Untouchable Lovers

Chapter 71: Chapter 71: Just Doing One’s Duty

Among the three, Chu Yu was seated nearest the carriage door, so if they were to disembark, she would be the first. At this moment, Rong Zhi and Tian Rujing both looked towards her, naturally waiting for her to exit first so they could follow.

Yet Chu Yu really wanted to ask the coachman to slowly drive around the Imperial Palace a few more times, to grant these two men more time to talk. However, outside the carriage, Yue Jiefei was also urging, “Princess, we have arrived.” Even with Rong Zhi in the carriage, Yue Jiefei still didn’t feel at ease having Tian Rujing and Chu Yu together in a confined space.

With a helpless sigh, Chu Yu bowed her waist to get off the carriage, not lingering, and then led the three into the Imperial Palace. Normally Yue Jiefei and Rong Zhi would not enter the palace if not summoned, and unlike Tian Rujing, they did not have the privilege to do so. In the past, when Chu Yu entered the palace to see Liu Ziyue, Yue Jiefei would wait outside. But now, circumstances were different, and Chu Yu used her authority to bring two additional persons with her.

Passing through layers upon layers of palace gates, the surrounding splendor transformed into the gentle and ornate sceneries of the harem where the women resided. Approaching the Yongxun Palace, where Empress Dowager Wang lived, from afar, they could already hear some noise. Chu Yu frowned and, bypassing the Palace Attendant leading the way, dashed towards the source of the commotion.

Chu Yu, holding up her skirts, ran through the long corridors. She didn’t know what she was anxious about, only that there was a thought compelling her to move faster, ever faster. Palace maids in the corridor turned to look at Chu Yu, some attempting to curtsy, blocking her path, only to be pushed aside by her.

She nearly stormed into Yongxun Palace at a run, passing through several doors and circling a finely decorated screen, and there, amidst the thick scent of medicinal herbs, Chu Yu, still catching her breath, saw a woman on the verge of death; she was the sole blot amidst the splendor.

The room was incredibly grand, as was the opulent bed. The bedding was embroidered with vibrant, extravagant flowers, but amid this flourishing display, the pallid woman’s face told of extreme anguish. Her hair was disheveled, her hands flailing ceaselessly. If not for the palace maids by her side holding her back, she might have tumbled off the bed, shouting, “Bring me a knife! Bring me a knife!”

An old Medical Officer’s face was flushed red with helplessness as he stood on the side.

The woman’s screams were hoarse, her voice exhausted, and perhaps due to the weakness brought by illness, her cries could not carry very far. The surrounding palace maids were in disarray, continually trying to console her, “Empress Dowager, please don’t hurt yourself…” They too were in a panic, after all, it was the esteemed Empress Dowager lying on the bed; none dared press too hard against her, yet if they let go, they feared she would harm herself.

Chu Yu stood in the room, her steps halted, the previous anxiety seemingly evaporated as she looked at Empress Dowager Wang with unfamiliar eyes: her figure was lean, her appearance that of a woman in her thirties, not as aged as Chu Yu had imagined. At this moment, her grace and poise were utterly gone, only her cries remained, “Quick, bring a knife, I want to cut open my belly and see why I gave birth to such a son!”

Her cheeks were tinged with a morbid flush, making her appear all the more wan.

At that moment, a palace maid turned her head to call for another Imperial Physician but noticed Chu Yu’s arrival. As she moved forward to greet her, Chu Yu waved her off and quickly walked to the bedside, grasping one of Empress Dowager Wang’s flailing hands.

So thin.

The hand in her grasp was slender and pale, the smooth skin possibly the result of long-term care, but it was the bony protrusions that felt jarring, a veritable case of skin and bones.@@novelbin@@

Chu Yu felt a tinge of pity in her heart, muttering to herself that even if she had taken over Shan Yin’s Princess’s identity, she ought to fulfill her filial duties in her stead. Although she wasn’t sure whether Shan Yin’s Princess herself would have wanted to fulfill these duties, she simply couldn’t bear to see a mother pass away in such pain.

Feeling her hand suddenly seized, Empress Dowager Wang turned her head, seeing Chu Yu, and after a moment of surprise, her expression slowly shifted from madness to calmness: “Is it you?”

Chu Yu sighed, knelt by the bed with bent knees, trying to keep her eyes level with Empress Dowager Wang’s. She extended her other hand, enclosing the woman’s emaciated, bony fingers with both of her hands. After feeling a slight awkwardness in her heart, she finally opened her mouth and called out, “Mother… Empress Dowager, it’s me. It has always been my fault before for not fulfilling my filial duties. It is only today that your daughter has come to know regret and is hoping for your forgiveness.”

Chu Yu looked at Empress Dowager Wang sincerely and earnestly, “Empress Dowager, no matter what grievances we had in the past, let us set them aside for now, okay?”

From Empress Dowager Wang’s previous reaction, she was unsure of the exact nature of the relationship between mother and daughter, but no matter what, it was always safe to apologize first.

Chu Yu watched Empress Dowager Wang, who, now calm, finally showed traces of her former noble demeanor in her eyes and brows. Despite being worn by illness and suffering, her elegance could not be completely concealed. So young yet already at life’s end, and at this time, her son wouldn’t even come to take a look.

A soft pity emerged in Chu Yu’s heart, and a genuine sorrow appeared on her face as well.

Empress Dowager Wang watched her for a moment before tremulously extending her other dry, twig-like hand, gently touching Chu Yu’s cheek as if trying to smile, yet tears streamed from her eyes. “So I still have a daughter…” She struggled to sit up but was quickly held down by Chu Yu, “Empress Dowager, it is not good for you to move unnecessarily now.”

Empress Dowager Wang was somewhat pleased to see Chu Yu, even though it was not her son who had come, but in her happiness, it seemed as if all her strength had suddenly left her, and even her consciousness became somewhat blurry.

Chu Yu saw Empress Dowager Wang’s eyes were about to close in weakness, and urgently called out, “Empress Dowager!” After the first call of “Empress Dowager,” it became much easier to say it afterward.

Catching a glimpse of the snowy white figure at the door out of the corner of her eye, Chu Yu turned her head slightly and said coldly, “Rong Zhi, if you’re here then come in. I know you have excellent medical skills. Take a look at the Empress Dowager for me, can you cure her?”

Rong Zhi and Tian Rujing, along with Yue Jiefei, had only followed Chu Yu here, not daring to barge into the Empress Dowager’s sleeping palace and only standing at the door, but Chu Yu unexpectedly noticed the corner of their clothing.

Rong Zhi hesitated for a moment before slowly walking into the room. Under Chu Yu’s pressing gaze, he approached the Empress Dowager’s bedside, glanced at her casually, and shook his head, meaning it was plain to see that there was no hope left and preparations for the end should be made swiftly.

Chu Yu sneered, “I brought you here specially, and it’s not for you to tell me this…” She paused, elongating her tone, “Seven…Leaf…Snow…Ganoderma…” The only thing that could possibly move Rong Zhi now was perhaps this medicinal material for treating Hua Cuo.

Rong Zhi replied helplessly, “Princess, you cannot force someone to do the impossible. There are things even I can’t achieve.” The Empress Dowager was in a critical condition, her oil spent and her lamp burned out, only half a breath left, having lived until now only by anger and willpower in her heart. Even with supreme medical skills, it was beyond saving.

Chu Yu released the Empress Dowager’s hand, carefully laid her down, and pulled the covers up snugly before turning to Rong Zhi and saying, “I want you to try your best to save her, not just glance and shake your head at me.”

Rong Zhi fell silent for a while, then said, “Since the Princess insists, I can only do my best. Prepare the medicinal materials and needles for me, and have everyone follow my directions. Perhaps it will prolong her life a little, but even so, I cannot guarantee a complete cure.”

Chu Yu knew this was the limit of his concessions and was satisfied with the outcome. Biting her lip, she agreed, “That is good. We’ll do our humanly best and leave the rest to fate. If we cannot bring her back, I will not blame you.” After finishing her instructions according to Rong Zhi’s requests, she turned to look at Empress Dowager Wang, who had already fallen into a semi-comatose state and softly said, “Empress Dowager, do you not wish to see that boy? I will go and bring him here right away!”