A Shocking Dream

The atmosphere in the carriage en route to Jinyuyuan was heavy and oppressive. Qin Ronghuan's face was solemn, his eyes filled with worry. He mentioned Qin Rongchen's matter, testing Kou Jing's attitude: "Mother, if Rongchen learns of the Saint's serious illness upon his return to the capital, I'm afraid I won't be able to stop him."

Kou Jing frowned slightly, a complex expression on her face. She sighed softly and said, "How can I stop him? I can't stop him. You and Rong Chen are both my sons. I'm in a dilemma right now. How can I discuss love in front of the country? Let's put Rong Chen aside for now. Let's go to Jinyuyuan to see the situation and then come up with a plan."

The carriage moved slowly along the road, the sound of the wheels rolling as if to convey the uneasiness of the crowd. Qin Ronghuan remained silent, fully aware of the gravity of the matter and the responsibility he bore. But he was equally worried about Qin Rongchen. He wondered what his stubborn yet affectionate brother would do if he learned of the Saint's serious illness.

Meanwhile, Su Yijing stood at the gate of Jinyuyuan, peering out. The news of the Emperor's arrival didn't surprise him; he knew, at this crucial moment, the Emperor would surely arrive in person. The carriage gradually approached. The Emperor, in disguise, was traveling privately, with few attendants. Su Yijing straightened his clothes, preparing to greet the Emperor and the Empress Dowager.

As the carriage stopped, everyone's mood grew tense. They were about to face the harsh reality of the Saint's serious illness, and the series of crises it might trigger. Amidst the turmoil in the palace, everyone was considering their own positions and strategies, and the Saint's fate became the focus of everyone's attention.

"Your humble servant pays his respects to the Emperor, the Empress Dowager, and the Empress." As Su Yijing saluted, the guards and maids inside and outside the Jinyu Courtyard knelt down and saluted together. The scene was solemn and dignified.

"Everyone, get up." The palace servants helped Qin Ronghuan down from the carriage, followed by Kou Jing and Kou Lanzhi. Qin Ronghuan's expression was solemn, and as soon as he landed, he asked about Saint Su Yijing's condition.

"Your Majesty, the situation is not optimistic." Su Yijing lowered his head slightly, his tone heavy.

Qin Ronghuan stepped into the courtyard, and everyone stood up. At this moment, Qingluan, a member of the Yun Kingdom delegation, said humbly, "Your Majesty, our Saint Daughter has suddenly fallen ill with a long-standing illness. We are truly sorry for the trouble this has caused your country."

Qin Ronghuan frowned slightly and responded, "What are you saying, Envoy Qingyun? The Saint has come all the way to Daqi. It is a great honor for Daqi. I wonder if I could go and check on the Saint now?"

"If Your Majesty doesn't mind, please come this way." Qingluan stepped aside to lead the way, and everyone's mood grew increasingly tense. They knew that the Saint's illness not only affected the relationship between the two countries, but also could trigger a series of unpredictable consequences. In this tense atmosphere, Qin Ronghuan and others followed Qingluan to the Saint's room, each step seeming to carry a heavy burden.

And in the room, the saint lay quietly, her fate like a candle swaying in the wind, which could go out at any time.

Her already disfigured face was now even paler than paper. She looked utterly hideous, her breathing so weak it was barely perceptible, as if it could cease at any moment. Her once bright, moving eyes were now tightly shut, her long lashes casting a faint shadow across her pale face. Her lips were bloodless and slightly chapped. One hand dangled limply from the bedside, its fingers slender and cold. The room was thick with the smell of medicine, yet it couldn't mask the fading presence of life.

The atmosphere was solemn and depressing. Kou Jing approached the bedside gently, her footsteps were very light, as if she was afraid of disturbing this fragile life. She slowly stretched out her hand and lifted a corner of the bed curtain. When she saw Yun Shuang's pale and haggard appearance, her heart suddenly tightened. Yun Shuang was right. She was plain-looking, with a red birthmark on her left cheek. Her eyes, which were once admired and envied, had now lost their luster due to illness. Kou Jing's heart was filled with complex emotions, and she really couldn't bear it. She thought back to what she had done to Yun Shuang in the past few months, and couldn't help but feel a little regretful.

This terminally ill woman had traveled thousands of miles to Daqi. While she might have made some mistakes during this time, as death approaches, all mistakes become a thing of the past. Kou Jing closed her eyes and sighed softly. Her hand trembled slightly as she slowly lowered the bed curtain.

In the face of life, all the struggles and conflicts we once had seem so insignificant.

Elsewhere in the room, everyone was silent. They watched Kou Jing's actions, their hearts filled with emotion. The Saint's illness had plunged everyone into deep thought.

In this room filled with sadness and contemplation, time seemed to stand still. Everyone was waiting for fate to decide, while also pondering how they should face the coming storm.

A heavy, sorrowful atmosphere filled the room. "Aluan," Yunshuang's feeble voice drifted out, so faint it seemed to drift from the distant horizon, carrying with it endless fatigue and weakness.

"Hurry, your Saint has something to say." Qin Ronghuan heard the voice and hurriedly summoned Qingluan. Qingluan fell to her knees beside the bed, tears streaming down her face like a broken dam. She pressed her ear against the bed curtains, listening intently to every word the Saint said.

"Take the king's letter... and give it to Emperor Ansheng. My death has nothing to do with Daqi; it's the result of a serious illness. I thought... I could make it to the beginning of the new year and leave Daqi, but now, I can only die in a foreign land... After my death... bring my ashes back to Yun Country, so that I can return to my roots. I came to Daqi to see..." Yunshuang spoke each word very slowly, as if every word exhausted all her strength. Her voice was like a candle flickering in the wind, ready to go out at any moment. After a pause, she continued with difficulty, "I had hoped to see the beginning of Daqi's new year, but now, I'm afraid I won't be able to make it. As for the Sage King... he has no vested interests in our country, and I have never deceived him. He simply wanted to know... the secret of the Snow Country scroll. You have misunderstood him..."

Yunshuang's hands fell limply, as if she had let go of all her worries and attachments. "Saint!" Qingluan cried out inconsolably, her voice filled with endless sorrow and despair. The Yun Kingdom maids inside also sobbed, their clothes soaked with tears. The entire room was shrouded in deep sorrow, as if time had frozen in that moment. Qin Ronghuan and the others stood by, their expressions solemn. They were deeply moved by the Saint's words, and their hearts were filled with emotion and regret.

"Quick, quick, check on the Saint!" Qin Ruohuan's voice was filled with anxiety and uneasiness. Although he knew the outcome, he still held on to a glimmer of hope. The doctors at the Imperial Hospital were busy performing various examinations and treatments, but their faces were filled with helplessness and worry. One of the doctors gently picked up the Saint's wrist and took her pulse again. The pulse had stopped beating. The doctors shook their heads and sighed. They had exhausted every possible method, but still could not stop the Saint's life from gradually slipping away.