Before Empress Qiao could say anything, Hui’an Gōngzhǔ had already frowned and angrily shouted, “Impudent! Why are you in such a panic? What big thing could possibly go wrong in the palace?”

The maid fell to her knees with a plop. “I deserve to die. Please forgive me this time, Gōngzhǔ. Someone from the Yanxi Palace sent a letter saying that the Guifei had stabbed herself in the heart with a pair of sharp scissors…”

What?

Empress Qiao and Hui’an Gōngzhǔ both changed their expressions and blurted out, “How is the Guifei now?”

The maid replied quickly: “When the palace servants found something was wrong, they rushed into the bedroom and rescued the Guifei. However, Guifei’s chest was bleeding and her breath was weak. It is not known whether she can be saved.”

Empress Qiao’s heart was filled with turmoil, and she said without thinking, “I will go to the Yanxi Palace right away.”

She and Meng Guifei had always been at odds. But she was the Empress of the Central Palace, and she was in charge of all matters in the harem. The arrogant Meng Guifei suddenly committed suicide, and she could not just stand by and watch.

Hui’an Gōngzhǔ said without hesitation: “I will go with my mother.”

Wu Fùmǎ was a man, though it was fine for him to enter and exit the Jiofang Palace, but it was inconvenient for him to go to the Yanx Palace, so he had to stay and wait for news.

Empress Qiao and her daughter looked solemn as they hurried to the Yanxi Palace. Along the way, they only had time to whisper a few words: “Mother, how could Meng Guifei suddenly commit suicide?”

“I can’t guess the inside story. However, judging by her character, she must have done something wrong and couldn’t face your father, so she committed suicide.”

Hui’an Gōngzhǔ almost blurted out “It’s better if she dies.”

Empress Qiao quickly glanced over and said, “The matter is not clear yet, keep your mouth shut and don’t talk nonsense.”

Hui’an Gōngzhǔ was rarely obedient and kept quiet.

To others, Meng Guifei’s exclusive favor was just a joke, but to Hui’an Gōngzhǔ and Empress Qiao, it was a twenty-year nightmare.

Hui’an Gōngzhǔ cursed countless times in her heart, hoping that something bad would happen to Meng Guifei, preferably falling while walking, choking while eating, getting scalded while drinking soup, or getting stung by a bee in the garden…

At this moment, Hui’an Gōngzhǔ suddenly became clear-headed.

If Meng Guifei really died, how would the Emperor react? Would he blame the Royal Mother for her anger? By then, even if the Royal Mother had a mouth all over her body, she would not be able to explain herself.

No matter how much hatred or anger one felt, one had to silently hope that Meng Guifei did not die.

…

At this time, the Yanxi Palace was in chaos. Dozens of palace maids were kneeling outside the bedroom with pale faces and terrified expressions.

If anything happened to Meng Guifei, none of them would be able to survive.

As soon as Empress Qiao and Hui’an Gōngzhǔ appeared, the palace maids kowtowed and begged for mercy: “This servant deserves death. We did not serve the Guifei well. Please spare my life, Empress.”

Empress Qiao was in no mood to pay attention to them at this moment. She walked into Meng Guifei’s bedroom with a sullen face.

Hui’an Gōngzhǔ did not rush in, but asked the palace servants in a deep voice, “Have you sent the letter to Wenhua Palace?”

One of the palace servants replied tremblingly, “We have already sent a message.”

Wenhua Hall was some distance away from the harem. It seemed that her Royal Father had not arrived yet.

Hui’an Gōngzhǔ had this thought in her mind and stepped into the bedroom. She saw that Envoy Zhou and two imperial doctors were surrounding the bed and trying their best to save the patient.

Hui’an Gōngzhǔ took a few steps forward and was frightened by the shocking bloodstain on the bed.

Meng Guifei lay flat on the bed, her face pale, her breathing weak, and it was unknown whether she was alive or dead.

A large amount of blood spread from Meng Guifei’s chest and spread to her body.

It was like a blood flower blooming on the bed.

A strong smell of blood rushed into her nostrils.

Hui’an Gōngzhǔ, who was fearless, suddenly felt nauseous and covered her mouth with her hands to prevent herself from vomiting. Empress Qiao also looked very unhappy, but she did not look away and just stared at Meng Guifei, who was lying on the bed and whose life or death was unknown.

The imperial doctors wanted to save people and did not care about the difference between men and women. They just cut open the clothes on the wound and treated the external injuries.

Apart from this faint voice, no one in the room spoke. The atmosphere was heavy and stagnant.

Time seemed to have stopped.

After an unknown amount of time, Hui’an Gōngzhǔ finally couldn’t help but approach Empress Qiao and whispered, “Why hasn’t my Royal Father come yet?”

Meng Guifei was the most beloved concubine of Emperor Yongjia. Now that Meng Guifei was in trouble, no matter how big the matter was, it would not delay Emperor Yongjia. But after waiting for so long, Emperor Yongjia still did not show up, which was really strange.

Empress Qiao turned her head and looked deeply at Hui’an Gōngzhǔ: “I don’t know either. However, Meng Guifei’s suicide must have something to do with your Royal Father.”

Hui’an Gōngzhǔ was not stupid either. She quickly figured out the answer and took a deep breath, “Mother, could it be that my second Huangzifei’s assassination…”

Empress Qiao interrupted Hui’an Gōngzhǔ and said, “Shut up and don’t disturb the doctors from saving lives.”

Hui’an Gōngzhǔ exhaled slowly.

…

About an incense stick of time later, there was movement at the door.

Empress Qiao and Hui’an Gōngzhǔ turned around together, but the person they saw was not Emperor Yongjia, but Eunuch Liu.

Eunuch Liu quickly stepped forward and saluted: “Your Majesty, the Emperor is busy with government affairs and has no time to come. He ordered me to come to the Yanxi Palace to see how the Guifei is injured.”

No one knew whether Meng Guifei was alive or dead, and Emperor Yongjia refused to even come.

Hui’an Gōngzhǔ was shocked and glanced at Empress Qiao.

Empress Qiao had calmed down by now and said calmly, “Envoy Zhou and the two imperial doctors are trying to save Meng Guifei. It is still unknown whether they can save her life. Go back and report to the Emperor.”

After a pause, she continued, “When the Emperor is done with his government affairs, please ask him to come to the Yanxi Palace!”

Eunuch Liu responded respectfully and withdrew.

Not long after Eunuch Liu left, Empress Dowager Zhao sent someone to inquire. Qin Fei and Su Fei came in person. The younger concubines in the harem, after learning that Meng Guifei had committed suicide, all came to the Yanxi Palace.

Empress Qiao was impatient to deal with them, and Hui’an Gōngzhǔ felt stuffy and uncomfortable staying in the bedroom, so she simply left the bedroom and dealt with them on Empress Qiao’s behalf.

“The reason why Meng Guifei committed suicide is still unclear.”

“Don’t wait here, go back and wait for news.”

With just a few words, she sent away many people with different thoughts.

Only Qin Fei and Su Fei were worried and refused to leave.

Qin Fei sighed, “I don’t know whether Guifei is alive or dead, I am here to watch over her, and I feel more at ease.”

Su Fei’s eyes were red and filled with tears: “Yes, I have been feeling very nervous since I heard the news. I just hope that God will bless her and she can wake up soon.”

They were all hypocritical.

She wondered how happy they were!

Hui’an Gōngzhǔ curled her lips inwardly.

At this moment, the frightened Eldest Prince came quickly and grabbed Hui’an Gōngzhǔ’s arm: “Royal sister, how is mother now?”

(End of this chapter)