You take on two husbands, I'll turn around and marry the tyrant and rule the world.

After Duanmu Qingyu finished speaking, he added, "The Empress likes peach blossom wine, remember to prepare it."

Jingxi responded, turned around and went inside, took out the mahogany box, and knelt down to the side.

Chu Nianci kept her head down and didn't look in that direction at all.

Duanmu Qingyu swayed slightly, then lay back down, her weary gaze sweeping over the three people in front of her...

"What happened tonight," Duanmu Qingyu said calmly, looking at the dragon-scale canopy with its scroll pattern, "is over."

As soon as he finished speaking, he coughed a few more times and ordered the imperial physician and Tuanyuan to be summoned in.

Chu Nianci stole a glance at him and saw that he was gently rubbing the jade thumb ring on his finger with two fingers.

She hurriedly and respectfully replied, "Reunion is still a bit confused, but I do," and Physician Zhang bowed his head in agreement.

Only Li De'an calmly responded and kowtowed, saying, "This old servant will immediately send someone to summon the Empress."

After saying this, he turned and glanced at his apprentice, Jingxi. Jingxi kowtowed and hurriedly left to inform the Empress.

Chu Nianci quickly understood the meaning after a moment's thought.

Duanmu Qingyu had just secured his position as emperor.

What I desire most is to maintain stability, not to investigate or delve into the matter. Keeping tonight's events a secret is to maintain the superficial peace within the palace.

Duanmu Qingyu's coughing gradually subsided, but a thin layer of sweat appeared on his pale forehead, and he closed his eyes slightly.

Chu Nianci quickly stepped forward, took out a handkerchief from her hand, and gently wiped his face.

The fragrance of the girl's cuffs and the smooth feel of silk gently relaxed his tightly furrowed brows.

Seeing that Duanmu Qingyu looked relaxed, Li De'an quickly said, "It's all thanks to Consort Hui's quick thinking today, otherwise things would have gotten out of hand and been difficult to handle."

After he finished speaking, he recounted what had just happened in detail, describing every single detail vividly.

When Duanmu Qingyu opened his eyes and looked at her, a hint of gentleness had appeared in his sharp eyes: "I didn't expect to need you so soon. Tell me, what would you like me to reward you with?"

Chu Nianci quickly bowed: "Your Majesty is the Son of Heaven, and is blessed by Heaven. That is why you were able to turn misfortune into good fortune. All that I have done is thanks to Your Majesty's good fortune. I do not seek any title or reward."

She deliberately softened her tone when she spoke the word "status".

It's not that I don't want a title or position, it's just that I've just been appointed as a Changzai.

If he were to be promoted to a higher rank at this point, he would inevitably attract unwanted attention from the court and become the target of public criticism.

Given his current strength and the emperor's relationship with him, it would be unwise for him to get involved in the concubines' rivalry.

Moreover, this achievement is not enough to earn her a high position, and she doesn't want to become a target of public criticism too early.

As a lowly concubine, she was as worthless as mud, someone anyone could trample on. She didn't want to end up like that.

Duanmu Qingyu glanced at her, a half-smile on his face.

He closed his eyes and remained still for a moment before gazing at the dragon pattern on the top of the tent and slowly said, "You are quite sensible. Since you do not care about fame, I will reward you with benefits... Consort Hui helped me find the cause of the illness, so I will bestow upon her a dragon-patterned jade pendant, an exquisite jade rockery bonsai, a pearl and kingfisher feather headdress, and an additional five hundred taels of silver."

Chu Nianci's heart skipped a beat.

The other rewards were quite ordinary, but this dragon-patterned jade pendant was extremely rare.

This item has always been bestowed only upon high-ranking female officials, serving as a kind of "protective charm" in the palace. Those who wear it do not need to kneel before those below the rank of concubine; they only need to curtsy. Such an honor has always been enjoyed only by those of the concubine rank.

A look of surprise and delight filled her eyes as she knelt down respectfully to express her gratitude.

She quickly knelt down properly to express her gratitude, saying softly, "Thank you for your great favor~" with a sweet trailing off.

Duanmu Qingyu took a breath and turned her gaze to Tuanyuan.

Upon noticing the low-ranking palace maid's clothes she was wearing, he said gently, "Consort Hui is very good at teaching people. Even the palace maids around her are so loyal and clever. Considering her merits this time, let her be promoted from a low-ranking palace maid to a third-rank palace maid. I heard that she especially loves good food, so let's add an extra dish to her meals from now on."

When Tuanyuan heard that there were many different dishes, he looked up in surprise and was almost blinded by his handsome smile.

From the moment she entered the palace, she was dazzled by the glittering decorations and the wide variety of desserts. Then, the little emperor's smile left her completely bewildered.

I didn't realize it for a moment and forgot to thank her.

It wasn't until Chu Nianci quietly tugged at her that she quickly kowtowed repeatedly to express her gratitude.

"Alright, everyone, you may leave." Duanmu Qingyu waved his hand gently, leaving only Li De'an by his side, and the others all withdrew.

As Chu Nianci left the palace, the night wind swirled fine snow, causing the copper bells under the eaves to ring softly.

Snowing.

The snowflakes fluttered down like feathers, and Tuanyuan hurriedly urged, "My lady, it's snowing, let's hurry back."

Chu Nianci nodded.

Tomorrow is Laba Festival.

Imperial Physician Zhang passed by, his gaze lingering on her for a moment, a thoughtful look in his eyes.

After what happened yesterday and tonight, even he, who was slow to notice, could see that... this woman was skilled in medicine, and quite accomplished at it.

But where did she get these skills from?

He was curious, but dared not ask the woman beside the emperor too many questions. He nodded slightly and walked out.

"Imperial Physician Zhang," Chu Nianci called out softly.

The old physician turned around, a hint of surprise on his face, but still bowed respectfully: "What are your orders, Miss Hui?"

Chu Nianci remembered clearly... In his previous life, Chu Shunqing had mentioned that this old imperial physician had suddenly resigned from his official post and returned to his hometown.

Later, during a banquet for the nobles, he vaguely heard that it was because of the crowds at the Laba Festival temple fair that Physician Zhang's wife and daughter were tragically trampled to death. Overnight, his hair turned white, and he was heartbroken. From then on, the Imperial Medical Academy lost a capable physician who could keep order in the face of danger.

If he were still alive, Duanmu Qingyu's illness might not have deteriorated so quickly.

Now that she wants to help the emperor, firstly, he may not believe her, and secondly, she has little chance of getting the job.

The most practical thing right now is to hope that the old doctor's family can get through tomorrow safely, especially since the old doctor's wife is the best midwife in the palace.

Building relationships in advance can be a backup plan for unforeseen circumstances.

Chu Nianci's expression was gentle and her tone soft: "You are a third-rank imperial physician, while I am only a sixth-rank palace attendant. According to etiquette, I should not accept your courtesy."

Even so, Physician Zhang understood that no one in the palace would dare to discuss rank with the emperor's women.

Physician Zhang simply said respectfully, "You're too kind, Miss Hui."

"This snow looks quite heavy. Tomorrow is Laba Festival. I heard there's a temple fair outside where people are giving out porridge and burning incense as offerings?" Chu Nianci asked casually.

"Yes." Physician Zhang nodded. These past two days, his only daughter had been insisting on going to the temple fair, and he was hesitating whether to let his wife and daughter go.

Chu Nianci stopped looking at him and instead whispered to Tuanyuan beside her, "I heard that a fire broke out in a neighboring county in Jiangnan one year on the eighth day of the twelfth lunar month..."

"Yes," Tuanyuan nodded immediately, her little face slightly pale, "They said that in the rush to get the offering porridge and sacrificial meat, people were jostling and trampling, killing and injuring many people..."

The words fell softly into the wind of the snowy night.

Physician Zhang paused, a cold sweat instantly breaking out on his back...

How could he forget that the Laba Festival temple fair is crowded with people every year, and there are precedents of people being trampled and injured while rushing to grab offerings.

If I really let my wife and daughter go to such a dangerous place...

Having spent many years in the Imperial Hospital and navigated the ups and downs of officialdom, he had long since developed a keen sense of awareness; how could he not hear the warning in the other person's words?

But he had no dealings with this Consort Hui, so why did she have to speak up and remind him?

The Imperial Medical Academy was well-informed and he had long known that Consort Hui and Physician Chu were sisters.

The physician Chu was impatient and had mediocre medical skills, but the man before him was exceptionally handsome yet calm and composed, and his medical skills and knowledge were far superior.

He took a deep breath, turned around and strode forward, bowing solemnly: "Thank you for your guidance, young master."

Chu Nianci's lips curved slightly, but when she looked up, her eyes revealed just the right amount of surprise: "Doctor Zhang, you flatter me. If there really is a disturbance at the temple fair tomorrow, the Relief Bureau will be too busy and will inevitably have to trouble you. If you could send a message to the patrol battalion in advance to prevent any problems from arising, wouldn't that be the best of both worlds?"

Physician Zhang understood and bowed again, saying, "Your Highness is kind. This old minister will go and inform the patrol battalion immediately."

Chu Nianci nodded slightly and said no more.

Over the years since entering the palace, Imperial Physician Zhang has witnessed countless concubines vying for favor, scheming against each other, and employing all sorts of tactics.

This was the first time he had ever met someone who cared so deeply about the poor and was even willing to remind a complete stranger.

It is truly rare to find such kindness even within the confines of the palace.

He silently remembered this kindness.

"Thank you, Miss Hui." He lowered his voice.

Chu Nianci's eyes were gentle, as if she were just mentioning it casually: "Why is Physician Zhang thanking me? It is because you care about the people. If you can have a peaceful Laba Festival, the people of the capital will remember your kindness."

Upon hearing this, the old imperial physician was deeply moved: "I have served in the Imperial Hospital for many years and rarely have I seen a master in the palace who cares about the suffering of the common people. With such kindness, Your Highness will surely enjoy long-lasting blessings, many children, and a long life."

Chu Nianci smiled slightly: "Thank you for your kind words, Imperial Physician."

She gave him peace.

He will reward himself with many children and much happiness.

Physician Zhang bowed again, having spent many years navigating the officialdom.

He understood that those who could survive in the palace were never as simple as they appeared, but those who held onto their original aspirations were all the more precious.

The snow continued to fall silently. He bowed again before turning and hurrying towards the other end of the palace road.

Chu Nianci, carrying Tuanyuan, descended the golden steps, when she heard faint footsteps approaching from afar. She looked up and saw Empress Lin Jingse hurrying towards her in her phoenix carriage...

Empress Lin sat regally in the sedan chair, her face full of pride.

Chu Nianci sneered inwardly. This empress didn't know that tonight, what awaited her was nothing but a dream, a humiliation.