She couldn't contain her smugness. She thought to herself, "Try to compete with me. The Emperor will always care about me the most. Look at this now, even Consort Zhen can only humbly grovel at my feet."
"Your Majesty, it is understandable that my sister is worried about Prince Lian and the others. After all, they are close friends, and it is inevitable that she is anxious."
Consort Nian's words, which were like adding fuel to the fire, enraged Yinzhen.
He's impatient; he's impatient with others in front of him. What an impatient person he is!
He angrily shouted at the woman on the ground, "The women in the inner palace should not interfere in politics. Go back and reflect on your actions."
Nan Yi stared at the jarring scene before him, "What about Prince Lian and the others..."
"How dare you, Su Peisheng! Get Consort Zhen out of here!"
Su Peicheng walked over, helped Nan Yi up, and said, "Your Highness Consort Zhen, please come back with me first."
Nan Yi leaned on Su Peisheng to stand up, ignoring the numbness and pain in her legs, and staggered out of the palace, leaving the two of them inside, deeply in love.
Nan Yi paused briefly on the palace steps and said, "Little Su, you can go back now. I want to walk around by myself."
"But, Your Majesty..."
"Just say it was me who said it. I just wanted to take a walk, nothing will happen," Nan Yi said impatiently.
Seeing that Consort Zhen's expression was indifferent and that she insisted, Su Peisheng returned.
Sigh, both of them are stubborn and keep arguing like this. The Emperor is the same; he's unhappy when he hurts Consort Zhen. Judging from Consort Zhen's expression, I don't know how he'll have to coax her back this time.
When Nan Yi returned to the palace, he stood in the courtyard in a daze, refusing to go back to the palace to rest no matter how much Ren Yiren and Xiao Shunzi tried to persuade him.
She almost self-harmed, standing there without eating or drinking, from sunrise to sunset, until the stars filled the sky. Before she could no longer endure it and fell into a coma, the person she was waiting for in Chengqian Palace never arrived.
He must have known about the palace's spies, yet he didn't come.
Nan realized that his actions were foolish.
Yinzhen knew what she had done. At the moment, he was too preoccupied with Consort Nian's matter to pay attention to the matter. He called all the imperial physicians in the Imperial Hospital Yikun Palace, and inside the palace, the Emperor was sternly reprimanding them.
Consort Nian had been frail for many years, and recently she had become even weaker, even falling into a coma. The imperial physicians were at a loss, and the head of the Imperial Hospital cautiously used silver needles to treat Consort Nian.
After three needles, a soft moan was heard, and Consort Nian woke up. The head of the Imperial Hospital quietly wiped away his sweat and stepped aside.
Yinzhen frowned deeply and walked to the bedside. Unexpectedly, as soon as Consort Nian woke up, she asked him, "Your Majesty, I wish to see Sister Tong?"
Yinzhen paused slightly, then immediately refused, "You just woke up, you should rest well." He knew all too well the resentment between Madam Tong and Madam Nian.
As for why Nian wanted to meet Tong, and what she was planning behind the scenes, he didn't want to investigate.
She had been by his side for many years, respectful and gentle. Although she had her own little schemes, who hasn't had them?
Consort Nian smiled weakly, reached out and grabbed Yinzhen's sleeve, pleading softly, "I know my body is in danger. This may be the last time. I beg Your Majesty to grant my request."
Yinzhen's face darkened. "Nonsense. Xu'er is going to stay with me for a hundred years. As long as you take good care of yourself, I will order the maid to serve you a meal."
However, Nian was more assertive than before. She smiled slightly, but the seriousness in her eyes was undeniable.
"Your Majesty, I have only this one small request. Can't you grant my wish?"
Consort Nian was gentle and obedient, and she regarded Yinzhen as her heaven. When her brother was imprisoned, she did not plead for him. Knowing that her brother's crime was serious, she only asked for help to forgive him.
Consort Nian's actions were extremely clever. In this way, Yinzhen would only think that she was sensible, and he would dote on her even more, promoting her to the rank of Imperial Noble Consort. Apart from Nian Gengyao being convicted, no one else in the Nian family was implicated, and the Nian family's favor and honor remained unchanged.
She showed such weakness, making only a small request. Her eyes were filled with sorrow, and she looked sickly, having just woken up from a coma. How could Yinzhen bear to refuse?
Knowing it was inappropriate, he hesitated for a moment, then patted Lady Nian's hand and said, "I grant your permission. You should rest well first. When you feel better, I will summon her to see you."
Lady Nian nodded happily, "Thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty. It's late, and I've disturbed Your Majesty for half the night. Your Majesty should go and rest, as you have to attend court early tomorrow."
"Yes, I understand. The imperial physician is waiting in the side hall. If you feel unwell, please have him examine you promptly. I'll return to the palace now."
"I understand, Your Majesty. There are maids here, so please rest assured. Go back now," Consort Nian said with a gentle smile.
Yinzhen left with Su Peisheng, followed by the imperial physicians. The room was quiet, and Consort Nian's smile slowly faded, no longer as gentle as before.
A few days later, Su Peisheng came to deliver an imperial decree. Nan Yi dismissed everyone else, leaving only Yiren, Xiaoshunzi, and a few others.
She ordered Xiao Shunzi to bring over a small table and gave some of the food that Zhao Mama had made to Xiao Suzi.
Nan Yi said, "You haven't eaten yet, have you? Eat first, and we'll talk after you've eaten."
Su Peisheng thought for a moment, then sat down without delay. He had eaten quite a bit of food at Chengqian Palace and was used to Zhao Mama's cooking. It was true that the Imperial Kitchen's food was delicious and refined, but after eating it for a while, he felt that something was missing.
He nodded as he ate, thinking that the taste was really good; he could eat three bowls of rice from just one plate of eggplant.
After finishing his meal, he remembered that the Emperor had recently lost his appetite, which was driving the Imperial Kitchen crazy. Yesterday, that Fatty Liu even came to him to discuss countermeasures.
How about… “Your Majesty, could you please grant me another plate of braised eggplant?”
Nan Yi didn't pay any attention and casually said, "Go find Granny Zhao yourself and ask her to prepare it for you."
Su Peisheng was overjoyed and stood up to express his gratitude, "Thank you, Your Majesty."
"It's nothing. By the way, did the Emperor summon me?" Nan Yi was still wondering if the Fourth Prince had finally softened his heart.
"His Majesty has decreed that Your Highness should make a trip to Yikun Palace when you have some free time, as the Imperial Noble Consort wishes to see you."
"What? Imperial Noble Consort, are you sure you're not mistaken?" Nan Yi was slightly taken aback. What was Nian Shi up to? She had been promoted to Imperial Noble Consort and was now putting on airs and showing off.
The Fourth Master's order was also interesting: "Make time." What does "make time" mean? If she can't make time to come, does that mean she won't go?
That's interesting.
Su Peisheng said with a slight embarrassment, "Your Majesty, what are you saying? This servant would not dare to relay imperial edicts without permission."
"Oh." Nan Yi put down her chopsticks, lowered her eyes and thought for a moment. She raised an eyebrow and smiled. "I heard that the Imperial Noble Consort has been unwell recently. What a coincidence, I am also not feeling well. I may not be able to find the time in the next few days, so as not to spread the illness. Please tell the Emperor and the Imperial Noble Consort that I will make time to visit, but I am not sure about the timing."
She'll make time, whether it's ten days, half a month, a month, or even half a year—I'm sorry, she's not sure.
Su Peisheng could see through Nan Yi's perfunctory attitude, but it was none of his business. He had already conveyed the Emperor's decree, and what Consort Zhen did was none of his concern. Let the Emperor worry about it.
Nan Yi feigned illness to avoid seeing Lady Nian, and Yinzhen didn't urge her at all, leaving Lady Nian alone anxiously waiting.
Someone from Yikun Palace summoned her, and Nan Yi, seeing that she could not delay any longer, changed her makeup and prepared to go to Yikun Palace.
Suddenly, Yiren entered and whispered some news in Nan Yi's ear. Nan Yi immediately changed his clothes and, ignoring the maids' calls, ran out of Chengqian Palace.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
