C285 (1/2)
Rong'er thought to himself, ”After the Emperor returned, some of the court members started to secretly discuss who the next Empress is. I know that the Emperor once said that he wouldn't be setting the position of Empress anymore, but after Xiu-Ning broke his own words, then …” Who would be the next queen? Or would she become the last lucky person to be able to be with him after a hundred years?
At the mouth of the Rising Sun Sect's Temple Door, Rong'er slowly walked out of the palanquin. The gatekeeping eunuch hurried forward and said, ”Imperial Concubine Rong, you're here.”
Rong'er nodded. ”Who came by today?”
”Master Xiushan is still inside, and so is the Fourth Prince.” The eunuch replied meekly.
Rong'er nodded and walked to the back of the hall. The Empress Xioayi's Zizi's coffin had already stayed there for more than two months, and everyday, the officials and wives coming and going would come unceasingly. Furthermore, the empress dowager allowed the empress dowager to come and mourn as well, but they could only stay in the rear of the hall, and Xiushan stayed there for almost every day, while the other concubines only came occasionally to pay their respects.
In the back hall, only Xiushan was left. She was dressed in white and had a sad expression on her face. When she saw Rong'er, she stood up and nodded at him. Rong'er looked at Xiu Shan, who was standing in front of him.
”Where's Yin Zhen? I heard he came over? ” Rong'er asked softly.
Xiushan nodded, her voice hoarse from crying. ”Yes, he went to the front.”
”Don't be too sad, love your body.” Rong'er walked over and gently held Xiushan's hand.
”I know, but I'm just sad. All these years I've been in the palace, my life has been tied up with my sister. Now that she's gone, I don't know how I'm going to continue living …” Xiushan's voice was shaking.
Rong'er knew that Xiushan was only used to living a life of filial piety. She said softly, ”You will slowly get used to it. The Empress Xioayi will continue to protect you from the heavens.”
”En!” Xiushan nodded her head vigorously, but her tears couldn't help but fall down.
Rong'er patted her shoulders lightly, walked to the door and looked out into the hall. The Tong Family and Yin Zhen were there, along with a few other officials who were guarding the door.
”Elder sister, is the emperor coming back? Why isn't the Emperor willing to guard my sister's final days?! ” Xiushan mumbled softly, with some complaints …
”He's almost back. Empress Xioayi will definitely be back a hundred days ago.” Rong'er nodded vigorously. He walked over and embraced Xiushan, gently consoling her. ”The emperor wants to stay with your sister too, but the emperor is a sovereign. There are too many obstacles in the court. After all, the emperor is still a human …”
Hugging Xiu Shan who was crying in her arms, Rong'er was also missing Xuan Ye. The Empress Xioayi's funeral had not happened yet, and the harem was filled with too many sorrows and sorrows.
In the front hall, a little boy said to Yin Zhen: ”Fourth Prince, don't be too sad, be careful or you might hurt your body.”
Yin Zhen stared fixedly at Empress Xioayi's Zizi's coffin, and nodded his head lightly, not saying a word. No one could understand what this eleven year old child was thinking about, and after Xiao Yi passed away, Yin Zhen, who was already quiet, spoke even less.
Tong Guowei saw and lightly called out, ”Longkedo, go and send someone to bring the water for Fourth Prince.” The boy, who was slightly older than Yin Zhen by a year or two, hurriedly nodded and passed on his orders to a disciple at the door.
”Fourth Prince, you don't need to come here every day. If you get tired, the spirit of the Empress Xioayi in heaven will feel sorry for you.” Tong Guowei advised the child in front of him softly. He was glad that Xiu Ning had not raised the child for nothing.
Yin Zhen nodded his head dumbly, he did not say a word, and seeing that, he could only sigh helplessly. After a while, the people from the palace brought the water over, and Longkedo took it and gave it to him with both hands.
”Thank you!” Yin Zhen's mouth was indeed dry, after all the weather in August was still very sultry, and taking a big gulp of water, she spoke her first sentence to Longkedo.