Chapter 281 Enjoying It to the Fullest
The night, like a soft piece of black velvet, gently enveloped the Lihe Palace.
Inside the palace, the candlelight was not burning brightly; only a few palace lanterns placed in the corners cast a warm, hazy glow, dispelling the chill of the night.
After surviving a near-breakup crisis, they confirmed their feelings for each other amidst a storm of intense possession.
At this moment, the emperor and empress felt as if their bodies and minds had been cleansed, and they were closer than ever before.
Emperor Zhaoheng no longer made demands as he always had, but instead showed great patience and tenderness.
His kisses were delicate and burning, like snow melting in the warm spring sun, gently soaking her slightly cool skin. They carried a strong sense of belonging, yet were also wrapped in a tenderness that could drown a person.
The man's fingertips seemed to possess a magical power, igniting subtle shivers wherever they touched, leading her to explore more unfamiliar territory.
Under his tender and profound treatment, the narcissus, who had always been guarded against scheming and self-preservation, seemed to have her defenses quietly loosened.
Her slender fingers unconsciously clung to his strong arm, and amidst the waves of dizziness and palpitations he brought her, she let out soft sobs.
When she buried her sweaty cheeks in the crook of his neck, her completely trusting gesture soothed Emperor Zhaoheng's unease more than any words.
At the height of their passion, when their breaths mingled and their souls seemed to tremble and resonate, Emperor Zhaoheng did not utter any explicit words of love.
He simply held her tightly, his thin lips pressed against her sensitive earlobe, and in a deep yet incredibly firm and clear voice, he said, word by word:
"Xian'er, I... only when I'm by your side do I feel like I'm home."
These words, light and weightless, seemed to carry immense force, crashing into Narcissus's heart.
He laid bare his loneliness as an emperor before her.
The narcissus did not answer, but expressed itself through its actions.
She raised her arms and wrapped them tighter around his neck, burying her burning cheeks deeper into his shoulder, which was covered in a light sweat and smelled of ambergris, as if she wanted to completely embed herself into his bones and blood.
This silent response satisfied Emperor Zhaoheng...
...
The next morning, Narcissus awoke to the soft light filtering through the gauze curtains.
The seat beside me was empty, still warm.
She sat up, wrapped in the covers, and heard a very low voice coming from outside, the voice of Emperor Zhaoheng giving instructions.
"...Prepare something light for breakfast. Your Majesty seemed to have eaten too many sweet cakes yesterday, so some barley porridge would be just right today. Also, that plate of crystal shrimp dumplings; she should like them."
"...Keep those sachet materials from yesterday safe and don't mess them up. Her Majesty will need to make more in her spare time."
His voice was not loud, with a slight hoarseness characteristic of early morning, but the content of his instructions was trivial and detailed, completely unlike what an emperor who was busy with countless affairs of state should be concerned with.
Narcissus listened quietly, a slight smile unconsciously curving her lips.
Although she was still feeling tired, she felt much better and turned over to fall asleep...
...
After taking another nap, Shui Xian woke up to find Emperor Zhaoheng had already gone to court.
After having breakfast, Narcissus was in high spirits and began to attend to palace affairs.
With the implementation of the new policy, there were countless things to do, but she found joy in it.
This morning, the noble Tuoba requested an audience and made his request frankly.
"Your Majesty, there are also women in my tribe who are skillful and knowledgeable in medicine. I have heard that Your Majesty has opened a selection process for female officials, regardless of background. I wonder... if the women of my tribe may have the opportunity to participate?"
After a moment's thought, Shui Xian made a decision: "The selection of female officials should indeed be open to all respectable women. However, if we suddenly involve women from tribal communities, I fear they may find it difficult to adapt to Han customs and literature."
She looked at Consort Tuoba with gentle eyes.
"How about this, I would like to set up an exchange center within the Women Officials Academy, which will be presided over by Your Excellency. We can invite women from the tribes who are skilled in medicine and horsemanship to come and teach them some basic tribal medical identification, as well as methods of horsemanship and archery to strengthen their bodies. This can also be part of the physical training for future female officials."
The more Narcissus spoke, the clearer her thoughts became.
"At the same time, I will arrange for ladies-in-waiting to teach them Chinese language and etiquette in the garden, to help them gradually understand and adapt. When the time is right, we will then select them. What does Your Highness think?"
This strategy not only fulfilled the Tuoba noblewoman's wish to introduce her people, but also respected the tribal culture, incorporated its advantages into the palace system, and broadened the path for the selection of female officials in the future. It can be said to have achieved multiple benefits in one fell swoop.
Tuoba Guiren's eyes, which had been somewhat apprehensive, instantly lit up, and she bowed deeply with heartfelt admiration: "Your Majesty's consideration is thorough. On behalf of my clan, I thank Your Majesty for your grace!"
After exchanging a few more words, Tuoba wanted to relay the good news back without further ado, and left without lingering.
Just after seeing off Consort Tuoba, the head maid from Consort De's palace arrived, presenting a list requesting additional spices.
She said that Consort De had been feeling uneasy and unable to sleep lately, and needed this precious spice to calm her mind. She earnestly requested that Her Majesty the Empress grant her an additional portion on top of her regular allowance.
Narcissus looked at the list of spices worth a fortune, her expression unchanged.
She neither directly rejected nor readily agreed, but said gently, "I am very concerned about Consort De's health. There are regulations governing the allowances, and I cannot break them without authorization."
She then instructed Tinglu: "Go and invite Imperial Physician Pei to Consort De's palace to take her pulse and examine her carefully. Make sure to use the best prescription to treat her."
Pei Jichuan is now famous in the Imperial Medical Academy for his superb medical skills. Many concubines in the harem feel comfortable letting him get close to them for treatment because of his past as a eunuch.
However, Pei Jichuan always remembered his responsibilities, took good care of Shui Xian, and diligently studied medicine, so the concubines could not find him when they wanted to invite him.
When Consort De's maidservant saw that the Empress had actually sent Imperial Physician Pei to see Consort De, she thanked her repeatedly.
Pei Jichuan accepted the order and went to fetch her. Upon his return, he reported: "Your Majesty, Consort De's pulse is thready and weak, indicating liver qi stagnation and insufficient heart blood, which is causing her restless sleep. She needs to calm her mind..."
"However... while the Snow Mountain Qilin is excellent, it is extremely potent and volatile. Given Your Majesty's current pulse condition, it is not the best choice and is also too wasteful."
Knowing what was going on, Shui Xian, under the guise of the Empress's concern for the six palaces, bestowed upon them several calming sachets with milder and longer-lasting medicinal properties, carefully prepared by the Imperial Medical Academy, along with a dietary regimen personally drafted by Pei Jichuan.
This not only solved Consort De's practical problems and demonstrated the Empress's concern, but also avoided waste and transgression of palace rules.
No sooner had this matter been settled than another palace maid came to report…
...
After finishing his morning's official duties, Emperor Zhaoheng, still thinking about the harmonious music he had heard during his night with his concubine the previous day, strolled over to Lihe Palace without thinking.
Seeing that Shui Xian had just seen off a group of palace servants who came to ask for instructions and looked a little tired, he suggested, "Xian'er, how about playing a game of chess with me to relax?"
Narcissus readily agreed. The palace servants quickly brought over a sandalwood chessboard and presented warm jade chess pieces.
As soon as the chessboard was set up, Emperor Zhaoheng, holding the black pieces, was pondering the opening moves when a low-ranking concubine came to express her gratitude to the Empress for giving her the opportunity to participate in the needlework competition. She then timidly inquired about a few unclear points in the competition rules.
Narcissus had no choice but to put down her chess pieces and patiently and meticulously answer each question.
After finally getting rid of this person, and with only two or three chess pieces placed, Ana brought over several scrolls she had compiled, outlining the basic training requirements for female medical officers, and asked Narcissus to take a look.
Emperor Zhaoheng held Bai Zi's fingers, unconsciously stroking the warm and slightly cool jade. Watching Shui Xian continue her work calmly and unhurriedly, the frustration that had been building up in his heart due to the repeated interruptions to their sweet moments finally became unbearable.
After Ana left to receive her orders, he stopped Narcissus from making his move.
"These trivial matters are handled by the various departments within the Imperial Household Department. Wouldn't it be more appropriate to delegate them to them? Why do you have to personally oversee and decide on everything?"
Narcissus raised her eyes and saw the hint of displeasure in his expression. She put down the chess piece and explained softly.
"Yiheng".
She called his name softly.
"With the new policies being implemented for the first time, many of the regulations and details are new, and the Imperial Household Department is still figuring them out and adapting. I need to personally oversee them to ensure that the direction is correct and to avoid creating even greater problems in the future."
Looking into her clear eyes and seeing the earnestness and determination in them, Emperor Zhaoheng knew that she was telling the truth. His displeasure was like punching cotton, impossible to vent.
He remained silent for a moment, then said nothing more, only saying, "...Let's continue."
However, this game ultimately did not provide enough enjoyment.
Although no one bothered him afterward, Emperor Zhaoheng's mind seemed unable to fully concentrate on the black and white pieces on the chessboard.
Narcissus looked at the melancholy between his brows and seemed to be deep in thought...
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com