Nian lay on Hongfu's body, weeping and wailing, not letting anyone near her. Her eyes were empty and lifeless with despair. Tears dried and then wet her face repeatedly, leaving two marks that ran from the corners of her eyes to her chin.
"Fu'er, wake up...look at your mother...don't sleep anymore, wake up..." Madam Nian shook Hongfu, pleading loudly. "Fu'er, look, it's your mother. With your mother here, no one will bully you. Don't be afraid...get up and talk to your mother..."
The maidservant couldn't bear to watch and tried to step forward to comfort her, but Madam Nian suddenly hugged Hongfu tightly, shouting almost frantically, "None of you are allowed to touch my child..."
Just then, the Fourth Master stood at the door, looking at the heartbroken Nian Shi, unable to move.
Although the Fourth Prince disliked Lady Nian, he was still heartbroken to see her lose two children. If the Fourth Prince was in such pain and could not let go, how much more so Lady Nian, as a mother? So when someone reported that Lady Nian refused to allow anyone to take away the deceased Hongfu, the Fourth Prince simply said to let her go first, let her calm down before arranging Hongfu's funeral, and did not order anyone to forcibly take him away.
The Fourth Prince felt pity for Lady Nian and even more heartache for Hongfu.
When the maids saw the Fourth Master arrive, they all made way for him.
Lady Nian could only cry, trying to appear strong, desperately praying that Hongfu could be brought back to life. When she saw the Fourth Prince approaching, all her grief and defensiveness vanished, and she threw herself into his arms like a child, wailing loudly.
"Your Majesty, our child... our child is gone..." Lady Nian cried.
Fourth Master raised his hand, but didn't know how to comfort Nian Shi. He simply placed it gently on her back and patted it, saying, "You'll have another child..."
Lady Nian looked up at Fourth Master with tearful eyes. This was the best comfort he could think of. He knew that only hope could help Lady Nian cheer up, so when Lady Nian looked at him, he forced a smile and said, "Child, there will be more... As long as you live well, there is hope..."
Ms. Nian tilted her head back, used her last strength to close her eyes tightly, and let the tears fall...
When the Fourth Prince noticed that Nian Shi in his arms was not as agitated as before, he bent down, picked her up, and placed her on the bed, letting her lie on her side in his arms.
The Fourth Prince gently wiped away Madam Nian's tears and said with heartache, "Don't cry anymore. Just let Fu'er go in peace. He's still so young and so adorable. He'll be fine wherever he goes..."
Lady Nian sobbed, "Then why can't he be happy here with me?"
The Fourth Prince stroked Lady Nian's shoulder and said softly, "The child's death was not your fault! I know you are heartbroken for the child..."
Lady Nian glanced at Hongfu with reluctance. The Fourth Prince gently covered his face with his hand, and Lady Nian clung to the Fourth Prince's arm with both hands, crying uncontrollably.
The Fourth Prince waved his hand, and palace servants came in and carried Hongfu out. Lady Nian, nestled in the Fourth Prince's arms, cried out in anguish, "My child...my child..."
Since Hongfu was taken away, Lady Nian fell seriously ill and was bedridden. Coupled with her bad mood, the imperial physicians of the Imperial Hospital tried all sorts of methods to treat her, but to no avail.
The people of Yikun Palace were at their wits' end, watching as Lady Nian grew increasingly thin, spending her days either in Hongfu's room or staring blankly at Hongfu's belongings, refusing to let anyone near her. Only the Fourth Prince came to visit Lady Nian, and only with his persuasion did she become slightly more lucid and obediently drink her medicine…
The Fourth Prince couldn't bear it, so every day after court he would come to Yikun Palace to visit and comfort Lady Nian.
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