LIGHTNOVELONLINE
Chapter 15
Yuan Qingling looked up, meeting Chu Mingcui's gentle and concerned eyes.
"Do you want to sit down and rest for a while?" Chu Mingcui asked.
Yuan Qingling shook her head, subconsciously withdrawing her hand, "No need, thanks."
Prince Qiwang Yuwenqing pulled Chu Mingcui back, glancing at Yuan Qingling's face displeasedly, and said to Chu Mingcui: "Why bother with someone like her?"
Chu Mingcui stood back beside Prince Qiwang, glancing at Yuan Qingling lightly, seeming somewhat surprised. She said softly: "We are all family."
"You are too kind-hearted." Prince Qiwang held Chu Mingcui's hand. The two of them standing together were like a celestial couple.
Yuan Qingling immediately felt a chill beside her, this chill came from Yuwen Hao.
How could he not feel heartbroken and upset seeing his beloved standing beside another man? Yuan Qingling thought.
Inside the hall, the sound of crying could be heard.
Everyone was shocked and looked towards the doorway in unison.
The curtains rolled up, and an elderly eunuch with snowy white hair walked out. His eyes were red and swollen, his face filled with grief and despair. His voice was hoarse as he said, "His Majesty has an edict, asking all consorts, princes and princesses to enter the hall."
This was Old Li who had served the Retired Emperor for forty-five years.
Everyone had solemn and mournful expressions as they followed Old Li inside, their footsteps light, barely breathing.
Yuan Qingling followed behind Yuwen Hao, struggling to suppress her dizziness.
Inside the hall, many people were already present.
The Empress Dowager and the Emperor sat beside the bed, the Empress also keeping vigil on one side. The Retired Emperor's brothers, the feudal princes, had also returned to the capital and entered the palace yesterday, keeping watch inside the hall.
Nearly all the imperial physicians of the palace had come, standing in two rows with solemn expressions.
Yuan Qingling took a quick look and saw the golden canopy curtains rolled up. On the sandalwood bed lay an elderly man with a withered complexion. The pillows were stacked high, he gasped for breath with his mouth wide open like a black hole, his eye sockets sunken.
The crying came from the Empress Dowager, sitting at the bedside dressed in loose gray robes that made her look especially frail.
She used a handkerchief to wipe her tears, trying her utmost to restrain herself, yet sobbing sounds still escaped.
Seeing everyone had arrived, she lifted her head with tears streaming uncontrollably down her face. Choking back sobs, she said, "Kneel, send off your Imperial Grandfather."
Everyone knelt down, including Yuan Qingling.
A small dog slipped in from outside the hall, whimpering as it climbed onto the Retired Emperor's bed. No one stopped it.
Ever since the Retired Emperor had taken in this small dog, he had doted on it like a precious treasure. Only when seeing it would he be happy. This dog had run away for two to three days before, and the Retired Emperor had refused to eat for those two to three days.
Seeing the small dog, the Retired Emperor, who had been breathing with difficulty, showed a hint of tenderness in his eyes. He raised his hand and stroked the dog whining at his bedside.
The dog whimpered at him.
Only the dog's sounds could be heard in the hall.
Yet Yuan Qingling was stunned, as if struck by lightning.
She could actually understand the meaning of the dog's whimpers - it was grieving its master's impending departure.
Since when could she understand dog language? She could comprehend what dogs said?
The Retired Emperor tremulously stroked the dog, then slowly turned to look at the Emperor. Though unable to speak, his eyes conveyed the wish to entrust his successor.
Emperor Ming Yuan immediately said, "Father, please rest assured, your son will definitely treat Fubao well."
Satisfied, the Retired Emperor smiled gently, gazing fondly at the dog Fubao, and his breathing even eased slightly.
The Empress Dowager sobbed, "Retired Emperor, your grandchildren are all here, won't you take a look at them?"