Chapter 241 The Emperor's Death
The ancients valued the concept of "gathering and storing energy," so although the entire Forbidden City belonged to the emperor, his bedroom was not very large.
At this moment, the small room was crowded with people standing or kneeling, almost filling the room completely, except for the circle where the prince sat, which was untouched, like stars surrounding the moon, enveloping the father and son.
The oppressive heat of summer hadn't dissipated yet, and the gathering of people only intensified the temperature. Even from a distance, Hongzhao felt suffocated and couldn't breathe, but Yinzhen, covered by a thin blanket, seemed completely oblivious.
He turned his head and squinted, carefully examining everyone present. Although he was seriously ill, his eyes were not empty and lifeless. On the contrary, they were releasing a final pressure, and whoever his gaze fell upon would involuntarily lower their head even further.
"I have summoned you all here today because there is something I need to tell you."
He took a breath and tried his best to speak clearly and coherently—"The Crown Prince has been acting as regent for more than a month, and everyone has witnessed how outstanding his achievements are. I originally planned to let the Crown Prince adapt to the situation for a year or two before I abdicated... cough cough!"
Lying on his back made it quite difficult for him to swallow saliva, and he choked on his own saliva if he wasn't careful.
Hongzhao quickly stepped forward to help him catch his breath, saying, "Father, don't say such things." Once the cough subsided, he brought over a cup of tea and told his father to lick his throat.
After finally recovering from his heart-wrenching cough, Yinzhen patted Hongzhao's hand reassuringly, indicating that he didn't need to move. After catching his breath a few times, he spoke again—"After abdicating as Crown Prince, I abdicated and became the Retired Emperor, enjoying my old age and spending time with my grandchildren. Now it seems that I have neither the time nor the blessing."
Upon hearing this, all the ministers bowed their heads and said, "Your Majesty is blessed with boundless fortune."
In this matter, the ministers and the imperial physicians were the same; they all had mouths and could only utter the same platitudes.
Whether he is truly blessed with boundless good fortune or not, he knows in his heart. If he is indeed blessed with fortune as great as the heavens, would the heavens have such regrets for him?
"Today, you must remember my words firmly, not for a moment. My days are numbered." Yinzhen raised his voice, and as he spoke, he used more force to press down on Hongzhao's struggling body. He continued, "After I am gone, the Crown Prince will ascend the throne. You must assist him as you have assisted me."
"If any of them harbor thoughts of deceiving the emperor and taking advantage of the crown prince's youth to do something foolish, even if I cannot see it, there are plenty of others who will keep an eye on things for me."
Yinzhen's words were stern, and none of the people in the Hall of Mental Cultivation were fools. They all repeatedly said, "This servant dares not," "This humble subject dares not," and no one would dare to offend the emperor at this time.
Although his words were not long, it still took Yinzhen a long time to catch his breath after speaking them. His face was pale with a bluish tinge, and his jaw was clenched tightly, as if every breath brought him a knife-like pain. Hongzhao's hand was clenched in his hand, and the middle was red and the edges were white, but neither of the father and son showed any intention of letting go.
Yinzhen's palms were burning hot due to a persistent low-grade fever, while Hongzhao, despite having a healthy body, had hands that were icy cold and could not be warmed by any means, with his fingertips trembling almost imperceptibly.
Father and son held hands, their bodies clasped together, their warmth and coldness mingling, and for a moment it was impossible to tell who was comforting whom.
"Thirteenth brother, fourteenth brother." Yinzhen dared not delay any longer. He felt his body and even his eyelids growing heavier and heavier, and his thoughts were like pebbles thrown into the sea, uncontrollably sinking deeper and deeper. Therefore, after regaining some strength, he immediately spoke.
"Your younger brother is here."
Two responses came from the same place. The two men walked through the kneeling crowd in front of them to the emperor's bedside. They knelt down in unison, throwing off their robes, waiting for the emperor to continue.
Hongzhao reflexively tried to move half his body away, but his arm was held tightly by his father, preventing him from moving an inch. He sat on the stool and received the greeting with his father.
Yinzhen had never liked his younger brother, but at this moment, their grudges would end with his death. Hongzhao needed such a close and helpful uncle.
"After I leave, the only elders I can entrust to Hongzhao are the two of you." His gaze was heavy, yet filled with earnest expectation.
Thirteen, needless to say, would have done his best to assist Hongzhao even if Fourth Brother hadn't entrusted him with this task. On the other hand, Fourteen, this was the first time he had seen such trust and entrustment from his own brother, and a surge of emotion immediately rushed to his head.
"Rest assured, Your Majesty, Hongzhao is my own nephew. I will absolutely not allow anyone to bully him!"
Thirteen nodded in agreement, assuring the Crown Prince, "Brother, please don't say such things. Just focus on recovering. We will naturally help the Crown Prince and safeguard the foundation of our Great Qing Dynasty."
Yinzhen nodded, then closed his eyes wearily for a moment before forcing them open again. His gaze lingered on Hongzhao's face for a moment before shifting to the Empress who was standing closest to him.
Seeing that the Emperor was looking at her, Lü Jiaying took two steps forward and leaned closer, softly replying, "Your Majesty, I am here."
When speaking to the Empress, Yinzhen's tone was much softer than before. Perhaps because he was truly exhausted, even his voice was weak, and one had to get closer to hear it completely.
"Empress, we have been husband and wife for over a decade. I know your character and I like it. Even at this age, you are still so charming. I only hope that you will always be the same as you are now, and never change."
Intelligent people don't need to speak too clearly. Lü Jiaying nodded knowingly, suppressing the tears in her eyes, and promised, "Your Majesty, rest assured, I will help Hongzhao well and also keep the two younger ones in check so that they won't cause trouble for their elder brother. Hongshi and Wenyi are Your Majesty's children, and also my children. I will treat them as my own and take good care of them."
As Yinzhen watched her tears slide down her cheeks, he wanted to raise his hand to pat the back of her hand, but after trying for a long time, he couldn't muster the strength to lift his arm. His arm only lifted an inch before falling heavily back down. Finally, Lü Jiaying reached out her hand to meet his, and only then was he able to complete the action.
Yinzhen was truly exhausted. Since waking up, he had been giving instructions in fits and starts, and after more than an hour, his condition was deteriorating. He looked around and realized that he had indeed given all the necessary instructions. Finally, he cast a deeply meaningful glance at Hongzhao, who had been guarding his bedside for who knows how long.
Seeing Hongzhao with tears welling up in his eyes, his lips pursed as he tried to hold them back, I couldn't help but feel a strange sense of amusement.
The child had taken his words from the previous two days to heart, and he didn't show his emotions, but seeing him like this only made him more heartbreaking.
Hongzhao lowered his head and waited for a long time. Seeing that his father was just looking at him without saying a word, the grievance and sorrow in his eyes could not be hidden.
"Why does Father talk so much to everyone else, but not say a single word to his son?"
He might have been able to hold back, but the moment he asked the question, his voice trailed off with a sob. Even the ministers couldn't help but lower their heads and wipe their tears with their sleeves, let alone Yinzhen.
A tear slid down his cheek. He could clearly feel his breathing getting slower and slower, and it was getting harder and harder to inhale. He opened his mouth with difficulty, his throat bobbing for a long time, and he gripped Hongzhao's hands tightly.
In the end, all that came out was a sigh.
"well--"
Yinzhen stared intently at his son Hongzhao, the child he had raised from childhood.
How could he not feel regret? He was so close to witnessing the birth of Hongzhao's child.
The first thing Hongzhao did when he was born was to grab his hand. Now that he is about to leave, he still hasn't let go of the child's hand.
He just watched quietly, watching his child, and slowly, slowly, his eyes closed, and the hand he was holding tightly to Hongzhao gradually loosened its grip.
Zhou Qi knelt to the side and watched. After receiving the Empress's gaze, she boldly stepped forward and took the Emperor's wrist.
A moment later, he suddenly let go as if he had been thrown back, took two steps back, and hit his head on the ground.
"His Majesty...has passed away!"
"emperor!"
"Brother!"
Amidst the cries and shouts of the crowd, Hongzhao remained unmoved, tears streaming down his face that wouldn't dry. He knelt quietly beside his father, seemingly oblivious to the commotion raging outside.
He stared blankly at his hands, feeling the warmth his father had just given them turn cold again.
The last time I felt Ama's warmth, it was all gone.
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