Chapter 651 - 199: Bestowing Death_2
Empress Dowager Liu still didn’t move, desperately trying to avoid it, even attempting to rush out and push the door open. The Imperial Attendant exchanged a glance with the two little eunuchs at his side. The little eunuchs immediately restrained Empress Dowager Liu. Liu, having lived a life of luxury in the palace for years, had no way to break free and soon lost her strength. The little eunuchs skillfully pinned down her hands and feet. One pried open her mouth and poured down the poison wine forcefully.
After the wine was poured, the little eunuchs released her. Empress Dowager Liu clutched at her own throat, desperately reaching into her mouth to try to vomit out the poison she had ingested. Her clothes were all disheveled, and her chignon had come undone. Tears and mucus streamed down her face, leaving no trace of her former image.
She didn’t care about anything else and just kept retching on the ground, as though this was the most urgent matter. However, as she continued to do so, she started to vomit blood. Gradually her body slumped, and she collapsed on the ground, her eyes wide open. Her body convulsed a few times before she stopped moving altogether.
Empress Dowager Liu was dead.
The Imperial Attendant instructed the little eunuchs to clean up the room and then left. Not far away in the garden, the Empress Dowager and Emperor Hongxiao were talking.
Most of the time, the Empress Dowager copied Buddhist scriptures in Cining Palace, only occasionally stepping out for a walk. The palace was brimming with the charm of spring, with bright flowers blooming in large bunches. Emperor Hongxiao had just finished his court session not long ago and had run into the Empress Dowager here, engaging in conversation.
The Imperial Attendant who had delivered the poison wine to Empress Dowager Liu came to report back. Once it was confirmed that Liu was dead, Emperor Hongxiao nodded in acknowledgement, and the junior eunuch then withdrew.
The Empress Dowager sighed.
"Mother, are you feeling pity for Empress Dowager Liu?" Emperor Hongxiao asked.
The Empress Dowager shook her head, "Recently, too many people have died. I feel, it’s not peaceful."