Chapter 148 Entering the Eastern Palace
The room was deathly silent; you could hear a pin drop.
Dou Mingyan's face was ashen, her mind buzzing, and she could only hear her own breathing and heartbeat. She was in a daze, yet incredibly clear-headed.
She shouldn't have trusted Prince Rui. Was she really going to die like this? All she wanted was to change her fate. She didn't want to marry a sick man and live a life of widowhood. What sins did she commit? Why couldn't Heaven forgive her?
Dou Wenyi is the real 'jinx'. Why is it that she receives God's favor even though she does nothing?
No, she didn't deserve to die. She should have enjoyed the honor of being admired by thousands. Why did she have to end up like this?
She defied fate to become the Crown Princess, not to die meaninglessly. She wanted revenge and to enjoy wealth and luxury. But were all of that just a pipe dream?
No, even if she becomes a ghost, she won't let Dou Wenyi go. She'll kill Dou Wenyi!
Eunuch Feng looked at her coldly and urged, "Third Miss Dou, you shouldn't have tried to climb into the Cold Palace's bedchamber. That's a taboo of the Emperor. Hurry up, we have other things to attend to."
Dou Mingyan came to her senses.
He tormented her last night, and now he wants to kill her?
The emperor was indeed the most ruthless person in the world.
Enraged, he shifted all the blame onto her, this defenseless and vulnerable woman. Even if she died, would that cover up the fact that he slept with his prospective daughter-in-law and drove her to her death?
It's not like she held a knife to the emperor's neck and forced him into bed!
Dou Mingyan sobbed uncontrollably, biting her lip. Even though she had been mentally prepared, she still felt wronged, resentful, indignant, aggrieved, fearful, and regretful.
"Your Excellency, Mingyan's death is not a pity. Before she died, her only concern was for His Highness the Crown Prince. Now he is gravely ill, and I originally intended to visit him in the palace. Could you please convey to His Majesty that my only wish before I die is to see His Highness one last time..."
"Please rest assured, Your Majesty, I also hope to leave with dignity. I will keep what happened last night to myself."
She glanced timidly at Eunuch Feng, then stopped begging for mercy. "Grand Eunuch, if His Majesty is unwilling to grant this favor, I only beg His Majesty to punish me personally."
A hint of surprise flashed across Eunuch Feng's face. He had thought she would beg to live, but he hadn't expected her to be so clever.
Upon learning this, Emperor Muzong paused in his writing, a complex emotion flickering in his cold eyes. "Oh?"
The image of Wen Wan's desperate, bloodshot eyes flashed into his mind.
How similar they are.
They were all weak women who had been defiled by him!
His hands had killed countless people; he was ruthless and decisive, showing no mercy to anyone.
He felt guilty only towards Wen Wan, and her death only cemented his reputation as a despicable, shameless, and fraudulent person. Now, is history about to repeat itself?
Emperor Muzong closed his eyes, and after a long while, he slowly raised his head. "In that case, I will grant her her wish!"
He got up and went to the palace's secret prisoner disposal room. After a short while, he left, and several eunuchs carried out a black sack...
——
The next morning, someone from the palace came to fetch her, saying that everything was ready at the Eastern Palace and that Dou Wenyi should go there immediately to serve the Crown Prince.
Dou Wenyi ordered Cuizhi and others to pack their trunks overnight, and then, along with Cuizhi and Taxue, prepared to depart for the East Palace.
The Dou family members, each with a different expression, all went to the door to see them off.
Dou Bochang felt a mix of emotions. He dared not tell anyone about Dou Mingyan's affair, yet he was now making a big fuss by ordering his servants to search for her everywhere.
Madam Gu frowned, her heart filled with mixed emotions after receiving that imperial edict last night.
Dou Bochang's words were evasive and hesitant, so she vaguely guessed that Dou Mingyan was afraid something had happened to her, otherwise how could the 'Crown Princess' just disappear like that?
Now, seeing her own daughter about to be married off to bring good luck, she felt a lump in her throat as she recalled the past. She felt a pang of guilt and wanted to say a few words of advice, but she didn't know how to start the conversation.
Old Madam Dou's eyes were a little moist, and she held Dou Wenyi's hand tightly, reluctant to let go.
The person who came to pick her up was Chen, the head lady-in-waiting beside Consort Zhang. She smiled and comforted her, "Madam, there's no need to worry. Fourth Miss is a blessed person. Good people are always protected by heaven. His Highness the Crown Prince will definitely be alright. If Madam is still worried, it's not difficult for you to come to the Eastern Palace to visit the Crown Princess."
Upon hearing this, Madam Dou felt somewhat relieved.
Dou Wenyi lowered her eyes and patted her grandmother's hand, "Grandmother, Father, Mother, please go back."
The group forced a smile in response, but no one knew whether her departure would bring good fortune or misfortune.
The carriage stopped at the gate of the East Palace.
The lady-in-waiting led Dou Wenyi inside. Before long, they passed through a deep corridor and arrived at the front courtyard. There she saw Eunuch Anxi leading the palace maids and nannies of the East Palace, all bowing respectfully to her.
Dou Wenyi's sharp gaze swept over the people in the East Palace. Who knew how many troubles were hidden among them? Wasn't Steward Sun a living example?
Eunuch Anxi smiled broadly and was very eager to help. “Fourth Miss, as instructed by the Crown Prince, Wutong Courtyard has been prepared. Your trunks and other belongings can be placed there.”
Wutong Garden is closest to the Crown Prince's residence, Chaohua Palace. Although it's not the largest, it's convenient...
This marriage clearly involves a concubine, but the Crown Prince seems to have forgotten about her, not even asking them to make any preparations. Given the Crown Prince's favor towards her, this woman will be the true mistress of the Eastern Palace in the future.
Dou Wenyi paused for a moment, then nodded. "Thank you for your trouble."
Where is His Highness the Crown Prince?
"The imperial physicians are treating the Crown Prince. Would you like to go and take a look?"
Upon entering the bedroom, a strong medicinal smell immediately assaulted the nostrils.
Dou Wenyi pulled the curtains closer, carefully examining the pale, handsome face of the man on the bed. She raised her hand to his wrist and began to take his pulse; the man on the bed was extremely weak.
A few breaths later, her brows were still furrowed.
No wonder the imperial physicians declared that the 'Crown Prince' was terminally ill and didn't have much time left. There was a blood clot pressing on the man's brain, and if it wasn't removed in time, it would indeed be life-threatening.
Dou Wenyi suddenly looked up and met an unfamiliar face.
The man had a handsome and refined face, a face completely different from Pei Siyan's, but his eyes were deep and dark, and seemed familiar.
In an instant, she was certain that the man in front of her was Pei Siyan.
Dou Wenyi withdrew her hand, her face turning stern. "What are you up to? Who's that person on the bed?"
Pei Siyan raised an eyebrow, a warm feeling welling up inside him. He smiled faintly, "How did you recognize me?"
He swaggered around with Yin Congjian's face and even went to the morning court without anyone noticing. If she didn't care about him, how could she tell at a glance?
“There are many flaws! Your faces do look very similar, but your earlobes are clearly larger, while his earlobes are thinner.”
Pei Siyan's eyes flickered slightly as he grasped her hand. "Yi'er, the person on the bed is my shadow guard, Jingyu. Is there any hope for him?"
Back then, when he and Lian'er were being chased and separated by Prince Rui in Huaiyin County, if it weren't for the Shadow Guard protecting him, he would be the one lying here today.
Jingyu had seen Lian'er's true face, but after waking up, he suffered from amnesia and couldn't remember anything from the past. Over the past year, he had searched everywhere and consulted many doctors, but they all said there was nothing they could do to save her.
Dou Wenyi seemed thoughtful. "I can give it a try, but I'm only about 60% sure."
Pei Siyan stared into her clear, confident eyes, his breathing suddenly quickening, a surge of heat and longing rising within him, "Yi'er..."
She certainly didn't disappoint; how could anyone not be moved by someone as outstanding as her?
Pei Siyan's Adam's apple bobbed as he caressed her hand, his aggressive gaze uncontrollably landing on her lips. If he were to kiss her with Yin Congjian's face, she probably would slap him.
Anxi's shrill voice rang out from outside the door, "Miss Sheng, please wait a moment, this servant will go and inform her—"
"Please don't disturb His Highness. I'm just going in to check on him and then I'll be right back out."
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