Forbidden Autumn, Summer, Winter and Spring Rebirth

Chapter 178 174. Jade Death
Time always passes quickly like this, and summer has arrived unknowingly. Ice has been used early in the Yanxi Palace. Concubine Jing and Shen Meiyu can't stand her being so comfortable, so every time they see her they would lecture her on health-preserving tips, telling her not to be greedy for coolness, to eat less and be frugal, to nourish yang in spring and summer, and yin in autumn and winter, etc. However, Xia Dongchun always rebuffed them with a sentence to enjoy life while you can.

The two of them even thought about assigning some palace affairs to Xia Dongchun, and they forced her to sit at Concubine Jing's place for a whole morning. Xia Dongchun was so confused that she kept complaining of back pain and that she would not live long.

The next day, no one showed up no matter how hard we tried to invite her. After several invitations, a senior palace maid arrived and said, "You are not a person who works hard. You are not destined to work hard."

Concubine Jing and Shen Meizhuang could not help laughing or crying.

When the Imperial Concubine heard this, she smiled and sighed, "Concubine Chang is truly a person who enjoys happiness."

Nian Shilan was ultimately unsuccessful.

The imperial physician said that Concubine Nian's body would not have survived the beginning of summer, and now that it was almost the autumnal equinox, all she could do was to do her best and leave the rest to fate.

After breakfast, news came out that Concubine Nian in the Yikun Palace was already on her last legs, so the Emperor rushed over after finishing his court session.

When Xia Dongchun heard Mo Shuang's urging, she realized that all the ladies above the rank of concubine in the palace were already in the Yikun Palace.

He took a deep breath, then stood up and took the sedan chair to Yiku Palace.

As expected, everyone has arrived.

After greeting the Imperial Concubine and the two concubines, Xia Dongchun sat down quietly.

The emperor was not seen at this time. He looked at Shen Meizhuang inquiringly, only to see her raise her eyes slightly and glance towards the inner room. Then she raised her eyebrows with a sneer. Xia Dongchun understood what she meant.

The Imperial Noble Consort and the Noble Consort Jing both had indifferent expressions, without a trace of emotion. This was not surprising, as among the elderly people currently living in the palace, every one had a feud with Concubine Nian. If there was anyone who truly felt sorry for her, it was probably Concubine Ji who was currently crying in her inner room.

Ever since the unclear dispute between Concubine Ji and Yiku Palace, Shen Meizhuang has not been as warm to Concubine Ji as before. Imperial Concubine Jing, on the other hand, remained as usual and even comforted Shen Meizhuang, asking her not to care about these things.

But Shen Meizhuang is so clear about what she likes and hates. She doesn't like anyone who has anything to do with Yikun Palace.

Just as he was thinking about it, he saw basins of blood being carried out from the inner room, and basins of hot water being carried into the inner room. After asking, he found out that Concubine Nian was coughing up blood at the moment.

From the inner room came the sobbing of the Ninth Prince and the sound of the Emperor angrily ordering the Imperial Hospital to stop Concubine Nian's bleeding.

After a while, perhaps because Concubine Nian stopped coughing up blood, the room became much quieter. But Concubine Ji and her attendants filed out, and it seemed that only the Emperor, the Ninth Prince, and Songzhi were left in the inner room.

Jipin said that Concubine Nian was in better spirits and was talking to the Emperor and the Ninth Prince. She could even eat some porridge.

Xia Dongchun's heart sank, but she said nothing. She just comforted Concubine Ji and asked her to sit down and rest.

Sure enough, two quarters of an hour later, the desperate cry of the Ninth Prince was heard from the inner room.

"Mother... Mother, don't sleep. Mother, Fuhui begs you to open your eyes. Mother, please open your eyes and look at Fuhui..."

The crying of the young child moved everyone in the hall, even Shen Meizhuang, who had always looked indifferent, was a little moved.

All the right and wrong, likes and dislikes in Nian Shilan's life came to an abrupt end at this moment, and the son's crying to keep his mother always touches the hearts of all mothers.

Xia Dongchun sighed deeply, and a feeling of sadness surged in his heart.

At this time, the emperor walked out of the inner room with a gloomy face. Everyone stood up and saluted. The emperor glanced around and left without saying a word, his steps slightly staggering.

Then a eunuch outside the palace loudly sang his promise.

"Empress Nian has passed away."

Xia Dongchun stood up with everyone else and walked slowly out of the hall. It was almost noon and the early autumn sun was still somewhat hot. Xia Dongchun was dazed and felt complicated.

When she came to her senses, she had already reached the gate of Yiku Palace. She looked back at the three words "Yikun Palace" hanging above the gate. The words that had once been so magnificent had suddenly become much dimmer.

"The maple leaves this year don't seem to be red enough..." Xia Dongchun was startled when she heard this voice suddenly in her ears.

She turned around and looked around, and saw nothing unusual, then she realized it was her illusion.

Her emotions were in a turmoil and she walked aimlessly. Mo Shuang supported her, but seeing that she was thinking about something, he did not remind her.

Before I knew it, I had arrived at the Imperial Garden, and in front of me was a maple forest.

Although it is early autumn, the maple leaves this year are a bright red. Xia, Dong and Chun inexplicably feel that this red is a bit dazzling.

After staring at it for a while, I couldn't tell whether it was maple leaf red or blood red.

Mo Shuang looked at the sun and couldn't help but remind her, "Madam, it's time for lunch."

Xia Dongchun came back to his senses and said, "Let's go."

As he turned around, Xia Dongchun silently said in his heart:

"Have a safe journey, Madam Hua."

Until she fell asleep at night, a thought suddenly flashed through Xia Dongchun's mind: would Nian Shilan be like her, reincarnated or reborn at a certain period of her life?

Then she would definitely have a completely different life, just like herself.

Thinking of this, I fell asleep in a daze.

Three days later, Concubine Nian's posthumous title and posthumous honor were decided.

She was posthumously named noble concubine and given the posthumous title of Dunsu.

Concubine Ji suddenly became more favored without any warning.

The noble lady Lan also continued to enjoy the emperor's favor.

Xia Dongchun knew what this meant.

"Princess Ji once said that the Emperor mentioned it to her more than once. Her personality is very similar to that of Concubine Dunsu when she first entered the palace, especially her riding and archery skills. Her unrestrained and high-spirited demeanor on horseback is exactly like the Nian Shilan in the Emperor's memory. As for Concubine Lan, it's just because she came from the Yikun Palace and was trained by Concubine Dunsu."

Hearing this, Shen Meizhuang's face was filled with indifference and disdain, "Isn't this the Emperor's usual method? He is always using people as substitutes, fearing that others will not see the depth of his feelings."

This was a harsh and outrageous remark, but fortunately there was no one else in the room.

Concubine Jing and Xia Dongchun had long been accustomed to the fact that Shen Meizhuang, who was usually steady and gentle, was always willing to use all her harshness in her life on that person.

Concubine Jing spoke slowly, "The Imperial Concubine mentioned the other day that the Emperor intends to make Concubine Ji a consort and raise the Ninth Prince."

Xia Dongchun said calmly, "It's just a matter of time."

Shen Meizhuang continued to vent her harsh words, "I'm afraid that the Emperor has long forgotten that before the Ninth Prince, there is still the Eighth Prince whose fate is still undecided. The Emperor is truly a kind father."

Xia Dongchun and Concubine Jing smiled but did not respond.

"Oh, the weather is getting cold again. Your Tenth Prince is the youngest, so you must take good care of him. Children are most likely to get sick when the seasons change." Concubine Jing said to Shen Meiyu with a smile.

Only then did Shen Meizhuang stop being harsh and turned to talk about other things.

Xia Dongchun felt a headache when she heard them talking about palace affairs, so she quickly found an excuse to slip away.

The decree to make Concubine Ji a royal consort was finally issued in the twelfth month of the lunar calendar. At the same time, preparations were also made to raise the Ninth Prince.