"No, no..." Yan Qing couldn't believe this fact. How could this happen? It couldn't be. She had been joking with me yesterday, she was fine just a moment ago, how could she be like this in less than an hour? She didn't believe it and was unwilling to accept it.
"Imperial Consort, mind your station," Yu Jingchen finally spoke, though his tone was not as stern.
"Your Majesty..." Yan Qing looked at Yu Jingchen forlornly, her eyes instantly turning vacant.
"My condolences," Yu Jingchen uttered two words.
"No... I don't believe it. Noble Consort De was just comforting me moments ago, how could she be gone like this? It's impossible..." Yan Qing refused to accept this fact.
"The outcome is already decided. No matter how unwilling you are, you cannot change the fact that she is gone," Yu Jingchen said. Apart from Nan Zhiyun, he had never spoken to his other consorts like this.
Yan Qing knelt on the ground, ceaselessly...
"Bestow upon Noble Consort De the posthumous title of Jia, and bury her with the rites of an Imperial Consort, interred in the Imperial Mausoleum," Yu Jingchen decreed. The matter was settled, and further dwelling on it was useless.
"You will spend these few days properly seeing Jia De Fei off on her final journey," Yu Jingchen said, this was all he could do.
After saying this, Yu Jingchen prepared to leave. But... as he turned, he heard Yan Qing's voice.
"Your Majesty..." Yu Jingchen paused his steps.
"Since I am currently in charge of the harem, do I have the right to deal with the culprit behind this incident, the one who caused this consequence?" Yan Qing's voice was very soft, different from usual.
"Once the truth is ascertained, I believe you will handle it with discretion," Yu Jingchen did not give a direct answer.
"Yes..." Hatred filled Yan Qing's eyes. She would definitely seek revenge; she would not let her Yingyue leave so inexplicably.
Yu Jingchen said no more and left directly. The imperial palace would likely not be peaceful today.
Watching Yu Jingchen's retreating figure, Yan Qing slowly raised her head. She had truly lost everything... everything...
After Yu Jingchen left, he returned directly to He'an Palace. When he arrived, Nan Zhiyun had already changed her clothes and was standing at the entrance. Seeing Yu Jingchen approach, Nan Zhiyun waved, "Your Majesty."
Nan Zhiyun trotted over, and Yu Jingchen opened his arms. Nan Zhiyun threw herself into his embrace.
"Your Majesty, how are you feeling?" Nan Zhiyun was worried about Yu Jingchen's emotions.
"I'm fine," Yu Jingchen had no strong feelings for these people, let alone any particular attachment.
"Noble Consort De..." Nan Zhiyun asked tentatively.
"She's gone," Yu Jingchen told Nan Zhiyun. Nan Zhiyun's heart skipped a beat. Gone? How could this be? Noble Consort De had clearly...
"Alright, Yun'er, don't think about these things. Don't let them affect your mood," Yu Jingchen gently stroked Nan Zhiyun's head.
"Mm..." Nan Zhiyun's voice was a little muffled. The atmosphere in the palace today was truly oppressive. Spring had arrived, and with it, the spring rain, falling with a patter that wet the ground, turning it into mud.
Cian Palace
"Your Imperial Grandmother, Noble Consort De has passed," An Xin came to report.
"Mm," the Empress Dowager did not react, merely sitting there, propping her head and closing her eyes.
"Imperial Consort Yan..." An Xin wanted to say more.
"Imperial Consort Yan and Noble Consort De had deep sisterly affection. It's normal for her to be unable to accept it. She will be better in a few days," the Empress Dowager spoke.
"Yes," An Xin said no more.
"Yun'er and the others have also returned to the palace, haven't they?" the Empress Dowager changed the subject.
"They only returned a short while ago. Your Majesty had previously said not to greet them, and with the sudden incident involving Noble Consort De today, there was no fanfare," An Xin replied.
"She must be tired these past few days. I heard she was startled and injured previously. Have the imperial physicians check on her again," the Empress Dowager was still worried about Nan Zhiyun.
"Yes, please don't worry, Your Imperial Grandmother," An Xin knew the Empress Dowager's deep care and affection for Nan Zhiyun, so she always took her duties seriously.
"Are Yun'er and the Emperor sharing residence these days?" the Empress Dowager asked again.
"His Majesty has been with Noble Consort Shu these past few days," An Xin poured the Empress Dowager a cup of hot tea.
"That's been quite a while," the Empress Dowager suddenly said. An Xin didn't quite understand.
"What does Your Imperial Grandmother mean? This servant doesn't understand," An Xin asked, a little confused.
"Yun'er's health has been restored. By rights, it's time to consider having children," the Empress Dowager spoke clearly.
"Noble Consort Shu is still young. Your Imperial Grandmother need not be too anxious; it will happen eventually," An Xin smiled.
"Time is running out. If I don't hear any good news from Yun'er, my heart won't be at ease," the Empress Dowager extended her hand, and An Xin quickly helped her up. Supported by An Xin, the Empress Dowager stood.
An Xin didn't quite grasp what the Empress Dowager meant by "time is running out." In recent days, the Empress Dowager had been asking what day it was... always saying time was running out...
"These days, I've been wondering, have I made a mistake again this time..." the Empress Dowager murmured, unsure who she was asking.
"Find a time to summon His Majesty to Cian Palace. I still have many things to say to her," the Empress Dowager changed the subject.
"Yes," An Xin felt a sense of unease. She felt that the Empress Dowager's words now...