Chapter 974: Chapter 974: The Stand-in Empress vs. the True Love Concubine (Extra)
Lu Xi felt that she might not make it through this winter.
The weather was too cold, that damp chill wind rushed in from the spacious grand hall, from the windows that were never securely closed, from the icy smooth floor, from every corner stretching its claws and surrounding her.
Counting the days, it would soon be spring, right?
Unfortunately, she guessed she wouldn’t be able to see the new buds on the willow trees outside.
Lu Xi coughed once, especially noticeable in the empty grand hall.
No one was watching at night, the little girl had been sent away by her to rest.
At the end of life, there’s always a faint kindness that spreads from the heart,
The young girl was the last person around her, given her current condition, why torment her further?
In a daze, Lu Xi fell into a deep sleep in the stiff cold bed.
She had a dream.
In the dream, Lu Xi had a gentle and reserved smile on her face, and wore clothes that were not luxurious but delicate, living in a neatly arranged and warm grand hall.
She also saw that man in the dream.
When he looked at her, his eyes had a soft and warm smile, he held her hand countless nights and said, "Xier, bear with it, just a little longer, wait until I ascend to the throne, I will definitely give you the most honorable position."
She also saw Su Chaohua.
She was somewhat different from what she saw, though still the noble Crown Princess Consort, with the same appearance and role, her demeanor was regal, yet ultimately different from now.
Childless, the Eastern Palace had countless concubines and common concubines, the Crown Prince respected her, but did not exclusively favor her.
Behind Su Chaohua’s daytime pride and nobility was the nightly tears, secretly visiting imperial physicians, taking medicine in hopes of having a child.
She watched as if watching a play, seeing Yun Qi and herself act in front of others, while watching Su Chaohua, clueless, devoted to giving birth to a child for her husband.
Then, finally, the Emperor passed away, and the new Emperor ascended the throne.
Once the new Emperor stabilized, the first thing he did was to disregard everyone’s opposition, abolish Su Chaohua from the Empress’s position, and appointed her as the Imperial Noble Consort with the highest status beneath the Empress.
Moreover, he promised, as soon as she had a child, she would immediately be appointed Empress.
Afterwards...
She didn’t know what happened afterwards, because she woke up from the dream.
After awakening from the dream, it was still the dim, damp grand hall, the cold wind infiltrated her bedding, her whole body, from head to toe, even her heart, was cold.
As beautiful as the dream was, waking up was just as cruel.
Lu Xi couldn’t help but cough twice, remaining silent for a long time.
On the day of the beginning of spring, when the willows in the palace sprouted fresh tender branches, the little girl discovered that her master had already stopped breathing.
"Bury her then, such a fine day, really inauspicious!" The Empress said when she heard the servant’s report, without even lifting her eyelids, speaking indifferently.
Gu Shengyin, who was playing with two children in the palace, also heard the news.
She paused for a moment, then resumed her normal expression, shaking the rattle in her hand twice.
Those unrelated people, whether alive or dead, what relationship does it have with her life?
"Madam, this is what His Highness saw outside the palace today. He ordered this humble one to deliver it to you."
Gu Shengyin opened the box, inside were four exquisitely crafted sugar figurines: Him, herself, and the two children.
She held the box in her hands, and looked back at her son and daughter embracing each other, feeling infinitely peaceful in her heart.
Time is serene, isn’t it just like this?