Transmigration: Experiencing Life's End - Dying Peacefully in One's Sleep

"You're so thoughtful. Have you eaten yet? Your mother will have someone prepare something for you."

"Mother, no need, I've already used it," Hongli quickly said.

"Alright, let's have some tea then." Just as she finished speaking, Baojuan placed the tea in front of Hongli.

The mother and son talked for a long time, and Hongli stayed for lunch before he left.

Regardless, the two are now mother and son, and they must maintain a loving mother-son relationship.

The death of Consort Duan caused little stir in the palace; the Emperor simply allowed her to be buried with the rites due to a Noble Consort.

Time flies. During this period, An Lingrong spent her days quietly in the palace, but occasionally she would go out of the palace at night to go on dates.

As evening fell, the bustling streets were filled with the distant darkness of the sky.

Ji Chao led An Lingrong by the hand, while she covered Mu Li's face. The two walked down the street, enjoying a rare opportunity to go out together.

However, to avoid any unforeseen circumstances, the two returned home after a short while, as curfew was fast approaching.

"The emperor doesn't have much time left," An Lingrong said, scanning her surroundings with her spiritual power to make sure no one was around.

Ji Chao paused for a moment before speaking, "Congratulations, you're about to become the Empress Dowager."

An Lingrong rested her chin on her hand, looking at him with a smile in her eyes: "Why do I feel like you're not really happy to congratulate me?"

"Did I make it very obvious?" Ji Chao didn't refute it and admitted it.

An Lingrong nodded: "Yes, I could tell at a glance."

Ji Chao smiled and said, "It's not that I'm unhappy, it's just that I wish there would be a day when we could get along without having to do this secretive thing."

Feelings are uncontrollable. At first, you just feel that being together is enough, but later you crave more and want to be with her every day.

An Lingrong didn't speak, nor did she mention her future plans, intending to give him a surprise later.

Seeing that she didn't speak, Ji Chao knew the chances were slim, so he didn't bring it up again. As long as she was there, that was enough.

The two spent another night together, and as usual, An Lingrong rushed back to the palace before dawn.

The Emperor also noticed that his health was deteriorating, so he arranged marriages for his sons, choosing families that would be helpful to Hongli.

After taking the Qingxin Pill, Hongli no longer acts impulsively. He is now methodical and no longer petty.

Not long after his marriage, the emperor fell ill, and the women of the harem took turns attending to him.

During a brief moment of lucidity, Yinzhen directly issued an edict to confer the title of Imperial Noble Consort on An Lingrong and the title of Prince Bao on Hongli.

Now everyone is certain that the Emperor's choice of the Fourth Prince to succeed to the throne is a foregone conclusion.

Two months later, before his death, the emperor summoned his ministers to the palace and announced in person that he would pass the throne to Prince Bao, Hongli.

After An Lingrong became Empress Dowager, she moved into Cining Palace and stopped interfering in palace affairs, leaving them to Hongli's empress.

All the other concubines of the late emperor moved to Shou Kang Palace.

After spending a year in the palace, An Lingrong expressed her desire to leave to Ji Chao.

Ji Chao was somewhat surprised, but still said, "Then I'll leave with you."

"Are you willing to give up everything you have now?" An Lingrong asked with a smile.

Ji Chao said, "Well, the officialdom is full of ups and downs. I want to go with you to see the beautiful scenery in different places and spend time with you day and night."

Seeing the seriousness in his eyes, An Lingrong said, "Alright, then you should leave first to acquire some assets, so that it will be more convenient for our future life."

“Okay, I’ve accumulated some personal assets over the years. If I change my identity and acquire some more, it will be more than enough for us to squander,” Ji Chao nodded.

"It won't be easy for you to get away without arousing suspicion. Do you need my help?"

“In my younger years, I was in poor health and suffered from many illnesses, which is something that everyone can easily find out. If I suddenly fell ill and died, I don’t think anyone would suspect anything,” Ji Chao said.

"Okay, it's good that you have a solution." An Lingrong didn't mind, as she and Xiao Qi would be there to clean up any problems.

Ji Chao picked her up and carried her inside, saying, "I probably won't see you for a long time after I leave the capital."

"Me too, will you have long, sleepless nights after you leave?" An Lingrong reached out and hugged his neck, a slight smile playing on her lips.

Amused by her words, Ji Chao lowered his head and kissed her hard to express his good mood.

Sounds came from the large bed inside the room.

……

After Ji Chao left safely, An Lingrong discovered she was pregnant a month later.

It seemed that she would have to leave the palace in a few months at most, so not long after, the Cining Palace began to summon the imperial physicians.

To outsiders, An Lingrong's health appeared to be deteriorating.

Two months later, the Empress Dowager passed away in Cining Palace. Her personal attendant, Yunshang, followed her mistress in death, and everyone else was dismissed from the palace.

Before leaving, An Lingrong gave them enough money to live on. As long as the An family didn't cause trouble, they could live a good life.

The Empress Dowager in the palace has been buried and placed in the imperial mausoleum.

An Lingrong also changed her clothes and left the capital with Mu Li, heading towards the place she had agreed to meet with Ji Chao.

Upon receiving the message, Ji Chao also set off to pick her up. The two met on the road, mainly because Xiao Qi provided the route, which prevented them from missing each other.

They weren't in a hurry to go back, but instead enjoyed the scenery and sightseeing along the way.

That night, they found an inn to stay in. After An Lingrong finished washing up, she lay down on the bed. When Ji Chao returned, he got into bed and hugged her.

The moment he placed his hand on her waist, he sensed something was wrong: "Your stomach?"

Because she was more than four months pregnant, her belly was starting to show, and Ji Chao could feel it as soon as he touched it.

He sat up abruptly and asked, "You're pregnant?"

"Yes, congratulations on becoming a father," An Lingrong said with a smile.

"Why didn't you tell me sooner?" Ji Chao said with a helpless smile.

"I have a surprise for you, are you surprised?"

Ji Chao was touched: "Thank you for the surprise."

An Lingrong wrapped her arms around his neck, leaned against him, and whispered, "Let's go to sleep."

This didn't seem like she just wanted to sleep. Ji Chao placed his hand on her stomach: "Baby..."

Before he could finish speaking, An Lingrong kissed him on the lips, and he didn't say the rest of his words.

“The first three months are over now, and things have stabilized,” An Lingrong said.

Although Ji Chao was also in pain, he still cared about her and the child, and was exceptionally gentle tonight.

……

The two strolled leisurely until they arrived at the house that Ji Chao had bought.

An Lingrong only had one child in this world. Here, they changed their names and surnames, and the family of three lived together, traveling around whenever they had the chance.

Back in the system space, Zhong Ning said, "Xiao Qi!"

"Host has arrived, settle the account immediately," Xiao Qi said hurriedly.

Settlement in progress...

Settlement complete.

Main quest (must be completed): Die peacefully in your sleep.

Complete the task to earn 3000 points.

Side quest (optional): Cease all ties with the female lead Zhen Huan, gain more favor than the female lead, and take revenge on the Empress.

The system determines that the task is completed and points are awarded.

Name: Zhong Ning

Gender: Female

Skills: Soul Refining Technique (10/10) Martial Arts, Management, Finance, Marksmanship, Swordsmanship, Whip Technique, Knife Technique, Lightness Skill, Painting, Guzheng (Chinese zither), Chess, Horsemanship, Calligraphy, Pipa (Chinese lute), Tea Ceremony, Medicine, Tomb Raiding, Artifact Appraisal, Cooking, Hacking, Language Proficiency, Imperial Arts, Classical Dance, Alchemy, Formation

Item: Spirit Spring Space (Max Level)

Points: (Reserved) +

Cultivation level: Mid-stage True Immortal Realm

Xiao Qi's voice rang out: "Host, look at your points. 500 points used in the last world have already been deducted."

“The side quests in the last world gave pretty good points!” Zhong Ning said.

Xiao Qi explained, "Because this is the original owner's obsession, she paid for it, so naturally she got more points."

"It would be good to have more of these." Zhong Ning didn't mind having too many points.

"A host who depends on luck, hehe."

Zhong Ning didn't mind: "Alright, let's go to the next world."

"Good host."