“He is extremely rebellious. I have already given him a chance, but he himself has not repented. I am powerless to help him!” the Fourth Prince said heavily, as if the “he” he was referring to had nothing to do with him.
Consort De stepped forward, weeping, and took the Fourth Prince's hand, pleading desperately, "Your Majesty, please spare him this time for my sake! Send him to the north, the south, anywhere is fine! Just please don't hurt him... Your mother can't live without him!"
Looking at the hands clasped in his sleeves, the Fourth Prince felt a surge of emotions. He wondered if his mother, the Empress Dowager, would plead for him like this if something happened to him. He closed his eyes, afraid to think further, lest he be disappointed.
"I won't kill him!"
Disappointed by these words, Consort De left.
The next day.
Lanqin never expected that a guest would arrive at the Yong Prince's residence so early in the morning. There was no announcement or grand entrance; the guest simply arrived discreetly, even secretly, with a few palace maids and eunuchs.
"Empress Dowager? Why are you here?" Lanqin stood up in surprise and saw Consort De, who was wrapped up tightly in a thick woolen cloak, standing at the door with the help of a palace maid. She hurriedly put down the account book in her hand and ran out to welcome Consort De in.
Lanqin patted the snowflakes off Consort De's body, not forgetting to instruct the maid to bring hot tea and a brazier. After a while, Consort De's body warmed up, and she was no longer as listless and vacant as before. Only then did Lanqin release her hands and breathe a sigh of relief. Suddenly remembering that she had forgotten to pay her respects to the Empress Dowager in her haste, she quickly bowed and respectfully said, "Lanqin greets the Empress Dowager, may the Empress Dowager be blessed..."
Consort De pulled Lanqin to sit beside her, her eyes flickering as if she had something difficult to say and hesitated to speak, only gazing at Lanqin. Lanqin had never seen Consort De so haggard and wondered what could have caused her to come to her in such a hurry.
"You may all leave. I have something to say to Consort De..." Consort De paused, signaling the maids to leave. Lanqin nodded silently, and after a moment, only Consort De and Lanqin remained in the room.
"Lanqin, Your Majesty has a request for you!" Consort De grabbed Lanqin's hand. Lanqin was startled by Consort De's action. The strength of Consort De's grip made Lanqin's body tremble, and her heart tightened.
"Your Majesty, please give your orders..." Lanqin had a rough idea of why Consort De had come, but she still prayed in her heart that it was not about the Fourteenth Prince. As long as it wasn't about the Fourteenth Prince, everything would be fine.
Just as she feared, Consort De, seeing Lanqin's reaction, spoke frankly, "Do you know anything about your fourteenth brother's matter?" Lanqin's heart sank, and she lowered her head, whispering, "Your Majesty, Lanqin..."
"I don't blame you, nor do I blame the Emperor! It was the Fourteenth Prince's own foolishness that led him to make this mistake. But I am his mother, and I cannot fail to bear this burden for him!" At this moment, Consort De no longer resembled a high and mighty imperial concubine; her desolation and sorrow were no different from those of an ordinary mother. Lanqin knew that the Fourteenth Prince's rebellion would inevitably anger the Fourth Prince, but in front of Consort De, Lanqin dared not reveal a word.
"Your Majesty, what did the Fourth Prince say about this matter?"
"If the Emperor would relent, why would I have come here to see you!" Consort De gripped Lanqin's hand even tighter, looking at her anxiously. "Lanqin, I know you are very important to the Emperor. He will definitely listen to your words. Your Majesty only begs you to plead for the Fourteenth Prince..."
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