Chapter 962: Chapter 958: The End of the Story (Part 2)
The Empress’s face suddenly changed dramatically, looking at the eunuch and urgently asked, "What did you say? An arrow to the left shoulder, the arrow deep into the bone?"
The eunuch confirmed, and the Empress instantly felt as if she had fallen into an ice cellar. How could he be so seriously injured? Since Mother had arranged for people to go, they must have been instructed flawlessly. How could those Death Warriors have made such a mistake and injured Yan’er so severely?
She was flustered and urgently summoned Nanny Mao: "Go outside the palace and invite the Grand Dowager in, tell her I need to discuss something with her."
Nanny Mao acknowledged and left the palace.
The Empress was restless, clutching her chest, her face ashen. How could her Yan’er be so seriously injured, did the Emperor ensure he was well taken care of, did the Imperial Physician bring enough medicine, was he being well cared for? Many questions and possibilities swirled in her mind.
In just half an hour or so, it felt like she had lived a lifetime. When Old Madam Shen was let in by someone pulling the curtain, she couldn’t wait to ask: "Mother, how could Yan’er be so seriously injured, how did you instruct those people, how could they harm Yan’er?"
"Don’t panic." The Grand Dowager seated herself steadily on a small stool, furrowing her eyebrows: "I have already sent someone to investigate this matter, news will come back soon."
This clearly wasn’t enough to alleviate the Empress’s worries: "Will Yan’er be in danger? The accompanying Imperial Physicians with the Emperor are few, and the medicines might not be enough, Yan’er..." Old Madam Shen went over, sitting by the bed and holding the Empress’s hand: "Don’t worry yet, the matter hasn’t been clarified, be at ease for now."
The Empress’s tears fell silently. Yan’er was her flesh and blood, her greatest hope and reliance, how could she calm down.
Seeing this, Old Madam Shen added: "This matter is very peculiar." She looked at the Empress and softly said: "Those people were personally trained by Ji’er, it’s not their first task, they are very measured in their actions."
The Empress stopped crying, her expression changing: "You mean, someone knew of our plan and took advantage to injure Yan’er?"
"It’s a possibility." Given that the Death Warriors identified who Min was, how could they strike heavily against Yan’er, the only explanation is that someone acted after the Death Warriors: "That’s why I urge you to remain calm, he is now far within the border, worrying won’t help, not to mention the Emperor won’t disregard him, he will certainly be fine."
The Empress collapsed, her entire body soft and lay back against the pillows, closing her eyes, tears still falling continuously from worry. After all the turmoil, she was exhausted, weakly opening her eyes, with a cold voice: "Mother, do you think it’s Fourth Master Xiao?"
Old Madam Shen thought the same, but what puzzled her was, since Fourth Master Xiao had time to assassinate Yan’er, why not rescue Xiao Huaimin. If Xiao Huaimin died, everything he had done before would be meaningless to him.
She couldn’t understand!
The Empress, seeing her mother’s expression, also felt doubtful and asked again: "Mother, are those Death Warriors arranged properly? Will they be discovered by Fourth Master Xiao?"
"Not a single one will be left, how can he find out?" Old Madam Shen said, then changed the subject: "I heard you summoned the Fourth Madam into the palace?"
"Yes." The Empress nodded: "By now, the news should have reached her, I just want to see how she reacts to her beloved son’s sudden death." Thinking about removing this thorn that was Xiao Huaimin made her feel a sense of relief seeing Xiqiu fall down.
"Why did you summon her, even if you kill her, it won’t change the situation, there’s no need for such an act." Old Madam Shen furrowed her brows, thinking of the few cabinet ministers in the Cabinet: "Forget it!" She looked at the Empress and asked: "How is she now, where is she?"
"Resting in the side hall, just drank some medicine." Then she added: "Don’t worry, I’m not foolish enough to do anything stupid!"
Yet Old Madam Shen lowered her gaze thoughtfully, shortly after suddenly raised her head to look at the Empress: "Since she’s here, why not have a talk with her." The Empress raised her eyebrows, immediately understanding her mother’s meaning, she nodded: "Alright, then I’ll go talk to her."
Old Madam Shen nodded, while the Empress had a somewhat frustrated expression: "As the mother of the nation, I still can’t handle such a trivial outer noble woman, despite our deep hatred, I must still speak softly to her, and my Yan’er, he’s gravely injured and I am powerless, waiting in the palace for news!" She appeared upset.
"How many times have I told you, not to act impulsively, you must first stabilize yourself, only then can you calm down and not act rashly." Old Madam Shen was also very worried about Yan’er, the pain of losing a son corroded her heart night after night, now her grandson seriously injured with his life uncertain, how could she not be worried.
But, she cannot panic nor fall apart, having weathered many storms over these years, there is nothing she hasn’t seen or experienced, no matter how big the hardships and dangers, she will certainly overcome them.
As long as Yan’er is still here, as long as the Shen family is still standing, everything lost will eventually be regained bit by bit.
"Go see if Fourth Madam is awake." The Empress summoned a female official, and she acknowledged, heading to the side hall, soon returning supporting the haggard-looking Fourth Madam, whose steps were unsteady.
"Your Majesty." Xiqiu curtseyed to the Empress, then bowed to the Grand Dowager: "Grand Dowager." Her eyes turned red, and she cried bitterly.
"Please sit." The Empress said lightly. The female official already brought a small stool, supporting Xiqiu to sit down. She continued: "Are you better after taking the medicine?"
Xiqiu lowered her head, tears falling: "Thank you, Your Majesty." She covered the corner of her eyes with a handkerchief, unable to restrain her sobbing, the Empress said: "Fourth Madam, please restrain your grief and accept fate, such things are unforeseen by anyone." Sighing: "Such a good child... what a pity."
Xiqiu couldn’t control her emotions, still weeping, Old Madam Shen kindly walked over, patting Xiqiu’s shoulder: "I understand your feelings the best, the pain of losing a child is indeed the hardest to endure in this world." Her eyes turned red with empathy, shedding tears.
"Your Majesty." Xiqiu suddenly stood from the small stool, kneeling towards the Empress: "I am overwhelmed with grief, I originally wished to converse with Your Majesty, but now I don’t know what to say, fearing only to dampen Your Majesty’s spirits and add worry, I shall not stay long to bother Your Majesty any longer, I take my leave!"
"Fourth Madam, what are you doing, quickly get up and speak." Old Madam Shen personally helped her up: "We all know how hard it is feeling now." Helping Xiqiu up, wiping her tears, she added: "Children are the darlings of a mother’s heart, no mother can withstand such a blow."
Xiqiu nodded, crying incessantly.
Old Madam Shen glanced at the Empress, who was sunk deep into the soft pillow, barely holding herself together: "Seeing Fourth Madam like this, it’s truly heartbreaking." With a sigh: "Grand Commander Xiao and the Emperor don’t know when they can return to the capital, one child is injured and the other one... if they were here to take charge, as mothers, our hearts would feel somewhat relieved, alas!"
