As for Zheng Yong, Yinzhen seemed to have other plans, but rewarding him was certain. With that, Nan Yi was relieved. She was just worried that Zheng Yong, being a secret agent working for Kangxi, might be purged.

Given her favor and his kindness towards him, as well as the promise made by the Fourth Uncle, Zheng Yong should be fine.

All the people she was worried about were outside; leaving the palace was imperative.

The next day, she woke up early, full of energy, and prepared everything, including her clothes and gifts, just waiting for the thirteenth prince to come and take her out of the palace.

Seeing that her mistress was so impatient, and considering that it was still early, Yiren suggested that she ask the kitchen to prepare some snacks to send to the Emperor. Firstly, it would be a way of expressing gratitude, and secondly, since her mistress had been in the palace for many days, she had not yet taken the initiative to curry favor with the Emperor.

Other concubines would fawn over the emperor whenever they had the chance, trying every means to please him, but the emperor remained unmoved, which might not have pleased him.

Nan thought it made sense. The small kitchen in Chengqian Palace was still managed by Granny Zhao and Huan'er. She was an old hand at it and knew the Fourth Prince's tastes very well.

As soon as she gave the order, Granny Zhao would immediately begin preparations.

In less than half an hour, the steaming hot pastries were packed into boxes, and Nan Yi, accompanied by eunuchs and palace maids, headed to the Hall of Mental Cultivation.

The group was traveling in a grand procession, but on their way to the Hall of Mental Cultivation they encountered Lady Nian. Lady Nian was clearly taken aback, not expecting Lady Tong to be here.

Lady Nian harbored a deep resentment towards Lady Tong. Both were favored concubines, and to some extent, Lady Nian vaguely felt that Lady Tong held a greater place in the Emperor's heart than she did, even though she had been granted the title of Noble Consort.

That word "precious" was like a thorn hanging over her heart.

In addition, during the hunting expedition outside the Great Wall in the forty-seventh year, Lady Tong made outrageous remarks, shifting the blame for the massacre of her family onto her Nian family, and spouting nonsense about seeking revenge.

During that period, she would dream of the Tong family's screams whenever she fell asleep. She couldn't eat or sleep well, and her mental state was severely affected.

She hadn't anticipated the tragedy that befell the Tong family. She later heard that dozens of people had been wiped out, and she was terrified.

Now, she avoids Tong Shi whenever possible, and fortunately, she has always stayed in her own courtyard and rarely interacts with others.

Tong's attitude was the situation she was happy to see; otherwise, she was really afraid that she couldn't compete with her.

Nan Yi was unaware that Nian Shi harbored resentment towards her. Neither of them intended to greet each other. Tong Shi turned and walked down another path.

Yiren said from the side, "Master, there's really no need for that. Your status is different now than before. If you just avoid her when you meet her, people will just think you're afraid of her."

Nan Yi flicked her handkerchief and said, "Go ahead and talk. People can talk all they want. If they don't talk about this today, they'll talk about that tomorrow. People in the palace are just bored and have nothing better to do than gossip. You can't take that away from them."

For a mistress who never puts her mind to competing, Yiren is also troubled. Fortunately, the emperor dotes on her. If the emperor doesn't love his mistress and she doesn't like to compete, where would a mistress have a place in this palace?

“Your Majesty, the palace is not like the manor. There are many people and much gossip. People in the palace are known for their tendency to flatter the powerful and bully the weak. You should be more careful in your actions in the future.”

Yi Ren patiently and earnestly persuaded him.

Nan Yi didn't listen and didn't care at all. "With you and Xiao Shunzi here, your chance to show your skills has come. I believe in you. Make any requests you have. If I can't do it, there's still Fourth Master and Yiren. Whether I can live a comfortable life depends on you and Xiao Shunzi."

Upon hearing this, Yi Ren couldn't help but smile wryly and mutter to herself, "You're quite easygoing."

The master didn't care, but she and Xiao Shunzi were more worried than the emperor. They had been worrying about this for over a decade, and it was a habit.

"There's nothing I can do about it, what can I do when I have such a smart and capable girl?" Nan Yi said smugly.

The master and servant chatted idly as they took a detour to the Hall of Mental Cultivation. Nan Yi ordered the others to wait outside the hall and led Yi Ren inside.

The palace attendant bowed and said, "Greetings, Consort Zhen."

Nan nodded. "Is His Majesty present?"

The two eunuchs exchanged a glance, a hint of embarrassment flashing across their faces. They neither stopped them nor spoke a word.

The fact that they didn't stop him meant that the Emperor was inside the palace and not busy with official business. Nan Yi didn't think much of it and stepped into the palace.

A eunuch hurried inside to announce the news.

Nan Yi grabbed him and said with a smile, "Don't make a sound yet, I'll go in by myself."

Her sudden appearance surprised and pleased the Fourth Prince. Perhaps his happiness would lead him to allow her to leave the palace more often in the future.

The eunuch was in a difficult situation, his eyes constantly glancing towards the inside of the hall. Oh no, Consort Nian was there! What was he to do?

Yiren noticed the eunuch's unusual behavior and felt uneasy. She quickly reached out and grabbed her mistress, saying, "Your Majesty, why don't you wait a moment? If we go in without announcing our arrival, the Emperor might be displeased."

Who said that? Fourth Master isn't that stingy. Sure enough, once you get to the palace, the rules are so numerous they're a headache.

Nan Yi pouted and stopped impatiently.

Yiren quickly glanced at the eunuch.

The eunuch nodded gratefully to Yiren and hurried inside to announce her arrival. Just as he reached the curtain, Yinzhen led Nianshi out, carrying the Eighth Prince in his arms.

Through a beaded curtain, Nan Yi, standing at the palace entrance, froze for a moment. The scene made her feel superfluous; what a happy family of three.

Your smile is so warm.

Whether as a favored concubine in history or as the woman before us, Lady Nian truly deserves the title of Yinzhen's favored concubine.

The Fourth Master treated her well; among all the people in the inner courtyard, who could rival her?

She can't either.

By now, she could no longer discern whether the Fourth Uncle felt more affection or guilt towards her.

Nan turned and left.

Yi Ren's face also turned ugly. She blamed herself for coming up with such a terrible idea. She stomped her foot in frustration and chased after him.

The eunuch, unaware that Consort Zhen had left, reminded the Fourth Prince, who was playing with his son, "Your Majesty, Consort Zhen requests an audience."

Yinzhen's smile faded slightly. Why did they come at this time? Could it be that they couldn't wait to leave the palace? He patted the Eighth Prince's forehead and handed the child to the nanny beside him, "Summon him."

The eunuch turned around, but there was no one behind him.

Yinzhen said to Nian Shi beside him, "Xu'er, go back first. I will come to see you tonight."

Lady Nian was delighted to hear this and said softly with a smile, "Then I will warm a pot of wine for Your Majesty and have the kitchen prepare Your Majesty's favorite dishes."

"Yes, Xu'er is always so thoughtful," Yinzhen said casually.

After Lady Nian bowed to Yinzhen, she withdrew. Lady Tong arrived, but she didn't care, as the Emperor had said he would accompany her.

She walked all the way outside the hall but still couldn't see Tong Shi. She was slightly surprised. Where was she?

Yinzhen also asked the eunuch, "Where is Consort Zhen? Where is she?"

The eunuch was so frightened that he knelt down and said, "Your Majesty, Consort Zhen was just here a moment ago, but for some reason, she suddenly left."

She suddenly left... Did she see her?

Yinzhen was startled and immediately chased after her, but she had already disappeared from the palace. Sigh, this woman, he shook his head helplessly... the child.

After three years, her body should have recovered sufficiently. It was time, so she summoned a eunuch and said, "Someone, summon the head of the Imperial Medical Academy to see me."