The illness that Yan Nangui suffered from was just a minor ailment; it would be cured in three or four days.
On the way to pay their respects, Shuanzi said, "I heard that Consort Xiangxian is now bedridden every day and doesn't get out of bed unless absolutely necessary."
"That serious? Can it even be saved?" Yan Nangui had heard of similar illnesses before. This has been going on for less than three or four months. Can it really be saved?
"That's what I heard. The imperial physician also said to stay in bed. He said that after four months, things would get a little better, and after five months, the condition would be considered stable," said Shuanzi.
Yan Nangui shook his head. "It's already taken shape after five months. If we don't save it, why are you still saying this?"
"Are Luo Wanyi and Rong Guiyi both well?"
"Yes, both of them are doing well. Especially Consort Rong, she's been quiet and low-key," Shuanzi said with a smile.
"She's a shrewd woman; she knows exactly what to do." Consort Rong knew that, no matter what, she had to protect her offspring first. Only by giving birth safely could she have a future.
“Yes, although she was once the least favored, she has actually come out on top,” Jiangxiang said with a smile.
Although Consort Yi, who was in the same period, was also favored, she unfortunately had bad luck.
The next few didn't get overtaken.
Although Mui Siu-yee is currently favored, who knows what will happen in the future?
When they arrived at Fengxiang Palace, everyone else arrived shortly after them.
The Empress also came out, inquired about Yan Nangui's return, and asked everyone to sit down and talk.
"These past few days have been very hot. You all need to be careful when going in and out. When you get back, drink plenty of mung bean soup or something similar. I'll have the imperial physician prepare some cooling and thirst-quenching herbal teas and send them to your respective places. However, those who are prone to feeling cold should be careful not to drink too much. Consort Chen, you shouldn't drink too much," the Empress said with a smile.
"Yes, thank you, Your Majesty," the crowd replied.
"How could I dare? The maids are keeping a close eye on us," Yan Nangui said with a smile.
"That's good, it shows they are all loyal and good maids. You should reward them," the Empress said.
Perhaps it was because of the period of de facto confinement that Yan Nangui's goodwill was so obvious.
The Empress now sees everything about Consort Chen as wonderful.
This is enough to make everyone quite envious.
The Empress continued, “His Majesty sent word last night that he wishes to visit the Lotus Garden on the outskirts of the capital tomorrow and stay for a few days. This Lotus Garden was once a favorite of Emperor Shizong Jingrun. Although the late emperor did not like lotus flowers and did not do much to repair it, it was not in its best condition. However, after His Majesty ascended the throne, he had it repaired. Now it is a perfect place to escape the summer heat.”
"Then His Majesty, have you said who you will take with you?" Consort Jing asked impatiently.
"Naturally, His Majesty ordered someone to invite the Grand Empress Dowager and the Empress Dowager to go together. However, both the Grand Empress Dowager and the Empress Dowager said that they are too old and don't like to move around."
"Of course I will go. As for the rest, His Majesty said that Consort Xiangxian cannot move at the moment, so she will stay. Consort Luo Wanyi and Consort Rong will also stay. Consort Jing, Consort Chen, Consort Mu, Lady Wen, and Consort Jin, you may all go."
Yan Nangui stood up: "I'm feeling better and don't want to move..."
Before he could finish speaking, the Empress interrupted, "His Majesty said that Consort Chen is lazy and must go. So don't refuse." The Empress said with amusement.
The wild geese were flying south, so I had no choice but to comply.
After everyone dispersed, Consort Jing gave Yan Nangui a disdainful glare.
Everyone else was eager to go, but she was just putting on an act, hoping to get His Majesty to say it again.
On the way back, Yan Nangui sighed, "Pack up."
Going to the garden isn't bad, it's just that I'm too lazy to move.
“This time, there are no two Consorts,” Chanyi said.
“There are quite a few people already.” Yan Nangui thought for a moment: “They’ll only stay for a month or two, how many more people can go?”
“Yes, Mei Xiaoyi isn’t better yet, and she hasn’t gone,” Chanyi said.
Chanyi thought to herself, of all the people going, her own mistress and Consort Wen would probably be the ones to serve the emperor the most.
Wouldn't that infuriate the Imperial Concubine?
After tidying up, I went to bed early that night.
The emperor didn't go anywhere that night; he rested in his own palace.
The next morning, we had to go to the two empress dowagers' palaces to say goodbye before we could set off. Finally, we got into the carriage, and we were starving.
At least there were pastries in the carriage.
“Ning Wanrong didn’t come, but the First Prince was brought by the Empress. So… is the First Prince going back?” Jiangxiang asked.
Yan Nangui shook his head: "There's no going back. Ning Wanrong hasn't done anything wrong. We can let it go in the past, but if she takes the child away now, how will she face anyone?"
However, it's really hard to say about the eldest prince's background.
It's not a big deal if your birth mother is born out of wedlock; there are many such cases in the imperial harem.
But what's the point of repeatedly changing hands like this?
I'm afraid that by then, the child won't be able to get close to either side.
There's no such thing as geese flying south.
It's not far from the Imperial City to the Lotus Garden, but there are so many royal rules that it took us all morning to walk there.
When I arrived, I was so hungry that my stomach was practically sticking to my back.
The old man leading the way was so frightened that his legs trembled. What was wrong with this man? His face darkened.
Who hasn't heard of this infamous person? It's truly terrifying.
We've finally arrived, so I don't dare say anything more.
Fortunately, I still enjoyed the incense and inquired about the kitchen, asking them to serve the meal quickly.
The old man who had led the way then realized that the person was hungry.
Hey, it's good that there's a reason.
He readily agreed and went to urge them on himself.
Those who cook naturally arrive earlier. After Yan Nangui changed his clothes and washed his hands, he was able to eat.
This time, when the person who led the way spoke again, she showed no emotion.
I was quite happy to listen to him describe the scenery.
The man breathed a sigh of relief, thinking to himself that he had to remember one rule when serving Consort Chen: never let her go hungry.
The place where wild geese return south is called Xichunxie.
This pavilion boasts a beautiful view. The garden is called Lotus Garden because it has ponds everywhere, planted with lotus flowers.
Various kinds of lotus flowers, water lilies, basically all aquatic flowers.
There was also a pond next to her, filled with white lotus flowers in full bloom.
The lotus flowers in the north bloom a little later than those in the south, and this is now their best time to bloom.
The air was filled with a faint fragrance of lotus blossoms.
Someone picked the half-open flower and put it in a vase for her.
"Was this place ordered by His Majesty and the Empress, or did you arrange it for me?" Yan Nangui asked.
“Oh dear, His Majesty doesn’t concern himself with such trivial matters. Her Majesty the Empress only said to follow the rules. This is what we servants thought of. Although Xichun Xie isn’t very large, it has excellent scenery. We servants thought that Your Majesty’s Zhaochun Palace is quite large. We figured that when we come out to stay, we don’t care about size, but rather about seeing something new, interesting, and scenic. So we boldly decided on this place.” At this point, Eunuch Zhu could naturally see that Yan Nangui was happy, so he spoke more freely.
"Hmm, I am very satisfied. Let's offer incense, and reward Eunuch Zhu."
Jiangxiang agreed and then went to get another ten taels of silver for him: "Our lady is here for the first time, so naturally she is not familiar with the place. We servants are also not familiar with it, so to avoid any delays, please be considerate, Eunuch Zhu. You know, our lady is a very impatient person."
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