CHAPTER 197: CHAPTER 197: THE END APPROACHES

Princess Consort Yi probably didn’t expect that the once graceful and serene woman now resembled a skeleton, completely devoid of vitality.

If not for the slight rise and fall of her chest, one might have thought she was no longer alive.

She frowned and looked at Princess Consort Lan, who also sensed someone’s presence beside her at that moment.

After forcing her eyes open, a flicker of resentment crossed her face.

Why is it that even though both are concubines, Princess Consort Yi always overshadows her?

Whether in the esteem of the harem or in offspring.

Now, one commands the entire harem from on high, while the other can only lie half-dead in bed.

But soon, her eyes filled with sorrow.

It is often said that a dying person’s words are kind.

Princess Consort Lan appeared extremely weak at this moment and said to Princess Consort Yi, haltingly.

"Your Majesty, this concubine... this concubine fears she won’t make it through this winter. I beg Your Majesty to allow my family kin to visit and, also, the Second Princess, she... I haven’t seen her yet since she was born."

After saying this, she collapsed onto the bed, gasping for breath.

This look was so pitiful that even someone as heartless as Princess Consort Yi could see she wouldn’t live long.

Thus, she felt a twinge of compassion.

"I can approve your family entering the palace, but regarding the Second Princess, I have no authority. Since her birth, she’s narrowly escaped death several times. The Imperial Physicians said she probably won’t live long. The Emperor searched for renowned doctors in vain. If she’s moved or you are moved, I’m afraid neither of you would survive."

"What! The Second Princess, she... How could! How could this have happened!"

Since waking up, she had heard from Miss Zhuimeng that the Second Princess wasn’t well at birth and had been taken by the Emperor.

No news had followed, and she thought the Emperor purposely prevented their meetings, fearing she might use the Princess as leverage.

But who knew!

That this was the reason!

At that moment, her maternal instincts surged, and she urgently wanted to hold onto Princess Consort Yi and ask clearly.

But moving too quickly, by accident, she fell off the bed.

The thick bedding previously covered some things, but now the foul stench emerged.

The blood-stained bed shocked everyone.

Especially Ruyi, who quickly pulled Princess Consort Yi back.

The look in her eyes, as if seeing something filthy, pierced Princess Consort Lan.

Zhuai Yun and Zhuimeng immediately stepped forward to cover Princess Consort Lan with a blanket, tears welling in their eyes.

"Your Majesty, let this servant help you up."

Princess Consort Lan never expected to face such a humiliating scene before her departure.

She wished for a swift sword through her chest for mercy.

Princess Consort Yi was surprised, but having seen soldiers with severed limbs in the army before, this scene didn’t scare her.

She thought for a moment and then spoke in a low voice.

"A mother’s heart is connected to a daughter’s; I understand how hard this is for you to accept. But things have reached this point, and no power can reverse it. Princess Consort Lan, do take care. As for anyone in Yong’an Palace, if there’s anything needed, speak to Chief Manager Quan; if anyone dares slack, I’ll be the first to spare them!"

With that, Princess Consort Yi had done and said everything she could.

She only left Princess Consort Lan with her departing silhouette, with nothing more.

Princess Consort Lan vented, crying and shouting, saying the heavens were unfair.

She was beloved as a concubine and was pregnant!

Who wouldn’t say she had a great future?

But why had things turned out this way now!

"It’s all Zhuixia! It’s Zhuixia! I want her dead! I want her dead!"

Had it not been for the bowl of fetus-preserving medicine Zhuixia sent before she left, she wouldn’t have given birth during the Zhongyuan Festival.

The Second Princess wouldn’t have been implicated, and she wouldn’t have ended up with massive bleeding.

All of this was Zhuixia’s doing!

A mere palace maid managed to deceive so many to enter the palace and harm her to this extent.

She couldn’t even catch the criminal, which only added insult to injury!

The more she thought, the angrier she got, and she fainted from breathlessness.

Seeing blood trickling from Princess Consort Lan’s mouth, Zhuimeng was alarmed!

Could it be that Her Majesty was nearing her end?

Her heart was chaotic, wondering where they would go if Her Majesty was gone.

Doctor Cheng arrived hastily, diagnosed her, and sighed long.

"Her Majesty’s vital energies were already depleted. This agitation caused a reversal, afraid... afraid she won’t survive beyond two days."

Two days, these words struck Zhuimeng like lightning.

She held Doctor Cheng, crying out.

"Doctor, please check Her Majesty again. Didn’t you say she had half a month left? How could! How could this be!"

"Miss Zhuimeng, it’s not for lack of effort on my part, but Her Majesty’s body was severely damaged. If not for my full efforts during childbirth, she might have... you should make preparations soon."

With that, he left without prescribing any medicine.

For someone near death, what use is any amount of medicine?

In Yuexiu Palace, upon hearing Doctor Cheng report that Princess Consort Lan’s end was near, Princess Consort Yi felt regret but wasn’t overly emotional.

"Send someone immediately to bring Lady Lan into the palace. As promised, I will see it through."

"Yes, as you command."

Ruan Ming rushed to send the notice, fearing if they delayed even a bit, Lady Lan would only see her daughter’s corpse upon entering the palace.

Raising a cup of tea, Ruyi fanned Princess Consort Yi beside her.

Though it’s autumn, the sun could still be quite scorching at times.

Hence, the fan never left her side.

While fanning, Ruyi asked.

"Your Majesty, should the Second Princess be informed?"

"There’s no need; how long the Second Princess can hold on is uncertain. If she pines for her mother, she might not last long either, and mother and daughter can reunite in the next life to continue this bond."

Regarding the Second Princess, Princess Consort Yi felt a bit more empathy.

Perhaps her birth reminded her of past memories.

But even so, she could only suppress those thoughts of longing and sorrow and continue her life.

Maintain her prestige as a concubine, uphold the Liu family’s reputation and achievements.

Outside the Imperial City, a carriage raced by.

People were so startled they scattered, and those who couldn’t evade in time were knocked down, yet the carriage didn’t stop.

"Have they lost their minds? Galloping down the street! They hit someone and didn’t even stop to check, what the devil are they running!"

The man, with a scruffy face and loud voice.

Fell in front of a vegetable stall, unharmed but simmering inside.

An informed citizen quickly approached and covered his mouth, speaking softly.

"Brother, are you courting death! That’s a carriage from the palace, rushing probably because some noble is in trouble. And you dare shout here without fear of being implicated?"

Hearing this, the man shivered in fright.

It was actually a carriage from the Imperial Palace!

He immediately fell silent and swiftly got up to run away amidst the commotion.

Those present cleaned up and resumed their business, some continued setting up stalls, and some continued their market visits.