying Yongning's small body out of the palace.
Yongning was enjoying herself in her mother's soft and fragrant embrace when she suddenly felt her arms go empty. She couldn't help but reach over her wet nurse's shoulder and stretch out her white, tender arms, like lotus roots, toward Shuixian.
She babbled as if begging her mother to take her back.
After finally bringing her daughter back, Narcissus instinctively wanted to get up and follow her when she saw her daughter's cute little hand reaching out to her.
However, the next moment, she felt her hand being grabbed, and with a gentle pull from the man, her world began to spin.
The half of my body that had just stood up swayed and fell to the side because of the unstable center of gravity.
What collided with her was not the cold, hard ground, but the man's strong thigh.
As soon as she entered his arms, the other palace servants consciously withdrew, leaving only Shui Xian and Emperor Zhaoheng in the hall.
Narcissus: "Your Majesty..."
Emperor Zhaoheng gently stroked her slightly protruding belly, as if sighing softly, his sigh carrying a hint of fatherly satisfaction.
"Yongning has already captured your heart so much; what if there were two more..."
Narcissus's eyes sparkled, and suddenly she reached out and hooked her arm around Emperor Zhaoheng's neck. "What are you saying, Your Majesty? When have I ever neglected you?"
Although she was already a mother, her actions and demeanor still exuded a sense of innocence. Her fair skin and delicate bones were like a flower bud that had been prematurely ripened, blooming with its tender petals, as he embraced her.
Emperor Zhaoheng's eyes darkened slightly, and his voice was hoarse, "Xian'er, I have already asked Physician Pei, and you are fine."
He didn't bother with hints; he stated it directly.
Narcissus saw the aggressiveness in the man's eyes, bit her lower lip lightly, leaving faint teeth marks and a decadent crimson on her lips.
"My health is perfectly fine now; it's not me who's in trouble..."
The implication was that the emperor was impotent.
Emperor Zhaoheng immediately gritted his teeth, his smile revealing a hint of danger, "Xian'er, you are becoming increasingly audacious."
"Doesn't His Majesty like it?"
As soon as Shui Xian finished speaking, Emperor Zhao Heng scooped her up in his arms and strode into the inner room.
Looking at the table laden with dishes, Narcissus said regretfully, "Your Majesty, dinner..."
Emperor Zhaoheng threateningly shoved her into his arms, saying, "Finish cooking first, then eat!"
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