For now, regardless of what the Eighth Prince was thinking inside.

Amidst gold, stone, warm jade, emerald green silk, and gauze, and under the gaze of numerous rather complex looks, An Ning quickly completed the investiture ceremony, officially becoming one of the only two Imperial Noble Consorts in the palace.

In October, the autumn wind was slightly cool, and the osmanthus flowers held their fragrance.

It had only been a few months since the imperial carriage departed, and the palace was unusually peaceful.

At noon, An Ning was curled up on the couch, trying out the new Jade Countenance Cream from the Imperial Hospital, when she suddenly heard news from outside the door that a eunuch was requesting an audience, saying he was sent by the Crown Prince’s order.

The Crown Prince? On the couch, An Ning couldn’t help but pause for a moment, the book she was holding slowly set down.

Why would the Crown Prince send someone now? Ever since the imperial carriage left, to avoid suspicion, he normally wouldn’t set foot in the rear palace areas.

Even his close eunuchs were the same.

Could something really have happened? Despite her earlier specific orders to the Imperial Hospital to prepare insect-repelling sachets and all arrangements being quite meticulous.

Silently lamenting that someone’s luck was just terrible, An Ning quickly selected several highly skilled imperial physicians from the Imperial Hospital, along with necessary supplies, closely following behind the Crown Prince and several other princes who had gone to visit the sick…

Then, while ordering people to inquire about that person’s condition and comfort the palace consorts who came seeking information, she immediately issued orders to strictly punish those spreading rumors and causing trouble in the palace…

In short, with command after command, the turmoil that quickly arose in the palace due to His Majesty’s serious illness subsided at an incredible speed.

“As expected of Consort Chen…”

Recalling that figure in his mind, pure as snow and soul-like, and because of Suo’etu’s various remarks not long ago, Yinreng’s briefly feverish brain instantly cooled down before departure.

Consort Chen Mother is a delicate woman with no children and no family background; if something unfortunate truly happened to the Emperor, it would be most disadvantageous for her. Yet, even in such an unfavorable situation, she could remain so composed and calm…

Facing the slightly cool morning breeze, Yinreng’s heart quickly settled.

Unfortunately, this composure was soon shattered:

“Wait, what did you say?”

At the Palace of Eternal Spring, after bathing, An Ning was just about to enjoy a good sleep when, the next second, the vermilion gate outside the Palace of Eternal Spring was knocked on once again:

“Replying to Your Highness the Imperial Noble Consort, His Majesty specifically ordered this servant to fetch you to go over…”

An Ning: “…”

Ordering someone to temporarily hand over palace affairs to Noble Consort Wen at the Palace of Heavenly Favor, after getting ready, on the official road, perhaps having received the news, the Crown Prince along with his third and fourth younger brothers were already waiting early at the spot.

Seeing the arrival, everyone couldn’t help but pause for a moment. Perhaps because she left in a hurry, the person before them didn’t wear many ornaments, and even her clothing was rather simple and practical.

A set of sky-blue riding attire made of cloud-patterned brocade was equally neat and efficient, with not much embroidery on it, yet it somehow gave off a cleansing aura like a clear lotus after rain. With just one glance, it made one feel as if they were in the scenic water towns of Jiangnan.

As the person approached, even the air seemed to carry a faint lotus fragrance.

It was a completely different feeling compared to her previous dazzling pearl-like brilliance and transcendent, peerless aura.

The Emperor truly has it good…

More than one person present thought this.

Not far away, Yin Zhen, who was only twelve or thirteen and clearly lacking in composure, nearly blushed. Fortunately, during this period, to make up for deficiencies in riding and archery, he had tanned considerably, so nothing was noticeable now. Only his hand gripping the reins unconsciously tightened a lot.

After simple greetings, the Third Prince, having reacted, hurriedly spoke:

“Consort Chen Mother, the journey there isn’t short. Perhaps us brothers should go first…”

Unfortunately, before he finished speaking, he saw the person before him had already mounted her horse. That efficiency, so clearly mismatched with her appearance, made the Third Prince’s words of concern get stuck in his throat.

“Third Prince, rest assured, I will not delay your journey.”

Accompanied by a light, rising whip crack, until the figure before them quickly disappeared, the Third Prince was almost unable to react for a moment.

It was the Crown Prince nearby who coughed lightly, his expression somewhat complex, saying:

“Third Brother, you might not know, but Consort Chen Mother’s riding skills were personally taught by the Emperor. I doubt anything major will happen.”

Saying this, he similarly cracked his whip, vigorously galloping towards the direction of the traveling palace.

Another group of guards hurriedly followed behind.

Yinzhi: “…”

Rushing as fast as they could, by the time the group reached the traveling palace, it was already dawn the next day. After briefly asking a few questions behind the screen and seeing that the person was temporarily not in serious danger, An Ning then ordered attendants to help her freshen up.

When she returned, in front of the imperial couch, the Third Prince was crying his eyes out, a complete mess of tears and mucus. That infinitely mournful tone, that completely image-less behavior, nearly made Yin Zhen, whose eyes were red nearby, and Yinreng, not far away, who, though worried, still tried his best to maintain the crown prince’s demeanor, seem like they were in the dirt by comparison.

Not to mention An Ning, who had only just arrived now.

Wow, what a terrifying comparison group.

Based on her understanding of this person, An Ning could easily tell that although his expression hadn’t changed on the surface, he had probably already mentally noted down countless little memos…

Fortunately, with An Ning, as long as she herself didn’t feel guilty, no one could make her feel guilty. Under the gaze from the person on the couch that occasionally fell upon her, after paying her respects, An Ning first summoned the imperial physicians and carefully inquired about the situation.

A few moments later.

Looking at the man on the couch who was still somewhat drowsy but whose gaze held a trace of sharpness, An Ning couldn’t help but feel speechless.

She knew it, her previous preparations wouldn’t be completely useless.

In fact, even with vague descriptions, combined with this person’s condition, An Ning could still easily see that his current illness only looked more severe on the surface, but as long as they were careful, it was hardly a problem at all.

It was just a slightly severe case of the common cold.

However, she was all too familiar with the imperial physicians’ style of amplifying a three-point issue to seven or eight, even twelve points, and she had no intention of saying much about it.

She simply turned and gave a few brief instructions to Liang Jiugong nearby.

Before long, all the fabric materials in the bedchamber were replaced, and fresh green chrysanthemums were placed again on the windowsill, their dewy leaves and branches glistening brilliantly in the morning light.

Whether it was because there were more people or not, in just a short while, the entire room seemed to brighten up.

It must be said, although greatly surprised, her calm attitude like this ultimately helped those serving before the emperor to barely calm down somewhat.

At least it wasn’t like before, where anxiety couldn’t be hidden even with attempts to conceal it, and the whole room was frighteningly silent.

It’s just that the atmosphere was somewhat strangely eerie, even the Third Prince’s “heart-wrenching” sobs nearby couldn’t help but stop…

After several highly filial sons competed to feed medicine and diligently serve, it was already quite late. Seeing that their Emperor’s gaze still occasionally looked towards the screen, the group, led by the Crown Prince, quickly tactfully withdrew.

After everyone had left, An Ning then walked out from behind the screen with somewhat heavy steps.

Feeling he had passed through life and death, Kangxi’s gaze on the couch already held more solemnity as he stared fixedly at the approaching person. Just as Kangxi on the couch was about to say something, he saw the woman opposite him skillfully take off her shoes and socks, climb onto another soft couch not far away near the windowsill.

And with particular naturalness, she called for palace servants to bring a brand new set of bedding. Finally, she turned her head and spoke to the person opposite:

“Your Majesty, your servant is truly tired now. If you have something to say, you can wait until your servant wakes up later…”

As she spoke, she let out another small yawn, her exceptionally beautiful big eyes teary and dazed, saying:

“That, or… maybe you should also sleep for a while first…”

Before the person opposite could even respond, she automatically lay down on the couch and closed her eyes. In just a few seconds, the sound of even breathing could be heard in the room…

Kangxi: “…”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep