Looking at the bloody water being served, it's clear this baby can't be saved. She had been so hopeful... She said she wanted to keep the baby.
She just said that child was something she wanted for herself—an ending, a hope, a chance to start over and accept things as they were… but now…
Yu Jingchen simply couldn't imagine what would happen if he really couldn't save the child. What would happen then?
He stood outside for about half an hour. Palace servants came and went around him, but he remained motionless in place, like an outsider.
Finally, the imperial physician came out.
Yu Jingchen's eyes flickered slightly. He moved his lips, but couldn't say anything. In the end, he was afraid, afraid of hearing an answer he didn't want to hear.
Upon seeing this, he took the initiative to ask, "How is Consort Shu?"
The imperial physician bowed and said, "Your Majesty... the child in Consort Shu's womb... is gone." Upon hearing this, Yu Jingchen's heart sank completely. Never before had he wished for the child to stay as much as he did now.
He didn't know it would turn out like this... He hadn't really used any force; he didn't know Nan Zhiyun would fall, and he didn't know she would lose the child because of it.
At this moment, Yu Jingchen was like a child who had done something wrong, feeling helpless about the situation and timid in the face of his numerous mistakes. He couldn't utter a word, and when he heard the answer, his heart sank. Seeing His Majesty like this...
Fortunately, he bowed his head. These things had indeed happened. Although it was somewhat expected, His Majesty now knew the full bitterness of it all...
"How is Consort Shu doing now?" Xinglai asked again.
"Consort Shu is awake, but... this incident has taken a heavy toll on her health, requiring careful recuperation. Furthermore... it seems Consort Shu will be unable to conceive in the future." The imperial physician's words were like a sharp knife piercing Yu Jingchen's heart. He abruptly turned to the physician beside him: "What did you say?"
The imperial physician knelt down: "Your Majesty, please forgive me!"
The look in Yu Jingchen's eyes slowly faded... Would he never be able to have children again? His heart pounded with anxiety. What should he do? What should he do? Nan Zhiyun...
Fortunately, he hadn't expected it to be this serious. Looking at His Majesty's current condition and the imperial physician on the ground, he secretly gave a wink, signaling the physician to leave.
Upon seeing this, the imperial physicians naturally had to leave immediately. Only after leaving Cixi Palace did they realize that they were covered in a cold sweat. They had almost thought they would never be able to leave Cixi Palace.
The imperial physician turned to look at Cixi Palace. The Empress Dowager and General Nan had been kind to them... This time, they had only been forced to take this desperate measure... Moreover, no one would find out.
After hearing the imperial physician's words, Yu Jingchen inside the room remained motionless. He stared into the room, feeling as if his feet weighed a ton, unable to step out.
After a long while, the Empress Dowager came out. Yu Jingchen looked at her, and for the first time, his eyes showed sadness, tension, worry, and... fear.
The Empress Dowager remained calm as she walked up to Yu Jingchen and stopped. The two stared at each other without saying a word. Then... the Empress Dowager raised her hand and slapped Yu Jingchen across the face. Yu Jingchen did not dodge.
This slap made everyone kneel down. No one expected that the Empress Dowager would dare to hit His Majesty.
"Your Majesty, I am still your mother. Do you accept this slap?" The Empress Dowager's eyes were fierce; this time, she was truly angry with Yu Jingchen.
When they were young, she would sometimes lay a hand on Yu Jingchen, but she stopped punishing him after he became the crown prince. It's quite surprising that she's laid a hand on him now, considering Yu Jingchen's status is different now.
"I didn't expect things to turn out this way..." Yu Jingchen wanted to explain, but found himself unable to refute it. He couldn't just dismiss these things with a simple "I don't know." He suddenly felt powerless.
"Why are you always so self-righteous? No matter what, Yun'er is never wrong. Why do you have to take your anger out on her?" The Empress Dowager frowned and spoke with a pained expression, as if she wanted to vent all her resentment.
"I'm sorry..." Yu Jingchen's apology... It seems he hasn't apologized to anyone before.
"You shouldn't be saying sorry to me. Besides, what good is an apology? You know Yun'er also longed for this child. She's been very careful every day these past few days to keep the baby. But... you just shattered her hopes. Not only that, Yun'er will never be a mother again! Do you know what that means? How can you repay this? How can you repay this?!" The Empress Dowager became more and more agitated as she spoke, and even her eyes turned red.
Yu Jingchen couldn't refute it. He regretted it, but it was too late to say anything now.
"I'll go in and take a look..." Yu Jingchen's tone became humble.
"Does Your Majesty think it's appropriate for you to go in now? Yun'er is awake right now." The Empress Dowager didn't refuse, but simply asked this question in return.
Yu Jingchen was stunned. If he went in now… he knew perfectly well that Nan Zhiyun wouldn't want to see him. But could he just leave like that? He couldn't seem to bring himself to do it.
"There is something I should do..." Yu Jingchen's voice was a little hoarse.
The Empress Dowager smiled, but her smile was tinged with sarcasm. She didn't answer, but simply looked at Yu Jingchen and said, "What do you think, Your Majesty?"
Yu Jingchen remained silent. The Empress Dowager merely glanced at her before returning to her room. Yu Jingchen watched the Empress Dowager go inside, but he lacked the courage to take that step himself.
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