Chapter 69

Chapter 69: Zhen Huan Chronicles, An Ling Rong

Noble Lady Cao brought her maid safely back to Xi Xia Pavilion. “Watch your mouth.” Noble Lady Cao warned her in a low voice. “If this gets out, you’ll die, and you’ll drag down a whole lot of people.”

“From now on, you are to forget this completely, understand?” “Yes, my lady.” Yin Chang nodded, then asked, “My lady, Sister Yin Xiu…”

“Best not tell anyone at all.” Noble Lady Cao glared at her. “The more people who know, the more dangerous it becomes.”

“We bury this in our hearts. Maybe in the future…”

She had barely said that when her expression stiffened. Her sharp eyes locked onto Yin Chang. “Yin Chang, why did you urge me to go out to clear my head?”

“My lady, didn’t you say you were upset and wanted to take a walk?” Yin Chang looked stunned. “This maid only followed your meaning and said that since there aren’t many people out at night, you could walk nearby to relax.” “I really don’t know anything!”

“Yin Chang, you and Yin Xiu have served me since the manor.” Noble Lady Cao drew a deep breath and said heavily, “I have always treated you as confidants and have hidden nothing from you.” “If one day I find that you dare betray and sell me out, I will make you and your family wish you were dead!”

“This maid would never dare!” Yin Chang dropped to her knees at once and swore, “My lady, this maid is absolutely loyal.” “If I ever betray my lady, may I die a terrible death.”

“Get up.” Noble Lady Cao’s face softened, and she added, “Remember what I said.” “I will, my lady.” Yin Chang rose to her feet.

“Attend me to sleep.” “Yes!”

… Days flew by. In the blink of an eye, a few more days passed. In one courtyard, the nine-year-old Fourth Prince was not studying. His eyes flickered as if he were plotting something.

“Concubine Xin hardly ever leaves Shui Tian Yi Se.” The Fourth Prince muttered, “It’s hard to see her once, and seeing the boy-girl twins is even harder.”

“Your Highness isn’t going to keep asking to see the Empress?” The little eunuch beside him could not help speaking up. “If Your Highness is worried the Empress still won’t summon you, why not ask to see Noble Consort Hua?”

“Noble Consort Hua is favored and holds palace power. I heard Noble Consort Hua’s brother, Nian Geng Yao, is also a great general.”

“This prince knows.” The Fourth Prince’s eyes flashed with longing and hatred. “It’s not that this prince doesn’t want to ask to see Noble Consort Hua.”

“The dog servants by her side are just like the dog servants by the Empress’s side. They won’t report for this prince, and they deliberately say she’s busy.” “Even seeing her once is hard.”

“Don’t worry, Your Highness.” Xiao Wu Zi comforted him. “There are so many favored consorts. Your Highness will surely find a kind-hearted consort.”

“The others…” The Fourth Prince hesitated, a helplessness creeping into his voice. “None of them are as suitable as the Empress and Noble Consort Hua.”

“What Your Highness says is right.” Xiao Wu Zi nodded. “The Empress is the legal mother of all the princes and princesses.”

“If she were willing to raise Your Highness, Your Highness would be a legitimate son, with the most honored status – no one could compare. Even the Emperor’s favorite Sixth Prince of the boy-girl twins would not be as honored as Your Highness.”

“The Empress is unwilling to see this prince even once.” The Fourth Prince looked regretful. “For her to agree to raise this prince… how could it be easy?”

“Your Highness, there’s still Noble Consort Hua.” Xiao Wu Zi continued. “Noble Consort Hua also has no children, and she has General Nian backing her.” “If Your Highness became Noble Consort Hua’s adopted son, it would be the same as having the Nian family’s support…”

“This prince of course knows.” The Fourth Prince’s face darkened again. “She and the Empress are the most suitable.” “Right now, this prince can only find a chance to see them…”

… On this day, the Empress – who usually did not like going out – rarely felt like strolling. She brought a group of maids and eunuchs and walked out of Tao Hua Cove, admiring the garden scenery as she went. Jian Qiu and Hui Chun were at her side, chatting and cracking little jokes. The Empress’s mood grew even better.

They passed by the lotus pond and headed for a pavilion to rest. Just then, a figure suddenly rushed out, dropped to his knees in front of her, and kowtowed hard. “This son Hong Li pays respects to Imperial Mother! May Imperial Mother be blessed and at peace!”… The Empress’s smile froze on her face.

She had never imagined that Fourth Prince Hong Li would show up at a time like this. There was no way to avoid seeing him.

“Fourth Prince, get up.” The Empress restored a faint smile and asked softly, “It looks like you’ve grown a bit taller.” “Have you gone to pay your respects to your imperial father?”

“Replying to Imperial Mother, this son goes to Qin Zheng Hall every day to pay respects to Imperial Father.” The Fourth Prince raised his head, his eyes full of grievance. “It’s just that Imperial Father is very busy and has no time to see this son.” “Imperial Mother, can this son come pay you respects every day?”

“No need for that.” The Empress smiled awkwardly. “You are still young. Your main task is to read and study.”

“Don’t waste your precious time. If there is a chance to meet, then greeting me is enough.” “Imperial Mother…”

“Be a good boy, Fourth Prince. Go back and study.” The Empress’s face lost its smile, and her tone grew colder. “I have things to do, so I won’t keep you.”

“Jiang Fu Hai, hurry and send the Fourth Prince back.” “Yes!” Jiang Fu Hai stepped forward at once, bending and saying, “Fourth Prince, please.” “Imperial Mother, this son has a request!”

After so much effort to see the Empress once, how could the Fourth Prince let her go? He kowtowed desperately. “Imperial Mother, this son hopes that when we return to the palace, I can study in the Imperial Study Hall.” “Please grant it, Imperial Mother!”

“Fourth Prince!” The Empress’s expression turned stern. “I cannot decide this matter for the Emperor.”

“If the Fourth Prince has a request, you should go to the Emperor. The Emperor will arrange your affairs.” “I manage the consorts of the harem and cannot overstep by arranging the Fourth Prince. Go back!”

After speaking, the Empress prepared to leave. “Imperial Mother…” In his panic, the Fourth Prince instinctively reached out and grabbed her hem. The Empress, who had just turned and stepped forward, never expected him to do that. With one tug and one pull, neither force was strong, like dragging on something.

The Fourth Prince was pulling, and the Empress was stepping away. Both of them felt the tug. The Empress did not have time to say anything. The Fourth Prince’s mind went blank, and he released her at once.

The Empress, wearing flower-pot shoes, was not yet steady. She never expected the Fourth Prince to suddenly let go, and she had no guard at all. The Empress lost control and slammed toward the ground, sprawling flat on her face. “Ah!”

The Empress let out a terrified scream! It happened too fast. In the blink of an eye – Bang! The Empress had already fallen to the ground.

The maids and eunuchs present were scared out of their wits. “Ah!”

“Imperial Mother!” “Her Majesty the Empress!” “Your Majesty!” Only then did everyone seem to react.

“Oof, it hurts… it hurts so much, my belly hurts!” The Empress ignored the pain in her body and clutched her stomach, screaming nonstop. “Jian Qiu, it hurts so much!”

“Go get the imperial doctor, quickly! Summon the imperial doctor!”

“The sedan! Hurry and bring the sedan! Take Her Majesty back to Tao Hua Cove first!” “Your Majesty, this servant will help you up first!”

“No – Her Majesty is bleeding!” “What happened? How could Your Majesty…”

… Wracked with pain, the Empress seemed to realize something. With shock and fury crashing together, she could no longer hold on. Her head lolled to one side, and she fainted from anger.