Chapter 187 An Lingrong 128
"You've been fasting and chanting Buddhist scriptures every day, and you've made your palace look like a nunnery."
After giving Su Peisheng her instructions, Lingrong went to Zhen Huan's Bitong Academy. The moment she entered, she felt choked. The room was filled with the scent of incense ash. Although it was sandalwood, it was too strong and lost its calming effect. Instead, it made people feel restless.
Zhen Huan silently recited the Great Compassion Mantra for the last time, then supported Jin Xi and staggered forward to pay her respects.
"Forget it, so that others won't say that I bullied a lame person like you." Lingrong pulled her and helped her sit down under the window.
Jinxi understood and took the servants away from the room, and stayed outside the door alone.
Zhen Huan rubbed her knees and asked her weakly, "Aren't you still busy with... Prince Guo's funeral? How did you find time to visit me?"
"Don't mention it. The Emperor sent Su Peisheng to deliver a message today, saying that Wen Yi's wedding will go on as planned." Ling Rong waved her hand: "Although Prince Guo's funeral should be kept low-key, it's still taboo. The funeral is today, and the wedding is ten days later. It's really unlucky."
Zhen Huan's originally calm breathing unconsciously quickened, but her face became even more deadly: "I'm afraid this matter has wronged Concubine Xiang and her daughter."
"That's right. He didn't go to announce the decree himself, but made me the bad guy." Ling Rong sighed and said to Zhen Huan in a gentle voice, "That's why I'm telling you today. I'm afraid your legs won't be able to support you on the day of Wen Yi's wedding. Will you still go?"
"Why not? We agreed to go to Changchun Xianguan together to see Wen Yi off to get married that day. At worst, I can have someone carry me there that day."
"Okay, I'm relieved now that you say that." Ling Rong said as she stood up. "I still have to perform the water and land ritual for Prince Guo in the next three days. I'm busy now, so I'll be leaving now."
After saying this, he left like a gust of wind, just like when he came.
…
The death of Prince Guo did not cause the slightest stir in the capital, but by the time Princess Wen Yi got married ten days later, not even a trace of grief remained.
The emperor had gotten rid of his last major worry and was no longer as self-disciplined as before. Although he remained diligent in government affairs, he became increasingly addicted to sensual pleasures and alcohol.
Lingrong was determined to be a virtuous empress, so she naturally couldn't go against the emperor's wishes. As the empress, she was naturally more legitimate in selecting beautiful women to fill the emperor's harem. Add to that the one or two outstanding women the emperor occasionally selected from among the palace maids, and the harem was truly flourishing.
Among the main concubines, Concubine Ning is the most favored. At first glance, she serves for longer and longer periods of time. Now the emperor always keeps her by his side, and she is almost inseparable from the emperor's side.
"The emperor seems to be in much better spirits recently, and this is all thanks to your service." Lingrong smiled as she looked down at Concubine Ning and waved to Ronglu to present the gift.
As soon as Ningpin opened it, she smelled a sweet and wonderful fragrance, and smiled as she thanked Lingrong: "Thanks to the Empress for her support."
"The Immortal Zhang you introduced showed me the elixir he made over the past two days. This incense works even better with the newly refined elixir. You will naturally be more adept at serving the Emperor in the future."
Lingrong stopped talking and looked at Ningpin's eyes that lit up. They both knew that the emperor was afraid that he didn't have much time left.
"Thank you for your help, Your Majesty."
Concubine Ning took the small brocade box and went to the emperor's bedroom impatiently.
The emperor suddenly fell seriously ill. The palace doctors knew that the emperor's body was hollowed out by women and elixirs, but they kept silent in order to save his life.
There were immediately many more guards in the Old Summer Palace, and the one leading the troops was Lingrong's younger brother An Ke.
After the emperor regained consciousness, he summoned Concubine Rou repeatedly, but refused to let her take care of him. He also urgently ordered Hong Yao, who was in the capital, to come.
During this month, the emperor's health deteriorated, and his moods became increasingly unpredictable. Sometimes he carefully taught Hongyao, and sometimes he wanted to order his men to arrest him. Only when he was loyal to the empress did he remain faithful.
Since the emperor fell ill, Lingrong has been taking care of him wholeheartedly, so the affairs of the harem were naturally handed over to the two imperial concubines.
Unfortunately, Lingrong was too tired today and returned to Changchun Fairy House to rest.
Naturally, it was Concubine Rou who had to report the matter of Sun agreeing to have an affair with the guard.
"Noble Concubine Rou, I left something for you." The emperor's cloudy eyes tried to show a warm expression: "It's under my pillow."
Zhen Huan walked forward and helped the emperor up, then reached out and touched a long box.
When she took it out, the emperor held her wrist tightly and said, "You are still as beautiful as you were back then, and you are still the look I love."
"I am grateful for your love for me over the years, Your Majesty. I am always grateful for your grace."
"Haha, haha, cough—cough cough—" The emperor took two deep breaths and reluctantly let go of her hand: "Don't you want to open it and take a look?"
Zhen Huan opened it as instructed, and inside was a secret decree to execute the queen.
"This is a life-saving talisman I give you." The emperor looked at her shocked expression with satisfaction. "During the previous dynasty's discussion of the succession, the Seventh Prince was mentioned many times. He is also my most beloved child."
"Although I have decreed that the Seventh Prince shall inherit the throne, I am afraid that after my death, you and your son will not be able to survive."
The emperor's deep voice was like a leech, shaking Zhen Huan's heart: "Now Hongyao is alone in the Old Summer Palace, and you have my personal imperial decree. For the sake of your child and the lives of your entire family, I believe you will not let me down."
Zhen Huan's hand holding the secret decree trembled constantly. She seemed to be back to that day when the emperor took the poison and whispered sweet words in her ear, asking her to poison Yun Li.
The bright yellow imperial edict in her hand was crumpled into a ball by her. Zhen Huan felt that her soul was no longer there, and only a body was left to continue to provoke the emperor's emotions according to her revenge plan.
This time she even forgot to move away, and the blood spurted out by the emperor splashed onto her outstretched sleeve.
The man just died like that.
Zhen Huan silently put away the secret decree, picked up a handkerchief to wipe the blood from her cuffs, calmly pushed open the door, and announced the emperor's death.
That night, Zhen Huan quietly walked into the Changchun Fairy House. As soon as she entered, she saw Rong Lu in the courtyard.
"It's so late, isn't Auntie asleep yet?"
"I will be on guard tonight. The Queen has ordered me to wait for you." Rong Lu said as she led her in.
The lights in Lingrong's bedroom were still on.
Lingrong sat in front of the dressing table, looking at a familiar face appearing in the bronze mirror in front of her.
"You're here."
"You don't seem surprised I'm coming."
Zhen Huan said this, but she was in no mood to speculate on the reason. She simply pulled out the imperial edict from her bosom and threw it into Ling Rong's arms.
"The old man is still disgusting even before he dies." Ling Rong glanced at the contents and laughed instead of getting angry. "But there's nothing wrong with this imperial decree. Why don't you take this opportunity to threaten me?"
Zhen Huan curled her lips: "The Emperor is clearly using this to instigate us and use you to kill me."
"But it's very useful, isn't it?" Ling Rong took down the candle next to her and burned the imperial edict completely. "If Prince Bao gets hold of this secret edict, he will definitely use it to seize the position of crown prince. After all, I am Hongyao's biological mother."
"It's a pity he gave it to me."
"Too bad he gave it to you."
The two looked at each other in silence for a long time.
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