Quick Transmigration: Survive to the End

The wedding of Su Ruyi and Miss Xia proceeded smoothly. Shen Ruyin was busy for quite some time before leading Miss Xia into the palace.

Although Consort Shen was dissatisfied with Miss Xia's family background, the Su family was satisfied. Miss Xia seemed to get along well with Shen Ruyin, so she didn't say anything more.

After seeing Miss Xia off, when Shen Ruyin entered the palace again the next day, Consort Shen said to her, "The Empress is about to come out."

“It’s been several months, and I’ve told the Empress three stories already. If she doesn’t come out soon, my voice will go hoarse,” Shen Ruyin said deliberately, raising her voice. “Big sister, look, I’m afraid I’m going to end up like this.”

"She's about to become a mother-in-law, yet she's still so mischievous," Consort Shen said with a smile in her eyes. "The Empress is out here not for any other reason than that the First Prince was reprimanded by the Emperor a few days ago."

Shen Ruyin turned her head to look at her: "When did this happen? We haven't heard a word about it outside."

“Yes, the Empress found out before anyone else could even hear a whisper of it,” Consort Shen said in high spirits. “I’m just waiting for her to come out now.”

Before Shen Ruyin could respond, she continued, "Fengyi Palace was surrounded like an iron barrel. She hid inside all day, but news from the outside could still keep flowing in."

"If we don't lure her out, who will remember those old stories after all this time?"

Shen Ruyin listened thoughtfully: "Isn't this like catching field mice?"

"If we don't smoke it out, and let it stay in the hole, we won't be able to catch it."

Consort Shen said with some disdain, "Couldn't you use something else as an analogy?"

"Then let's go with rabbits," Shen Ruyin smiled. "Rabbits can dig burrows too."

Consort Shen was quite satisfied this time: "This one will do."

After returning home that day, the Empress quickly announced her recovery, and the palace power that had originally been in the hands of Consort Shen was taken back by the Empress.

The Emperor had originally intended for Consort Shen to preside over the year-end palace banquet, but she declined. She replied that since the Empress was well, it would be proper for her to take charge of the matter.

The Empress and the ministers of the previous court were very satisfied with this, and even the eldest prince became more patient with the princes and princesses from Qingquan Palace.

Everyone was delighted, but the emperor was not satisfied and deliberately gave Consort Shen the cold shoulder for a few days.

Consort Shen feigned sadness on the surface, but privately went about her business as usual, quite cheerful.

As she aged, she needed to take care of her health and was no longer willing to serve the emperor, whose appearance and figure had deteriorated.

But the emperor was a scoundrel. Consort Shen didn't put in much effort, so he came on his own, gave her many gifts, and brought up the marriage of the eldest princess.

The Empress did not cause any trouble regarding the eldest princess. Firstly, she had genuinely loved the child for several years, and secondly, the Emperor was increasingly dissatisfied with the eldest prince, so she was eager to mediate and naturally did not care about anything else.

Shen Ruyin hadn't been to the palace for several months, but the old lady of Anping Marquis was happy to talk to her about these things, so she was able to keep track of the plot's developments.

Another winter has come. Xia, the daughter-in-law who has been married for three years, gave birth to a son safely. Shen Ruyin held her grandson and sighed, "It's finally time."

After she finished getting ready, she personally went to the palace to report the good news to Consort Shen.

"She's quite ambitious," Consort Shen said, instructing Nanxing to prepare a reward, though a lingering sadness remained on her face.

A knowing glint flashed in Shen Ruyin's eyes, but she asked, "What's wrong, eldest sister? Has something happened?"

Consort Shen did not hide many things from her, and this time was no exception.

"The Emperor is ill, but the affairs of state are being handled by the eldest prince, and the Empress controls the Xuan Shi Hall, forbidding others from entering. I am somewhat worried."

Seeing her furrowed brows, Shen Ruyin thought for a moment and asked, "Big sister, is there something you want to do, but are also afraid to do?"

After Consort Shen nodded, she continued, "Although I don't know your plan, elder sister, I do know that time waits for no one, and the Emperor is getting old."

Consort Shen suddenly looked up at her.

Shen Ruyin, however, was completely unaffected by her gaze: "The Empress controls the Xuan Shi Hall and does not allow anyone to go in to visit the Emperor. Is this the Emperor's will or the Empress's will? This is very important."

"If my sister has other information to corroborate this, she can make a decision sooner."

"If it is the Emperor's will, then you must remain quiet and not move."

"But what if it's the Empress's own wish..."

Consort Shen suddenly stood up: "Then the Empress and the Crown Prince have the intention to usurp the throne and rebel."

“The Empress has controlled the Xuan Shi Palace for three days; we can’t be any later,” Consort Shen said, disregarding Shen Ruyin’s presence, and immediately summoned her confidante to give the order. She then turned to Shen Ruyin and said, “Wait a moment. If it really is the Empress…”

Shen Ruyin firmly grasped Consort Shen's hand: "Sister, whatever you want me to do, I'll help you."

Consort Shen grasped her hand in return, thought for a long time, and then said, "I will write to my father and Marquis Anping, asking them for my help. When you leave the palace, take my trusted confidante with you and have her see me off."

"Okay, I'll listen to my sister," Shen Ruyin said, unable to express her true feelings. After so many years of waiting, the finale was finally here.

Feeling her trembling hands, Consort Shen assumed it was because she was nervous and smiled to comfort her: "Don't you always pride yourself on being brave?"

“I’ve always been bold,” Shen Ruyin said stubbornly.

Consort Shen's confidant returned quickly, bringing news that the emperor was being imprisoned in the Xuan Shi Palace by the empress, who was not providing him with proper medical treatment, food, or drink.

Consort Shen was somewhat surprised by the Empress's ruthlessness.

Shen Ruyin dared not delay any longer and left the palace with the letter.

As for Consort Shen's confidants, they naturally carried a pile of rewards and followed her out openly.

After leaving the palace, Shen Ruyin sent her trusted confidants to her maternal home, while she personally escorted the Marquis of Anping to his residence.

Her trusted confidante hesitated before advising her, "The Imperial Concubine does not wish for you to be involved in this matter. I should go instead."

“What are you arguing with me about now?” Shen Ruyin’s attitude was unusually firm. “Let’s go our separate ways and not ruin my older sister’s plans. At this time, neither of us can afford to be delayed.”

After her confidante disembarked from the carriage, Shen Ruyin arrived at the Marquis of Anping's residence and delivered the letter to the Marquis of Anping through Madam Wang.

Marquis Anping hesitated regarding what Consort Shen had said in her letter.

Shen Ruyin said from the side, "I don't know what the Empress wrote, nor do I know why the Marquis is hesitant."

"But I'm sure you understand the importance of speed in warfare better than I do."

The old lady meant the same thing: "When it comes to the final step, you always have to take a chance. You're just a subject who's worried about the Emperor's health."

After being persuaded by the two, Marquis Anping finally made up his mind to contact his in-laws and go to the palace together.

Seeing him leave, Shen Ruyin also bid farewell to the old lady.

Stepping out of the Marquis of Anping's residence, Shen Ruyin felt extremely comfortable as the rare warm winter sun shone on her.

A smile appeared on her lips; the final episode was finally about to begin.