"Mother Consort..."
Song Chaoyu finally understood the meaning of the Noble Consort. Her heart was filled with extreme sadness. "What exactly happened? Can Mother Consort tell me? Perhaps there are other solutions, perhaps... it doesn't have to be this way! Mother Consort, if you leave like this, let alone me, what will happen to Prince Chang?"
"It's alright, child!"
The Noble Consort reached out as if to grasp Song Chaoyu's hand.
But she thought of her own condition and ultimately withdrew the hand she had already extended.
The Noble Consort smiled and shook her head. "If it were in the past, I would truly worry about Chang'er. Chang'er and I have only reunited for a short time, and now we must bear the pain of separation? However, now I know Chang'er has you by his side, and that little one. Nothing can defeat Chang'er anymore. As long as you are by his side, he will fear nothing. So I entrust Chang'er to you!"
As she spoke, the Noble Consort's eyes turned red. "You must take good care of Chang'er, and also take care of yourself, do you understand?"
"No, you can't!"
Song Chaoyu never expected that what she would receive today upon seeing the Noble Consort would be like the Noble Consort's "last words"!
She could not accept such a fact, and she knew Mu Changxi could not either.
She stepped forward and looked earnestly at the Noble Consort. "Mother Consort, you cannot abandon me and the Prince like this. What exactly happened? Can you tell me? Even if we cannot help you, we should at least let Qiu Qing come in and examine your condition! She is different from those imperial physicians; her medical skills are more esteemed. She will cure you and Jingran!"
"No need! What I have said is enough."
The Noble Consort shook her head, then waved her hand at Song Chaoyu. "Forget it, you may go! Tell Chang'er that even if I lose my life, it will be of my own free will. It was my fault in the past for failing him. Today, even if he were to take my life, I would willingly accept it."
After speaking, she called out towards the outside, "Someone! Take Prince Chang's Consort away! From today onwards, no one is allowed to enter the Deng Que Palace. If there is any disobedience, do not blame me for being impolite!"
She was somewhat stern and severe, leaving Ya Ran outside with no choice but to enter and almost drag Song Chaoyu out of the sleeping quarters. "Consort Wang, hurry and go! If you don't leave now, I fear the Noble Consort will truly become angry!"
After Song Chaoyu left, she looked at Ya Ran with increasing unease. "What is going on with Mother Consort? Who is that person she mentioned? Why does Mother Consort seem to be willingly seeking death? What is this illness?"
Ya Ran and Jing Ran were both maids serving the Noble Consort. They must know something.
But facing Song Chaoyu's questioning at this moment, Ya Ran simply lowered her head, her eyes filled with loss. "Since the Consort is unwilling to speak, Consort Wang, please do not ask this servant. This servant will not say. This is the Consort's decision, and this servant will obey. Alas... it is a pity that the Consort has only reunited with Prince Chang for a short time, and now such a thing has happened. Although the Consort knew this day would come, it has come too soon!"
As she spoke, Ya Ran actually wiped away a tear.
But Song Chaoyu's heart grew more anxious.
Since they wouldn't speak, it seemed she wouldn't get an answer today.
Song Chaoyu was anxious in her heart but could not show it on her face.
Looking at the Noble Consort's condition, she did not seem to be on the verge of sudden death. Song Chaoyu knew they still had time.
So Song Chaoyu finally sighed, then nodded slightly at Ya Ran. "Please take good care of Mother Consort. If anything happens, or if Mother Consort changes her mind, just come to the Prince's mansion to inform us. I will return now. This matter must be known by the Prince."
Ya Ran nodded and personally escorted Song Chaoyu out of Deng Que Palace.
—
When Song Chaoyu returned to the Prince's mansion, Mu Changxi was already waiting for her.
However, seeing her expression, Mu Changxi knew that things were likely not good. "What's wrong? Is there something with Mother Consort? Is her condition not improving?"
Song Chaoyu was somewhat helpless. "Mother Consort's situation is more complicated than you and I imagined. I think Mother Consort might be hiding a big secret."
Mu Changxi frowned. "Is there anything bigger than the secret from back then?"
The secret from back then referred to Qian Shan being sent to the Southern Kingdom in Mu Changxi's stead.
Song Chaoyu recounted the situation of the day in detail to Mu Changxi.
As Mu Changxi listened, his brow furrowed deeper and deeper.
In the end, like Song Chaoyu, he was clueless, but he knew the matter was likely very serious. "Mother Consort has never had such a condition before. A'yu, what do you think now?"
Song Chaoyu had actually thought a lot on her way back.
Now, she was certain of one thing. "No matter what, I naturally do not wish for Mother Consort to give up her life. In this world, anything that is done will leave traces. If Mother Consort doesn't say, we will investigate ourselves. What do you think?"
"We're thinking along the same lines."
Mu Changxi immediately made a decision. "First, tell Qiu Qing about Mother Consort's condition. We will discuss it and start with Mother Consort's strange illness. Perhaps we can find some clues!"
Regardless of any other matters outside, Song Chaoyu and Mu Changxi could not afford to neglect this.
—
Song Chaoyu and Mu Changxi had always trusted Qiu Qing's medical skills.
Although Qiu Qing did not enter the sleeping quarters of Deng Que Palace today, she had carefully examined the medicinal dregs used by the Noble Consort in Deng Que Palace.
Song Chaoyu then explained the Noble Consort's condition in detail to Qiu Qing. Qiu Qing's brow also furrowed. "I have never seen such a strange illness before. I really have no clue. However, I can go home. Perhaps my family will know. If the Prince trusts me, please allow me to go back. I will return in four or five days."
Song Chaoyu had always known that Qiu Qing's family was a family of physicians.
Mu Changxi, having used Qiu Qing, naturally trusted her. "Alright, please be as quick as possible. I fear Mother Consort's condition is not good, and I am worried every day like this."
Qiu Qing left as soon as she said it. Mu Changxi sent Xiao Ruiz to accompany Qiu Qing to ensure her safety.
After Qiu Qing left, Song Chaoyu had fewer people to serve her.
Without a word, Tiao Hong returned to Song Chaoyu's side.
Seeing that her spirits were much better, Song Chaoyu was slightly relieved.
However, Tiao Hong now spoke much less and always seemed lost in thought.
Most importantly, Song Chaoyu observed carefully. Several days had passed, and Tiao Hong's menstrual period had still not arrived!
Song Chaoyu feared that their worst fears were about to come true.
But Tiao Hong seemed unaware and would only know the result after Qiu Qing returned to examine her pulse.