Chapter 11: He Passed Away

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A marriage to bring luck?
The emperor’s heart skipped a beat—absolutely not; he did not want the retired emperor to survive.
What if the ritual actually worked and he came back to life?
The emperor immediately snapped, “Nonsense! You are the legitimate eldest daughter of the Prime Minister of the realm—what luck are you trying to bring?”
The Empress Dowager glanced at him.
What was wrong with the emperor’s opposition?
“Get out of my sight!”
Prince Jin restrained his anger. With the retired emperor on his deathbed, these people were still bickering here?
“Ah Yue, she…” The retired emperor reached out a trembling hand, struggling to point at Shen Xiangjun, “Has the blessing of fate…”
Those few words made Shen Xiangjun ecstatic; the retired emperor was clearly trying to arrange for Prince Jin to marry her!
“The retired emperor will surely live a long life.”
Shen Xiangjun knew she had to stay composed. Prince Jin was deeply filial to the retired emperor, and he would listen to his words.
She sincerely placed her hand on the edge of the bed and bowed her head, lightly knocking on the back of her hand.
At this moment, she desperately hoped the retired emperor would survive!
The retired emperor moved Prince Jin’s hand toward Shen Xiangjun’s side. Though the movement was difficult, everyone present understood his intention.
He wanted Prince Jin to hold Shen Xiangjun’s hand; this was clearly a sign he wished them to become a pair.
Prince Jin gripped his father’s hand tightly. “Father, conserve your strength. I will bring someone into the palace!”
From the retired emperor’s growingly cold hand and increasingly vacant eyes, he saw the life force rapidly fading.
The imperial physicians knelt throughout the hall, no one daring to utter a word, showing they were truly helpless against the retired emperor’s illness.
“Your Majesty,” the retired emperor grasped his hand firmly, as if in a final flicker of life, his gaze turning to the emperor, “Promise me you will never harm Ah Yue.”
The emperor’s heart jumped again.
Everyone in the hall was listening; even if no one was there, he wouldn’t dare refuse at such a moment.
“Father, I am the elder brother. I barely have time to protect my younger brother, how could I ever harm Ah Yue?”
The retired emperor’s eyelids drooped again. “If you lay a hand on her, I won’t forgive you…”
His voice grew faint, his complexion turning noticeably gray—anyone could see it.
“Qingfeng!”
Prince Jin suddenly called out, “Bring Lu Er here!”
“Yes!”
Even Lu Zhaoling, who claimed she could cure his strange illness, might be able to save the retired emperor?
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At that moment, Prince Jin didn’t know why he had such a thought, but even a slight chance was worth trying.
“Father?” The emperor didn’t care who Lu Er was, but as the Son of Heaven, he immediately saw the retired emperor’s face had lost its color.
“Imperial physicians! Hurry, save my father!”
In that instant, the emperor panicked, overwhelmed by an uncontrollable fear.
Although he had long wished for his father’s swift death so he could ascend the throne and be a true emperor—no longer needing to heed the retired emperor’s advice before making decisions or endure his reprimands when he erred—now that moment was truly here, he felt a terrifying emptiness without a safety net.
The retired emperor might scold him, might always overshadow him, but when things truly went wrong, despite the scoldings, he still taught and helped him.
Only then could he present himself as a capable ruler to the outside world.
The imperial physicians swarmed forward.
Prince Jin felt a chill run through him; at this moment, all he could do was step back, clench his fists, and watch the physicians try to save the retired emperor.
Qingfeng had already rushed out of the palace toward the Lu residence upon receiving the order.
Lu Zhaoling continued to rest.
Having just been reborn and recently purged of deathly energy by the auxiliary physician, she was severely drained of spirit.
After Qingling and Qingyin were sent over, they hadn’t yet met with her, and the two maids guarded the courtyard, preventing anyone else from disturbing Lu Zhaoling’s rest.
They already knew Lu Miss had been seriously injured; the auxiliary physician had treated her and ordered her to rest, advising that she should not be disturbed unless a fever arose.
Suddenly awakened, Lu Zhaoling opened her eyes, got out of bed barefoot, walked to the window, pushed it open, and murmured.
“The Ziwei energy is failing.”
At that moment, there was a vague surge of stormy clouds, a clash of fate, and signs of chaos emerging.
Lu Zhaoling frowned, troubled.
She was able to live a second life, but now she realized the great Zhou dynasty’s fortune was unstable.
She absolutely hated war and turmoil.
“Miss Lu!”
Due to the urgency, Qingfeng bypassed the Lu residence’s guards and quietly sneaked into the Listening Warmth Pavilion.
Leaping into the courtyard, Qingling and Qingyin immediately blocked him, surprised to see Qingfeng.
Qingfeng looked up and saw Lu Zhaoling standing by the window, quickly saying, “The prince commands me to invite Miss Lu to the palace.”
Qingfeng didn’t understand why, with the retired emperor seriously ill and many imperial physicians helpless, they would call upon Lu Miss, who was herself gravely injured.
Qingling and Qingyin looked up too, realizing they hadn’t noticed Miss Lu was awake, standing by the open window, unaware how long she had been there.
“Please have Miss Lu dress quickly and follow Qingfeng to the palace,” Qingfeng urged again.
Though uncertain why, the prince must have his reasons. All Qingfeng could do was obey orders.
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Lu Zhaoling asked, “Is someone in the palace near death?”
Qingfeng was startled—how did she know?
Wasn’t she just a young servant girl who had just returned from the countryside?
“It’s the retired emperor…” Qingfeng blurted out, then abruptly covered his mouth. Why had he said that?
“I’ll go with you.” After all, she didn’t want to see the realm thrown into chaos during her second life; such a fate would bring her no peace.
Lu Zhaoling put on her embroidered shoes and stepped out.
Qingling and Qingyin immediately stepped forward to support her. “We are Qingling and Qingyin, sent by Prince Jin to serve Miss Lu.”
“No one from the Lu family has come?” Lu Zhaoling glanced at them one by one.
“No, Miss,” they replied.
The Lu household was truly exemplary.
“Miss Lu, can you climb the wall?” Using the main gate would waste too much time.
Lu Zhaoling reached out her hand to Qingfeng. “I can’t manage it myself right now. You lead me.”
Though it was his suggestion, her quick adaptation and natural response felt somewhat strange.
Qingfeng apologized and led Lu Zhaoling in a lightness skill leap, swiftly boarding a carriage heading for the palace.
The carriage sped swiftly, cutting through the wind, reaching the palace as fast as possible.
“Miss Lu, we’ve arrived.”
Qingfeng lifted the carriage curtain and reached out to help her down.
Lu Zhaoling stepped out, looking at the majestic palace, pursing her lips.
“Please wait, Miss Lu—”
“No need.”
Lu Zhaoling gazed at the faint purple aura drifting above the palace.
“The emperor has passed.”
“What?” Qingfeng didn’t catch the last two words clearly.
Lu Zhaoling paused, then said, “Too late. The retired emperor has passed on.”