"Don't you like swings and grapes? I've already planted grapes. How about we build a swing under the grape trellis? What kind do you like? Do you want one with flowers and branches to lean on, or one without? Please wake up soon!"
Ertai reached out and grasped Chen Nian's cold hand, then kissed it.
"They all know you're sick, but I don't."
A simple, plain sentence, yet it carries endless bitterness.
Yongxuan knew, Qing'er knew, and even Yuxing knew...
Everyone knew that Chen Nian was sick, except for him...
Upon hearing these words, a tear slid down the corner of Shen Nian's eye, a sentiment that had remained unchanged for some time...
The hand held by Ertai twitched slightly...
"Little Princess—!"
...
"You're finally awake."
Ertai held the person tightly in his arms, his eyes reddening and his voice choked with emotion.
"I'm sorry."
Chen Nian looked up at Ertai, who was holding her tightly in his arms and whose eyes were red, and smiled slightly, speaking softly.
During this time, she was conscious and heard what they were saying, but she couldn't wake up.
Ertai's last words struck her mind, breaking through the shackles that bound her, so she woke up with all her might.
"Let's not break up, okay?"
Ertai's words were pleading.
"Ertai, are you sure? You know I'm stubborn. Once you're tied to me, if I die, you'll have to leave with me."
The thought frightened the person who wouldn't let go of him.
In reality, she was incredibly soft-hearted and wouldn't let him leave with her.
This time, she wouldn't let go. Even if it meant death, she would stay with him.
Not to mention there are still a few years left, that's enough.
"You can't leave me. I'm already renovating our home."
Ertai's voice was low and aggrieved.
He would never feign arrogance in her presence.
"Alright, I won't abandon you. I'll ask the Emperor to arrange another marriage for me, okay?"
Knowing that Ertai had a low sense of security, Chen Nian spoke out about what Ertai cared about most.
"Um."
...
"Your Majesty, your precious Nian Nian has come to bring you soup."
After recovering, Chen Nian took the soup that Han Xiang had specially prepared for her to "please" the Emperor and went to the Qianqing Palace to find the Emperor.
"Speak, what brings you to me?"
Looking down at Chen Nian, who was standing there with a grinning face and looking at him ingratiatingly, he raised an eyebrow.
"Hehehe, Uncle Emperor, why don't you issue the imperial decree for the marriage that hasn't been issued yet?"
Seeing that the emperor was looking at him, he pondered for a moment and then revealed the purpose of his trip.
"Oh, you want it now? Who was it that begged me to cancel it in the first place?"
Upon hearing Chen Nian's purpose, the Emperor put down the memorial in his hand, looking on with an expression of anticipation, and quietly watched Chen Nian below, ready to hear how Chen Nian would try to fool him.
"Uncle, please try it. Is the soup delicious?"
Chen Nian ran up to the memorial platform, put down the soup in her hand, and took the emperor's hand, speaking coquettishly.
Ertai is still waiting for her news.
Meeting Chen Nian's bright, sparkling eyes, the Emperor arrogantly picked up the soup and took a sip.
"How about it?"
"He who eats another's food is bound to be grateful, and he who takes another's gift is bound to be obliging." Seeing that the emperor had drunk it, Chen Nian smiled even more happily.
"good."
"Then why don't you read the imperial decree of marriage to your dear niece, Nian Nian, next time?"
Having received the Emperor's positive reply, Chen Nian smiled sweetly, her eyes filled with flattery.
"No."
Hearing the soft, coquettish voice, the emperor's heart softened, but considering his own plans, he still refused.
"Uncle Emperor~"
When he didn't get a reply, Chen Nian's eyes widened slightly, and he suddenly didn't know what to say. He never expected that the emperor, who always agreed to whatever he said, would disagree this time.
"Uncle, please read it to me, okay? Uncle, please~"
After a moment, Chen Nian regained her voice, and then she swayed the Emperor's hand more frequently, her voice becoming softer.
"Okay, okay, I can't give it to you now. I'll give it to you later, at a suitable time, and I'll also give you everything that should have been given to you a long time ago."
Unable to bear seeing Chen Nian's disappointment at not getting what she wanted, the Emperor compromised, backed down, and gave a vague answer.
"Alright, Your Majesty, you mustn't forget."
Seeing that he couldn't get it now, Chen Nian chose to back down.
The emperor, listening to the change in address from Chen Nian: ...
You switch between titles quite smoothly.
If there's trouble, it's your uncle; if there's no trouble, it's your emperor.
He was incredibly lucky to have met such a lively character.
However, seeing Chen Nian's lively appearance now, the Emperor was also very pleased.
The sight of someone so seriously ill is truly alarming and frightening.
He would rather Shen Nian bargain with him or act silly with him than see Shen Nian looking sickly.
"Then Your Majesty, I shall take my leave now. The soup on the table was made for you by Consort Xiang. Remember to drink it, it won't be good if it gets cold."
After saying that, Chen Nian disappeared in a flash.
Let's go!
"Nian Nian!"
When the emperor heard that Chen Nian had told him before leaving that it was the soup that Han Xiang had made for him, he wanted to arrest Chen Nian and give him a beating.
He quickly reached for the soup beside him to make sure it wasn't cold, then put down the memorial in his hand, carefully scooped up a spoonful, and tasted it.
His expression was just like someone reviewing memorials—serious, solemn, and earnest.
...
Just as everyone was rejoicing at the awakening of the spirit, a scream shattered the joyful atmosphere in the Cining Palace, plunging it back into panic.
"Your Majesty, the princess is missing! Princess Qing has fainted!"
Ying'er, who was preparing to deliver medicine to Chen Nian in her room, saw Qing'er and Xuan'er lying on the ground, already unconscious, and turned around and ran towards the Qianqing Palace.
Seeing that Chen Nian had finally woken up, the Emperor resumed his official duties that he had neglected during this period.
The Empress resumed managing the affairs of the inner palace, and the Empress Dowager's worries, which had been weighing on her mind day and night, were finally put to rest. She left the palace to offer incense at the temple closest to the palace, thanking Buddha for his blessing that had awakened her from her slumber.
Because of her frail health, the Empress Dowager left Qing'er behind and went with the palace servants and guards herself.
Yongxuan, Ertai, Fu Yuxing, and the other two, who had been summoned by the Emperor to the Qianqing Palace for a meeting, stood up in surprise upon hearing the sound coming from outside the door.
Before he could speak, another voice came.
"Your Majesty, we found a strange man at the palace gate who has abducted Consort Shen and is using her to threaten us. We dare not act on our own. He says he wants to see Consort Xiang."
The guards patrolling the palace quickly spotted Mardan, who was carrying a man with mobility issues, and immediately apprehended him. Mardan had also injured their brothers, whom they had intended to kill on the spot.
When they saw Mardan remove the hood from Shen Nian's head, they realized that the person they had kidnapped was the unconscious Princess Shen. They dared not make any further moves and immediately reported to the Emperor.
"Fragrant Concubine? Mardan!"
...
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