Chapter 202:

As spring warmed the land and flowers bloomed, the news that Yan Lie, the sixth prince of Nan Qin, had forsaken his wealth and status to become a monk stirred up another wave of heated discussion in the capital.

Of course, some people thought more deeply.

It was common knowledge that things were this way in aristocratic families. Who could say that Prince Liu’s decision to become a monk wasn’t a move orchestrated by Emperor Jing? Regardless, they couldn’t interfere. On the contrary, they had to be even more cautious. After all, Nan Qin was no longer what it used to be.

Emperor Jing’s wings were now fully developed, and what he could do exceeded their imaginations.

Perhaps because everything was indeed going smoothly, both Emperor Jing and Layue were in particularly good moods.

As for the matter concerning Zhou Nan, Emperor Jing had already made arrangements. After hearing everything, Layue finally felt relieved.

“Uh.” Layue was embroidering during her idle time when she accidentally pricked her finger.

Putting her finger in her mouth to suck on it, she suddenly felt an inexplicable discomfort.

It was as if something had made her uneasy.

“Jinxin, go check. Why haven’t Jiaojiao and the others returned from playing yet?”

Earlier, Apricot and several nannies had taken the children to play in the imperial garden. Now that she thought about it, it had been quite a while. She hadn’t gone along because she had felt slightly unwell, but now she felt inexplicably anxious about the children. She ordered.

“Yes, my lady, I will immediately send someone to look for them.”

With the weather getting warmer, it wasn’t ideal for them to stay outside for too long.

Jinxin hurried out to make arrangements.

At that very moment, by the small pond in the imperial garden, Madam Zhou was holding Jiaojiao and looking at the fish in the pond.

She had no idea that someone had pushed her hard from behind.

“Ahh——”

…

“Master, master, something’s happened, something’s happened——”

Jinxin hadn’t even finished arranging for someone to go out when she heard a young palace maid rushing back with the news.

“What’s going on?” Hearing the loud noise, Layue, inside the room, also heard it.

She hurriedly went outside, her sense of unease growing even stronger.

“Princess Zhaoyang and Madam Zhou somehow fell into the pond and were just rescued. They’re receiving emergency treatment in the imperial garden now,” the young palace maid said, her eyes red.

Upon hearing this, Layue swayed and nearly fell.

Jiaojiao, Jiaojiao, her beloved Jiaojiao…

“Hurry and take me there——” Layue was frantic, rushing out without regard for her composure.

Jinxin and Cuiwen quickly followed.

When Layue arrived at the imperial garden, the imperial physicians were giving Jiaojiao preliminary treatment.

Seeing this, Cuiwen rushed forward and started administering emergency care to Jiaojiao.

Looking at her daughter’s pale little face, Layue’s tears began to fall.

“Jiaojiao…”

“Your Majesty must be careful.” The area around the pond was slippery, and the Empress could not afford any mishaps.

“How is she? How is she?” Layue bit her lips pale, kneeling there, holding her daughter’s small hand.

Meanwhile, the young princes Sishi and Wu’er were crying nearby. Layue looked at the physician, asking, “Are they unwell too?”

“Your Majesty, they are fine. The two young princes were probably just frightened.”

At this moment, Layue did not seek to determine what had happened. She only hoped her Jiaojiao would be all right.

Unfortunately, Jiaojiao lay there, her small body unresponsive.

After a while of chest compressions, Cuiwen looked up and said, “It’s not looking good.”

Upon hearing this, Layue’s body weakened even further.

“His Majesty the Emperor arrives——” Emperor Jing had arrived in evident haste, his clothes slightly disheveled.

Emperor Jing had never imagined seeing such a scene: his beloved woman kneeling there, holding their little daughter with a pale face, while the child showed no response.

“Hurry, hurry and save Jiaojiao——” Emperor Jing roared.

Several imperial physicians had arrived quickly and split into two groups, most surrounding Jiaojiao, while a few attended to Madam Zhou.

“Ugh——” Perhaps due to Cuiwen’s compressions, Jiaojiao finally spat out some water.

Seeing this, Cuiwen quickly instructed, “Quickly carry the young princess indoors. She’s too young and might not withstand the cold. I will administer acupuncture to her.”

Cuiwen had been thoroughly trained by Madam Wan, so her medical skills were naturally strong.

Seeing her confidence, Emperor Jing immediately made arrangements.

Just then, Madam Zhou also spat out some water and finally regained consciousness.

However, her first words upon waking shocked everyone.

“S-s-someone… pushed… pushed me…” Madam Zhou had been in the palace for so long that she was naturally a very composed person. Her urgency in revealing this matter at such a moment indicated her hope that an investigation would begin immediately, so as not to miss any evidence in the chaos.

Emperor Jing’s eyes grew even colder. “Lai Xi, stay here. Tell Lai Fu to investigate thoroughly for me. Check this place carefully.”

“Yes.”

Cuiwen picked up Jiaojiao, and Layue felt as though she had been drained of strength, unable to stand.

Emperor Jing quickly went to support her, only to find her hands ice-cold.

“Yue’er——” Before he could finish speaking, he saw Layue collapse backward in a dead faint.

“Heavens——”

In an instant, the scene became chaotic.

“Physician, hurry——”

Once everyone had been moved indoors,

The imperial physicians hurriedly checked Layue’s pulse. The young princess had not yet recovered, and now the Empress had fainted. Truly, these were troubled times.

After nervously completing the pulse examination, Physician Lin finally showed some relief on his face. “Congratulations to His Majesty. The Empress has been pregnant for two months.”

Upon hearing this, Emperor Jing looked at Layue in disbelief, recalling their earlier discussions about having a child.

He quickly went over and took her hand.

“Yue’er, Yue’er, you’re expecting, do you understand? When will the Empress awaken?”

“Your Majesty, the Empress fainted due to excessive stress. She should wake up soon. However, since this is the early stage of pregnancy and the Empress has been greatly frightened and excited, there are signs of miscarriage.”

Upon hearing this, Emperor Jing’s slightly improved complexion instantly turned pale again.

“Are you all pigs? Why aren’t you watching her carefully? If the Empress is weak, then hurry and prepare medicine for her.” Emperor Jing roared. At this moment, he felt particularly helpless.

His most beloved little daughter was inside, her life hanging in the balance, and the child he had just learned about might also be in danger. How could he not feel sorrow?

Hearing the news, many concubines came to Fengqi Palace. However, due to Emperor Jing’s temper, none dared to enter the room, instead waiting in the courtyard.

Hearing the continuous roars from inside, the others wore expressions of concern.

“How is Princess Zhaoyang?” Emperor Jing asked Old Physician Wan, who was sweating profusely.

“Your humble servant is doing everything possible. The princess is very young. Although the water has been expelled, the child has still been harmed.”

“Wahhh wahhh——” Sishi and Wu’er were held aside but continued crying loudly.

It was said that twins often shared a connection. Emperor Jing had never believed this before, as his three children showed no similarities. However, seeing them now, how could he doubt it? Perhaps sensing their sister’s danger, the two little ones cried even harder.

“Treat her well! If you can’t save Jiaojiao, I will send you all to accompany her in death! Get out, get out——”

“Mother——Mother——” Hearing about Jiaojiao, Yanyu and Yanjia, who should have been in their studies, immediately ran back without hesitation.

But what they saw upon returning was this scene: their father pale with rage, their mother unconscious, and Jiaojiao’s life uncertain.

All of this was just too terrible.

Tears streamed down the two children’s cheeks.

“Father, why did Jiaojiao fall into the pond?”

Emperor Jing thought back to Madam Zhou’s words and gritted his teeth in anger.

Jiaojiao was just a child, a girl at that. What threat could she pose to anyone, that someone would be so cruel to her?

Could it be that they thought he spoiled her too much?

But she was just a child, just a child!

“This matter must be thoroughly investigated. I will never allow it to fade away without resolution.” Emperor Jing clenched his fists tightly. When had the palace become so unsafe? As the ruler of a nation, could he not even protect his own little daughter?

Seeing the two children nearly crying themselves to exhaustion, Emperor Jing pulled them both into his arms, soothing them, “There, there, my little Sishi and Wu’er, your sister will be fine, she will be fine. Not only will your sister be fine, but your little sister will be fine too. She will be safe and sound. Be good, don’t cry——”

Yanyu and Yanjia didn’t understand, looking toward Jinxin.

Though also anxious and sad, Jinxin still said, “The Empress is pregnant. However, due to the shock, her condition is not very stable.”

Upon hearing this, Yanyu bit his lip until it turned white.

“Is Mother going to be okay?” Yanjia asked worriedly.

“She’ll be fine. She will be fine.” Emperor Jing answered decisively, though the worry in his eyes was clear.

Though his face was full of worry, there was also a trace of ruthless determination that no one else noticed.

The one who had tried to harm Jiaojiao must be one of the concubines in the harem.

He would not let that person go. He would not.

As Emperor Jing stood there, Yanyu bit his lip, clenching his little fists, overwhelmed with sadness.

He felt extremely uneasy, not knowing why he had thought of his grandmother. Jiaojiao would be fine, she would be fine.

Although his mother had said that when people pass away, they become the brightest stars in the sky, he knew that was just a lie his mother told to keep him from being too sad. He knew the truth.

He didn’t want Jiaojiao to leave him too. He didn’t want her to go!

He had failed to protect Jiaojiao and his mother.

Although his mother wasn’t his birth mother, he felt a deep connection to her. Their bond was irreplaceable by anyone else.

If it weren’t for his mother, he might now be a lonely child, without his grandmother, without his father, even without his younger siblings, unloved and friendless.

They were all the most important people to him, yet now someone was trying to harm them.

How could this happen? How could this happen!

Tears streamed down Yanyu’s little face, but his eyes grew increasingly determined.

Father had said he would protect all of them, but no, that wasn’t enough. Father couldn’t be there to protect them all the time. He was their big brother, and he had to take on this responsibility. From now on, he would protect his younger siblings well.

Jiaojiao, Jiaojiao, you must be okay.

Brother will protect you from now on!

Never again will I let you suffer any harm!