Chapter 441 Sending a Five-Year-Old Child to the Emperor
The tragic news of Princess Jiahe's untimely death swept through the solemn Huguo Temple like a cold winter wind.
During these five years, the Grand Empress Dowager and the Queen Mother spent most of their time in seclusion in this ancient temple.
For the King Wu who was far away at the border, for the soldiers who fought bravely, and for the longevity of Dayan, we recite scriptures and pray devoutly.
When this shocking news reached the Buddhist temple, the Empress Dowager's skinny fingers, which were twisting the Buddhist beads, paused for an almost imperceptible moment.
The air is thick with sandalwood and the sound of bells is distant.
After a moment's silence, the face engraved with the vicissitudes of time returned to the tranquility of the deep sea.
However, the Queen Mother ultimately lacked the fortitude honed over the years.
Her body swayed violently and she staggered back several steps.
Her fingertips unconsciously twisted the white silk handkerchief tightly, her eyes were filled with panic, and she almost suspected that she had misheard.
That little life, as precious as a pearl and jade, has really disappeared just like that?
The distant and majestic bell sounds of the Huguo Temple are still lingering, and the lingering scent of sandalwood is still in my nose.
A burst of horse hoof sounds, as rapid as a sudden rain and as heavy as muffled thunder, came from far away and shattered the tranquility of the mountain temple. It brought with it a heavy and oppressive feeling of impending storm and reached the temple gate.
"Your Highness, Your Highness, Your Highness!"
A young eunuch who was accompanying the Empress Dowager in praying for blessings rushed into the hall, his voice distorted by fear.
"Your Majesty...Your Majesty has personally led the Imperial Guard to the mountain gate to welcome you!"
The two most distinguished women of Dayan walked out of the Buddhist temple at the same time. The empress dowager saw the long-lost surprise and solemnity in her aunt's eyes.
The Emperor personally welcomed her? And so eagerly? Then the Jiahe incident must be true!
And we can no longer stay in this Huguo Temple.
Yan Shixu's figure appeared on the stone steps of Huguo Temple.
His casual clothes were stained with dust, and his handsome face was shrouded in a thick and indissoluble haze.
Behind him were the imperial guards standing silently in solemn armor.
The iron-blooded aura condensed into a suffocating and solemn atmosphere, and even the air seemed to be frozen a little.
"Grandson pays his respects to the Imperial Grandmother and the Queen Mother."
The Queen Mother could no longer suppress the turmoil in her heart.
She almost pounced forward, completely disregarding her manners, and tightly grasped the wrist that Yan Shixu stretched out to support her.
Her fingers were cold and trembling violently as they locked onto her son's face, holding onto the last glimmer of faint, shaky hope.
"Xu'er! Tell mother quickly! The palace maid reported that Jiahe...that Jiahe..."
She panted for a long time before she finally asked with difficulty, "Is it true... as they said... that he died?!"
Those phoenix eyes, which had always been calm and loving, were now filled with turbulent waves, waiting for a definite answer.
Yan Shixu's wrist was pinched by her so hard that it hurt.
He opened his mouth, but his throat seemed to be blocked by hot sand and gravel, making it extremely difficult to speak.
He wanted to comfort his grief-stricken mother and confess the interconnected conspiracies and innocent sacrifices to his wise grandmother.
I want to tell the story of Zhao Zhao's bravery and serious injuries, and even more so, I want to denounce the evil intentions of the mastermind behind this...
However, he met the Queen Mother's eyes that were on the verge of collapse, and then turned to the side, he saw the Royal Grandmother's old eyes that seemed to have seen through all the joys and sorrows in the world.
There was no questioning in those eyes, only a deep sadness that understood everything.
All explanations are destined to be pale and powerless at this moment.
Especially when thinking of Jiahe’s small, cold body.
Thinking of my eldest sister's heart-wrenching, bitter curse...
Yan Shixu felt as if his heart was being cut by a knife, but in the end he just nodded heavily and extremely slowly.
"The Queen Mother... the Imperial Grandmother... Jiahe... is truly... dead."
"boom--!"
The Queen Mother felt a black screen before her eyes, the world was spinning, and her body suddenly went limp.
If Yan Shixu hadn't supported her in time, she would have almost collapsed to the ground.
The fingers gripping his wrist suddenly lost their strength and slipped down.
The dam of repression completely collapsed and tears burst out.
She covered her mouth tightly, broken sobs escaped miserably from between her fingers, and her shoulders trembled violently.
"Jia He...how could it be...she's still so young...so young..."
Every word of that tearful wail pierced the heart.
The Empress Dowager closed her eyes very slowly, and her deep eye sockets twitched slightly.
She didn't lose her composure and shout.
But that instantly straightened back that seemed to bend under an invisible, immense weight, and those dry lips that suddenly lost all color...
All of them indicate a pain that is deeper, more unforgettable, and more heart-wrenching than wailing.
A drop of turbid tear silently seeped out from the corner of the tightly closed eye.
It meandered and slid down along the deep lines carved by time, and finally dripped onto the dark collar, silently spreading a small dark wet mark.
The greatest pain in this world is to see a loved one die.
But the Empress Dowager had experienced the pain of losing her loved ones several times.
Even now, at this age, he still has to personally send off a five-year-old child...
How cruel.
…
Pineapple Palace, side hall.
Zhao Zhao fell into a deep sleep under the effect of the medicine. Her little face was still as pale as paper, but her breathing had finally become much steadier.
Wen Li'er stood by, rubbing her forehead tiredly.
The tragic news of Jiahe's death and the news that the ministers were in an uproar and demanding the dethronement of the prince.
Like two huge rocks, weighing heavily on her heart.
Such a big thing, even if the palace servants wanted to hide it from her, they couldn't.
Nanny Qin came in quietly and reported in a low voice:
"Your Majesty, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince has been punished by His Majesty to confine himself to reflection for a month and is now in Cheng'en Palace."
Wen Li'er paused rubbing her forehead, and worry deepened in her eyes.
She was not irrational and knew that this was a necessary measure to quell public opinion and protect Tian'er.
But when I think about my son’s mood at the moment - he must be feeling wronged, frightened, and burdened with a heavy sense of guilt.
Then I thought of Jiahe, who died innocently and withered like a flower...
Wen Li'er subconsciously touched her still flat belly, worried whether her emotions would affect the fetus in her belly.
"Mammy, please keep an eye on Zhao Zhao. I... need to go see the Crown Prince."
Wen Li'er stood up, her steps a little unsteady due to anxiety and fatigue.
"My queen, you are in critical condition. The baby has just stabilized..." Nanny Qin hurried forward to support her.
"No problem."
Wen Li'er waved her hands and forced herself to cheer up.
At this moment, she had to stand between her two children, especially the one who was under great pressure.
…
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