Ministers Begging Me to Ascend the Throne

Chapter 1165 - 165: The Death of Noble Princess Consort Rong

The deaths of Prince Dai and Prince Yue dealt a devastating blow to Noble Princess Consort Rong. Coupled with the realization that the Emperor never loved her, she lost even the last bit of will to live.

Her once-improving illness deteriorated rapidly; in a few short days, she transformed from a plush and noble peony flower into a blade of withered grass.

Without the desire to live, no medicine could save her. Now, she clings to life by a thread.

Jin Mei knelt by the bedside, crying sorrowfully, repeatedly pleading, "My lady, please don’t leave me."

Noble Princess Consort Rong, already delirious on the bed, kept calling out the names of Prince Dai and Prince Yue, along with "father," "mother," and "brother."

The eunuchs and palace maids were kneeling outside the sleeping palace, all weeping—some for the imminent departure of the Noble Princess Consort, and others for their uncertain futures.

The Chief Eunuch of Yongxin Palace went to the gates of Zichen Hall, found Sun Doudou, and reported the dire situation of Noble Princess Consort Rong.

Upon hearing this, Sun Doudou felt a chill in his heart, then spoke with a bitter expression, "The Emperor has not yet finished court, and I dare not report this inside."

"Little Mr. Sun, once the Emperor is out of court, please inform His Majesty immediately."

"How much longer can the Noble Consort hold on?" Sun Doudou added, "Go back and ask the Noble Consort to hold on a bit longer; the Emperor will be out of court soon."

"I’ll return right away. Thank you for your trouble, Little Mr. Sun."

"You’re welcome."

Watching the Chief Eunuch of Yongxin Palace run hurriedly away, Sun Doudou let out a long sigh: Alas, that Noble Princess Consort Rong, who flourished in the harem, would end up like this... fate is indeed unpredictable.

When the Chief Eunuch hurried back, Noble Princess Consort Rong had surprisingly woken up, her complexion and spirits restored, showing no signs of her previous feeble state.

With red eyes brimming with tears, Jin Mei was helping Noble Princess Consort Rong with her grooming.

The Chief Eunuch saw this and understood that it was the last burst of energy before the end.

As soon as Noble Princess Consort Rong was dressed in her finest, the Emperor hastily arrived.

Although Noble Princess Consort Rong was no longer young, at that moment, she looked just as she did when she was first conferred the title of consort—radiant and unmatched in beauty.

In the entire harem, Noble Princess Consort Rong’s appearance was unparalleled.

Wearing her consort’s ceremonial robes, Noble Princess Consort Rong slowly saluted the Emperor.

The Emperor stepped forward, extending his hand to help her rise.

Noble Princess Consort Rong held the Emperor’s hand, looking at him with eyes full of love, her voice gentle yet filled with remorse: "Cousin, I once promised you that I would grow old with you, but now I must break my promise. Please don’t blame me."

The Emperor tightly grasped Noble Princess Consort Rong’s hand, his eyes slightly reddened as he said, "It is I who have wronged you."

Noble Princess Consort Rong raised her hand, softly caressing the Emperor’s handsome face, "Cousin, my greatest wish in this life was to be your wife. Regrettably, it never came true, so in the next life, you must marry me. You owe me this, you must agree."

The Emperor felt as though a great stone was lodged in his chest; seeing the hopeful look in her eyes, he couldn’t bring himself to refuse. He nodded slightly, hoarsely saying, "Alright."

Noble Princess Consort Rong smiled, and for an instant, it seemed the peony had bloomed, eclipsing all else.

"Cousin, then I’ll wait for you."

The Emperor’s eyes stung, his voice choked, "Alright."

Noble Princess Consort Rong leaned against the Emperor’s chest, her complexion suddenly turning pale as her voice grew weak: "Cousin, even though you never loved me in this life, I still feel happy. I do not regret marrying you. In the next life, you must love me doubly."

The Emperor promised, "Alright."

"Cousin, I’m leaving; you must take care..." Noble Princess Consort Rong’s words grew increasingly labored, "I..."

Her last sentence remained unfinished as her hand gripping the Emperor’s chest slumped down suddenly.

Moments later, the funeral bells tolled throughout the capital.

At Prince Han’s mansion, Zhao Yao was sitting by the pond fishing when he suddenly heard the sound of the death knell. He immediately stood up, listened, and counted four tolls.

Noble Princess Consort Rong had passed away.

Tong Xi hurriedly ran over, "Your Highness, did you hear the death knell?"

"I heard it, four tolls, it must be that Noble Princess Consort Rong has passed," Zhao Yao instructed Tong Xi, "Change my clothes, I must enter the palace immediately."

"Yes, Your Highness."

By the time Zhao Yao and Prince Wei reached the palace, it had already turned white in mourning.

The Emperor decreed that Noble Princess Consort Rong be buried with the honors of an Empress, which greatly displeased Empress Xie, leading her to rage extensively in Zhao Yang Palace.

The funeral of Noble Princess Consort Rong was organized by Prince Chu and the Ministry of Rites, conducted with great pomp and ceremony.

Empress Xie, seeing that even in death Noble Princess Consort Rong received such honors, was filled with jealousy.

Fortunately, the Emperor did not halt court in mourning for Noble Princess Consort Rong; had he done so, Empress Xie’s resentment would have only grown deeper.