The next day, Consort De was officially buried in the imperial mausoleum. Yan Qing collapsed after everything was concluded. She developed a high fever that day and remained unconscious. It wasn't until evening that her condition began to improve.
"Is His Majesty here?" Yan Qing's face was pale, dressed in plain white. She had lost a lot of weight and appeared much older these past few days.
"I have already sent for him, but... Your Ladyship, His Majesty was planning to go to the He'an Palace." Si Ying was truly heartbroken for her mistress.
"No, he will come." Yan Qing was very confident. Indeed, it wasn't long before news arrived that Yu Jingchen was on his way.
"His Majesty arrives!"
Upon hearing this, a flicker of emotion finally appeared in Yan Qing's vacant eyes. As she leaned on the bed, Yan Qing saw Yu Jingchen walk in.
"Help this consort up," Yan Qing said weakly. Si Ying helped her off the bed.
Yu Jingchen merely glanced at her and said nothing. Yan Qing looked so frail that standing was likely a struggle.
"Your servant pays her respects to His Majesty." Yan Qing's voice was hoarse as she knelt, swaying precariously.
Yu Jingchen gave her a casual glance, then sat down to the side without speaking. Yan Qing remained in her original posture, unmoving.
Si Ying watched her mistress, her heart filled with worry. She dared to speak, "Your Majesty, please forgive me. Due to the matter of Consort De these past few days, Your Ladyship has not had proper rest. Today, she fainted from exhaustion and developed a high fever. She has only just begun to recover. I beg Your Majesty's grace."
Yu Jingchen remained unmoved by her words. Just as Si Ying was about to plead further, Yan Qing spoke first, "Your servant has sinned. Your servant wrongly guessed His Majesty's thoughts. I beg Your Majesty to punish me."
Only then did Yu Jingchen look at her. Yan Qing raised her head, her pitiable appearance truly tugging at the heartstrings.
"Your servant had no other recourse... but to request His Majesty's presence in this manner." Yan Qing knelt with perfect posture.
"Speak," Yu Jingchen uttered the word softly.
"Your Majesty, I beg Your Majesty to take pity. Your servant will do anything Your Majesty commands. Your servant is willing to do anything for Your Majesty. I only ask that Your Majesty bestow two parts of your compassion upon me." Yan Qing spoke very directly.
Yu Jingchen gazed at her, his eyes deep and unreadable, revealing neither pleasure nor displeasure.
"Your servant does not seek Your Majesty's genuine affection. Your servant knows that Your Majesty holds deep affection for Consort Shu, and therefore, your servant dares not aspire to Your Majesty's favor. However... as Noble Consort, Your servant asks that Your Majesty grant your servant the dignity befitting a Noble Consort."
"Your servant understands what Your Majesty values. The matters of the palace are exceedingly complex. Consort Shu is simple-minded and unfamiliar with the ways of the world. Even Your Majesty cannot guarantee you can manage everything perfectly. But your servant can. As Noble Consort, and having managed the inner palace for so long, your servant can help Your Majesty look after Consort Shu."
"Your servant also understands Your Majesty's feelings towards Noble Consort. The palace is too complicated, and Consort Shu needs support. Ultimately... for that position, Consort Shu also needs your servant." Yan Qing directly invoked Nan Zhiyun's name. Yu Jingchen listened without reacting.
Yan Qing felt a pang of worry, but there was no other choice. This was the best path.
"Your Majesty... do you know how overjoyed I was when I learned I would enter the Eastern Palace? Your servant was one of the earliest to accompany Your Majesty. When I first entered the Eastern Palace, for a period, I was fortunate enough to receive Your Majesty's favor. At that time, I was overjoyed, believing Your Majesty truly held some affection for me..."
"But later, with new arrivals, Your Majesty seemed to forget me and never came again. The women around Your Majesty grew more numerous, and it was as if I had never appeared in Your Majesty's heart. Later, when Your Majesty ascended the throne, I had actually given up hope, but I never expected Your Majesty to grant me a noble consort title. I thought Your Majesty still remembered me... but in the end, it was all my own wishful thinking." Yan Qing recalled past memories.
"Your servant did not ask for much before, only hoping for a place by Your Majesty's side. But those were ultimately my own delusions. Your servant always knew Your Majesty did not wish for me to bear imperial heirs. Your servant always knew that the contents of those meals were Your Majesty's doing. But your servant did not mind, because your servant understood Your Majesty's concerns and Your Majesty's predicament..."
"Your servant has never blamed Your Majesty, but... your servant is a person, a person who gets disappointed and gives up. Ever since entering the palace, I have been disappointed every day. With too much disappointment, I have come to accept it." Yan Qing lowered her eyes. What was the use of dwelling on the past?
"Your Majesty, can you, in consideration of our past affections, grant me this request?" Yan Qing's eyes welled with tears. Yu Jingchen looked at Yan Qing, remaining silent for a long time.
Past affections? Hearing her mention it, Yu Jingchen recalled. In the very beginning... he had indeed favored Yan Qing somewhat. Compared to others, Yan Qing was more genuine and sensible, knew her boundaries, and was content. Therefore, he didn't mind showing her a little more favor, but it was only that small amount of favor.
Later, after he ascended the throne, he knew Yan Qing was a clever woman, and she did possess some abilities. He wasn't too averse to her, so he granted her a consort title.
"Your Highness does not remember Qing'er, then can Your Majesty remember your servant?" Yan Qing asked him.
Yu Jingchen remained silent. After a long pause, just as Yan Qing was about to lose her resolve, Yu Jingchen finally spoke.
"You are indeed clever, so you should know what you need to do. I can agree to this, but you must know that this is entirely for Consort Shu." Yu Jingchen stood up.
"As long as you perform to my satisfaction, I can grant you the dignity of Noble Consort and the power and status you desire, but these things will depend on how much ability you can demonstrate," Yu Jingchen said.
"Yes... Your servant will certainly not disappoint Your Majesty." Yan Qing finally felt her heart settle upon hearing this response.
However...
"Your Majesty, this time with Yingyue... and the matter of Consort De involving the Eldest Princess... your servant is unwilling to accept this..." Yan Qing still had reservations.
"Present what you have found. I will look at it before deciding." Yu Jingchen replied. The Eldest Princess... he knew her temperament when he sent her to Consort De. He thought Consort De could manage her well, but he hadn't expected such an outcome...
"Yes," Yan Qing could only lower her head and agree.
"Very well, this matter ends here," Yu Jingchen prepared to leave.
"Yes, your servant respectfully sees Your Majesty off." Yan Qing did not try to keep him.
Yu Jingchen did not look back. Yan Qing watched him go, knowing that this time, there was truly no turning back. She would make sure she lived well, so well that everyone would look up to her. She would ensure her Yingyue could rest in peace...