Chapter 151: I Came Too Late

Upon arriving at the Xiang Residence, Xiang Xinyao immediately came to greet them.

“How did it go? Was it successful?”

Mo Jinnan nodded. “Don’t worry! There shouldn’t be any issues. It was the Emperor who personally took her into the palace.”

“Oh? How did you manage that?”

Mo Jinnan smiled slightly, his gaze becoming even more tender as he looked at her.

“Last night, I went to the Imperial Astronomical Bureau and had them help me out.”

Xiang Xinyao: ??

Mo Jinnan gently ruffled her hair. “After the morning court session, the Imperial Astronomical Bureau told the Emperor that there would be a romantic encounter at the palace gates, so naturally, the Emperor came.”

“You’re impressive. I thought you’d just send her directly into the palace.”

“That wouldn’t work. If I had sent her directly in, the Emperor would think I was placing someone close to him as a spy. Not only would he not keep her, he might have even had her killed. I want her to stay with him for a few more days so we can take care of some things.”

Xiang Xinyao nodded. “Mm, I hope she has some skills too.”

“Don’t you have to go to East Street today? I’ve asked Rufeng to secretly protect your and your sister’s safety. Go after lunch; I have some matters to deal with, so I’ll head back now.”

“Wait.” Xiang Xinyao stopped him and pulled him aside, whispering, “What’s the situation with the substitute you found?”

Mo Jinnan exhaled deeply. “Her name is Hong Cuilan. She’s suffering from a terminal illness, not much time left. She’s willing to be the substitute, but I need to take care of her family.”

“What kind of illness?”

“The doctor says it’s intestinal cancer—untreatable.”

Intestinal cancer, if caught early, Xiang Xinyao might have been able to treat it.

But if it’s advanced, with cancer cells already spreading, there would be nothing she could do.

“Take me to see her tomorrow. If there’s still hope, don’t let her be the substitute. After all, being a substitute in the palace can only end badly.”

Mo Jinnan nodded. “Okay, I’ll take you tomorrow. Her family lives outside the city.”

“Let’s go inside and eat first.”

What Mo Jinnan didn’t mention was that he was actually the one who saved the life of the person willing to be the substitute. He had saved that entire family.

If it hadn’t been for Mo Jinnan risking his life to save them, they would have already been dead.

After falling ill and losing weight, Hong Cuilan’s appearance had become nearly identical to that of the late Empress Helian. She was willing to serve as the substitute for the Empress.

As long as it could save Empress Helian, it would be her way of repaying Mo Jinnan’s life-saving grace.

But once her true identity was exposed, her family would inevitably be implicated.

She could give up everything, but Mo Jinnan had to ensure the safety of her family.

Hong Cuilan had a son and a daughter. The son was fifteen, and the daughter was thirteen. Her husband had passed away early.

She had raised the two children on her own, enduring much hardship.

The children were so sensible that it was heartbreaking.

But the rope always breaks at its weakest point.

Half a year ago, she had felt unbearable abdominal pain and learned from the doctor that she had intestinal cancer.

Mo Jinnan had also sought out famous doctors to treat her, but there was nothing they could do.

Hong Cuilan had become so thin, her figure now resembling that of Empress Helian.

Mo Jinnan had mentioned his own mother to her. If Hong Cuilan could serve as Empress Helian’s substitute, he would be eternally grateful.

Even if Hong Cuilan didn’t want to be the substitute, Mo Jinnan would still take care of her two children.

This family had endured too much hardship, and Mo Jinnan couldn’t bear to watch it any longer.

After lunch, Mo Jinnan left to attend to his matters.

Xiang Xinyao took Xiang Xinyu to East Street to shop.

Rufeng and several guards secretly protected them.

Throughout the afternoon, Xiang Xinyao found many treasures.

Xiang Xinyu, following her, was astonished by her bargaining skills.

She felt that this younger sister of hers was truly capable of everything and understood everything—she was practically powerful and capable of everything.

The Next Day

Mo Jinnan arrived at the Xiang Residence and picked up Xiang Xinyao to head outside the city.

Xiang Xinyao had even prepared some supplements to bring along.

When they arrived at Hong Cuilan’s home, she was in the midst of an attack, curled up on the ground with intense abdominal pain. Her face was ashen, drenched in sweat.

“Go get a cup of warm water, quickly!”

Xiang Xinyao’s expression changed, urging Mo Jinnan to get the water while she quickly ran to Hong Cuilan’s side.

With a thought, a box of morphine slow-release tablets appeared in her hand.

She quickly took one and placed it in Hong Cuilan’s mouth.

Mo Jinnan returned with the warm water quickly, and Xiang Xinyao took it and fed it to Hong Cuilan.

“Swallow the medicine!”

Hong Cuilan was still somewhat conscious, obediently swallowing the medicine.

After feeding her the medicine, Xiang Xinyao placed her fingers on Hong Cuilan’s pulse.

Moments later, her brows furrowed deeply.

She then felt Hong Cuilan’s abdomen and observed her facial features, carefully checking her condition. Her brows furrowed even further.

Perhaps due to it being her first time taking the medicine, after about a cup of tea’s time, Hong Cuilan began to feel some relief from the abdominal pain.

After asking Hong Cuilan about her symptoms, Xiang Xinyao confirmed that she indeed had intestinal cancer, and it was already in the advanced stage.

She had come too late!

The cancer cells had already spread, and there was nothing she could do now.

Mo Jinnan asked, “Yao’er, how is it? Can her illness still be treated?”

Xiang Xinyao’s face grew heavy as she shook her head slightly. “I came too late. If it had been discovered earlier, I could have treated it.”

At this point, Hong Cuilan, whose pain had been alleviated, gave a bitter smile and shook her head. “Your Highness, I know my own body. There’s no need to trouble any doctors anymore.

Your Highness, I don’t have much time left. Please, quickly make arrangements to rescue the Empress Dowager. The pain is unbearable, and I’m afraid I won’t be able to hold on much longer!”

Xiang Xinyao held Hong Cuilan’s hand gently. “Auntie, if you enter the palace and the Emperor discovers your true identity, you might end up with no remains left. Are you still willing to be the substitute?”

Hong Cuilan smiled weakly. “If it hadn’t been for Your Highness risking your life to save us back then, my son and I would probably have already perished long ago.

As long as I can help Your Highness, what does it matter if I end up with no remains?

It’s just that my two children will suffer. They lost their father at such a young age, and now I won’t be able to stay by their side either.”

Mo Jinnan spoke up, “We’ll take care of your children. Auntie, I came today to bring you and your two children to the manor.”

Xiang Xinyao said, “During this time, I’ll do my best to ease your pain. I can’t cure your illness, but I can make sure you suffer less in the days to come.”

Hong Cuilan weakly responded, “Thank you, Miss. I don’t ask for anything else, as long as I can hold on until you rescue the Empress Dowager and we safely leave Bianjing, I will die without regret.”

Xiang Xinyao’s eyes turned red. It really seemed unfair. A person with such a kind heart, who understood the greater good, had to endure so much suffering.

It really was true: “Good people don’t live long; evildoers last for a thousand years!”

Mo Jinnan frowned and asked, “What about your children?”

“They went to the city to fetch medicine for me. They should be back soon.”

As soon as Hong Cuilan finished speaking, her two children returned.

The boy, Tang Tiezhu, was holding two bags of medicine in one hand and holding the girl, Tang Xiaolian, with the other.

The siblings were panting, covered in sweat, showing how anxious they were.