"Nian'er—"

Ertai's eyes were red and filled with tears.

"Where's the baby? I want to see the baby."

Chen Nian's face was deathly pale, her lips were completely bloodless, and her voice was so weak that it was almost inaudible.

"Baby's here, baby's here..."

Qing'er hurriedly took the child from Ying'er's arms and stumbled towards the bed.

Is it a daughter?

He spoke softly, lost in thought.

"Yes, yes, Niannian, it's my daughter."

Qing'er nodded, her eyes red.

"Ertai, how about calling her Xi'er?"

With a struggle, Chen Nian raised his hand and patted the person Qing'er was holding.

"Okay, okay, okay—"

Ertai could say nothing, and nodded vigorously.

...

"Do you remember the bet we made? The loser would grant the other one a request. Now, my request is for you: live a good life."

"Chen Nian, you can't be so selfish as to leave me alone. We made that promise."

Upon hearing Chen Nian's words, Ertai's bloodshot pupils widened, and tears streamed down his face. He hadn't expected her to ask him not to leave. She knew he couldn't bear the thought of her leaving. His voice was hoarse and pleading as he tightened his grip on Chen Nian.

"Cough cough, Ertai, I've changed my mind. I can't bear to leave with you. Promise me you'll live well and take good care of Xi'er. What I can't do, you have to do. You have to watch Xi'er get married."

"Ertai, you mustn't blame Xi'er. Without Xi'er, I wouldn't be able to save my life either. You know I only have about three years left."

Heart disease is an incurable illness even in modern times, and it was even less likely to be cured in ancient times. The reason she was able to live so long was entirely due to Ningxiang Pills.

They all knew she only had about three years left, and Ertai knew that too. She was worried that Ertai would get stuck on things and blame the child.

"Otherwise I'll hate you for the rest of my life. You absolutely cannot let our daughter suffer the same abuse I did. You must protect her well."

Promise me.

He uttered the last three words with difficulty, pondering them deeply.

Xi'er has grown up for more than ten years. More than ten years is enough time for Ertai to forget himself.

There's no need to worry about Ertai marrying a new woman and Xi'er being bullied.

As for why she suffered so much bullying, only Cailian knew the answer.

In her previous life, she suffered endless torment.

"Okay, okay, I promise you, I promise you, I promise you everything."

Ertai held the person and cried uncontrollably.

"I have lived a very happy life, and I'm sorry."

After struggling to utter the last four words, he slowly closed his eyes, and the hand that had been stroking Ertai fell limply to his side.

"ah--!"

"Contemplate!"

"Youyou—!"

"Nian Nian—!"

"Jiaojiao—!"

"Waaaaah—"

The Empress Dowager fainted immediately.

The newborn seemed to sense something and cried loudly.

Qing'er fainted from crying in Yongxuan's arms.

Little Swallow was completely distraught.

Cailian lost all emotion and became frighteningly calm.

The queen collapsed to the ground, utterly exhausted...

...

"Ertai, Youyou is gone. Have you forgotten what you promised Niannian?"

Yongxuan kicked open the door, stared at the man lying on the ground reeking of alcohol, grabbed him, and punched him hard in the face, causing blood to seep from Ertai's mouth.

"This is your daughter, the child that Niannian risked her life to give birth to for you. If Niannian knew how you treated Xi'er, do you think she would feel at ease? Wouldn't she hate you?"

Before Ertai could react, Yongxuan dragged him out of the study and into the room next door where Shenxi was. Inside, Qing'er and Xinrong were taking care of the wailing man.

"Look, Xi'er has already lost her mother, do you want Xi'er to lose her father too?"

Yongxuan dragged the person to the small cradle where Shenxi was sleeping, pressed Ertai's head down, and made him look directly at the baby in the cradle.

"Look carefully, this is your daughter, the daughter Niannian risked her life to give birth to. If you don't want her, you can give her to me, or to Yuxing!"