Empress Zhong's case hadn't been solved yet, but during this period of time, Empress Yang's movements were restricted. Yang Fucheng's trusted aides and students were all demoted, and the day of Yang Fucheng's return was still far in the future.
Not long ago, Madame Yang was still the wife of the Grand Secretary. In an instant, she was involved in a murder case and became a suspect in poisoning the former empress.
When it rains, it pours. At this time, Empress Dowager Yang fell ill. Yang Fucheng's daughter-in-law wanted to enter the palace to visit Empress Dowager Yang several times, but she was stopped.
Over the past few days, Empress Dowager Yang had been dreaming day and night. Her dreams were filled with Crown Prince Huai Lian who had passed away early. Empress Dowager Yang would have nightmares from time to time. She would often shout into the air. Sometimes she would shout Imperial Concubine Ren Zong and sometimes she would shout Crown Prince Huai Lian. Later on, it became more and more serious. She would even scratch and scratch at empty places, as if she was fighting against someone.
The palace maids who served in the Palace of Compassionate and Peaceful were all scared. They didn't dare to stay in front of Empress Dowager Yang's bed alone. The faint fragrance in the inner hall of the Palace of Compassionate and Peaceful always drifted, but no one cared.
Too many things had happened during this period of time. The palace seemed to be shrouded in dark clouds. Everyone even walked quietly. No one dared to speak loudly. At the end of the month, after a rain, the Dragon Boat Festival came.
In the past, the palace would hold a Dragon Boat Festival to drive away the five poisons and bad luck. This year, the Empress Dowager was seriously ill and the empress was grounded. No one in the harem took care of these things, so the Dragon Boat Festival was naturally not held. The palace maids tied a five-colored silk thread and cut a piece of colorful talisman paper. Then, they hurried over.
When Li Seung-kyung came back from outside, he found that the Palace of Compassionate and Peaceful Celebration was not lit. His heart tightened. He quickly walked to the main hall. He secretly exerted force in his hand and pushed open the door.
Red lanterns suddenly lit up in the hall. Many palace maids held the lanterns and knelt on the ground, saying in unison, "Congratulations to Your Highness the Crown Prince."
Li Seung-kyung froze for a moment and remembered that the Dragon Boat Festival was also his birthday. Li Seung-kyung was busy with the Yang Family's affairs and investigating Empress Zhong's past. How could he be in the mood to celebrate his birthday? He had been vacant for many years, and there was no precedent in the palace. There were very few people who could connect the Dragon Boat Festival with his birthday.
Cheng Yujin stood at the very front and blessed Li Seung-kyung with a smile, just like when they first met. "Your Highness is blessed. Happy birthday."
Li Seung-kyung felt extremely helpless. He was shocked that there was no light in the house, but it turned out that she just wanted to wish him a happy birthday. However, no matter how helpless he felt, Li Seung-kyung still laughed. He walked forward and held Cheng Yujin's hand. "Why didn't you light up the lamp? You scared me. You actually still remember? "
"How could I not remember?" Cheng Yujin stood up. At this time, the palace lanterns in the hall lit up for the first time. The two of them walked inside hand in hand. "Your Highness' birthday is such an important day. I can forget anything, but I can't forget Your Highness."
No one could refuse nice words, and Li Seung-kyung was the same. His expression unconsciously softened. The two of them walked into the inner room. Cheng Yujin pressed him down on a chair and then personally brought a bowl of longevity noodles back.
Li Seung-kyung saw it and was surprised. "You even prepared food?"
"Yes, I made it myself." Cheng Yujin placed the bowl in front of him and said, "I haven't been in the kitchen for a long time, and my cooking skills are rusty. If there is anything wrong, Your Highness, please forgive me. "
Li Seung-kyung couldn't help but hold Cheng Yujin's hand and look. "You are still recovering. How can you do it yourself? Is the water in the kitchen cold or warm? Did it hurt you? "
"Your Highness, I didn't knead the noodles. I was fine a long time ago." Cheng Yujin smiled and sat next to him. "After thinking about it, I don't have anything good to give Your Highness, so I can only make some food to express my sincerity. There is only one longevity noodles in a bowl. It is long and unending, and it will bring you longevity and happiness. I hope Your Highness will have this day every year. "
Li Seung-kyung's eyes were full of stars. He looked at Cheng Yujin with a very gentle gaze. "I know your sincerity. You are still recovering. You don't need to do these things. Just leave it to the servants."
"How can that be?" Cheng Yujin smiled and glanced at Li Seung-kyung. "My birthday is in December. My two children's birthdays are also in December. In our family, only you were born in summer. Of course I can't wrong you. Otherwise, it will seem like the three of us are ostracizing you. "
Li Seung-kyung couldn't help but laugh. His eyes sparkled like stars.
After Li Seung-kyung finished the longevity noodles, he and Cheng Yujin went into the inner hall to see Ming Yue and Ming Qian. Their bodies were growing stronger day by day. They no longer looked as weak as when they were born. Li Seung-kyung hugged the two children and commented truthfully, "Li Mingqian has gained weight again."
"What do you mean by gaining weight." Cheng Yujin took something out of the box. Hearing this, she glared at Li Seung-kyung. "How can the children be called gaining weight? They are clearly healthy and strong."
"Okay, you're right." Li Seung-kyung put the two "healthy and strong" dolls on the couch and let them play by themselves. He turned around and saw the thing in Cheng Yujin's hand. He asked, "What did you take?"
Cheng Yujin sat on the edge of the couch and held Li Seung-kyung's hand. She tied a five-colored silk thread around his wrist.
"I remember the first time I found out about Ninth Uncle's birthday was on the Dragon Boat Festival. At that time, I was in a hurry and didn't prepare anything. I could only give Ninth Uncle a five-colored silk thread that I made myself. They said that your birthday was ominous, but I didn't believe it. " Cheng Yujin tied a thin knot behind her back. She raised her head and said with a smile, "Okay, Uncle Jiu will live to a hundred years old. Break but not scratch."
The light was gentle, casting a soft glaze over everything in front of them. Li Seung-kyung looked at the porcelain-like beauty in front of him. He couldn't help but think of the year when he first met Cheng Yujin. She suddenly heard that his birthday was on the Dragon Boat Festival and was shocked. Then, she took out her own five-colored silk thread and tied it around his hand. She also specially explained to him that there were many poisonous insects in May, and it wasn't ominous.
Li Seung-kyung could tell at that time that the thread that Cheng Yujin tied for him was most likely her own five-colored silk thread. It was so delicate and delicate that it must be the longevity rope that she made for him that she carried around with her.
However, the topic was raised abruptly and Cheng Yujin was completely unprepared. She had to take out her own silk thread to smooth things over. He didn't expect that the five-colored thread would become a red thread. Cheng Yujin not only gave him her own blessing item to ward off evil spirits, but she also gave herself away in the end.
It was the same scene, but the mood of the people in the scene was completely different. At that time, Cheng Yujin was still a niece in name to him. But now, she was already his wife, and their two children were crawling next to her.
Li Seung-kyung didn't let Cheng Yujin's hand move away. He grabbed her slender hand and asked, "What about yours and the children's?"
"They've already tied it." Cheng Yujin pointed to Li Seung-kyung. Sure enough, there were already thin threads around the two children's ankles.
Li Seung-kyung asked, "What about yours? I remember that you don't like to tie it around your hand. So you carry it with you? "
Cheng Yujin glanced at him and dilly-dallied without moving. Li Seung-kyung laughed, "Do you want to take it out yourself, or do you want me to find it?"
… Hooligan. Cheng Yujin had to take it out herself, saying, "It's too childish to tie it around my hand. I'm already so old. If I tie it around my hand, I'll be laughed at."
"How old are you? You're always talking like an old man." Li Seung-kyung took it and tied it around her wrist, "You're a child. What's so childish about it?"
Cheng Yujin couldn't help but retort, "Your Highness, you're not much older than me. Why do you always call me a child?"
Her words woke him up. Li Seung-kyung nodded seriously, "That's right. Maybe I've been your uncle for a long time, so I always see you as a junior. "
Cheng Yujin laughed and made a move to hit him. Li Seung-kyung easily held her hand and admired her slender white wrist under the light. The colorful threads hanging on it were exquisite and gorgeous, "You're as beautiful as jade. You really don't deceive me."
Cheng Yujin wanted to take her hand back, but failed twice. Li Seung-kyung's gaze followed the slender hand and moved to the face of the person in front of him. Ever since Cheng Yujin gave birth, she had been taking good care of herself. Now that her waist had returned to normal, her breasts and buttocks were fuller than before. Her skin was originally white, but now it was added with the gentleness of a mother. Under the light, it was like fine porcelain, sparkling and beautiful to the point that it made people have wild thoughts.
Li Seung-kyung's finger circled Cheng Yujin's wrist. After Cheng Yujin became pregnant, the two of them were cautious. Naturally, they didn't dare to take any risks and didn't have sex again. After that, Li Seung-kyung went to Jiangnan to provide disaster relief. When he returned, Cheng Yujin gave birth very quickly. After giving birth, Cheng Yujin recuperated for several months. Li Seung-kyung was afraid that he would hurt Cheng Yujin's foundation, so he didn't let her take any risks. It wasn't until three months after she gave birth that the two of them carefully tried it once.
During this time, there were many things happening in the imperial court. The two of them hadn't had sex for a long time.
Tonight, Li Seung-kyung was a little moved. He sighed from the bottom of his heart, "Yujin, you're a beautiful jade. You really live up to your name, a flawless jade. If every day is like today, and every year is like today, I'll be satisfied. "
Cheng Yujin was a little embarrassed, but under such a gaze, she couldn't help but laugh, "Just think about it. Why do you have to find such a glorious reason for yourself?"
Li Seung-kyung also laughed and pulled her over to sit, "Maybe it's because you've been the Crown Prince for too long and can't change."
Li Seung-kyung was about to ask someone to carry Li Mingqian and Li Mingyue out when hurried footsteps suddenly came from outside. Then, Liu Yi's voice sounded at the door, "Your Highness, urgent report."
Cheng Yujin and Li Seung-kyung looked at each other and couldn't help but stop laughing, "What's the matter?"
"The Empress Dowager has passed away."
The death of the Empress Dowager was not a trivial matter. Cheng Yujin quickly changed her clothes and rushed to the Palace of Compassionate and Peaceful.
At this moment, the Palace of Compassionate and Peaceful was filled with cries. The palace maids and eunuchs were panic-stricken. When they saw her, they all knelt down, "Greetings to the Crown Princess."
Cheng Yujin responded and walked into the palace with a calm face. After entering the palace, she first went to see Empress Dowager Yang. Empress Dowager Yang had just died not long ago. She was lying motionless on the bed where she usually recuperated. Around her, people were kneeling and crying. Cheng Yujin stopped in front of the bed and sniffed carefully. She found that the spices had been changed.
Cheng Yujin was relieved. She also mournfully went forward to feel the Empress Dowager's pulse and then knelt down with tears.
At this time, the changes in the palace were reflected. Empress Yang received the news later than Cheng Yujin, the Crown Princess. Empress Yang stumbled over. When she saw Empress Dowager Yang's body, she was completely bewitched. She went forward to feel the Empress Dowager's breath. She didn't want to believe it, so she went to look at the Empress Dowager's eyes. It wasn't until the Imperial Physician reminded her in a low voice that the Empress Dowager had passed away that Empress Yang fell to the ground as if she was struck by lightning and cried out loud.
Empress Yang's cry was so mournful that it could be said to be heart-wrenching. When one heard it, one could tell that it was genuine grief. After a while, the Emperor also came accompanied by Li Seung-kyung. When he saw Empress Dowager Yang's body, the Emperor sighed and said, "The Empress Dowager passed away. Tell the Ministry of Rites to prepare for the Empress Dowager's funeral. "
Empress Dowager Yang's funeral was extremely mournful. All the women in and out of the palace went to the palace to mourn. Empress Yang was especially grieved and cried until she was half dead. On the day of the Empress Dowager's funeral, Empress Yang was so grieved that she directly cried until she fainted in the mourning hall.
She fainted, didn't she? With Empress Dowager Yang dead, the Emperor no longer had any scruples. Just seven days after the Empress Dowager's funeral, Empress Zhong's case was decided. Yang Fucheng's wife, because she plotted to murder the former Empress, should be beheaded in public. Seeing that she gave birth to Empress Yang, the Emperor's benevolence was vast and mighty. She was granted a full corpse and died while drinking with Yang shi.
Yang Shoufu didn't manage his wife well and didn't teach his grandson well. His personal morals were lacking, so he was stripped of his position as First Assistant. Seeing that he had many years of meritorious service, his life was spared, but all of his family property was confiscated. His son Yang Shilong was also stripped of his position as a commoner and could never be reused.
Dou Xiyin was also implicated. She was stripped of her title as Princess and was demoted to a commoner. Seeing that the situation wasn't right, the Dou Family quickly divorced Yang Yan and threw her back to the Yang Family.
Empress Dowager Yang had already been buried, but Empress Yang was still listless, as if she had completely lost her life. Empress Yang really didn't have any hope now. The Yang Family collapsed overnight. Her father and brother were demoted to commoners, and all of their property was confiscated. She didn't even have money for travel. Her mother was dead, her aunt was dead, her sister was divorced, and her niece had no status. She was even worse than a concubine in Prince Shou's Residence.
When the tree falls, the monkeys scatter. Those who once fawned over the Yang Family were now all avoiding them. Empress Yang herself was facing the crisis of being stripped of her position as Empress.
The Second Prince knelt in front of the Palace of Heavenly Purity and begged the Emperor to spare Empress Yang's life on account of Empress Yang giving birth to children for the Imperial Family. The Emperor was furious and ordered the Second Prince to reflect on his mistakes behind closed doors. The Second Prince admitted his mistake but didn't move an inch.
He continued to kneel in front of the Palace of Heavenly Purity without eating or drinking. He didn't even want the cushion that the eunuch secretly gave him. He just knelt there. After all, a son was different from a woman. When Empress Yang came to plead for mercy, the Emperor didn't even look at her. Now that it was the Second Prince's turn, the Emperor couldn't bear to see him kneel for a while.
When the sun was at its peak, the Emperor came out of the Palace of Heavenly Purity and sighed. He asked the eunuch to hold an umbrella for the Second Prince and helped the Second Prince up.
The Second Prince followed the Emperor into the palace. He knelt in the Imperial Study for a long time, pleading for Empress Yang. In the end, the Emperor didn't say anything. He just waved his hand and asked someone to send the Second Prince back home.
When Li Chengjun came out of the Palace of Heavenly Purity, he happened to meet Li Seung-kyung entering the palace. The two of them were on the steps, one going up and one going down. When they brushed past each other, Li Chengjun stopped and said to Li Seung-kyung, "Eldest Brother, you've already avenged yourself. The Yang Family has been reduced to this state and Mother washes her face with tears every day. Do you still want to be so overbearing? Where it's possible to make mistakes, one should spare them. Could it be that you'll only be satisfied after you've forced Mother to her death? "
Li Seung-kyung stopped and turned around. Separated by two steps, he lowered his head and looked at him. "I'm overbearing? I've forced her to her death? "
Li Seung-kyung seemed to have heard something funny and gently raised the corner of his lips. "But my Mother has already been forced to her death by them. You've been pampered since childhood and enjoyed all the benefits, yet you're talking to me about sparing people? "
Li Chengjun couldn't say anything. He took a step back and bowed deeply to Li Seung-kyung. His hands almost touched the steps. "Your Highness, Eldest Brother, my Mother and Grandfather have wronged you. I ask for forgiveness on behalf of my elders. If you have any anger or hatred, you can take it out on me. Please let Mother go. "
Li Seung-kyung ignored him. He turned around without joy or anger and continued to walk toward the Palace of Heavenly Purity that sat on the white marble platform. There wasn't the slightest emotion in his eyes.
"Every injustice has its perpetrator and every debt has its debtor. What right do you have to suffer on behalf of Mother? If you take the place of your birth mother, then who will take the place of my Mother? "
Li Chengjun looked up in surprise and saw Li Seung-kyung slowly and gracefully walking up the steps. He walked step by step toward the Palace of Heavenly Purity that symbolized the highest power in the world, as if he wouldn't stop for anyone. Li Chengjun couldn't bear it anymore and chased after him. "So, you're still not willing to stop?"
Li Seung-kyung had already stepped onto the last step and stood on the platform. He didn't look back and said indifferently, "I'll say it again. Whether it's right or wrong, whether it's human relations or karma, they'll all be dealt with by the law."
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