Chapter 410 – Farewell

Chapter 410 - Farewell

"Yes, it was all for naught in the end. My family, the Huas, were born into nobility, and I should have stood alongside you at the pinnacle. But one misstep led to another. Qi Yunli, have you ever thought about it? When we first entered the palace, I was the one in front."

"The Emperor favored me. With my esteemed background, it was clear that I would advance in rank. All I needed was to give birth to a child, and I would soar to great heights. That's why the Empress was jealous and kept a watchful eye on me. Are you brave enough to admit that because of my presence, the Empress only focused on dealing with me, thus overlooking you?"

Yun Li shook her head. "I don't think so. How do you know the Empress didn't try to harm me? So, by taking revenge on the Empress today, does it satisfy your hatred?"

"How can the hatred of my entire life be resolved?" Concubine Hua sneered.

"Hua, this is the result of your own doing," the Empress said disdainfully. "Do you dare to say in front of His Majesty that the Eighth Prince's death had nothing to do with you? How could you still have the audacity to harm others?"

Concubine Hua fell silent.

Regardless of how many reasons she had, she could never refute this fact.

"In truth, if you had spoken to me back then, you would remember. When your face was ruined, I reminded you that you had a choice. Between your child and yourself, you chose yourself. I can't say that you were necessarily wrong, but one must take responsibility for their choices."

"You had an outstanding family background, and you had many chances to avoid this path. If you had chosen your child back then, if you hadn't harmed your own son. But every time, you made the wrong choice." Yun Li shook her head.

"I was merely unfortunate, Qi Yunli. Your luck truly is remarkable," Hua Shiwei sneered.

"Well, if that's how you see it, then perhaps it is," Yun Li chuckled softly.

"Very well, did someone instruct you to attempt to harm the Empress?" He Jining asked.

"Humility forbids me from claiming instruction, but indeed, there were those who wished for her demise. However, since matters have come to this, I have no wish to speak further," Hua Shiwei said nonchalantly.

"Hua Shiwei, do you still refuse to tell the truth? Are you not afraid of implicating the Seventh Prince?" Wu Zhaoong said.

"What has the Seventh Prince got to do with me?" Hua Shiwei scoffed. "Does the son of Concubine Min fear being implicated through me?"

Concubine Min frowned, remaining silent, and Wu Zhaoong was left without a retort.

"Haha, how amusing. In truth, it no longer matters who stands behind me. Whoever emerges victorious in the end, what use will they have for me? I've already lost. I've long lost."

She looked at He Jining. "Your Majesty, considering I once bore you a child, I beg of you one favor. Please grant me this request."

"Speak," He Jining said coolly.

"My grandfather was a loyal man. Back then, it was Father who insisted on sending me to the palace against his will. He believed our family didn't need to take such a step. Eventually, he gave in to our persistence. After my incident, Grandfather was utterly devastated... because of my disobedience, I brought shame to our family. The Huas were scattered and suffered... and we deserved it."

"I only beg one thing from Your Majesty: do not involve my grandfather anymore. He has long passed. I implore you to protect his tomb. He should still be revered as the Imperial Tutor. He must not be tainted by the disgrace of his ungrateful and incompetent granddaughter any longer. I beg for your permission, Your Majesty." With a thud, Flower Attendant bowed her head.

Hao Jinli looked at her for a long while before saying, "Prime Minister Hua tutored me for many years, and we share a bond of teacher and student. On this matter, your request is unnecessary."

"Thank you, Your Majesty," Flower Attendant raised her head. "With that said, I have nothing more to add."

"Since you refuse to say anything else, you may go back," Hao Jinli said indifferently.

Flower Attendant smiled but didn't kneel to bid farewell. He stood up and walked out with his head held high.

Exiting the Zhaoyang Palace, she caught sight of two figures standing by the Jade Belt Bridge.

Raindrops gently fell from the heavens, as the Seventh Prince stood there, his eunuch holding an oiled paper umbrella above him.

Upon seeing Imperial Inspector Jiahua emerge, Seventh Prince took a step forward – just one step.

Flower Attendant watched from afar, her heart filled with serene tranquility. She approached with a gentle smile and bowed slightly. "Why has Prince Qi come? It is indeed a rainy day, even if it's just a light shower."

"Flower... Flower Imperial Attendant... Peace be with you..." The Seventh Prince spoke haltingly, his words stumbling over one another.

"I've committed too many wrongs in my life, and I truly can't repay your highness for them. To see you again today is a blessing. I don't ask for anything else. Only that when your highness leaves the palace to establish your own residence, on a sunny day, you visit Master Flower's grave. No need for anything else, just bring a few stems of lotus, his favorites."

"I will go," the Seventh Prince replied in a deep voice.

"That's all I ask. This concubine takes her leave." Flower Imperial Attendant bowed once more with a smile.

The Seventh Prince didn't say anything else, only watching as her slender figure retreated into the distance.

Not a single tear fell from Flower Imperial Attendant's eyes throughout their encounter. Was she truly made of stone?

Shortly after returning to Chrysanthemum Pavilion, an eunuch from the Inner Affairs Bureau came to visit.

Flower Imperial Attendant chose a pot of wine.

It was no secret that Flower Imperial Attendant had formed alliances with others; perhaps for the Seventh Prince, or perhaps for Master Flower.

Perhaps it was simply because she had given birth to a child for He Jinning that he couldn't bear to mete out punishment to her.

Well, if he didn't wish to speak of it, then so be it.

With a pot of wine, the world would no longer have Concubine Hua.

In the capital, everything pertaining to the Hua family truly came to an end.

Prime Minister Hua remained His Majesty's honored mentor, and his grave would be tended to.

But for how long, really?

In a decade or so, perhaps no one would remember him anymore.

Throughout the entire history of Great Jin, there had been but one family with the surname Hua, who had enjoyed immense wealth only to see their fortune decline.

The passing of Concubine Hua in the imperial harem was indeed a trivial matter.

Given the manner of her death, there would be no posthumous honors for her. She was hastily sent to the concubine's mausoleum.

The Seventh Prince was undoubtedly distressed, but his sorrow was more abstract than tangible.

Having been taken away soon after birth, how much of a maternal bond could he have truly felt with Concubine Hua?

He merely knew she was his birth mother.

Thus, no matter how profound his sorrow, it ultimately culminated in a sigh.

Life's unpredictability was exemplified in this situation.

Following the punishment of Concubine Hua, He Jinli decided on an imperial edict.

He appointed the Seventh and Ninth Princes to oversee the reception of the Western Region countries and the envoys from Yuanzheng.

This decree unsettled certain individuals.

Everyone was aware of the Seventh Prince's unfavorable birthdate, making it highly unlikely for him to be chosen. As for Concubine Min, she was not favored, and her family background was unremarkable.

But the Ninth Prince was different.

If there were an heir apparent, this responsibility would naturally fall upon him.

In such a crucial moment, with no heir apparent present, assigning these two princes clearly indicated a preference, didn't it?

In the Jade Stream Palace, Zhifú asked softly, her voice filled with excitement, "Your Highness, isn't it decided then?"

Yún Lì chuckled softly. "Probably."

"Fantastic!" Zhifú was visibly thrilled.

They had watched the Ninth Prince grow up before their eyes; how could they not be excited?

Lú Wěi served the tea. "Your Highness, please have some tea."

"Are you alright? Feeling nauseous? If you're tired, go to bed," Yún Lì said.