CHAPTER 1774: CHAPTER 1774: NO REGRETS

The news of the Empress’s coma spread quickly. Zhulan also sent people to keep an eye on the situation in the Palace, so as to be mentally prepared. She and her young daughter felt the same way; this time, the Empress really wouldn’t make it through.

In the Empress’s chamber, the Emperor sat in the outer room, with Imperial Physicians consulting inside. The Crown Princess Consort was taking care of things inside.

Outside the hall, the concubines from each palace were waiting. No one spoke a word, even if someone could hardly stand, they gritted their teeth and endured.

Princess Zhenyue felt heartache for her mother, her eyes kept glancing at her father the Emperor, but he was lost in thought and didn’t give her a single glance.

The Crown Prince stood with his hands behind his back, his heart unsettled. Even though he was mentally prepared, facing this reality was wrenching.

Consort Ran, seeing her daughter’s anxious appearance, shook her head, signaling her not to worry. Her daughter was no longer young, about to be married, and it was best not to displease the Emperor.

After calming her daughter, Consort Ran glanced at the women in the courtyard. A legal wife was just that, while they, although concubines, were still mere concubines.

Consort Ran looked at the Emperor again. His heart was not on the harem; these concubines held no place in his heart.

The chief physician emerged, taking a deep breath before speaking, "Your Majesty, there is nothing more I can do."

In recent days, the Empress could still sustain herself with medicine, but now even medicine was of no use.

The Emperor was mentally prepared, "Find a way to wake the Empress."

The chief physician was sweating profusely, fearful of being buried alongside the Empress, but now he could breathe a sigh of relief. "Yes, Your Majesty."

At that moment, one of the concubines outside could no longer endure and collapsed loudly. The Emperor glanced indifferently, then looked at Eunuch Zhang.

Eunuch Zhang understood and went out to say, "Ladies, please return to your palaces."

Consort Liu was unwilling, even though she was dizzy from standing too long. She wanted to know if the Empress would die, but she dared not defy the Emperor’s orders.

The women were eager to leave, but Consort Liu walked the slowest, truly worried. Her son had just married, and today was the day of returning to the bride’s home, truly ill-fated.

There were rumors that the marriage of the Second Prince was for ill-omen dispelling. Although it hadn’t caused a stir, the Empress’s death would undoubtedly revive these rumors, and Consort Liu hated the Empress for it.

Zhou Shuren returned home from the government office, there was still no news from the Palace, nor was there any sound of bells.

Zhulan signaled the maids to leave, "I wonder what the situation is now?"

Zhou Shuren changed out of his official attire, "Tonight, let the servants be more mindful."

Zhulan was surprised, "Do you mean the Empress won’t make it through tonight?"

"I doubt it."

Zhulan was curious, "Where did you get this information?"

Zhou Shuren said, "The Emperor mentioned not repairing the Royal garden this year, meaning this year is unsuitable for such an event. What could the reason be? The anniversary of the Retired Emperor is approaching; it must be because the Empress isn’t going to make it."

Zhulan, "Do you think the Empress fainted on purpose today?"

Initially, she didn’t feel this way but later found it more and more suspicious.

Zhou Shuren, "That I don’t know."

"The Second Prince is going to be infuriated."

Zhou Shuren finished changing, "Being angry is useless."

Zhulan, in a melancholy tone, "From what you say, the Emperor was long prepared."

"The Empress’s health has never been good, the Emperor must have anticipated her life expectancy. It would be surprising if he wasn’t prepared."

Zhulan was silent for a while, "Leaving now might be good; at least she can leave a beautiful impression."

"Indeed, the Empress left before becoming ugly, leaving a deep mark on the Emperor’s heart."

Zhulan, "...So the Empress didn’t want to live anymore."

Sometimes the will to survive is truly mysterious!

Zhou Shuren rubbed his belly, feeling a bit hungry, "Who knows!"

Leaving the bedroom, Zhulan asked the maid to bring the dinner, which was very light, consisting of cooling dishes.

Zhou Shuren held his chopsticks for a long time without moving, "I’m not overheated."

Zhulan, "Oh."

Zhou Shuren, "These dishes look unappetizing."

Zhulan glanced at him sideways, "You’ve been eating too much meat lately."

Zhou Shuren, "..."

In the Palace, the Empress finally woke up. Upon waking, she didn’t see the Emperor first, but left the Crown Princess Consort and the Female Officer. Without dressing up, the Empress asked the Female Officer to help redo her hair.

The Empress signaled the Crown Princess Consort to sit, "I am not at ease about the Crown Prince."

The Crown Princess Consort wanted to speak, but the Empress gestured for her to listen first, "You are the Crown Princess Consort, the future Empress. Your words and actions, and abilities, are impeccable. But don’t forget, you and the Crown Prince are husband and wife. There is always a lack of affection between you two. You are his wife; in the future, take more care of him. He is the Crown Prince, but also a person, and as a person, he needs the care and love of his wife."

The Crown Princess Consort was silent. The Crown Prince treated her well, but there was always something lacking between them. She understood her mother-in-law’s hint, "I will remember, Mother."

The Empress said no more. Everyone has their fate, and she gave the reminder she needed to give.

The Female Officer had finished the hairstyle, "Madam, it’s done."

The Empress raised her hand to touch her hair. She hadn’t plucked her white hair, which made it more authentic. She signaled the Female Officer to take the Crown Princess Consort out.

The Female Officer went out and said, "Your Majesty, Madam wishes to see you and the Crown Prince."

The Emperor’s steps were a bit heavy. This was a final burst of energy, as the Imperial Physician had told him. Entering the room, he immediately saw the woman leaning against the couch, looking momentarily like when he first married her. His wife appeared pale, her once jet-black hair now tinged with white.

The Crown Prince choked out, "Mother."

The Empress smiled softly, "I have no regrets. In the future, you must live well with the Crown Princess Consort."

The Crown Prince paused, "Yes, Mother."

The Empress raised her hand to touch her son’s face, signaling the Crown Prince to go and call his younger brother and sister in.

The Crown Prince knew his mother had words for his father, took a deep breath, and went out.

The Emperor sat by the bedside, holding his wife’s hand in silence.

The Empress smiled lightly, "I am old and have become ugly."

The Emperor looked up, "No, to me, you are as beautiful as when you were first married."

"The Emperor’s words have become sweeter."

The Emperor, "These words are for you alone."

The Empress believed him; he was a man of promise, eyes moist with tears, "I have acted foolishly before, but I do not regret it. Do you?"

The Emperor knew the Empress wanted to ask if he regretted marrying her, holding the Empress’s hand tightly, "I do not regret it."

The Empress laughed joyfully, "Oh, I worried you in my folly; thankfully, no great harm was done. I cannot accompany you until old age. After I am gone, if our son angers you, do not hold back—punish him. Do not keep anger in your heart. Our son is quite resilient."

The Emperor, "I am very satisfied with the Crown Prince, rest assured."

The Empress smiled, "I trust you."

The Fourth Prince and Princess Jingxuan came in; the Empress signaled for the children to come closer, saying to her younger son, "Your father and brother worry for you, so I am not concerned."

Then to her younger daughter, she said, "I have been foolish; I owe you an apology."

Princess Jingxuan could only shake her head while sobbing, indicating she held no resentment.

The Empress grasped her daughter’s hand and said to the Emperor, "This child has suffered grievances with me. You must find her a good husband."

Seeing the deeper shades under the Empress’s eyes, the Emperor felt heavy-hearted, "Okay, I will take good care of our children."