When the imperial physician and Hongshi arrived, Consort Yiergen passed away before she could even see her newborn son. Hongshi was too grief-stricken to accept it and did not inquire about the details. Seeing Hongli's grief, the imperial physician made a hasty diagnosis and concluded that Consort Yiergen had died from postpartum hemorrhage.
Since the death of his wife, Lady Irgen, the newborn prince had been raised by Shuzhen. Hongshi, feeling guilty, locked himself in his study all day, not going anywhere or seeing anyone, and drowning his sorrows in alcohol.
Seeing Hongshi so dejected, Shuzhen secretly told the Empress, hoping that the Empress could give him some advice.
Although it wasn't explicitly stated, the Empress knew at a glance that Consort Yiergen's death was inextricably linked to Shuzhen. However, for the sake of the family's interests, she only offered a brief reminder and didn't say anything more.
Sure enough, the next day, Hongshi was summoned to the palace by the Empress.
Hongshi was still disheveled and looked dejected. The Empress had originally intended to comfort him, but upon seeing Hongshi's appearance, she became furious and immediately began to berate him: "Look at yourself now! How disappointed your father would be if he knew?"
At this moment, Hongshi no longer cared about the Fourth Prince's thoughts. He was heartbroken that Lady Irgen had given birth to his son but died without even seeing him one last time. He blamed himself, saying, "It's all because of me that she died. If I had been in the manor with her then, perhaps she wouldn't have died..."
The Empress's heart softened, and she swallowed back the words of rebuke she was about to utter. She sighed and said, "Hongshi, don't blame yourself. Irgen has already accomplished her task of giving birth to a prince. Now you should be concerned about the living. I've already made the decision for you; the little prince will be adopted by Ulanara Shuqin. You need to wake up and show your father some respect..."
Hongshi couldn't hear a word he was saying, choking back tears as he muttered to himself, "It's all my fault. I shouldn't have built that mansion, I shouldn't have left her side for even a moment, and I shouldn't have come back so late..."
When the Empress saw that Hongshi did not react to her words, she slammed her hand on the table in anger: "Hongshi, you are now the best candidate for the position of Crown Prince. Do you want to ruin your future for a woman?"
"No! She was perfectly fine before giving birth, how could she suddenly have a hemorrhage?" Hongshi didn't hear what the Empress said to him, but suddenly felt something was suspicious, so he stood up abruptly and said incoherently.
The Empress was startled, knowing that if this matter were truly investigated, it would eventually lead to Ulanara Shuzhen. She hurriedly rebuked Hongshi, "That woman's death was an accident. Even the imperial physician diagnosed it. Postpartum hemorrhage is quite normal for women. Don't create unrest at this time. If your father blames you, you'll suffer more than you gain..."
Hongshi was stunned. Heartbroken, he raised his head and looked at the Empress. He didn't know where he got the courage, but he shouted, "Empress Mother, she was my consort... You all don't care about her death, but I can't. She died because of me..." After saying that, he turned and left.
The Empress was so angry that she tried to stand up and chase after him, but suddenly felt dizzy and lost her balance. She held her forehead and sat back down, watching helplessly as Hongshi's figure disappeared into the distance...
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