Chapter 282: I Heard You Died
This novel is translated and hosted on BCatranslation
“Then you may leave,” Chief Minister Yuan cast a glance at him.
“Ah? Really? I can really go? For real? For real? I don’t have to take the exam?” Xie Yu Zhou beamed with joy, grinning ear to ear.
Yet, recalling Lu Chao Chao’s expression, he quickly masked his glee with a somber look.
“Personally escort the heir back home,” the Chief Minister instructed the bookboy beside him.
The little bookboy lowered his head and responded softly, “Yes.”
Xie Yu Zhou’s mouth twitched; he wanted to refuse, but fearing the teacher would take back his offer, he had no choice but to nod in agreement.
As soon as the Chief Minister looked away, he stuck out his tongue at his classmates and made a mischievous face before happily dashing out of the academy.
Lu Chao Chao had just stepped out of the main gate, his eyes darting around craftily.
[I’ll use my private stash to buy Grandmother a rosewood coffin as a sign of my filial piety. After all, thanks to her, I get three days off.]
Before he could even climb into the carriage, he spotted Xie Yu Zhou also coming out.
“Why are you leaving too?” Lu Chao Chao asked curiously.
Xie Yu Zhou lifted his chin. “My father died!”
“I’m going home for mourning! No exams for me!” He swayed his hips gleefully, as if he had a tail wagging behind him.
He cast Lu Chao Chao a smug look, as if to say: Don’t think you’re the only one getting out of the test!
Lu Chao Chao’s eyes widened in shock.
“Huh?”
“Then… then, my condolences.” Why did he look so happy about losing his father?
“Hmph! Your grandmother died, and the teacher gave you three days off. My father only gets me one day. How unfair!” Xie Yu Zhou grumbled, feeling his father was worth far too little.
Luckily, no exams meant no beatings.
As he huffed away, Lu Chao Chao’s face grew solemn.
“Prince Jing Xi is the Empress Dowager’s youngest son. Grandmother Dowager must be heartbroken.”
“Yu Shu, prepare two rosewood coffins.”
“One for Prince Jing Xi’s residence, the other for my grandmother’s wake.”
Soon enough, two pitch-black coffins paraded down the main street.
“Princess Sunshine, what is going on?” The Eldest Princess happened to be leaving the palace when she saw the two coffins trailing behind Lu Chao Chao’s sedan.
Lu Chao Chao pulled a long face. “Eldest Princess, my deepest condolences.”
“Just now, Brother Yu Zhou reported the passing of Prince Jing Xi. You must comfort Grandmother Dowager—she is already of advanced age, and she—hey, hey, hey, Aunt Princess!”
“Quick, quick, help Aunt Princess!” Lu Chao Chao nearly leaped out of the sedan in panic.
The Eldest Princess staggered back, gasping for breath, nearly collapsing on the spot.
Her head maid reacted swiftly, lunging forward to catch her just in time.
The Eldest Princess’ face turned deathly pale, her eyes vacant, sweat beading down her forehead. She suddenly trembled violently.
“Chao… Chao Chao, who did you say died?” Her face had lost all color.
She clutched Lu Chao Chao’s hands, on the verge of tears. “Chao Chao, who died?” Her voice cracked, almost sobbing.
“Just now, Brother Yu Zhou said Prince Jing Xi has passed. You… you must be strong.” Lu Chao Chao cautiously observed her.
The Eldest Princess turned to look at the maids behind Lu Chao Chao.
Yu Shu and Yu Qin exchanged glances before bowing. “Indeed, we heard the heir Yu Zhou say the prince has passed.”
However, his expression… something seemed off.
“Your Highness!” the maid called out in alarm.
The Eldest Princess could no longer stand; she slid straight to the ground.
“How could this be? How could this be?! Jing Xi was still so young! Heavens, how could you be so cruel?!”
“Oh no! What will Mother Empress do?! A white-haired mother burying her black-haired son—this will take her very life!” The Eldest Princess burst into sobs, her cries wrenching.
Even the maids and servants struggled to hold her up.
“Mother Empress! How do I explain this to her?!” Prince Jing Xi was in his prime; how could he be gone just like that?
“Just this morning, he was fine! How could he suddenly be gone?!” The Eldest Princess’ legs gave way, her hair coming undone in disarray. In her panic, she scrambled toward her carriage.
“I must return to the palace and report to Royal Brother! What should I do…” The Eldest Princess was utterly lost.
She hurriedly prepared to enter the palace.
“Chao Chao, Chao Chao… come with me! Mother Empress adores you—you must help comfort her!” The Eldest Princess refused to let go of Lu Chao Chao’s hand.
She was in complete disarray.
Lu Chao Chao sighed helplessly. “My grandmother passed too. I have to attend both wakes today.”
But seeing the Eldest Princess on the verge of tears, he relented.
“Alright, alright, stop crying. I’ll go see Emperor Daddy with you…” Lu Chao Chao sighed as he accompanied the Eldest Princess in a grand procession into the palace.
The Eldest Princess had already cried herself hoarse, her voice ragged. By the time they arrived, she was so weak she had to be carried into the hall by palace maids.
“Where is Emperor Daddy?” Lu Chao Chao asked.
“His Majesty is in the Imperial Study.”
The Southern Kingdom’s emissaries had just arrived, and the court was deep in discussion over diplomatic affairs.
“Princess Sunshine, Eldest Princess… what has happened?” Chief Eunuch Wang Yuan Lu moved to stop them but was taken aback by the sight of the Eldest Princess limp on the palace maid’s back, his brows furrowing.
“Quick, report to Royal Brother!” The Eldest Princess struggled to stand.
Her hair was disheveled, her eyes swollen from crying. She looked utterly miserable, her voice quivering.
Even the maid supporting her could feel her trembling violently.
“Jing Xi… has died.”
“Prince Jing Xi is gone.” The Eldest Princess choked out, her voice filled with agony.
Wang Yuan Lu’s head snapped up. His normally composed face twisted in shock.
He didn’t even have time to speak.
He spun on his heels and barged into the study.
“Your Majesty, Prince Jing Xi…” With a heavy thud, Wang Yuan Lu fell to his knees, his face ashen.
The Emperor stood by his desk, frowning slightly. “Jing Xi? What about him?”
Wang Yuan Lu’s lips pressed tight, his expression grave.
Sensing something amiss, the Emperor looked up. Wang Yuan Lu had served him for years, never once losing his composure. Yet now, his expression was so grim that the Emperor’s heart clenched.
“Your Majesty, please, stay strong.”
“Prince Jing Xi has passed.” Wang Yuan Lu bowed his head, his voice shaking.
Crash.
The tea cup in the Emperor’s hand shattered to pieces.
It felt as if all the strength had been drained from his body. He staggered and fell heavily onto the dragon throne.
“You—you, what did you just say?!” The Emperor pointed at Wang Yuan Lu, his voice hoarse.
Wang Yuan Lu wept. “The Eldest Princess and Princess Sunshine have personally come to report… Prince Jing Xi has passed!”
The officials in the study instantly knelt in unison.
“Your Majesty, please, stay strong!”
“The Empress Dowager!” A nanny’s panicked voice rang from outside.
The Eldest Princess and the Emperor’s faces turned dark as they rushed outside.
There, the Empress Dowager had collapsed in shock.
“Summon the imperial physicians!” The Emperor roared.
Golden needles pierced her pressure points, and the Empress Dowager suddenly gasped for breath.
She opened her eyes and wailed in anguish.
“My Jing Xi! My child!”
“Late Emperor! Jing Xi was your most beloved son! How could you be so cruel as to take him away?!” The Empress Dowager’s grief-filled wails echoed through the palace, casting a heavy shadow over all present.