"I just saw someone from the palace go to the Tang Family to deliver an imperial decree, and then Lord Tang hurriedly left the house shortly afterward."
How fast?
There was no time to set up an incense table to receive the imperial decree, which shows how urgent the matter was.
Tang Mingfan was the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review. Although he handled major and important cases, such an urgent case seemed to be extremely rare.
Considering his recent frequent visits to the palace to see the retired emperor, Cui Run felt that the retired emperor might not be in good health.
He and Cui Xiaoqiu were inseparable.
However, these words were clearly not easy to say in front of Yanran.
Unexpectedly, Cui Xiaoqiu asked directly, "Did you go to the palace to see the Emperor Emeritus? What urgent matter does the Emperor Emeritus have that requires him to summon Lord Tang?"
Yanran: "Could it be that my imperial grandfather is dying?"
Oh my god!
Grandfather, you've always been a hindrance to our family, doing very few good things...
To put it bluntly, it's like you're asking for trouble. My older brother is getting married soon, and you're not going to make it... Does anyone really know how to cause trouble for others?
We should let the Empress Dowager go and take a look; it would be good to maintain the condition for a while.
Most importantly, she hasn't left yet!
"Cui Xiaoqiu, hurry up and pack your things, we're not waiting any longer, we're leaving tomorrow!"
Cui Xiaoqiu was both amused and exasperated.
Yanran waved her hand, "I'll go back to the palace first. Remember to pack your things."
After returning to the palace, she first went to Palace of Eternal Peace.
Tang Zhuyun was indeed not there.
Without hesitation, Yanran headed straight for the Purple Tenuity Palace, where the retired emperor resided.
There, she was stopped by Zhao Kuo.
"Your Majesty, Your Majesty the Empress, Lord Tang, and Marquis Huai'en are inside with the young master. Please don't go in yet."
Yanran thought for a moment and said, "Yes, we won't go in."
Why should the old things get the best deal?
Just because she looks like Xiao Wu, she shouldn't let him have her.
Huh?
Yanran suddenly remembered a question she had never thought of before.
Everyone says Xiao Wu is beautiful and has captivated so many men; and she looks just like Xiao Wu...
Does that mean she's actually quite pretty?
may be.
That's good.
From this perspective, Cui Xiaoqiu didn't seem to lose out so much.
Seeing that she seemed lost in thought, Zhao Kuo said in a low voice, "Princess, why don't you go to the tea room or the corridor to avoid the wind?"
"No need." Yanran waved her hand, made a shushing gesture, and tiptoed forward, wanting to eavesdrop.
She licked her fingers, about to poke at the window paper, when she discovered that the window was inlaid with glass...
That's outrageous.
Zhao Kuo couldn't help but chuckle.
Yanran could only dejectedly go to the nearby tea room to rest.
Inside the room, the retired emperor was indeed not in good condition.
After taking his pulse, Tang Zhuyun gently shook her head at Emperor Wen.
There was nothing more she could do.
The rest is entirely up to fate, to the King of Hell, who can send someone to collect the soul whenever he wants.
It might take two or three days at the shortest, but at the longest, it probably won't last a month.
Emperor Wen nodded, gesturing for her to leave.
He feared that the Emperor Emeritus might lose his composure at the last moment, scold Tang Zhuzi, and leave her with a lingering resentment.
He was the son of the retired emperor, so he should bear whatever responsibility he had; he was not wronged.
But Tang Zhuzi don't have this obligation.
Tang Mingfan knelt before the bed, his eyes filled with tears as he looked at the dying Emperor Emeritus.
Pei Shen, holding the clueless Pei Zheng, also had a serious expression and deep sadness in his eyes.
The Emperor Emeritus personally raised him, and this affection is unforgettable.
Unfortunately, Pei Zheng in his arms was still fast asleep and had not yet grown up to see the elders who had such a profound influence on his father.
After Tang Zhuyun left, Yanran heard her footsteps and immediately pulled her to the tea room.
"Mother, how is she?"
"Not good."
"Oh." Yanran pouted.
Looks like we need to run quickly.
Tang Zhuyun glanced at her and said, "No matter what you think in your heart, remember this in front of your father..."
"I'm so sad!" Yanran said hurriedly.
Tang Zhuyun glared at her. "Stop grinning like that."
"I've got it."
Tang Zhuyun's expression was solemn.
"Mother, are you worried about Grandfather?"
No, I'm worried about your maternal grandfather and your father.
Inside the room, the Emperor Emeritus opened his cloudy eyes, looked at Tang Mingfan, and forced a smile, "Old Tang, I must take my leave first! The Emperor is your son-in-law, that was my initial thought, I never expected it to actually be like this... I have no worries about you anymore. Old man, you are more fortunate than me."
Tang Mingfan wept uncontrollably.
"Don't cry, this day was bound to come. Think about it, all these years, I've gained nothing but trouble; I've lost out on your wonderful daughter."
Tang Mingfan said, "On behalf of my daughter, I thank the Emperor Emeritus."
"Still trying to take advantage of the situation!" The retired emperor laughed, his voice weak and muffled by phlegm in his throat. "Live well."
Tang Mingfan almost fainted from crying.
Emperor Wen stepped forward to help him up and set him on a chair.
The retired emperor then beckoned Pei Shen to bring the child forward.
He could no longer see clearly, but he still nodded and said, "Good, good, you have a worthy successor. I have done right by your parents."
Only in front of Tang Mingfan did he address me as "you" or "me".
Pei Shen knelt beside the bed, "You'll be alright. You've weathered so many storms, you'll definitely pull through this one too."
The Emperor Emeritus shook his head. "This time it really won't work. I have done my duty to my ancestors in this life, and I have no regrets. From now on, you must serve the Emperor well; the Yuwen Family's empire will ultimately depend on you."
He closed his eyes; finally, he could rest.
Pei Shen also shed tears.
The retired emperor spoke to Emperor Wen last.
"You're good in every way, and you have your own ideas. You wouldn't listen to me anyway, so I won't give you any more instructions."
His voice still carried a hint of resentment.
"But there is one thing I need to ask of you."
Emperor Wen knelt down, lifting his robe, and whispered, "Your subject dares not."
Before him, he was always a son and a subject.
"There's nothing to be afraid of, it's my request," the Emperor Emeritus said. "I'm saying this in front of your father-in-law and Pei Shen, so there will be witnesses in the future, and we won't have to put all the blame on you."
"Father, please speak."
In fact, Emperor Wen had already vaguely guessed it in his heart.
After all, the person who can still haunt my father's dreams to this day is definitely no one else.
Only Xiao Wu.
As expected, the retired emperor said, "I want to be buried with her."
What could Emperor Wen say?
He was mentally prepared and there was nothing he couldn't accept.
"Yes."
He agreed readily, which made the retired emperor somewhat uncomfortable.
After a long pause, the Emperor Emeritus sighed deeply, "Sometimes I can't help but wonder, why can't she and I be like you and that girl from the Tang Family?"
In the next life, I don't ask to be an emperor; I only wish to live happily ever after with her.
I envy not Yuanyang immortals, but only the mandarin ducks.
"You may all leave, I am tired." The Emperor Emeritus closed his eyes, too weary to utter another word.
He wanted to sleep.
When I fall asleep, she will appear in my dreams.
It's time for this life to end.