Jiang Nai visited the emperor in the palace every day, sometimes sitting by his bed for a whole day.
The time the emperor spent awake was getting shorter and shorter, and no matter how much acupuncture he gave, he couldn't even drink the decoction anymore.
Shen Yi has been as busy as a ghost in the past few days. He occasionally bumps into her at the Yuchen Palace. He doesn't say more than three words to the little girl before he is taken away to deal with matters.
On the fifth day, the emperor was particularly awake and his eyesight became much clearer.
Jiang Nai helped her get up from the bed and sit at the table.
The two imperial uncles, Prince Yu and Prince Yun, were summoned. Prince Shen Yi, Shen Yunshou, Prince Yu, Prince Yun, and Prince Yun, the crown prince, were also present, together with the six important ministers of the court, the Dukes and Taifus.
The officials from the Ministry of Rites were summoned to draw up the imperial call to pass the throne on the spot, appointing Shen Xiaoran as the crown prince, and the regent to assist in state affairs.
All the ministers cried bitterly again to express their loyalty, and then Qiqi Ai Ai left the main hall of Yuchen Palace.
The courtiers outside the palace looked anxious, and they all gathered around to inquire about the news.
In the hall, only three people, Shen Yi, Jiang Nai and Shen Xiaoran, were left.
The emperor seemed to be in particularly good spirits, so he asked Fuqing to help him to the round table and ordered sumptuous food and wine to be arranged.
"I have two major regrets." The emperor sighed. "The first is that I cannot witness you two getting married in my lifetime."
"Second, I'm sorry for your mother."
"She asked me to live a good life and manage the affairs of the court well. However, I have always lived in a very confused way these years."
"And let the emperor's younger brother devote himself to the affairs of the court."
Shen Yi suppressed the irritability in his heart, not wanting to contradict the emperor at this time.
It seems that the emperor has returned to his former glory.
Grand Eunuch Fuqing stood aside, adding drinks to the four of them from time to time, turning his back and wiping the corners of his eyes with his sleeves.
"I still let your mother down."
Jiang Nai tested his head and felt his eyes were a little hot. He picked up the cup and drank it all in one gulp.
"After I leave, you still have to restrain yourself when it's time to restrain yourself."
"No one will treat you like this anymore."
"If you want, go back to the Central Continent and visit your maternal grandfather's home."
"Back then, something happened to the Dugu family, and the people in the Li family knew it best."
"They are your mother's closest subordinates and friends."
"Don't harbor hatred towards the Dugu family. They have nothing to do with your father, Dugu Xuan."
Jiang Nai was silent for a long time and nodded, "I understand."
The emperor sighed again, "Forget it, if you don't want to go back to the Central Continent, don't go back. It's not a good place either."
The emperor raised his hand and stroked her little head with soft eyes, "I lied to you."
"What?"
"You and your mother look so much alike. Especially those eyes..."
"I sincerely hope that there really is a longevity pill in this world that can make me live a little longer, or at least let me wait until that day..."
Jiang Nai looked away, unable to control the tears rolling down her face.
In the early morning, the emperor went away and the bell tolled.
The courtiers knelt down outside Yuchen Palace, and the warm morning sun jumped gently from the horizon.
Jiang Nai walked out of the hall and looked up at the blue sky.
It's as clear as if it's been washed by water.
The sun is still rising gradually from the east, not losing its color just because there is one less person in the world.
Jiang Nai stared at the east for a long time without saying a word.
Shen Yi and Shen Yun stood not far behind her and stared at her silently.
Shen Yun sighed and said, "I didn't expect Brother Huang to leave in such a hurry."
From the onset of illness to death, it only took a few days.