Just when all parties were deadlocked and unsure of the next step, the Emperor suddenly issued an edict promoting the unconscious and terminally ill Consort Nian to the rank of Imperial Noble Consort.

Upon hearing this news, the Empress was enraged and threw her teacup away: "That vile woman, Nian, is about to die! And the Emperor still bestows upon her the title of Imperial Noble Consort! An Imperial Noble Consort is a secondary Empress! Isn't the Emperor slapping me in the face in front of the entire palace?!"

Lingxiu picked up the broken teacup from the ground: "Your Majesty, please calm down. You know that Consort Nian is going to die, so why bother with this?"

The Empress said, "Even if I don't care, do the people in the six palaces not care? If this is how one becomes an Imperial Noble Consort, then all those women who have lost favor might as well fall seriously ill!"

Lingxiu knew that the Empress was furious. In this situation, she didn't know how to persuade the Empress, since the Emperor's actions were somewhat disregarding the Empress's feelings. Lingxiu could only shut her mouth and remain silent.

This was a joyous occasion, and the news spread like wildfire both inside and outside the palace. Nian Gengyao, arrogant and disregarding imperial favor, had become much more subdued after his imprisonment.

In Yikun Palace, only the fresh flowers that are changed every day record the majesty and unparalleled beauty of Consort Nian in the past. Consort Nian is sometimes awake and sometimes unconscious, repeatedly losing consciousness, and she relies entirely on Baizhi and Cuiling to take turns serving her.

In her dreams, Consort Nian often dreamed of her and the Fourth Prince when they were young. "Your Majesty~ come quickly, look how beautifully the peonies are blooming!" The twenty-year-old Consort Nian gently tugged at the Emperor's sleeve.

The Emperor gently broke off a delicate, pale pink peony and tucked it into Consort Nian's hair, saying, "No flower is as beautiful as Shilan. From now on, I will come to see the flowers with you every April, shall I?"

The Emperor is busy with official duties and has countless affairs to attend to. The fact that he can say this shows how important Consort Nian is to him. Consort Nian bit her lower lip slightly and looked up at the Emperor with deep affection: "I am satisfied with Your Majesty's sentiments."

Bai Zhi, who was staying by Consort Nian's side, occasionally heard her whispering something. She thought Consort Nian wanted to drink water, but she only heard Consort Nian calling out, "Your Majesty, Your Majesty..." and then shouting loudly, "You wretch! You're all wretches!" Fine beads of sweat were seeping from her hair and temples.

Bai Zhi wiped away the grime for Consort Nian, inwardly feeling resentful and complaining on her behalf. After all, the Consort had served the Emperor for so long, yet the Emperor was truly heartless, not even bothering to come and see her. Of course, Bai Zhi only dared to say these things to herself.

That night, the Emperor discussed with Lanqin the matter of promoting Consort Nian to Imperial Noble Consort. Lanqin understood that Consort Nian was nearing the end of her life, and that Nian Gengyao's power had already crumbled. The Fourth Prince was doing this for two reasons: first, to bring good fortune to Consort Nian, and second, to show the world that the Emperor had not mistreated the Nian family. In other words, it was giving the Nian family a final honor.

Early in the morning, Lanqin summoned the chief steward of the Imperial Household Department and asked him to immediately prepare for the matter of elevating Consort Nian to the rank of Imperial Noble Consort.

The eunuch, understanding the situation perfectly, accepted the order and left. Meanwhile, the palace maids and eunuchs involved in the matter whispered amongst themselves. One maid said, "The Emperor isn't heartless; it's just that the Consort became arrogant and domineering that year, relying on her brother and the Emperor's favor." Another eunuch added, "Indeed, if she had been more careful, things wouldn't have turned out this way. I wonder who held a grudge against her, leading to this fate." "Hey, I heard someone say it was probably..."