The next morning, when Nan Yi was having breakfast, she said she wanted to see Granny Zhao because she remembered a new dish and wanted Granny Zhao to make it for lunch.

Lanzhi summoned Granny Zhao, and Nanyi sent one of them to check on Yiren and the other to the bedroom to tidy up.

Nan Yi gesturing for Granny Zhao to come closer, then whispered, "Granny, I need your help with something."

Zhao Mama looked around cleverly, "Please give your orders, Master, and I will certainly do it for you."

"Hmm." Nan Yi whispered a few words in her ear, "Be quiet, be careful, and make sure no one else knows."

Zhao Mama nodded, straightened up and resumed her normal voice, "This servant understands. His Majesty said that if the small kitchen is short of ingredients, this servant can go to the Imperial Kitchen to get them. Xiao Shunzi is not here either, this servant will go and get the ingredients you want to eat today in a while."

Nan Yi chuckled to himself. Granny Zhao got into character quickly, almost like several underground party members making contact. "Alright, I suddenly want to eat sea bass. Ask the imperial kitchen if they have any."

Granny Zhao nodded to her mistress and bowed, saying, "This servant will go and do it right away."

Nan put down her chopsticks. Despite the table full of food, she had no appetite. She had such a dream last night, and when she woke up this morning, her eyelids kept twitching, and she felt very uneasy.

She was trapped in Chengqian Palace by the Fourth Prince, with his men watching her both inside and out. She had no confidants in the palace, and the only one who could help her was Zheng Yong.

News from outside the palace did not reach her ears.

She had to find out if Xiao Xi was alright.

Granny Zhao came to tell her at noon that the message had been delivered and that Nan Yi was waiting in the palace for Zheng Yong to come to her.

She waited and waited, for two days, until her knees were so sore she could barely stand, but Zheng Yong still didn't come looking for her.

Zheng Yong is always punctual; he would never break a promise rashly.

Nan Yi felt something was wrong and was getting anxious. Ignoring all advice, he left Chengqian Palace and rushed into Yangxin Hall.

At that time, the previous dynasty was also in an uproar because of Xiao Xi's death. With the main general killed in battle, the border could not be without a general to lead the troops. The court wanted to send someone else to replace him, but the court officials were arguing fiercely about who should be the successor.

The situation on the battlefield is ever-changing. Since the court meeting failed to reach a conclusion, Yinzhen summoned his trusted and capable ministers to his study to discuss the matter.

Led by Prince Yi Longkodo and others, they are engaged in intense discussions.

Yinzhen was not very satisfied with the candidates they proposed. Xiao Xi was brave, resourceful, and loyal. If there was anyone who could match him, his fourteenth brother was the only one who could be compared to him.

Apart from him, no one in the court could rival him.

Xiao Xi, what a pity.

Nan Yi was blocked outside the study by Su Peisheng. He carefully pleaded, "Your Majesty, you cannot enter. The Emperor has decreed that anyone who disobeys will be executed. Besides, you are still reflecting on your actions. Your Majesty, I beg you, please stop making trouble."

"Alright, then tell me, have you heard any news about Xiao Xi from the border recently? Tell me the truth and I'll leave."

"This...this servant,this servant..." Su Peisheng dared not say that the Emperor had given a death order to keep it a secret from Consort Zhen.

Nan Yi felt even more uneasy. Had Xiao Xi really gotten into trouble? No, she didn't believe it. She stumbled and slapped Su Peisheng away, heading straight for the study.

Su Peisheng cried out "Ouch!" and, unable to get up from the ground, quickly called for the eunuchs in the hall to stop Consort Zhen.

Hearing the commotion outside, Yinzhen and the others in the study asked, "Who's making such a racket outside?"

Gao Wuyong, who was serving in the inner room, hurriedly apologized, "Your Majesty, please forgive me, this servant will go and check immediately."

"No need, it's me." Nan Yi lifted the beaded curtain, glanced at everyone in the study, and stared intently at Yinzhen. "They've all been keeping it from me. Why don't you tell me yourself, what happened to Xiao Xi?"

"You scoundrel, who gave you permission to come in? This is a restricted area of ​​the study, and you've trespassed here. Get out!"

Yinzhen was furious and shouted at Gao Wuyong, who was standing there dumbfounded, "Why haven't you seen Consort Zhen off yet?"

"No, tell me the truth, and I'll accept whatever punishment you may give me." Nan Yi retorted, her face equally furious. "What's the point of keeping it from me? If you don't tell me, don't blame me for leaving this palace and finding the answer myself."

Yinzhen's face turned ashen. He knew she possessed such skill; her martial arts were unparalleled. He couldn't bring himself to do something as ruthless as his father, the Emperor. If he were to dispel her power and allow her to continue her martial arts prowess, she would likely cause chaos and destruction.

Not to mention that when Longkodo and the others saw the unexpected intruder, they looked at each other in surprise, anger and embarrassment.

Since ancient times, empresses and concubines have been forbidden from interfering in politics. Consort Zhen was not allowed to interfere in politics, but she was so arrogant and domineering that she even broke into the emperor's study. With such favor, what will become of her in the future?

Thirteen quickly stepped forward to smooth things over, "Fourth Sister-in-law, the Emperor and his ministers are discussing important matters. Could we talk about this later? Would you like to return to the palace first?"

Nan Yi knew it was inappropriate, but since she was already here, she needed an answer. "No need, just tell me what happened to Xiao Xi, and I'll leave immediately."

"Fourth Sister-in-law, why do this? You..." Thirteen tried to persuade him again, but Yinzhen coldly interrupted him, uttering two words indifferently, "Dead."

"What? What... what did you say?" Nan Yi's heart suddenly clenched, and her mind went blank.

"I say she's dead, assassinated, an arrow piercing her chest." Yinzhen glanced at her indifferently, "Are you satisfied with my answer?"

"Ambush?" An arrow pierced her chest, just like in her dream; her unease stemmed from this.

She's dead. Two years have passed, and Xixi will never come back.

Nan Yi's vision blurred, and when she looked at the indifferent faces in the study, she could barely make out the person on the dragon throne, that face.

Even Xixi is gone. Who's next? Her, or A-Tang? I feel so sad.

Nan Yi clutched his aching chest, a warm gush of fluid welling up in his throat, "Pfft~"

She chuckled twice, feeling empty inside, and turned to lift her foot, but her body bumped into the lamp stand next to her, and she fell limply to the ground.

"Yier~"

"Fourth Sister-in-law~"

Yinzhen panicked completely, picked up Nan Yi in one scoop, and shouted in terror at the people in the room, "Imperial physician, quickly summon the imperial physician!"

The incident at the Southern Study caused a great uproar in the imperial court and palace. Court officials petitioned to depose the concubine, and the Empress Dowager and Empress repeatedly spoke out. Despite his continued favor towards her, Emperor Yinzhen could no longer openly protect her due to the pressure.

The next day, an imperial edict was issued, demoting Consort Zhen to the rank of Noble Lady Zhen, and moving her residence from the main hall of Chengqian Palace to a side hall.

Even so, some people were still dissatisfied, believing that the emperor had been too lenient in punishing Consort Zhen.

Nan Yi remained unconscious and unaware of all of this.

Demoted from the position of a palace mistress to a noble lady, her rank and privileges were reduced by the inner palace, and her treatment deteriorated significantly. Lady Yi and Lanzhi, among others, were also subjected to cold stares and ridicule from the eunuchs and maids of other palaces.

Yi Ren, Lan Zhi, and the others turned a deaf ear, focusing only on guarding their sleeping master.

When Nan woke up, she saw an unfamiliar bedroom and had a vague idea in her mind.

"Your Highness, you're awake! It's good that you're awake. The imperial physician said it was time for you to wake up." Yiren was overjoyed. "Are you hungry or thirsty, Your Highness? I'll get you some food. You've been sleeping for the past two days, and I was so worried about you."