"I fear it might be... too late?"
The Consort lowered her head, looking at the ruptured rash on the back of her hand, and gave a wry smile. "Chang'er, I apologize. I never imagined you would think this way. I always believed that as long as I protected you, it would be enough. From childhood to adulthood, as long as I could bear all the dangers around you, that would suffice."
She looked at Song Chaoyu with a hint of gratitude. "Now I realize that being able to stay by your side is the best, isn't it?"
"Yes."
Mu Changxi's tone was firm, but he no longer cared about anything else. He actually stood up from his wheelchair and then knelt before the Consort. "Mother Consort, this time, can we stay together for the rest of our lives? Your son truly doesn't want to be separated from you so soon after reuniting. Your son... will find every possible way to locate that Tan Ye!"
"Hurry and get up!"
The Consort couldn't help but her eyes reddened. She then wrapped her hand with a handkerchief before helping Mu Changxi up from the ground. "I fear my poison has deepened. But I will try. I promise you, as long as there is hope, I will not give up my life easily, alright?"
Finally, with the Consort's words, Mu Changxi and Song Chaoyu exchanged a glance, seeing hope in each other's eyes.
Mu Changxi made a decisive move. "Mother Consort, trust me. I will leave Qiu Qing with you, and then you must explain yourself to Father Emperor. But I will personally go find that Tan Ye. You are troubled, and I will definitely find him!"
The matter was thus settled.
When they left the palace, Song Chaoyu clearly felt that Mu Changxi's mood had become much lighter.
She looked at Mu Changxi. "I will go with you to find Tan Ye."
Mu Changxi frowned. "A'yu, I know how you feel. But what about Little Monkey?"
Little Monkey was Song Chaoyu's flesh and blood, and naturally, she was reluctant to leave him.
However, she understood even more clearly that if she did not accompany Mu Changxi, she would likely not be able to eat or sleep well in the days to come.
So she said firmly, "I have already finished my confinement period. Little Monkey is now being cared for by a wet nurse and has grown much. Moreover, once we leave, both the Song family and the palace will surely take good care of Little Monkey. Just let me go with you. Otherwise, I will surely not eat or sleep well, and I will think about him every day!"
Understanding Song Chaoyu's intentions, Mu Changxi couldn't quite articulate how he felt.
He simply took Song Chaoyu's hand and then sighed softly, "A'yu, it's so good to have you!"
For Song Chaoyu, it was no different. With Mu Changxi by her side, she felt very fortunate and very happy.
—
After that day, Qiu Qing was left behind in the palace.
She said that while the Consort's condition appeared dire, it was actually better than they had imagined.
Instead, because the Consort had not taken any medicine indiscriminately, the pus and toxins in the red rashes were not as severe.
Furthermore, Qiu Qing discovered something in the palace: logically speaking, this cold-weather poison was administered to the Consort, so Jingya should not have contracted it.
Qiu Qing focused on the food that the Consort and Jingya had eaten together and indeed found a young eunuch from the imperial kitchen to be problematic.
The people from Dengque Hall captured the young eunuch without anyone noticing and immediately sent him to the Prince Chang's residence for confinement.
At the same time, the Emperor summoned Mu Changxi and Song Chaoyu.
After following Mu Changxi into the palace, Song Chaoyu smelled the strong scent of calming incense in the Emperor's hall.
Perhaps it was because he was worried about the Consort, the Emperor had not slept well all night.
Before the morning court, he summoned Song Chaoyu and Mu Changxi into the palace.
After they paid their respects to the Emperor, the Emperor got straight to the point. "I already know about the Consort's matter. I heard that you two are going to find the descendants of that Tan clan?"
Mu Changxi nodded. "Yes, your son wishes to do something for Mother Consort."
"Alas—"
The Emperor sighed. "The young heir has only been born a few months, and you are leaving. It might not be appropriate. Why don't I send people to search, and you stay safely in the palace, how about that?"
Mu Changxi and Song Chaoyu exchanged glances, neither agreeing with this idea.
Mu Changxi shook his head directly. "Father Emperor, the people of the Tan clan are already few in number. Your son believes it would be better for us to search privately, without letting too many people know."
He explained, "Firstly, her and Mother Consort's matters were originally nothing to hide. But if outsiders were to know, there would likely be gossip. Your son is more afraid that someone might use the past events to damage Mother Consort's reputation."
"Secondly, the Tan clan originally suffered undeserved calamity. If Father Emperor were to order people to search for them, it might hurt the feelings of those who have surrendered from the Xiaotan Kingdom. They might think that Father Emperor intends to exterminate the people of Xiaotan Kingdom, and it is also feared that ill-intentioned people might exploit this to damage Father Emperor's reputation."
The Emperor nodded, seemingly agreeing with Mu Changxi's statement.
Mu Changxi continued, "Therefore, after careful discussion between your son and the Princess, we have decided that we should be the ones to come forward. After all, it is Mother Consort's past affair. Mother Consort feels she owes the Tan family. As Mother Consort's child, your son naturally has to 'repay the debt' for her. We do not wish to have any conflict with the Tan family, and only hope to resolve the matter peacefully."
"Good."
After hearing Mu Changxi's words, the Emperor looked at Mu Changxi with admiration. "You have lived in the Southern Kingdom for many years, and your consideration of matters is indeed meticulous and thorough. You are right. Neither the Consort's dignity nor my own can be harmed because of an old matter. That Tan family ah... they truly do not know the imperial grace! Since that is the case, you go and find them."
The Emperor still felt sorry for the Consort. "However, your speed must be quick, otherwise, I fear your Mother Consort cannot hold on for much longer. Moreover, the Consort told me that she wishes for me to move her to Huguo Temple to reside. The temple is quiet, without so many complicated matters in the palace. And the Consort also does not wish for too many people in the palace to see her current appearance."
At this point, the Emperor gave a wry smile. "Even I have not seen her appearance!"
These words made Mu Changxi nod again. "That's good. Huguo Temple is quiet, and it is indeed suitable for Mother Consort to recuperate. Mother Consort cares most about her appearance, and naturally, she does not wish for others to see her in such a dejected and unsightly state. Once things are understood, and her appearance is restored, she will see Father Emperor."
"Excellent!"
The Emperor nodded, then waved his hand. "Then you should set off immediately and do not delay any further. I fear the Consort cannot hold on for much longer."
Mu Changxi and Song Chaoyu received the order and then withdrew.
However, in Song Chaoyu's heart, there was still one matter to consider.
Mu Changxi had Xiao Ruizhi and two dark guards to attend to him, which was sufficient for the journey. As for her... she had no one!