Chapter 23: Changning is so confused that she can’t leave you
Zhao Changning became more and more afraid of the old emperor. He really was overreaching and could not handle important matters in time. He believed that taking things slow would lead to a smooth transition, exactly as he said.
But even though Hu Gou'er was imprisoned, the fight between him and Mingxuan had never stopped.
More and more people came to criticize Hu Gou'er, and even local officials responded one after another. These eunuchs had committed numerous and shocking crimes over the years.
Mingxuan was also temporarily dismissed from his post. The old emperor did not mention his actions by name, but only told him to return to Beijing to report.
This time, Zhao Changning felt that the old emperor was really overwhelmed.
He was too old, so old that he could hardly walk. His hair had fallen out, leaving only a few white hairs on the top of his head, making him look like a plucked chicken. His body was covered with skin and bones, his eyes were cloudy, and the breath he exhaled smelled like rotten meat, extremely unpleasant.
The Imperial Hospital also gave its final cautious words, saying that it would be over in the near future.
Now that we have received the confirmation, we must arrange our funeral arrangements in advance to avoid panic when the time comes.
It’s just that the Crown Princess has been taking care of the Crown Prince and has no free time, and there is no one in the harem who can take charge.
Now that Hu Gou'er is in prison, Zhao Changning has to handle this matter. She just needs to report it to the Crown Princess for finalization. So she called the inner palace supervisor according to the regulations.
In fact, the old emperor had fallen ill a few years ago and almost died. The eunuchs in the inner palace had prepared various funeral ceremonies, but the old emperor was lucky and those things were kept in the warehouse.
The eunuch in charge of the Imperial Wardrobe was the first to come and ask Zhao Changning for instructions.
"Everything else is easy to deal with. There is an old rule that they can be used after just cleaning. But the Shangyiguan is not the same. Should those clothes be made anew or kept in use? I would like to ask Auntie for your advice."
Zhao Changning glanced back and said thoughtfully, "The current situation is difficult, and there are riots everywhere. We can't be too extravagant. The emperor will not like it."
The eunuch nodded hesitantly.
Zhao Changning turned back to the palace and was startled to see the emperor sitting up. "Your Majesty, why are you up?"
The old emperor panted for a long time before saying, "I just heard you talking outside. What happened?"
Zhao Changning paused, his voice choking with emotion, "It's someone from the Inner Palace Supervisor..."
She felt extremely complicated, relieved, confused, and even reluctant and afraid. People are always afraid of change. Eight years have passed like this, so why not another eight years?
The old emperor understood instantly, was silent for a few breaths, and sighed.
He patted his side and asked Zhao Changning to sit down. He watched her crying silently. Her dry hands trembled as she tried to wipe away her tears, but they were shaking too violently and she couldn't wipe them away.
When Zhao Changning heard the old emperor sigh, he quickly wiped away his tears and helped the old emperor lean on the soft pillow.
"Despite its longevity, the divine tortoise must eventually die." The old emperor's eyes, always filled with resentment, now showed composure for the first time. "Give the order later. No need to be extravagant. The situation is difficult, and I can only do my best."
Zhao Changning's heart was filled with a tangle of emotions, and she burst into tears. "Your Majesty, no, no, what will I do if you leave? Your Majesty..."
Seeing her crying like this, the old emperor couldn't help but have tears in his eyes. After all, they had been together for eight years. He raised his hand and stroked her black hair tremblingly, but when he looked at his old and dry hands, he let them go dejectedly.
He waited until Zhao Changning had almost finished crying before he said softly, "Go open the box over there and bring the things over here."
Zhao Changning was stunned, her hair standing on end. Was there something in this bedroom that she didn't know about?
She walked to the end of the bed as instructed, and indeed felt a bulge on the bed frame. She pressed hard, and a small hole suddenly appeared in the bed rail.
Sure enough, there was a palm-sized gilded nanmu brocade box inside, with a small copper lock hanging on it, but it was only loosely put on.
The old emperor said weakly, "Take out what's inside."
Zhao Changning exclaimed "Oh" and opened the box, only to find a folded piece of yellow silk inside. When she took out something and stuffed the box back into the hole, the yellow silk floated lightly and accidentally fell to the ground, leaving the contents inside half covered and half exposed.
Perhaps it was a feeling in her heart, she only took a glance, just a glance, and saw her own name at the very end.
Her pupils suddenly shrank, cold sweat broke out on her back, and her heart was filled with inexplicable horror. What was this?
Could it be a list of people to be buried alive?
When did the old emperor draft it?
When was it put in?
Zhao Changning didn't know that she was extremely upset at the moment.
All this happened in a moment. She pretended not to know and calmly picked up the yellow silk. When she turned around, she folded the yellow silk as it was originally and handed it to the emperor.
"Your Majesty, I've brought it to you."
The old emperor groaned and said in a hoarse voice: "Changning, are you really willing to accompany an old man like me? You are still young, as young as a flower..."
Zhao Changning's heart suddenly skipped a beat. Sometimes, she really understood the emperor too well, and realized that she could react naturally without any deliberate effort.
She also knew that everything depended on this moment, and her reaction was crucial.
Zhao Changning had tears in her eyes as she knelt beside the emperor with admiration, and crystal tears slid down her fair cheeks, looking just the right amount of pitiful and adorable.
"Your Majesty, Changning is willing. If you leave, I don't know what to do with myself, nor do I know where to go. Your Majesty, Changning cannot leave you..."
The emperor looked at her gentle and beautiful face, a hint of pity in his eyes, and gently stroked her cheek.
"Don't cry, I know you're a good child. I can't bear to see you go with me at such a young age. Hurry up, good child..."
Zhao Changning was so frightened that she cried until her legs went weak and she couldn't stand up for a while, which made the old emperor even more distressed.
"Hurry up and sit down and have some tea." The old emperor brought the teacup himself, trembling. "Who do you think is suitable? There are not many people I like. The thought of having to listen to their crying and wailing makes me very annoyed."
The old emperor said, and simply handed the yellow silk to Zhao Changning, "Well, you help me choose two and add them."
Zhao Changning was stunned for a moment, then quickly knelt down and kowtowed, "Changning dare not."
The old emperor smiled and helped her up. His eyes finally softened and he became more fond of her. "You are still too kind."
Zhao Changning wiped away her tears, helped the emperor back to bed to rest, put the yellow silk away, and waited until he fell asleep before leaving the palace.
She closed the door, and the moment she turned around, the gentleness and fragility on her face disappeared like smoke, and instead she slightly raised the corners of her mouth, revealing a barely perceptible sneer of relief.
I don’t know if those tears I just shed were in vain.
But fortunately, this hurdle is over.
Hearing the sound of the palace door, the eunuch in charge of the Imperial Wardrobe who had been waiting outside hurried over.
He said in a flattering manner, "Aunt, does the emperor have any instructions?"
Zhao Changning then realized that he hadn't left. He looked at him coldly, "What? Don't you understand what I just said?"
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Zhao Changning: I want to die [angry]
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