Qian Shengyan didn't know what was wrong with her.
She was afraid; no one would face a sharp dagger and instead run away, rushing forward to meet it.
Moreover, if Hongshi succeeds and Yinzhen is gone, she can become Empress Dowager ahead of time, and her son will be the only choice for the next monarch!
But... Qian Shengyan didn't know how she could block it so quickly and decisively. Without hesitation or doubt, she took a few steps to stand in front of Yinzhen and barely blocked Hongshi's attack.
A piercing pain spread from her chest, and at that moment, Qian Shengyan was in so much pain that she forgot to breathe.
She only heard Yinzhen call out "Yanyan," and then her eyes were filled with an infinitely magnified view of Yinzhen's face.
The face she had seen day and night for over a decade now displayed an expression Qian Shengyan couldn't decipher—a mixture of fear, grief, regret, and disbelief…
During those years of perilous struggle for the throne, he never showed such an expression, but now, after three years as emperor, he is increasingly unable to show his emotions.
But now, the expressions are so rich, so clear and easy to read.
She tugged at the corners of her lips, wanting to smile, wanting to say something—but what could she say?
So she simply opened her mouth, using a tiny, breathy voice to try and call out "Yinzhen," and then she was plunged into endless darkness.
It seemed like someone was crying, someone was calling her name. Qian Shengyan struggled for a while, then opened her eyes and found herself in a familiar yet unfamiliar environment.
Is this her... modern home?
She's back?
Could it be that she died in the Qing Dynasty and thus traveled back in time?
No, wait a minute, what about Yinzhen? What about her children?
Wouldn't her sons Hongli, Foerguochun, and Hongshan all become children without a mother?
No, no, she can't die, she can't come back! She has to go back; her child, her Hongxu, is only three years old…
Qian Shengyan was wandering around the room like a headless fly when suddenly the door creaked open, and a familiar middle-aged couple walked in.
In that instant, Qian Shengyan froze as if someone had struck her pressure points, unable to move at all.
These are her... parents...
Qian Shengyan dared not look directly at her mother, afraid of waking her from this dream. She watched her mother walk up to her, tried to speak, but found only a sob escaped her lips. She swallowed hard, forced a smile, and tried to greet her mother—
However, her mother acted as if she didn't see her at all, brushing past her while talking to her father as she walked into the kitchen.
“Mom…” Qian Shengyan instinctively reached for her mother’s arm, but her hand simply passed right through her mother’s body…
Qian Shengyan was startled and subconsciously took a few steps back. Then, she passed through the wall and entered the bathroom.
She turned her head in surprise and was met with the mirror of the sink, but there was nothing in the mirror.
So she didn't actually come back, right?
Just then, the sound of a door opening came from outside, accompanied by a girl's clear voice: "Uncle Qian, Aunt Man, what delicious food are you making today? I brought roast duck..."
Qian Shengyan emerged from the bathroom and looked at the scene outside, which resembled a family of three interacting. For some reason, she felt a mix of sadness and warmth in her heart.
She didn't know this unfamiliar girl, but she was grateful for her presence.
On the seventh day of the eleventh month of the third year of the Yongzheng reign, at the Jiuzhou Qingyan Hall in the Yuanmingyuan Garden.
Yinzhen sat in the front hall with a dark face, watching the palace servants and imperial physicians bustling about. Hongli stood behind him, pursing his lips and glancing towards the inner hall from time to time.
Hongshan had just cried for a while and was taken away by the nanny to be coaxed to sleep. Foerguochun sat to the side, his eyes swollen, receiving comfort from his two friends.
The busiest person in the entire hall was probably the chief eunuch, Su Peisheng. He had just finished watching people lock up Ulanara into the Lotus Pavilion, and then ordered people to temporarily detain Hongshi in a side hall. This time, his hands and feet were tied with hemp rope to prevent him from escaping or suddenly attacking people.
At this moment, Su Peisheng was listening to the report from Granny Yun from Ying Shui Lan Xiang.
Upon hearing Nian's two curses, Su Peisheng narrowed his eyes, but secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
Very well, he has now found a place for the emperor to vent his anger.
This time, the perpetrator was the emperor's son, but it was the emperor himself who let his son in; the empress failed to step forward to protect him, and only hid herself, which angered the emperor, but he could not express his anger.
The guards on duty in front of the palace have been imprisoned by the emperor, and Hongshi's old servant has been beaten to death with sticks, but clearly this is not enough.
Consort Xi is seriously injured and still unconscious. The imperial physician says her condition is very dangerous. The emperor is seething with anger. If he doesn't vent it soon, he, as the chief eunuch of the palace, will probably be punished.
Thank you, Mr. Nian!
With these thoughts in mind, Su Peisheng entered and stood to the side, waiting for a report. He overheard Imperial Physician Liu describing Consort Xi's injuries: "...It was just a hair's breadth away from injuring her heart, thankfully it shifted a little over an inch to the side...The bleeding has stopped, but Her Highness's injuries are too severe. If she doesn't develop a fever tonight, all will be well, otherwise..."
He didn't need to say everything; everyone already understood what he meant.
Hongli closed his eyes, but tears still flowed uncontrollably from the corners of his eyes.
Unlike last time, Yinzhen was not furious. He seemed extremely tired and just leaned back in his chair, only able to raise his hand halfway: "Consort Xi must live."
Judge Liu looked troubled and did not answer.
"If she dies, you die; if she lives, you live." Yinzhen was no longer reasonable; his tone was indifferent, yet brooked no argument.
Cold sweat poured down Liu Yuanpan's back. He quickly kowtowed and went back to the bedchamber to keep watch.
Su Peisheng then stepped forward cautiously and said, "Granny Yun just reported something, and after thinking it over, I feel something is amiss, so I'd better report it to His Majesty..."
People at that time took curses very seriously, and it was impossible for them to dismiss them as lightly as Qian Shengyan did.
Before Yinzhen could finish listening, he smashed his teacup. When he heard the next line, "There will never be a peaceful day when mother and son are estranged," Hongli went around to the front and knelt down on the ground with a thud.
Tears streamed down his face, his teeth grinding together: "Father..."
Before he could finish speaking, Yinzhen raised his hand to interrupt him and said coldly, "Nian Shi, your act of cursing Consort Xi involves me and the imperial heir. Your crime is unforgivable. I hereby strip you of your title and demote you to Noble Lady... no, demote you to Attendant."
"If the Imperial Concubine is unharmed, spare her life; otherwise, give her a white silk noose." Yinzhen's tone was indifferent, but the hatred in it was clear and unmistakable.
Hongli kowtowed again, weeping. Yinzhen sighed, bent down, and helped him up: "Now you are the elder brother. Take good care of your younger siblings. Trust, trust your mother..."
"Yes, Father, you must also take care of your health. Mother... Mother certainly hopes that Father will be safe and well," Hongli said, weeping.
Yinzhen wanted to respond, but he couldn't make a sound.
Now, if he closes his eyes, he can see that pale purple figure rushing towards him, blocking his way without hesitation...?
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