The Emperor’s Beloved Ugly Girl

35. The Magnolia Liliflora

Translator: Iris Guo

“His Majesty is leaving!” said an Imperial Eunuch in a shrill voice.

Immediately, the Empress Dowager vomited a mouthful of blood and lay on the edge of her bed weakly.

“Your Grace! Your Grace!” Biqiao, the Empress Dowager’s personal maid, hurried into the chamber when she heard the voice. As soon as she saw the blood on the floor, she got so scared that she knelt in front of the bed. Then, she hastened to wiped the Empress Dowager’s mouth and cried with anxiety: “Your Grace, why bother like this?”

“Siyao, Siyao…” The Empress Dowager was overwhelmed by grief and shook her head, “Siyao, I’m so sorry. I’m so sorry…”

“Doctor! Someone get a doctor! Hurry!” Biqiao helped the Empress Dowager lie down and shouted.

…

“What’s that noise?” When the sunset glow was gradually disappearing, the Emperor’s Carriage slowly passed by the Longzong Gate. The Emperor got impatient, rested his face in his hand, and looked at the shadows of the branches on the scarlet wall of the palace, which seemed like a number of wandering ghosts.

“Your Majesty, it’s from the Cining Palace.” Zhao Ruhai, Chief Eunuch of the Imperial Palace, hastened to bow and answered cautiously: “It seemed that the Empress Dowager didn’t feel well and her maid went to get a doctor.”

The Emperor still stared at the shadows of branches. He frowned deeply, felt indescribably annoyed, and said after a long time of silence: “Cut down all the flowers and trees by the roadside.”

Zhao Ruhai looked at the row of Magnolia liliflora and hesitated. He whispered: “Your Majesty, you ordered people to plant them when Prince IV was born.”

Prince IV, Zhong Mingrong, the second son of Imperial Concubine Zhao, was now eight years old.

Magnolia liliflora was Imperial Concubine Zhao’s favorite. As a plant originating from the south, it could hardly survive in the cold capital. However, the Emperor still ordered the Imperial Greenhouse to grow Magnolia liliflora carefully. Eventually, in the year when the Prince IV was born, the flower took root and bloomed more and more over the years, while Imperial Concubine Zhao obtained more and more affection from the Emperor.

The Emperor didn’t say anything but squinted at Zhao Ruhai, so Zhao Ruhai got terrified and bowed hurriedly: “Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Your Majesty, where are you going now?” asked Zhao Ruhai with an obsequious smile, “Both Imperial Concubine Zhao and Imperial Consort Shu have prepared dinner.”

“The Jingren Palace.” said Zhong Zhiheng slowly.

“Yes,” Zhao Ruhai got stunned and then immediately swept the duster in his hand, “To the Jingren Palace!”

“My Lady! My Lady! His Majesty is approaching our palace! The carriage already passed the Jingyun Gate,” Head Eunuch of the Yanxi Palace gladly entered the hall and reported to Imperial Concubine Zhao, “My Lady, please hurry up and get ready!”

“Really? His Majesty is coming?” Imperial Concubine Zhao was overjoyed and got up from the soft couch hurriedly. While fixing her luxurious clothes and jewelry with a smile, she asked Zhong Mingzheng, Prince III behind her, “How do I look today? Am I wearing too much makeup?”

“My mother is gorgeous, always looks beautiful with either light or heavy makeup.” Zhong Mingzheng also smiled, held her arm, and walked out of the main hall with her, “Father has always been kind to you, and he always comes to see you on festivals.”

“You’re right. Your father has always been kind, but there have always been cheeky bitches trying to compete with me.” said Imperial Concubine Zhao coldly while gently rubbing her new pair of bead earrings made of red jadeite. Her delicate nail covers shined in the sun.