"Take the child away!"
The Empress Dowager's words stunned Feng Jin, making her doubt if her ears were playing tricks on her.
"Empress Dowager, did you just say... that you want me to take the little imperial grandson away?"
Uncertain if what she heard was true, Feng Jin asked again.
"Yes, take the child away." The Empress Dowager repeated, not bothering to hide her impatience. She slowly rose and walked to Feng Jin, helping her up.
"Mother and child are connected by nature. The child is already gone, why must we forcibly separate mother and son? While Liu Menghan has sinned, one who is about to die is to be pardoned. I do not wish to hold onto grudges. Extend mercy where it can be extended, and it shall be considered a blessing for future generations. Take the child away, and have them buried together."
At her age, how many more years did she have to live? Why be so heartless, not sparing even the dying? Keeping the child's corpse now was of no use. Let the child go with their mother.
"Your Majesty the Empress Dowager is compassionate. I thank you on behalf of Liu Menghan and the little imperial grandson."
She did this because she couldn't bear to see a mother and child separated, unable to meet.
She, too, was a mother. If someone forcibly took Da Bao and Er Bao away from her, she would rather be dead than alive.
Besides, Liu Menghan was also on the verge of death. Any past grievances had now vanished like smoke. Helping her would be better than letting her leave with regrets and an unclosed eye.
"You are a kind child. This will also alleviate my guilt towards the child. After they are buried, help me find a master to perform a ritual for their souls, to wash away their past karma and guide them to the Western Paradise."
"Yes, Your Majesty. I will arrange it."
Feng Jin nodded faintly. Just as she was about to leave, she suddenly remembered something. Her gaze hesitated as she looked at the Empress Dowager. After much internal debate, Feng Jin decided it was best to inform the Empress Dowager of the matter.
With the Empress Dowager's backing, she would naturally fear nothing in her actions.
"Your Majesty the Empress Dowager, I brought people to the Third Prince's mansion yesterday. When I arrived, I happened to find Feng Ruoyan and Chu Yanxi's child. At the time, the child still had a trace of breath. I took it upon myself to bring the child back to my residence..."
"The child has since improved, but hiding him like this makes me uneasy. I humbly ask Your Majesty the Empress Dowager for your guidance..."
The Empress Dowager's brows furrowed tightly. Was this a nest of children? Why were these child-related matters cropping up one after another, without end?
Seeing that the Empress Dowager had been silent for a long time, Feng Jin could no longer contain herself. She mustered the courage to ask again: "Your Majesty the Empress Dowager, what do you suggest we do about this matter?"
As long as the Empress Dowager did not offer a solution, her heart would flutter with anxiety. She worried that if something happened to the child at her residence, it would implicate Ling Mohan, and inadvertently drag the entire Ling family down with them.
However, if she were to send the child to the palace, she worried the child's frail health would not receive proper care and they would be bullied.
In this short span of time, her heart felt like two people were constantly fighting, each with their own valid points, arguing endlessly. She found it impossible to make a decision.
It seemed this matter had to be left to the Empress Dowager to decide. She had no other options.
The Empress Dowager was clearly troubled by this matter as well, her expression grim. Her brows were tightly knitted, and she rubbed her hands together. This was no simple matter of a cat or a dog; this was a child, a living soul, and she found it difficult to make a decision.
One had to admit that this Feng Jin truly did not allow her to have a moment's peace. Now she had brought another big problem, and it was not an easy one to handle.
"Your Majesty the Empress Dowager, you have been thinking for almost half an hour. You should have come up with a solution by now..."
"You impudent girl, instead of finding a solution to the mess you created, you come here to pester me for ideas. And you even have the audacity to rush me! If you want, you can find a way to solve it yourself and stop bothering me."
The Empress Dowager's tone carried a hint of displeasure. This troublemaker, having caused trouble, wanted her to clean up the mess with such an attitude.
Fortunately! She might as well act like a hands-off manager. The troubles she caused were hers to resolve; she couldn't always expect her help.
"Your Majesty the Empress Dowager, please do not be angry. I was merely anxious and spoke out of turn. I beg Your Majesty the Empress Dowager to be magnanimous, as a prime minister can tolerate anything. Please do not hold grudges against a humble woman like me. Your Majesty the Empress Dowager, please be merciful and quickly help me find a solution..."
"Otherwise... otherwise, it will be difficult for me to report back to the mansion. Ling Mohan alone will not let me off the hook. Your Majesty the Empress Dowager..."
Feng Jin's tone was somewhat pleading. She knew the Empress Dowager had the softest heart. Although she spoke this way, she would never truly abandon her.
As long as she said a few soft words, acted a little spoiled, or played the victim, and perhaps even shed a few tears, the Empress Dowager would surely be unable to bear it and would help her find a solution.
"Alright, you girl, stop playing the victim with me. Do you really think I don't know your little tricks..."
The Empress Dowager appeared exasperated. Who could blame her for being entangled by Feng Jin? It seemed that if she didn't come up with a solution today, Feng Jin would never leave.
"I have been thinking. The matter of Chu Yanxi has not yet been settled, and the existence of this child will undoubtedly cause controversy. Moreover, if Chu Yanxi is convicted, this child will be the offspring of a criminal..."
"With such a status, if the child remains in the palace, they will surely be bullied. Therefore... therefore, I believe it is best for the child to remain in your residence..."
Feng Jin was stunned for a moment. Snapping back to reality, she quickly replied, "If this is Your Majesty the Empress Dowager's wish, then I would never dare to object. However, if the child remains in the Ling residence with the status of an imperial grandson, it may still invite public discussion, and I am even more worried that the child may encounter misfortune..."
Her concern was not unfounded. She did not want the child to remain in the palace, but she also did not want this child to remain in the Ling residence...