Chapter 72 Deathbed

Chapter 72: Final Moments

Due to the snow disaster and the Silla troop deployment, Wei Yan found himself even busier. Lu Jiming was able to assist, but with the due date approaching, he always had to consider A-Luan, so what he could do was ultimately a drop in the bucket.

In the following days, snow fell sporadically. One day, while writing an essay, Lu Jiming’s heart gave a sudden lurch. He stopped writing and asked the palace attendant beside him, "What day is it today?"

"Your Highness, today is the twenty-sixth, the seventh of the ninth lunar month."

"What's wrong?" Wei Yan looked up from the pile of memorials.

"Nothing," Lu Jiming said, though his hands trembled uncontrollably. He had been so busy he forgot the time. Today was the anniversary of Lu Yuanye's passing.

Toward this father of his, his feelings were far more complex than his attachment to his mother.

He had once been a towering mountain, one Lu Jiming thought he would never dare to cross in his lifetime. But when he finally stumbled to his feet, he realized he was just an ordinary man. Not even a good one.

Even though they had severed ties, blood ties could not be cut. Lu Jiming had to admit that, having been raised by him, he inevitably carried his shadow.

Lu Jiming was not made of wood or stone. When he realized Lu Yuanye would die today, he still felt a stir. He set aside the documents and gazed out the window at the falling snow for a long time.

In the blink of an eye, it was New Year's Eve.

The night before, after reading memorials for a long time, Lu Jiming felt a faint abdominal pain. Because A-Luan had been born prematurely on New Year's Eve in his previous life, Lu Jiming dared not take it lightly and went to bed early.

Wei Yan was busy until very late. By the time he returned to the bedchamber, Lu Jiming was already awake. His overly large belly now forced him to lie on his side. Lu Jiming did not get up but remained on the bed, his eyes hazy as he watched Wei Yan.

Wei Yan went over and gave him a light kiss, noticing a small dark spot on the fabric of his inner garment over his chest. He reached out and touched it, feeling dampness.

"What's this?" Wei Yan asked.

Lu Jiming lazily glared at him. "Nothing."

Wei Yan knelt before Lu Jiming, leaned in, and sniffed lightly. "Smells like milk."

Lu Jiming pursed his lips, his face flushing a deep red.

With the due date approaching, his chest had been feeling full and swollen, and the friction of the fabric was uncomfortable. Lu Jiming hadn't paid much attention, never expecting it to leak at night.

Regardless of Lu Jiming's reaction, Wei Yan undid the ties of his garment and buried his head against him.

Lu Jiming pushed Wei Yan's head away. "Don't..."

"Xuping, isn't it uncomfortable? Let me help you..."

Lu Jiming stopped struggling. Watching the back of Wei Yan's head, he gently closed his eyes.

It hurt a little at first, but soon it felt better—mostly itchy, with an indescribable tingling sensation.

His chest felt much more comfortable. Lu Jiming opened his eyes just as Wei Yan lifted his head. Wei Yan's eyes held a seductive look. Without another word, he cupped the back of Lu Jiming's neck and kissed him again.

Tasted like milk... Lu Jiming supported his belly and responded to Wei Yan.

Wei Yan didn't dare to do anything more to Lu Jiming. After stealing food from A-Luan, he held Lu Jiming and slept, like a cat that had eaten its fill.

They had a rare quiet night, but trouble arose again early on New Year's Eve.

A batch of relief supplies stored in a warehouse on the outskirts of the capital had issues. Wei Yan was uneasy, suspecting that remaining followers of the Empress Dowager might be secretly causing trouble, and decided to go personally.

Tomorrow was the New Year, with various sacrifices and prayers scheduled. Wei Yan would be fully occupied and unable to get away, so only today during the day could he spare the time.

"I'll go and return before nightfall. Wait for me in the palace. If you feel unwell, send someone to find me immediately," Wei Yan instructed Lu Jiming.

Due to the special circumstances this year—Lu Jiming's impending childbirth and the ongoing turmoil inside and outside the court—the New Year's Eve banquet was temporarily canceled.

Snow was still falling outside, and Lu Jiming truly didn't dare to leave the palace casually, so he didn't insist on going with Wei Yan. He only reminded Wei Yan to wear more clothes, as the open country around the capital was windy.

"The roads are slippery with snow. Don't go out unless necessary," Wei Yan said, leaning in to place a light kiss on Lu Jiming's temple.

"Don't worry, I know my limits," Lu Jiming pushed Wei Yan away, telling him not to be so clingy and embarrass her in front of the palace attendants.

"If your chest feels uncomfortable again, I'll help you tonight..." Wei Yan whispered.

Lu Jiming glared at him.

Still unsatisfied, Wei Yan bent down and pressed his face against Lu Jiming's belly. "Be good, child. Keep an eye on your father." Then he smiled and reluctantly left the palace.

Lu Jiming went to the study to read the letters he had received over the past few days but hadn't had time to open.

A-Gu was still too young to travel. Xu Cifeng had been in Mingzhou these past few years and would send people to bring Lu Jiming some hometown delicacies every year. Upon learning Lu Jiming was pregnant, Xu Cifeng was especially worried, and this year's letter was much longer than usual.

During this period, Lu Guanguan had followed Lord Feng from the Ministry of Works from Jingchu into Shu, conducting on-site inspections of the water channels along the river. He was now in Yuzhou and couldn't return for the New Year, so he sent his regards to Lu Jiming.

Lu Jiming instructed Lu Guanguan to be diligent in his studies and not always think about slacking off. Then he picked up the family letter from the borderlands.

Ning Jia had returned to her homeland, erected tombstones for her parents, and offered incense. She then went to her fiefdom, Fengpan, to take over local governance. Once everything was stable, she would return to the capital to visit Lu Jiming.

Lu Jiming told Ning Jia that everything was fine in the capital, that he was very fond of the clever and brave Ning Zhifei, and that she should not worry but focus on her own endeavors.

After replying to the letters he hadn't had time to read, Lu Jiming felt tired and got up to return to the bedchamber.

Just as he reached the study door, he encountered a palace attendant hurrying in to report that news had come from Cide Palace: the Empress Dowager was dying and wished to see His Majesty one last time.

Lu Jiming frowned. Wei Yan had already left the palace and, by this time, should have reached the outskirts. A round trip would take at least two hours.

Regardless, Lu Jiming sent someone out of the palace to call Wei Yan back. Then he asked the attendant, "Hasn't the Empress Dowager always been in good health? Why is she suddenly dying? Call one of the imperial physicians from Cide Palace."

When the physician in charge of Cide Palace arrived, he reported to Lu Jiming, "The Empress Dowager seems to have been poisoned. Now she's exhaling more than inhaling, and if we delay any longer, her pupils may dilate."

The Empress Dowager was Wei Yan's birth father. Lu Jiming knew that even though Wei Yan despised and resented him deeply, he couldn't completely sever his feelings for this person.

"Fine, I'll go see," Lu Jiming said. He could empathize with Wei Yan's feelings toward the Empress Dowager based on his own feelings toward Lu Yuanye.

Lu Yuanye was in Mingzhou, and there was no way Lu Jiming could get there in time. But searching his heart, if Lu Yuanye were in the capital, Lu Jiming thought he would definitely go out of the palace to see him one last time.

Dust returns to dust, earth to earth. In the face of death, all grudges seem less important.

Wei Yan had instructed Lu Jiming not to leave Chongyuan Palace, but the Empress Dowager's impending death was a significant matter, and the palace attendants dared not stop Lu Jiming.

Lu Jiming didn't go out directly. Instead, he called Ning Zhifei, and the two took a carriage straight to Cide Palace.

Upon reaching the bedchamber, the Empress Dowager was indeed on the sickbed. Lu Jiming went over to look. The other's face was ashen, lips purple—indeed resembling poisoning.

Several imperial physicians knelt on both sides, telling Lu Jiming they had tried inducing vomiting, but it was useless. The Empress Dowager was truly dying.

"Everyone... leave..." the Empress Dowager gasped heavily on the sickbed. "Empress... you... stay."

"Then we shall heed the Empress Dowager's words," Lu Jiming said.

"Father, let me stay," Ning Zhifei said, uneasy.

"Get... get out!" the Empress Dowager insisted.

Seeing the Empress Dowager's weak, dying state, Lu Jiming felt that any further delay would mean it would be too late. He turned to Ning Zhifei and said, "It's alright. Go wait with them in the corridor. Nothing will happen."

Ning Zhifei thought for a moment. After all, this was the inner palace, specifically the Empress Dowager's residence. It was unlikely to be dangerous. So, he followed the imperial physicians and palace attendants out of the room.

Once everyone had left, Lu Jiming stepped forward, bent down, and asked the Empress Dowager, "They're all gone. What did you want to say?" He didn't really know the Empress Dowager well, only knew of his actions, without having interacted with him much personally.

Regarding the Empress Dowager, if Wei Yan weren't his child, Lu Jiming thought, perhaps he wouldn't dislike him. On the contrary, Lu Jiming had always admired those who refused to accept their lot in life and fought to rise above it.

But as Wei Yan's father, he had never truly acted as a proper family member for a single day. Worse still, for the sake of his own ambitions, he was willing to sacrifice it all.

Lu Jiming couldn't muster even a shred of goodwill toward him.

The Empress Dowager raised a hand weakly, gesturing for Lu Jiming to come closer. "Closer... He's not here, I'll tell you..."

Lu Jiming, cradling his belly, bent down slightly and brought his ear closer to the Empress Dowager.

"I met Wei Zhao when I was twenty. At that time, the Wei family was still prosperous. I accompanied my father to the capital to assume a post and, also to sit for the imperial examinations. I met him at a gathering."

Back then, the late emperor was still the crown prince. The young master of the Wei family, newly arrived, spoke with a strong Shu dialect, yet he conversed with ease and composure, showing no trace of timidity. His looks were the talk of the capital. The crown prince was quickly taken with him.

Listening to this, Lu Jiming sighed inwardly. How did two people like this end up becoming a bitter, hate-filled couple in the end?

"Wei Zhao always liked me, and I knew it. But I was set on an official career. Besides, the Wei family was so illustrious; I didn't need to trade my future for wealth and status through him."

In the Empress Dowager's original life path, he should have passed the imperial examinations, then married into another powerful family. Relying on the support of his own clan and his in-laws, he would have risen steadily through the ranks.

Lu Jiming thought that this was also the life he had originally planned for himself.

Unfortunately, the Empress Dowager wasn't a particularly talented person. He barely passed the exams after several attempts. By then, the late emperor had already ascended the throne and couldn't bear to let him leave the capital, so he wasn't assigned to a provincial post.

The relationship between the Empress Dowager and the late emperor at that time was probably something like this: the emperor had feelings for him but didn't dare to disturb him, while the Empress Dowager maintained an ambiguous relationship with Chen Yiqing, whom he intended to marry, all while keeping up his private friendship with the emperor.

To prevent the emperor from completely giving up on him, the Empress Dowager never revealed his involvement with Chen Yiqing, nor did he mention to Chen Yiqing his close private ties with the emperor.

Later, the Wei family declined. The Empress Dowager wasn't too severely implicated and managed to retain his official position, but he lost his backing. The Chen family immediately abandoned the idea of marrying into the Wei family, confining Chen Yiqing and forbidding him from further contact.

At this point, the Empress Dowager began to cough. Lu Jiming went to fetch a handkerchief for him. The moment he turned around, the previously dying Empress Dowager suddenly lunged forward, locking his hands around Lu Jiming's neck from behind in a death grip.

Just as Lu Jiming was about to struggle and call for help, he suddenly felt something hard pressing against his belly. Looking down, he saw it was a dagger.