Reborn Lady - Chapter 383
“Except for the concubine, Da Lang, the Imperial doctors, the Meng family, and the maids who kept watch last night, everyone, step back,” Emperor Yongping commanded, his eyes lowered.
His majesty was undeniable, prompting those who shouldn’t have remained to retreat.
With fewer people present, only the choked-up voices of Xu Qingwan and Da Lang echoed in the room.
Emperor Yongping then turned to Concubine Meng. “Tell me, what happened?”
Concubine Meng, tearful and fearful, protested her innocence. She insisted that she had done nothing wrong, that the Crown Prince had simply collapsed while trying to rise as usual.
Emperor Yongping then questioned the maid who had kept watch at night. She affirmed that she had remained outside the entire time and had rushed in only upon hearing Concubine Meng’s screams, discovering the Crown Prince’s lifeless body. She professed ignorance regarding whether Concubine Meng had played any part in the tragedy.
Emperor Yongping stepped away from the bed and instructed the Imperial doctors to examine the Crown Prince’s condition.
The two doctors exchanged glances, silently confirming their findings. Then, one of them leaned in to whisper in Emperor Yongping’s ear, “Your Majesty, the Crown Prince died from extreme org*sm death.”
“Extreme org*sm death”, as it was known among common people, referred to sudden death caused by excessive excitement during intercourse. Typically, those who succumbed to it were elderly, afflicted with certain illnesses, or possessed a weak constitution.
At forty-one, the Crown Prince was not considered old. However, his vanity over the years had likely contributed to his demise.
Emperor Yongping’s face changed between black and red, each hue indicative of his mounting fury. Regardless of the color, his rage was palpable.
His son was already gone, and it was useless to hate iron for not being steel. All the anger of Emperor Yongping was directed at Concubine Meng who was kneeling.
He couldn’t forget that Concubine Meng was once a mere entertainer. If he had foreseen his son’s demise at her hands, he would have executed her and crippled his son to prevent such greediness.
Xu Qingwan and Da Lang, being in close proximity, overheard the doctor’s revelation. Xu Qingwan bowed her head, her tears flowing even more profusely.
In the confines of Da Lang’s sleeves, his fists clenched tightly.
From a young age, he had been acutely aware of his father’s preference for concubines over his mother. The outward respect his father showed was merely for appearances’ sake. Though his father’s treatment of his mother was unfair, Da Lang, as a son, felt powerless to intervene in his father’s attitude. Instead, he resolved to excel in his studies and martial arts. He knew that by proving himself promising, he could bring honor to his mother.
The greatest utility his father held for both his mother and himself lay in his position within the palace. As long as his father’s status as the Crown Prince remained secure, as long as he ascended the throne, Da Lang would become the new heir apparent, the future Emperor, ensuring his mother’s tranquility and dignity.
Never could Da Lang have imagined that his royal father would meet his end in such a manner at such a young age, on the body of a woman no less.
Unable to even meet his grandfather’s gaze, Da Lang felt a heavy weight settle upon him.
After what felt like an eternity, Emperor Yongping turned to the doctor beside him, his disbelief palpable. “You’re saying that the Crown Prince died suddenly from overwork during the day, excessive liver yang, which forced blood to surge up?”
The doctor immediately grasped the emperor’s intent.
Kneeling, he replied, “Yes, Your Majesty. Please accept my condolences.”
Emperor Yongping gazed out of the window, his heart heavy with lament. “Ring the bell.”
In the early hours of the morning, the common people and officials in the capital remained oblivious to the events unfolding in the East Hall, unaware of the tragedy that had befallen the Crown Prince.
Some were sleeping, or getting up early to light a fire and cook.
A heavy bell suddenly sounded from the direction of the Imperial City.
One bell followed another.
Some people remained oblivious, while others woke up from their slumber by the bell.
In the Shu Mansion, Yin Hui had just risen from bed and was in the midst of applying her makeup when the bell reached her ears. Her hands trembled involuntarily.
Bells were not permitted to ring without reason within the city, and even if they did, the bells of ordinary temples couldn’t carry so far. Thus, it must be the palace bells.
Did her father-in-law pass away?
With that thought, tears streamed down Yin Hui’s cheeks.
Emperor Yongping was merely her father-in-law, with no blood relation between them. Yet, he was a revered Emperor renowned for his literary and martial prowess, and he served as the pillar of the Yan Palace. He had bestowed glory and honor upon them, personally nurtured and educated their children, even leading them on border patrols himself.
Pushing aside her chair, Yin Hui dashed outside and found Wei Luo standing in the yard, his practice sword abandoned on the ground as he stared into space. The bitter winter wind tousled his clothes.
Rushing over, Yin Hui enveloped him in a tight embrace.
Wei Luo remained as stoic as ever, his gaze fixed on the ringing bells.
A drop fell onto Yin Hui’s head, but she didn’t look up. Instead, she held Wei Luo tightly with one arm and clasped his hand with the other.
Despite his cold exterior, Wei Luo’s body radiated heat, especially in the winter, when Yin Hui found solace in sharing his bed at night.
But now, Wei Luo’s hands felt as icy as the chill in the air.
Her father-in-law had just celebrated his 60th birthday. Why had he suddenly passed away, appearing so robust until the end?
Feeling uneasy, Yin Hui couldn’t help but wonder how devastated Wei Luo must be.
The ringing continued, and Yin Hui, consumed with concern for her husband, forgot to count.
Wei Luo, however, continued to count. Though he knew deep down the inevitable truth, who else could it be but his father? Empress Renxiao had long departed, and his elder brother was still young.
Yet, when the bell ceased after six ringings, with no further sounds to follow, the lingering sound dissipated into silence.
When an Emperor passed away, the palace bells rang nine times to announce it to the world. Six rings signified the death of the Crown Prince.
So, had it been his elder brother who met with misfortune?
The sound of hurried footsteps approached—it was the children.
Quickly wiping his face, Wei Luo declared, “The Crown Prince has passed away. We must enter the palace at once.”
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Anyhow_Mittipao
oh my God poor ML
potatosince92
What a twist! omg