As a result, Yu Jingchen had them stand outside for an entire night. They were wearing only thin undergarments, and it was snowing outside, even freezing thick ice. However, Yu Jingchen remained unmoved. By the next morning, the person was frozen stiff and had lost their breath.
"Yes," Xinglai replied and withdrew.
That night, Yu Jingchen did not go to Nanzhiyun's chambers but instead went to the Consort's palace.
"Your Ladyship, allow this servant to help you change. His Majesty will be here soon," said one of the Consort's attendants.
"There's no need. His Majesty is unlikely to be in the mood. Why bother with all this effort?" the Consort sat expressionlessly before the dressing mirror.
"Your Ladyship, in this palace, one must have favor. Since it is still early, you should first have a child," the attendant said earnestly.
"A child? How can there be a child? Is this something I alone can decide?" the Consort asked with an unruffled demeanor.
"Your Ladyship must also be proactive. Every time His Majesty visits, you are always indifferent. How can His Majesty be interested? Your Ladyship, you are still young, you must think more for yourself," they said, expressing their concern.
"Forget it. There's nothing to fight for. With so many people in the harem, fighting back and forth, won't I be the one suffering in the end?" The Consort looked at her reflection in the mirror, and with her other hand, she touched her abdomen, saying no more.
"Your Ladyship..." The attendant beside her was full of worry.
"Even if I had one, I wouldn't be able to keep it..." the Consort said lightly.
She was an old retainer of the Eastern Palace and had been pregnant before. However, around seven months, she lost the child. The imperial physician said the fetus was underdeveloped and it was a natural miscarriage.
"Your Ladyship, you cannot dwell on the past. You must look forward," the attendant serving her naturally understood the Consort's difficulties.
"Enough, let's not speak of these matters for now." The Consort stood up from her seat.
When Yu Jingchen arrived, the Consort, with great composure, came out of the room to greet him.
"Your humble concubine greets His Majesty," the Consort performed a respectful curtsey.
"Rise," Yu Jingchen's tone was indifferent. He walked past without even glancing at her. The Consort was helped up by those beside her, her expression unchanging.
Upon entering the room, Yu Jingchen was already being assisted by his attendants to change his attire.
"Rest," Yu Jingchen said coldly. And so, it was another silent night, with both of them coexisting peacefully.
The next day
Yu Jingchen had morning court, and the Consort also rose early. She then began to help Yu Jingchen put on his court robes.
After Yu Jingchen left, the Consort watched him slowly disappear from her sight. She suddenly felt unsteady, her head spinning.
"Your Ladyship, what is wrong?" The attendant quickly supported her.
"I'm fine. Perhaps I didn't rest well," the Consort replied. She had been experiencing such episodes frequently lately.
"Perhaps this servant should send for an imperial physician to examine you?"
"No need. It's not a serious matter." The Consort waved her hand casually and then prepared to go inside.
However, just as she turned, she was suddenly overcome by a wave of dizziness, her vision went black, and she collapsed. She only heard panicked shouts from around her: "Consort!"
"Quick, go summon the imperial physician!" The attendants were in a panic.