Reborn Lady - Chapter 366
Empress Xu was diagnosed with hepatomegaly, a condition notoriously difficult to detect in its early stages. Once discovered later on, the disease could overwhelm the patient like a mountain.
None of the patients afflicted with this disease, as recorded in medical literature, had ever been cured. The doctor could only attempt to alleviate Empress Xu’s pain. Even if Emperor Yongping threatened him, he dared not falsely promise a cure for Empress Xu.
Emperor Yongping issued a decree inviting renowned physicians from all corners of the world to Beijing to treat Empress Xu. However, one after another, the famous doctors arrived, only to find themselves helpless against the disease, much like the Imperial Doctor.
Just like a tree, if the disease affected the branches and leaves, there might be hope for treatment, but if it had reached the root, it was only a matter of time before the tree perished.
As Emperor Yongping’s disappointment grew with each renowned doctor’s failure, his temper became increasingly irritable. Yet, Empress Xu always maintained her composure, often excusing the famous doctors who provoked his anger.
In just two months, Empress Xu had become almost skeletal. Even Yin Hui went to visit, and she couldn’t help but cry when she saw her appearance.
Yin Hui had affection for Wei Mei from more than ten years of getting along with each other, and the same was true for other people in the Yan Palace. As a mother-in-law, Empress Xu had never treated her daughters-in-law harshly. If Yin Hui wished to return to her natal family, Empress Xu would not hinder her. Whenever the children fell ill, Empress Xu would personally visit Chengxin Hall to check on them and engage in familial conversations in her spare time. Additionally, during times of war, Empress Xu would personally visit the city gate, earning her immense respect and admiration.
As the mother of the family, Empress Xu was impeccable.
As the mother of the country, Empress Xu was equally deserving.
While Wei Luo was not on duty, the couple took their children to Linggu Temple to pray for Empress Xu’s well-being.
Even though the Imperial Doctor couldn’t cure Empress Xu, it seemed futile to expect the Bodhisattva to intervene. Thus, Yin Hui prayed for the Bodhisattva’s mercy, asking that Empress Xu be spared from excessive suffering.
With clasped hands, Yin Hui knelt devoutly on the futon to offer her prayers.
Standing nearby, the three siblings silently observed their parents and the tears on their mother’s face, awaiting their turn to pray.
Wei Heng understood that his mother was genuinely saddened by the illness of the Empress Grandmother.
In Wei Heng’s memory, the Empress Grandmother had always been a very kind person. When he fell ill, the Empress Grandmother even paid him a visit.
Since moving to Jinling, encounters with her had been infrequent. However, occasionally, she would visit the hall to sit in on classes, watch them in the lecture hall, or even provide them with fruits and melons to enjoy. Additionally, during the rainy season in Jinling, she had generously provided ten sets of rain gear for the brothers to use at their convenience.
Wei Heng’s eyes welled up with tears, and a more frightening thought crossed his mind.
The Empress was ill, and the Emperor was aging…
While Wei Heng found it difficult to part with the Empress Grandmother, he cherished the moments spent with the Emperor Grandfather, who often talked to them and took them on patrols along the border.
When it was his turn to pray, Wei Heng made three requests to the Bodhisattva:
Firstly, he prayed for the Empress Grandmother to overcome her current crisis and be safe.
Secondly, he prayed for the Emperor Grandfather to live a long and healthy life.
Lastly, he prayed for the well-being and safety of all their relatives, free from illness and disease.
On the first day of the first winter month, heavy rain fell upon Jinling.
The Imperial Doctor arrived to examine Empress Xu’s pulse. Afterward, he withdrew to the outer hall and delivered the grim news to Emperor Yongping, the Crown Prince, and the others: Empress Xu might not survive for three days.
Upon hearing these words, Emperor Yongping sat silently in his chair, his eyes cast downwards.
The Imperial Doctor’s words weren’t entirely unexpected given Empress Xu’s appearance. While Emperor Yongping was reluctant to part with his wife, he couldn’t help but wish for an end to her suffering.
Yet, when the day he had secretly wished for arrived, Emperor Yongping found himself grappling with conflicting emotions. Despite his desire to relieve Empress Xu’s pain, a part of him couldn’t bear to let her go and urged the Imperial Doctor to seek alternative solutions.
As Emperor Yongping recovered from this complex emotional turmoil, he observed the Crown Prince, Princess Concubine, and others in tears, as if mourning the passing of the Empress.
Such scenes had become almost routine. Emperor Yongping shook his head in resignation and walked away with his hands clasped behind his back.
With Empress Xu’s condition reaching its critical point, it was decided that starting from that day, the Crown Prince, the four princes, three princesses, and their families would remain in the palace throughout the day.
On the morning of the second day, Empress Xu’s spirits improved, and she began to receive visitors one by one.
First, she met with the Crown Prince and Xu Qingwan.
Xu Qingwan’s eyes were swollen from crying, while the Crown Prince had visibly lost weight compared to two months ago, his eyes dark and bloodshot.
“Mother… Empress…” choked the prince, kneeling before her bed.
Empress Xu gazed at her son and offered a gentle smile. “Birth, old age, sickness, and death—we will all face them in due time. Mother is prepared, so why shed tears?”
The Crown Prince lamented, “You are still so young, Mother. It’s unfair.”
Empress Xu maintained her serene smile. “I was born into the Xu family. Emperor Mengxian chose your father to marry me—first as a Princess, and then as the mother of the country. God has bestowed upon me great blessings. How can it be unfair? Don’t speak such nonsense.”
The Crown Prince continued to weep in silence.
Empress Xu gazed at her son, then at her daughter-in-law, and imparted her final words, “When I depart, you must carry on. Mother leaves you with two guiding principles: filial piety and benevolence. These were paramount in the Emperor’s life. Filial piety entails sharing his concerns in matters of state and family, while benevolence dictates kindness towards siblings, courtiers, and common people. These virtues are the path of sages and the foundation of a peaceful and prosperous era.”
Xu Qingwan, tears streaming down her face, nodded solemnly. “Rest assured, Mother. Your teachings will be etched in my heart.”
Empress Xu felt a sense of relief regarding her daughter-in-law, but she was concerned about her son. Gazing at the Crown Prince, she offered her guidance, “Your second brother possesses his own talents and has performed admirably. Your father will commend him for his achievements. Do not harbor any discomfort. The Emperor has bestowed upon you the highest position. As long as you exhibit the generosity and affection befitting an elder brother, your younger siblings will wholeheartedly respect and assist you. Conversely, if you neglect your duties, they will be disloyal and unjust. They will have their own critics among courtiers, officials, and the common people.”
The Crown Prince nodded earnestly, acknowledging his mother’s words.
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