Chapter 179 The Third Prince's Dark Moonlight Eunuch 16

The cold winter wind is like a sharp blade, biting and cold, accompanied by heavy snow falling like goose feathers, turning the earth into a world of silver.

The sycamore tree in the yard was not spared from the white cover. Its branches were decorated with snow, as if it was wearing an exquisite snow-white dress.

Shen Xinran gently pushed open the door, and a gust of cold wind blew towards her. She couldn't help but shiver, then wrapped her cotton clothes tightly and retreated back to the room.

Looking back, Sima Yi was still reading. Shen Xinran gave Sima Yi a flattering smile, "Master, I suddenly feel that snowy days and white rice porridge are more suitable."

Sima Yi looked up from his book and understood Shen Xinran's thoughts at a glance. He shook his head and chuckled, "Then you will be responsible for cooking."

Shen Xinran nodded gently, "Okay, no problem."

As long as she is not asked to go to the imperial kitchen in the heavy snow to get food, everything will be fine.

Besides, you can use it as a fire to keep warm while cooking the porridge.

After experiencing the pain of losing her son, the imperial concubine was unable to calm down for half a year.

One day, she suddenly remembered that she still had a traitor to deal with. She immediately ordered Fushou beside her, "Go, call Concubine Wan to me."

Fushou nodded respectfully, then quickly turned and left, heading towards Zhongcui Palace.

Outside the house, snowflakes fell as lightly as catkins, as if weaving a never-ending winter fairy tale.

The imperial concubine sat quietly by the window, her gaze piercing through the layers of falling snow, her thoughts drifting away. If her precious son were still alive, he would surely be running excitedly in the snow at this moment!

However, as her thoughts deepened, a thin layer of mist gradually appeared in the imperial concubine's eyes.

About half an hour later, Fushou finally returned, but there was no one behind him.

The imperial concubine's brows were furrowed, and her tone was filled with displeasure: "Where are the people?"

Fushou bent down and replied respectfully, "Your Majesty, Concubine Jing said that she has made an appointment with Concubine Wan to enjoy the snow together. I suggest that Your Majesty invite her another day."

The imperial concubine clenched her fists in anger, "This is ridiculous! Can't I even invite a concubine?"

After the imperial concubine finished speaking, she slowly stood up and walked towards Concubine Jing's Zhongcui Palace with an irresistible momentum.

"Sister Jingfei has been really free lately and even has the leisure to enjoy the snow." There was a hint of sarcasm in the imperial concubine's voice.

When Wanmei saw the imperial concubine, she couldn't help but shrink her body and her face turned pale, as if shrouded in the shadow of fear.

Upon seeing this, Concubine Jing stepped forward and stood in front of Wanmei. She smiled at the Imperial Concubine and said, "It is an honor for you, Your Majesty, to have us here. Please take a seat."

The imperial concubine sneered, "There's no need to sit down. I just came to talk to Concubine Wan and leave after that."

Wanmei's pupils shrank and her lips began to tremble.

Concubine Jing patted her hands and said, "Go ahead. The Imperial Concubine is a magnanimous person and won't do anything to you. Besides, I'm right here. What are you afraid of?"

After hearing what Concubine Jing said, Wan Mei finally mustered up her courage and slowly walked up to the Imperial Concubine. She bent down and said with a stiff smile, "Greetings to the Empress."

Looking at Wan Mei's almost six-month-old belly, the imperial concubine curled her lips and sneered, "Wan Jieyu, you have climbed up a new branch and even forgotten your old master?"

Wanmei's voice was weak: "Wanmei dare not."

The imperial concubine raised her chin and said in a commanding tone, "Since that's the case, then follow me back to Xianfu Palace and have a seat."

Wanmei grew up in Xianfu Palace. She saw too many scenes of the imperial concubine punishing palace maids and eunuchs. She felt scared and could only turn to Concubine Jing for help.

Concubine Jing stepped forward again, her tone relaxed, "Your Highness, perhaps you don't know yet, but a few days ago, when His Majesty came to Zhongcui Palace, Concubine Wan accidentally knocked over His Majesty's favorite teacup. His Majesty was furious and punished Concubine Wan to confine herself to self-reflection for six months."

The imperial concubine turned her gaze to Concubine Jing, her tone filled with displeasure: "Do you really want to go against me?"

There was a hint of innocence in Concubine Jing's smile: "What do you mean, Your Majesty? Why don't I understand?"

The imperial concubine snorted coldly and left with a flick of her sleeves.

Wanmei heaved a sigh of relief and sat down on the chair. She looked at Concubine Jing with gratitude, "Thank you, Your Majesty, for saving Wanmei's life."

Seeing this, Concubine Jing patted Wanmei on the shoulder and consoled her, "I'll go talk to His Majesty. You have to put on a good show. Don't leave Zhongcui Palace for the time being."

After the imperial concubine returned to Xianfu Palace, she was so angry that she smashed all the vases and ornaments in the palace.

She even shouted loudly: "She is nothing but Concubine Jing. If it weren't for the help of my Qin family, she wouldn't even be a shadow. Now that my prince is gone, she starts to make petty calculations. Doesn't she even consider her own worth? What wishful thinking!"

Upon seeing this, Fushou quickly ordered the palace maids and eunuchs to leave, and advised the imperial concubine, "Your Majesty, Wanmei is just a mere concubine. Why are you and Concubine Jing at odds over her?"

The imperial concubine could no longer listen to anything. Her eyes grew fiercer and fiercer. "There is not a single good person in this palace. Everyone should be buried with my son!"

Spring soon arrived, and Wanmei's belly grew larger and larger. She thought the imperial concubine would immediately take action against her, but she didn't. However, she still felt uneasy.

On the day her stomach ached, Concubine Jing was worried that something might go wrong during delivery, so she stayed by Wanmei's bedside all the time.

With intense pain, Wanmei gave her all and gave birth to a child. Her vision blurred and her voice weak, she asked the midwife, "Is it a prince or a princess?"

The midwife smiled and replied, "Congratulations, Madam, it's a prince."

Concubine Jing was so happy that she walked up to the midwife and carefully picked up the child.

Wan Mei's gaze followed the child, and she choked up and said, "My Lady, you must take good care of him."

Concubine Jing smiled gently and comforted him, "Don't worry, I will take good care of him. You should take good care of yourself, as your blessings are still to come."

Wanmei understood what Concubine Jing meant. The child's future was indeed better with Concubine Jing than with herself. She forced a smile and then fell into a deep sleep.

Concubine Jing truly treasured the child. Before going to sleep, she took one last look at him, gently pinched his little face, and teased him, saying, "I am your mother."

When the first rays of morning light filtered through the window, Concubine Jing woke up from her sleep. The first thing she did was to tell the palace maid beside her: "Ask the nurse to bring the child here. I want to see him."

The maid obeyed the order and left, but soon after, a sharp scream broke the tranquility of the early morning.

Concubine Jing's heart tightened, and she hurried to the side hall, only to see a shocking scene - the wet nurse's body was hanging on the beam, her life had left her.

She hurried forward to check on the child, only to see the tiny body lying quietly, eyes closed, lips an ominous purple, devoid of any sign of life.

Concubine Jing reached out her hand tremblingly and touched the child's little face, but she only felt coldness and silence.

Her heart was filled with grief, and she took every precaution, but she was no match for her wet nurse.

Concubine Jing was furious. She knew in her heart that this must have been done by the Imperial Concubine. Only she could be so cruel...