Eight Treasures Trousseau

49

Chapter Forty-Nine: The Miscarriage of Hou shi

Before the three had gone far from the Empress Dowager's palace, the sound of clapping came from ahead. The three instantly stopped moving forward, hurriedly retreated a few steps to the side and stood next to the path with bowed heads.

Qilong Emperor was wearing a black and red outer robe, and a gold coronet on his head. He was surrounded by a group of taijian and female palace attendants as he walked towards this side. There were numerous female palace attendants and taijian kneeling on the ground.

When he passed in front of the Crown Princess and the others, Qilong Emperor tilted his head to look at the trio. His gaze swept across Hua Xi Wan and the others who were making proper bows and said faintly, "There is no need for so much courtesy."

Hearing this, the three bobbed and then moved backwards. After they went a distance, they finally turned and hurried away.

"Emperor?" The taijian saw the Emperor was standing at his spot and reminded in a low voice. This was right outside the Empress Dowager's residential palace. It was not appropriate for the Emperor to stare at his daughter-in-law and nieces-in-law.

"En." Qilong Emperor moved his gaze away. Putting his hands behind his back, he walked without a word towards the Empress Dowager's palace. The female palace attendants and taijian following him sighed in relief.

The Crown Princess and the others also sighed inside. It was not comfortable to be stared at by the Emperor like that. If some rumor spread in the future, it would be even worse.

The three separated at the palace gates, and all of them left on their own carriages.

When she got onto the carriage, Hua Xi Wan thought about the deliberate pause Qilong Emperor had performed just now. Even though Qilong Emperor had been increasingly arrogant, his mind was still in the range of normal people. Why would he act like that without a cause?

Was it on purpose or a momentary daze?

She didn't know how long the carriage traveled when Hua Xi Wan heard the servant outside report that they had arrived at the wang fu. She neatened her clothing and then held Bai Xia's hand to get off the carriage. Just as she prepared to sit onto the sedan to enter the inner compound, a mama hurried out. When the servant saw her, she knelt down. "Wang Fei, Sheng Junwang Fu has just sent a message. Sheng Junwang Fei's child is gone."

"What did you say?" Hua Xi Wan's expression changed slightly. She knew how much importance Hou shi placed on her child. How could she suddenly have a miscarriage?

She thought and then said to Bai Xia, "Go back and change. We will go visit Sheng Junwang Fu." Her clothing right now was too complex and bright. It would not be appropriate to visit Hou shi like this.

Choosing a set of light-colored palace robes, she changed her jeweled hairpins to jade adornments that appeared steadier. Hua Xi Wan brought all kinds of replenishing medicines and then sat onto the carriage for Sheng Junwang Fu.

When Hua Xi Wan got to Sheng Junwang Fu, the Crown Princess was already at the door. The two exchanged greetings and then examined each other's attire that was much simpler. They understood what the other was thinking, and put on grave expressions to walk together through the gates of Sheng Junwang Fu.

Hou shi's complexion was not good and was very pale. Even her expression was withered. However, when she saw Hua Xi Wan and the Crown Princess, she still wanted to struggle up to curtsy and only gave up after the Crown Princess pressed her down.