CHAPTER 827: GRAND FINALE (PART 4)

Jiang Li’s smile was wretched. What was this? Was this her arranging all her family’s wealth before death? She should commend Jih Heng for his foresight, always planning ahead. Perhaps the people in Yanjing City would start to envy her again. Even if Jih Heng were dead, he had left her such a vast fortune. But heaven knows, she would rather trade all her wealth, just to have Jih Heng return safely. She hoped Jih Heng’s arrangements would never come to pass, for that would mean she still had the chance to wait for his return, wait for the day he would keep his promise.

"Second Miss, what do you plan to do in the future?" Zhao Ke asked softly, "The master once said, if he were not here, the Second Miss would be our master. Whatever arrangements you have for us, you can decide."

Jiang Li steadied herself. Her heart’s grief almost overwhelmed her in an instant, but she knew now was not the time for private sorrow. Many things remained unresolved, Jih Heng’s old enemies would take this opportunity to devour the Duke Residence completely. Regarding the peerage and other matters, Emperor Hongxiao might maintain Jih Heng’s honor out of respect for his loyalty, but who could say how long a monarch’s trust could last. And most importantly, those adversaries would resort to any extreme, unscrupulous means to achieve their goals, including exploiting Jih Heng’s death.

She was unable to assist Jih Heng on the battlefield, but in Yanjing City, she had to do everything in her power to protect the Duke Residence. Even if there were no longer any of Jih Heng’s kin in the Duke Residence, this was where Jih Heng had grown up, she couldn’t stand by and watch it fall into others’ hands.

"I have no plans. Nor do I intend to go anywhere. The things you worry about will not happen," Jiang Li clenched her fists tightly, only that way could she stop her tears from flowing uncontrollably, only that way she could avoid total collapse. She said, "I will find a way to complete the marriage, even if alone, I will stay and protect this place. I ask you to join me in preserving Jih Heng’s home."

Her speech was sorrowful, yet resolute, "This is the only home he has left."

Wen Ji and Zhao Ke looked at each other, knelt on one knee before Jiang Li, and gave a servant’s salute, as if putting their minds entirely at ease, trusting Jiang Li wholeheartedly. They said respectfully, "Yes, Miss."

...

In the palace, Emperor Hongxiao walked into the Cold Palace where the Empress Dowager resided.

The cold was biting; there wasn’t even a heated brazier inside. As soon as one entered, it felt like one’s entire body was submerged in ice. The courtyard was even more devoid of life, the eaves hung low, revealing only a sliver of weak daylight. Walking here felt like being in a prison.

This was, in fact, a prison.

Eunuch Su stood aside, carefully instructing the guards to bring over a mahogany box, opened the door for Emperor Hongxiao, and carried the box inside.

A foul odor wafted through the room, prompting Eunuch Su to involuntarily wrinkle his nose. Emperor Hongxiao’s gaze flickered, ordering someone to light a lamp. The room was pitch dark, the curtains tightly drawn, concealing everything. Only when the faint lamplight was kindled did everyone inside become visible.

At the foot of the bed, a person was curled up, wrapped in a cotton quilt, the floor stained all over, perhaps even with blood. She seemed extremely averse to light, instantly drawing her head back at the brightness. It wasn’t until Emperor Hongxiao called out, "Lin Roujia."

Lin Roujia lifted her head, her eyes looking at him, bewildered. Emperor Hongxiao too was slightly startled.

He knew this woman’s nature was cruel and steadfast. When he had thrown her in here, no matter how poor the conditions, she had never wavered. She still maintained the bearing of the high and mighty Empress Dowager, even primping herself meticulously, as proud as ever. Emperor Hongxiao was also annoyed beyond measure, even contemplating other means to torment the Empress Dowager. Merely letting her face the anguish of guilt and regret, she would probably never feel in her lifetime—she was just too selfish.

However, ever since Jiang Li’s last visit to the palace to see Lin Roujia, things had changed. The guards at the door reported that the Empress Dowager suddenly became dispirited, several times even trying to use shards of a mirror to seek death. Emperor Hongxiao ordered the guards to watch the Empress Dowager closely, not allowing her a swift demise. They said she had become a completely different person, as if something she had always held dear in her life had crumbled, leaving her unable to carry on. Moreover, each day she appeared to be in great pain, and when lucid, she had only one thing on her mind: to seek death.