Chapter 153
**Chapter 153: The Return of the Yan Wang**
Two days later, the Yan Wang, who had been inspecting the riverworks, finally returned to Yan Jing in the early morning. Before the sun had fully risen, and before he could reach the Yan Wang Fu, the Empress had already sent someone to summon him to the palace.
Inside the Wang Fu, the Wang Fei was filled with unease. Ever since the death of Shu Fei Zhou, she had been restless, neglecting the household affairs that piled up around her, choosing instead to let them be.
Cheng Ming's body still lay in the back hall, awaiting the Yan Wang's return for proper arrangements. Cheng Zhen, frightened by the events, had developed a high fever in the middle of the night, mumbling incoherently, and by dawn, his fever showed no signs of abating. He lay in bed, too weak to even get up.
The Wang Fei kept vigil by her son’s bedside, her heart heavy as she watched her youngest son plagued by nightmares.
She had summoned the imperial physician to treat him, but the boy's condition showed no improvement. The physician diagnosed it as "excessive fright" and "wind evil entering the body."
"Mother," a timid voice called from behind the curtain. Li Chengke, her eldest son, stood outside, cautiously calling out.
The Wang Fei rubbed her temples. "At this hour, you should be at the Guozi Jian. What are you doing here?"
Li Chengke's voice was barely above a whisper. "I want to... stay with my brother."
His younger brother was terrified and bedridden. Li Chengke worried day and night, wanting to be by his side.
The Wang Fei, already burdened with worries, snapped at him, "Your brother is ill and has already fallen behind in his studies. Do you want to fall behind too?"
Li Chengke bit his lip, peering around the screen into the room. Seeing his brother lying unconscious on the bed, he sniffed back tears that threatened to spill, then turned and left the bedroom.
The scent of sandalwood wafted through the air, accompanied by the cheerful chirping of birds outside.
The Wang Fei, weary, leaned against the bed for a moment of rest. As the day grew brighter, she lifted her head and asked, "Liu Mama, has the Wang Ye returned yet?"
Liu Mama shook her head. "Not yet."
The Wang Fei sighed deeply, her fingers nervously counting the beads of her prayer necklace. The unexpected death of her son had left her with some responsibility as the matriarch. Yet, upon reflection, she had sent the household physician to treat Cheng Ming when he fell ill.
It was only due to the negligence of a servant that Cheng Ming's condition had worsened.
It wasn't her fault; the child simply had no luck.
Once the Yan Wang returned to the Fu, he would likely erupt in anger. The Wang Fei counted the beads one by one, bracing herself for the impending storm.
After a while, Liu Mama entered the room, her tone urgent. "Wang Fei, the Empress... the Empress..."
The Wang Fei sighed heavily and slowly closed her eyes. "Is it Mother Empress who sent someone to summon me to the palace? I had a feeling."
Entering Kun Ning Palace, the worst she could expect was to be reprimanded by the Empress and made to kneel for the morning. It was fine; she had grown accustomed to the Empress's harsh treatment.
If the Empress were to blame her, the Wang Fei could retreat to the Buddhist hall to chant scriptures for the child who had died unexpectedly, a small gesture of mourning.
Liu Mama shook her head, gripping her handkerchief tightly, and said nervously, "The Empress and the Wang Ye have come to the Wang Fu."
The Empress first summoned the Yan Wang to Kun Ning Palace to inform him of the recent events at the Yan Wang Fu. Then, she discreetly accompanied him to the Wang Fu.
As noon approached, the sun blazed overhead.
The Empress brought only two elderly maids with her. Supporting one of them, she and the Yan Wang stepped through the grand entrance of the Wang Fu.
The Empress had expected chaos in the Wang Fu due to the recent troubles, but to her surprise, everything seemed orderly. The servants were diligently attending to their tasks, and the atmosphere appeared calm.
The Empress was not convinced this was the Wang Fei's doing.
At that moment, the Wang Fei was likely holed up in her room, consumed by worry, with no mind to manage the household.
One of the elderly maids assigned to the Wang Fu stepped forward respectfully. "Your Majesty, the steward Fu Gui is bedridden, and the Wang Fei is caring for Young Master Cheng Zhen. For the time being, the affairs of the Wang Fu are being managed by Mama Liu from Liuli Pavilion and a few senior maidservants."
The Empress nodded, somewhat reassured.
She glanced at the Yan Wang, whose handsome face remained dark and brooding.
"Son, I pay my respects to you, Mother Empress," the Wang Fei said, rushing in as she heard the commotion. She knelt before the Empress, stealing a glance at the Yan Wang. Seeing his grim expression, her heart leapt into her throat.
The Wang Ye was indeed angry!
The Empress's expression was indifferent. "Go to the back hall and see the child."
The Wang Fei forced herself to muster some spirit and followed the Empress and the Yan Wang to the back hall. In the sweltering summer heat, the back hall felt chillingly cold, with only two servants dozing at the entrance.
Li Cheng Ming lay quietly in a small coffin, thin and frail, his small frame barely filling the space. Ice was piled around the coffin, preserving his body from decay.
Since the Crown Prince's condition had worsened, the Yan Wang had been busier than ever. He rarely saw the children of the concubines, sometimes not even once a year. He never imagined that during his brief absence, he would lose one of his sons.
After all, blood ties were strong. Looking at the child in the coffin, the Yan Wang felt a sharp pain in his heart.
The Empress sighed deeply and instructed the elderly maid to cover the child with a white cloth.
She then ordered, "Tomorrow, send a team to take the child's coffin to the Li family tomb for burial."
For royal children who died young, the burial ceremony was simple, without any grand funeral. They would find a small space at the edge of the Li family tomb to place the coffin and accompanying items.
Thinking of the unfortunate Shu Fei Zhou, the Empress asked the Wang Fei, "Where is Shu Fei Zhou's body? It should be buried as well."
The Wang Fei tightened her grip on the prayer beads and replied, "Your Majesty, that Shu Fei Zhou went mad and even took Cheng Zhen hostage. I have already ordered her body to be thrown into a mass grave."
Silence filled the room.
In the sweltering summer, a cool breeze blew in from somewhere, causing the spirit banners hanging on the back hall walls to sway gently.
The Wang Fei suddenly knelt down, voluntarily admitting her fault. "Mother Empress, Wang Ye, I know I am in the wrong. But that Shu Fei Zhou harmed my Cheng Zhen, causing him to remain in a coma, mumbling in his sleep. Cheng Zhen is your own flesh and blood, the legitimate son of the Yan Wang Fu! The punishment for Shu Fei Zhou was not too harsh!"
Her son was the legitimate heir; the deceased Li Cheng Ming was merely a son of a concubine.
There was a clear distinction between legitimate and illegitimate children. Her child was the most important.
The Empress felt a throbbing pain in her temples and looked helplessly at the Yan Wang. He nodded slightly, seemingly in agreement with the Empress's decision.
The Wang Fei would never recognize her mistakes; no matter how many times the Empress scolded or taught her, she simply would not listen.
In that case, the Empress saw no need to continue trying to push against a brick wall.
With an unyielding tone, the Empress coldly addressed the Wang Fei, "Dan Tai Shu Ya, you are gravely ill. From now on, focus on your recovery in Kun Yu Yuan. You need not worry about the affairs of the Wang Fu."
The Wang Fei looked up in shock, unable to believe her ears.
The Empress continued, "I will assign four elderly maids to take good care of Cheng Ke and Cheng Zhen. You need not worry; you can see the children twice a month."
Table of Contents
