Peerless Physician: The Path of a Foolish Eldest Daughter's Rise to Power

Chapter 376 Poisonous Snake

At dawn, sunlight streamed into the Cining Palace through the window lattice. The Empress Dowager sat on her couch and, upon seeing Chu Hongzhi approaching from afar, was so moved that tears welled up in her eyes.

Her hands trembled as she held Chu Hongzhi tightly, afraid that if she let go, he would disappear again.

"My child, your mother has been thinking of you all these years. I'm so glad you're alive! I've never dared to leave this world easily, because I feel I would have no face to face your mother, who is my most beloved younger sister!"

Fortunately, Changshuo now has his own happy little family, and you have finally returned safely.

"Even Yiming has started a family and established his career. I can finally give my sister an explanation!" the Empress Dowager said with deep emotion.

That evening, a grand royal banquet was held in the palace.

Gu Xinyue, dressed in a gorgeous palace gown, entered the banquet hall and immediately spotted Prince Rui, Chu Yiming and his wife, Princess Changshuo and her husband, as well as other princes from the capital.

Everyone stood up to greet her, creating a lively scene.

The Empress Dowager was in a particularly good mood at the banquet, with a kind smile on her face throughout, and she was in good spirits.

Emperor Yongfeng picked up his wine cup and stood up, saying loudly, "I plan to travel outside the palace. I have already handed over the affairs of the court to Jingyu. As for Chu Yi..." He turned to look at Jingyu and continued, "You shall make proper arrangements for him."

Jing Yu quickly stood up and replied, "Yes, Your Majesty. I have already come up with a plan. I will change Chu Yi's name to Chu Yiyi and make him the eighth in the family genealogy. From now on, he will be the Eighth Prince of our Great Chu Kingdom."

After that, everyone raised their glasses in celebration, and the atmosphere of the banquet became even more harmonious and pleasant.

The next morning, sunlight streamed through the palace windows, but the entire palace was shrouded in a somber atmosphere.

The Empress Dowager closed her eyes forever and quietly passed away.

She lay on the luxurious bed, her face as peaceful as if she were asleep, with even a faint smile on her lips.

That smile seemed to convey the peace and contentment she felt as she left.

The old nanny who had been serving her said softly, "The Empress Dowager passed away peacefully. Yesterday, she saw everyone she wanted to see."

Before her death, the Empress Dowager expressed her wish to be buried as soon as possible, and instructed the Emperor Emeritus and Prince Rui that after the funeral, they could do whatever they wanted, but that it was enough for them to keep her in their hearts.

Upon hearing this, Chu Hongqing and Chu Hongzhi decided to stay at the mausoleum for three months before leaving the capital. They wanted to express their deep respect and remembrance for the Empress Dowager in this way.

As time went by, all the related funeral arrangements were finally completed.

At this moment, Granny Liu came to Gu Xinyue and said with a slightly solemn expression, "Your Majesty, Xiaomei has found me. She says she wants to see you."

Upon hearing this name, Gu Xinyue was slightly taken aback, her thoughts instantly drawn back to the distant past.

Xiao Mei, the maid who had once served her. She should have been handed over to the authorities for some mistake, but Granny Liu was kind-hearted and ultimately let her go.

As the saying goes, once unfaithful, always untrustworthy. I just never expected Xiaomei to reappear...

"Granny Liu! I really don't want to see her, and you must not have anything to do with her, lest you be hurt by that vicious and venomous person!" Gu Xinyue said with a face full of resentment.

However, Granny Liu looked troubled and replied softly, "But, Miss, she is now in the palace. You have been very busy lately, and I was thinking of having her lend a hand."

Upon hearing this, Gu Xinyue's face grew even more gloomy, and she commanded decisively, "No! You must immediately send her out of the palace, and then you yourself must return to the Duke of Changning's mansion!"

Granny Liu nodded helplessly, then turned and slowly left.

Along the way, she pondered to herself, never expecting that Gu Xinyue would harbor such a deep prejudice against Xiaomei.

When she arrived in front of Xiaomei, Granny Liu sighed and said with some reluctance, "Xiaomei, the Empress Dowager said she doesn't want to see you. You'd better leave quickly."

Upon hearing this, Xiaomei's face immediately fell, tears welled up in her eyes, and she pleaded, "Granny Liu, please help me!"

"Your Majesty, the young princes have always been cared for by you. Please put in a good word for me with her."

Granny Liu shook her head gently and sighed, "Alas, Xiaomei, the Empress Dowager always keeps her word and is a woman of her word. Since she has given the order to leave, how can we disobey her decree? You should listen to me and go back as soon as possible."

Upon hearing this, Xiaomei's anger erupted instantly, and she was furious. But she suppressed her anger. Why should she be the one to marry the Prince of Liang's confidant and live a life of luxury?

But why did her husband have to become a traitor? Heaven is so unfair!

He inadvertently caught sight of Chu Jingkang happily playing with a slingshot in the courtyard, so he turned to the old nanny Liu beside him and asked softly, "Nanny, may I go and say goodbye to the young prince before I leave?"

Granny Liu nodded slightly in agreement.

After receiving permission, Xiaomei slowly walked towards Chu Jingkang, who was squatting on the ground, intently aiming at the bird and preparing to shoot.

She quietly pulled a sharp knife from her bosom, a fierce glint in her eyes, and then used all her strength to stab Chu Jingkang in the back where he was completely unprepared!

At this critical moment, Chu Jingxuan, who had been observing the situation from a distance, reacted swiftly and rushed forward like lightning, simultaneously unleashing a sharp palm strike that accurately hit Xiaomei's body.

With a muffled thud, Xiaomei flew straight away several meters like a kite with a broken string, crashing heavily to the ground.

Startled by the sudden turn of events behind him, Chu Jingkang whirled around. When he saw what was in front of him, he couldn't help but gasp – Xiao Mei was lying on the ground, holding a sharp blade and looking disheveled.

The second brother protected him with a concerned look on his face.

Granny Liu, who was standing to the side, was already stunned with fright. After she came to her senses, she hurriedly ran to Chu Jingkang's side. After looking him up and down to make sure he was safe and sound, her heart finally settled down.

However, at this moment, Xiao Mei, lying on the ground, though severely injured, still managed to say in an extremely weak voice, "Granny Liu... I know I was wrong... The Second Prince... he's just too strong... I'm afraid I won't survive... But before I die, there's one more crucial thing I need to tell you..."

Hearing Xiaomei's words, Granny Liu was both angry and felt pity.

In the end, out of kindness, she decided to walk up to Xiaomei, squat down, and listen closely.

But no one expected that just as Granny Liu approached, Xiao Mei, who seemed to be on the verge of death, suddenly burst out with an astonishing strength. With her last bit of strength, she stabbed the knife in her hand into Granny Liu's abdomen.

She screamed hysterically, "Go to hell, all of you! Why do you get to live better than me?!"