Chapter 500 - 479 First Update
The news of Emperor Jingzhi’s demise spread quietly, as if everyone had already anticipated it. It wasn’t in the dead of night but during the pale morning sunlight that bathed the entire Imperial City, when the death knell rang without a sign, it first felt surreal.
However, it wasn’t a surprise that Emperor Jingzhi had died, it was about time, and even his death was not a glorious one. Caught in a scandalous act by day, he died over the body of a new favorite concubine whose hands and feet had been bound. Blood sprayed directly onto the young girl’s face, gush after gush, and then he fell abruptly, motionless. The girl’s horrified screams and her face and body covered in blood left those who rushed in completely confounded.
He Ling was the first to react, immediately pulling up Emperor Jingzhi. As soon as He Ling’s fingers touched the Emperor, he felt that something was wrong. Needless to say, when he exerted force, Emperor Jingzhi’s body, which had just passed away, lost control of its bowels.
The servants on the ground could barely bring themselves to look, and one could only imagine the smell. At this point, He Ling didn’t dare make any rash moves and disdainfully glanced at Talented Lady Jing who had already fainted from fear on top of Emperor Jingzhi, now it was time for someone competent to take charge.
He Ling intended to inform Her Majesty the Empress Dowager immediately, but before his man could leave the palace gates, Noble Consort Wen’s attendants had already arrived at the gates of Chenyuan Hall. They seemed to have known in advance what had transpired inside, and Empress Xiao followed promptly, bringing the Imperial Physician with her.
Seeing this, He Ling did not question it and stepped aside. The Imperial Physician was taken aback by the inner hall’s sight, but being older, he quickly composed himself and went straight to check Emperor Jingzhi’s pulse. A few eunuchs came forward, first removed Emperor Jingzhi from the bed, and then wrapped up the beddings along with the unconscious Talented Lady Jing.
Empress Xiao and Noble Consort Wen glanced at each other, immediately covered their noses, and waved their hands to have someone deal with the situation.
Of course, such a manner of death need not be disclosed, and Talented Lady Jing could not be left alive, especially since Emperor Jingzhi’s death had sealed her fate as well.
The Imperial Physician quickly retreated to Empress Xiao’s side. By now, Empress Dowager Yan Ping had arrived, her hairpin still not properly secured, rushing in with the support of Nanny Leng.