Silent Lover (The Silent Concubine) - Chap 110
Chapter 110 – The Demon’s Mischief
Xiao Xiye was shocked and took a step back. The Third Prince in Empress Jiang’s arms had half-open eyes, seemingly lifeless at first glance, but upon closer inspection, it was evident that his eyes had lost their focus.
“Your Majesty, what’s wrong?” Empress Jiang asked in confusion, seeing Emperor Ye distraught.
“He… he’s gone,” Xiao Xiye stuttered after a moment of hesitation.
Empress Jiang sat down heavily on the ground, clutching the Third Prince tightly in her arms.
“No, Yu’er just caught a chill! He won’t die. Where’s the royal physician? Your Majesty, summon the royal physician quickly! Save our child,” Empress Jiang pleaded, tears streaming down her face, while Xiao Xiye, feeling guilty and heartbroken, didn’t know how to comfort her.
“Yu’er has passed away, and at this point, even calling for the royal physician won’t help,” Xiao Xiye said remorsefully. “It’s my fault for neglecting him these days.”
“No, he can still be saved! Your Majesty, save Yu’er, please… Look, his fever has subsided. Maybe he’ll get better soon!” Empress Jiang cried out desperately, her face pressed against the Third Prince, only to realize that his body was no longer as hot as before but starting to cool down.
Xiao Xiye’s face was filled with sorrow as he gently placed the Third Prince on the ground and closed his eyelids.
“Yu’er, I’m sorry…”
Suddenly, Empress Jiang looked up, her eyes fixed on Shen Yu, filled with intense hatred.
“It’s all because of you! You demon! You killed my Yu’er! You even took Yu’er’s life! Give me back my son!” Empress Jiang’s voice turned hysterical as she lunged at Shen Yu, as if she wouldn’t stop until she tore him apart.
Shen Yu was caught off guard by Empress Jiang’s assault, unable to steady his steps. Although she was a woman, the pain of losing her child had driven her insane, twisting her face in madness as she grabbed Shen Yu, wanting to bite a piece of flesh from him to find solace.
“Your Majesty!” Xiao Xiye acted swiftly to restrain Empress Jiang, who was now screaming and shouting uncontrollably.
“Ah! Let me kill him! Kill this demon! I want you to pay with your life for my son! Your Majesty, kill him now! He killed Yu’er and will kill more of your children in the future! He’s a harbinger of disaster, Your Majesty!”
Despite Empress Jiang’s loss of sanity and her disorderly behavior, Xiao Xiye couldn’t bring himself to blame her.
“Take Yu’er back to the Pepper Room Palace. His death… will be thoroughly investigated,” Xiao Xiye instructed.
“I won’t go! I want him dead! Give me my son’s life in return!” Empress Jiang stubbornly shouted.
Helpless, Xiao Xiye could only order to have Empress Jiang subdued, having palace maids assist her back first. It was normal for her to be unable to handle the shock for a while. She needed to rest for a few hours to recover her spirits.
Xiao Xiye ordered for the proper arrangements to be made for the Third Prince’s body, to set up a memorial hall, and to invite eminent monks into the palace for the Third Prince’s posthumous rites.
“Yu’er, are you okay?”
Xiao Xiye asked with concern…
As Shen Yu looked into Xiao Xiye’s worried and compassionate eyes, he could discern a hint of suspicion and struggle.
Shen Yu shook his head, stating that he was only scratched by Empress Jiang, which paled in comparison to her grief over losing her child.
“It’s alright…” Xiao Xiye paused before saying, “You’ve been through a scare. Go back to your room and rest for a while.”
It was a suggestion for him to return to his room, indicating a desire for him not to come out. Shen Yu understood this and turned to go back to his room. As he closed the door, he met Xiao Xiye’s vigilant gaze.
“Your Majesty, please accept my condolences.”
Shen Ruofei supported Xiao Xiye’s arm, wiping her tears sorrowfully.
“In recent days, I’ve been accompanying Empress Mother, watching the Third Prince’s condition worsen day by day. I wish I could have taken his illness upon myself. I didn’t expect the Third Prince to pass away at such a young age… I should have reported to Your Majesty earlier.”
Xiao Xiye shook off Shen Ruofei’s hand and asked coldly, “Report what?”
Shen Ruofei glanced at the Qilin Pavilion, her expression uneasy.
“I dare not speak nonsense… Your Majesty, as you know, Shen Yu is the biological son of my family. When he was born, a Taoist came to our home, claiming he was an ominous being, possibly a demon…”
“Nonsense!” Xiao Xiye exclaimed angrily. “There are no ghosts or monsters in this world!”
Shen Ruofei hurriedly knelt down, stealing a glance at Xiao Xiye’s expression. Although he was furious, his disbelief indicated that he was harboring suspicions.
“I dare not speak nonsense, Your Majesty. It was my father’s personal experience that he told me about. You can ask my father…”
“Have you mentioned this to anyone else?” Xiao Xiye’s gaze turned icy.
Shen Ruofei shook her head repeatedly. “Of course not. I, like Your Majesty, naturally don’t believe it. I only mentioned it to Empress Mother out of concern for the Crown Prince. Coincidentally, on that day, the Chief of the Qintian Observatory sought an audience with Empress Mother, claiming that the Third Prince’s illness was caused by a demonic presence. I don’t know if it’s true…”
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