Since Lanqin applied to the Fourth Prince to go to the Yuanmingyuan Garden for a small retreat, Consort Nian's status in the palace has risen higher and higher. Not only does the Fourth Prince often favor her, but even the other concubines in the palace try to curry favor with her. For several days in a row, she has been saying that she is not feeling well, and she has stopped going to pay her respects to the Empress every day.

To maintain balance in the court, the Fourth Prince would dine at the Empress's residence every month around the 15th. Although the two hadn't dined together, let alone spent the night together, for many years, the Empress understood the Fourth Prince's intentions in visiting Jingyang Palace, but she still looked forward to his monthly visits.

On this day, the Empress ordered the palace maids to prepare a large table of the Fourth Prince's favorite dishes, waiting for him.

It was late in the evening when Fourth Master finally arrived with Su Peisheng.

The Empress, beaming with joy, went to greet the Fourth Prince and helped him change his clothes.

When the Fourth Prince saw the delicious food on the table, he smiled and said to the Empress, "You've worked hard. There's really no need for such a grand ceremony. I understand the Empress's intentions."

The Empress blushed slightly. It had been a long time since she had spoken so casually with the Fourth Prince, and she was somewhat unaccustomed to it: "Your Majesty, I know that Your Majesty is busy with state affairs and it is rare for you to take the time to come to my place. Naturally, I hope that Your Majesty can be more comfortable..." After saying that, she sat down opposite the Fourth Prince.

Lingxiu, quick-witted, stepped forward and served the Fourth Prince a bowl of soup, saying, "Your Majesty, please try this. This soup was specially prepared for Your Majesty by the Empress. She was worried about us and kept watch over us for several hours..."

The Fourth Prince glanced at the Empress, picked up the bowl, took a few sips, and nodded in satisfaction, praising, "The Empress's cooking is indeed superb; it's truly delicious..."

The Empress was delighted and was about to serve food to the Fourth Prince when a palace maid guarding the door came in to report that Consort Nian's maid had something to say to the Emperor.

The Empress's face immediately darkened; Lady Nian actually dared to try and steal the prize at this crucial moment.

"Let her in and give her an answer," Fourth Master said.

When the palace maid came in, the Fourth Prince asked her what was wrong.

The palace maid glanced timidly at the Empress and said nervously, "Your Majesty, the Consort says she has a terrible headache and wishes to request Your Majesty to come and take a look..."

The Empress suppressed her anger and said gently, "Does it hurt badly? Quickly, summon the imperial physician..."

The palace maid hesitated for a moment, then said timidly, "The imperial physician has gone, but Her Majesty's headache is still not better. Your Majesty should go and see her..."

The Fourth Prince stood up, intending to turn and leave, but then turned back and said to the Empress, "Your Majesty, you don't need to wait for me. I will come another day... This soup is quite good!" After saying that, he left Jingren Palace without looking back.

The Empress stood alone facing a table of untouched dishes, her face terribly grim.

Lingxiu hurriedly said, "Your Majesty, the Emperor has already said that he misses Your Majesty's soup and will definitely come again..."

The Empress shook her head with a wry smile: "He thinks of Lanqin and doesn't come to visit me. He thinks of Lady Nian and doesn't come to visit me either. When he comes to me, he only thinks of Tang. Am I really not even as good as Tang?"

Lingxiu quickly bowed and comforted her, "Your Majesty, please don't overthink it. That Consort Nian is simply relying on the Nian family. The Emperor is probably only favoring General Nian because of the Nian family. Even the one in Changchun Palace wasn't driven away by her. Without the Nian family and her elder brother, Consort Nian is nothing in the Emperor's eyes. Your Majesty, you are different. Your marriage was personally bestowed by the late Emperor. You are the Emperor's legitimate Empress. Even Consort Nian is not as noble as Your Majesty..."