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

Chu Nianci suppressed the urge to smile and quickly knelt down to kowtow, saying apologetically, "Your Majesty, I am of humble appearance, of no use to the imperial lineage, and have not yet served the emperor. I am truly unworthy of such imperial favor."

The emperor replied, "Since I say you are worthy of it, you are certainly worthy of it. You have saved my life and rendered meritorious service to the country. If I do not reward you for such merit, wouldn't the world laugh at me for being heartless and ungrateful?"

Chu Nianci's bright red lips, slightly upturned, could not hide her joy.

She had longed for this title and was completely satisfied. Duanmu Qingyu's scheming and calculations were nothing more than a monarch's self-preservation. In terms of his clear distinction between rewards and punishments, he was far better than Lin Jingrui. In the past, she had exhausted her efforts for Lin Jingrui, only to be met with cold-heartedness and perfunctory words in return. In comparison, Duanmu Qingyu could be considered loyal and righteous, and clear about gratitude and resentment.

This is no less important than a mere attendant or a concubine.

Those ranks in the palace are like weeds and flowers, nothing more than high-ranking servants. They don't even have the right to live alone in a hall, and anyone can step on them.

A benefactor is a watershed moment.

A noble lady can reside in a side hall, accompanied by nannies and maids. She is already a proper mistress, and others would have to think twice before trying to take advantage of her.

Upon hearing of such a generous reward, Li De'an's heart trembled slightly.

Just as he was about to speak up to dissuade her, Duanmu Qingyu continued, "Since Hui'er likes the flowers in Plum Blossom Grove, then move twenty green plum trees to her. Also, I remember there is a set of Vajra Feather Drill Head Masks in my private treasury. Go find them and send them to her as well."

Duanmu Qingyu was generous with his rewards to the women he took a liking to.

Gold and silver jewelry were nothing to him but a person's heart. He had thought about what he should give her before, and now, looking into her bright eyes, he suddenly remembered that dazzling piece of jewelry.

Li De'an could not hide his shock... That set of headdresses was a rare tribute from overseas, which the Empress and Consort Shu had coveted for a long time, but His Majesty had never given it a chance. Now, he was going to bestow it upon Consort Hui.

Duanmu Qingyu glanced at him indifferently: "What, can't I order you around anymore?"

Li De'an frowned and said with a solemn expression, "I understand that His Majesty loves Consort Hui. However, she has been promoted to the rank of Noble Lady and given precious jewelry before she has even served the Emperor. Moreover, her living quarters are cramped. How can she possibly grow those twenty plum trees? Such a grand reward will only make her the target of jealousy. It would be better to give her some gold and silver and reward her more generously when she makes a contribution in the future."

Duanmu Qingyu turned his head to the side, his breath weak but his tone steady: "She has saved the emperor's life, so it is only right to bestow favor upon her. Even if she is not granted a title or reward, she will still attract attention. Why not go all the way and give her this favor? Her current residence is cramped. After I discuss it with the Empress, we will reassign her to a new palace."

Li De'an was startled again, and then he understood.

It seems His Majesty is already preparing to personally bestow a palace upon her.

He never cared about these matters of the inner palace; in the past, these things were done by the Empress.

Duanmu Qingyu paused slightly, then said, "Since you have received this favor, you must be able to withstand the storms. If you are truly a delicate flower that cannot withstand the storms, you are not worthy to stay and serve by my side."

Upon hearing this, Li De'an's regard for Consort Hui increased even more, and he smiled, "Consort Hui, His Majesty truly treats you differently."

Having said that, he said no more and said, "This servant will go and do it now."

Chu Nianci was excited and couldn't help but step forward and gently hold his jade-like hand.

Her eyes were gentle and expressive, brimming with tears.

Duanmu Qingyu looked up and was met with her bright and charming smile, as beautiful as a willow in spring, and couldn't help but be captivated by her.

Upon seeing this, Physician Zhang hurriedly kowtowed and took his leave to prepare the herbal medicine... Although the person had woken up, he still needed medicine to reduce the fever in order to stabilize his condition.

Li De'an, knowing the situation, withdrew.

There were medicine boys waiting outside the hall, and soon the medicine was served.

Chu Nianci picked up the medicine bowl and simply sat on the edge of the couch, gently helping him up so that he could lean against her arm. Duanmu Qingyu's breath was weak, and at this moment he was as obedient as a Fushan doll, letting her pick him up and put him in her arms to knead and roll him.

Duanmu Qingyu leaned against her, his face as pale as an udumbara flower in the dark night. Chu Nianci reached out and wiped her eyes. Thinking of the thrilling journey tonight and the unexpectedly generous reward, her eyes couldn't help but well up with tears.

He noticed her shoulders trembling slightly. After a moment of silence, he coughed lightly and asked, "You've been granted the title of Noble Lady, you should be happy. Why are your eyes red?"

Chu Nianci said in a muffled voice, "I have been keeping watch all night. I am exhausted and sleepy, and my eyes are bloodshot."

"Look up and let me see you."

Chu Nianci stiffened, wiped her face haphazardly on her sleeve, and then stubbornly raised her head to glare at him.

Duanmu Qingyu looked at her obviously moist and slightly red eyes, her eyelashes still wet and clumped together like begonia petals in the rain, and his heart softened. He was about to speak when he coughed again.

Chu Nianci put down the spoon and gently patted his back. Once he calmed down, she picked up the medicine again, tested the temperature on her own lips first, and then put it to his lips.

Duanmu Qingyu smelled the bitter medicine, shook his head, and refused to open his mouth.

Chu Nianci stared intently at him.

Knowing he disliked bitterness, she said softly, "Your Majesty, when I was young, I saw my aunt was sick and refused to drink her medicine, so my uncle fed her the medicine by holding it in his mouth. If you don't open your mouth, I will have no choice but to do the same."

Upon hearing this, Duanmu Qingyu felt a flush of embarrassment and anger at her ears, and was about to reprimand her for her insolence.

A spoonful of medicine was quickly fed into his mouth.

Before he could even taste the bitterness, a second spoonful was brought in.

Whenever he frowned as if to complain, Chu Nianci would lightly press the medicine spoon to her lips and look at him with a half-smile.

Before he knew it, the bowl of medicine was almost empty. The medicine was taking effect, and a thin layer of sweat gradually appeared on Duanmu Qingyu's body.

It was not a good time to bathe, so Chu Nianci used a handkerchief to gently wipe him dry.

"Let me lie down," he said softly.

The two were sticky with sweat when they were close together, which was really uncomfortable.

Chu Nianci helped him slowly lie back down on the pillow.

"Your Majesty, please rest. I will stay by your side," Chu Nianci said.

Although he was weak, he was not sleepy. Looking at the stray strands of hair that were slightly hanging down on her forehead, he unconsciously reached out and touched them, his cool hand gently stroking the loose strands of hair at her temples.

Chu Nianci felt itchy in waves, lowered her head and chuckled very softly, then looked up at him.

Seeing that his cheeks were no longer so red and his fever was slowly subsiding, his clear, jade-like eyes held a faint light, as watery as a still lake in Taiye Pond.

"Even if I really pass away, you don't need to worry about your future," Duanmu Qingyu said in a low voice. "I have actually given Li De'an a secret decree that if that day really comes, I will allow you to return to the south."

Chu Nianci's heart skipped a beat.

It's impossible not to be moved by these words.

He lowered his eyes and thought silently, "At least I didn't choose the wrong person to serve."

But, return to Jiangnan?

She knew better than anyone that this was just wishful thinking.

How could the Empress and Lin Jingrui allow her to leave peacefully with her dowry?

I fear that disaster will strike before the person even leaves the capital.

"I will not leave you," Chu Nianci said softly, gently stirring the last bit of medicine in the Ru kiln porcelain bowl.

She remained silent for a moment before slowly speaking: "Your Majesty, I will never leave you. I will stay by your side for the rest of my life, whether you are young or old, strong or frail. My only wish in life is to look up to you for the rest of my life."

She spoke these words much more fluently and frankly than she had in the snowy forest that night. Although she felt a little guilty, there was no trace of embarrassment on her face.

Since sweet talk doesn't cost anything, and men can use it to control women, why can't she use it too?

She gently pressed her face against the edge of his bed, gazing at his handsome, pale profile, and said, "Of course, whether I can stay with you forever is not something I can control, but as long as you don't abandon me, I will stay here. Thank you for not forgetting to arrange a way out for me just now... I will remember this kindness."

After he finished speaking, the hall fell silent for a moment, with only the sound of the cold wind whistling through the eaves outside the window.

The red charcoal in the cauldron crackled and popped, and the room was filled with the warmth of her slightly hot words. Duanmu Qingyu gazed at her face, and Chu Nianci, without flinching, also gazed at him silently.

After a long while, Duanmu Qingyu silently withdrew his gaze.

"Your Majesty, I have another matter to ask you," Chu Nianci said, leaning on the edge of the bed and looking at him.

"Go ahead," Duanmu Qingyu said.

"Please keep the fact that I performed acupuncture on you a secret," Chu Nianci said.

Duanmu Qingyu understood at a glance and nodded slightly, saying, "I will issue a gag order, forbidding anyone from spreading this."

After all, it was too astonishing for a woman to possess such medical skills, and it was not something she could publicize everywhere.

Duanmu Qingyu nodded slightly.

Chu Nianci smiled, her posture lying on the edge of the bed was not comfortable, but she was extremely tired. Now the room was warm and cozy, and the heavy weight on her heart was lifted. She felt a rare sense of peace and began to doze off.

Just as she was about to drift off to sleep, a cool, slightly damp hand gently covered the top of her head.

Duanmu Qingyu's voice rang in my ears, as light as a feather: "I know your intentions."

At night, Chu Nianci leaned against the bed, unable to sleep soundly because she was worried about his illness.

In her daze, she vaguely heard Jingxi's lowered voice: "Your Majesty, we have caught five traitors who were spying on the palaces. They include the Empress Dowager, the Empress, Consort Shu, and people who colluded with the former dynasty's noble families. They have been placed under guard and will be sent to the Imperial Laundry in a few days to be dealt with one by one. These people are still alive in the archives, and we can't find any clues about them."

Chu Nianci closed her eyes, but her palms were sweaty.

These treacherous lackeys deserved their fate.

She secretly rejoiced that she had finally chosen the right path this time.

The next day, after the snow cleared, the sky was so bright it was dazzling. The news that the emperor had caught a cold and had suspended court spread like wildfire throughout the palace.

Also spreading was the news that Chu Nianci had assisted Imperial Physician Zhang in his diagnosis and treatment and had been promoted to the rank of Noble Lady.

Some were puzzled, some were shocked, and many more secretly harbored resentment.

But more than that, the concubines were concerned about the emperor's health.

Although the Empress Dowager was feeling unwell due to a cough, she still sent her steward, Zhu Qing, to visit her, but he was turned away.

Two days later, the Empress came to attend to the sick woman early in the morning, and Consort Shu arrived almost at the same time... She was worried about the news from the Prime Minister's residence. After Consort Yu was deposed, the Grand Commandant's residence had obtained the Empress Dowager's permission to send their legitimate daughter into the palace.

Compared to a newly appointed noblewoman, the entry of the Grand Commandant's legitimate daughter into the palace clearly posed a greater threat to her.

Before long, Consort Jia, Consort Yue, and Noble Lady Lan also arrived at the Hall of Mental Cultivation to pay their respects.

The group was waiting in the side hall. Li De'an dared not delay and hurriedly went in to announce their arrival.

At this moment, most people are actually wondering who will be the next to gain favor since the emperor has recently neglected the empress.

Unexpectedly, a mere concubine beat him to it and was directly promoted to the rank of Noble Lady.

So when Chu Nianci left the bedchamber, she looked up and saw several cold gazes staring intently at her.

If looks could kill, she would probably be riddled with holes by now...