Since the Fourteenth Prince went to Jingling, the Empress Dowager's health deteriorated day by day, until she fell completely ill at the end of April.
Emperor Yongzheng went to visit her in person, but there was no sign that the Empress Dowager had woken up or was arguing with him.
The imperial physicians gathered at Cining Palace to examine the Empress Dowager's pulse, but they were also at a loss.
Before the Empress Dowager had recovered from her illness, another incident occurred in early May, causing the political climate in the harem to shift once again.
Consort Nian suffered a miscarriage after falling while admiring flowers in the Imperial Garden.
Upon receiving the news, Emperor Yongzheng personally went to Yikun Palace and summoned the imperial physicians, but they were still unable to save the unborn child.
The child was lost, and Consort Nian fell into a coma. Emperor Yongzheng was furious and punished the two palace maids who were close to Consort Nian, and confined Consort Qi to her quarters.
It was only because Consort Nian was with Consort Qi before her accident that, according to Consort Nian's maid, Lü Rui, Consort Qi said some sarcastic things about Consort Nian losing favor. Consort Nian was heartbroken and tripped over something, which caused her to fall.
The evidence pointed directly to Consort Qi, who was unable to defend herself and kept crying out for her innocence, but she could not win even a shred of pity from Emperor Yongzheng.
Back when they were still in the Prince's residence, Consort Qi and Consort Nian were not on good terms, so it was perfectly normal for Consort Qi to do such a thing now, and no one suspected anything.
After this incident, Consort Nian regained the Emperor's favor, and Emperor Yongzheng stayed by her side until she woke up the next day.
Upon learning that her child was gone, Lady Nian was heartbroken. Fortunately, Emperor Yongzheng stayed by her side to comfort her, and Lady Nian's health gradually improved, though she was weaker than in previous years.
In stark contrast is Consort Qi's Zhongcui Palace.
Since Consort Qi was confined to her quarters, the once bustling and lively Zhongcui Palace has become deserted.
Because Consort Qi often offended people, none of the other concubines pleaded for her when she was confined to her quarters. The Third Prince Hongshi knelt outside the Hall of Mental Cultivation to plead for Consort Qi, and Emperor Yongzheng even refused to see this son.
It was Hongli who pulled Hongshi away and advised him not to anger his father, the Emperor, but Hongshi resented and cursed him instead.
This matter naturally reached the ears of Emperor Yongzheng, who was reviewing memorials in the Hall of Mental Cultivation, and Yongzheng became increasingly disappointed in his son Hongshi.
"Like mother, like son!" Yongzheng's face turned ashen as he smashed the teacup in his hand on the ground, shattering it into pieces.
The servants below knelt down with a "plop," not daring to utter a sound.
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