The emperor looked at his mother who was sitting quietly. His mother had been by his side ever since his father fell into a coma. He was very worried about his mother's health. He tried to persuade her, but she would not listen to him.
The emperor coughed and said, "You can go out."
The emperor was heartbroken, but he could only listen to his father. He was really afraid of losing his father first and then his mother. He stared at his mother, "Mother."
The Queen Mother waved her hand, "Go out."
The emperor walked out of the bedroom with heavy steps, and closed the door behind him, blocking out all sight and giving the couple some time to be alone.
Inside the room, the emperor's tone was full of apology and guilt: "I still don't have much time left for you in the last moments. You are right to blame me."
"When you fight for the world, I understand. Forget it. What's there to complain about at this time? Can you call me by my name?"
The emperor stretched out his hand, "Qingran."
The Queen Mother was in a trance, as if she was seeing Zhang Yu for the first time. She came to her senses, stood up, walked to the bed, and put her hand on it, "Zhang Yu."
The emperor smiled and said, "You haven't called me by my name in many years."
"You are the emperor."
The emperor knew it in his heart, because there were too many things between them, "I am glad that I can say goodbye to you soberly."
The Queen Mother felt that the hands of the Emperor were a little cold, and she felt flustered. "You have spoken out of turn again."
He said he would be with her until old age, that he would always be with her, and that it would be a mistake if he didn't reply this time.
The emperor tried his best, but he couldn't do anything even though his life span was over. "If you must blame me, I'll be waiting down there for you to settle the score with me."
Queen Mother, "You wish."
"I have done evil things in this life, but I have also done good things. I think I have merits. If there is a next life where I am not the emperor, can we only have each other?"
The Queen Mother laughed and cried, "What if you say something wrong again?"
The emperor was helpless. He no longer trusted his wife. "No, not this time."
The Queen Mother wiped the tears from her face and said, "Both of our sons are good. The one I feel most guilty about in my life is my youngest son. Now he has a wife and children, and his brother is protecting him. I don't have anything to worry about anymore."
As for the Ning family, they are doing well now and she is not worried about her mother's family.
The emperor's heart skipped a beat. "You are still young. Don't do that."
The Queen Mother covered the Emperor's lips with her hand and said, "I look young, but I am old inside."
The poisoning affected her life span and her health is not good.
The emperor wanted to say something, but the queen mother continued, "I see that you have quite a few concubines. I can't rest assured if I don't watch over you. It's your fault for always saying the wrong thing!"
Outside, thunder rumbled one after another, the rain was getting heavier, and there was another deafening roar. Everyone in the hall was tense and their eyes were focused on the bedroom.
The bedroom door opened and the Queen Mother came out, "The Emperor has passed away."
Everyone in the hall knelt on the ground, and the royal descendants cried bitterly.
Zhou Shuren was a little dazed. The tears on his cheeks were real. He didn't need any external force to stop his tears from flowing. His heart was filled with sadness. The love between the monarch and his subjects, the friendship between friends, and the past scenes of his interactions with the retired emperor replayed in his mind. This moment was incredibly clear.
The Queen Mother only allowed the Emperor and the Crown Prince to enter the room. After a while, the Emperor and the Crown Prince came out.
The funeral arrangements for the retired emperor had been made in advance, and even though there was a thunderstorm outside, it was not affected.
The handkerchief in Zhou Shuren's hand was already soaked. It was the first time he knew he could cry so much. After crying out his sadness, his heart was filled with melancholy.
The strange weather phenomena bid farewell to the founding monarch, and the sound of thunder seemed to announce to the entire country the end of a wise ruler.
In Zhouhou Mansion, the sound of thunder and bells could no longer be distinguished, and the heavy rain could not stop the soldiers from delivering the message.
Zhulan put down the Buddhist beads in her hand. She waited quietly and finally waited for her turn.
Not only Chang Yi was in the hall, but Zhu Lan also called Zhou Lao Da and Chang Zhi after dinner, and sent someone to deliver a letter to Ming Teng.
The minds of Zhou Lao Da and his brothers were blank. There was a difference between guessing and happening. Zhou Lao Da had a very good impression of the emperor. His voice was trembling, "Is that the sound of a bell?"
Chang Yi's voice was deep, "Yes."
Changzhi pursed his lips and said, "Dad is still in the palace."
Zhulan instructed Qingxue and Steward Ding, "Go down and make arrangements. All the colors must be removed. Warn all the servants in the house to be careful with their words and actions. If anyone disobeys, there will be no forgiveness."
Butler Ding was more afraid, "Yes."
Qingxue also left, and Zhulan said, "It's safe inside the palace."
She didn't say much else. Even though she was worried about Shu Ren's health, she had to keep her mouth shut at this time.
She only felt sad about the death of the retired emperor, and Shu Ren would probably be sad too, as people are made of flesh and blood.
In the heavy rain, the capital city was shrouded in white. The suppressed wind sounded like crying, and the whimpering sound stirred the emotions. In this sad atmosphere, Zhulan could not help but shed tears, not only because of the sentimentality of an old person, but also because the emperor deserved it.
Inside the palace, Zhou Shuren and others had already left the hall to change clothes, but before they had finished changing, they heard another burst of crying.
Zhou Shuren didn't ask. At this time, neither the palace maids nor the eunuchs dared to speak. If something went wrong, someone might die.
After a while, he knew why. The empress dowager changed clothes for the retired emperor herself and finally drove away everyone. When the emperor could not help but push the door in, the empress dowager had already changed clothes and followed the retired emperor.
The emperor burst into tears, and there were continuous cries in the palace.
Zhou Shuren took a deep breath. He was not surprised to have such a feeling. It was a pity that the emperor had lost his parents.
At this time, the queen was not in good health but had to preside over the situation. The queen swayed and almost fainted. She bit her tongue before continuing to make arrangements.
Xue Han felt the weight leaning on her and felt uneasy, fearing that something might happen to the Queen, which would cause a big mess today. She looked at the pregnant Crown Princess, who also looked unhappy, which made her very worried.
Xue Han supported the Queen. Seeing that she was tired, she felt the Queen holding her wrist tightly. She opened her mouth and continued to make arrangements.
Now the Emperor and the Crown Prince are crying beside the bed, and no one remembers the situation of the Queen and the Crown Princess.
Xue Han's head was buzzing, but she could only hold on. After making the arrangements, she helped the queen into the room. It was not her turn to speak.
Xue Han didn't see her father and was very worried about him. Now they are all members of the royal family, and her father is the only outsider. She was also being held back by the queen, so she had to endure her anxiety.
The queen did not want to disturb the emperor, fearing that he would remember her, but she was the mother of a country, so she had to speak at this time, lowering her voice, "Your Majesty, everything is ready."
The emperor took a while to react, then slowly raised his head, his eyes were full of bloodshot, and his red eyes were very scary. There was displeasure at being disturbed in his eyes, and when he saw that it was the queen who was unhappy, he dispersed his gaze and said, "Go and make arrangements."
The Queen's breath was held when she was stared at. It was the first time she saw such a strange Emperor. Looking at her father and mother lying side by side, she felt sad and envious.
Xue Han only felt pain in her wrist. She thought her wrist must be swollen. She had to accompany the queen all the time, so she sighed in her heart.
Xue Han looked at Rong Chuan, and seeing her husband looking at her, she shook her head slightly to indicate that she was fine.
Rongchuan breathed a sigh of relief. He saw the Queen's situation. It was too difficult for Xuehan. If it wasn't handled well, there would be troubles later. The royal family loved to vent their anger on others.