Greetings, Ninth Uncle

Chapter 140

Ch 140 - Death

Empress Zhong's case had yet to enter trial, but during the investigation period, Empress Yang was confined in her palace, and the old cronies and disciples of Yang Fucheng were getting demoted one after another. It was clear to all that the possibility of Yang Fucheng's return to power was getting further and further away.

Madam Yang, who not long ago was the wife of the Senior Grand Secretary honored by all, had fallen so far in an instant and was now the prime suspect of poisoning the former empress.

When it rains, it pours. It was at this moment that Empress Dowager Yang fell gravely ill. Yang Fucheng's daughter-in-law tried to enter the palace to visit the empress dowager several times, but was stopped every time.

In the past few days, Empress Dowager Yang had constantly been dreaming day and night, and the dreams were all about her crown prince, who died at such a young age. Tormented by frequent nightmares, she often screamed into empty air, calling the name of the previous noble consort at one time and her son's name at the other time. As her condition rapidly worsened, she started scratching and slapping into empty air as if fighting against an invisible enemy.

Following Empress Dowager Yang's mental collapse, the maids serving in the Cining Palace were all frightened and did not dare to stay alone in her presence. The faint fragrance stayed afloat in the inner room of Cining Palace, but no one bothered to care.

Too many things happened in this period of time. The entire palace seemed to be shrouded in dark clouds. Everyone walked quietly, and no one dared to speak loudly. At the end of the month, the Dragon Boat Festival came after the rainy season.

In previous years, the Dragon Boat Festival would be held in the palace, focusing on expelling the five poisons and driving away bad luck. This year, however, the empress dowager was seriously ill, and the empress was confined in her palace. With no one to preside upon, this year's Dragon Boat Festival was bound to be done in the most simplistic manner. The palace servants put on five-color silk threads, cut out pieces of colored paper talisman, and hung the decorations hastily.

When Li Chengjing returned in the evening, he found the Ciqing Palace totally dark. His heart suddenly jumped in palpitation, and he quickly rushed to the main hall.

When Li Chengjing's palm pushed open the door, red lanterns suddenly lit up in the hall. Rows of palace maids knelt on the ground, carrying palace lanterns and saying in unison, "Your Highness, welcome back and happy birthday."

Li Chengjing was stunned. It was at this moment that he remembered that the Dragon Boat Festival was also his birthday. These past few weeks, he had been very busy, not only because of the Yang family affairs but also with the investigation of Empress Zhong's death. Naturally, he had no time to think about his birthday. On top of that, he had been absent for many years. With no precedent, very few people still remembered that the Dragon Boat Festival was also the Crown Prince's birthday.

Cheng Yujin stood at the forefront, smiling and wishing Li Chengjing a thousand blessings, just as they met for the first time: "Welcome back, Your Highness. This consort wishes you a happy birthday."

Li Chengjing rarely had a moment of speechlessness. There were no lights in the palace, which startled and even frightened him for a moment, but it turned out that his wife was preparing a birthday celebration for him. However, no matter how speechless he was just now, Li Chengjing still chuckled in the end. He stepped forward and took Cheng Yujin's hand into his, "You remember my birthday? I was startled when finding the palace totally dark just now."

"How could I not remember." Cheng Yujin stood up. The lanterns in the hall were lit one after another as the couple walked side by side. "Your birthday is such an important day. There is no way I can forget it, Your Highness."