Zheng He nodded tremblingly: "Your Majesty, the charcoal basin is almost ready, otherwise the bath tub won't fit."
"Hurry up and go!"
Yes, yes, yes.
Zheng He acted swiftly, leading palace servants to bring in a steaming bathtub. He also ordered someone to quietly remove some of the charcoal braziers, otherwise the emperor would have died of heatstroke before the concubine's body could decompose.
Zheng He placed the jewelry and clothes he was using for dressing aside, then withdrew and considerately closed the door behind him.
Di Jingcheng stared at the woman in his arms as if possessed, removing the layers of quilts from her body and gently unbuttoning her dirty, disheveled clothes, then planting a kiss on her swollen belly.
"Azi, let me give you and the child a bath."
He paused for a moment, then smiled and said, "What, you want the three of us to take a bath together? Okay, okay."
Di Jingcheng took off his clothes and carried Ranla Azi into the large bathtub. Holding Azi in his arms, he gently washed away the bloodstains and dirt from her body, then washed her long hair, every movement was incredibly gentle and meticulous.
"Azi is so beautiful, our children will definitely be very good-looking too."
"How about Ah Zi helps her husband clean up? No, Ah Zi is pregnant and will get tired."
"Azi, why aren't you eating properly? You've gotten so thin." Ran pulled Azi's bones so hard they hurt.
"It's all my fault, making Azi suffer... Azi, are you tired? Are you asleep? Then let's go back to bed and rest together."
Di Jingcheng carried her out, wiped her clean, dressed her in soft and comfortable undergarments, and then lay her down on the bed that had already been made, holding her contentedly as they fell asleep.
In his dream, he saw that Azi had given birth to a lively and adorable little princess, as beautiful as Azi herself. Azi held her daughter's hand, her face beaming with happiness, but she waved to him and then turned and left.
No matter how he called, she wouldn't turn around.
Di Jingcheng was so frightened that he broke out in a cold sweat. He suddenly opened his eyes and wondered why Azi in his arms was still so cold.
He held her body, weeping bitterly, tears streaming down his face. Zheng He'er and Zheng San, standing outside the door, looked up at each other, their eyes filled with endless sorrow.
Zheng He stepped forward and gently knocked on the door, very cautiously:
"Your Majesty, this Cold Palace is not a place for the Empress to stay for long. Let's take her back first."
The Empress, Consort Shu, and Consort Xian have sent people to inquire several times, and even the ministers are dissatisfied with the Emperor's unexcused absence from the morning court.
He had no choice but to use the excuse that the emperor was unwell to refuse, but the emperor was clearly not feeling well. He had to find a way to get the emperor back so that the imperial concubine could be buried as soon as possible.
The emperor's cries could be heard from inside, and Zheng He and his comrades were powerless to help until, two hours later, the emperor's indifferent voice finally came through.
"Prepare the sedan chair."
Zheng He's second and third sons wept with joy, bowing and scraping: "Your Majesty, the palanquin is ready, just waiting for Your Majesty and the Imperial Concubine to return to the palace."
The door opened from the inside, and Ranla Azi, dressed in warm and gorgeous clothes, lay quietly in Emperor Jingcheng's arms. The emperor carried the woman in his arms and walked step by step towards the luxurious dragon carriage.
The imperial carriage entered the main hall, the emperor's sleeping quarters.
The concubines waiting at the gate to request an audience were dressed in thick, warm palace attire, kneeling in the snow. Their makeup was not particularly flamboyant, but their elaborate headdresses were dazzling.
Empress Nalan Yun'er, along with her concubines, rose from the snow and watched the departing imperial carriage, her eyes filled with coldness and jealousy. "Damn foreign woman, even in the Cold Palace she can't find peace."
The concubines couldn't help but shudder when they saw the Empress reveal such a vicious look for the first time.
"His Majesty is busy with affairs, ladies please go back first. The roads are slippery due to the snow, please be careful."
"Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. We will take our leave now."
In the main hall, Emperor Jingcheng carried Ranla Azi back to his bedchamber, placed her on the bed, and began to apply makeup to her.
Ah Zi loved beauty the most, and he used to love dressing her up the most.
Di Jingcheng gently helped Ranla Azi with her makeup, dressing her in a bright red palace gown. The wedding dress they wore on their own wedding day wasn't bright red, and she had been somewhat unhappy about it. (He deserves to die!)
"Azi, don't worry, I won't let you and the child leave in such a miserable and lonely way."
After finishing his makeup, he carried Azi into the dark room, where a thousand-year-old ice bed had already been prepared to prevent the body from decaying. He was certain he would find a way to bring the dead back to life.
He stayed with her in the dark room for a while, then reluctantly left, as there were still some things to resolve.
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