"Your Majesty..."
"Granny, you don't need to persuade me anymore. I've figured out a lot these past few days. The Empress, Consort Xiangxian, Consort Chenhui, Consort Ning, Consort Ke—they're all clever. Oh, the Empress was a little less so, after all, she was easily schemed against. Although I hold a high position, I don't think they take me seriously. It's good that the Fifth Prince is weak and now disfigured. Perfect, he won't have to fight with the princes they gave birth to. I can rest in peace now that I'm closing my eyes."
Consort Jing spoke calmly, tears streaming down her face.
When Ye Lingyi arrived, she was quite surprised to see her cousin looking so pale and haggard.
She was already in poor health, so it wouldn't be good if she didn't miscarry.
Now, in a moment of shock, she miscarried, and her whole being was quickly drained. The only way to recover is to lie down and rest without thinking about anything.
Human injuries are easy to cause, but difficult to repair.
She wasn't like Yan Nangui back then, a person of principle.
Consort Jing herself now feels that she cannot survive, so naturally... she really cannot survive.
"Greetings to Consort Jing."
"I have summoned you here because I have something to discuss with you."
Ye Lingyi nodded and sat down.
Consort Jing summoned Ye Lingyi, and all the clever people knew why.
"It seems she's not going to make it," said Consort Xiangxian.
"She wants to support Ye Lingyi? Ye Lingyi hasn't served the emperor since that year," Lingjiao said.
"After all, she is His Majesty's cousin. If Consort Jing dies, her only wish will be for Ye Lingyi to take care of the child. His Majesty will agree. The Empress Dowager will also support her."
"If Consort Jing dies, will the Ye family still send people in?" Lingjiao asked.
"No, His Majesty will not accept it, and the Empress Dowager dares not send it again," said Consort Xiangxian.
“The Fifth Prince is now so weak and ill that I’m afraid he has no chance of competing,” Lingjiao said.
"Yes, the Fifth Prince is so wicked." Consort Xiangxian shook her head gently.
Naturally, everyone in the harem was talking about this.
Regardless of the circumstances, it is an indisputable fact that Consort Jing's health has deteriorated.
Throughout July, the imperial physicians visited Feiluan Palace every day. However, the health of Consort Jing and her son fluctuated.
The Fifth Prince is alright; he was born weak, and it's a miracle he didn't die after this ordeal.
These days, even with daily supplements, it's not easy to replenish the body's nutrients.
Overall, she's still recovering, but Consort Jing's health...
So in August, while the Imperial Household Department was preparing for the Mid-Autumn Festival, it also received a veiled imperial decree that preparations for Consort Jing's affairs should also begin.
During the Mid-Autumn Festival, Consort Jing and her son did not appear; only the Fourth Princess did.
During this period, the fourth princess has lost a lot of weight.
By this time, Consort Huo's pregnancy had stabilized.
Yan Nangui's belly got bigger, and it grew faster as the season progressed.
Her due date is late September or early October.
So it's only about a month and a half now.
People became more careful when entering and exiting.
Lady Lan now returns home every few days, spending most of her time in the palace.
This Mid-Autumn Festival was rather depressing because of the incident involving Consort Jing and her son.
Fortunately, the princes and princesses created a lively atmosphere, which brought a smile to His Majesty's face.
Just three days after the Mid-Autumn Festival, on the eighteenth day, Consort Jing met with misfortune.
When Shu Chengfeng arrived, she was already unable to get up.
She bled continuously after her miscarriage, though the bleeding lessened during the better periods.
She suddenly started bleeding heavily today, and there's no hope of saving her.
She dared not call the children.
Now, holding His Majesty's hand, he had no strength left, and could not speak. He could only stare intently at Shu Chengfeng.
Shu Chengfeng sighed: "I know what you're thinking. The children are my children, and I will take good care of them. I also know that you want Ye Lingyi to take care of them. I will make her a concubine. The children are still your children, and she can raise them herself."
Consort Jing forced a smile.
She looked at him with difficulty.
"I know what you think of me. Although I have always thought you were immature over the years, I have never doubted your heart."
Upon hearing this, Consort Jing's smile widened.
She struggled to speak: "Cousin...I...I...Although...although I regret...regret entering the palace, I don't regret...don't regret marrying you. I...really...Shou'er...don't...don't do...don't do..."
He couldn't say the rest.
"I know he shouldn't be the crown prince. When he grows up, I will make him a prince," Shu Chengfeng said.
Consort Jing relaxed and smiled again.
She was muttering something, and no one could understand her anymore.
He just smiled and then closed his eyes.
When everyone arrived, they heard a eunuch shout, "Consort Jing has passed away."
Yan Nangui stopped and gently shook his head. Although Consort Jing was foolish, no one had ever really harmed her.
She will die; she was truly framed and killed by the Empress Dowager.
The enemies of the predecessors will bring suffering to the successors.
Shu Chengfeng issued an edict posthumously conferring upon Consort Jing the title of Duanyi. Consort Jing's funeral shall be conducted in accordance with the rank of one rank higher than that of a Consort but one rank lower than that of an Empress.
From then on, this became the standard for Consort Duanyi.
Ironically, Consort Jing probably longed to become Consort Duanyi during her lifetime. But her desire remained unfulfilled.
After death, they actually gained something.
"Did you expect, sister, that Consort Jing would pass away first?" Consort Ke asked, seemingly quite moved as well.
"I really didn't expect that." Yan Nangui shook her head; she thought it would be the Empress.
After all, the Empress had already been placed under house arrest.
The main problem is that Consort Jing is such a lively person. Even after her health deteriorated after giving birth to the Fifth Prince, she still had a sharp tongue.
It just disappeared suddenly.
It's really hard to get used to.
The funeral of Consort Duanyi Jing was naturally to be a grand affair.
Although His Majesty doesn't particularly like her, she has been with him since he was a teenager.
He was single-minded and scheming, and he was in love with his cousin.
Regardless of the motivation, it should be a grand celebration.
Yan Nangui was heavily pregnant, so there was no need to go and support her anymore; after all, she was still a concubine.
There's no need for geese to fly south; they have to go.
For a full twenty-seven days, the palace was busy with the funeral arrangements for Consort Jing.
On the fifteenth of September, she was finally sent to the imperial concubine's mausoleum, and from then on, the palace lost one of Consort Jing.
However, an extra tomb has appeared in the imperial concubine's mausoleum.
The fourth princess and the fifth prince were not quite clear about the meaning of death, but they vaguely understood that they would never see their mother again.
After seeing off Consort Duanyi Jing, Ye Lingyi moved into Feiluan Palace, but she has not yet been promoted, presumably she still needs to wait and see.
For Ye Lingyi, this was an excellent way out, and she would naturally not refuse it; she would only do her best to take care of the child.
Inside Zhaochun Palace, they were even more cautious. Yan Nangui's belly had grown incredibly fast recently; standing there, her feet were no longer visible.
Shu Chengfeng would come to visit every day, and although he wouldn't stay overnight, he would have dinner with her every day.
Finally, on the night of September 30th, the migrating geese began their southward journey.
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