jdhmnovel Chapter 336 Advice
Chapter 336 Advice
"It's cold out here, why are you still running here? I've already asked the kitchen to carefully stew some soup for you. When you come back later, I'll serve it to you..."
Jinzhong bent his body slightly and spoke to Yanwan with concern on his face.
"My Lord, look at Eunuch Jinzhong. He is indeed worthy of being the one who served before the Emperor. He is so meticulous and considerate. I'm afraid that in a while, Lan Cui and I will have to give up our places beside you. Hahahahaha..."
Chunchan smiled with her eyes curved, and as she spoke, she gently bumped Yanwan's arm, full of joking, with an unconcealable joy on her face.
"That's right, Eunuch Jinzhong is truly incredibly capable. How can we compare to him? Tsk tsk tsk tsk, from now on, I'm afraid we will all have to obey Eunuch Jinzhong's orders."
Lan Cui joined in the fun, nodding her head, singing in unison with Chunchan, with a mischievous glint in her eyes.
Jinzhong just smiled without saying a word, holding Yanwan steadily with his arms, with a faint, doting smile on his lips, and let them joke.
"You guys, you're already grown up, but you're still behaving like children..."
Yan Wan said something annoyed, but her eyes were full of smiles.
This group of people from Yongshou Palace were walking and laughing under the white snow, their laughter drifting in the wind, their figures gradually moving away, outlining a warm picture.
At the beginning of winter, the Empress Dowager's health was already poor, and as the cold grew stronger, her condition became even more serious.
During the first month of the year, the palace was decorated with lanterns and everyone gathered before the Queen Mother, all in high spirits. However, the Queen Mother looked haggard and listless, with no interest at all.
"Grandmother, this room is too stuffy. Would you like me to take you out for a walk and get some fresh air?"
Seeing that the empress dowager looked unhappy, Yongyan hurried forward, speaking in a gentle and caring tone.
Over the years, the Empress Dowager has been very fond of him and caring for him, and Yongyan also respects and is grateful to this old lady from the bottom of his heart.
"Okay, I haven't been out for a long time. Please walk with me..."
A look of melancholy passed across the empress dowager's face. Ever since she became seriously ill, she had been trapped in this room, unable to move, and felt extremely depressed.
Like a last burst of energy, she suddenly regained her energy and strength and insisted on going out for a walk.
The winter snow outside was fluttering and dancing in the sky like goose feathers. Seeing the heavy snow, Yongyan had no choice but to help the empress dowager walk under the eaves and let her enjoy the snow in the sunlight.
"So many years have passed in a flash..."
The empress dowager sighed softly, her eyes looking into the distance through the flying snowflakes. With Yongyan's support, she leisurely admired the snow scene in front of her.
She has always been fond of elegant things, and this scene brought back memories of her past as a concubine.
The people and events of those years, familiar faces, flashed through her mind like a revolving lantern. She tilted her head back slightly, gently exhaled the long-held stale air, and sighed inwardly.
I am already old, and it is time to go down and meet those old friends.
"There's still a long time to go, Grandmother, you must take good care of yourself. When you're better, I'll take you south of the Yangtze River again. Your Majesty and I are both enamored with the mountains and rivers of the south of the Yangtze River. I imagine it's been years since you've set foot on that land. Let's go listen to some storytelling and experience the beauty of the south of the Yangtze River once again, shall we?"
Yongyan leaned down, leaned close to the empress dowager's ear, and whispered comforting words, his eyes full of earnestness and expectation.
The Empress Dowager's mind was as clear as a mirror. How could she not know that Yongyan was trying to comfort her? Looking at her frail body, she probably couldn't even step onto the steps of the imperial ship, let alone travel to Jiangnan.
"Yongyan, please stop comforting me. I don't have much time left. After I'm gone, you must be filial to your mother. She rose from a mere maid to the position of empress. The hardships she went through are beyond the reach of others. She has made an invaluable contribution to your secure position on the throne."
When mentioning Yan Wan, a soft look quietly appeared on the Empress Dowager's face.
This piece of advice did not come from the friendship of alliance in the court, but from the mutual understanding and appreciation between the two women in the deep palace who had experienced many vicissitudes of life.
She didn't want to see Yan Wan repeat her mistakes and live out her life alone in the deep palace with full of regrets.
"Grandson has taken note. In the future, I will do my best to be filial to my mother and never let her worry at all."
Yongyan lowered his head, his tone firm and his eyes full of sincerity.
"Also, child, if you ever learn some hidden secrets in the future, things that shouldn't be told to outsiders, you should follow your mother's wishes. She loves you with all her heart, and as a son, you should love her back. Her life has been truly difficult..."
The empress dowager's voice was weak but earnest, and her eyes were fixed on Yongyan.
"Yes, grandson understands..."
Yongyan lowered his head slightly and responded softly.
"If you find yourself in a difficult situation between the Emperor and the Empress, I'll give you some advice. You must side with Mother. If anything goes wrong, you must protect her, understand?"
The Empress Dowager's eyes were filled with worry and expectation. There were undercurrents in the palace, and she was afraid that Yan Wan would have no one to rely on in the future.
The Empress Dowager's instructions left Yongyan completely bewildered. However, seeing her frail and almost breathless appearance, he could not bear to disobey her, so he followed her instructions and agreed to everything.
"Yes, my grandson has remembered it all..."
The winter snow in the Old Summer Palace fluttered and danced in the sky like goose feathers, and the snow continued until after the New Year.
Before the end of the first month of the lunar year, the Empress Dowager's health began to show ominous signs, and her condition took a turn for the worse.
The Empress Dowager was plagued by illness for the entire year, looking sickly and weak all day long. Only by the end of the year did her complexion show some improvement.
Everyone just breathed a sigh of relief, but unexpectedly, her health deteriorated rapidly and she was on the verge of death.
All the doctors in the Imperial Medical Bureau tried their best, but they could only barely keep the Empress Dowager alive with her last breath.
Faced with this hopeless situation, everyone looked sad.
That night, the atmosphere in the Old Summer Palace seemed to be shrouded in a thick haze, so solemn that it was suffocating.
All the concubines looked sad and heartbroken. They gathered quietly around the empress dowager's bed, shedding tears silently and bidding her farewell devoutly.
"Grandmother, please don't leave. Stay and take a closer look. Your grandson hasn't had the chance to be filial to you yet..."
Yongyan was dressed in plain clothes, kneeling upright at the head of the bed, with tears still on his cheeks, and his eyes were full of sadness and reluctance.
"Why are you crying? Birth, old age, sickness, and death are common to all people. When you get old, you all have to go through this. You young people are even more timid and fearful than an old woman like me. Stop crying, especially you, Yongyan..."
The Queen Mother had a kind and gentle smile on her face and her eyes slowly swept over the crowd.
It's a last glimmer of light.
"Yes, grandson will follow the teachings of the Imperial Grandmother..."
Yongyan bit his lower lip tightly, trying hard to hold back the tears welling up in his eyes. He raised his hand and quickly wiped the tears from his face. He tried hard to force a smile, trying to let the empress dowager feel at ease before leaving.
"That's right... The emperor's health hasn't improved. Now that I'm gone, after the three-year mourning period is over, Yongyan, you will ascend the throne. The country cannot be without a ruler for a single day..."
The empress dowager turned her gaze slightly and glanced at Yan Wan who was standing next to Yongyan. Her eyes were full of complicated expressions, and then she sighed softly and said.
Isn't this what she wants?
Yongyan is a good boy. She is leaving and has to help him.
Three years was enough time for Yu Yongyan to gain a firm foothold in the court and establish a solid foundation.
"Your Majesty is in his prime. I will summon famous doctors from all over the world, and they will definitely be able to cure Your Majesty's illness..."
When Yongyan heard the empress dowager's words, he was shocked and subconsciously tried to refuse.
But as soon as his thoughts turned, the image of the emperor, now terminally ill and unconscious, emerged in his mind, and his voice stopped silently, leaving him helpless and silent.
The country cannot be without a king for a day, and he has no choice but to give up that position.
"I am already on my deathbed. Please stop saying these things and do as I say. You all should go out first, leaving me alone in peace and quiet. Queen, you stay. I have something to say to you."
Although the Queen Mother's voice was weak, it was filled with unquestionable majesty.
"Yes."
Everyone responded in unison, filing out. Within moments, the once bustling Changchun Immortal Pavilion was reduced to nothing but the Empress Dowager and her mother-in-law, Yanwan.
There was dead silence all around, with only the flickering candlelight and mottled light and shadows.
"Empress, I was right in my judgment back then."
The Queen Mother sighed deeply, her words full of emotion. Although her eyes were cloudy when she looked at Yan Wan, they still showed a hint of admiration.
Back then, Yan Wan was just an unknown little palace maid. She worked her way up in the harem and climbed step by step to her current position as queen.
As someone involved in the situation, the Queen Mother saw all of this and was well aware of the ingenuity and ruthlessness of her methods.
In the Queen Mother's mind, Yan Wan was somewhat similar to someone she knew, but also had many differences.
It seems like the return of an old friend, but it is also unique and novel, making people unable to help but take a closer look.
"Thank you for your praise, Empress Dowager. If it weren't for your care and support over the years, I wouldn't be able to live the peaceful life I do today."
Yanwan bowed and spoke sincerely.
The Queen Mother was lying on the bed, and when she heard her response, the corners of her mouth unconsciously rose up, and she actually burst out laughing, breaking the slightly solemn atmosphere in the room.
"Now that it's come to this, let's stop with those high-sounding, empty words. I only hope that you can keep your promise and take good care of my daughter and grandchildren in the future..."
The Queen Mother's breath grew weaker and weaker, her eyes filled with worry and reluctance. The things she couldn't let go of most in her life were her own children.
The emperor was not her biological son, and over the years, she only had two daughters.
As the Empress Dowager, she had to watch them live in fear in this palace, unable to protect their lives in peace... If the Emperor had not been so cold and ruthless, how could she have allowed Yan Wan to steal his power step by step and reach this point.
"Don't worry, Empress Dowager. I will keep my promise. Over the years, I have always kept my word. I will ensure that they live in prosperity and wealth, and that they will have no worries for the rest of their lives."
Yanwan gazed at the dying old man on the bed, and couldn't help feeling a little sad.
"Okay, okay... I'm relieved now. You should take a good rest from now on. Although the burden on your shoulders is heavy while I'm gone, you still have to take care of yourself and don't overwork yourself..."
The Queen Mother was barely breathing, murmuring faintly, her mind gradually becoming blurred.
Having lived and breathed life in this palace for half her life, how could she not understand that as long as she was alive, Yu Yanwan was oppressed. Now that her time was up, she had to let go of all her worries.
"Yes, my daughter-in-law will obey your order. You can go with peace of mind..."
Yan Wan lowered her head slightly, hiding the complicated look in her eyes. Her face was full of concern as she looked at the empress dowager quietly.
"Cherish the people around you. In everything, remember to leave a glimmer of hope for yourself and those around you..."
The Empress Dowager's gaze fell directly on Yan Wan, but it seemed as if she was looking through her into the distant past, and her eyes were filled with longing for the old people.
In this deep palace, sincerity is the hardest to find.
The Queen Mother knew at this moment that her time was up and it was time to go find the old friend she had been thinking about so much.
Looking back on my half life, the years have passed quickly and my hair has already turned gray.
My face has aged, and I wonder if old friends would recognize me in this state if we met.
It’s a pity that it’s not spring now, so I can’t meet my old friend again when the flowers are in full bloom and all things are reviving.
The Queen Mother murmured to herself, her voice faint, like a wisp of smoke about to dissipate.
Hearing this, Yan Wan's heart suddenly tightened, and her fingers subconsciously clenched the handkerchief in her hand. The figure of Chun Chuzhong instantly appeared in her mind.
Jinzhong had always been by her side through all the power struggles and turbulent times in the palace over the years. He was one of the few people she could trust. At this moment, the empress dowager's warning was like a heavy hammer, hitting her heart.
When Yan Wan came to her senses, the Queen Mother had already slowly closed her eyes, her face was peaceful, and she was just sleeping soundly.
She tiptoed towards the bed, stretched out her slightly trembling hand, and slowly sniffed the empress dowager's breath.
It felt cold to the touch and there was no more breathing.
The charcoal fire in the hall was burning brightly, and the warmth was cozy. This legendary figure who had dominated the harem for more than 60 years finally closed his eyes forever on this warm bed.
All that is left is silence in the room and endless sighs for future generations.