Red Mansion Rebirth: Ghost Phoenix

The Imperial Observatory gave an auspicious date, and the empress dowager's coffin should be kept in the Daming Palace for 57 days and then sent to the imperial mausoleum in Xiaoci County - just in time to avoid the 23rd day of the twelfth lunar month.

Emperor Chongzhao also had to handle state affairs, while Empress Mo spent the whole day keeping vigil with the ladies of the inner and outer courts, while also handling many affairs in the palace.

Originally, there were several experienced concubines who could help, but they were concubines after all, and their positions were not high enough.

In theory, no matter whether it is the Supreme Emperor or Emperor Chongzhao, as long as they mention it and promote a certain imperial concubine to a higher rank, the imperial concubine can legitimately help Empress Mo.

But for some reason, the father and son remained silent.

So after about a month of vigil, Empress Mo fell ill and fell into a coma.

Prince Duan was so frightened that he held Empress Mo's hand and refused to go anywhere. He did not dare to cry out loud, but just sobbed silently. His eyes were so swollen that there was no gap between them.

Seeing him like this, people from all walks of life first praised the eldest son for his filial piety, and then tactfully advised the emperor and the queen mother to intervene.

The child is still young, and doesn't know how to control himself when he is sad, but the elders cannot let him cry so much and forget about food and sleep, for they are afraid that he will hurt his heart at such a young age.

Emperor Chongzhao hurriedly asked Princess Yongning and Princess Heke to take Prince Duan away from Penglai Palace, and then went to visit Empress Mo in person.

As soon as I entered the room, I saw Li Wanan and Aunt Han guarding the Queen's bed.

Emperor Chongzhao was startled: "Why are you here?"

"Your Majesty, the Emperor feels sorry for the eldest prince and has specially asked me to come and see the Empress."

Li Wan'an lowered his eyes and stood with his hands clasped, "Your Majesty has said that if the Queen cannot wake up tonight, I will be buried with her..."

Emperor Chong Zhao's premonition grew worse, and he looked suspiciously, "So what? How is the queen?"

"The medicine has been administered. Look at the time, it's almost time for you to wake up." Li Wanan refused to look up.

Emperor Chongzhao glanced at Aunt Han.

Aunt Han understood what was going on and had to bow and leave.

Changying also followed behind and retreated without saying a word.

"Tell me the truth, how is the Queen's health?" Emperor Chongzhao felt his throat was dry and spoke slowly and with difficulty.

Without the fourth person in the palace, Li Wan'an's shoulders relaxed slightly, and he replied softly: "The Queen is now about the same as the Queen Mother in other palaces..."

Emperor Chongzhao's fingers trembled, and he stared at Li Wan'an, doubtful and uncertain: "Did the Supreme Lord 'specially' instruct you to take care of the Empress Dowager before?"

"Yes." Li Wanan couldn't help but sighed.

Emperor Chongzhao could no longer utter a single word. He was stunned for a long while and waved his fingers.

Li Wanan also bowed and left.

Emperor Chongzhao was in a state of confusion. He looked at Empress Mo with sorrow, her eyes closed and her face as pale as paper, and choked up with sobs:

"Xiao Xiao, I'm sorry..."

Queen Mo did not move.

Emperor Chongzhao grasped the thick rose purple Shu brocade peony quilt with both hands, lowered his head deeply, his shoulders trembling, and cried softly.

Queen Mo's eyelashes moved slightly, and she slowly, struggling, opened her eyes, breathing weakly: "Your Majesty..."

The couple's eyes, which had not looked at each other seriously for a long time, finally met.

Emperor Chongzhao's eyes were red.

"Your Majesty," Empress Mo was confused about her condition but had a solid feeling, "Am I, not able to do it anymore?"

"No!" Emperor Chongzhao forced a smile and held his wife's hand. "It's because I saw you like this and thought of the Queen Mother, and I felt sad..."

"Your Majesty, please don't lie to me. I'm not stupid." Queen Mo felt powerless and sad, "Your Majesty, since I can't do it anymore..."

"Don't let your imagination run wild." Emperor Chongzhao tried to comfort her, "I was just about to tell you that the Ministry of Rites is short of people this time, and your uncle is diligent and thoughtful, and has taken on several tasks, and he has done a great job.

"Once the Queen Mother's affairs are settled, I intend to have him serve as an assistant minister in the Ministry of Justice."

Liang Shu is now only a Langzhong of the Ministry of Rites. If he is promoted one level, he should go to the Ministry of Revenue or the Ministry of Personnel to be a Langzhong. Now he has jumped three levels and was directly promoted to the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice. This is a special favor.

Empress Mo shook her head slightly and spoke more gently: "No need... My uncle's talent is average. When he retired, he had a minister, and that was it...

"I want to say, Brother Tao..."

Emperor Chongzhao's eyes suddenly became blurred: "Don't worry, I will appoint him as the Crown Prince next year!

“Originally, he should have been crowned as soon as he entered the Daming Palace, but he is still young, and after he is crowned the crown prince he will have to go to the Eastern Palace. I can’t bear to let him go, so I want to delay it for a few more years.

"Don't worry, I will educate him well.

"I promise you with all my heart: the seat in Hanyuan Palace will definitely be his!"

A sincere smile slowly spread across Queen Mo's lips: "I thank the Lord for his grace..."

"Xiao Xiao, don't think too much. Take your medicine and take good care of yourself. You will get better." Emperor Chong Zhao burst into tears. "Brother Tao is still so young..."

Empress Mo was somewhat melancholy and stunned for a long time before she whispered, "Your Majesty, you are in your prime, I think you will definitely take in a new queen...

"I want to ask you not to let others raise my son...

"He is sensitive, kind and filial. I'm afraid he can't see through the many secret methods used by women..."

Emperor Chong Zhao choked up and shook his head, "No, don't worry, I won't take a new queen until Brother Tao comes of age!

"When he is fully grown and can take charge of his own affairs, I will let him stay in my harem and choose his own queen mother for him!"

Empress Mo's smile was steady and brilliant. She stared at Emperor Chongzhao with all her heart and eyes, and said gently, "Then, isn't that wronging you?"

"As long as our son is not wronged." Emperor Chongzhao smiled through his tears and held her hand tightly.

Queen Mo smiled, tears falling from the corners of her eyes, and then she closed her eyes: "Your Majesty, take care..."

Suddenly passed away.

Emperor Chongzhao hugged her and cried bitterly.

Tao Ge'er didn't see his mother for the last time, and he was so sad that he had a high fever that night.

Emperor Chongzhao went to the Sizheng Hall with a blank look on his face, sat on the round stool beside the bed, leaned on his knees with his hands, and said nothing.

Taimian looked pale and didn't speak.

Upon seeing this, Concubine Xu took everyone out and closed the palace door.

Chang Ying bowed to her and asked her to go back to the palace to rest: "The imperial doctors are in the side hall, and I will be able to guard them."

The father and son sat facing each other all night, and no one knew whether they communicated with each other afterwards.

But starting from the next day, Tai Shang's condition took a turn for the worse.

Everyone rushed over to listen to the news.

Doctor Hua knelt on the ground, taking the pulse, frowning: "Your Majesty, you must open your mind, don't listen to worldly things, and especially don't get angry."

Prince Yong muttered, "Who wouldn't be angry after hearing so many stupid things? Even if my father is broad-minded, when he encounters someone like Zhongshun..."

"Okay." Emperor Chongzhao interrupted impatiently, "Say less."

He looked at the group of people again and said grimly, "I want to hear the truth!"

The imperial doctors took turns to check the patient's pulse, and finally they unanimously recommended Imperial Doctor Hua to come out and reply with a bitter face: "I'm afraid it's not good."

Li Wanan stood at the end of the bed, silent and motionless, looking even more like a dead man than Tai Shang, whose face was as white as gold paper, lying on the bed.

On the 57th day after the death of the Empress Dowager, which was the 22nd day of the twelfth lunar month, the Emperor passed away.