Yuan Qingling raised her head and met Chu Mingcui's gentle and caring eyes.
"Do you need to sit down and take a rest?" Chu Mingcui asked.
Yuan Qingling shook her head and drew her hand back. "No, I’m good, thank you."
Prince Yu Wenqing pulled back Chu Mingcui and a displeased glance at Yuan Qingling. He said to Chu Mingcui, "Don’t bother. Leave her alone."
Chu Mingcui stood back to Prince Wenqing's side and glanced at Yuan Qingling gently. She seemed a little surprised. Then she whispered, "We’re family after all."
"You are too kind." Prince Wenqing took her hand. When they stood next to each other, they looked like a perfect match!
Yuan Qingling suddenly felt a strong rush of chill aura around her. It came from Yu Wenhao.
His lover was standing next to another man. He had every reason to be mad and sad. Yuan Qingling could understand.
Inside the hall, someone was wailing.
Everyone was surprised and looked at the door.
Curtains rolled up, a white-haired eunuch stumbled out. Eyes red and puffy, he announced in a hoarse voice, “Order from the Emperor, all the concubines, princes, and princesses to enter the hall now.”
He was Eunuch Li who had served the Retired Emperor for forty-five years.
The crowd fell into silence and followed Eunuch Li into the house. They crossed the hall on tiptoe and held their breath.
Yuan Qingling followed Yu Wenhao, trying to get over the dizziness.
The cella was already filled with people.
The Queen Mother and the Emperor were sitting by the bed with the Empress standing on the side. Brothers of the Retired Emperor, meaning the lords, had already returned early on. They entered the imperial palace yesterday and had been here ever since.
Almost all the imperial doctors came. They were standing in two rows, wearing solemn expressions.
The whimper echoed in the empty and quiet cella.
Yuan Qingling, however, was stunned like struck by thunder.
She could read the dog whimpering! He was mourning the Retired Emperor’s death.
She wondered when she learned this? How could she understand dog language?
The Retired Emperor stroked the dog with trembling hand, then he slowly turned to the Emperor. He couldn’t utter any words. He might be telling His Majesty to take care of this dog for him.
Emperor Mingyuan knew what his father meant, and said, "Father, don’t worry, I promise I’ll take good care of Lucky."
The Retired Emperor grinned satisfied smiled and looked at Lucky tenderly. His breathing was even smoother than just now.
The Queen Mother choked, "All your children and grandchildren are here. Don’t you want to meet them?"
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