The moment Yu Mingyue learned of Mo Yuxi's death, her mind went blank. She sternly questioned the eunuch who delivered the news, "I saw her yesterday, what nonsense are you spouting!"
"This servant dares not lie. Your Highness, please grant the official a final audience with the Consort," the eunuch said, tears streaming down his face.
Yu Mingyue swayed, catching herself on the desk. How could this be? How could this be?
Yu Mingyue still found it hard to believe. It wasn't until she saw Mo Yuxi's body lying on the bed that a bone-chilling cold spread from the crown of her head throughout her body. She froze, unable to step forward.
Her nose tingled intensely. She didn't want to cry, but tears flowed uncontrollably. Her legs felt as heavy as a thousand pounds, each step a struggle, even her breathing was labored.
She was still so peaceful, as if she were merely asleep.
Yu Mingyue knelt on the footstool, wanting to call her name, but her throat wouldn't make a sound.
Madam Mo, cradling Yuxi's hand by the bedside, wept until her eyes were red and swollen. Seeing Yu Mingyue beside her, she cried out in grief, "She was only seventeen, so young. How could she bear to leave the little imperial grandson, leaving me to mourn my child..."
"Auntie, please accept my condolences," Yu Mingyue choked out.
At the prime of her youth, if she hadn't been sent to the palace by her family and spent her days in melancholy, she likely wouldn't have left so soon.
Madam Mo clasped Yu Mingyue's hand and drew her closer, whispering, "Sixth daughter, do you think Yuxi was murdered..."
She had safely given birth to the little imperial grandson, and a bright future awaited her. How could she have died from a hemorrhage? There must be something suspicious.
Sixth daughter works for the Dali Temple and handles many cases; perhaps she could discern something.
"Auntie, please be careful with your words," Yu Mingyue said softly.
Yesterday, she had noticed some blood stasis, which was why she wanted Nan Xing to enter the palace to treat her. She hadn't expected it to be too late.
Madam Mo felt both heartbroken for her daughter and furious. Besides that Crown Princess, who else could it be? However, she knew some things couldn't be said here. In any case, the Mo family would not let their daughter die in vain.
Yu Mingyue, when no one was paying attention, quietly examined the body. It wasn't poisoning. She then asked A'ying, and it was confirmed that she had indeed died from a hemorrhage.
"Our Consort lost all will to live. Giving birth to the little imperial grandson exhausted her. She must have known her body was weak and endured these past few days just to see you. This servant knows you genuinely cared for the Consort. This servant begs you to help our Consort fulfill her last wish," A'ying said, then knelt down with a thud.
"A'ying, please get up and speak. I will do my best to fulfill it," Yu Mingyue said, helping A'ying up.
A'ying, confirming no one else was around, said, "Our Consort does not wish to be buried in the imperial mausoleum..."
...
Yu Mingyue was preoccupied, thinking about A'ying's words. She inadvertently looked up and saw Luo Lingyi standing not far away. She was looking in her direction, clearly waiting for her.
"Greetings, Your Highness," Yu Mingyue said, cupping her hands in a bow.
Luo Lingyi gently supported her and smiled, "Must you be so distant with me?"
"This subject dares not!"
Luo Lingyi saw that Yu Mingyue was polite yet distant in every way and knew she was still wary of her.
"Sixth daughter, we have known each other for a while. There's no need for pleasantries. I've come today to discuss a transaction with you," Luo Lingyi said frankly.
"With me?" Yu Mingyue chuckled lightly.
She didn't believe she could still help her with anything at this point.
"Sixth daughter, no matter what you think of me now, in my eyes, you will always be my confidante," Luo Lingyi said, looking at Yu Mingyue.
Perhaps they couldn't go back to the past, but she wouldn't do anything to harm her.
"What transaction?"