When Shuixian slowly regained consciousness, she felt a warm, solid heat source before her that made her instinctively want to draw closer.
She subconsciously pressed tighter against the warmth, vaguely sensing a man’s low, sharp intake of breath near her ear.
Shuixian finally opened her eyes to find a well-shaped Adam’s apple in her view, her palm resting against a rather firm chest.
Unconsciously, she reached out and pressed lightly.
Hmm, the texture felt wonderful.
A low chuckle came from above her head, “Already energetic upon waking?”
“Ah.”
Shuixian let out a soft exclamation, as if only just realizing Emperor Zhaoheng’s presence.
She instinctively tried to pull away, but as the bedclothes shifted between them, slightly cool air rushed in. She noticed something and looked down…
“This… how did this servant…”
Shuixian clutched the edge of the bedclothes, the bright yellow bedding making her skin appear even paler. A faint blush colored her cheeks, whether from warmth or embarrassment.
Emperor Zhaoheng took in her reaction. Though he was somewhat affected himself, as Emperor he wouldn’t take advantage of someone in such a vulnerable state.
“You were too cold earlier. Even after drinking the hot medicinal soup, you couldn’t warm up. When I led the northern expedition, I heard military physicians say this is the fastest way to revive someone frozen stiff.”
Seeing that she was gradually recovering, Emperor Zhaoheng lifted the bedclothes and rose.
The bright yellow sleeping robe instantly enveloped his straight back, concealing the smooth lines of his broad shoulders and narrow waist. This was a sight she hadn’t witnessed during her brief night of service in her previous life.
Unexpectedly, this Emperor maintained such an athletic physique even after removing his dragon robe.
While these wild thoughts raced through Shuixian’s mind, she maintained the cautious and humble demeanor of a palace maid on her face.
“Thank you for saving me, Your Majesty. This servant is eternally grateful…”
Though they had already been skin to skin, Shuixian made no mention of seeking status.
After changing into his sleeping robe, Emperor Zhaoheng turned to see Shuixian with lowered eyelids, her entire being radiating unworthiness.
It was as if she had never dared to hope for a place by his side.
Emperor Zhaoheng sat by the bed and lifted her chin with the edge of his index finger.
His gaze met hers domineeringly – now he was not just her Emperor, but also her man.
“Since that night you substituted for the bed service, I’ve remembered you. Saving you today was my choice, and I will take responsibility…”
He paused, then said in a low voice, “I’ve already ordered Feng Shunxiang to announce throughout the palace – you are promoted to Changzai.”
Throughout history, few palace maids who served in the bedchamber received official rank. Even when exceptionally granted, it was usually only the lowest Da Ying rank.
Shuixian hadn’t even served in the bedchamber, yet was directly appointed as Changzai…
The extraordinary honor was self-evident.
Shuixian’s eyes flickered, gradually filling with moisture, appearing deeply moved.
But in her heart she thought: Indeed, for men, what they can’t have always stirs their restlessness.
In her previous life, after one night of service, she never received any rank even after bearing a child.
Now that she had mastered the man’s heart, she started directly as Changzai.
Shuixian thought of Attendant Song from Chuxiu Palace – though both were initial appointments, Attendant Song, whose father was the Chief of the Imperial Banquets, held the same rank as her.
She slowly lowered her gaze, but when she spoke again, it was to politely decline.
“Your Majesty… This humble servant is lowly and insignificant as dust, truly unworthy of such magnanimous heavenly grace! I beg Your Majesty to rescind the decree!”
Shuixian struggled to prop up her frail body, one hand clutching the bedclothes tightly in front of her as she slowly bowed her head toward Emperor Zhaoheng beside the bed.
She knew that Emperor Zhaoheng’s recent distance stemmed from his unresolved reservations about her origins as a palace maid serving a former consort.
Though Emperor Zhaoheng now proposed to confer a title upon her, it was solely due to her peerless beauty and her meticulous scheming.
Shuixian understood deeply that if certain reservations remained unresolved, no matter how intense their affection might become later, they would inevitably explode at some unknown moment.
She must, today, completely dispel the Emperor’s misgivings about her servant origins!
Emperor Zhaoheng raised an eyebrow, recalling the fleeting delight on Shuixian’s face moments earlier. Why was she refusing now?
He said in a deep voice, “Tell me, why?”
Shuixian’s face was pale, her voice weak: “This servant was brought into the palace as an attendant by Consort Yi. That night when I substituted in serving Your Majesty, I had already overstepped…”
As she spoke, she feebly clenched her hand resting on the bedclothes. Emperor Zhaoheng’s gaze was drawn to it, and he noticed the slight frostbite on her hand and the roughened fingertips clearly resulting from long hours of manual labor.
These marks had not been present on her body the night she substituted.
Emperor Zhaoheng’s eyes darkened as he listened to Shuixian continue:
“Her Ladyship has shown me immense kindness… I dare not entertain any improper ambitions!”
Her words were utterly self-deprecating, every syllable emphasizing her unworthiness and Consort Yi’s goodness to her.
But what kind of man was Emperor Zhaoheng?
He remembered the blue and purple bruises on Shuixian’s knees when he removed her clothing earlier – unmistakably caused by frequent punishment kneeling recently.
Combined with the frostbite on her hands…
What fine “immense kindness” from Consort Yi! What excellent treatment!
He had never imagined that Consort Yi, who always appeared so gentle and proper, so measured in her conduct before him, would secretly torment an innocent maid like this!
These scars silently testified to what kind of life Shuixian had been living in Changxin Palace!
“You need not defend her any longer. Is this how she normally treats you?!”
Emperor Zhaoheng reached out and grasped her hand resting on the bedclothes. The skin beneath his fingers felt somewhat rough, and he couldn’t help but feel pained.
Shuixian gently bit her lip, a trace of grievance showing in her eyes, but she didn’t dare let it show, as if using all her strength to suppress it.
“No, Your Majesty! Her Ladyship merely… merely has strict requirements for me. It’s… it’s my own foolishness, often making mistakes that displease Her Ladyship, hence the punishments. The other sisters… Her Ladyship treats them all very well…”
She defended anxiously, as if afraid the Emperor would blame Consort Yi because of her.
That urgent defensive manner made her appear even more pitiful and helpless.
Shuixian murmured, her voice growing progressively weaker.
“Among servants… there are differences…”
Shuixian’s words illuminated Emperor Zhaoheng’s mind.
Yes, though all were servants, there were differences among them.
He recalled hearing about that maid-originated consort of the previous emperor who later rose meteorically – she had been arrogant and domineering even as a palace maid.
It was said that when she served in the Imperial Kitchen, she was already notorious for her violent temper and habit of beating and scolding lower-ranking servants!
And what about Shuixian before him now?
She was as delicate as a fragile narcissus flower, seeming as though she would be broken and crushed by the slightest storm.
How could she resemble that nation-wrecking enchantress? She was clearly that pitiable soul who suffered wanton bullying from others, not even daring to harbor thoughts of resistance!
The Emperor’s long-held wariness toward palace maids rising in status, deeply ingrained due to the previous Imperial Consort, was completely dissolved in this moment by Shuixian’s words.
Emperor Zhaoheng’s long-suppressed emotions, the moment his heart’s knot was untied, surged toward Shuixian with overwhelming tenderness.
“Silly girl…”
Emperor Zhaoheng’s throat moved slightly as he grasped her slender wrist, pulling her decisively into his embrace!
Caught off guard, Shuixian let out a soft gasp as she collided against his chest.
The next moment, an aura carrying the heavy scent of Dragon Saliva Incense enveloped her, his thin lips accurately and domineeringly covering her cool, soft lips!
“Mmm…”
Feeling the Emperor’s surging passion, Shuixian lightly rested her fingertips on his chest, her body softening in his embrace.
She slowly closed her eyes, their breaths intertwining as she experienced this indescribable intimacy.
Yet her heart remained colder than the harsh winter outside the window.
Shuixian knew she had finally unraveled the Emperor’s heart’s knot, and the position of Changzai was now securely in her grasp.
She had finally taken a firm and steady step on her path through the imperial harem!
……
Shuixian convalesced in Qianqing Palace for a full three days.
For three entire days, she never once stepped beyond the palace gates.
Emperor Zhaoheng didn’t take advantage of her vulnerability, never summoning her to attend him at night, yet sharing a bed for three nights allowed certain explorations to reach their natural conclusion.
Given Emperor Zhaoheng’s vigor, Shuixian truly suspected that had the imperial physician not recommended several days of rest, she would have been utterly consumed by the man.
Finally, when Shuixian had somewhat recovered from her illness, it became inappropriate for her to remain longer in Qianqing Palace.
Three days already constituted extraordinary favor – to stay longer would risk arousing widespread hostility throughout the harem.
Shuixian had no intention of making enemies all around the palace just as she began her journey as an imperial consort.
Emperor Zhaoheng had not forgotten Consort Yi’s recent mistreatment of Shuixian. When helping select her residence, he specifically consulted Shuixian’s opinion.
Lower-ranking consorts couldn’t occupy a main palace position, so his inquiry was meant to let Shuixian choose a side hall within one of the currently occupied main palaces.
Unexpectedly, Shuixian chose Changxin Palace.
Shuixian said softly, “I am already overwhelmed by Your Majesty’s heavenly grace in granting me such honor. Since I was originally brought into the palace by Consort Yi, now that I’ve fortunately obtained rank, moving elsewhere might invite criticism… Moreover, I’ve grown accustomed to living in Changxin Palace.”
She curtsied toward Emperor Zhaoheng, “I beg Your Majesty to permit this humble maid to return to Changxin Palace, to continue serving near Her Highness and fulfill my small sense of loyalty.”
Shuixian’s words carried genuine emotion, her sincere expression fully revealed in Emperor Zhaoheng’s gaze.
As Emperor, he had witnessed too many faces of those who forgot their origins and turned against former patrons upon gaining power.
Someone like Shuixian, who received such overwhelming favor yet still remembered old bonds – even willing to return to the very consort who had mistreated her – was truly rare.
Touched by her loyalty, he found Shuixian’s nature even more pure and genuine.
He sighed softly, unable to resist stroking her smooth hair, his tone indulgent, “If you wish to return, then return. However…”
Emperor Zhaoheng said with pointed meaning: “My woman, even if temporarily residing in a side hall, shall not be slighted by anyone!”
He immediately summoned Feng Shunxiang and commanded in a deep voice: “Convey my decree—Changzai Shuixian is to move into the West Side Hall of Changxin Palace. Order the Imperial Household Department to immediately arrange for renovations. All provisions and expenses shall follow the standards of a Noble Lady! The newly tributed Yunjin, Shu Embroidery, South Sea pearls, and that Mutton Fat Jade Guanyin statue from the treasury… all are to be sent to Changzai Shuixian. Add four more palace maids to serve her. Ensure the side hall is properly arranged!”
This was the Emperor’s favor, but even more so, the Emperor’s warning.
He seemed to be using these excessive rewards to warn the mistress of Changxin Palace, Consort Yi, not to casually humiliate or punish Shuixian.
Shuixian lowered her eyes and expressed gratitude.
They say stay close to your friends, but even closer to your enemies!
Yi Guichun, I have arrived.
In this lifetime, on this deep palace path, it will be either your death or mine!