klisemfg Chapter 283 The Empress Dowager Instructs on Her Last Arrangements
Chapter 283 The Empress Dowager Instructs on Her Last Arrangements
Chapter 283 The Empress Dowager Instructs on Her Last Affairs
Less than a month after the wedding of Crown Prince Hongye, the festive atmosphere of the Spring Festival had not yet completely dissipated, but fate ruthlessly sounded the alarm at this moment - the Empress Dowager's health condition deteriorated rapidly, and she was on the verge of death.
The imperial physicians at the Imperial Hospital wore solemn expressions. After a thorough diagnosis, they reluctantly issued the heartbreaking death notice. They estimated that the Empress Dowager might not survive the next two or three days. Faced with this sudden and tragic news, the entire palace was plunged into grief.
Despite her dying, the Empress Dowager remained open-minded and composed. In her final days, she decided to share all the things she had accumulated over the years with her children.
At this moment, the entire inner hall was remarkably quiet, with only three people quietly guarding the Grand Empress Dowager's bedside. They were the Grand Empress Dowager herself, Matron Tuna, and Burhe. Speaking of Matron Tuna, while Matron Naren has often appeared more frequently in public in recent years, those who truly knew the inner workings knew that Matron Tuna was the only loyal servant who remained by the Grand Empress Dowager's side from beginning to end. When the Grand Empress Dowager married from the vast steppes to the capital, it was Matron Tuna who accompanied her all the way. Her status within the palace was comparable to that of the highly respected Aunt Suma, who served as Empress Xiaozhuang Wen's personal assistant. She could be considered the Grand Empress Dowager's true chief steward.
At that moment, the Grand Empress Dowager held Burhe's hand tightly, her eyes filled with endless love and longing. She slowly spoke, "I've experienced so much joy and sorrow in my life. Looking back, there have been times of sadness and pain, as well as moments of joy and happiness. Thinking carefully, apart from the carefree days of my youth..." At this point, the Grand Empress Dowager's voice trembled slightly, as if her thoughts were drawn back to the distant past.
Burhe was overcome with emotion, tightly grasping the Grand Empress Dowager's slightly dry yet still warm hands. She had spent years in the solemn and awe-inspiring Forbidden City. Even though she was often slow-witted, the passage of time had gradually brought many truths to light. For example, since she entered this palace and married into the imperial family, it's no exaggeration to say that, aside from her husband, Yinreng, the only person who had truly cared for and protected her was this kind and amiable Grand Empress Dowager.
With deep affection in her eyes, Burhe said softly, "Grandma, just tell me. As long as it is within my granddaughter-in-law's ability, I will do my best to accomplish it!" Upon hearing this, a glimmer of light suddenly flashed in the Empress Dowager's originally dull eyes. However, in the blink of an eye, the light quickly disappeared, replaced by deeper loneliness and helplessness.
She knew deep down that her greatest wish in life was one that even the current Emperor, Yinreng, wouldn't be able to promise, let alone Buer and the Empress. However, now that she couldn't return to her hometown, her only wish was for someone to take her belongings back to the Khorchin grasslands, the place she longed for, and embark on the journey home on her behalf.
Thinking of this, the Grand Empress Dowager firmly grasped Burhe's hand and pleaded earnestly, "Buerhe, Mama has a favor to ask. After I am a hundred years old, could you please arrange for someone to escort Tuna back to Khorchin? I will never see Khorchin again in this lifetime, but I would like Tuna to help me fulfill this wish."
Seeing the expectant expression on the Empress Dowager's face, how could Buerhe not understand her thoughts? You know, the Empress Dowager had been trapped in this vast Forbidden City since she was a teenager. In the years since then, she had hardly ever set foot outside the palace.
She had wasted decades of her life in this seemingly magnificent but in reality prison-like palace. Now, at this age, nearing the end of her life, the Empress Dowager's greatest wish was not to be buried with the late emperor, as everyone expected, but to return to her hometown.
Unfortunately, such a thing, let alone those of them who are grandchildren, even if the emperor was still alive, he would never dare to agree to it! After all, in this era, the family rules of the ancestors are not to be taken lightly as a joke...
However, facing the request just made by the Grand Empress Dowager, Burhe nodded and agreed without hesitation: "Romeo, don't worry. I have already agreed to this matter and will do my best to complete it. I guarantee that it will be done beautifully! Even if Madam Tuna returns to Khorchin this time, she will definitely not suffer any injustice."
Upon hearing this, the Empress Dowager's eyes were filled with relief. She gently patted Buerhe's hand and said slowly, "My dear child, I trust you. From the first day you entered this royal gate, I knew you were a kind-hearted, intelligent and sensible child. Over the years, thanks to your constant presence by my side, you brought me the lovely Hongye and Jingyi, allowing me to enjoy the joy of family life. I am always grateful to you."
Burhe shook his head gently and said gratefully, "That's not the case, Madam Huang! Over the years, my granddaughter-in-law has always been blessed with your careful guidance and your utmost protection. You have silently sacrificed behind the scenes, and I remember everything in my heart. Without your care and concern, how could my granddaughter-in-law have lived safely for so many years?"
Aunt Tuna, watching the profound bond between grandparents and grandchildren, was moved to tears. The tears flowed like a flood. Suddenly, she remembered the imperial physician's earlier warning: never let the Empress Dowager become too emotionally agitated or experience excessive fluctuations, or the consequences would be disastrous.
So, Nanny Tuna hurried forward and said, "Master, you must not cry anymore! The imperial physician has long told you that if your emotions fluctuate too violently, it can be very dangerous! Besides, didn't you just say that you wanted to ask the Queen to come and discuss something?" As she spoke, she did not forget to wink at Burhe, indicating that he should persuade her together.
Seeing this, Buerhe also reacted instantly. He quickly held back the tears that were about to roll down his eyes, and then echoed the persuasion, "That's right, Royal Madam! Let's not talk about the past for now. Please tell your granddaughter-in-law why you summoned me here this time."
With Madam Tuna's attentive care, the Empress Dowager slowly picked up a clean white handkerchief and gently wiped away the remaining tears on her face. After she had finished, she extended her hand, motioning for Burhe to come forward and support her. Then, together, they walked towards the storeroom in the side hall.
Ciren Palace is different from other places. It is the residence of the Empress Dowager. No concubine lives here. Even the Empress Dowager's younger sister, Concubine Shuhui, was assigned to a palace not far away instead of being squeezed in with the Empress Dowager.
So this western wing of Ciren Palace was the Empress Dowager's storehouse. After opening the storehouse door, the Empress Dowager pointed to the "hills" in the storehouse and said to Buerhe, "I have already divided the things in the storehouse. Now it's my turn to sort them out. This one is for you, this one is for Yinreng, this one is for Hongye, and this one..."
Following the direction of the Empress Dowager's finger, Bull and stared at the piles of "hills" in front of them with wide eyes. He didn't expect that the Empress Dowager had already prepared them so early.
Burhe: "Madam, you..."
The Empress Dowager smiled at Buerhe and said, "Good boy, I know my own body well. I have divided these up, and the rest is all left to you."
Buerhe nodded heavily: "Don't worry, Madam Royal, your granddaughter-in-law will take care of it."
The Empress Dowager just smiled and let Burhe help her back to the inner hall to rest.