With his arrival, a faint scent of ambergris filled the air in the palace.
Nian Yuyao glanced at him and saw that he was tall, neither fat nor thin, with long eyebrows and bright eyes, a handsome face, a calm temperament, and an indescribable sense of nobility and majesty.
Perhaps due to overwork, the corners of his eyes were covered in wrinkles, indicating that he was around forty years old.
He was the most diligent emperor in the Qing Dynasty, and the ultimate victor in the struggle for the throne among the nine princes, Yinzhen.
"May Your Majesty be well."
Hearing the person beside him bow, Nian Yuyao looked away and bowed in return.
No need for formalities.
Just like in the TV series, Yinzhen always had a blank expression.
He coldly walked past Nian Yuyao and sat down, refusing to even help her up.
For a moment, Nian Yuyao had a misconception: that the historical records were wrong, and that Consort Nian was not Yinzhen's favorite concubine at all.
Upon seeing that it was Yinzhen, Cuizhu began to tremble all over. She kowtowed shakily and said, "Your Majesty, this servant knows nothing. This medicine was given by Consort Yin. She said that this servant's eyes are covered with bruises and that she felt sorry for this servant and wanted this servant to rest well. That's why this servant accepted it. But this servant really didn't know that it was a potent medicine!"
The ridiculous Cuizhu thought that Yinzhen had just arrived, little did she know that Yinzhen had already seen through her arrogant and domineering behavior.
Yinzhen remained expressionless, but his eyes held a chilling glint as he coldly asked, "When did this happen?"
Cuizhu trembled even more violently, "Your Majesty..."
"explain."
"It was...ten days ago."
Hearing Cuizhu's words, Yinzhen's expression turned sinister and unreadable. That was the day Fupei was born. It turned out that someone wanted Fupei dead as soon as he was born.
He didn't speak, but looked at Nian Yuyao with boundless heartache in his eyes.
Nian Yuyao noticed his tenderness. Just when she thought Yinzhen would order Cuizhu's death, Yinzhen's next words shocked her greatly.
“Songyin only made a mistake for a moment. Yuyao, as Consort Nian, you should be magnanimous and forgive her, give her a chance to change,” Yinzhen said calmly.
"What?"
Nian Yuyao was shocked.
She never expected that, with such conclusive evidence, Yinzhen would plead for her.
Was that pained expression just now fake?
Although she was very unwilling to admit it, the facts were right in front of her, leaving her no choice but to believe it.
Her eyes were red, as if she felt sorry for the original owner of the body. "I can't be magnanimous. That's my child."
Yinzhen frowned slightly. "Fupei is safe and sound now, why are you so stubborn? You are a literate person, don't you understand the principle of being forgiving when possible?"
Hearing Yinzhen's words, Nian Yuyao's eyes filled with tears. She choked out, "Your Majesty is truly biased. Since that's the case, what can I say? You are the Emperor, do as you please!"
She understood that once Yinzhen had made up his mind, there was no point in saying anything more. At this moment, she felt extremely heartbroken. How could the Yongzheng Emperor, whom she admired the most, be such a person?
When Yinzhen saw how distressed she was, he even avoided her gaze.
"Thank you, Your Majesty." Upon hearing that she had made such a big mistake but was still unharmed, Cuizhu smiled so broadly that her mouth almost reached her ears.
She then looked at Nian Yuyao with a smug look, as if to say: So what if you are Consort Nian? The Emperor will favor whoever he likes.
"Go down. From now on, you will serve Songyin. You can also feed her when she gives birth," Yinzhen ordered coldly, without a trace of emotion.
"Yes, Your Majesty."
After bowing, Cuizhu left, and from her departing figure, one could tell how ethereal she was at that moment.
Then Yinzhen's gaze remained fixed on Nian Yuyao, and he murmured, "One wutong leaf falls, one autumn arrives; one banana leaf falls, one sorrow arises; dreams return after midnight."
This is Xu Zaisi's "Double Tune: Narcissus - Night Rain".
"Yuyao, do you understand?" His gaze softened.
The inexplicable words stunned Nian Yuyao. After a long while, she understood his meaning, turned to look at him, and nodded slightly.
Seeing that she agreed, Yinzhen turned and left, saying, "Su Peisheng, take me to see Songyin."
Watching Yinzhen's figure disappear outside the door, Nian Yuyao finally withdrew her gaze, her face turning extremely pale, and her body swaying.
She leaned against the wall to steady herself. Having given birth not long ago, her body was still weak and she couldn't hold on for more than a few hours.
"Your Majesty..."
Chen Xi and Jun Si rushed over to help her up, and Nian Yuyao gradually regained her balance.
She took a deep breath and said to the two of them, "Help me sit down and rest for a while."
The two men immediately stepped forward to help her sit down.
Chen Xi moved a chair next to Nian Yuyao so she could sit and rest. Then she poured her a cup of tea, placed it in her hand, and gently comforted her, "Your Majesty, don't overthink it. In the harem, we only hear the laughter of new concubines and never the tears of old ones. Yin won't be able to be so smug for long."
Nian Yuyao did not answer, still pondering the poem that Yinzhen had just composed.
Jun Si thought she was just feeling sad, and scolded Chen Xi, "If you can't speak, then don't speak. Nobody will think you're mute!"
After all, Nian Yuyao is now a former official.
Chen Xi lowered her head in grievance, not daring to refute anything.
Seeing this, Jun Si comforted Nian Yuyao: "Your Majesty, don't worry. Even if you don't have the Emperor's favor, you still have the little prince and the Nian family. Rest assured, General Nian will not let you suffer any injustice."
Hearing this, Nian Yuyao finally smiled. "Yes, I know. But it's good that Cuizhu has been transferred. I feel relieved."
"What's the use of transferring her? I should have just slapped her to death!" Jun Si said, her brows furrowed and her face full of anger.
Nian Yuyao did not blame her, but instead advised her: "Don't be impulsive. If she loses her life because of this, you will also be in danger."
"Yes... I understand." Jun Si responded obediently, but her eyes were still fixed on the direction of Cui Zhu with resentment.
Nian Yuyao sighed, "After all this trouble, I'm exhausted. I can rest while Fupei is still asleep." She was indeed tired, and her whole demeanor became listless.
The two men quickly helped her lie down, covered her with a blanket, and then she left, closed the door, and stood outside waiting for her master's instructions.
The slightly slanting sunlight shone through the west window, illuminating the room and bathing it in a golden glow.
Nian Yuyao lay on his side, staring blankly at the glazed tiles on the roof, before slowly falling asleep.
She needed to be fully prepared, because she was to meet Yinzhen at midnight.
Indeed, the poem that Yinzhen just recited was a hint that he would come at midnight.
Later that evening, she woke up and, at 9 PM, coaxed Fu Pei to sleep before dismissing everyone.
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