weddingnovel Chapter 840 - 32: The Slacker Empress
Chapter 840 - 32: The Slacker Empress
Tianmiao reached out and gently patted the back of the Emperor’s hand.
"Can I ask you a question?" The Emperor’s voice grew fainter.
"Go ahead," Tianmiao replied softly.
"Will I... see you again?" The Emperor asked with difficulty.
Tianmiao was slightly stunned. She thought the Emperor would ask who she was, but she never expected the Emperor to ask such a question.
Regrettably, you cannot.
But Tianmiao smiled tenderly, "If fate allows, we will meet again."
"Is that so... I really want to see the real you..." The Emperor’s voice grew fainter and slowly vanished.
Then, this wise monarch closed his eyes forever, never to open them again.
Chen Jingchen, this Emperor, left a lasting mark in history.
Not only because he completely defeated and assimilated foreign tribes, or because he implemented many policies beneficial to the country and the people. But also because he had an Empress who seemed to be no ordinary person.
After the Emperor’s demise, the Empress transformed into a beam of white light soaring into the sky. Along with her departure were her Chief Palace Maid Kong Hou and her guard Dong Xiao.
It is said that when the Empress walked out of the main hall, the Chief Eunuch mournfully announced the Emperor’s demise. The Empress showed no sorrow, simply turned to Kong Hou and said it was time to leave.
Kong Hou transformed into a giant dragon and soared into the sky. The guard Dong Xiao transformed into a colorful phoenix that also flew up, following the white light of the Empress and disappearing into the horizon.
Everyone knelt in worship, respectfully bidding farewell to the Empress’s departure.
...
The Third Prince ascended the throne as the new Emperor, pardoned the Eldest Prince and the Second Prince, and entrusted them with important responsibilities. The two princes were immensely grateful to the new Emperor. However, the Third Prince understood that this was his father’s intention, leaving this favor to ensure the Eldest Prince and Second Prince would be loyal to the new Emperor.
Consort Rong had become the Empress Dowager and was chatting over tea with the original Honorable Consort and now Consorts Mei, the two ladies chatting and reminiscing.
"I never expected that the one who saved me was a dragon, a dragon, indeed," the Honorable Consort exclaimed, now experienced with the world. She was no longer the delicate woman vying for the Emperor’s attention. She took a sip of tea, "When Kong Hou came to Changyin Hall, I sensed her extraordinary presence. Later, just outside the palace, we encountered a squad of rebels. Kong Hou stepped forward and defeated ten with one punch, then calmly told me to sit securely and not to show my face to the rebels. After all, I was the most favored at that time, and the rebels were most eager to capture me."
Consort Mei rolled her eyes, sneering, "You’re really good at giving yourself credit. Were you the most favored then? It wasn’t you, and it wasn’t me. It was the Empress. And Kong Hou came to save you by the Empress’s command. I don’t believe Kong Hou would be so kind to you. It’s good she didn’t just carry you off."
The current Empress Dowager, Consort Rong, nibbled on sunflower seeds, watching the two Consorts bicker. These two, having been rivals for half their lives, ultimately spent their days drinking tea and chatting with old foes.
"Hey, Empress Dowager, you were the closest to the Empress back then. Was the Empress really a celestial being?" The Honorable Consort, after rolling her eyes at Consort Mei, turned to Consort Rong and asked.
"Ah?" Consort Rong put down the sunflower seeds, laughing, "Of course, I spent a lot of time with the Empress, and I realized early on that she wasn’t the original Empress. She was likely a celestial being, descending to save us." So back then, she said she didn’t need the Emperor’s love. A celestial, indeed, wouldn’t need a mortal’s affection. Wouldn’t that be a joke?