Fu Zifei was like a ghost, silently staying by the Great Empress Dowager’s bedside. When she saw Mingzhu enter, she quietly retreated behind the bed curtains, avoiding direct contact. Mingzhu ignored her, walking straight to the Great Empress Dowager’s bed, respectfully bowing to wish her a happy New Year. The Great Empress Dowager stared at her for a long time, then grabbed Mu Gugu’s hand and shook it. Mu Gugu immediately took a delicate, ornate pouch from under the Great Empress Dowager’s pillow and handed it to Mingzhu, smiling, “Her Majesty gives you New Year’s money.”
Mingzhu had received such pouches for many years, usually containing a pair of little gold pigs. Feeling a sudden surge of emotion, she gripped the pouch tightly, holding back her tears, and bowed her head to thank the Great Empress Dowager, “Thank you for your generosity.”
Mu Gugu helped her up and brought over a brocade stool so she could sit and talk to the Great Empress Dowager face-to-face. Once Mingzhu was seated, the Great Empress Dowager asked, “Any news from the front line?”
With her eyes lowered, Mingzhu truthfully reported the great victory in Ganzhou. The Great Empress Dowager stared at the canopy of her bed for a long time before softly exhaling, “That’s good.” Then she fell silent for a long time.
Just when Mingzhu thought the Great Empress Dowager had fallen asleep again, she spoke once more, “How is Kangning?”
Mingzhu replied, “The latest news said that due to the war and heavy snow, they stayed in Gui County for the New Year and will continue their journey once the weather clears. Everything else is fine.”
The Great Empress Dowager gathered her strength and asked, “And Ji Hui?”
Ji Hui had been traveling with Mr. Meng and the second group. When Mr. Meng fell ill and fell behind, she stayed to take care of him and traveled with Princess Kangning’s entourage. If nothing had changed, Ji Hui should be in Gui County with Princess Kangning. This was nothing to hide, so Mingzhu answered truthfully, “She is with Kangning.”
The Great Empress Dowager fell silent again. Mingzhu patiently waited for a long time, seeing no further questions, she signaled Mu Gugu to ask if there were any other matters. Mu Gugu leaned closer, her expression changing dramatically as she called out urgently, “Your Majesty! Your Majesty!”
Mingzhu realized what was happening and quickly called for the physician, also ordering someone to hurry and inform Yuwen Guang, Empress Dowager Xu, Imperial Consort Min, and Yuwen Xin.
Mu Gugu, her eyes filled with tears, called out, “Come quickly, Her Majesty is looking for you.”
Mingzhu approached the Great Empress Dowager, whose cold hand grabbed hers tightly, “Ji Hui, she…”
The light in the Great Empress Dowager’s eyes suddenly dimmed, and her unfinished words turned into a soft sigh. A gentle smile appeared on her lips, as tender and graceful as a young girl meeting her lover.
Her hand loosened and fell as she took her last breath.
Mu Gugu and Mingzhu stood there, stunned, tears streaming down their faces, not knowing what to do.
“Great-grandmother! Great-grandmother! Great Empress Dowager! Great Empress Dowager! What should I do now that you’re gone? What should I do?” Fu Zifei rushed out from behind the bed curtains, screaming and throwing herself at the Great Empress Dowager, banging her head against the bedpost in a crazed state, “How could you be so cruel? How could you leave me alone like this? How could you?”
In no time, she had disheveled hair and a bleeding forehead, looking pitiful. Mingzhu, unable to stop her tears, signaled the palace staff to pull Fu Zifei away. She resisted, continuing to bang her head against the bedpost, the sound chilling to the bone.
Just then, Yuwen Guang rushed in, panting. Seeing the scene, he knelt down with a loud cry, “Grandmother, I am unfilial…”
Fu Zifei crawled over to him, trembling, and hugged him, crying out, “Your Majesty… Your Majesty… Now I only have you…”
Mingzhu, her tears streaming down, silently closed the Great Empress Dowager’s eyes. Mu Gugu, after wiping away her initial tears, became surprisingly calm, “Wangfei must handle Her Majesty’s funeral.”
Mingzhu nodded, signaling the palace staff to strike the cloud board to announce the mourning, preparing the funeral clothes and jewelry to dress the Great Empress Dowager for burial. Soon, Empress Dowager Xu, Yuwen Xin, Imperial Consort Min, and others arrived in a rush, weeping and mourning, then consoling Yuwen Guang and issuing a decree to cancel the New Year’s court session and declare national mourning.
This happened on New Year’s Day in the third year of Jianxing.
When the news reached the Fu residence, Fu Cong remained silent for a long time before saying, “Give me a cup of wine.”
Fu Lin firmly refused, “The doctor said Grandfather cannot drink.”
Fu Cong pleaded softly, “Grandfather is in a bad mood, just a small cup will do.”
Fu Lin refused again, “No, it’s not allowed.”
Fu Cong got angry, “You brat, I’ve worked hard all my life, and I can’t even have a sip of wine? Call your father!”
Fu Lin stubbornly replied, “My father has gone to the palace for the mourning.”
“Then call your mother!”
“My mother has gone too.”
“Where’s your fourth uncle?”
“My fourth uncle has also gone.”
“…” Fu Cong shouted, “Call your third uncle! He doesn’t hold any official position, so he doesn’t need to go to the palace! I don’t want to see you, get out.”
An Rushan quickly stepped forward to calm him down and told Fu Lin, “Young Master, please step aside for a while. The old master is just upset and will feel better after venting.”
Fu Lin sighed and obediently left. He soon encountered Li Shumei and Lady Ai carrying hot soup. Seeing the situation, they asked, “What’s going on? We heard shouting from afar.”
Fu Lin explained what had happened. After a moment of contemplation, Li Shumei suggested, “Give him a cup of diluted fruit wine.”
Fu Lin did as suggested, bringing the fruit wine to Fu Cong, who drank it in one gulp. He then glared at Fu Lin, who knelt to apologize. Fu Cong, feeling bored, waved his hand dismissively, “Alright, that’s enough. Tell your aunts to follow the usual procedures for the preparations.”
Fu Lin replied, “I already instructed them early this morning. They’re currently replacing the drapes and hanging white decorations.” He then tried to console Fu Cong, “Grandfather, if you’re upset, you can scold me to relieve your anger.”
Fu Cong sighed, “Another foolish child. Prepare the paper and ink, I will dictate a letter for you to write and send to your aunt in the palace.”
The palace wasn’t in chaos, as everyone had been prepared for the Great Empress Dowager’s prolonged illness. However, the people in Changxin Palace were particularly distressed, uncertain about their future now that the Great Empress Dowager was gone. Mu Gugu sternly disciplined a few who had other thoughts, preventing any further disorder.
When Fu Cong’s letter arrived at the palace, Mingzhu was burning paper offerings for the Great Empress Dowager. She handed the letter directly to Empress Dowager Xu. Upon reading it, Empress Dowager Xu’s expression changed, “This, this, I can’t make this decision.”
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