TFWYH – Chapter 704 Swallowing Poison

At the same time, in the main hall where she had previously received Prime Minister Gu, Jiang Shi knelt before the old man and performed the full ceremonial three kneelings and nine kowtows.

Even Su Xi no longer dared remain hidden in the shadows. She knelt beside Jiang Shi and kowtowed as well.

Wuwuwu…

Can someone tell me why the Emperor is here?

What on earth is going on?

The Emperor sat in the seat of honor and accepted Jiang Shi’s formal greetings. However, he did not immediately tell her to rise.

With an imposing aura that inspired awe without anger, he looked at Jiang Shi for a long moment before finally speaking slowly.

“Raise your head.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Jiang Shi slowly lifted her head, but she did not look directly at the Emperor. Instead, she lowered her gaze respectfully.

The Emperor nodded and remarked indifferently,

“You understand proper etiquette.”

Jiang Shi lowered her head even further.

“This common woman is terrified and would not dare offend Your Majesty.”

After a brief silence, the Emperor’s expression gradually turned colder.

“Jiang Shi, today I left the palace in plain clothes intending to visit Ronglan across the street. Do you know why I came to see you first?”

After thinking for a moment, Jiang Shi shook her head.

“This common woman does not know. I ask Your Majesty to enlighten me.”

The Emperor spoke plainly.

“I will not beat around the bush. You have given birth to an excellent son. I intend to entrust the Huangfu family’s empire to him.”

“But you… are Yu’er’s only stain.”

“Throughout history, no Empress Dowager has ever been a remarried woman. Let alone one who remarried and bore two more children.”

“Do you understand what I mean?”

Jiang Shi was no fool, and the Emperor’s words were perfectly clear.

For a brief instant, she froze.

Countless thoughts surged through her mind, and her heart was filled with complicated emotions.

Yet she felt not the slightest fear.

Calmly, she said,

“Your Majesty, this common woman is willing to die to prove her loyalty. I absolutely refuse to become a burden to Yu’er.”

“However, there is one matter weighing on my heart. I beg Your Majesty to grant me this request.”

The Emperor raised an eyebrow.

“Speak.”

“A mother carries her child for ten months, risking death so that her child may live.”

“This common woman gave birth to an eldest daughter without even knowing it. That child has suffered for so many years, hovering between life and death time and again…”

“I have failed her.”

“I beg Your Majesty to allow this common woman to see that child. Even if I may only look at her from afar, once… just once… I will die without regrets.”

By the end of her plea, tears streamed down Jiang Shi’s face as she bowed deeply before the Emperor.

The Emperor sighed softly before nodding.

“I am on my way to the Second Prince’s residence to see Ronglan. You may accompany me.”

“Ah?”

Jiang Shi was both shocked and overwhelmed with joy. Trembling, she touched her face.

“But… in my current appearance…”

“It does not matter,” the Emperor replied.

“Who would concern themselves with the appearance of someone who is about to die?”

As he spoke, he beckoned to Wan Zhenxiang.

Wan Zhenxiang immediately stepped forward and produced a pill, offering it to Jiang Shi with a smiling expression.

“Jiang Shi, this is a slow-acting poison. Once consumed, death is certain within an hour. Not even the greatest immortals could save you. You…”

“Ouch—!”

Before Wan Zhenxiang could finish speaking, Jiang Shi had already snatched the pill and swallowed it.

She moved so quickly that Su Xi had no chance to stop her.

“Madam!”

Su Xi cried out in shock, rushing forward.

“How could you be so foolish?”

“I’m fine.”

Jiang Shi shook her head before bowing once more to the Emperor.

“This common woman has already taken the poison and has little time left.”

“I beg Your Majesty, for the sake of the son and daughter I bore for the Second Prince, please allow me to see my daughter.”

Even the Emperor was surprised.

“You truly are not afraid of death?”

Jiang Shi smiled faintly.

“I have merely survived these past years; long ago, I ceased to fear life and death.”

“In truth, when I came to the capital, I had already anticipated this day.”

“As Your Majesty said, I have remarried. Since ancient times, there has never been an heir to the throne whose mother remarried and bore other children.”

“This common woman had long prepared herself for death.”

“I also understand that Your Majesty’s actions are for Yu’er’s sake.”

“I am deeply grateful for Your Majesty’s favor toward Yu’er.”

“Even if I descend into the underworld, I shall pray for Your Majesty day and night, wishing that Your Majesty may enjoy everlasting fortune, that all things proceed according to your will, and that your blessings endure without end.”