"I feel that the harem is in such a mess, and I am really unworthy of the Empress Dowager's instructions. If the emperor allows, I would like to go to Hanshan."
Finally, Empress Sun couldn't help herself and spoke out the thoughts that had been lingering in her mind all these years. No one knew how she had endured all these years.
She always remembered the words of the Grand Empress Dowager, and she regarded them as the golden rule. However, the hope in the Grand Empress Dowager's words was never realized.
"If Concubine Dong's life is in danger this time, Hanshan, it will be too easy for you."
When Murong Zheng heard the word Hanshan, he was stunned, but at the same time, his anger grew even stronger.
This harem belonged to him, but the empress, Concubine Jin, and even his son all disobeyed him.
Murong Zheng left angrily. The queen watched him go, her tired eyes hidden deep inside, and tears gushed out of her eyes like spring water.
The night wind was chilly, and the hot tears turned cold in an instant. The queen raised her hand and felt a handful of cold tears. She wiped her tears, turned around and walked towards Ruyi Palace.
The emperor's departure took away the coldness of Ruyi Palace. At this moment, there were only mother and son in the palace. In the huge palace, there were only mother and son. Concubine Jin was looking at the young man on the bed gently. Her gentle look made the whole palace warm.
"Good boy, have a good rest. When you wake up, I will tell you whatever you want to hear."
Concubine Jin gently persuaded the young man on the bed, her voice was as gentle as water, and she was completely different from before. Murong Kai obediently closed his eyes. It felt so good to have his hand tightly held by his mother.
Seeing the queen coming in, the eunuch at the door was about to speak, but the queen did not have the heart to interrupt the mother and son in the hall, so she shook her head at the little eunuch and slowly walked into the hall.
She slowly walked behind Concubine Jin and looked at Murong Kai like Concubine Jin. His face was as pale as paper, and sweat could be seen on his face under the light.
After all the ordeal, his body was still very weak.
"He's asleep. Sister, you go and rest first. I'll keep watch over him." Empress Sun stood behind Concubine Jin for a long time until Murong Kai's breathing became steady, then she spoke in a low voice.
When Concubine Jin heard the Queen's words, she turned around in shock and looked at the Queen. The Queen was looking at her with a gentle smile. Although she still looked the same as she did more than ten years ago, there were wrinkles at the corners of her eyes, and the fatigue in her eyes could not be concealed no matter what she did.
"Sister, why are you here? I... your concubine Jinfei pays her respects to the Empress." While speaking, Jinfei was about to kneel on the ground. She was going to kowtow to the Empress.
"Sister, there's no need for this between you and me. Get up quickly."
Before Concubine Jin could kneel down, the Queen took a step forward, held her arm tightly and refused to let her salute.
"Sister, thanks to you for taking care of Akai for so many years. This gift from me is for Akai." As she spoke, Concubine Jin had already knelt on the ground and kowtowed solemnly to the Queen.
"Sister, are you trying to embarrass me? Others don't know why you locked yourself in Qingqiu Palace, but I know. If anyone wants to thank you, it should be me." Seeing that she couldn't stop Concubine Jin, the Queen simply knelt on the ground with Concubine Jin.
“Sister Jin Fei, I didn’t take good care of Akai. I failed the Empress Dowager and you. I…” The Queen couldn’t say any more. She only felt the same bitterness in her mouth and heart.
"Sister, you don't have to blame yourself. It was me who misjudged the emperor. I thought he would be nicer to Akai because of our relationship, but I didn't expect..."
Speaking of Murong Kai, there was more than just disappointment in Concubine Jin's eyes.
The two of them were silent for a long time. After a long time, the queen finally asked, "Sister, do you regret your original choice?"
Concubine Jin looked at the Queen, not knowing how to respond, because whether she regretted it or not, she had already come through these years.
"Sister Jin Fei, I regret this."
It was a long time before the Queen spoke, and her words were filled with tears that she tried hard to hold back, making those who heard them feel sad.
(End of this chapter)