The Prime Minister was imprisoned, and the Shadow Pavilion's conspiracy was finally thwarted. The entire court was shaken, and countless officials implicated with the Prime Minister fell from grace. Xiao Chengyu took charge of the situation, swiftly and decisively reforming the court, demonstrating astonishing political acumen.

However, behind this victory, she paid a heavy price. The days of hard work had made her lose a lot of weight, and what pained her most was Qi Mingxuan's condition.

Although the poison was removed in time, Qi Mingxuan's body suffered severe damage. The imperial physician admitted that his internal organs had suffered irreversible damage, and he feared... his days were numbered.

This news struck like a bolt from the blue, nearly causing Xiao Chengyu to collapse. She stayed by Qi Mingxuan's bedside day and night, refusing to leave his side.

"Yu'er," Qi Mingxuan seemed to be in better spirits that day, and he called his wife's name softly, "help me up and look out the window."

Xiao Chengyu carefully helped him sit up and placed a soft pillow behind him. The spring sunshine outside the window was perfect, and pear blossoms bloomed like snow.

"It's so beautiful." Qi Mingxuan smiled slightly. "I remember the first time we met, it was also on a spring day like this."

Xiao Chengyu held his hand, his eyes blurry with tears: "I remember, when you were helping my brother the Crown Prince organize documents in the Imperial Study, I mischievously hid behind the bookshelf, trying to scare you."

"As a result, he ended up hitting his foot on the book." Qi Mingxuan chuckled, which then triggered a violent cough.

Xiao Chengyu hurriedly patted his back to soothe him, her heart filled with sorrow. These days, Qi Mingxuan was sometimes lucid and sometimes unconscious. Each time he woke up, he would recall some past events, as if he were saying his final goodbye to the world.

“Yu’er,” Qi Mingxuan said, his cough subsiding slightly, looking at her earnestly, “After I’m gone, you must take good care of yourself. No matter how busy you are with court affairs, you must eat on time, and don’t stay up past midnight reviewing memorials…”

"Stop talking!" Xiao Chengyu interrupted him, her voice choked with emotion. "You won't die! I've already ordered the recruitment of renowned doctors from all over the country; they will definitely cure you!"

Qi Mingxuan gently shook his head, his gaze tender yet sorrowful: "I know my own body. Yu'er, promise me, don't grieve for me for too long. You deserve a better future."

"What kind of future is a good future without you?" Xiao Chengyu sobbed uncontrollably.

Just then, a palace servant came to report: Qin Sang requests an audience.

Qin Sang brought good news: she found a prescription in an ancient book that might alleviate Qi Mingxuan's symptoms. Although it couldn't cure him, it might prolong his life.

“This is a family secret recipe passed down through my family,” Qin Sang explained. “It uses century-old ginseng as the main ingredient, supplemented with rare medicinal materials such as snow lotus and lingzhi. Although it cannot bring the dead back to life, it can strengthen the body’s foundation and slow down the deterioration of the condition.”

Xiao Chengyu grasped at this as if it were a lifeline and immediately ordered that no effort be spared in finding the necessary medicinal materials.

While waiting for the medicine, Qi Mingxuan's condition fluctuated. When he was in good condition, he could recognize people and talk to Xiao Chengyu; when he was in bad condition, he was unconscious and had a high fever.

On this day, Xiao Chengrui and Ashina Yun came to visit. Ashina Yun was nearing her due date and was heavily pregnant, making it difficult for her to move around.

"How is Mingxuan?" Xiao Chengrui asked with concern.

Xiao Chengyu shook his head, his eyes reddening: "I slept for most of the day again. I just woke up for a while, drank some porridge, and then went back to sleep."

Ashina Yun held her hand: "Yu'er, you must take care of yourself. What will happen to Mingxuan if you fall ill?"

Just then, Qi Mingxuan's voice called from inside. Xiao Chengyu immediately went in and saw that Qi Mingxuan had woken up and looked much clearer than before.

"Second Brother, Sister Yun," he greeted with a smile, "you've arrived."

Xiao Chengrui forced a smile and said, "Yeah, I've come to see when you'll get better so you can have a drink with me."

Qi Mingxuan chuckled, "I'm afraid I can't outdrink Second Brother." His gaze fell on Ashina Yun's belly, "She's about to give birth, isn't she? Is it a boy or a girl?"

"The imperial physician said it's a boy." Ashina Yun gently stroked her belly. "Once you're better, let him recognize you as his godfather."

A hint of longing flashed in Qi Mingxuan's eyes, then dimmed: "I'm afraid I won't live to see that day."

"Nonsense!" Xiao Chengrui interrupted gruffly, "You'll get better!"

Just then, Qin Sang rushed in, her face beaming with joy: "Princess, all the medicinal herbs have been gathered! The medicine is being decocted and will be ready in half an hour."

Hope rekindled in Xiao Chengyu's heart. She held Qi Mingxuan's hand tightly: "Did you hear that? You'll get better."

However, fate always seems to love playing tricks. Just as the medicine was prepared and ready to be served to Qi Ming, an urgent report came from the border: the Northern Di, taking advantage of the political turmoil at court, had attacked again and had already captured two cities!

Due to the urgent military situation, Xiao Chengyu had to temporarily leave Qi Mingxuan's side to discuss countermeasures with the court officials.

By the time she finished dealing with military affairs, it was already late at night. She hurriedly returned to her palace, only to find the imperial physicians and palace maids kneeling on the ground, all of them pale-faced.

"What's wrong?" Xiao Chengyu felt a sense of foreboding.

The imperial physician reported in a trembling voice, "Princess...the Prince Consort...has passed away..."

"What?" Xiao Chengyu was struck dumb, staggering into the inner room. There lay Qi Mingxuan on the bed, his face peaceful, as if he were just asleep.

"No...it can't be..." She rushed to the bedside and grasped his already cold hand. "Mingxuan, wake up...look at me..."

But no matter how she called out, Qi Mingxuan would never respond again.

She later learned that while she was handling military affairs, Qi Mingxuan's condition suddenly deteriorated. He insisted on refusing medication, saying he wanted to save the precious medicine for those who needed it more. He eventually passed away quietly in a coma.

Qi Mingxuan's funeral was extremely grand, with the emperor personally writing his epitaph, and officials and common people spontaneously mourning him. But all of this meant nothing to Xiao Chengyu. She had lost the love of her life, and the whole world had lost its color.

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