Upon seeing so many imperial physicians, Zhao Shu panicked and turned pale.
Seeing that she looked unwell, Xiao Zhu and the others immediately pulled aside the young eunuch guarding the gate and asked, "Why are there so many imperial physicians? Has something happened?"
It was a normal question, and Xiao Zhu Zi's tone was very polite, but the little eunuch was so frightened that he trembled all over. Zhao Shu couldn't help but frown. The little eunuch knelt down with a thud, "Princess, spare me! Princess, spare me! This servant dares not speak."
Zhao Shu panicked even more at this behavior, and said with a frosty expression, "Speak!"
"Princess, spare me! Princess, spare me! This servant dares not speak!" This time, the little eunuch kowtowed repeatedly, and bright red blood quickly appeared on his forehead.
Xiao Guozi frowned, beckoned another person over, and was about to ask when he saw Ji Yun come out with red eyes, "Princess..." she choked out.
"What's wrong?" Zhao Shu lowered her voice, trying to keep it steady, but it sounded frightening.
Ji Yun tried to calm himself down, bowed, and said, "The Empress Dowager invites you in."
In the past, when she came to Cining Palace, she usually went straight in, but this time was different. Chu Chun and Sheng Xia helped her, and although it was not a long distance, Zhao Shu felt as if she had walked for a long time, as if she had traveled thousands of miles.
Each step felt as heavy as a thousand pounds, requiring all their strength.
After walking for an unknown amount of time, they finally saw that the Empress Dowager's palace was filled with people: Zhao Yi, Qiu Tong, the concubines of the harem, the imprisoned princes, the key ministers, and the heads of various noble families...
It was as if she was the last one to arrive.
Upon her arrival, the crowd parted to make way for the Empress Dowager, who was lying on her deathbed, smiling as she looked at her.
"Ah Jun, you're here." The voice was low and hoarse, weak and listless, but the loving kindness remained unchanged.
Zhao Shu felt a lump in her throat and her eyes welled up with tears. Before she could speak, Prince Yong rushed over to her, calling out in a choked voice, "Mother..."
"Nineteenth Prince, don't cry, you're an adult now." The withered hand patted Prince Yong's hand affectionately, "Don't let others laugh at you."
Everyone lowered their heads, unable to bear to look any longer. Prince Yong was always absurd, but at this moment of life and death, how heartless would he be to be able to laugh?
“Mother, no one dares to laugh when you are here,” Prince Yong said, crying. In truth, he had not yet learned to grow up and was still a child in front of the Empress Dowager.
Which child isn't a child in front of their parents?
"Silly girl, how can your mother protect you for a lifetime? In the future, you will also have to protect A-Jun and assist the emperor. If you are always so childish, how can you achieve great things? I didn't teach you well before, it was my fault." Although she said this, she was still so doting.
It is said that parents who love their children plan far ahead for them, but sometimes they cannot control their hearts and cannot bring themselves to discipline them. It is not that they do not love them, but that they are blinded by love.
“Mother, there are so many virtuous ministers and generals, what great things do I want to do? You must give others a chance to make a name for themselves.” Prince Yong said, sniffling, like a child who hadn’t grown up yet. Fortunately, he was good-looking, so it didn’t seem out of place.
The Empress Dowager shook her head and said no more, as if she had no strength left and was somewhat exhausted. She took Prince Yong's hand and said solemnly, "Prince Yong's mansion cannot be without an heir, and the royal bloodline cannot be allowed to flow outside. Today, I will make the decision to let my grandson recognize his ancestors and return to the clan."
It seemed everyone knew about this, and no one showed any surprise. Zhao Shu was not surprised either, thinking that Lin Dongxue must have been invited into the palace long ago.
As soon as the Empress Dowager finished speaking, Physician Peng said, "Empress Dowager, everything is ready. Please issue your decree."
Following the sound, Zhao Shu looked up and saw Lin Dongxue dressed in a prince's court robes beside her. He looked serious, and when his eyes met Zhao Shu's, he smiled slightly. The meaning of his smile was ambiguous and extremely complicated. Perhaps he couldn't bear to leave the Lin family.
Upon Lin Dongxue's arrival, the crowd began to whisper among themselves, but Zhao Shu couldn't hear them clearly. She guessed they were probably talking about Lin Dongxue.
The Empress Dowager beckoned slightly, and Lin Dongxue walked towards her, kneeling respectfully before her. "Grandson greets Imperial Grandmother and Father." He kowtowed several times.
After kowtowing, the Empress Dowager smiled with relief, took his hand and placed it in Prince Yong's hand, still solemnly saying, "Your son has been found, which is a relief to Ying'er. From now on, you must shoulder the responsibilities of a father."
After saying that, she seemed to have no strength left and began to cough for a long time. She coughed so hard that her body was hunched over and she couldn't stop. Zhao Shu rushed over to help her catch her breath.
After a while, the coughing stopped, and her eyes were misty as she looked at Zhao Shu, seemingly very satisfied. "I'm worried about you. People need to learn to restrain themselves, especially women. It's better to be quiet. Ah Jun, you must be obedient and live a peaceful life as a wife and mother."
Zhao Shu had mixed feelings; ultimately, that was the real reason for her unease.
"I will obey your command, and from now on I will live a peaceful and law-abiding life." She slowly knelt down, her head bowed, tears welling up in her eyes.
When she placed her hand on the Empress Dowager's pulse, she wanted to burst into tears; her pulse was so weak.
The Empress Dowager devoted all her energy to preserving her position and protecting Emperor Mingde. Once Emperor Mingde died, she was exhausted and would not live much longer.
"Don't cry. I've lived for decades, and it's all been worth it," the Empress Dowager said softly.
As soon as the words were spoken, all the civil and military officials, as well as the palace maids and eunuchs in the hall, did not kneel down. Zhao Yi, Qiu Tong, and a group of concubines also knelt down.
"Long live the Empress Dowager!" The ministers, unsure of what to say, could only repeat the same greetings they used to use.
"Bring me the imperial edict." The Empress Dowager waved slightly, and Ji Yun brought over an imperial edict. The bright yellow edict was somewhat dazzling. Zhao Yi frowned slightly. No one noticed this subtle expression, but Qiu Tong did.
Without realizing it, she began searching the hall, eventually fixing her gaze on Sun Yun. Sun Yun keenly noticed someone watching her, but when she followed her instincts, Qiu Tong looked away as if nothing had happened.
After the minor incident, the Empress Dowager picked up the imperial edict from the brocade box and solemnly handed it to Lin Dongxue, saying, "From now on, you will be the heir of the Prince Yong's mansion. You must be filial to your father and loving to your younger siblings."
As expected, Zhao Shu could accept it, and Prince Yong did not object. However, he still glanced at Sun Yun a little more. Lin Dongxue becoming the heir meant that Sun Yun's child could not inherit the throne, so he would still care a little.
Sun Yun smiled amidst the crowd, as dazzling as a peony. She didn't care; whether or not she could inherit the title was insignificant to her.
Having witnessed many ups and downs, the Empress Dowager naturally understood Prince Yong's thoughts. He favored Jiang Ying's son as the heir apparent, but he also felt indebted to Sun Yun, since Sun Yun was the woman who would accompany him through the rest of his life.
It has nothing to do with who you love; it's just human nature.
"Come here," the Empress Dowager said with a slight smile to Sun Yun.
Upon hearing the sound, Sun Yun hurriedly walked out from the crowd and knelt down next to Prince Yong. Before he could say anything auspicious, the Empress Dowager said, "You are a sensible person. I entrust my most precious son to you. I am at ease."
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