Chapter 1579 - 1574: The Empress Dies in Battle
Chapter 1579: Chapter 1574: The Empress Dies in Battle
She couldn’t be on the front lines battling for Qin Rulie, so she had to make sure everything in the harem, including all the ladies from the various families, was well taken care of.
Wei Mingze knelt before the empress, speaking indifferently: "The traitors were dressed as rebels, but they seemed to recognize the Princess as if they knew her; her carriage was in the middle of the procession, yet they charged straight at it."
By all accounts, Li Yunshu’s carriage should have been at the head of the procession, and also the most ostentatious and eye-catching. The vicious traitors didn’t charge at Li Yunshu’s carriage but rather targeted Rong Yun in the middle of the procession, which was very unusual.
"This is indeed strange!" Qin Ge couldn’t understand the reason and gripped Li Yunshu’s hand, feeling frightened, "If those traitors were indeed after the Princess’s life, then it’s fortunate that you, Yunshu, are unharmed!"
Li Yunshu quickly kneeled and spoke softly, "Thankfully, the coachman heard the commotion and whipped the horses to rush into the palace immediately; otherwise... I fear it would have been me who met with an unfortunate fate."
Her demeanor was very humble, and her face was full of self-blame, as she failed to protect Rong Yun, thus not arousing any suspicion.
But the empress was wise. With a stern face, she sat upright in the center, looking gravely at Li Yunshu, "Secondary Consort Li, has the Scarlet Flame King’s mansion recently recruited new servants? Have their backgrounds been checked? Has anyone approached the Princess’s courtyard lately? And what about the arrangement of your carriages when entering the palace? Tell me everything one by one; I want to know all the details."
The empress bombarded Li Yunshu with a series of questions, leaving her feeling the pressure as she took a deep breath.
Rong Yun had already been taken by the Empress Dowager to rest and recover, and upon stepping out, Wei Mingze met Nanny Yan, who asked him, "Thank you for your efforts, Palace Guard Wei. Have you explained the assassination attempt to the empress?"
Wei Mingze nodded, "I have reported everything I should, but nanny, why not let me investigate those who attempted the assassination? They left survivors; under severe punishment, we could surely extract the mastermind behind this."
Nanny Yan gave a bitter smile and shook her head, "What is there to ask? We haven’t known many people in Great Wei, and we have never made enemies on a regular basis. Why did the rebel traitors single her out? It’s obvious who has ill intentions! But now, we lack evidence, and even if we had any, we cannot act rashly at such a critical juncture!
Your Highness is still fighting on the front lines! The emperor himself has gone to war, and now Great Wei is in a crisis. The Li family members are all on the battlefield, and if something untoward happens, endangering Great Wei, how can we keep the Princess safe?"
Nanny Yan had survived many years in the harem, and being by Imperial Consort Yu’s side, she saw even more linkage between the previous dynasty and the harem politics, especially during wartime. Beiling City had not sent troops to assist, which amounted to Rong Yun’s maternal family not contributing to Great Wei’s effort.
As for Li Yunshu... her entire maternal family was serving Great Wei. If Li Yunshu were to be punished, who would fight for Great Wei?
Who would support Great Wei and the emperor?
This time, they, the Princesses, had no choice but to suffer in silence!
Wei Mingze, having heard Nanny Yan’s analysis, knew she was speaking sensibly. Even if they uncovered something now, they couldn’t make a severe punishment.
He informed Nanny Yan, "I will hide this witness in a concealed place until Great Wei’s situation is stable, before reporting to Your Highness. Also, under secret orders from Your Highness, if there’s a crisis, I can mobilize Your Highness’s secret guards to hide the Princess in a secure location amongst the commoners."
In Wei Mingze’s hand, he held a black iron token engraved with flames, left to him by Qin Muyan to protect Rong Yun.
Nanny Yan was greatly relieved to see the token, "Your Highness truly worries for the Princess!"
With Wei Mingze and this token, they could ensure Rong Yun’s safety amidst the war.
However, it seemed they had oversimplified their estimates, for within just five days, rebels had stormed into the imperial city.
The empress urgently dispatched people to arrange for the imperial concubines and the ladies from various families to leave from hidden locations, ordering Qin Ge to first escort the Empress Dowager and Rong Yun to safety.
As Rong Yun was leaving, she looked back at the empress, who had already taken off her phoenix robe and put on a red outfit with silver armor, a sword hanging by her waist, calmly commanding everyone’s movements within the palace.
Under her direction, the Imperial Guards were acting diligently and responsibly.
Rong Yun had already traveled a distance away, but worried for the empress, she ran back to her, taking her hand, "Sister-in-law, aren’t you coming with us?"
The empress was busy with sweat beginning to bead on her forehead. She looked down at the young girl slightly shorter than herself, "Why hasn’t the Princess left yet?"
"Sister-in-law, let me lead you. We’ll leave together! Qin Muyan said that you are his best sister-in-law, you’re family, and family should always be together! The imperial grandmother is also waiting for us!" Rong Yun’s eyes were filled with sincerity as she gazed at her.
The setting sun was like blood, the sky a blaze of red stretching endlessly, snaking for miles on end.
The empress’s face was lit with a flush of crimson as she gently stroked Rong Yun’s cheek, her eyes brimming with tenderness, "Jingjing, your sister-in-law is the empress, I must protect you all, and for the emperor, defend the Great Wei’s capital. I cannot leave with you."
"But... Jingjing wants sister-in-law to be safe." Sensing something, Rong Yun gripped the empress’s hand tightly.
"Your Majesty! The rebels have breached the Xihe Gate!"
The Imperial Guards shouted loudly.
The empress felt a tug at her heart. She ordered her attendants to escort Rong Yun away, and before Rong Yun left, she touched foreheads with her and instructed, "Jingjing, take good care of yourself. Your sister-in-law will be behind you, fighting off the enemies for you! The future of Great Wei’s realm... I entrust it to you and Mu Yan!"
"Sister-in-law..."
For some reason, Rong Yun felt a surge of sorrow.
She would never forget, the moment the empress sent her off, that tragic silhouette, and her heavy responsibility...
The realm of Great Wei, was it really being entrusted to her and Qin Muyan?
They escaped the imperial palace and made it to the royal temple designated by the empress, where heavy troops were stationed to temporarily ensure the safety of the women. The emperor and Qin Muyan were also on their way back to the capital for reinforcement.
But it wasn’t long before Rong Yun heard a piece of news.
The empress, defending the capital, had died in battle.
"A’Jiao..."
When the Empress Dowager heard the news, she felt a stifling pressure in her chest and fainted, collapsing stiffly.
"Mother!"
Qin Ge was flustered as she took care of the Empress Dowager.
Rong Yun helped her, and for many days this was the first time Qin Ge saw Rong Yun doing something practical. She had always thought Rong Yun was a pampered lady who could do nothing on her own.
However, Rong Yun took care of the Empress Dowager so skillfully that she was even more adept than Qin Ge.
She stayed by the old lady’s side, patting her back, and even tended to her with soup medicine when she woke up in the evening.
With Rong Yun’s company, the Empress Dowager managed to hold on.
Seeing that she wasn’t needed here, Qin Ge decided to oversee things elsewhere and visit the women of other households. However, by evening, she suddenly realized, "Where has the Imperial Consort Li gone?"
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