Upon hearing the name Jiang Zi, a flicker of emotion stirred in Jialuo Lou's eyes.

Regardless of the hurt or betrayal she has suffered.

But before all of this happened, she and Jiang Zi relied on each other for survival, and the time they spent together was genuinely happy, simple, and carefree.

"She always thought you were dead, and her only thought was revenge. She got close to Li Shengyuan and harmed his children and concubines. All of her actions were caused by her inner demons. This is all the karma that you unintentionally sowed, Mother. Now her tendons have been severed, her eyes have been gouged out, and she has been left to die in the abandoned cold palace. She is on her last breath."

"How can I get to her side?" Mi Shan asked. Jia Luo Lou then inquired.

Mi Shan's eyes lit up.

It seems that Mother is not an indifferent, emotionless machine.

At least deep down, she still values ​​her former sisters very much.

"If you wish to go, I will arrange for someone to take you there immediately. However, it will have to wait until dawn tomorrow. I have been away for too long and must return as soon as possible to avoid arousing the emperor's suspicion."

After Mi Shan finished speaking, it was basically confirmed that Jialuolou was going to the palace.

After leaving, on the way back with Xie Ling, they made all the necessary arrangements.

As soon as it got light.

After having breakfast with the emperor, Mi Shan took a walk around.

Xie Ling then arranged for Zhao Si to secretly come and deliver the Gara basket back to the capital.

Disguised as a palace maid, she infiltrated the palace.

The room was filled with violence.

The air was dim.

Everywhere exuded a murky, decaying odor.

The deposed empress lay curled up on the wooden bed, her eyes covered with a white cloth, her hands and feet hanging down naturally, her hair disheveled, and she looked calm and tired.

She had lost a lot of weight and was very small. She couldn't see anything except for the occasional hallucinations she experienced after taking painkillers, which made her feel like she could still see.

The vast majority of the time, they live in darkness.

When she hallucinated again—

She heard someone call her name.

That voice sounded familiar.

"Zi'er".

etc--

She called her, Zi'er? How long has it been since anyone called her that name?

In this world, there is only one person who would call her that, and that is Jialuolou, but she is already dead.

"Sister? Is that you?"

"Zi'er, it's me. I've come to see you."

"Ha, it actually responded. Looks like I'm hallucinating again."

"Zi'er, it's true. If you don't believe me, touch me." Jialuo Lou's eyes were filled with tears. Seeing her current miserable state, she felt heartbroken. "How did you become like this? Shan'er said that you did so many wrong things, all because of me."

Gradually, Shen Rouci also became stunned.

She seemed to be beginning to realize that the person standing in front of her was not fake, but real.

"Sister, is that you? Is it really you? You're still alive?"

Her voice trembled as she tried to get out of bed, but she fell down with great difficulty.

Jialu immediately helped her up.

She reached out her hand shakily, as if groping for something, and finally grabbed her sister's hand tightly.

"It's real! The sensation is real! My sister is really in front of her!"

The deposed empress was extremely excited.

"Sister... Sister."

"Yes, I'm here. I'm sorry, my sister is late."

"Don't say sorry. I don't blame you." Jiang Zi's tears rolled down her cheeks, already soaking the cloth.

Her hand touched Jialuolou's face.

I discovered that her face had many chapped marks, felt very dry to the touch, and was covered with bumps and dents.

"How could this be?" Her breathing quickened. "Who dared to hurt you, your face, your once beautiful face..."

“It’s all in the past. It’s no one I’m willing to bear anymore.” Jialuo didn’t know what to say. “I was injured like this to save my child. Sister, don’t be sad for me. You’re already in such a state, yet you still feel sorry for me.”

She had only ever seen such genuine affection in her entire life.

However, its excessive weight has led to the proliferation of too many evils.

"If I had known you were still alive, why would I have become the empress? The time I cherish most in my life is the time we spent running the pharmacy together. Unfortunately, we can never go back."

"I am content to have seen you alive, and I have no other desires in this life..."

“I have taken good care of your child, sister. Zi’er’s time is running out. In the next life, let’s be sisters again.”

As Jiang Zi finished speaking, her voice grew softer and softer until she finally fell silent.

She nestled in her sister's arms, lifeless.

Jialuolou raised his hand to check her breath and found that she was gone.

Jialuolou raised her hand to wipe away her tears.

Xia Ranxue, who had been waiting at the door for a long time, continued to cover her departure when she came out.

On the way, Jialu asked her why she had become like this.

"It was all ordered by the emperor..."

Xia Ranxue gave a brief explanation.

A hint of coldness rose in Jialuolou's eyes.

Back to Changbanpo.

A Qiu was playing with Xie Ling, and Mi Shan was also there. They came at dusk and could only stay for half an hour before having to go back.

Just then, Li Shengyuan and Prince Rui went out riding and archery, and Xie Ling made an excuse that his old leg injury had flared up, so he stayed behind and didn't go.

As a tool to monitor Mi Shan, Consort Murong was, as usual, drugged.

"Have you met them?" Mi Shan asked.

"She's gone." Mother nodded, her voice filled with boundless sorrow.

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!