Where did she get the courage? The Empress instinctively stepped back, a natural human reaction; Su Peisheng panicked and didn't even have time to throw himself to the ground, but Yan Yan ran so fast…
Yinzhen closed his eyes and raised his hand to cover his chest.
He wasn't physically injured, but his heart ached terribly. He dared not think about what would happen if Qian Shengyan were truly gone... what would he do then?
Another cry came from outside the door; it was probably Hongshan waking up and looking for his mother again. Fuerguochun got up and bowed to him, still wiping away tears, but tried her best to smile and go out to comfort her younger brother.
Hongli stayed by his side the whole time, and even took the initiative to have the guards at the door search him before entering—Hongli probably knew his father's wounded heart and did this on purpose.
They are all good children, all good children she raised.
If she's gone, if she's gone...
Yinzhen refused to think about the answer. He walked hurriedly and staggered as he pushed away Su Peisheng, who was trying to help him, and stepped into the inner room.
People came and went around her bedside. Qingxue and Lvliu served her at all times, while Imperial Physician Liu and several other imperial physicians stood aside, arguing heatedly.
The interior of the hall was familiar and natural, and everything was so lively, but the person on the bed was lifeless.
Yinzhen paused slightly, not daring to step forward; he stood there for a moment, then hurriedly turned his face away, not daring to look again.
“Father Emperor…” Hongli stepped forward to support him with some concern, but Yinzhen did not push him away. He only said in a hoarse voice, “Your mother will definitely be alright.”
"Yes, Mother just promised me that she would watch me get married and have children." Hongli didn't dare to look at the person lying on the bed too much. He only wanted to see Qian Shengyan smile at him and speak to him gently.
Instead of what it is now.
After a moment of silence, the father and son helped each other out of the inner room.
With nowhere to go and no way to help, Yinzhen realized at this moment how powerless he was.
Even if he becomes the emperor, birth, aging, sickness, and death are things he has no control over.
"Your Majesty, Prince Yi and Prince Zhuang request an audience," Su Peisheng said softly.
Yinzhen just wanted to wait there and didn't want to see anyone, but Hongli advised, "Perhaps your two uncles have important matters to discuss. Father, why don't you see them?"
"Then let them come over." He really didn't have the strength to move anymore. Anyway, they were his brothers, so he might as well meet them here.
After his initial surprise, Su Peisheng immediately agreed and went out to summon someone in.
Thirteenth Prince Yinxiang and Sixteenth Prince Yinlu originally came to discuss the sacrificial ceremony for the late emperor three years later with the emperor, but when they entered the Jiuzhou Qingyan Hall, they found that the atmosphere here was unusual. After asking the palace servants, they learned what had happened before. Both of them felt that they had come at the wrong time. Just as they were about to take their leave, Su Peisheng told them to enter the hall to see the emperor.
The two exchanged a glance, said nothing, and followed Su Peisheng inside.
After bowing, Yinzhen asked in a calm voice, "What brings you here?"
“Your Majesty, in five days it will be the anniversary of the Emperor’s death. Your subject…” Yinlu could not continue. He was now the head of the Imperial Clan Court, in charge of the imperial family register, compiling the imperial genealogy, deliberating on rewards and punishments, and overseeing the affairs of the mausoleum and temple sacrifices. But this matter… was really not the right time.
Yinxiang looked at Yinzhen with some concern: "Your Majesty, please take care of your health."
"I am fine, but the Imperial Concubine..." Yinzhen choked up, unable to speak further. Facing his two closest brothers, he made no pretense, saying directly, "Hongshi dared to assassinate me; this is treason! He's been living with the Eighth Prince for some time now; it must have been the Eighth Prince's family who gave him the idea!"
"Your Majesty, please calm down!" Yinlu and Yinxiang said in unison.
Yinzhen took a couple of breaths and looked at Yinlu: "Sixteenth Prince, now that you are in charge of the Imperial Clan Court, tell me, how should Hongshi be punished for what he did?"
"this……"
Yinlu dared not say that Yinxiang understood the Emperor's intentions better than him, and knew better the principle that even tigers do not eat their cubs. So he sighed and said, "Hongshi is so young, how could he have such a vicious mind? He was just bewitched by evil people... This is an unforgivable crime! However, since the anniversary of the late Emperor's death is approaching, Your Majesty should spare Hongshi's life, keep him under control, and teach him properly."
"Very well, then take him to the Imperial Clan Court and lock him up, keep a close watch on him." Yinzhen really didn't want to see Hongshi again. If it weren't for the fact that it was too bad to kill his own son so close to the anniversary of Kangxi's death, he would have wanted to beat that bastard to death right now.
The two agreed, and then Yinxiang mustered his courage and said, "Your Majesty, preparations for the sacrificial ceremony at Jingling are complete. When will Your Majesty depart?"
Yinzhen closed his eyes and did not answer.
He also knew that the matter of offering sacrifices to the late emperor was something that had to be done. The Qing Dynasty had always ruled the country with filial piety in mind, and he couldn't possibly miss such a grand sacrifice every three years.
Moreover, even if Qian Shengyan was seriously injured and was about to die, she was still just a concubine. How could an emperor disregard his father's death anniversary for the sake of a concubine?
This not only damaged his reputation, but also Qian Shengyan's.
But he really didn't want to leave.
We were originally scheduled to depart tomorrow, but tomorrow... Will Qian Shengyan wake up tomorrow?
He opened his mouth several times before finally uttering, "Tomorrow... let's see."
Yinxiang understood what the emperor wanted to see, and asked a few questions about the concubine's injuries. However, seeing that the emperor was not in good spirits, he took his leave with Yinlu.
The two ordered the guards to take Hongshi away. After discussing it for a while, they decided to submit a memorial to the emperor, suggesting that Yinzhi be placed under guard.
Inside the Qingyan Palace of Kyushu, a scene of grief and busy activity unfolded. Qian Shengyan, however, crouched in a corner like a gecko, gazing longingly at everything concerning her parents.
After a few days, she realized that she was probably in a ghost-like state. No one could see her, and she couldn't touch anything.
This chapter is not finished yet. Please click on the next page to continue reading the exciting content!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
