Zhaohua Pavilion.
Outside, the sky was bleak and freezing; inside, it was an icy world.
The room was lit by half a candle, its dim light barely illuminating anything.
The air was filled with a pungent odor, a mix of medicinal smells, mold, and the stench of waste.
It was so nauseating that one couldn’t endure even a moment, wanting to vomit yesterday’s meal.
The moment The Eldest Princess lifted the door curtain, she dry-heaved twice, tears filling her eyes from the stench.
After a moment’s pause, she covered her nose and slowly walked in.
The candlelight was dim.
The floor was cluttered with various kinds of garbage, leaving her with no place to step.
Finally, she followed a path illuminated by light.
She vaguely saw a person lying on the bed.
Motionless, unclear if asleep or if they had passed away.
’Is that Mother Consort?’
She was somewhat unsure, unwilling to believe.
’It shouldn’t be! Mother Consort... wasn’t this thin!’ She thought.
Slowly she walked closer.
The Eldest Princess’s body was gradually trembling.
It was unmistakably familiar, no doubt about it!
That was Mother Consort’s figure! She could never forget it in her lifetime.
But still...
The Eldest Princess was somewhat collapsing!
How did Mother Consort become so thin?!
Why live in such a filthy room, cover with such a thin blanket, without a single person nearby.
What exactly had Mother Consort gone through?
Someone who loved cleanliness, how could she become like this?!
The Eldest Princess knelt by the bedside with a thud, crying her heart out.
"Mother Consort!"
"Mother Consort, what happened to you? Wake up!"
"Your daughter is here to see you!"
She regretted it so much, she regretted it deeply!
If she had come sooner, would Mother Consort not have fallen ill?
If she had come earlier, would Mother Consort not have become like this?!
Why?
What was she hating?
Mother Consort had done everything for her!
What right did she have to hate?!
The Eldest Princess cried uncontrollably.
The figure on the bed suddenly moved slightly, slowly turning over?!
"Who?!"
"Who’s crying??"
"Mother Consort?"
The Eldest Princess was pleasantly surprised, quickly wiping her tears away.
"Have you woken up?"
"You... who are you?!"
The person on the bed spoke, their voice hoarse.
In the candlelight, her face was gaunt, her eyes sunken, her complexion dull and sallow, devoid of life.
Her entire being was fragile like a thread, as if she could stop breathing at any moment.
"I am Yiming!"
"Mother Consort, I am Yiming!"
The Eldest Princess’s eyes were full of tears.
"I don’t know any Yiming, leave me alone, I’m tired!"
Honored Lady Dou slowly turned her head away, her gaze rigid and indifferent.
The Eldest Princess was stunned.
"Mother Consort! I am your daughter!"
"Your unfilial daughter, only visiting now!"
"Mother Consort, I was wrong! Don’t refuse to recognize me!"
The Eldest Princess kowtowed, her face streaming with tears and mucus, heartbroken.
Honored Lady Dou remained unmoved.
After an unknown length of time, she mustered the last bit of her strength and threw the pillow beside her!
"Get out!"
"You’re all bastards!"
"Get out, all of you!"
"You accursed ones, will definitely meet retribution!"
"Cough, cough! Cough, cough..."
Honored Lady Dou coughed heavily.
The Eldest Princess was also startled!
"Mother Consort, what’s wrong?"
She got up from the ground to assist.
Honored Lady Dou flung her hand away!
"Get out!"
"Wretch!"
"Get this wretch out of here!"
Caught off guard, the Eldest Princess was shoved and fell to the ground.
The sharp pain on her bottom pierced through to her heart, paining her brain, her very being.
She was frozen there, unable to recover for a long while.
She couldn’t believe it!
The once gentle and kind, loving Mother Consort had turned into this.
Suddenly, she felt a pang of fear!
If Mother Consort really died?
Who in this world would be as gentle, as kind, and give her all like her?!
Consort Mother Zheng?
She truly was nice, but ultimately there was a distance, treating her with more courtesy.
Only Mother Consort!
The one in this world closest and most loving to her, was this emaciated hysterical woman before her!
"Mother Consort! I won’t leave!"
The Eldest Princess rose resolutely.
"I know you can hear me!"
"In the past, I was unfilial, so long without visiting you!"
"Now your daughter realizes her mistake!"
"As long as you get better, regardless of whether you’re an Honored Lady, a Lady, or a Baolin, your daughter will always follow you!"
"Mother Consort, please get better, all right?"
Her voice trembled, filled with immense fear.
But Honored Lady Dou still refused to speak, not even willing to glance at her!
The sky gradually darkened!
Honored Lady Dou was already on her last breath, utterly defeated, lacking even the strength to throw a pillow.
The Wetnurse and Sister came in to advise.
"Princess, it’s getting late, please return!"
"The Eldest Princess, Consort Zheng is still waiting to have dinner with you, don’t keep her waiting!"
"The Emperor has already summoned the Imperial Physician for the Honored Lady, who’ll arrive in a while!"
"The Honored Lady’s health is frail, she should also rest early!"