Chapter 173:

Zhu Yuning had come to say these things, which meant she must have discovered something. Layue saw from her reticence that this matter was only a suspicion.

“Sister, last time I didn’t help you because I was petty,” Layue said seriously.

Zhu Yuning smiled and replied, “Actually, I can understand this. Although I feel slightly sad, I truly understand. You are different from us, different from every woman in the harem. We are all unattached, but you have three children to care for. Even if not for yourself, you must think more for your children. Thinking more deeply helps protect both yourself and your children.”

Zhu Yuning’s words were generous and magnanimous, and Layue looked at her with admiration.

Seeing Layue’s gaze, Zhu Yuning gave a bitter smile. “Don’t look at me like that. In fact, the person I despise the most in this palace is myself. But many things are not caused in a single moment, and my personality was not shaped in a day or two. Since entering the palace, I have been unable to let go of what I held dear in my heart. I have disappointed my family’s expectations and failed to uphold my feelings. My entire life has been nothing but mistakes—mistakes upon mistakes!”

Layue grasped Zhu Yuning’s hand. “Sister, why must you be so hard on yourself? Everyone has their own fate; it’s not easy to say who is right or wrong!”

Zhu Yuning shook her head and stood up. “Wrong is wrong. If I could, I would never have met the person who caused me a lifetime of sorrow. But since I was drawn into this, it must be my destined tribulation.”

Zhu Yuning’s words made Layue uneasy, as if she were already at the end of her life.

“Sister, please don’t frighten me like this.”

Zhu Yuning shook her head. “You needn’t worry about me. I was just feeling emotional. Recently, I started to practice Buddhism and found that indeed, life needs to be viewed from a different perspective. Looking at things now, I have managed to let go a little.”

…

After Zhu Yuning left, Layue thought for a long time and finally concluded that their personalities were inherently different.

If it were her, she could never reach the state of being free of desires and expectations. She wanted far too much!

However, thinking about Zhu Yuning’s words, Layue fell into contemplation. She firmly believed that Zhu Yuning was not someone who spoke without reason.

“Jinxin.”

“I am here, my lady.”

“Arrange someone to keep a close watch on Bai Youran. I don’t trust her,” Layue simply instructed.

Jinxin naturally understood.

After acknowledging the order, she went out to make arrangements. These past days, Layue had taken over palace affairs, and Jinxin had matured significantly, handling many palace matters with great efficiency.

“My lady, news from Huici Palace: the Empress Dowager’s health has worsened again,” Xing’er hurried in.

Upon hearing this, Layue immediately stood up.

Recently, the Empress Dowager’s condition had deteriorated further, and Layue had been closely monitoring Huici Palace.

Upon arriving at Huici Palace, the imperial physicians had already arrived.

The Emperor was still in Xuanning Hall attending to state matters and had not yet arrived.

“How is the Empress Dowager?”

The physicians exchanged glances and knelt together.

“Humbly, we dare not deceive you. The Empress Dowager’s condition is grave. We have exhausted all our remedies, but now medicine can no longer alleviate her condition.”

In fact, her condition had been poor since the last episode, and these past days were already borrowed time. Without Madam Wan, the Empress Dowager likely would not have survived, though no one dared to say so outright.

Layue thought deeply. “Quickly, send someone outside the palace to fetch Madam Wan from the Wan household.”

“Reporting to Your Highness, I have already dispatched someone to notify my wife to come,” the imperial physician Wan said. He had immediately sent someone back home upon noticing the Empress Dowager’s worsening condition, but she had not yet arrived.

Layue nodded upon hearing this. “All of you must go in immediately. No matter what, you must preserve the Empress Dowager’s life. As to what might happen otherwise, I need not elaborate.”

Thinking of the Emperor’s cold demeanor, everyone shivered and quickly followed Layue’s instructions to enter the inner chambers.

Not only Layue, but other consorts who heard of the Empress Dowager’s worsening condition also hurried to visit.

When Emperor Jing arrived, the Empress Dowager had finally been stabilized temporarily, although she appeared extremely weak.

Seeing Emperor Jing’s distressed expression, Layue tried to comfort him.

Even after Madam Wan arrived, the Empress Dowager’s condition remained critical. Even Layue, who was not skilled in medicine, could clearly see that the Empress Dowager was nearing her final days and was merely prolonging her life now.

However, thanks to the physicians’ concerted efforts, the Empress Dowager was miraculously revived once more.

As midnight approached, Emperor Jing rubbed his temples. “You may all return now.”

Layue glanced at Emperor Jing, wanting to say something, but finally remained silent.

After giving some instructions to Emperor Jing, Layue arranged for everyone to leave.

However, Zhu Yuning refused to leave. “Your Majesty, I humbly request an audience.”

At this moment, Emperor Jing had no heart to listen to her trivial matters.

Irritated, he waved his hand, signaling her to leave.

Yet she insisted on kneeling. “I only ask that Your Majesty hear my words.”

Seeing her like this, Emperor Jing frowned. “What exactly do you want to say?”

Noticing the other consorts lingering out of curiosity, he scolded, “What are you waiting for? Leave!”

Everyone quickly filed out.

Layue also chose not to stay. Some matters were better left untouched.

After everyone had left, only Emperor Jing, Zhu Yuning, and Lai Xi remained indoors.

Zhu Yuning raised her head. “Your Majesty, I humbly request to leave the palace, become a nun at the national temple, and recite scriptures and eat vegetarian meals daily to pray for the Empress Dowager’s recovery.”

Upon hearing this, Emperor Jing sneered. “To pray for the Empress Dowager? Do you think I am a fool, Zhu Yuning?”

Zhu Yuning remained composed. “That was not my intention.”

“Not your intention? Zhu Yuning, haven’t you always wanted to leave the palace? Do you think I really know nothing?” Emperor Jing kicked her down.

“I will not allow anyone to exploit the Empress Dowager, nor will I be lenient with anyone.”

Zhu Yuning defiantly raised her head to look at Emperor Jing. “I did not. The Empress Dowager is the mother of the person I love most. I would never exploit her. Although I did think that way before, this time is different. After much contemplation recently, I have decided to leave the palace to pray for the Empress Dowager. I just lacked a suitable opportunity to request Your Majesty’s permission.”

Although she did not mention Prince Liu once, their words had already approached an open acknowledgment.

Zhu Yuning had thought deeply these past days and finally understood that many things could not remain hidden forever. Just by observing the Empress Dowager’s attitude, one could guess the truth. If the Empress Dowager knew, how could the Emperor not know?

At this moment, she was making a final gamble. Devoting her life to the temple might be the best outcome for her.

“Yan Lie will never love you,” Emperor Jing mocked.

Zhu Yuning was shocked that the Emperor had spoken everything aloud. She stared at him blankly for a long time before a single tear rolled down.

“Everyone has their own fate. Perhaps my life was a mistake from the start. But now, many things can never be undone. If Your Majesty despises me, even if you order my death, it would be of no consequence. Asking this of you now, perhaps you think I am trying to use the Empress Dowager to escape my predicament. But recently, I have come to understand. If I truly wish to cultivate, it makes no difference where I am. I need not necessarily leave the palace. Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager is gravely ill, and I sincerely wish to pray for her. What use am I remaining in the palace? It would be better to let me spend my life beside the lamp, praying for the Empress Dowager and the royal family. That would bring me peace as well.”

Emperor Jing silently gazed at Zhu Yuning. Her face showed neither sorrow nor fear, perhaps because she had finally accepted everything.

After a long silence, Emperor Jing finally sighed. “I grant your request.”

Not only Zhu Yuning but even Lai Xi, standing in the corner, was astonished. No one had expected Emperor Jing to truly agree.

Certainly, Emperor Jing did not favor Zhu Yuning, but in his heart, he valued the Empress Dowager more. Everyone in the Nan Qin Kingdom believed in Buddhism, and Emperor Jing was no exception. When human efforts had failed, he desperately sought another way to place his hopes.

Previously, Emperor Jing had kept Zhu Yuning for a specific purpose. Yet, faced with the Empress Dowager’s life and death, he abandoned those plans.

It was not out of confusion or foolishness, but rather a result of his filial devotion.

Even though, as a child, the Empress Dowager had used him as a target, she had never failed to show him genuine love and had saved his life on multiple occasions. They had relied on each other as mother and son.

At that time, Yan Lie had grown increasingly distant from the Empress Dowager, and the Emperor had treated him more as a successor than as a son.

Only from the Empress Dowager had he received warmth and affection. Thus, at this crucial moment, he hesitated.

And ultimately, he consented to Zhu Yuning’s request.

After Zhu Yuning left, Emperor Jing was exhausted. “Proceed to Qing’an Palace.”

At this moment, only being with Layue could bring him comfort and peace, as if all his worries had vanished.

Layue was not yet asleep. For some reason, she felt that Emperor Jing would come to her tonight, and indeed he did.

After they had freshened up, Emperor Jing rested his head on Layue’s chest and told her about his agreement to Zhu Yuning’s request to become a nun and pray for the Empress Dowager.

As she listened, Layue did not hide her surprise.

“Your Majesty, you…” she did not know what to say and finally remained silent.

Gently massaging his temples, Layue consoled him.

“Dare I speak something you may not like to hear? Perhaps you dislike Lady Li, but I genuinely care for her. It is not because she often helps me, but because of her heart. In this palace, everyone has their own selfishness, including myself. Only Lady Li, only she, has managed to be free of desires and expectations.”

Emperor Jing sneered. “She is free of desires because she does not love me. Your selfishness shows that you still have hope for me.”

Layue chuckled.

“It is precisely because she does not love you that I can befriend her. If we both loved the same man, how could we be friends? Your Majesty, in this harem, where can one find true sisterhood?”

After hearing this, Emperor Jing fell silent, holding Layue’s hand without another word.