Forced Into the Palace: Becoming the Emperor's Favorite-Chapter 314: Tears Shed in the Traveling Palace
Moreover, they seem to have been abandoned now.
It sounds nice to say they are staying at the traveling palace to recover, but what’s the difference from imprisonment?
Others can come in, but they cannot leave.
Compared to Ming, who is also recuperating, they are far worse off.
Mrs. Pei heard this outside and was so upset that she fainted and woke up repeatedly.
The fall of Princess Consort Ying signifies that the Pei Family and Ling Family will also become mere adornments.
Both families already have little influence at court, and now they are even more desolate.
Forget about assistance in dire times; the fact that there are no acts of adding insult to injury is considered the good fortune earned by Lord Pei’s usual kindness.
On this day, after much pleading, Mrs. Pei received the Emperor’s permission to enter the palace to see Princess Consort Ying.
Upon entering, she saw her daughter, somewhat possessed and dazed, sitting by the bright window in a trance.
Her eyes were devoid of emotion, even when her mother entered, there was little reaction.
"Doctor Dou said that the Empress’s illness needs emotional control; avoiding great joy or sorrow can delay it somewhat. Therefore, most of the medicines now are for stabilizing the mind, so the Empress is very calm now; don’t be offended when you see her, Madam."
Mrs. Pei suddenly remembered Rong Le’s special instructions before entering.
Originally, she thought she could bear it, but unexpectedly, upon seeing her daughter in such a state, her heart felt as if it was being cut with a knife, and she was at a loss as to how to vent.
"Empress... Empress..."
Rong Le called several times before waking Princess Consort Ying from her emotional turmoil.
Even raising her head became much slower now; though she was only in her twenties, she seemed more aged than those in their seventies or eighties.
Here, Mrs. Pei could no longer hold back.
She immediately rushed up, embraced Princess Consort Ying, and cried bitterly.
"What sin has our family committed? When your brother left, half of my heart died with him, and now your father is lying in bed, and you have something happen to you again. How am I supposed to live?"
Knowing the source of Princess Consort Ying’s illness, Mrs. Pei was filled with hatred toward herself.
But what good does hating do?
It’s not right to blame parents who passed away many years ago.
If she had known her son and daughter would end up like this, no matter what, she wouldn’t have wanted to bring them into this world to suffer such punishment.
Thus she beat her chest and stamped her feet sorrowfully.
This crying didn’t help but rather further agitated Princess Consort Ying.
Originally quite calm, Princess Consort Ying suddenly seemed to recall something and immediately asked Rong Le.
"Where is the Fourth Prince? Why hasn’t the nurse brought him over to play? Mother has entered the palace; of course, she should see her dear grandson."
Rong Le felt bitterness in her heart, but bitterness was useless.
They had been by Princess Consort Ying’s side for many years, watching her transform from a once kind and courteous person into someone possessed; it was heartbreaking.
But heartbreak was useless.
She could only comfort her verbally.
"Has the Empress forgotten? Didn’t the maid say so before? The Empress Dowager likes the Fourth Prince, so she took him to play for a few days; she’ll return him after a few days, didn’t she send someone to tell you before?"
When Princess Consort Ying heard this, she tilted her head, seemingly thinking.
"Is that so?"
"Yes, didn’t you say it was good to be closer to the Empress Dowager? It would benefit the Fourth Prince’s future, wouldn’t it?"
Upon hearing this, Princess Consort Ying finally changed from doubt to joy.
"Hmm, that’s correct. As long as it’s good for the Fourth Prince, I wouldn’t hesitate."
Saying this, she spoke apologetically to Mrs. Pei.
"It was unfortunate for Mother to enter the palace when the Fourth Prince wasn’t by his daughter’s side; next time, when Mother enters the palace, the daughter will certainly have him be closer to you."
Listening to her daughter’s seemingly serious words, Mrs. Pei couldn’t stop her tears.
Now she seemed entirely without her thoughts; she remembered everything people said.
But even remembering, she couldn’t retain it.
Originally, her son had the same condition, but from the onset of the illness to this stage, there was still some time before it got worse.
Yet, her daughter’s condition seemed accelerated.
She left the palace to deal with her husband’s broken leg only a few months ago, and her daughter turned like this.
This made Mrs. Pei unable to bear it.
The more she tried to suppress her emotions, the more sorrowful she cried, while Princess Consort Ying remained indifferent.
Quietly listening to her cry, there seemed to be no past composure, only the bewilderment and ignorance after medication.
After a good catharsis, Rong Le brought water to wash her face.
Otherwise, if she left the palace like this, there would certainly be gossip.
She originally wanted to talk more with Princess Consort Ying, but after medication, she fell asleep.
Once she was completely asleep, Rong Le led Mrs. Pei to sit outside and talk.
"The Empress relies on medication now, so she hasn’t had any attacks, but she is rarely clear-headed and spends most of her day sleeping."
"Did the Imperial Physician mention how long the Empress’ condition could be prolonged?"
"Doctor Dou did say that if emotions are consistently stable, it might be prolonged by a few more years. But if severely stimulated, just one incident could shorten lifespan by several months."
Mrs. Pei heard this, and tears fell like rain. 𝐟𝐫𝕖𝗲𝘄𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝕧𝐞𝚕.𝕔𝕠𝐦
A woman of the inner courtyard, she couldn’t navigate politics for her husband nor scheme a future for her daughter in the palace.
Now, her only concern was the Fourth Prince.
In her daughter’s current state, raising the Fourth Prince was already impossible.
But in the harem, without protection, even growing up could be challenging.
Thus she worried profoundly.
Previously, she had no familiar people in the palace, so she asked.
"How is the Fourth Prince? Who is the Emperor entrusting him to?"
Hearing this, Rong Le sighed.
"When he left, he was sent to the Empress Dowager, but the maid heard that he was being cared for by Concubine Qian, though it’s unclear if it’s still the case."
"Concubine Qian?"
"Yes, her family’s surname is Ye; her father works at the Ministry of Justice, but which division she’s affiliated with isn’t known."
Mrs. Pei had some understanding in her heart.
The Junior Minister at the Ministry of Justice has been in contact with the Pei Family quite frequently.
This time, Lord Pei was injured, and he visited multiple times.
It’s worth inquiring about what type of family this is.
"Hmm, you don’t have to worry about things outside; just take good care of the Empress. Remember to administer the medication; dragging each day is beneficial. I’ll look around outside to see if we can find a miraculous physician who might cure or improve her condition."
Though this hope seems remote, it’s better than none.
Moreover, for the Fourth Prince, having his mother in a concubine position is always beneficial.
Mrs. Pei was calculating for her grandson, unaware that the Fourth Prince was currently playing at Yihua Palace with the Second Prince and Second Princess, along with two infants.
