Yu Ling Palace
Yan Qing, clad in mourning attire, knelt before Consort De's tomb, her hairpin removed. Her lips were cracked and dry.
“Your Ladyship, perhaps you should return to rest for a while. This servant can keep watch for you,” Si Ying said, her voice filled with concern as she looked at Yan Qing.
“How can you possibly stand in for me?” Yan Qing’s eyes were vacant.
“Noble Consort, if you continue like this, your body will not endure. If Consort De were to know, she would worry too,” this time it was Si Ying, who had been by Consort De’s side, who spoke.
“No need. This consort will not fall. I have yet to avenge Ying Yue’s death. How can I fall? How could I possibly fall?” Since Consort De's death, Yan Qing had changed entirely. Wen Xi was about to say something more when the sound of an announcement from outside interrupted her.
“Her Ladyship Consort Xian has arrived—!”
Yan Qing’s expression remained unchanged. As Consort Xian entered, she was still smiling. “This concubine greets Her Ladyship the Noble Consort. This concubine has come to bid Consort De farewell.” Consort Xian’s words were spoken casually, showing no hint that she was there to mourn Consort De.
Yan Qing slowly raised a hand. Si Ying quickly moved to support her, and Yan Qing stood with Si Ying’s help. She looked at Consort Xian, who was wearing a resplendent azure palace gown, adorned with exceptional splendor.
Seeing Consort Xian’s attire, Yan Qing smiled. Before Consort Xian could even retract her smile, Yan Qing slapped her hard across the face. Consort Xian stumbled, unable to maintain her balance.
“Your Ladyship the Noble Consort!” Consort Xian glared at Yan Qing. “What is the meaning of this?”
“What is my meaning? You come here dressed like this, and you ask me what is my meaning?” Yan Qing’s temper had grown considerably fiercer.
“This concubine merely thought Consort De enjoyed these things in life, so I came dressed like this to bid her farewell. For Your Ladyship the Noble Consort to slap me without warning, surely that is too unreasonable!” Consort Xian questioned.
“I slapped you because I slapped you. I know perfectly well what is in your heart. Begone! This place does not need your false condolences!” Yan Qing’s emotions were becoming somewhat agitated.
“Guards, seize her and drag her out! Without my command, no one in the inner palace is to disturb her!” They were not worthy. All of them were hypocrites, unworthy. She would not allow these people to disrupt Consort De’s final peace.
“Yes,” Si Ying replied. The relationship between Consort De and the Noble Consort had always been very close. Consort De’s passing this time must have been a great blow to the Noble Consort. After saying this, Yan Qing knelt down again beside the tomb. She would guard Consort De’s final journey.
Consort De… she was the only one in Yan Qing’s life who had wholeheartedly protected her and considered everything for her. If not for her, Yan Qing might have frozen to death on that snowy night. She was the first person to show her kindness.
Yan Qing knew her status was low, her very birth enough to invite criticism. Yet, Consort De had never held it against her… She had promised to protect her for a lifetime… But still, she hadn’t been able to protect her.
If… if she hadn’t let her stay in the palace this time, if she had let her accompany her on the spring hunt, then perhaps these things wouldn’t have happened? Yan Qing was filled with regret. It was all her fault… It was all her fault. Otherwise, Consort De would surely still be well.
“Well? Even if you hadn’t said that, I wouldn’t have gone. You are in the palace, how could I leave? I wanted to be with you.” Yan Qing seemed to see Consort De. She… hadn't left. She was right before her eyes. Tears fell silently.
“Hey, why are you crying? Yan Qing, you are not such a fragile person.” Consort De smiled vivaciously and crouched in front of Yan Qing.
“I’m telling you, you can’t be like this. This is not like you at all.” Consort De’s voice continued to echo in Yan Qing’s ears. She reached out to touch her, but the moment she was about to touch her, Consort De vanished.
Yan Qing smiled. No… had she really left? Did even she not want to stay with her anymore?
The next moment, Yan Qing heard someone beside her call out, “Your Ladyship the Noble Consort!” And then, she completely lost consciousness.