Chapter 420: Live or Die

Chapter 420

When she heard this,

all the concubines bowed down together and said in fright,

"This servant (concubine) will obey Empress's teachings!"

Zhao Hua calmly smiled faintly, tilted her chin slightly towards the direction of the palace gate,

The concubines understood her meaning and gradually dispersed.

Among them, Rongyue deliberately lingered and walked the slowest.

After everyone else had walked far away, she said in a low voice to Zhao Hua,

"Zhao'er, persuade the Noble Consort properly. Her feelings for Chenghuan...are too deep."

Zhao Hua nodded in acknowledgement, but she also did not know in her heart how to advise.

The separations and deaths in this world, others have no way to comfort.

No matter how much advice is given, it is futile.

Only the sufferers themselves, after struggling in pain, relying on their own will and the washing away by time, can gradually walk out from the lightless abyss bit by bit.

"Creak—"

The quiet courtyard suddenly opened its main hall door.

Liu Yue respectfully bowed to Zhao Hua and said,

"Empress Mother, Noble Consort Mother said the sun outside is too hot and told this servant to invite you inside."

When Zhao Hua entered, she saw Ning Wanshuang had just walked out from Chenghuan's room.

She wanted to see her child but Ning Wanshuang declined,

"Chenghuan drank medicine and fell asleep. His sleep is light, let him rest properly."

Zhao Hua lightly bowed her head. After sitting down, she still had many words of comfort in her belly, wanting to comfort Ning Wanshuang's heart.

But just as she was about to open her mouth, she was preempted by Ning Wanshuang calling out,

"Zhao'er."

"Hmm?"

"Thank you."

When Ning Wanshuang spoke these words her voice was very light, as soft as silk gauze, unconsciously wrapping around Zhao Hua.

Of course Zhao Hua knew what Ning Wanshuang was thanking her for.

After all that was also the child he watched grow up, he must have some feelings.

But even if these tears were not false, in Zhao Hua's eyes they still made her utterly disgusted.

Let's not mention how decisive Xiao Jingheng was when he originally ordered Chenghuan killed to protect the royal family's image.

In all these years Chenghuan grew to this age, Xiao Jingheng had not hugged him even once.

Such fatherly love, it was probably better the less there was.

At this time, Xiao Jingheng tightly grasped Zhao Hua's hand, solemnly saying to her

"Zhao'er, Zhen hopes our child will have everything well."

Zhao Hua slowly nodded her head, extremely gently saying,

"With Xiao Lang's blessings and protection, the children will naturally grow up safe and sound."

In the next few days, Zhao Hua could only hear news about Chenghuan from Zhang Imperial Physician.

But on the sixth day of the sixth lunar month, Yonghe Palace stopped consulting the Imperial Medical Bureau.

This also meant Ning Wanshuang had completely given up treating Chenghuan.

Zhang Imperial Physician also told Zhao Hua, "Actually the Noble Consort's choice was also most correct. The Crown Prince's illness entered the bones. Continuing treatment would only forcibly keep him in this world, to suffer for more days."

"Zhang Imperial Physician, in your judgement, with Chenghuan stopping the united efforts of the entire Imperial Medical Bureau to hang onto the last breath for him, how many days does he have left?" Zhao Hua asked.

Zhang Imperial Physician bowed with his hands folded, bluntly saying,

"Replying Empress, I'm afraid...he won't live past tomorrow."

"Tomorrow..."

Zhao Hua blankly gazed in Yonghe Palace's direction. She couldn't help recalling a scene that she would remember for the rest of her life.

At that time, when Xiao Consort had just given birth to Chenghuan,

Xiao Jingheng saw the snake-like infant and was greatly shocked. To preserve the royal family's reputation he heartlessly decreed to have Chenghuan killed.

Everyone watched on, nobody daring to anger the dragon's face. Only Ning Wanshuang stepped forward.

She kicked away the eunuch pulling the little prince's arm, opened her splendid robe's sleeve, and shielded Chenghuan behind her back.

When the world was anxious to confer calamities and disasters upon the newly born Chenghuan,

Ning Wanshuang became the first ray of light shone upon him after descending to the mortal world.

At this moment, Zhao Hua crossed her hands together, unconsciously fiddling with the freshly painted cinnabar red nail varnish on her nails.

She was distressed in her heart. After silently pondering for a very long time she finally softly sighed,

"Tomorrow is the sixth day of the sixth month, Chenghuan's birthday."