20demayo Chapter 638: Deathbed Statement
Chapter 638: Deathbed Statement
"If I remember correctly, Huan'er once mentioned that the five-petal bamboo has a unique flavor and she really wanted to live in a bamboo garden like this."
"Later, the Wen family had an exquisite bamboo garden, and the bamboo planted in it happened to be the five-petal bamboo."
"Wen Shichu, there's no such thing as an impenetrable wall. Regardless of the vows you and Huan'er once made, you should give up now."
Shen Meizhuang watched as the color drained from Wen Shichu's face and continued to speak harshly.
"Even if Huan'er's two children are yours, it would be best for her if you never appeared in front of her in this life... cough cough cough... cough cough cough..."
Shen Meizhuang quickly covered her mouth with a handkerchief, as if she didn't want people outside the bedroom to hear.
Wen Shichu didn't bother to refute her and hurriedly reminded her.
"Empress Hui, please calm down and take the pills quickly."
He casually handed over the teacup placed beside him. The water had become warm without him noticing, just right for taking the pills.
Shen Meizhuang, who was feeling unwell, didn't care about anything else and tried to open the small porcelain bottle with trembling hands.
But my hands were shaking and I couldn't control them.
Wen Shichu saw this and took a step forward.
"Your Majesty, I apologize for your rudeness."
He opened the porcelain bottle, poured the tiny pills into Shen Meizhuang's hand, and quickly handed her the teacup.
After Shen Meizhuang swallowed the pill, she handed the teacup back with a smile.
"Here is Dr. Lawrence."
"I've been having trouble even breathing lately. I'm sure my body is about to give out, so I couldn't help but say a few words. Please don't take it to heart."
"Your Majesty is teaching me that I must avoid suspicion."
Wen Shichu responded respectfully, and at the same time took out a handkerchief to cover her wrist. Just as he was about to put his hand on it, Shen Meizhuang withdrew her hand with a wry smile.
"Doctor Wen, the judge just took my pulse yesterday. You don't need to bother with that anymore."
"How long can my body... hold on?"
Facing Shen Meizhuang's hopeful gaze, Wen Shichu couldn't speak.
Concubine Hui's health is failing so quickly that she may not be able to see the Reunion Festival in the second half of the year.
He failed to live up to Huan'er's trust.
"My Lady, as long as you cooperate with the medication and take the tonic, you will remain healthy."
Shen Meizhuang shook her head gently. "Nothing in this world is as one would wish. I've met Huan'er in my life and have the honor of being Longyue's mother and daughter. It's all worth it."
"It's just a little regretful, but it can't be made up for. I wanted to see Longyue get married and have children, but it's a pity..."
"Doctor Wen, I believe Huan'er has already learned about my condition, right?"
Wen Shichu did not deny it, but just lowered his head silently.
Shen Meizhuang spoke to herself.
"Before Huan'er returned to the palace, I worried every day about whether she was doing well in Ganlu Temple. Later, when she returned to the palace and often came to visit Longyue, I began to worry that she would take that well-behaved and caring child away from me."
"Now it seems that God has his own plans for this."
"Luckily, Huan'er figured it out and returned to the palace in time. Otherwise, I wouldn't know who to hand Longyue over to."
As she was speaking, Shen Meizhuang suddenly felt a sharp pain in her lungs, and the pain made her curl up her whole body.
She cried out in disbelief as the warm liquid gushed out of her mouth.
"Wen Shichu, I have no grudge against you, why did you do this to me?"
Qingju didn't give Wen Shichu any chance to react. She pushed away the person who was about to examine Shen Meizhuang and shouted in panic.
"The Queen has been poisoned! Someone come quickly..."
The eunuchs guarding outside the palace rushed forward and tied Wen Shichu up.
Qingju watched her master spit out black blood into the copper basin, and she almost fainted from heartache.
The Queen has risked her own life to plot against this pair of dogs, and she will never allow herself to fall behind at the critical moment.
Qingju quickly gave instructions to the people who served him closely.
"Someone has gone to the Imperial Hospital to invite the imperial physician, and others have gone to the Yangxin Palace, Yongshou Palace, and Zhongcui Palace to invite the masters to come."
"Run faster!"
Shen Meizhuang gave orders weakly while vomiting blood.
"Remember to walk lightly and don't disturb Princess Longyue who is taking a nap in the back hall."
"I don't want this terrifying appearance to scare her."
When Longyue, who was hiding under the bed, heard these words, tears instantly welled up in her eyes.
She tried to crawl out from under the bed using her hands and feet, but her whole body was sore and weak.
"master......"
A group of people were shouting at the same time, making Shen Meizhuang's head buzz.
She raised her hand with difficulty.
"Qingju, have someone lock Wen Shichu up in a small room and report to the emperor later."
Wen Shichu, with his mouth blocked, kept shaking his head, but unfortunately Shen Meizhuang and Qingju didn't pay any attention to him.
Wen Shichu still doesn't know how Concubine Hui was poisoned?
Could it be a hidden trick left by Concubine Qi?
Or is it a trap set by other masters in the palace?
Many conspiracies and tricks flashed through his mind, but he didn't know that the person who invited him into the game with his life was far away and right in front of him.
"My lady, let me wipe it for you..."
Qingju wanted to wipe Shen Meizhuang's mouth with a handkerchief, but she stopped him by tilting her head.
"This blood has turned black, it must be very poisonous. You hurt your hand when you picked up a kite a few days ago, so don't touch me."
Shen Meizhuang lay weakly on the edge of the bed.
"Qingju, I don't have much time left. Listen to me, I brought my dowry after entering the palace and other rewards that don't need to be returned to the Ministry of Internal Affairs. You should keep them for Longyue. When she gets married, use them as her dowry."
"This palace mother is useless. There is only so much I can do for her."
"Huan'er... Concubine Zhen has always wanted to take Longyue back, but she already has twins, a boy and a girl. You must serve Longyue wholeheartedly and do not let her suffer any injustice from her biological mother."
Qingju retorted with a choked sob.
"Master, the judge clearly said that you can hold on until Princess Longyue's birthday... Concubine Zhen is so cruel, why didn't she even leave you this little time, she..."
"Qingju, shut up! Cough cough cough..."
Shen Meizhuang shouted angrily and coughed again.
Frightened, Qingju quickly stepped forward and gently stroked her back, "Master, I won't say anything more, please don't be angry."
"The princess will be my master from now on, and I will not let anyone harm her, not even the Empress Zhenfei."
"Okay, remember what you said."
Shen Meizhuang vomited another large mouthful of blood, closed her eyes and gave instructions.
"Since the beginning of the year, I have been writing frequently to my maternal grandparents and my family in Jeju, mentioning Longyue many times in my letters. If the child encounters any difficulties in the future, please feel free to seek help from these two families."
"In the palace... in the palace... Huan'er has too many enemies, so try not to come to them for help. If the help outside the palace or in Jeju is not enough, go and ask Concubine Jing. Perhaps she will remember our old friendship and help Longyue."
Qingju asked doubtfully.
"Master, the Imperial Noble Consort is always kind, and she is from the same batch of concubines as you. She has also shown kindness to you. Why don't you let me ask her for help?"
Shen Meizhuang recalled the weak woman she first met outside the palace wall, and a tear fell from the corner of her eye.
"Having too much self-esteem can be harmful!"