News from the palace arrived at the Qi residence: Jiang Changfeng was assassinated on his way back home. The Emperor issued an imperial edict to send Jiang Yuchen to the border, intending to pass the throne to Jiang Congzhi. Jiang Yuchen, with the help of the Imperial Guards, took control of the Emperor.
At this moment, Jiang Meng lay on the bed, barely breathing. Liu Ruhua sat quietly beside her. Upon hearing the announcement that Jiang Congzhi was now the Crown Prince, she respectfully descended from her seat.
"This servant congratulates you, Madam! You are overjoyed!"
"Congratulations, Madam!"
The people in the courtyard who had come to see the joke ended up hearing such good news. It has to be said, Jiang Mengyi is truly lucky.
"Where is the general, Yuqing?" Jiang Meng looked at Yuqing with red eyes.
"Madam, the general has gone into the palace with the Crown Prince to suppress the rebels. Please wait a little longer." Yuqing looked at her mistress, tears streaming down her face.
"Where is the second young lady I asked you to invite?" Jiang Meng used all her strength to utter a complete sentence.
“Madam, the second young lady has gone completely mad and is no longer human. Qiao’er has persuaded me to leave.”
"Go and invite them again!" Jiang Meng waved her hand and closed her eyes again.
"Yes, madam."
Yuqing quickly walked to the woodshed and saw that Chuyue had already dressed up and looked just like a normal person!
"Second Miss, it's you?" Yuqing was very surprised to see this.
"Second Miss? That sounds unfamiliar. You've never called me that before!"
"Let's go, Yuqing. I want to see what Madam wants to say to me."
Despite being five months pregnant, Chu Yue walked with remarkable steadiness, showing no signs of madness. The maids and servants along the way were all gossiping about her.
"This concubine from Chu is truly clever!"
"Yes, he's pretending to be crazy to avoid the madam!"
"Tsk tsk tsk, so scheming."
"What are you talking about? The women in the inner quarters are all scheming against each other. If it weren't for this, she might be dead by now."
······
Upon seeing Chu Yue arrive, looking clean and dignified, everyone understood what was going on.
Lady Liu has already returned home. If she were to see this, she would probably be displeased.
Chu Yue stepped forward, and Jiang Meng beckoned her to come to her side. Chu Yue was very cautious, so she could only kneel at a distance from the bed.
Are you afraid that I will harm you and the child?
Chu Yue hesitated for a moment, but ultimately sat down on the bed.
Yuqing then dismissed everyone inside and outside the house and closed the door.
"Madam, what brings you here?" she asked directly.
"Moon, do you blame me?" Jiang Meng took a deep breath and sat up, supporting herself.
Yuqing was supporting her from the side.
"I dare not blame you." Then the atmosphere in the room became deathly silent.
"You can see it too, I don't have much time left. Yuqing, bring it here." Yuqing put Jiang Mengyi down, and Chu Yue quickly reached out to support her.
Yuqing brought over an exquisite box. As soon as Jiang Meng opened the box, she said to herself, "Brother is about to become the Crown Prince, so the family must be very wealthy. The Qi family is not well-off. You take this money, and give the rest to my mother."
"Madam, what are you doing? This is your dowry!" Chu Yue was puzzled as to why she was being given these farmland properties and shops.
"I'm only eighteen years old now, and I've only been married to General Qi for a little over half a year. I was only twelve when I met Qi Jingxuan, and I fell in love with him then. All I ever wanted was to be his wife. When we were on the frontier, I thought he loved me, but now it all seems like a passing cloud."
"Enough, Yue'er. I shouldn't have dragged you into the Qi family's vortex. Even if you marry a commoner, it would be good to have someone who loves you. Take these things. After I'm gone, you and the child will still have to survive in the manor. Madam Liu is a formidable character; you must be wary of her."
Seeing that Chu Yue didn't respond, Jiang Meng closed her eyes briefly. "Let's go!"
Yuqing immediately shoved the box into Chuyue's hands and sent her away.
The Qi family army, seasoned from countless battles, was quickly overwhelmed by the Imperial Guards. Jiang Congzhi fought his way into the palace.
But everywhere they looked there were white cloths; the Emperor had passed away.
Jiang Congzhi, protected by Qi Jingxuan and General Xu, fought his way to the entrance of the Emperor's palace.
"Listen up, you inside! I am the eldest son, Jiang Congzhi. The city is now surrounded by our men. If you want to live, open the gates and surrender immediately!"
Hearing the shouts outside, everyone finally saw a glimmer of hope for life.
Jiang Yuchen never expected that his army would surrender so quickly, like a bunch of useless idiots, leaving only a dozen or so loyal soldiers who had always followed him in the palace.
"Heaven has forsaken me, Jiang Yuchen!" Jiang Yuchen picked up a sharp sword, preparing to commit suicide.
"Master! You mustn't!" A guard quickly stopped him.
"Yes, Master, let's fight our way out. We'll rise again someday," someone beside him advised.
Seeing that Jiang Yuchen was distracted, Prince Jiang drew the short sword hidden in his boot and rushed over to stab Jiang Yuchen. Upon seeing this, the guards immediately drew their swords and ended Prince Jiang's life.
Jiang Yuchen's power was waning, the palace gates were wide open, and the crowd began to enthrone a new emperor.
Eunuch Li risked his life to deliver the imperial seal and was immediately promoted to First-Class Eunuch of the Imperial Court. Qi Jingxuan was granted the title of Duke Protector of the Nation, and General Xu was granted the title of General Who Pacifies the West.
Jiang Congzhi looked at his father lying in a pool of blood without saying a word.
Qi Jingxuan wanted to go forward and comfort him, "We must at least bury your father-in-law properly. You are now the emperor, and you must put the people of the world first in everything you do!"
“Brother Qi, this position is stained with blood. Sometimes I feel that you are more suitable than me. I always hesitate and worry too much.”
"Your Majesty, our positions are now different, so please do not address me as Brother Qi anymore."
Jiang Congzhi looked at Qi Jingxuan kneeling on the ground and smiled bitterly.
It seems that none of this is what he wants.
After tidying up everything in the palace, Qi Jingxuan rushed home. Princess Jiang also arrived at the Qi residence, but Jiang Meng was already on her deathbed.
Preparations for the lady's funeral have already begun at the North Courtyard, but Jiang Mengyi is still clinging to life, waiting for the general's return.
Within two or three days, Jiang Meng's eyes were sunken, and her face was dark and gloomy. When Princess Jiang saw her daughter lying on the bed, barely alive, her eyes were filled with regret. "Meng'er, I'm here, Mother is here."
Jiang Meng rolled her eyes to look at the person behind Princess Jiang.
"General." Before Qi Jingxuan could even step forward, Jiang Mengyi went to greet him.
The lady's funeral was conducted in a fairly dignified manner.
The simultaneous passing of Prince Jiang and Jiang Meng caused Princess Jiang, who had become Empress Dowager, to fall seriously ill.
Chu Yue was promoted to the rank of concubine. The position of concubine was thus left vacant.
Since Qi Jingxuan was promoted to Duke of Protectorate, people have flocked to him seeking marriage alliances, wearing down his doorstep. But he refused them all.
Qiao Siyu, whom he brought back from the border town, spends her days with the general. Occasionally, she visits Xiyun.
It was as if Ruan Yumu's Yunxiang Tower was just for show.
"Girl, aren't you in a hurry?" Ruan Yumu has been immersed in the joy of pregnancy these past few days. The baby in her womb is already four months along and she can start to feel its movements.
Women are truly amazing; their small bodies can give birth to one child after another.
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