Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!

Chapter 1715: Chapter 1715: May You Witness Prosperity in Future Generations

Once outside the room, the Empress spoke, “Although Xiaxia is adopted, he carries the royal bloodline. Should we send a message over?”

Xue Han worried about her younger son. Afraid that he might fall ill on a rainy day, they hadn’t brought Xiaxia into the Palace initially. Now, they had no choice but to do so. “I have already sent someone to Ning Duke Residence.”

The Empress said, “Have someone look after him later.”

Xue Han glanced at the Crown Princess Consort, then curled her lips, “The Crown Princess Consort is pregnant, should we add a few thick cushions?”

The Empress hadn’t overlooked the Crown Princess Consort. She noticed her, and now that the Retired Emperor was gone, she had to be even more cautious, fearing that the Emperor might vent his anger on the Crown Prince and Crown Princess Consort, eventually causing the newborn to displease the Emperor.

The Empress felt for the unborn child, turned her head to look at the Princess Qin, then withdrew her gaze, “Have the Imperial Hospital dispatch a few more Imperial Physicians to keep watch.”

Xue Han, “…”

She felt the Empress was overly cautious but understood her paranoia.

After an unknown duration, the rain seemed to have lessened. Once everything was handled, the rain in the sky turned into a drizzle.

Zhou Shuren stood outside, looking up at the sky, feeling the drizzle on his face, and then worriedly looked at Xiaxia.

Xiaxia was wrapped tightly, but the child had poor lungs. He felt uneasy with palace maids guarding Xiaxia.

Ahead, Empress Dowager Chen showed little sorrow, shedding tears with few cries, afraid to anger the Emperor, she only pinched herself.

Empress Dowager Chen lacked feelings for the Retired Emperor. She entered the Palace as per her grandfather’s order and acted on her father’s instructions. She never considered the Retired Emperor’s affections. Watching the Empress burying together with the Emperor, Empress Dowager Chen thought the Empress’s feelings were more genuine than hers, yet sadly, they were mixed with too many matters.

Prince Chu’s mother, the Princess Consort, cried mournfully. Empress Dowager Chen listened speechlessly; with as much grief, the Retired Emperor’s years of indifference should’ve already erased the feelings. The crying sounded too fake.

How many among those kneeling are genuinely crying? And how many hold various thoughts?

Zhou Shuren stood outside in the cold wind, his mind unusually clear, silently praying, “I hope you have a safe journey, and may you witness the prosperity of future generations.”

Crying sounds echoed throughout the Palace, spreading beyond its walls, linking with the weeping in the capital.

At Marquis Zhou Residence, Zhulan stood in the courtyard, faintly hearing the crying. Without the sound of thunder and rain, the cries at night were especially clear.

Old Zhou emerged with a cloak, “Mother, it’s cold outside.”

Zhulan raised her hand, “It’s okay, I just want to stand for a while.”

“Are you worried about Father?”

Old Zhou worried about his father. His father was old; it was less comfortable in the Palace than at home, where he could rest if he felt sad. Under the Emperor’s watch in the Palace, even if his father felt bad, he must endure it. Moreover, it wasn’t just one night; leaving the Palace once entered was not easy.

Zhulan was also concerned but didn’t answer directly, “Has Ming Teng entered the Palace?”

Old Zhou was surprised too, “He went into the Palace as soon as he got the message.”

Zhulan said, “He represents the Rong family.”

This was an honor; Shuren entering the Palace to bid farewell to the Retired Emperor was also an honor, which the aristocratic families of the capital could only dream of.

Old Zhou’s voice was hoarse, “Mother, why do I feel empty inside?”

Zhulan thought, because the Zhou family’s greatest support is gone. Fortunately, the Emperor still values the Zhou family. The main branch has Mingyun; the second wife, Chang Yi, faces new challenges; Ming Rui is performing well; the third wife, Chang Lian, is an important pawn for the Emperor in the south; Chang Zhi also has duties. Overall, the Zhou family has a solid foundation.

Zhulan patted her son’s shoulder, “You don’t need to keep me company. Just go back.”

Old Zhou shook his head, “With Father not here, I wouldn’t feel at ease not staying with you.”

Zhulan said, “Your wife is with me.”

Old Zhou still shook his head; he wouldn’t feel at ease letting his wife accompany his mother, “Let me stay in the main courtyard with you.”

Zhulan helplessly allowed her eldest son to stay with her, turning to meet Lady Li’s intense gaze, patting her chest, “What kind of look is that? It’s quite unsettling.”

Lady Li was scared; though the Retired Emperor was said to have been in good health, he suddenly passed away. Thinking of her parents made her even more frightened, “Mother, I’ll stay up with you tonight.”

Zhulan, “…Don’t bother.”

Lady Li didn’t dare sleep with her mother-in-law. She wanted to sit in a chair and stay watch, “Mother.”

Zhulan pointed to the bedroom where the couple could stay, indicating them to rest, “Don’t make me chase you back.”

Lady Li fell silent, knowing her mother-in-law would indeed carry through.

Old Zhou felt his empty heart grounded, “Mother, we’ll stay with you a bit longer.”

Zhulan waved her hand, “There’s a lot to do tomorrow, go and rest.”

In the Palace, the Emperor continued kneeling upright, perfectly healthy and not feeling it, but the Empress suffered, experiencing wave after wave of dizziness, biting her tongue to keep herself awake, the taste of blood filling her mouth.

The Emperor, whose immense grief was gradually regaining rationality, sensed something amiss beside him, furrowing his brow, “You should go rest and have the Imperial Physician check on you.”

The Empress wanted to say she could endure but her mind was clear while her mouth struggled to open, due to pain. After calming down, she finally said, “Thank you, Your Majesty.” The Crown Prince breathed a sigh of relief, having already noticed his mother’s condition, intending to inform the Emperor, but his mother had refused. After arranging for the Crown Princess Consort to see the Emperor, his mother was already kneeling by the Emperor’s side. Amidst sadness, he had to keep an eye on her. If the Emperor hadn’t spoken, he would’ve.

The Emperor then said, “Take the Crown Princess Consort back to rest; offspring is important.”

That’s the child his father made sure to remember before passing, hoping it was a boy.

The Empress replied, “Alright.”

The Empress and the Crown Princess Consort left, and the Emperor addressed the Crown Prince, “Go check on Marquis Zhou; he’s older and got drenched in the rain. Have him rest and send a Physician along.”

The Crown Prince wasn’t surprised his father cared for Marquis Zhou, “Yes.”

The Crown Prince stood up, taking a stumble due to the prolonged kneeling, needing some time to recover before leaving every step pierced like needles. Upon reaching Marquis Zhou, his face appeared a bit pale.

The Crown Prince hurriedly approached, “Marquis Zhou, are you well?”

Zhou Shuren wasn’t fine, drenched by rain, suffering under deep sadness; if not for Ming Teng by his side, he would’ve already fallen.

The Crown Prince signaled a close eunuch to help Marquis Zhou up, “My father asked a Physician to come; you should rest aside first.”

Zhou Shuren didn’t insist on enduring; he still wanted to live a few more years, “Thanks to the Emperor for his concern.”

Ming Teng watched his grandfather walk away, wiping sweat from his forehead, fearing for his grandfather’s safety during the rush.

Zhou Shuren sat under the canopy, wrapped in a blanket, sitting facing the Crown Prince, asked, “Is the Emperor well?”

The Crown Prince, with a raspy voice, replied, “My father is still at the front.”

Zhou Shuren instantly understood; the Emperor had only regained composure, remaining inwardly sad. Escaping the shadow of the Retired Emperor’s passing would take time.

The Crown Prince waited for the Physician to examine, finding Marquis Zhou unharmed, signaled him to rest more before returning.

Upon the Crown Prince’s return, hearing Marquis Zhou was fine, the Emperor hummed, then gestured for the younger ones to leave, feeling annoyed by the persistent crying. His father had limited affection for other grandsons besides the Crown Prince and the fourth. How genuine were the others’ feelings? They were for her display. He wanted quiet time with his parents.