Chapter 1547 - 1545: Already Prepared?

Chapter 1545

"What are you doing, let go of me, what exactly do you want to do?"

Sheng Chunhua struggled and shouted.

The few little eunuchs beside her smirked mockingly.

"What are we doing?"

"Naturally, we’re helping Selected Attendant Sheng move palace! It’s the Benevolent Decree from the Empress, apologies from us servants!"

Sheng Chunhua screamed and struggled, trying to break free.

Unexpectedly, she suddenly lunged forward, and her head hit the wooden pillar at the corner of the door.

With a ’bang,’ blood immediately gushed from her broken head.

A wave of intense pain came, Sheng Chunhua screamed and fell to the ground unconscious.

Looking at the pool of blood on the ground.

The few little eunuchs, somewhat panicked, lifted her up and quickly exited.

Two went to fetch the Imperial Physicians, the other two went to report to the Empress.

...

Jiaofang Hall.

Lin Siyin was a bit shocked upon hearing the news, but she wasn’t flustered. She just frowned and instructed.

"Ask the Imperial Physician to take a good look, don’t end up killing her!"

"You guys, dealing with such women, being a bit rough isn’t a big deal, it’s just bad if she’s half-dead!"

"Let this slide this time, don’t repeat it!"

The two little eunuchs were very grateful, quickly kowtowing and backing out.

Lin Siyin also didn’t take the matter to heart.

As for Zhao Qichen, such minor affairs in the harem, she naturally wouldn’t bother him with it.

Their life remained unchanged as usual.

If there were any differences, it was because of the upcoming Lantern Festival and leaving the palace, not because of that woman.

...

The Lantern Festival arrived as scheduled.

The palace was well-prepared, the luggage packed.

Just waiting for the evening family banquet to end, Zhao Qichen and Lin could prepare and change clothes to set off.

At this moment outside the palace, it was bustling.

The Capital City’s Lantern Festival never disappoints.

The streets were bustling with cars and people, dragon and lion dances, lantern riddles, street stalls, selling from old to young, everything for eating and playing.

From wealthy families and ordinary households, ladies and madams came out strolling, and some literati came out to enjoy the lanterns, truly lively.

"Among these scenes, the lanterns are exceptionally spectacular!"

Xia Ruqing supported Zhao Junyao on the street illuminated like an ocean, chatting while enjoying the lanterns.

The lantern-making skills of the Capital City improved year by year, lotus lanterns, water chestnut lanterns, revolving lanterns, water lanterns, doll lanterns, dragon-phoenix lanterns, all crafted ingeniously and exquisitely.

Some were hanging on tree branches along the road, others without branches had nets tied up to hang them.

At a glance, colorful canopies were tall and set up along the street, exquisite lanterns, countless lanterns stretched along the long street, winding and spreading far off, like the Milky Way and a sea of stars in the sky.

"Truly beautiful!"

"Is it? Cough cough!"

Zhao Junyao’s face was faintly pale, but he still followed her gaze.

"It is quite beautiful, if you like, we can come every year, how about it?"

Xia Ruqing suddenly smiled.

"Sure!"

"I’ve been thinking about telling you, I don’t want to go on adventures anymore, I just want to stay in the Capital City, live the ordinary life of regular folks!"

"Alright! As long as you like it... cough cough! It’s good!"

Xia Ruqing touched his increasingly cold hands, took a thick cotton coat from Zi Yue.

"Put it on, though the outer fabric isn’t nice, inside is the finest goose down, both light and warm, you must wear it!"

"Alright!"

Zhao Junyao cooperatively put on the coat.

Both were dressed simply, accompanied only by Zi Yue and Zi Ning.

They looked just like an ordinary husband and wife of common folk, attracting no attention at all in the crowd.

They walked among people, without anyone recognizing their identities.

They could say whatever they wanted to, without worry of being followed or eavesdropped.

They could eat whatever they wanted from the street vendor, resting their feet without any identity burden.

They could buy anything, without worrying the hidden guards would scare away other customers, or startle the shop owner.

In short, they were just ordinary people.

Xia Ruqing felt completely free.

"Though crowded, it’s really lively!"

"As long as you like it!"

Zhao Junyao’s face still didn’t look good.

Not because of unhappiness, but his health was indeed...

Xia Ruqing tilted her head back, holding back tears, turned to smile.

"I’m feeling a bit tired, let’s go back!"

Zhao Junyao nodded.

"Alright!"

Zi Yue and Zi Ning quickly stepped forward to support them, heading to a carriage not far from the street.

...

This time back to the Capital City, they didn’t stay at the Royal villa outside the city.

It was too isolated there, the air too cold, not as lively as a courtyard residence in the city.

Maybe it’s getting old and starting to fear loneliness?

Xia Ruqing shook her head, probably not!

Back to the cozy little courtyard, supporting Zhao Junyao off the carriage, she was worried.

"Are you alright?"

Zhao Junyao’s face grew increasingly pallid, eventually unable to stand it, vomited blood and fainted.

"Husband, husband!"

"Someone, call the Imperial Physician!"

Xia Ruqing wasn’t panicked, rather calmly experienced.

Zi Yue and Zi Ning skillfully took various medicine pouches, lit the medicine stove, helping to lay the Taishang Huang on the couch, and unfastened his chest.

The Imperial Physicians said... coughing illness at the end can suffocate, best not to wear too much, ideally nothing.

The Imperial Physicians arrived quickly.

They seemed prepared, always on standby, day or night, next door to the small courtyard.

When they arrived, each carried a medicine box, efficiently divided and acted swiftly.

So practiced as if repeating it a thousand times.

As one physician took out a three-inch coarse silver needle as usual, Xia Ruqing turned away, unable to watch, she instructed Zi Yue beside her.

"Watch over him well, I’m going for some air."

Finished, she left without looking back.

Zi Ning quietly followed behind her.

Xia Ruqing didn’t pay attention, heading straight to the big Chinese locust tree in the backyard.

She almost fell against the tree trunk, crying uncontrollably.

"Why?"

"He is still so young, not even sixty!"

"Why must he leave so early! Why!"

She asked Heaven desperately in her heart.

But apart from the whistling north wind in the darkness, there was no other response.

Zi Ning stood not far away, didn’t approach, seeing this scene, her eyes also moistened.

Yes, Taishang Huang didn’t have much time left.

Though the Imperial Physicians didn’t speak it, everyone could clearly feel his body was already worn out.

The only reason he hadn’t left was because he couldn’t let go of the Empress Dowager!

Such a timeless couple, perhaps only Heaven could separate them.

But why is Heaven so cruel, obviously Taishang Huang is not old at all!

Through the ages, living to seventy or eighty was not unheard of, yet...