CHAPTER 198: CHAPTER 198: FRAGRANCE VANISHED, JADE PERISHED

When the wife of the Lan University Scholar and her daughter-in-law entered the palace together, they nearly lost their footing upon seeing Lady Lan.

The ground was covered in bloodstains, not even cleaned up yet.

The palace maids and servants knelt all over the place, each sobbing quietly.

Lady Lan’s vision went black, nearly fainting.

If not for her daughter-in-law supporting her, she might have collapsed to the ground.

"My daughter, oh, my daughter, what has happened..."

Lady Lan was so distressed she disregarded palace protocol and threw herself onto Princess Consort Lan.

Her cries were deafening, causing the lady of the Lan Family to wipe her tears as well.

Her young sister-in-law was still young and held a legitimate concubine rank, a glory for the entire Lan Family.

If Princess Consort Lan fell, wouldn’t the Lan Family also face repercussions?

Thinking of this, her crying turned more genuine.

Perhaps they were crying so intensely that Princess Consort Lan, who was so weak she couldn’t open her eyes, suddenly spoke.

She grasped Lady Lan’s hand tightly and spoke.

"Mother, avenge your daughter!"

Her voice was faint, but it carried a tone of hatred.

How could she be content with leaving just like this, how could she!

"Revenge, revenge! Mother will avenge you, I definitely will!"

That cursed Zhuixia, they had searched for a long time with no sign of them.

If they were caught, they would be skinned alive to relieve this hatred in their hearts!

Then, she wept grievously over Princess Consort Lan.

"Why is my daughter’s life so bitter! Such a good person has been tormented to this state..."

If she had known earlier that her daughter was suffering so much in the palace and would come to such an end.

Even if she had to risk her life, she would not have let her enter the palace as a consort.

What family honor, children’s future, favor in the harem.

All of it became fleeting clouds at this moment.

She only wished for her daughter to live well, to live a good life.

Even if it meant marrying that poor scholar, she would have agreed!

She cried in sorrow, and how could Princess Consort Lan not be sad?

Yet she still struggled to get out a breath, weakly speaking to the others.

"I have something...to say to Mother, everyone...please leave."

The lady of the Lan Family glanced at the sister-in-law before wiping her tears and leaving.

Once she left, naturally the others felt inappropriate to linger.

When everyone in the sleeping quarters had left, Princess Consort Lan, with her last breath, said.

"Mother, once I am gone, the Lan Family will face great calamity. It’s hard for Father to support the entire family alone, if you can select someone good from the clan, send them to the palace, and let Zhuimeng and Zhuai Yun serve them. Otherwise, all the efforts I’ve made in the palace for years will be truly in vain."

She spoke so quickly and urgently that she almost couldn’t catch her breath.

Lady Lan helped her catch her breath, saying.

"I know, I know, still worrying about your father at a time like this? If he hadn’t insisted on sending you to the palace back then, things wouldn’t have ended up like this..."

Hearing this, Lady Lan felt deep resentment.

But what could be done?

Time couldn’t be turned back, and the daughter in her arms was beyond saving.

Blaming anyone wouldn’t bring her back.

It couldn’t.

So blaming was useless too.

Princess Consort Lan gave a weak smile before speaking again.

"It’s not Father’s fault. Back then, I was the one eager to enter the palace."

Cough, cough, cough, now when she coughed, she could taste blood in her mouth.

A bitter smile.

She muttered softly.

"Indeed, the beautiful scenery of Jiangnan comes during the season of falling flowers when I met you."

All her thoughts seemed to drift back to the month before she entered the palace.

Her once-placid heart had been stirred by that Yu Mian Scholar into troubled waters.

"Lou Bin greets the lady."

"Jiangnan is good, but Shengjing City better fulfills my grand ambitions."

"If the lady is willing, Lou Bin would repay with his life."

...

Thinking of this, tears couldn’t help but slide down the corners of her eyes.

Once, she had feelings for that Yu Mian Scholar too.

But ultimately, it was her own choice to give up.

Otherwise, with her parents’ love for her, they might have agreed if she pleaded persistently.

But everything...

Could never go back to the past.

And she had already begun to forget what he looked like.

Remembering him now was nothing but a sigh for her youthful folly.

Anything else was an expectation she dared not entertain any longer.

Moments later, Princess Consort Lan, using her last breath, spoke to her mother.

"If the Emperor opposes the Lan Family, you must protect it with the Second Princess. Though she might... But if she can protect the Lan family on behalf of my daughter, then I haven’t suffered in vain during her birth."

The Second Princess!

Yes, there is still the Second Princess.

But where is the Princess now?

"Without you mentioning her, we can’t get any news, how is the Princess right now? The Emperor recently issued an edict wide and far, seeking civilian physicians. Your father recommended several, but none could even pass Doctor Dou’s gate, let alone treat the Second Princess."

They truly felt helpless and inadequate.

Upon hearing this, Princess Consort Lan’s already shattered heart wrenched even more.

She didn’t know, she didn’t know a thing.

She had hoped that by carrying a child, she could secure more favor.

Even if not like when she first entered the palace, at least the Emperor would give her more care.

She planned to give birth to a Prince, with a daughter and a son, she could ensure a smooth life, and also secure the prosperity of the Lan family.

Tears gently flowed down the corners of her eyes.

Everything felt like it had been a waste of effort.

All her careful planning, but who would have thought, it ended like this.

Truly a dream, like reflections in a mirror, moonlight on the water.

Gradually, she felt her body no longer obeying her commands.

Her mother’s voice became distant, she wished to respond, but could not make a sound.

Then she felt her vision amplifying.

When she tried once more to hold onto something, she found herself engulfed in endless darkness.

And she was gradually consumed by this darkness.

"Xianya... Xianya..."

Lady Lan felt the softening body of Princess Consort Lan, unable to call her back no matter how much she cried.

She was already stained with the bloodstains, but that was the least of her concerns.

With all her might, she tried to pull her back, but it was all in vain.

Princess Consort Lan died in the arms of Lady Lan.

Departing with unyielding regret and grievances.

Lady Lan wept endlessly, with people outside joining in the wailing.

But none of this could bring back the Princess Consort Lan once again.

On September 4th, 17th year of Yuanhe, Yonghe Palace mourned deeply.

Princess Consort Lan passed due to severe physical damage from childbirth.

Soon, white funeral banners were hung all over Yong’an Palace, enveloping the place in solemnity.

Princess Consort Yi specifically invited Master Zhiyuan from Baolin Temple, as he once prayed for Princess Consort Su, to conduct the seven-day rites for Princess Consort Lan.

Amidst the chanting, the legendary Princess Consort Lan of Yong’an Palace drew her curtain for eternity.