Chapter 272 The Death of Consort Duan
Aunt Zhou was still hesitant, but her expression clearly showed more emotion.
Madam Chang was very happy to see that she had been somewhat persuaded by her.
The two then chatted for a while longer.
At noon, Du Wanchun and Granny Zhuang served the meal together.
Madam Chang stayed for a meal, and before leaving, she told the Third Prince about this method of escaping unscathed.
Unexpectedly, the Third Prince said that he had thought of it long ago.
But there's no rush now. He'll stay with Aunt Zhou for now, and after he sends Zhou Ruiyuan back to the capital, he'll leave the capital and stay by Aunt Zhou's side forever.
Madam Chang felt a mix of emotions as she listened; she felt a pang of sadness, yet was also deeply moved.
At the same time, she was also very envious, envious that her close friend had someone like the prince who treated her so devotedly.
After bidding them farewell, Madam Chang returned to her residence and wrote a letter to her eldest son in the capital about her adopted daughter, thus officially acknowledging her as her goddaughter.
After seeing Madam Chang off, Aunt Zhou felt much more relaxed. She hadn't expected to be able to reconcile with her, which fulfilled her wish.
The Third Prince came to her side and said, "She probably won't be returning to the capital. You two will have more time together in the future."
Aunt Zhou looked up at him, thinking about what Madam Chang had said, and confirmed one thing.
"Yan Sheng, let's go inside."
The Third Prince was taken aback.
Yan Sheng is his courtesy name. In the past, Aunt Zhou called him that before she got married.
He was overjoyed and quickly replied, "Yes!"
Aunt Zhou turned and went into the house to prepare to clear the dishes from the table.
The Third Prince quickly stepped forward and cleared the items off the table.
Looking at his busy figure, Aunt Zhou couldn't help but smile.
Meanwhile, inside the palace, Consort Duan was critically ill and on her last breath.
The emperor rushed into her room.
Consort Duan, her face pale, finally asked the question she had always wanted to ask him: "All these years, have you ever had me in your heart?"
The emperor did not reply.
Consort Duan suddenly laughed, "I know it was you who poisoned me."
The emperor was startled. "You know?"
Consort Duan coughed a few times and spat out a mouthful of blood. "Yes, I've always known. Since you want me to die so badly, I will grant your wish."
The emperor panicked.
He had always thought that Consort Duan was just using him, but he never expected that Consort Duan truly had feelings for him.
Consort Duan continued, "I originally wanted to help you choose a suitable crown prince before I left, but unfortunately my body couldn't take it anymore."
The emperor stepped forward and took her hand. "Since you knew I poisoned you, why did you still eat it?!"
Consort Duan smiled and said, "I will give you whatever you want, let alone a life. Your Majesty, I am truly devoted to you. All that I have done is for your own good."
"Unfortunately, you've never had me in your heart..."
Upon hearing this, the emperor stiffened, a slight bitterness welling up inside him.
However, he did not know that the reason why Consort Duan said this was simply to take advantage of his soft heart and to establish that puppet crown prince before leaving.
Once the crown prince is established, they can send someone to assassinate the emperor. Then, their Xuan Yue Kingdom will only have that puppet emperor left, and the Northern Di will be able to attack with ease.
She didn't love the emperor or the late emperor at all; she was a spy through and through.
The reason she continued to drink the poison was because she didn't have long to live. She would die whether she ate it or not, so she might as well take one last gamble.
Consort Duan breathed her last amidst the Emperor's sorrowful gaze.
The emperor looked at her body and finally shed tears.
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