In the days that followed, Shang Changge was quite busy because he had joined the Strong Nation Project.
He visited the palace more often and became familiar with officials from various sectors of the court.
Gradually, the eldest princess ceased to be just the eldest princess.
The Empress Dowager was very unhappy about this. But she could do nothing but repeatedly express her dissatisfaction and warn Shang Changze.
Because the Empress Dowager's health was deteriorating day by day, by mid-August she had difficulty even getting out of bed and walking.
The Empress Dowager's illness made the atmosphere in the palace very heavy and oppressive during this period, and everyone was trembling with fear as if walking on thin ice.
That day, a torrential rainstorm struck.
When news of the Empress Dowager's critical illness reached the General's residence, the couple rushed to the palace that very night.
Not long after the couple arrived, Murong Yu arrived with his entire Murong family.
"Your Majesty, the Eldest Princess."
After paying their respects, Murong Yu and his entourage rose to look into the inner hall, where everyone wore a worried expression.
Shang Changge was the same, but her worry was too obvious, and her drowsiness from being woken up in the middle of the night was too intense.
She simply pretended not to want to face it and nestled in Xiao Ji's broad embrace, looking extremely sad but actually closing her eyes to rest.
Xiao Ji and his wife worked together very well; the couple's acting was excellent.
The Cining Palace was brightly lit, but no one spoke. Imperial physicians and doctors came and went, wiping cold sweat from their foreheads with unease.
No one knew better than them that the Empress Dowager's time was up, but whoever said it would be doomed. In the end, it was Physician Sun, who had been taking the Empress Dowager's pulse, examining her, and prescribing medicine, who stepped forward to tell her the truth.
"Your Majesty, we are incompetent."
Shang Changze closed his eyes and beckoned Imperial Physician Sun to follow him out of the inner palace, discreetly inquiring about the details of the illness and the final deadline from the Empress Dowager's perspective.
Imperial Physician Sun: "...At the latest, tomorrow at dawn..."
Shang Changge listened to the key points, and after getting a general idea, she knew how to act in the next scene.
Unfortunately, the Empress Dowager didn't listen to her.
The Empress Dowager was bedridden and instructed Rong Momo to call everyone in for private conversations. Everyone who was to be called was called, including Xiao Ji.
Shang Changge was the only daughter whom the Empress Dowager rejected, clearly showing her dislike.
Shang Changge is quite annoyed. Her cheap mother's actions have put her in an awkward position, drawing much attention, and now she has to put on an extra act, which is even more annoying.
"Granny, Mother..."
Shang Changge began her performance, stepping forward, first glancing in the direction of the Empress Dowager, then looking at Rong Momo and speaking.
She had only just begun to speak, but anyone could hear the underlying expectation and confusion in her words.
Rong Momo dared not offend Shang Changge, and her face showed reluctance.
Fortunately, the Empress Dowager still had Rong Momo's best interests at heart, and it was time for her to speak up and break this dilemma for Rong Momo.
After a series of labored coughs, the Empress Dowager spoke in a weak and disgusted tone:
"I don't want to see you. You can go back now. There's no need for you to stay here and put on an act."
With everyone present, the Empress Dowager was clearly trying to embarrass Shang Changge.
The embarrassment now is a minor matter; if word gets out about tonight's events, Shang Changge will inevitably be the subject of speculation and criticism.
The fact that the Empress Dowager did not want to see her only daughter, the Eldest Princess, before her death is enough for people to talk about.
Even if the Empress Dowager had some issues with Shang Changge, she wouldn't have gone to such lengths before leaving.
However, Shang Changge's recent frequent contact with the imperial court and his repeated failure to correct his ways have really annoyed her.
Despite Shang Changze's repeated attempts to persuade the Empress Dowager, emphasizing that it was he who had asked Shang Changge for help, it was to no avail.
The Empress Dowager wouldn't listen to her or believe her at all; instead, she grew even more disgusted with Shang Changge.
At this moment, Shang Changze wanted to help Shang Changge out of her predicament, but he was interrupted by the Empress Dowager with a stern voice as soon as he opened his mouth.
"Ze'er! Cough cough cough—!"
"If you don't want your mother to die right now, don't speak up for Changge. Let her leave... cough cough cough, I get annoyed just looking at her... cough cough cough cough..."
Upon hearing these words, Shang Changge, the master of drama, appropriately took two steps back, tears streaming down her face.
He covered his chest with his hand, looking extremely wronged and heartbroken as if he had suffered a tremendous blow, but of course he didn't forget to defend himself.
"Mother!"
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