The following day, Consort De was officially buried in the mausoleum. After everything was finished, Yan Qing fainted. She developed a high fever that day and remained unconscious until the evening when her condition improved.
"Where is His Majesty? Has he arrived?" Yan Qing's face was pale, and she was dressed in plain clothes. In the past few days, she had lost a lot of weight and looked much more haggard.
"I've already gone to invite him, but... Your Majesty, His Majesty is planning to go to He'an Palace." Si Ying was truly heartbroken for her mistress.
"No, he will come." Yan Qing was very confident, and sure enough, a short while later, news came from outside that Yu Jingchen had arrived.
"His Majesty has arrived!"
Upon hearing this, Yan Qing's empty eyes finally showed a slight ripple. Yan Qing was still leaning against the bed when she saw Yu Jingchen walk in from outside.
"Help me up," Yan Qing said weakly. Si Ying helped Yan Qing out of bed.
Yu Jingchen glanced at her but didn't say anything. Yan Qing looked like she was having trouble even standing.
"Your Majesty, I have come to pay my respects," Yan Qing said hoarsely, kneeling there as if about to collapse.
Yu Jingchen glanced at her indifferently, then sat down to the side without saying a word. Yan Qing also remained in the same position without moving.
Seeing her mistress in this state, Siying was worried, so she risked speaking up: "Your Majesty, please forgive her. Because of Consort De's matter, Your Majesty has not had a proper rest for several days. Today, she fainted due to overwork and developed a high fever. She has only just recovered a little. Please, Your Majesty, have mercy."
Yu Jingchen remained unmoved upon hearing this. Just as Si Ying was about to continue pleading, Yan Qing spoke up first: "Your Majesty, I am guilty. I presumptuously speculated about Your Majesty's intentions. Please punish me."
After she said this, Yu Jingchen looked at her. Yan Qing raised her head, and her pitiful appearance was truly heartbreaking.
"Your Majesty, I have no other choice... I can only invite you here in this way." Yan Qing knelt upright.
"Say it," Yu Jingchen uttered lightly.
"Your Majesty, I beg Your Majesty to have mercy. I will listen to anything Your Majesty says. I am willing to do anything for Your Majesty. I only ask that Your Majesty show me mercy." Yan Qing said very frankly.
Yu Jingchen looked at her, his eyes deep and unreadable.
"Your Majesty, I do not ask for your true favor. I know that Your Majesty has deep affection for Consort Shu, so I dare not presume to ask for your favor. However... as a Noble Consort, I beg Your Majesty to grant me the dignity befitting a Noble Consort."
"Your Majesty values what you have. As long as Your Majesty can grant me what I deserve, I am willing to do anything for Your Majesty. Consort Shu is simple-minded and naive. The palace is a mixed bag, and even Your Majesty cannot guarantee that you can take care of everyone. But I can. As a Noble Consort and having managed the harem, I can help Your Majesty look after Consort Shu."
"Your Majesty understands your feelings for the Noble Consort. The affairs in the palace are too complicated. Consort Shu needs someone to help her. In the end... Consort Shu also needs me for that position." Yan Qing directly brought up Nan Zhiyun, and Yu Jingchen listened without saying a word.
Yan Qing felt a little worried upon seeing this, but there was nothing she could do; it was the best option.
"Your Majesty...do you know how overjoyed I was when I learned I could enter the Eastern Palace? I was one of the first to be by Your Majesty's side. When I first entered the Eastern Palace, there was a time when I was fortunate enough to receive Your Majesty's favor. I was overjoyed then, thinking that Your Majesty truly had some affection for me..."
"But then new concubines came along, and it seemed as if His Majesty had forgotten me, never coming back. The number of women around His Majesty increased, and it was as if I had never existed in His Majesty's heart. Later, when His Majesty ascended the throne, I had actually given up hope, but I never expected that His Majesty would still give me the title of Consort. I thought that His Majesty still loved me... But in the end, I was just overthinking things." Yan Qing recalled those memories from the past.
"Your Majesty, I have not asked for much, only hoping that there would be a place for me by Your Majesty's side, but those were ultimately my unrealistic hopes. I have always known that Your Majesty does not want me to bear an imperial heir, and I have always known that the food served was Your Majesty's doing. But I do not care, because I understand Your Majesty's concerns, and I understand Your Majesty's situation..."
"Your Majesty, I have never blamed you. But... I am a person, someone who is disappointed and willing to give up. Since entering the palace, I have felt disappointed every day. After being disappointed so many times, I have come to terms with it." Yan Qing lowered her eyes. What use is it to dwell on the past?
"Your Majesty, could you please grant my request this time, considering our past relationship?" Yan Qing asked, her eyes brimming with tears. Yu Jingchen looked at Yan Qing, remaining silent for a long time.
In the past? When Yu Jingchen heard her mention it, he remembered that in the beginning... he did spoil Yan Qing a bit. Compared to others, Yan Qing was more genuine and sensible, knew her limits, and was well-behaved, so he didn't mind giving her a little more affection, but it was only a little bit.
Later, after he ascended the throne, he knew that Yan Qing was a smart person, and since she was indeed quite capable, he didn't dislike her that much, so he gave her the title of concubine.
"Your Highness doesn't remember Qing'er, so does Your Majesty remember me?" Yan Qing asked him.
Yu Jingchen remained silent for a long time, just as Yan Qing was about to give up, Yu Jingchen finally spoke.
“You are indeed intelligent, so you should know what to do. I can grant your request, but you must understand that this is entirely because of Consort Shu.” Yu Jingchen stood up.
"As long as you do things to my satisfaction, I can grant you the dignity of a Noble Consort and the power and status you desire, but these things depend on how much ability you can demonstrate," Yu Jingchen said.
"Yes... Your Majesty, I will certainly not disappoint you." Yan Qing finally felt relieved upon hearing this answer.
only……
"Your Majesty, this time Yingyue... Consort De's matter has implicated the eldest princess... I am unwilling to accept this, so..." Yan Qing was still hesitant.
"Present the findings, and I'll review them before making a decision," Yu Jingchen replied. The First Princess… He knew her temperament when he sent her to Consort De, assuming Consort De could manage the First Princess well, but he hadn't expected things to turn out like this…
"Yes," Yan Qing could only agree with a lowered gaze.
"Alright, that's enough about this." Yu Jingchen prepared to leave.
"Yes, Your Majesty, I respectfully see you off." Yan Qing did not try to stop her.
Yu Jingchen didn't look back. Yan Qing watched, knowing that this time there really was no turning back... She would make sure she lived a good life, a life that everyone looked up to, a life that would put her Yingyue at ease...
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