When Qingyin woke up, she found a thick blanket covering her and a strong medicinal smell. Taosu had obviously sensed something was wrong and summoned the imperial physician.

Still not fully conscious, she drifted off to sleep again, inhaling the medicinal scent that filled the room. When she woke up, all she could see was pitch black; it must be nighttime now.

His stomach growled a few times, and he felt weak all over. Fortunately, Tao Su, who had been watching him, noticed and lit a candle to provide some light, then lifted the gauze curtain.

With the light, she couldn't help but squint in bed, and only opened her eyes after a long while.

"Princess, you're finally awake!" Tao Su's delicate face was covered with misty tears, and her eyes were red.

"Taosu, why are you crying again? Girls will become ugly if they cry too much. Don't cry." Qingyin's voice was gentle to begin with, and with this deliberate gesture, it was even more touching.

"Yes, Princess," Tao Su said, suppressing her tears as she helped Qing Yin up. She then gently tidied Qing Yin's messy hair until she was completely wrapped up before letting go of her.

"Ke'er!" This was the cry of Emperor Kangxi as he rushed over after hearing the news that Qingyin had woken up.

"Father, I am here."

Seeing that the moisture had faded from Ke'er's face, leaving her pale, and her eyes finally opening, Kangxi gently touched her thinner face, and his unease finally subsided. He didn't mention the chaos that had ensued in the Qing Palace after Qingyin fell into a deep sleep; even he himself had only managed to fall asleep less than half an hour after being persuaded to stay awake all night by Liang Jiugong, before rushing over again.

Just like when Qingyin had an attack before, Kangxi smiled lovingly and said, "Ke'er, what do you want to eat? Your father will have someone make it for you when you recover."

Qingyin smiled and nodded, saying, "Okay, thank you, Father Emperor."

This was also Qingyin's oversight; the medicine she took last time to relieve the fever had just expired, which is why she had a fever for so long.

After drinking her medicine and eating some porridge, Qingyin closed her eyes again under Kangxi's watchful eye. Lying on the bed, the petite Qingyin looked like a lifeless doll. Anyone could see from her bloodless face that this lotus flower growing on the snow-capped mountaintop was slowly withering away.

Looking at Qingyin with her eyes closed, Kangxi remained silent for a long time. At this moment, he was not the majestic emperor in the court, but a father who watched helplessly as his daughter grew weaker.

"You've also reported it to the Empress Dowager and the Empress Dowager, haven't you?"

Tao Su knew that His Majesty was asking her, and she replied, "Yes, Your Majesty."

"Let Grandma and Empress Dowager come to see Ke'er again tomorrow. It's too late today, and Ke'er has already fallen asleep. This will also save Grandma and Empress Dowager from worrying."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

The palaces of the Grand Empress Dowager and the Empress Dowager were far away, and the message arrived late. Before they could arrive, a second imperial edict came.

Well, it's good that Ke'er is awake. We'll see her again tomorrow.

The empty room fell silent again until the chirping of a few sparrows flying in the sky at the first light of dawn the next day dispelled the silence and darkness.

Qingyin felt more refreshed after her nap. With Aying's help and Taosu's help with dressing up, Qingyin finally sat down to stretch her limp muscles.

This illness was quite severe, and although it certainly frightened the Emperors, it was also a good opportunity to petition them. Hmm, I'll bring it up when the Emperors come to visit me. Qingyin leaned back lazily in her chair, enjoying the massage from the palace maids.

A short while later, anxious footsteps came from the doorway.

It was Emperor Kangxi who arrived, along with the Grand Empress Dowager and the Empress Dowager.

Seeing that Qingyin's complexion was normal and she could sit up, the group felt relieved and regained their composure, slowing their pace.

Qingyin stood up in surprise and said, "Father Emperor, Grandmother Emperor, Mother Emperor!"

Kangxi, who was the fastest in the group, grabbed his daughter and helped Qingyin sit down. "You, sit down quickly. Your mother and I will sit down without you having to ask us to."

"Yes, Ke'er, you're not feeling well, so sit properly." The Empress Dowager said slowly. The Empress Dowager, whose Chinese was not very good, did not hear what the Empress Dowager said clearly, but she heard what Kangxi said. She looked at Qingyin with affection and nodded, indicating that she also agreed with Kangxi's words.

The atmosphere was warm and inviting, like that of ordinary people, but it was quickly broken by Qingyin's expectant words:

"Father, I wish to marry Lady Lin Qingse."

The atmosphere became somewhat tense. Kangxi narrowed his eyes dangerously and asked in a seemingly calm tone, "Ke'er, have you seen Lin Qingse?" How did his good minister manage to seduce his beloved daughter? His tone concealed his anger towards Lin Qingse.

Qingyin seemed oblivious, a faint smile playing on her lips, a blush of shyness spreading across her face, making her breathtakingly beautiful. "I met Vice Minister Lin Qingse once during the winter hunt. The Left Vice Minister is handsome and learned, but..."

Thinking of her own body, Qingyin lowered her long, thick eyelashes, which resembled raven feathers, and said sadly, "I know about my body even if my fathers don't tell me. Life is short. I want to marry him. After I die, let him find another soulmate."

Hearing Qingyin's humble words, Kangxi felt extremely distressed. What did that boy do to deserve marrying his most precious pearl, and what made Ke'er make such a request? He tenderly cupped Qingyin's cheeks and gently wiped away the tears rolling down her face.

In contrast to the Kangxi Emperor's barely suppressed rage, the Empress Dowager remained much calmer. She knew Lin Qingse; she was the top scholar in the imperial examinations last year and had been chosen by Xuan Ye to serve as the Left Vice Minister. She should be quite capable. And Ke'er's health was indeed... It would be better to simply go along with Ke'er's wishes. If that boy dared to do anything disobedient, he could just be sent away, thus avoiding hurting Ke'er. At this moment, the usually benevolent Empress Dowager revealed the sharp edge of someone who had survived three reigns and ultimately triumphed.

Seeing Qingyin's red eyes, the Empress Dowager spoke gently: "Alright, since Ke'er likes it, Your Majesty shall agree!"

The Empress Dowager clearly thought the same thing, and she also looked towards Kangxi.

Feeling the gazes directed at him, Kangxi could only nod reluctantly, though he couldn't refuse Qingyin.

Regardless of the circumstances, if that kid marries Ke'er and then dares to marry another, he will definitely send him down to the underworld to keep Ke'er company.

Qingyin breathed a sigh of relief upon receiving confirmation. Although it was a sure thing, she was still uneasy until the very end. Fortunately, it was achieved.

The next day, Lin Qingse in the imperial court was unaware that a tremendous piece of good news had come his way. He stood calmly in the ranks, listening attentively to the reports from his colleagues.

He just felt like the emperor was glaring at him a few times. Was that just his imagination?