CHAPTER 42

 

Song Yuanzhi had been playfully strolling in the garden with Lu Shaoyou when a messenger from the palace arrived in a rush, summoning Lu Shaoyou to see the emperor. Although the Eunuch tried hard to remain calm, Song Yuanzhi could sense his unease. Her heart sank—something big must have happened in the palace.

 

However, asking about palace matters was a grave taboo, and since she didn’t know the eunuch well, she couldn’t casually inquire. Lu Shaoyou showed only a brief moment of surprise before regaining his composure. He smiled warmly at the eunuch and said, “Thank you for leading the way, Eunuch.”

 

Song Yuanzhi frowned slightly, but Lu Shaoyou gave her a reassuring look, instantly calming her. She smiled back, and Lu Shaoyou’s smile grew even brighter. He gently brushed a stray lock of hair from her temple and said softly, “Don’t worry. Go keep Mother company, and I’ll be back soon.”

 

Song Yuanzhi nodded seriously and watched as Lu Shaoyou disappeared from sight, then quickly went to find Madam Qin.

 

Madam Qin, having managed the Mansion affairs of the Marquistate for many years, acted swiftly upon hearing that Lu Shaoyou had been summoned to the palace. At first, she didn’t think much of it, as Lu Shaoyou had long been favored by Emperor Yongkang, and palace summons weren’t unusual.

 

However, after Song Yuanzhi mentioned that the Eunuch who delivered the message seemed unfamiliar and couldn’t hide his panic, Madam Qin immediately frowned. Thinking of the rumors about Emperor Yongkang’s failing health, she quickly sent someone to investigate. “Find out immediately which other ministers, aside from the Marquis, have been summoned to the palace!”

 

The guards left and soon returned with news that made Song Yuanzhi and Madam Qin look grim.

 

Along with Lu Shaoyou, the six ministers and several princes had also been summoned to the palace.

 

This looked like the emperor was preparing to issue his final orders. Song Yuanzhi’s heart skipped a beat. What is happening? Didn’t Emperor Yongkang still have more than a year left to live? How could things deteriorate so quickly?

 

A bit of relief came when the guards brought further news: Prince Wu’s residence had been surrounded by heavy soldiers, and the Nan’an Marquisate was about to be raided. The Minister of Justice had personally led the troops to confiscate the estate.

 

Song Yuanzhi relaxed a little. Regardless of Emperor Yongkang’s health, it seemed certain that Prince Wu was finished. She couldn’t help but wonder if Yu Ling regretted her choices now—how long had it been since she married Xuanyuan Yu? Already disfigured, her throat cut… was she even still alive?

 

If Yu Ling had known this would be her fate, she might have preferred to stay in Northern Rong as the Divine Lady. Conditions might have been harsh, but at least she’d have been safe and healthy.

 

But Yu Ling could no longer hear Song Yuanzhi’s sighs. After being disfigured and having her throat slit by the madwoman Song Lilan, Yu Ling had barely been saved by Xuanyuan Yu. However, before she could fully recover, black-clad men came to abduct her. The shock was too much, and she fainted; the last sound she heard was the terrified screams and cries from the Marquis Nan’an’s mansion.

 

What had happened? Yu Ling was both furious and terrified but couldn’t speak. Even when she summoned her strength, all she could manage were a few gasps. Her voice was completely gone.

 

Meanwhile, Lu Shaoyou left the Marquis of Zhenbei’s mansion with the eunuch who had delivered the message. Discreetly, Lu Shaoyou slipped him a purse of money and, smiling, inquired, “Could you tell me what’s been happening in the palace recently?”

 

The eunuch hesitated, instinctively weighing the purse in his hand. After a moment, recalling that other envoys had already been sent to inform Prince Ning and that the Nan’an Marquisate was about to be raided, he decided to speak.

 

Thinking of Prince Ning, the eunuch took a gamble and revealed, “I don’t know the details of everything, but when Chief Eunuch Liu sent me to deliver the message, the imperial physicians were all stationed in the Sun Palace.”

 

Lu Shaoyou’s pupils contracted. It seemed Emperor Yongkang’s condition was indeed critical.

 

Now that the eunuch had begun talking, he became even more forthcoming. “The princes and the Six Ministers were also summoned, so you’ll see them when you arrive at the Sun Palace.”

 

Lu Shaoyou grew more certain: Emperor Yongkang was preparing to decide his successor and appoint ministers to assist the new ruler. His expression grew more serious. Who would the emperor choose—Prince Wu or Prince Ning?

 

The eunuch knew about the tension between Lu Shaoyou and Prince Wu, so he offered another piece of good news. “You might not be aware, but the Nan’an Marquisate has been accused of treason, and the emperor has ordered their estate to be confiscated. Originally, the emperor intended for you to lead the troops, but in his haste to see you, he assigned the Minister of Justice to handle it instead.”

 

At this, Lu Shaoyou’s heart settled. It seemed Prince Wu had indeed fallen from grace. While he didn’t know the exact details, Prince Wu’s downfall was great news for both the Zhenbei Marquis’s Mansion and Empress Lu.

 

With this information, Lu Shaoyou arrived at the Sun Palace. Seeing Emperor Yongkang lying on his deathbed, Lu Shaoyou had mentally prepared himself. Still, he put on a shocked expression and cried out, “Uncle, what has happened to you? Imperial Physicians, how is His Majesty’s condition?”

 

The Imperial Physicians looked mournful and helpless, their faces full of sorrow. “The Emperor’s health was already in decline. His anger has caused further damage to his heart, and we…”

 

Emperor Yongkang, his breathing shallow, summoned his strength as he saw that everyone had gathered. He addressed the most pressing matter first: “My… my time is nearly over. My eldest son, Prince Ning, is virtuous, filial, and capable. He is fit to bear the great responsibility of ruling. The Six Ministers must assist him in leading Rong into a prosperous era!”

 

The ministers, tearfully accepting their orders, watched as Grand Secretary Li, on the emperor’s command, wrote down the imperial edict. Chief Eunuch Liu sealed it with the imperial jade seal, confirming Prince Ning’s status as the new ruler.

 

Emperor Yongkang clasped Prince Ning’s hand and, with great effort, instructed him, “Take care of your younger brothers….”

 

He closed his eyes, his expression heavy. “Prince Wu… for his disloyalty and lack of filial piety… is to be confined to his residence, never to leave for the rest of his life!”

 

Prince Ning was shocked and glanced at Prince Wu, puzzled by what crime his brother had committed to anger Emperor Yongkang so much.

 

After a pause, Emperor Yongkang motioned for Lu Shaoyou to approach. Lu Shaoyou quickly stepped forward and grasped the emperor’s hand. At this point, Emperor Yongkang could barely speak. He pressed Lu Shaoyou’s hand and Prince Ning’s hands together, making his intentions clear. As the military god of the Rong Dynasty, Lu Shaoyou’s influence was immeasurable. Should he harbor any rebellious thoughts, the dynasty would be in grave danger. Emperor Yongkang could only hope that Prince Ning would secure Lu Shaoyou’s loyalty and, once stable, relieve him of his military command.

 

Emperor Yongkang felt deep regret. If only he had more time, he could have dealt with these problems himself. There was also the matter of the empress…

 

Another coughing fit overtook him. After a long pause, he weakly closed his eyes and waved everyone away, his voice hoarse, “Bring the empress in.”

 

The emperor and empress had been together since their youth, and now that his end was near, it was time for one final conversation.

 

Unbidden, Emperor Yongkang’s mind wandered back to the day he married Empress Lu. He had been genuinely happy then. She was the daughter of the prime minister—beautiful, intelligent, and talented. What man wouldn’t have been pleased?

 

But Prime Minister Lu had wielded too much power, and the emperor couldn’t afford to trust him. That’s why their firstborn son, the empress’s only child, was born lifeless. Later, when Lu Shaoyou emerged as a brilliant military commander, beloved by both his men and the court, Emperor Yongkang became even more convinced that his earlier actions had been justified. Had their firstborn son survived, with such a powerful family behind him, the emperor’s throne would have been threatened.

 

Now, at the end of his life, the most vivid memory in Emperor Yongkang’s mind was of their wedding night when he lifted the empress’s veil and met her shy, enchanting eyes.

 

Empress Lu soon arrived. Chief Eunuch Liu greeted her respectfully, “Your Majesty.”

 

Emperor Yongkang’s vision had begun to blur. He gasped for breath and whispered, “Empress… after my death… bury me with you by my side.”

 

A husband and wife, together in life and death—that was how it should be for an emperor and empress.

 

However, Empress Lu suddenly smiled, her gaze cold and distant. “There’s no need.”

 

Emperor Yongkang’s eyes widened in shock, struggling to focus on her face.

 

Empress Lu showed no sign of grief. She spoke calmly, “Your Majesty, there was never any true affection between us. Why should we be buried together?”

 

“Such insolence!” Emperor Yongkang roared, though his voice was weak. In his view, he could harm the empress as he pleased, but for her to express any dissatisfaction was treason!

 

But now, the emperor’s strength was nearly gone, and he could no longer punish Empress Lu as he once would have. He could only glare at her in fury, struggling to breathe. “You… you dare resent me?”

 

“I wouldn’t dare,” Empress Lu replied indifferently. She had accompanied this man for decades, and though emotions churned within her, they eventually settled into calm. She let out a soft sigh. “There were things I chose to ignore, not because I didn’t know, but because I pretended not to.”

 

Guilt flashed across Emperor Yongkang’s face, and he turned his head away, avoiding her gaze.

 

Empress Lu smiled again. “You know, Your Majesty, sometimes I’m thankful that Prince Ning looks more like you.”

 

What did she mean by that? Realization dawned on Emperor Yongkang, and his eyes widened in horror. He summoned all his remaining strength and screamed, “ Chief Eunuch Liu!”

 

But there was no response.

 

In his final moments, Emperor Yongkang’s mind was painfully clear. Prince Ning? Empress Lu had known his plans all along and had hidden them from him for all these years! And Chief Eunuch Liu? Of course! It was Chief Eunuch Liu who had introduced Changqing Daoist to him. All the blame had fallen on him and Prince Wu, but the truth behind those pills…

 

Emperor Yongkang’s heart burned with rage, his eyes filled with fury as he glared at Empress Lu and Chief Eunuch Liu. But his body could no longer obey his will. After struggling for a few moments, he let out one last breath, dying with his eyes wide open.

 

Empress Lu watched calmly as Emperor Yongkang took his final breath. She stepped forward and gently closed his eyes, her voice cold and detached. “Rest in peace, Your Majesty.”