Chapter 0203: An Untimely Death

Chapter 0203: An Untimely Death

Yun Li's pregnancy was progressing smoothly and steadily.

Even after a disturbance, Meng Baolin miraculously did not encounter any further issues. Zhao Yuyu, due to her low profile and rarely leaving home, was also evidently safe.

By the time of the Mid-Autumn Festival, a banquet was held in the palace.

The Empress Dowager was in a good mood, ordering a play to be set up in the Imperial Garden.

Relatives were invited to the palace to watch the play.

It was very lively.

Princess Hua Ying, not seen for a long time, was pregnant again with her third child, and she had gained quite a bit of weight.

The prince consort accompanies her, looking very cautious.

As long as Princess Hua Ying is present, the Empress Dowager naturally takes care of her, placing her seating just after the Empress.

He Baolin looks over several times from a distance, then lowers her head, thinking she's not that impressive.

She looks towards the entrance again; the Emperor has not yet arrived.

It has been a long time since the Emperor visited Yuzhi Palace.

Emperor He Jingxi arrives just in time for the start of the play. Everyone stands to greet him, but he gestures for them to sit, "Today is a festival; formalities are unnecessary. Please, take your seats."

The Empress Dowager smiles, "The Emperor's timing is perfect; the play is about to start."

Emperor He Jingxi takes his seat, "Then I'm just in time to enjoy the play Mother has chosen."

The Empress Dowager still asks someone to bring the list, "You should add two plays as well."

Emperor He Jingxi readily agrees and selects two plays.

Soon, the drumming begins on stage, signaling the start of the performance.

This year, Yun Li's seat is more to the front, allowing her a clearer view of the play.

Beside her is Jing Jiyu, who turns to her, "I didn't enjoy watching plays as a child, found them bothersome. Now, I've grown to like them."

Yun Li smiles back at her, "I've always been indifferent. Watching is fine, but I don't mind missing them either."

As time passed, by noon, the feast began to be arranged.

The entire Peony Terrace was bustling with activity.

Feeling tired, Yun Li excused herself from the Empress.

Given her pregnancy, the Empress readily let her go. The Empress Dowager also instructed, “Those of you who are pregnant should head back. There’s no need to attend the evening banquet.”

Yun Li thanked the Empress Dowager, seemingly indifferent to the excuse used to prevent her from attending the banquet.

After all, the Mid-Autumn banquet was mainly significant at night.

The noon event was termed a banquet, but it was essentially just a meal after getting tired from watching the plays.

Emperor He Jingxi glanced at Yun Li, noticing her lack of discomfort, and thus did not comment further.

It was better for her to rest more, especially since her belly was indeed getting larger.

Aside from feeling a bit tired, the day went well for Yun Li.

By the time of the Hai hour in the evening, she had already gone to bed.

The banquet at Zhengyang Palace ended only then.

In Cuiwei Palace, it became lively around midnight.

When Yun Li was awakened, her demeanor was very low.

Yin Cha whispered softly, “Jiyu, something has happened. Please get up.”

"What now?" Yun Li was irritable.

"I'm not sure yet, but it seems to be a serious matter. Zhu Que just came back and said Cuiwei Palace is all lit up and in uproar. All the imperial physicians have gone there, and the Empress has also rushed over. They are calling for His Majesty," Yin Cha reported.

In the midst of their conversation, Lu Wei entered; she was on night duty with Yin Cha.

Shortly after, Hong Cao hurried in.

Serving Yun Li during her pregnancy, although Hong Cao was resting, she always remained alert.

"Do we know what happened now?" Yun Li inquired.

"To answer Jiyu, Zhu Que went out again, and we still don't have details, but... it's likely related to the young princes. There were reports of Jing Jiyu's crying," Lu Wei said.

Yun Li frowned, "Aren't all the young princes in Cuiwei Palace fine?"

For now, no one knew the exact situation.

Yun Li changed her clothes, ready to head out.

The night of the Mid-Autumn Festival was still a bit chilly at this hour.

Zhi Fu, who got up last, hurried to cloak Yun Li, "Jiyu, let me accompany you."

"No need. You all rest. I'll go with Zhu Ding and Zhu Que," Yun Li decided.

Eventually, she went with Zhu Ding, Zhu Que, Hong Cao, and Yin Cha.

After all, it was late at night, and being pregnant, it wasn't excessive for her to bring company.

Cuiwei Palace was indeed ablaze with light. Yun Li's arrival was neither too early nor too late.

When she entered, His Majesty had already arrived. She saw several people kneeling in the courtyard, one of whom was shivering all over, apparently a wet nurse by her attire.

She didn't dwell on it much and went inside first.

Emperor He Jinxi probably had just gone to bed himself. He didn't stay in the Empress's palace tonight because he had been drinking in the evening.

He sat there with a low mood at the moment.

Yun Li entered and paid her respects.

Emperor He Jinxi gestured: "Sit."

He didn't utter another word.

Yun Li sat next to Xuan Jiyu and asked her with a tilt of her head.

Xuan Jiyu mouthed: "Eight."

Yun Li frowned—it was about the Eighth Prince.

While sitting, they saw an eunuch carry out a child from inside.

The child was neatly dressed, but his head was covered with red cloth.

Yun Li's heart skipped a beat.

Was this... a loss?

Jing Jiyu's voice came through, her crying was heart-wrenching, yet it seemed she was being restrained.

Everyone outside, except Emperor He Jinxi, stood up.

Xuan Jiyu's hand shook involuntarily grabbing Yun Li, then hurriedly let go, whispering, "Did I hurt you?"

Yun Li shook her head, glancing at the child being carried away.

At such times, it's said that children who pass away prematurely are at fault, especially the very young ones.

That's why when they are carried away, they are covered with red cloth.

Fearing their souls, unaware, might linger and fail to reincarnate properly.

The child, taken away, couldn't have a funeral, only a burial in a chosen place.

The Empress emerged: "Your Majesty, the Seventh Prince is fine, just frightened and cried a lot. He's asleep now. I've arranged for him to be moved elsewhere."

"The Eighth Prince... according to the physician... suffocated." The Empress frowned, "It's all because that wet nurse slept too deeply... didn't notice the blanket covering the child's face... it's colder now, we just switched to thicker blankets, probably not used to it..."

"Fortunately, it was only one child." The Empress grimaced.

What kind of incident is this?

Emperor He Jinxi to the Empress: "Take the Seventh Prince to Min Fei's palace."

Min Fei hurriedly said: "Your Majesty, I... I've never raised a child..."

"Never raised, so you can't raise? You're unwilling?" Emperor He Jinxi expressionless.

"I dare not, I'm certainly willing, just afraid of not raising well." Min Fei knelt quickly: "Your Majesty, calm your anger, I will surely raise him well."

Emperor He Jinxi scoffed: "Just raise him. Even if he was born on Dragon Boat Festival, I'm still here. It's not your turn to harm him."

Min Fei trembled: "I have no such intentions, Your Majesty, rest assured, I will take good care."

"Your Majesty!"

Jing Jiyu, disheveled, rushed out: "Your Majesty intends to take away my child? Your Majesty, he's all I have..."

"Clearly, you're not fit to raise a child." Emperor He Jinxi coldly stated: "Empress, ensure she's well taken care of. Send a message to the Hua family tomorrow, have them come and check on her."

The Empress busily responded, "Yes, Your Majesty, rest assured."

"Your Majesty! Your Majesty... You can't... you can't..." Jing Jiyu cried out in protest.