The Empress Dowager's condition showed no improvement, and Emperor Yongzheng was anxious inside, but on the surface he pretended to be calm and only ordered the imperial physicians to do their best to treat her.
Emperor Yongzheng put down his memorials and spent his days in Cining Palace, occasionally visiting Consort Gui in Yikun Palace.
"Your Majesty, please rest assured, the Empress Dowager is blessed with good fortune and will recover." Consort Nian personally brewed a cup of tea for Yongzheng and comforted him softly.
Yongzheng grasped Lady Nian's hand, gestured for her to sit beside him, and frowned: "You've just recovered, leave these matters to this servant."
Hearing the other party's words of concern, Lady Nian felt comforted and smiled, "Your Majesty need not worry, I am fine now."
But when she mentioned the lost child, she couldn't help but feel sad: "Perhaps I was not destined to be with that child, and it's also my fault for not protecting our child well."
"Alright, it's all in the past. Once you've recovered, you can have children again." Yongzheng patted her hand, his tone softening.
Lady Nian nodded slightly, stroking her lower abdomen, and sighed softly. Suddenly, she raised her head and looked at Yongzheng with her clear eyes: "Your Majesty, I have a request."
"Tell me, and I will grant you anything I can do." Ever since Lady Nian lost her child, Emperor Yongzheng had been very accommodating to her every request, partly out of guilt.
If he hadn't been angry and neglected Lady Nian at the time, Lady Nian wouldn't have been affected by Consort Qi's words and wouldn't have accidentally fallen and miscarried.
He did have high expectations for this child, but the greater the expectations, the greater the disappointment and the deeper the guilt in his heart. All the grudges he had in the past now seemed insignificant.
"Your Majesty, I wish to visit Consort Qi," Lady Nian said softly.
Yongzheng's face suddenly darkened, and his voice turned cold: "What are you going to see her for?"
Lady Nian reached out and carefully tugged at Yongzheng's sleeve, her eyes pleadingly, "Your Majesty, please grant my request. Although Consort Qi caused my miscarriage, it wasn't intentional. She only said a few words. It was all my fault. If I had been stronger, it wouldn't have happened..."
At this point, Lady Nian's eyes reddened, tears welled up, and she sobbed softly, "Your Majesty, Consort Qi has served you for so many years and even gave birth to the Third Prince. For the sake of the Third Prince, please allow me to go and see Consort Qi."
When Yongzheng heard her mention Hongshi, a hint of hesitation appeared on his face.
Remembering that Hongshi had indeed become much more obedient recently, no longer pleading for Consort Qi, and working much more diligently in his studies, he sighed and said, "Fine, I agree to your request. However, Consort Qi is a narrow-minded person. If she speaks too harshly to you, you don't have to tolerate it. Come back immediately."
Lady Nian burst into laughter through her tears: "Thank you, Your Majesty."
Yongzheng pinched her nose and said helplessly, "You shouldn't be so concerned about others. It's more important to take care of your health as soon as possible and give birth to a little prince for me."
Lady Nian blushed suddenly, lowered her head, and smiled slightly: "Your Majesty is just teasing me. How can a little prince be born so easily?" She then sighed: "However, I do hope it will be a little princess."
Emperor Yongzheng asked in surprise, "Why?"
Lady Nian stroked her lower abdomen, her face bitter: "At least the little princess can grow up safely without having to go through so many dangers. Besides, I already have the Sixth Prince, so having another little princess would be just right."
Emperor Yongzheng was speechless for a moment.
Lady Nian mustered her courage, grasped Yongzheng's large hands with both of them, and pleaded with him: "Your Majesty, I have no other wish but that Fu Hui can grow up safely and peacefully. Can you grant my request?"
Yongzheng gazed into her pleading eyes for a long time before finally sighing and patting her hand reassuringly: "You're right. I didn't consider things properly. I promise you, I will definitely protect our child."
Lady Nian breathed a sigh of relief and nestled happily in Yongzheng's arms.
The gates of Zhongcui Palace were opened, and Lady Nian slowly stepped into this once extremely prestigious place, her heart filled with countless emotions.
When Consort Qi's maid came out of the main hall and saw Lady Nian, she immediately looked apprehensive and curtsied, saying, "This servant greets Your Highness, the Noble Consort."
"No need for formalities. Where is Consort Qi?" Lady Nian was elegant and gentle, without the slightest hint of arrogance.
The palace maid dared not be careless and replied tremblingly, "Your Highness, our mistress is not feeling well and is resting inside."
Lady Nian's eyes flashed: "Oh? Why didn't anyone inform the Emperor? Never mind, I'll go visit Consort Qi."
Having said that, he hurried toward the inner hall, with Green Bud following closely behind.
Qi Fei's maidservant followed hesitantly.
Consort Qi was lying on the couch, idly knitting a knot. She glanced at Lady Nian who had entered and smiled slightly. "Oh! What brings the Imperial Consort here? I'm sorry I'm not feeling well and cannot greet the Imperial Consort. Please have a seat."
When Lady Nian saw Consort Qi like this, she was stunned. After regaining her senses, she sat leisurely on the other side of the couch and smiled slightly: "I heard from Consort Qi's maid that Consort Qi is not feeling well. How could this be..."
Consort Qi covered her mouth and chuckled: "Your Highness is very disappointed, isn't she? To be honest, I've always been healthy. Even if I'm sick, I won't be like Your Highness, lying in bed unable to get up, causing the Emperor to feel sorry for me. Alas, it's just that I've been staying indoors for too long these days, and I've gotten sick from being cooped up. I'm just feeling uncomfortable for a while, but I'll get used to it. I don't think Your Highness can understand this feeling."
These words were full of bitterness and resentment.
Lady Nian lowered her head and gave a bitter smile: "Why must you be like this, Consort Qi? I didn't come here today to hear how you resent me for stealing the Emperor's favor. We are both pitiful people, serving the Emperor together, unable to go home. The Emperor is the only one we can rely on. Originally, we should have gotten along like sisters. I have always hoped that we could be like sisters, but it was just wishful thinking on my part. It turns out that you have never treated me as a sister."
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