What are you doing?!
"Watch your tongue and ears! Don't you want to live anymore?!" The little palace maid was interrupted by Eunuch Duo's high-pitched voice before she could finish speaking, and she quickly lowered her head and left.
Meanwhile, Nian Gengxi was relieved to learn that the Emperor was going to bestow the title of Imperial Noble Consort upon Nian Shilan and make a grand gesture towards her. It seemed that the Emperor still cared about the Nian family and his younger sister, the Imperial Noble Consort. Although Nian Gengyao had been imprisoned, the Emperor's willingness to bestow the title of Imperial Noble Consort upon Nian Shilan indicated that he still held favor towards the Nian family and was not entirely unintentional.
Nian Gengxi was still lobbying for Nian Gengyao, trying to find a way to help him make a comeback. But now that the emperor had issued such an imperial edict, he was unsure whether he should rush to make the effort. He decided to wait and see.
Consort Nian's illness worsened. Consort Nian would sometimes fall into a coma for several days on her bedside, and sometimes she would keep calling out. The maids took good care of her. After all, even a starved camel is bigger than a horse, and they did not dare to neglect Consort Nian. Every day, they carefully washed her face, wiped her sweat, and fed her medicine.
But Consort Nian remained in a daze all day. With the mistress of Yikun Palace ill, their lives were not easy either. They were constantly on edge, hoping that one day Consort Nian would wake up and regain the Emperor's favor, so that they could be more arrogant in front of the other palace maids.
"Do you think Her Highness might..." Cuiling asked cautiously. Baizhi rolled her eyes at her and said, "She'll wake up soon. Go get to work." Seeing that Baizhi was angry, Cuiling didn't say anything more, sighed, and went to change the water.
The news that the Emperor was going to promote Consort Nian to Imperial Noble Consort quickly reached Yikun Palace. The maids were very happy, naively believing that the Emperor still liked Consort Nian.
When the time came, the Embroidery Department delivered the Imperial Noble Consort's ceremonial robe. The sleeves and collar were sewn with gold thread, and several fine jade and emerald stones were inlaid at the waist. It was so dazzling in the sunlight that it was second only to the Empress's formal attire.
Bai Zhi and Cui Ling, along with other young maids, knelt in the courtyard of Yikun Palace, waiting for Eunuch Duo to read the imperial edict: "By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: Considering Consort Nian's deep affection and loyalty to His Majesty over the years, and her dignified and virtuous appearance, His Majesty hereby bestows upon Consort Nian the title of Imperial Noble Consort. So be it."
Seeing that it was inappropriate for Consort Nian to receive the imperial decree, Eunuch Duo did not hold it against her. He had been an eunuch for so many years, and after reading the decree, he simply told her to "take good care of your lady" and left.
"Thank you, Your Majesty, thank you, Eunuch." After saying this, Bai Zhi and Cui Ling, who were kneeling on the ground, got up, dragged the box, and took the clothes into Consort Nian's master bedroom. They unfolded the magnificent clothes for Consort Nian to see, hoping to stimulate her to wake up.
But Consort Nian remained fast asleep, unable to wake, let alone look at the dress. Bai Zhi gently shook Consort Nian's arm, crying out, "Your Highness! Your Highness, please wake up! The Emperor has bestowed upon you the title of Imperial Noble Consort! Look how beautiful this dress is! If you collapse, how many lowly women will be waiting to laugh at you..."
Cui Ling pulled the agitated Bai Zhi aside: "Bai Zhi, don't be like this. Let Her Majesty rest."
Bai Zhi shouted at Cui Ling, "We have served Your Highness since we were young. The Nian family is of great standing, and the General is so powerful and domineering. We have never seen Your Highness suffer such injustice. I wonder which vile woman has caused Your Highness to be in this state!" After saying this, Bai Zhi covered her face and ran out, leaving behind a sighing Cui Ling and the still unconscious Consort Nian.
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