CHAPTER 202: CHAPTER 202: FAMILIAR FACES IN A FOREIGN LAND

When the message, sent with the utmost urgency, finally reached the Emperor who was still traveling to Taishan, three days had already passed.

Though he was long aware of her fate, the Emperor remained silent for most of the day upon hearing the news.

He did not partake in his lunch.

Standing outside, Dong Yuzhong anxiously looked inside, aware that they should have continued their journey today.

Yet, after receiving the message, the Emperor stayed inside the room of the traveling palace, unwilling to step outside.

Thus, no one dared to urge him otherwise.

Lin Guifei happened to witness this scene when she came to offer her greetings.

Noticing that the meal had not been sent inside.

She immediately frowned and asked.

"Does the Emperor still refuse to eat?"

"Yes, Your Ladyship’s arrival is timely. The Emperor has not eaten for half a day; even if he is grieving for Lady Lan, he must still take care of his health. If he falls ill, that would be troublesome."

On this journey, they did bring several Imperial Physicians.

But none possessed the sophisticated medical skills of Doctor Dou.

If the Emperor were to suffer a mishap, wouldn’t the Da Wei Dynasty descend into chaos?

They hadn’t even reached Taishan yet, and already this situation was at hand.

He found himself in a very difficult position.

In the past, Lin Guifei would certainly take the lead in entering and persuading him.

But now, she could sense the Emperor’s waning favor towards her.

If she were to stubbornly oppose the Emperor’s wishes, she might also meet an unfortunate end.

Being able to accompany the Emperor on the inspection of Taishan was achieved through great effort by her uncle.

She did not wish to let the death of a deceased Lady Lan affect the grand scheme!

Standing at the door for a moment, she spoke to Dong Yuzhong.

"There are matters Prince Zhan entrusted to me; I shall take my leave now. Mr. Dong, please do your utmost to attend to His Majesty. How can he go on without eating?"

With that, she turned and left.

Leaving Dong Yuzhong feeling amused yet frustrated.

As a servant, how could he not know that not eating is untenable.

But at this moment, with the Emperor refusing to eat, what could he do?

If only Miss Lin were present, for whenever the Emperor visited her residence, he always seemed to eat more.

But however much he wished, he felt there was nothing he could do.

He could only brace himself and prepare to knock on the door again.

Unexpectedly, he saw someone striding boldly from outside, none other than the long unseen Fourth Prince.

Behind him followed a group of personal guards, among them stood Lin Xingzhi and Jiang Huanqing.

The whole group arrived dusty and travel-worn.

Dong Yuzhong’s face visibly relaxed upon seeing the Fourth Prince.

With the Fourth Prince present, the Emperor might grant some face and eat something.

Thus he hurriedly stepped forward to greet the Fourth Prince.

"Servant greets the Fourth Prince, wishes Fourth Prince well."

"No need for such formalities, Mr. Dong, please rise."

Though raised within the Royal Family, the Fourth Prince’s many years in the military had rendered him nearly indifferent to such etiquette.

After all, in the military, only those who can fight are truly valued; flowery words are of little use.

"Where is the Emperor?"

The Fourth Prince curiously asked. He hastened with five thousand elite soldiers to safeguard the Emperor’s subsequent journey.

Dong Yuzhong sighed as he replied.

"The Fourth Prince came at just the right time. The Emperor... has locked himself in the room for quite some time, neither eating nor drinking. How can his body withstand such strain?"

The Fourth Prince frowned at Dong Yuzhong, seemingly doubting the truth of these words.

For, in his view, the Emperor possessed the fortitude of iron walls since childhood; why would he be like this?

"What happened?"

Dong Yuzhong sighed before he spoke.

"A message arrived from the palace, stating that Lady Lan had passed due to illness."

Passed due to illness?

How could it be? The last time they met, she seemed well, yet suddenly she had fallen ill and passed?

The Fourth Prince’s doubts were apparent to Dong Yuzhong, prompting him to explain.

"In July at the traveling palace, Lady Lan gave birth to the Second Princess but harmed her own body. Since then, she has been bedridden with illness, and now she’s..."

So that’s how it is; childbirth for women is indeed often like crossing the ghost’s gate.

Many don’t make it through.

Though it is unfortunate for the Second Princess, she was born only to lose her mother.

Lin Xingzhi, standing in the personal guard’s ranks, felt anxious upon hearing these words.

This high-status Princess Consort met such a fate due to childbirth complications, how could his sister, a mere concubine, not suffer greatly in the harem?

Thinking of this only made him blame himself more.

If he had joined the Imperial Armor Army earlier, it would not have left their family in such a passive position.

Qianqian could also have led a more comfortable life in the palace.

The heaviness on his face was noticed by Jiang Huanqing standing beside him, who too felt concerned.

Though he did not know Lin Wanyi personally, Lin Xingzhi was someone he regarded as a brother.

If this brother’s sister faced difficulty, it felt as if his own sister were in distress.

Thus, he was deeply concerned.

The Fourth Prince was conversing with Dong Yuzhong at the door when soon, the Emperor’s voice came from within the room.

Carrying a trace of weariness and a touch of sorrow.

"Is it Fourth Prince Uncle who has come?"

"In response, Your Majesty, it is your humble servant. Your humble servant has brought five thousand elite soldiers to safeguard the imperial journey."

"Come in, Uncle. I have words to share with you."

"Yes."

The Fourth Prince hurriedly entered, still clad in full armor and sword.

Removing the sword from his left and handing it to Dong Yuzhong, he then proceeded alone into the room.

The room had long been without opened windows for ventilation, leaving the scent of incense quite pronounced.

For someone like the Fourth Prince, long accustomed to camp life, it was understandably unpleasant.

Yet he endured it.

Considering the Emperor’s current state...

It was still somewhat forgivable.

"Your humble servant greets the Emperor, wishing Your Majesty peace."

"Uncle, there is no need for such courtesy."

Upon rising and seeing the Emperor, the Fourth Prince frowned even more.

In just a day, the Emperor’s face showed the stubble of newly sprouted whiskers.

His complexion also appeared unwell, without the expected imperial dignity.

He comfortingly spoke.

"Life and death are governed by fate, Your Majesty need not be overly concerned, focus on preserving your wellbeing."

The Emperor responded with a hum.

Then he summoned Dong Yuzhong inside and said.

"Convey my decree: elevate Princess Consort Lan to Imperial Consort. Her funeral affairs shall be conducted in accordance with Imperial Consort rites. Additionally, inform Princess Consort Yi to ensure Lady Lan’s funeral is performed with grandeur."

"Yes, Your servant obeys the command."

Gaining honor posthumously, such matters indeed pertain to afterthoughts.

The Fourth Prince listened quietly from the side without speaking much.

After all, she bore a princess for the Imperial Family, thus advancing to Imperial Consort was not too significant.

Only now might the harem dynamics undergo some change.

Before it was Lin Guifei, Princess Consort Yi, and Princess Consort Lan forming a trio of equilibrium.

Yet now, with Lin Guifei accompanying the Emperor and Princess Consort Lan deceased, Princess Consort Yi stands supreme in the harem.

Harem affairs inevitably relate to matters of the court, none of it can be taken lightly.

Thus he planned to remind as much, only to see the Emperor paused and then spoke again.