Ministers Begging Me to Ascend the Throne Chapter 1163 - 164: Noble Princess Consort Rong’s Interrogation

In the recent days, the condition of Noble Princess Consort Rong saw a slight improvement. However, upon receiving the devastating news that her two sons had taken their own lives within the Royal Mansion, she promptly vomited blood and lost consciousness. It was a full day and night before she finally awoke.

The very first action she took upon regaining consciousness was to ascertain the truth of her two sons' suicides. Once the grim reality of their self-inflicted deaths was confirmed, she fainted once more. Fortunately, her repose this time was brief, and she soon roused again.

As Noble Princess Consort Rong opened her eyes yet again, she beheld the Emperor seated by her bedside. With tears streaking down her face, she managed to ask, "Your Majesty, why..."

The Emperor's visage was etched with profound guilt. "I am sorry. I failed to watch over them adequately."

Noble Princess Consort Rong then flung herself into the Emperor's embrace, her fingers clenching the fabric of his chest with desperate intensity as she wept inconsolably. Overwhelmed by grief and her already frail state, her sorrow consumed her, and she succumbed to unconsciousness in his arms.

The Emperor held the now-unconscious Noble Princess Consort Rong, his hand gently stroking her back as he carefully laid her down on the bed. Observing her gaunt and pale countenance, her swollen eyes, and her disheveled hair, a sharp stab of pain pierced his heart.

He remained by her side, watching over Noble Princess Consort Rong for a period before rising. He then turned to Jin Mei and issued an instruction: "Attend to the noble consort diligently."

"Yes, Your Majesty," Jin Mei replied dutifully.

The Emperor had pressing matters to attend to and could not linger in Yongxin Palace. Upon his return to the Imperial Study, he did not immediately commence with reviewing the official memorials.

Sun Kui approached, presenting a steaming cup of tea. "Your Majesty, perhaps some tea first?"

Accepting the teacup, the Emperor took a slow sip before emitting a soft sigh. "Sigh..."

"Your Majesty, the noble consort will surely recover," Sun Kui ventured, assuming his concern was for the noble consort's physical well-being.

The Emperor's thumb traced the rim of the teacup, his expression inscrutable. "She will not recover."

"Did the Imperial Physician not state that the noble consort's condition was showing progress?"

"The second and ninth sons have died; it is a blow from which she cannot recover," the Emperor sighed once more, his voice heavy with regret. "I have failed her."

"Your Majesty, the fact that the two princes took their own lives is not your fault." Sun Kui could not forget the Emperor's reaction upon hearing the news of Prince Dai and Prince Yue's demise – his initial stunned silence, followed by a long period of quiet contemplation. He had simply sat at his imperial desk, his back suddenly bowed, radiating an overwhelming aura of sorrow. Sun Kui had felt, in that moment, that the Emperor had aged considerably.

Remaining silent, the Emperor eventually picked up the memorials and began his work.

Sun Kui quietly exited the Imperial Study.

Sun Doudou, noticing his master emerge, quickly reported, "Master, the Empress has gone to Yongxin Palace."

A frown immediately creased Sun Kui's brow at this news.

"Master, the Empress is likely going to add insult to injury," Sun Doudou whispered. "It was the Empress who first delivered the news of Prince Dai and Prince Yue's deaths to Noble Princess Consort Rong at Yongxin Palace." Sun Doudou recalled that Prince Dai and Prince Yue had previously been stripped of their titles for rebellion. However, within the last couple of days, their princely titles had been reinstated, and they were afforded burials befitting their rank.

"Did the Emperor not expressly forbid anyone from disturbing the noble consort's rest?" Sun Kui questioned, his brow furrowed further. "Noble Princess Consort Rong is too frail to endure any agitation."

"What should we do now?"

"I shall inform the Emperor," Sun Kui decided, hurrying back into the Imperial Study to relay the information about Empress Xie's visit to Yongxin Palace.

Upon hearing the news, the Emperor slammed the memorials onto his desk in anger before striding away.

Sun Kui hastened to follow.

As the Emperor arrived at Yongxin Palace, he could hear Empress Xie's voice, mocking Noble Princess Consort Rong.

Noble Princess Consort Rong's face flushed crimson with fury, her eyes fixed on Empress Xie as if she had been poisoned. She attempted to point at Empress Xie, intending to speak, but was rendered speechless by her rage.

"You..."

Empress Xie prepared to utter further taunts but was cut short by the Emperor's arrival.

"Empress, what is the meaning of your presence here?"

The Emperor's voice caused Empress Xie to tremble in fear. She turned, lowering her head in a respectful bow.

"Your Majesty, I merely came to pay my respects to Noble Princess Consort Rong."

"Have I not decreed that no one shall disturb Noble Princess Consort Rong's rest? Empress, are you disregarding my command?"

"I would not dare," Empress Xie replied, her earlier arrogance in taunting Noble Princess Consort Rong completely evaporated. "I shall take my leave."

The Emperor's voice was cold as he uttered, "Do not set foot in Yongxin Palace again."

“Yes.” Empress Xie, supported by a palace maid, departed Yongxin Palace, her body trembling. Directly outside, her knees buckled, almost sending her to the ground, but the attendant managed to steady her.

Within Yongxin Palace, Noble Princess Consort Rong reclined on her bedding, her gaze fixed piercingly upon the Emperor. With a cold tone, she demanded, “Your Majesty, the Empress claims you commanded Yi’er and Yue’er to hang themselves. Is this truthful?”