Chapter 343 Concubine De died!
The sunlight at noon shines on the swaying leaves outside the window, giving off a green and warm glow.
In the elegantly decorated bedroom, an apricot-colored figure was lying on the bed, barely breathing.
Suddenly, there was a creaking sound, and a palace maid entered the bedroom carrying a basin of water and a towel. She walked to the bed and said, "Your Majesty... Your Majesty, what's wrong with you?!"
Concubine De usually got up at this time to wash and have breakfast, and the palace maids were used to serving her.
But at this moment, Concubine De, lying on the couch, looked pale and sweaty.
The maid was so frightened that she ran out immediately.
"The queen is ill, please send for the imperial physician!"
Soon, Envoy Lin came to take Concubine De's pulse.
After seeing him feel her pulse, the palace maid looked solemn and said, "Your Majesty's pulse is weak. The situation is not good. Go and prepare some ginseng soup!"
The news of Concubine De's illness soon spread throughout the palace.
When Concubine Shu, Concubine Life and Concubine Zhen rushed over after hearing the noise, Concubine De was so weak that she could not speak and was relying on ginseng soup to keep herself awake.
Jun Liluo and Song Yunchu were originally handling government affairs in the imperial study. When they heard that Concubine De was seriously ill, they quickly came to Xingde Palace. Jun Liluo ordered all the imperial doctors on duty that day to come for a consultation.
"Cousin, cousin, don't scare me. Wasn't he fine a few days ago? Why did he become like this today..."
Zhen Fei twisted the handkerchief tightly in her hands, her face full of anxiety.
Jun Liluo asked Lin Yuanshi who was standing by the sickbed, "What is the illness of Concubine De?"
"Your Majesty, the illness of Concubine De is probably caused by long days of worrying and hurting her liver, which has caused stagnation of qi and blood. In addition, Concubine De has a weak desire to live. She was unwilling to swallow the ginseng soup even after it was fed to her. The palace maids had to work hard to get her to drink some."
"Then do you have any way to treat it?"
"this……"
As the two were talking, a maid's cry of surprise rang out from behind them, "My queen!"
When Lin Yuanshi turned around, he saw that Concubine De had closed her eyes.
He immediately stepped forward to feel her pulse, then withdrew his hand feebly and turned to report to Jun Liluo, "Your Majesty, Concubine De... has passed away."
"You're talking nonsense!" Zhen Fei shouted, "She has always been in good health and has never had any illness. How could such a healthy person just die? It must be that you quacks made a random diagnosis!"
"Hurry up and find a way to make her get better, otherwise I will never forgive you!"
"Your Majesty, I have tried my best. Although the Empress Defei has never suffered from a serious illness before, excessive worry and depression can also be fatal. I asked about the Empress Defei's recent diet this morning. The palace maid said that since she came back from her mother's house, she has lost her appetite and even had trouble sleeping at night. She has been unwilling to call the imperial physician to see her until today..."
"What nonsense! She always played with us before, how could she be depressed?" Concubine Zhen was unwilling to believe what Lin Yuanshi said and was extremely emotional.
"Sister Zhenfei, please don't be rude in front of His Majesty." Shufei stepped forward and held Zhenfei's arm. "Sister Defei has indeed not seen us these past few days. Even when I wanted to visit her yesterday, I was sent back by her maid. Perhaps what Envoy Lin said is true."
"I don't believe it, this is impossible..."
Zhenfei murmured, then ran to Defei's bedside to check her breathing.
She was still as peaceful and beautiful as before, but she also truly had no aura.
"Cousin, you can't just leave like this. If you leave, how will I live in the future? Cousin, please wake up. I will listen to you no matter what you say from now on and I will never argue with you again..."
As Zhenfei spoke, tears began to flow down her cheeks, and she eventually fainted from crying.
Jun Liluo ordered someone to take her to the side hall to rest, then sighed, "Inform her mother's family of the death of Concubine De, and ask them to come and see her again."
When the bad news reached the Huo family, Minister Huo had just returned home from court.
He could hardly believe his ears, and rushed to the palace with Mrs. Huo.
When he arrived at Xingde Palace and saw the person lying on the couch, his feet shook and he could hardly stand.
No...
Lan'er's health had always been good, how could it be...
Mrs. Huo was almost in tears. When she learned about Concubine De's illness from the imperial physician, she turned around and glared at Minister Huo.
She was always gentle and kind, but her expression changed rarely. She cursed at Minister Huo, "It's all your fault, Lan'er! It's all your fault!"
"She has been sensible since she was young, but you were always so strict with her. Why can't you be nicer to her as a father? Why did you keep forcing her to do things she didn't want to do? Now that she's gone, are you satisfied?"
"Madam!" Defei's personal maid hurried forward to support her and comforted her, "Madam, even if you are very sad, you can't make such a loud noise. If you do this... Empress Defei will also be worried."
Although His Majesty is no longer here, there are some things that should not be said.
After venting her feelings, Mrs. Huo no longer looked at Minister Huo, but knelt in front of the bed, crying.
Minister Huo seemed to have all his strength drained away. He sat down on the ground without saying a word.
Lan Er...
He was just like many fathers, hoping his daughter would become a successful person.
He never thought that the old would bury the young one in the arms of his parents one day.
Lan'er is such an outstanding lady from a noble family. How could the boy named Qin be worthy of her? Since she has entered the palace, he, as a father, naturally hopes that she will be promoted and bring honor to the family.
But his expectation... resulted in her leaving.
The imperial physician said that she had no desire to live before she passed away, and did not even leave a single word.
Was this her punishment for being such a strict father?
"Lan'er..."
Minister Huo lowered his head, tears welling up in his eyes.
He suddenly recalled what Lan'er had once accused him of.
The situation in the court was not something that could be controlled by the people in the harem. He was unhappy in the court, so he took his anger out on his daughter.
If he had known that things would turn out like this... he would never have put pressure on her.
Unfortunately...it's too late to say anything now.
…
In the afternoon, Song Yunchu left the imperial study. Halfway through his walk, he saw a man standing under the palace wall in front of him.
The man was dressed in Yulin Army uniform and was walking towards her. His handsome face was tense. She could vaguely see bloodshot in his eyes, as if there were uncontrollable waves surging.
"Your Highness Prince Ning." Qin Shen spoke in a hoarse voice, "Can I borrow some of your time?"
Song Yunchu naturally understood his mood at the moment and said to him, "Let's talk while we walk."
After she finished speaking, she changed direction and walked towards Anfu Hall not far away.
Anfu Hall is used for burning incense and praying during festivals. This stretch of road is usually sparsely visited, making it a great place to talk.
"Your Highness is extremely intelligent and must know the reason for my sadness. I would like to ask you, when Concubine De was dying this morning, were you and His Majesty present at the scene?"
"Yes, Your Majesty and I heard the report from the palace servants and rushed over. By then, Concubine De was already very tired."
"Then according to your Highness, is there anything strange about this matter?"
Hearing Qin Shen's question, Song Yunchu paused, "What do you mean by that?"
"I heard that more than an hour passed from the time Concubine De was discovered by the palace maid to the time she died, and she didn't even leave a last word. Don't you find it strange?"
"When the imperial physician came to the conclusion, I was standing next to him. He said that Concubine De was too worried and hurt her liver. In addition, her qi and blood were stagnant. She herself had no will to live. Even if a god existed, he couldn't save her."
"No, she is not such a fragile person. She will not give up her life just because of sadness."
Qin Shen said firmly, "She looks quiet and weak, but in fact she is calm and thoughtful. She is always thinking about her family, so how could she be so depressed? Besides, nothing has happened to the Huo family recently. It's just that Minister Huo didn't like me and wanted to tie me up but failed. I don't care about this anymore. She should know that I won't make a fuss."
"I can't do anything to the Huo family. I have surrendered to you. Minister Huo will not be so stupid as to take action again in such a short time. The Huo family and I can live in peace for a long time. How can she become depressed? I believe she cherishes her life and will not seek death. Someone must be behind her to harm her!"
Qin Shen's voice was trembling with anger as he spoke the last part.
"Your Highness, I am not as free as you are in the palace, nor do I have as many connections as you do. I beg you to help me investigate this matter privately. I must know the real cause of her death!"
"If Your Highness can help me, I am willing to do anything for you."
Compared to Qin Shen's excitement, Song Yunchu was unusually calm. "What if someone really hurt her, and the person who hurt her is someone you can't afford to offend?"
"As long as I know who the real murderer is, there will always be a chance to avenge her."
"Well, since you are so infatuated, I will help you check it out. Don't act rashly. When there is news, I will tell you naturally."
"Yes." Qin Shen took over the conversation and then suggested, "Your Highness can start with Concubine Zhen, Concubine Li, and Concubine Shu."
"Why do you doubt them?"
"I know that none of them have any grudges against Concubine De, but the families behind the four concubines are still competing with each other. Some people's relationships may appear calm on the surface, but in reality, they are turbulent. Not everyone can be as gentle and respectful as she is."
"Okay, you go back first." Song Yunchu took over the conversation, "Remember to control your emotions when you go back, and don't let others see that you are overly sad."
"Don't worry, Your Highness. I will be careful and cautious."
Qin Shen bowed to Song Yunchu and said, "I will keep my life to serve you and avenge her. I will take my leave now."
Song Yunchu looked at his departing figure, and finally understood why Concubine De was still thinking about him.
His deep affection not only lasted during her lifetime, but also remained strong after her death.
…
That night.
Qin Shen sat alone at the table, looking at the bright moon outside the window, and his eyes became wet unconsciously.
Ah Lan...
I originally thought that I would not bother her anymore in the future and just look at her from a distance occasionally.
But who knew that I wouldn’t be able to see him even for the last time.
He was just feeling sad when he heard footsteps outside the room, followed by a knock on the door. "Qin Sijie, the prince is here."
Qin Shen quickly calmed down and wiped away the tears from around his eyes.
Prince Ning came to see him so late, could it be that he found out some information about A Lan?
He quickly opened the door and invited Song Yunchu to come in and sit down.
"My place is a little shabby, please forgive me, Your Highness. Would you like some tea or wine?"
"No need for that, just sit down and talk."
Qin Shen sat down and looked at Song Yunchu steadily, "Your Highness, why are you here to see me at this hour? Is that..."
"I did find out some information about Consort De." Song Yunchu stroked the folding fan in his hand, "It's just..."
"Just what?" Qin Shen asked excitedly.
"It's just that you really can't shake the man who caused Concubine De's death. Even I don't want to interfere in this matter. If you insist on seeking revenge, I'm afraid you will end up with a corpse torn into pieces."
Qin Shen clenched his fists when he heard this, "I hope Your Highness will make it clear."
"Qin Shen, I have to remind you that you have surrendered to me now. As long as you can do your job well, I can promote you. Your road to fame will be smooth sailing, and many ladies from noble families will admire you. You and Concubine De were doomed to be together. Now that she is gone, doesn't it just stop your thoughts? This can be regarded as eliminating a hidden danger."
Song Yunchu's words made Qin Shen frown immediately, "Your Highness, you——"
He was furious, but facing Song Yunchu, he finally suppressed his anger and explained patiently, "Your Highness, she and I are not destined to be together."
"In fact, Mrs. Huo knew about it at first. Mrs. Huo didn't reject me, but Minister Huo looked down on me. He only wanted A Lan to be his concubine. A Lan said that everyone has their own ambitions. She didn't want to enter the palace, but as the eldest daughter, she had to contribute to the Huo family. Although I chose to leave, I never let her go in my heart."
"Even if she is no longer in this world, she still lives in my heart. Tell me, who hurt her? I will find a way to take revenge myself. Even if both of us have to perish, I will seek justice for her." Qin Shen's words were sonorous and powerful.
"Is that so..." Song Yunchu said slowly, then chuckled and turned to look outside the house, "Miss Huo really didn't make a mistake about her. I can rest assured that she will be able to use such a loyal person in the future."
Qin Shen was stunned.
What Miss Huo?
As the sound of the door opening was heard, a black figure stepped into the room.
Qin Shen looked at the person who came, his eyes filled with shock.
The man was wearing the clothes of a servant in Prince Ning's mansion, but his face was the one he was most familiar with.
"Alan?!"
He walked quickly to her and saw tears in her eyes, still a little bit unbelieving.
This appearance, this figure, is indeed A Lan.
So who is in the coffin of Concubine De?
"You said that I am all-powerful, so how difficult would it be to replace Concubine De with a fake one? Oh, no, there is no Concubine De in this world anymore."
Song Yunchu looked at the woman in black a few feet away and smiled faintly, "She should be called Miss Huo."
"Thank you, Your Highness Prince Ning, for the solution you came up with for me." Huo Lan thanked Song Yunchu, and then slowly held Qin Shen's hand, "A Shen, it's me, I'm A Lan."
Concubine De is dead, and she is now free, no longer shackled.
She took out the gourd jade pendant Qin Shen had given her from her sleeve and said, "I have never lost the heirloom you gave me. I just had to hide from you before, so I lied to you and said I lost it."
"Alan, you really are alive...alive Alan!"
Qin Shen looked at the jade pendant in her hand, and he could hardly suppress his excitement.
The joy of regaining what he had lost made him unable to speak smoothly.
"Alan, am I the only one who knows that you are alive? Then...what about your parents? Madam Huo..."
"I will tell mother." Huo Lan said, "Your Highness means that as Defei's relatives, they must let outsiders see their grief before they can confirm Defei's death. If I tell them too soon, how can they continue to act?"
"I know my mother must be heartbroken, but fortunately I have my brother at home, so she will cheer up. As for my father... let's keep it a secret from him for a while. His Highness said he would give me a new identity."
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