Xuanming Hall.
Chu Changning lay on the couch with her eyes closed, refusing to wake up for a long time. One imperial physician after another came in from the palace, but none of them could do anything about it.
Taozhi lay by the bed, sobbing softly. Shuangyue gave her medicine, then knelt at the foot of the bed, head bowed, saying nothing.
Chu Changning could hear their voices, but she didn't want to wake up. Her mind was foggy, and she kept having the same dream over and over again.
In her dream, she saw him being cut in two by the enemy, his body floating in the river. Thousands of arrows were raining down on his corpse, tearing it apart. The water around him was very cold, and snow was falling in the air, layer upon layer, falling onto the river and corroding into his flesh. He didn't say anything, just stared at the sky with his eyes open.
Pain, so much pain! Her body and limbs felt numb and withered. A cold, empty wind filled her throat, and she couldn't say anything or make any sound.
She could clearly feel herself withering, like a seed in the northern frontier that had lost its nutrients.
"Mother~"
Ayu lay by the bed, looking at her mother who was fast asleep, and called out softly.
He has grown up and can notice the adults' abnormalities. During this time, he has been kept by Cui Xiang's side, and there are many more guards protecting him. Night Hawk has been guarding him all the time, never leaving his side.
He knew that something must have happened to his father, which was why his mother had been in a coma. He was still young and had no power; he couldn't protect anyone.
"Mother, the mimosa beans you planted have sprouted. You'll see them when you wake up---"
The red beans that Father sent were planted in the garden by Mother in special soil. They bloomed and even glowed. Mother said that Father would come back when they bore fruit.
“I’ve read the book. It will be fruitful soon, and then Father will come back.”
Her son's murmured voice lingered around her, and silent tears streamed down her cheeks, seeping into her clothes, like thin blades silently devouring her flesh and bones.
The mimosa bean, the love potion, gone, all gone. All the sweetness, resentment, disappointment, sorrow, all the love and hate of the past have gradually turned to ashes with the passing of life.
He died, he died in Lichuan, without even a complete corpse.
When Shuangyue came in with the medicine bowl, she found the little prince holding his mother's hand, leaning against the bedside with his eyes closed, as if he were asleep.
She went over, picked up Ayu, and placed her on the soft couch. Then she brought the medicine over and fed it to the person on the couch.
The person on the bed refused to drink the medicine, so it couldn't be forced down their throat. It dripped down their pale lips and seeped into their clothes along their chin.
Frosty Moon knelt uncomfortably on the footstool, softly recounting the turmoil of the previous dynasty and the war in the north.
The crown prince is young. Although the previous dynasty was suppressed by Prime Minister Cui, the country cannot be without a ruler for a day. There are countless people eyeing this piece of fat meat.
"The Great Qi was conquered by His Majesty. If Your Majesty doesn't pull yourself together, are we just going to hand over this empire to someone else?"
As Chu Changning listened to Shuangyue's words, her heart felt as if it had been torn open. She closed her eyes, and tears streamed down her face silently, wetting her cheeks and clothes.
"His Majesty risked his life to establish the Great Qi, but those people benefited from it. Is Your Majesty willing to accept this?"
The hall was very quiet, the only sound being the frost and moonlight.
Chu Changning lay there silently, the world before her eyes a dark void. She could vaguely make out that figure who had always been aloof and noble. Tears streamed down her pale face, seeping into her flesh and heart, drawing nourishment from her.
Time passed extremely quickly. The rebellion of the previous dynasty was forcefully suppressed, and no news came back from the north. The entire city of Jiankang was shrouded in a dark fog.
The world, power, the throne, and women all belong to the emperor. Everyone wants to rule the world, and that throne called the Dragon Throne hides countless corpses and bones.
The entire palace was heavily guarded, and all the powerful families in the country were watching Jiankang. Countless assassins wanted to kill the young crown prince. Once he died, the Great Qi Emperor would have no heir, so what could his supporters do?
However, the Yan family surrounded the palace with heavy troops. After a rebellion in August, countless people were killed. The news of the death of the Great Qi Emperor was of dubious authenticity, and no one dared to make any rash moves. Everyone was waiting for an opportunity.
Early in the morning, Taozhi brought the medicine into the palace and found that the person lying on the couch was gone. She hurriedly put down the medicine and went out to call people to look for him.
Although winter is approaching, the weather was unusually warm today. The dazzling sunlight shone on the entire hall, casting halos of light on that slender figure.
Cui Linyuan sat at the table below, with battle reports from various places laid out in front of him. His eyes were bloodshot as he looked at the man who had suddenly collapsed, and he spoke in a hoarse voice.
"The news from the north confirms that His Majesty died in Lichuan."
Chu Changning seemed not to hear him, large tears streaming down her face as she looked at him and murmured, "Then why are you still forcing yourself to wait for him?"
"As long as His Majesty's body is not seen, the Great Qi will not change its ruler."
"Cui Linyuan, if you're lying to me about some plan you've made—"
Cui Linyuan lowered his eyes bitterly and interrupted her, "His Majesty did mention this outcome before he left and gave me a list, but I really don't know if His Majesty had any plans. I only know that the news from the north is that His Majesty has died."
As if she had been punched hard, Chu Changning felt her vision gradually blur, and a white world filled her eyes. Tears streamed down her face as she stood motionless, her body stiff and rigid.
"However, Your Majesty can rest assured that the person sitting on the throne of the Great Qi can only be His Majesty's child."
As the light on the horizon gradually dimmed, Chu Changning felt lightheaded and weak, as if she would fall down at any moment.
The wind in Jiankang is a damp, chilly kind of cold. When it blows on your face, it feels like a venomous snake slithering into your body, leaving you shivering.
She seemed oblivious, standing under the palace corridor in thin clothing, staring blankly at the sunlight overhead.
"The encirclement and suppression in the Western Regions and the Northern Capital, the pain of dying tragically with multiple stab wounds in Lichuan, the body that could not be found, Yan Beimo, are you blaming me, blaming me for not going to be with you?"
A gust of wind blew, causing the lamp niches under the palace eaves to sway and tremble. Cool water droplets fell and landed on her neck, making her shiver instantly.
She didn't move, her eyes fixed on the sky, murmuring softly.
“The weather in the north is so cold, and the snow wolves on the Li River are so fierce. I heard they eat people. You are so proud, always looking like a noble mad dog. How could you let yourself fall to that level? You would never do that.”
"And another thing, if you die, the Great Qi won't last long. The Western Regions' troops will break through the city gates and ravage your land like tigers and wolves. Your people, my two sons, and I will all become slaves of a conquered nation."
"How could you bear to do that? How dare you—"
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