Chapter 28: Choosing How to Die

Chapter 28: Choosing How to Die

Zhu Yan speculated that the Emperor, having experienced the pain of a dislocated elbow himself, sympathized with the suffering of his third son and grew to despise Wei Shi’s cruelty, deciding not to spare her life any longer.

This was evidenced by the fact that on the same day, the Third Prince moved out of the Empress's palace and relocated to Xie Xian Yuan.

An imperial decree was issued stating that the Third Prince need not go to his fiefdom in advance.

Xie Xian Yuan, located west of Qianyuan Hall, opposite the Eastern Palace where the Crown Prince resided, served as the residence for princes over six years old before they moved to their respective fiefdoms.

"Mother, Mother, will I have to move to live with Third Brother in a couple of years?"

Zhu Yan looked up to see her son bouncing into the main hall. He had grown more articulate over the past year, speaking long sentences clearly, "Do you want to move there?"

"I want to live with Third Brother."

Zhang Ji approached his mother, leaning into her embrace, his little face full of confusion as if facing a great dilemma, "I want to live with Mother too."

Zhu Yan wrapped her arms around her son, gently smiling, "Tian Tian doesn't have to decide now. You can think about it when you're older, after a couple of years."

Zhang Ji solemnly nodded, his tense little face breaking into a bright, childlike smile, "Mother, Father has left, can I sleep with you tonight?"

"Tian Tian is growing up, you need to learn to sleep alone," Zhu Yan firmly replied, intending to continue the habit the Emperor had instilled in her son to sleep independently.

Zhu Yan had planned to encourage her son's independence as he grew older, grateful for the Emperor's unexpected help in this matter.

Zhang Ji twisted in her arms, his voice whining softly, "But Mother, I like it best with you."

Touched but rational, Zhu Yan resisted the urge to relent.

That night, the Emperor did not come to her palace.

Learning he had gone to the Empress's Phoenix Pavilion, Zhu Yan felt relieved.

After putting her son to bed in the next chamber, Zhu Yan returned to her own room and found Xiang Cao waiting. Recalling Xiang Cao's distraction at dinner, she asked, "Is something bothering you?" as she sat at her dressing table.

"Madam, Wei Shu from Yunlin Pavilion sent a message for you," Xiang Cao said softly, slipping into her old habit of calling Zhu Yan by the more familiar title. Raised by Zhu Yan's nurse, Xiang Cao had been with Zhu Yan since childhood and was the most trusted person in Fu Hua Palace.

Zhu Yan wasn't surprised Wei Shu could still send messages despite her demotion and removal from the palace. Her deep connections in the palace and two children ensured her influence.

Her children were a significant factor – one with the Empress and the other still favored by the Emperor.

Zhu Yan knew the risks people would take for Wei Shu, considering her children's status.

Zhu Yan remained silent for a long time, debating the wisdom of involvement. As she hesitated with her earring, part of her screamed to stay out of it, yet she asked, "What message?"

Avoidance was never a solution.

"Wei Shu hopes you can save her life."

"Alive? She's still alive?" Zhu Yan was surprised, looking up at Xiangcao. The imperial decree had been issued early in the morning, and now it was night. In her mind, Wei Shuren was already dead, and the message must be her last words.

Who dared to defy the decree?

Or stop it from being carried out?

"I heard that Minister Xing went to Yunlin Pavilion early in the morning to deliver the decree and discovered that Wei Shuren was five months pregnant. No one dared to act, and Minister Xing hurried back to report. The archivist Cai Nvshi checked the records, and afterwards, the decree of death was put on hold."

Wei Shuren being five months pregnant meant she was already one month pregnant before the incident.

Zhu Yan wondered whether Wei Shuren had calculated this or planned it in advance, hoping to use the unborn child as leverage. Normally, this might work, but with the Emperor, it would be difficult. Perhaps Wei Shuren even counted on this, which is why she sought help from Zhu Yan.

Zhu Yan didn't want to get involved in this messy situation.

She also didn't want to become a pawn in someone else's game.

Zhu Yan was about to refuse when Xiangcao, sensing her intention, hurriedly said, "Yuan Niang, she sent a message saying that she would trade a life for a life. As long as she lives, she will tell you why she harmed the Third Prince and reveal a secret that could save your life in the palace."

Zhu Yan immediately said, "Refuse her."

"Yuan Niang..."

"I said, refuse her."

Zhu Yan's expression darkened, her eyes fixated on the lotus palace lamp, her voice cold and harsh, "Xiangcao, no matter who it is, don't contact them again. From now on, if it involves Wei Shuren or Deng Shuren, stay away from it."

Xiangcao was shocked, calling out, "Yuan Niang?" She didn't understand why her mistress, who always wanted to know the reason, suddenly changed her mind.

"She's a madwoman, unable to save herself, let alone me. Just do as I say and leave," Zhu Yan said.

In Zhu Yan's view, the most horrifying and worst truth was nothing more than a mother dying so her child could ascend. She closed her eyes slightly, her right hand on the dressing table unconsciously grasping for something to hold onto, so much so that she didn't feel the pain when the ivory comb pierced her palm.

It was only when she came back to her senses that she realized her hand was bloodied.

People often deceive themselves to avoid facing the harsh truth.

The next day, the Empress personally left the palace to visit Wei Shuren in Yunlin Pavilion at Nanshan Garden. She brought an imperial edict from the Emperor: if the dragon seed in Wei Shuren's womb was born safely, she could have a modest coffin and a dignified burial; but if anything went wrong, she would be discarded on the common burial ground with only a tattered mat.

One word, death, was the inevitable end, with only the post-mortem arrangements differing.

By afternoon, this imperial decree was conveyed throughout the six palaces.

The harem fell into a hushed silence.

While the six-year-old Third Prince was too young to comprehend, the eight-year-old Third Princess, now aware of worldly affairs, reportedly became so terrified she dared not cry in front of others, turning emotionally numb. Even Empress Liu faced the Emperor's rebuke over this.

The Emperor, unusually, refrained from visiting the harem for several days.

The brave souls who dared to visit Qianyuan Hall to pay their respects were few and far between. Over time, however, a few courageous individuals emerged.

Author's Note:

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