jdhmnovel Chapter 284 The Queen Mother
Chapter 284 The Queen Mother
The imperial palace of the Western Qi Kingdom was solemn and dignified, its former splendor now shrouded in a heavy gloom. Inside the Hall of Supreme Harmony, the Empress Dowager lay on her couch, her breath faint, the candlelight before her flickering as if in a final struggle against her fading life force.
The Grand Empress Dowager, a legendary woman who weathered the storms of three reigns, witnessed the rise and fall of the Western Qi Kingdom. Born into a prestigious family, she earned the respect of all through her intelligence and gentleness from the moment she entered the palace. When assisting the previous emperor, she strategized and turned the tide in the face of court turmoil; when teaching the current emperor, she imparted her wisdom and example, nurturing a wise ruler for the nation. Under her protection, the royal family lived in harmony, and the princes and princesses thrived under her care. Now, the relentless wheels of time have rolled on, and her life is drawing to a close.
The news spread like wildfire throughout the palace. Xiao Han and Mu Qingling were struck dumb upon hearing it. They ran as fast as they could, their clothes tousled in the wind, their faces filled with terror and grief. "Mother! Mother!" Xiao Han rushed into the palace first, his voice trembling and choked with sobs. Mu Qingling followed closely behind, tears streaming down her face, blurring her vision.
They rushed to the Empress Dowager's bedside, grasping her withered hands. "Mother, wake up! Your son has come to see you!" Xiao Han's voice was filled with despair as he gently stroked the Empress Dowager's forehead, as if this could hold onto her fading life. Mu Qingling sobbed uncontrollably, burying her head beside the Empress Dowager's pillow, murmuring, "Mother, how could you abandon us..."
The Empress Dowager slowly opened her eyes, her gaze cloudy yet filled with loving kindness. She struggled to raise her hand, wanting to stroke Xiao Han and Mu Qingling's faces. "Children... don't be sad..." Her voice was as weak as a whisper, each word seemingly uttered with all her strength.
"Mother, please don't say anymore, I understand." Xiao Han suppressed his grief, pressing the Empress Dowager's hand to his face, tears dripping onto her withered hand. Mu Qingling tightly grasped the Empress Dowager's other hand, as if trying to transfer her strength to her.
At this moment, grandson Xiao Jingchuan and Gu Liuli also rushed over. Xiao Jingchuan's expression was solemn, his eyes red-rimmed, while Gu Liuli covered her face and wept. "Grandmother, your unfilial grandson is late!" Xiao Jingchuan knelt before the bed, his voice choked with sobs. Gu Liuli stepped forward, gently grasped the Empress Dowager's feet, and cried, "Grandmother, may you rest in peace..."
The Empress Dowager turned her head slightly, looking at them with a faint smile on her lips. "Jingchuan... Liuli... you must both be well..." Her gaze swept over the two of them, as if trying to etch their images deeply into her mind.
A moment later, great-grandsons Xiao Nanyi and Xiao Nanyao were also brought in. Xiao Nanyi didn't quite understand what was happening, but seeing everyone's grief, his eyes welled up with tears. Xiao Nanyao burst into tears, crying out, "Great-Grandma, don't go..." Her innocent cries echoed in the hall, heartbreaking to hear.
The Empress Dowager looked at her two great-grandchildren, her eyes filled with reluctance. She wanted to say something, but she no longer had the strength; only her lips trembled slightly.
"Great-Grandma, Xiao Nanyao will be good, please don't go..." Xiao Nanyao cried even harder, reaching out her little hand to grab the Empress Dowager, but she couldn't reach her no matter what. Xiao Nanyi also started crying, holding Xiao Nanyao's hand tightly, as if that would find some comfort.
The hall was filled with weeping. The imperial physicians stood by, their faces etched with sorrow, yet they were powerless to help. The palace maids and eunuchs all bowed their heads, silently shedding tears. The entire Hall of Supreme Harmony was immersed in endless grief.
The Empress Dowager's breath grew weaker and weaker, her gaze gradually becoming unfocused. Her thoughts drifted back to the past, to the days when she and the late Emperor ruled the country hand in hand, to the warm moments when she watched her children and grandchildren grow up—all these images flashed before her eyes. She knew her time was running out, and her only worry was for her loved ones.
"Everyone must... be well..." The Empress Dowager used her last bit of strength to say these words, then slowly closed her eyes, and her hand slid off Xiao Han's face.
"Mother!" "Grandmother!" "Great-Grandmother!" The cries of the crowd instantly rose, like sharp blades slicing through the silent air. Xiao Han lay prostrate on the Empress Dowager, sobbing uncontrollably, his shoulders trembling violently as if trying to release all the grief in his heart. Mu Qingling collapsed to the ground, her eyes vacant, tears streaming down her face.
Xiao Jingchuan and Gu Liuli knelt on the ground, heartbroken. Xiao Jingchuan held Gu Liuli's hand tightly, their tears mingling together. Xiao Nanyi and Xiao Nanyao cried until their faces were red, their sobs heartbreaking.
The palace bells rang slowly, one after another, low and mournful, announcing the passing of the Empress Dowager to the entire palace and even the whole of Xiqi Kingdom.
The news sent the nation into mourning. People set up mourning halls in their homes to pray for the Empress Dowager. In the streets and alleys, people spoke of the Empress Dowager's achievements and kindness. Those who had benefited from her kindness were especially grief-stricken, their cries echoing throughout the city.
Inside the palace, all was draped in white mourning clothes. The emperor decreed a seven-day national mourning period, during which all entertainment activities were suspended. Palace maids and eunuchs, dressed in white mourning attire, busily prepared the mourning hall. Inside, the hall was filled with flowers and offerings, and the portrait of the Empress Dowager hung in the center, her eyes still kind and gentle, as if watching over everything.
Xiao Han and Mu Qingling stood guard before the Empress Dowager's coffin, neither eating nor drinking, their faces etched with exhaustion and grief. Xiao Jingchuan and Gu Liuli also frequently visited the mourning hall to pay their respects, leaving each time with tears streaming down their faces. Although Xiao Nanyi and Xiao Nanyao were young, they knew their great-grandmother would never return, and they would silently weep before the mourning hall, offering small flowers they had made themselves.
During the mourning period for the Empress Dowager, a somber atmosphere pervaded the Nanzhao Kingdom's palace. Palace servants hurried along, yet deliberately kept their footsteps soft, for fear of disturbing the heavy sorrow. As the seven-day national mourning period ended, the court gradually recovered from its grief, but the wounds in the hearts of the royal family were far from healed.
One day, Xiao Han sat alone in the imperial study, gazing at the jade pendant bestowed upon him by the late Empress Dowager, tears welling in his eyes. At this moment, Xiao Jingchuan came to pay his respects. Seeing his father in such a state, he felt a pang of sorrow. "Father, please accept my condolences. Your Majesty was a woman of noble character and would surely have hoped to see the Western Qi Kingdom prosper and flourish, and for us to have everything go smoothly."
Xiao Han raised his head, his eyes filled with exhaustion: "Jingchuan, your grandmother has passed away. I always feel like I've lost my pillar of support. Over the years, she has devoted herself to the country and the people, and worried herself sick over the succession of the royal family."
Xiao Jingchuan stepped forward and said firmly, "Father, although Grandmother has passed away, her teachings still resonate in my ears. Your son will certainly assist you in governing the Western Qi Kingdom better and live up to Grandmother's expectations."
Meanwhile, in the inner palace, Mu Qingling was praying and chanting sutras for the Empress Dowager in the Buddhist hall. The rising incense smoke added to the sorrow. Gu Liuli came to visit and was heartbroken to see her mother-in-law looking so haggard. "Mother, you must take care of yourself. Your grandmother in heaven would never want to see you harmed."
Mu Qingling put down the prayer beads in her hand and took Gu Liuli's hand: "Liuli, whenever I close my eyes, I think of your grandmother's voice and smile. She treated me like her own daughter, and I can never repay this kindness in my lifetime."
Gu Liuli's eyes reddened as she comforted her, "Mother, what our grandmother left us was not just care, but also principles of life. Living well with these in mind is the best way to honor her."
In the Imperial Garden, Xiao Nan Yi and Xiao Nan Yao sat on the stone bench that the Empress Dowager had loved most, silently weeping. Xiao Nan Yao sobbed, "Brother, has Great-Grandma gone to a very far place and will never come back?"
Xiao Nanyi reached out and wiped away his sister's tears: "Yao'er, although Great-Grandma is gone, she will turn into a star and watch over us from the sky. We must listen to our parents and study hard so that Great-Grandma will be happy."
As time passed, although the royal family remained immersed in grief, they gradually resumed their respective duties. In court, Xiao Han mustered his spirits to preside over the assembly, discussing important national affairs with the ministers. Xiao Jingchuan, meanwhile, assisted his father in actively implementing a series of reforms, dedicated to improving the people's livelihood and strengthening the power of the Western Qi Kingdom.
In the harem, with Gu Liuli's companionship, Mu Qingling gradually emerged from the shadows and resumed managing the affairs of the harem.
She passed on to Gu Liuli the various rules and traditions established by the Empress Dowager before her death, hoping that she could manage the harem in an orderly manner.
To commemorate the Empress Dowager, Xiao Jingchuan proposed building a memorial hall for her in the palace to record her life and achievements for future generations to admire.
This proposal received unanimous approval from Xiao Han and the ministers.
During the construction of the memorial hall, Xiao Nanyi and Xiao Nanyao took the initiative to participate. They transformed their longing for their great-grandmother into paintings, which were then hung inside the memorial hall.
Although these paintings are childlike, they are full of the children's deep love for their great-grandmother.
Several months later, the Grand Empress Dowager Memorial Hall was officially completed. The hall displays items used by the Grand Empress Dowager during her lifetime, clothing she wore, as well as her handwritten edicts and decrees on governing the country.
Each exhibit tells the story of her legendary life.
At the opening ceremony, Xiao Han, Mu Qingling, Xiao Jingchuan, Gu Liuli, Xiao Nanyi, Xiao Nanyao, and others gathered together. With reverence and sorrow, they visited the memorial hall.
When Mu Qingling saw Xiao Nanyi and Xiao Nanyao's paintings, she couldn't help but shed tears: "These two children are so thoughtful."
Xiao Jingchuan said with emotion: "The achievements of the Empress Dowager will be recorded in history forever, and her spirit will inspire generations of us to strive for the prosperity of the Western Qi Kingdom."
In the winter of the Nanzhao Kingdom, the biting wind swept through every corner of the palace like a knife. Outside the Hall of Supreme Harmony, wisps of smoke rose from the bronze crane incense burner, only to be torn apart by the fierce wind. Xiao Han stood alone under the eaves of the palace, watching the snowflakes dance in the air, his thoughts drifting back to the past.
As a child, Xiao Han remembered that the Imperial Garden was his favorite place. Every spring, the garden was ablaze with flowers, and the Empress Dowager would always hold his little hand and stroll along the winding paths. "Han'er," she would say, "look at these flowers. They bloom so diligently to add a touch of splendor to the world. It's the same with people; we should have the world in our hearts and strive for the well-being of the people." The Empress Dowager's voice was like the warm spring sun, gently caressing Xiao Han's heart.
He recalled the early days of his reign, when he often felt overwhelmed by the complex political situation. It was the Empress Dowager who, late at night, would hold long talks with him by candlelight, analyzing the situation and offering advice. "As an emperor, one must not only have ruthless methods but also a compassionate heart. Only in this way can one win the hearts of the people and stabilize the country." The Empress Dowager's words were like a guiding light, illuminating his path forward.
"Your Majesty, the snow is very heavy. Please return to your palace to rest." The personal eunuch's soft reminder pulled Xiao Han back to reality from his reverie. He slowly turned and stepped into the Hall of Supreme Harmony. Inside, the candlelight flickered, illuminating the portrait of the Empress Dowager. In the portrait, she had a kind and benevolent face, as if she were smiling and gazing at Xiao Han.
Xiao Han's gaze could no longer leave the portrait; memories of the past flooded his mind. Once, due to a mishandling of state affairs, he had caused widespread public resentment. The Empress Dowager sternly rebuked him: "Han'er, you bear the hopes of the people on your shoulders; every word and action concerns their safety. If your negligence causes suffering for the people, how will you face your ancestors?" At that moment, the Empress Dowager's eyes were filled with disappointment and heartache, filling Xiao Han with unbearable shame.
When he achieved success in governing the country, the Empress Dowager would generously offer praise and encouragement. "Han'er, you've done very well. Keep it up, and the Western Qi Kingdom will surely prosper under your rule." Those warm words, like a spring breeze, soothed his weary soul.
Now that the Empress Dowager has passed away, her teachings seem to still echo in his ears. A strong sense of longing and self-reproach welled up in Xiao Han's heart, and he murmured to himself, "Mother, I miss you so much... Have I failed your expectations?"
As he delved deeper into his memories, Xiao Han's emotions grew increasingly agitated. His body began to tremble slightly, and his breathing became rapid. "Mother, please come back..." His voice, choked with sobs, echoed in the empty hall.
Just then, a minister came to report an important matter. "Your Majesty, an urgent report has arrived from the border..." Before the minister could finish speaking, Xiao Han felt a sudden darkness before his eyes, a dizzying sensation, and his body fell backward uncontrollably.
"Your Majesty!" the ministers and eunuchs exclaimed, rushing forward. They hurriedly helped Xiao Han up, only to find him pale-faced, eyes closed, and forehead covered in cold sweat.
The news spread throughout the palace like lightning. Upon hearing it, Mu Qingling was extremely anxious and immediately dropped everything to rush to the Hall of Supreme Harmony. Xiao Jingchuan and Gu Liuli followed closely behind, their faces filled with worry.
When Mu Qingling and the others arrived at the Hall of Supreme Harmony, the imperial physicians were already treating Xiao Han. "Imperial physicians, how is His Majesty?" Mu Qingling asked anxiously.
The imperial physician frowned, his expression grave: "Your Majesty, His Majesty has fallen into a coma due to excessive grief, which has caused his blood and qi to rush to his heart. We will do our best to save him, but whether His Majesty can wake up depends on his own fate."
Mu Qingling's legs went weak, and she almost collapsed to the ground. Xiao Jingchuan and Gu Liuli quickly stepped forward to support her. "Mother, don't worry, Father is a lucky man, he will be alright," Xiao Jingchuan comforted her.
Mu Qingling fought back her tears and walked to Xiao Han's bedside, holding his hand: "Han'er, wake up... Your mother can't live without you." Her voice choked with sobs, and tears dripped onto Xiao Han's hand.
Xiao Jingchuan and Gu Liuli also came to the bedside, their hearts filled with worry as they looked at the unconscious Xiao Han. "Father, you must pull through. The Western Qi Kingdom still needs you," Xiao Jingchuan said softly.
In the days that followed, the imperial physicians stayed by Xiao Han's bedside day and night, administering medicine and treatment. Mu Qingling, Xiao Jingchuan, and Gu Liuli also stayed by his side almost constantly, taking meticulous care of him. When Xiao Nanyi and Xiao Nanyao learned of their grandfather's coma, they cried and insisted on visiting him.
After the imperial physicians' tireless efforts, Xiao Han finally opened his eyes slowly a few days later. "Han'er, you're finally awake!" Mu Qingling cried tears of joy, tightly holding Xiao Han's hand.
Looking at the concerned eyes of Mu Qingling and her family, Xiao Han was deeply moved. He said weakly, "I'm sorry to have worried everyone... I just miss my mother so much."
Xiao Jingchuan stepped forward and comforted him, "Father, the spirit of our late grandmother in heaven would surely hope that you can pull yourself together and lead the Nanzhao Kingdom to a more prosperous future."
Xiao Han nodded slightly, a resolute glint in his eyes: "Jingchuan, you're right. For the sake of Nanzhao Kingdom, and for my mother's expectations, I will definitely pull myself together."