Chapter 245 (2/2)

Ji Man was stunned. Looking at Old Madame's wan and sallow face, she pursed her lips.

Marquis Moyu's expression wasn't good either. He went straight to asking the imperial physician if there were any other methods.

Danggui and Shouwu were gritting their teeth, as they silently crying while the concubines remained quiet.

If Old Madame really pa.s.sed, Ji Man was the only woman in the harem that would genuinely feel upset and pained. After all, the other women hadn't received Old Madame's protection and favoritism. Wen Wan would probably feel elated when the time came. The great mountain that loomed over her was finally falling.

As Wen Wan waited for Old Madame to die, she pondered who she should send over to chat with the empress. She had already given birth to the marquis's child. At the very least, the emperor should take back his punishment. She also had to take back her child from Nie Sangyu.

Nie Sangyu didn't have her own child. Once Old Madame was gone, Nie Sangyu's position as the main wife wouldn't be stable for long. Wen Wan still had hope that she would be able to regain everything.

When Ji Man turned her head, she saw Wen Wan's curved up lips and felt a burst of loathing. Her eyes were icy cold as she looked at her.

After being momentarily startled by this cold gaze, Wen Wan asked with a very innocent expression, ”Madam?”

Ji Man turned her head away. Wen Wan was such a small-minded woman. It was only with the invincible halo given by the author that she was able to be the female lead. Otherwise, she wasn't even good enough to play the secondary female character.

Wen Wan's only advantage was that the author had decided that Marquis Moyu would fall in love with her.

Was love enough for her to do nothing while the male lead always saved her? Could she just walk down the path to a happily ever after unimpeded?

Ji Man refused to acknowledge this system of value that would reward someone for doing nothing.

---

During the next two days, Ji Man stayed in Old Madame's courtyard to watch after her. Ning Mingjie and Ning Yuxuan also stayed there to watch Old Madame as well, but Ning Yuxuan would occasionally have to leave because of work.

On the second day, in the afternoon, when Ning Yuxuan had left the estate, a death bell rang.

In the end, Old Madame's spirit departed.

Sitting by the bedside and looking at Old Madame's smile that appeared as if she was freeing herself, Ji Man blankly asked, ”Why does dying feel like freedom to you?”

---

An imperial decree came from the palace. Old Madame was conferred a posthumous t.i.tle, Lady Protector of the Nation, and would be buried in a manner befitting a n.o.ble consort. Her grave would be next to Marquis Pingnan's. One grave was old and the other one was new, but they would be right next to each other.

On the day of the funeral procession, Ji Man didn't cry. She stayed silent during the entire procession.

The only person in this dynasty that whole-heartedly protected her was gone. Ji Man suddenly realized; she had thought that she was just a bystander that was indifferently observing everything. But, she was wrong. She had already become involved with these people.