"drive!"

The rain was pouring down, and the night sky was like a torn curtain. Chu Hong rode his horse far away, galloping in the rainy night.

The rain splashed on his face and eyelashes, wet his hair and clothes, and blurred his eyes. He could only rely on his senses to urge the horse forward.

The trusted attendants behind him were left far behind.

"Your Highness..."

But Chu Hong turned a deaf ear to it. He had only one thought in his mind, which was to go back faster and faster, before his mother closed her eyes.

The abbot of Fahua Temple had received the news yesterday and had taken good care of the sutra. Seeing Chu Hong coming in the rain, he clasped his hands together and handed the book to him: "Amitabha, benefactor, this is the Diamond Sutra that your mother left behind. It has been enshrined in front of the Buddha for twenty years. May it protect her on her journey!"

Chu Hong wiped his hands, took the yellowed scripture, and felt a sharp pain in his heart.

He didn't have time to say much. He bowed hurriedly to the abbot, then jumped on his horse and galloped back to the capital.

The rain suddenly stopped, leaving only water droplets on the trees on both sides, still dripping from time to time.

Just as he was about to reach the palace gate, suddenly, a long and heavy bell sound came from the depths of the palace.

"Dong-dong-dong-dong"

There were twenty-seven strikes in total.

Chu Hong suddenly stood on his horse, raised his front hooves high, and splashed mud and water.

"Your Majesty!"

The guard at the gate hurried forward to take the horse, but saw him jump directly onto the white marble steps, and the horse's hooves slipped on the smooth floor tiles.

But he didn't care and rode his horse straight towards Qionghua Palace.

At that time, a simple mourning shed had been set up in the Qionghua Palace, with white lanterns hung on both sides. The palace maids and eunuchs were all dressed in mourning and were busy in the yard.

A Ruo held the yangqin, which was Concubine Jiang's favorite instrument during her lifetime, and cried inconsolably.

Seeing Chu Hong coming back, she choked up and said, "Your Majesty, the Queen... passed away not long after you left. When she passed away, she was very peaceful..."

Chu Hong stood quietly in the center of the mourning hall, his whole body wet and in a disheveled state. His already cold and pale skin looked a bit strange after being washed by the rain, especially the cinnabar mole on his forehead, which seemed to come alive.

When A Ruo saw him like this, tears welled up in her eyes again.

"Your Highness, His Majesty...has issued an edict to posthumously confer the title of Consort Hui on Her Majesty, and to conduct funerals according to the rites for a consort..." Her voice choked with sobs, "Your Highness...please accept my condolences!"

Chu Hong did not respond, but slowly walked to the coffin to see his mother for the last time.

The blood at the corner of Concubine Jiang's mouth had been cleaned, and she had put on new makeup and clothes. Her face looked peaceful, as if she was really asleep.

At this time, the palace maid handed over a set of plain white mourning clothes and persuaded her:

"Your Highness, your clothes are all wet, please change them first."

Chu Hong did not refuse. He turned around calmly and went into the next room.

When he came out, he saw Chu Qingluan standing at the door of the mourning hall, her white dress fluttering slightly in the wind. Behind her were several palace maids, holding incense, candles and other offerings.

The moment their eyes met, the air seemed to freeze.

"Prince Rui, I mourn for you!"

After a while, Chu Qingluan was the first to break the silence in the air. Her voice was very soft, but every word was clear.

Chu Hong's lips curled up slightly, but his eyes were cold: "Imperial sister, you already knew this, right?"

"Do you know that Mother intends to cut out my heart and draw blood to revive Father?"

He slowly approached Chu Qingluan, his eyes darkening, "Royal sister watched her die, and didn't even try to stop her?"

Seeing that Chu Qingluan didn't say anything, Liu'er, who was behind her, heard it and was about to step forward to explain, but Chu Qingluan raised her hand to stop her.

"Everyone go down."

In a short while, all the palace servants in the mourning hall left.

Chu Qingluan's gaze fell calmly on Chu Hong. After a moment, she spoke: "I am here to bid farewell to Concubine Hui."

She turned sideways and tried to walk inside, but was suddenly blocked by Chu Hong.

"Why don't you answer me, sister?" His eyes were fixed on Chu Qingluan, and his voice showed no emotion.

"Did I get it right?"

Chu Qingluan still didn't speak.

His heart gradually sank, like a dying fish, making its last struggle, but to no avail. He could only let himself sink further and further...

"Chu Hong." At this time, Chu Qingluan said calmly: "Empress Huifei has obtained what she desired. I respect her choice."

Chu Qingluan didn't explain to him because she felt it was unnecessary.

In other words, even if she knew in advance that Concubine Hui intended to sacrifice herself to save her father, she would respect Concubine Hui's decision if she had no choice.

The only possible difference is that Wu Ya may have a way to detoxify the poison, but it depends on whether she is willing to cooperate.

Unless she had no other choice, she would not choose to sacrifice Concubine Jiang's life.

But she didn't intend to tell Chu Hong about all this.

It's okay to let him misunderstand me.

It is better to get rid of some false thoughts as soon as possible.

Chu Hong's heart trembled when he heard this.

That was the sound of something breaking.

"What a 'seek benevolence and obtain it'." He sneered, "My Imperial Sister is indeed worthy of being the future Empress. She can even pronounce the word 'benevolence' in such a high-sounding way."

Chu Qingluan raised her eyes and looked at him, her gaze still calm: "If Prince Rui has any resentment in his heart, he can speak frankly."

Chu Hong stared into her eyes and suddenly forced a sad smile: "Royal sister, you really have such a cruel heart!"

"Is your heart made of stone? Or does it mean that only those who can be used by you are worthy of your warmth?"

It would be fine if it was just the Emperor, but Qin Yuan, Xie Yunqi, and even Zhi Xia, they could all get into her heart, so why was she so cruel to him?

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