Yikun Palace.
Lady Nian lay listlessly in bed, her illness prolonged and incurable. Since the death of the young prince, the palace servants in Yikun Palace had been too afraid to even breathe. The palace had long since lost its vitality, and everything related to the young prince had been put away.
Lady Nian had been ill for a long time, and the imperial physicians visited her at Yikun Palace every day. She drank countless doses of medicinal soup, and the entire Yikun Palace was filled with a pungent herbal smell that could be smelled even by people outside the city walls.
The decline of Yikun Palace is known to all.
The former prosperity and liveliness were gone, and even the maids were somewhat discouraged and disappointed, avoiding Nian Shi as much as possible and trying not to serve her.
Lady Nian also forbade anyone to approach her. Previously, the imperial physician was afraid that the cold air would seep into Lady Nian's body, making it unsuitable for her to recuperate. Over time, the doors and windows of Lady Nian's room were kept tightly closed all day, making it dark and gloomy.
Ms. Nian slowly opened her eyes and struggled to get up. Cui Ling quickly helped Ms. Nian sit up and carefully placed a cushion behind her back.
Lady Nian peeked into the room and, seeing no one else, asked curiously, "Where is the Emperor? I haven't seen him for several days..."
Cui Ling was startled, her hand holding the medicine bowl trembling with fear. She managed to compose herself and stammered, "Your Majesty... Your Majesty has been very busy with state affairs lately... and specifically instructed me to take good care of Her Highness..."
Lady Nian gave a wry smile and said helplessly, "Really? Is His Majesty really too busy?"
Cuiling couldn't bear to see Nian Shi so dejected, so she smiled and chimed in, "Your Majesty is absolutely beautiful. It's only natural that the Emperor dotes on you. Doesn't the Emperor still love you dearly now? A few days ago, when Your Majesty was unconscious, the Emperor didn't leave your side for even a moment..."
Nian remained silent, a tear streaming down her cheek. She murmured, "Love? Hmph... Is that really love? It's just fear that I might do something rash, and the guilt I feel..."
Cuiling put down the medicine bowl, knelt by the bedside, and gently touched Nian's cold hand, comforting her, "Your Majesty, please don't think such things. As long as you recover, the Emperor has promised that you will have another child..."
Lady Nian turned her head blankly and said to Cuiling, "The Emperor won't come, you know that, don't you?"
Cui Ling was unwilling to answer Nian Shi's question. She picked up the medicine bowl again, carefully blew on it to cool it, and said, "Your Majesty, it's time to take your medicine... Once Your Majesty is well, the Emperor will favor you again..."
Lady Nian pursed her lips and cried, "The Emperor won't do that again, he'll never treat me like that again..."
Cui Ling tried to explain, but Nian Shi pushed Cui Ling's arm away, and the medicine bowl fell to the ground. Cui Ling stared at Nian Shi in fear.
Tears streaming down her face, Lady Nian propped herself up on her hands and hysterically roared, "He's busy bringing Niohuru Lanqin back to the palace, he's busy making Lanqin a Noble Consort..."
After speaking, Lady Nian coughed incessantly, clutching her chest and looking distressed. Cui Ling rushed over to comfort her, saying urgently, "Your Majesty... Your Majesty, please calm down!"
Although the maids knew that Niohuru Lanqin was about to return to the palace, they remained silent because of Lady Nian's seclusion. They were especially nervous and cautious in Yikun Palace, fearing that they might anger Lady Nian and suffer a fatal disaster.
Meanwhile, the Song and Wu families eagerly awaited Lanqin's return to the palace. Living under the oppressive rule of Lady Nian and the Empress, they were filled with fear and dread, hoping Lanqin's return would provide a counterforce. When they learned that Lanqin had not only returned but had also been bestowed the title of Imperial Concubine, they were overjoyed. They meticulously dressed in their respective chambers, hoping to attend Lanqin's investiture ceremony in their most perfect attire!
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