"No," Yinzhen said softly, "Yanyan has always been the most beautiful."
The most beautiful... Qian Shengyan dared not claim that. She then remembered something else: "Your Majesty, perhaps you should not share the bed with me tomorrow?"
"Why is this?" Yinzhen was very unhappy that he was sent away as soon as he woke up.
"I've been unconscious for so long and haven't even had a bath..." Qian Shengyan's voice trailed off, she was getting embarrassed.
Thank goodness it's winter, otherwise she'd probably stink...
Yinzhen gave her a meaningful look: "When I'm not here, Qingxue wipes your body every day."
Qian Shengyan breathed a slight sigh of relief; Qingxue was indeed reliable. However, she quickly noticed a loophole in Yinzhen's words: "When the Emperor is not around?"
"Yes, if I were here, I would help you bathe," Yinzhen said.
Qian Shengyan: ?
She swore she really saw the mocking smile in Yinzhen's eyes.
What's wrong with this guy! She's still sick, and he's already harassing her!
Qian Shengyan's ears turned red, but she remained stubborn: "Is that so? Then I have no way to repay you. I will help Your Majesty bathe another day."
"Alright, I'll be waiting." Yinzhen laughed.
Qian Shengyan: ...
Yinzhen, however, was quite satisfied, feeling that it was indeed better for her to open her eyes. With Qian Shengyan awake, he felt that everything was full of vitality, and even though it was the middle of a winter night, as she spoke to him, he felt that the brightest sunshine couldn't be more beautiful.
Only now does he realize how important she is.
Fortunately, it's not too late.
His large hand stroked her thin face and pale lips, his heart still aching, but he still tried to talk about happy things: "Through this incident, I've discovered that Luo Qingshan does have some skills after all..."
"Luo Qingshan? Who is that?" Qian Shengyan asked curiously.
Yinzhen smiled and said, "It was a Taoist priest from Baiyun Temple. He came to the palace to discuss the details with me because we were going to perform a sacrificial ceremony to Heaven. It was also his suggestion that we could promote you to a higher rank to bring good luck, or there might be a turning point."
He became more and more excited as he spoke: "Sure enough, you woke up just as the decree of your promotion was read out!"
Qian Shengyan: ...
There were so many flaws that she didn't know where to begin.
She steadied herself and asked herself, "Promotion?"
"You have rendered meritorious service in saving the Emperor, and you are worthy of the title of Imperial Noble Consort," Yinzhen said. "However... I originally felt that it was not auspicious for you to be granted the title of Imperial Noble Consort after such a serious injury, but Luo Qingshan said it was fine, that you are very fortunate, and that even the title of Imperial Noble Consort would be enough to bear your weight, so I granted it to you." He was genuinely happy. "Indeed, my Yanyan is a blessed person!"
Qian Shengyan: ...
What the heck!
She raised a finger, and Yinzhen took her hand, their fingers intertwined. She said, "The Empress is still alive, so is it not appropriate to confer the title of Imperial Noble Consort?"
She understood what Yinzhen meant. He seemed to think that the Imperial Noble Consort was beneficial to her and did not want to remove her, but... she was not going to die anytime soon, and the Empress was also there. There were two masters in the harem in the open. Wouldn't that be too disrespectful to the Empress?
This situation is different from when Nian was forced by Nian Gengyao to briefly confer the title of Imperial Noble Consort on Nian. At that time, Yinzhen had not even issued a formal decree of conferment, and it was obvious to everyone that it was conferred on Nian Gengyao's behalf. Given the opportunity, the emperor would remove Nian from the title of Imperial Noble Consort.
Moreover, Lady Nian has never held any power in the palace, so it doesn't matter if she is an Imperial Noble Consort. However, Qian Shengyan truly holds the power in the six palaces. This Imperial Noble Consort who is in charge of the affairs of the six palaces is equivalent to the Empress Dowager. Usually, she is established after the Empress has passed away.
"What's wrong with that? Anyway, the Empress's health is very poor. She needs to recuperate for a long time and can't manage anything." Yinzhen said indifferently, "In two years, I'll hand over the Phoenix Seal to you as well."
Qian Shengyan: ...
No, wait a minute, her life goal is to become Empress Dowager, an honor bestowed upon her by her son. She doesn't want to be Empress!
Sensing her unease, Yinzhen chuckled, "What are you afraid of? I'll protect you."
Qian Shengyan gave him a helpless look.
She's saved his life now, so naturally she'll say all sorts of nice things, but it would be foolish for her to actually believe it. She understands perfectly well that while he's currently showered with favor, he'll be overstepping the bounds in the future.
Forget it, I won't think about it too much. I'll deal with whatever comes my way.
She now has great faith in herself, believing that those who survive a great calamity are destined for good fortune.
Seeing that she didn't speak, Yinzhen thought she was tired, so he gently patted her arm and told her in detail what had happened in the past ten days. First, he talked about the children, then about the people in the harem, and finally about the deceased Lady Nian and the little eunuch who delivered the wrong letter: "A whole series of people are still involved in my harem, and they will jump out when they find an opportunity. Even if they curse you, they will still give me a shock before they feel better."
"Who is it?" Someone dares to send the wrong message to the Emperor? Are they that stubborn?
Qian Shengyan was curious.
Yinzhen narrowed his eyes and laughed again: "Who else could it be? Even a centipede with a hundred legs doesn't die easily. I really didn't know that he could also reach into the Imperial Household Department."
"They all know I care about you, so they use your affairs to attack me." Yinzhen sneered repeatedly. "Unfortunately, they're wrong. By next year at the latest, I will have dealt with them all!"
Upon hearing this, Qian Shengyan understood who he was referring to. But the phrase "They all know I care about you" made her face flush, and she subconsciously asked, "Does Your Majesty care about me so much?"
Upon hearing her question, Yinzhen raised an eyebrow, his tone still tinged with displeasure: "What do you think?" He scoffed, "I was thinking of you even when I was offering sacrifices to Heaven..."
Seemingly realizing he had been too blunt, and that it concerned the people's livelihood—something that was inappropriate for an emperor to do—he didn't finish his sentence. He pursed his lips and couldn't resist reaching out to pinch her cheek again: "You heartless wretch."
Qian Shengyan: ...
Actually, she had been thinking about him all along, so to speak, she wasn't heartless...
"Your Majesty..." Su Peisheng's voice rang out from outside, not loud, but full of helplessness, "You should rest for a while, you should go to court soon."
Clearly, he had been listening to the noises coming from inside the house and was genuinely concerned, which is why he mustered the courage to remind them.
Qian Shengyan quickly added, "Your Majesty, please get some sleep."
"I'm not sleepy, I'm very happy." As if addicted, he touched Qian Shengyan's cheek again and rubbed her nose. "I want to see you more."
Before Qian Shengyan could say anything, Yinzhen said to the door, "There will be no court session today."
Qian Shengyan: ?
Su Peisheng had already left to carry out his orders, but she was so anxious that she almost sat up—what was going on? How did she suddenly become a seductive concubine who bewitched the emperor and caused him to neglect his morning court sessions?
"First we went to Jingshan, then to the Temple of Heaven. I've been traveling back and forth like this. Can't I rest for a few days?" Yinzhen said this with a straight face and confidence, and added, "At least I can rest for three days."
Qian Shengyan: ?
What's going on? Are you still the same Emperor Yongzheng who reviewed memorials and issued imperial edicts on the first day of the Lunar New Year? How have you changed!
As it turned out, Yinzhen truly kept his word. Not only did he skip court, but he also refused to review any memorials. He simply sat on the bed, constantly touching and caressing her, or asking her to keep him company. Even at midday, when the weather was warmest, he actually had a bucket of hot water brought so he could personally bathe her.
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