“Your Majesty…”

The Grand Princess took several quick steps into the Qianqing Gate and hurried to Emperor Wenhui’s side. The Imperial Guards around them and the stooped old man all wore expressions of shock.

“Failing to protect His Majesty deserves execution.”

Raising her hand to point at the Imperial Guards behind the Emperor, the Grand Princess had people seize the stooped old man and the dozen or so Imperial Guards who had been protecting Emperor Wenhui. She then reached out to check Emperor Wenhui’s breath.

After a long moment, she said in a deep voice, “His Majesty has passed away.”

Song Fu and Ming Xiang stood behind the Grand Princess, but their gazes remained fixed on Song Wan, who was curled up not far away, her fate unknown.

“His Majesty has passed away?”

Someone murmured, as if momentarily unable to comprehend the Grand Princess’s words, or perhaps in disbelief.

After the Imperial Guards were taken away, the Eastern Palace women broke free from their restraints and quickly rushed toward Lu Youjun and Song Wan. They gently laid Lu Youjun, who had long since ceased breathing, to one side and wept in grief. The women’s anguished cries reminded the ministers. Outside the Qianqing Gate, there was first a moment of silence, followed by sporadic, intermittent sobbing.

Before long, the Director of the Imperial Medical Bureau, along with Song Lan’an, Zheng Yunshan, and others hurried over. When Song Lan’an saw Emperor Wenhui lying before him, his eyelid twitched almost imperceptibly.

“Third Prince…”

Zheng Yunshan looked at Shen Qianbai, whose eyes seemed to hold sorrow, and said in a low voice, “His Majesty has passed away. I request that the Third Prince act as regent. The matter of Su River can be delayed no longer.”

The ministers also echoed, “We request that the Third Prince act as regent, take up the Imperial Seal, and issue an edict to dispatch troops to Su River.”

“Your Highness, the matter is urgent and cannot be delayed any longer.”

Shen Qianbai forcibly suppressed his tears. His thin lips beneath the silver mask opened and closed but ultimately could not make a sound. He could only nod with difficulty.

The Grand Princess glanced at him and said in a deep voice, “This old woman will temporarily manage the matters of the late Emperor’s funeral. Given the emergency, you should prioritize the frontier warfare.”

National mourning was a great matter. The Grand Princess clearly intended to simplify it. Several elder ministers looked at each other, momentarily uncertain how to decide.

Shang Rong’s grandfather, supported by several ministers, walked forward trembling and knelt, saying, “His Majesty was considerate of his ministers. Throughout his years he labored diligently to govern our Dongning realm. Now that he has passed, he would not wish the people of the realm to trouble themselves over this. We who are his ministers should continue His Majesty’s dying wishes—protecting our Dongning rivers and mountains is paramount.”

Song Lan’an and a crowd of others kneeling outside the Qianqing Gate echoed in unison.

The Grand Princess waved her hand, pressed the corner of her eye, and after saying “granted,” had people properly carry away Emperor Wenhui’s body.

“I request that the Third Prince proceed to the Taiji Hall to discuss matters of state.”

Zheng Yunshan spoke urgently. The other ministers were equally anxious, and before long they crowded around the Third Prince as they went to the Taiji Hall.

After everyone left, the Eastern Palace women and Song Fu hastily ran to Song Wan’s side.

“Wan’er?”

Song Wan’s face was deathly pale—she had long since fainted and lost consciousness.

Song Fu wanted to pick her up but was stopped by the Grand Princess. She pointed to the attendant beside her: “Carry Song Chenghui back to the Eastern Palace.”

The attendant picked her up, and only then did everyone see a pool of blood beneath her.

Song Fu was about to step forward but was blocked by Ming Xiang: “The rear palace is not convenient. Husband, go find Father… I will look after Wan’er.”

“I trouble you, Madam.”

Ming Xiang maintained a solemn little face and nodded seriously: “Husband, rest assured. Xiang’er will take good care of younger sister.”

The Grand Princess waited for the husband and wife to finish speaking before having the palace maids beside her accompany Ming Xiang to the Eastern Palace.

When Song Wan woke, the sky had already darkened. She only felt severe pain in her lower abdomen, and half her body seemed numb. Just as she was about to get up, Ming Xiang came in carrying a bowl of medicinal soup that had been kept warm for a long time.

Seeing her weak appearance, Ming Xiang’s eyes immediately reddened: “You’re awake?”

Song Wan nodded slightly and said in a weak voice, “Youjun, she…”

“During national mourning, Good Companion Lu’s funeral can only be simplified.”

Song Wan’s nose tingled, and she couldn’t help shedding tears.

Ming Xiang waited quietly at her side. Only when the sobbing sounds faded did she speak: “Do you know…”

Song Wan raised her head, her eyes seemingly pleading. Ming Xiang couldn’t bear it and couldn’t bring herself to ask further.

“Has the Third Prince dispatched troops to reinforce Su River?”

Ming Xiang nodded: “He has already mobilized forces from five Regional Military Commands and eighty-five Guard Posts around Su River to rush there.”

As she spoke, hesitation seemed to appear in her eyes.

Song Wan endured her abdominal pain and said, “Are there other problems?”

“The national treasury—there’s no silver left. This matter of provisions and fodder will be difficult to arrange.”

The court’s battle had come without warning. The silver in the national treasury had already been emptied of more than half by Emperor Wenhui and sent to Nanqing. Even the internal treasury’s money and grain had been privately sent to Qin Rao by him. For this battle, Dongning truly did not know how the path ahead should go.

Sighing softly, Ming Xiang said, “Now my husband is working with the court ministers everywhere to raise silver and provisions. We don’t know… how long we can sustain this.”

Song Wan clutched the bedding, her heart tightening.

She was anxious but didn’t know what to do.

Although she had always prided herself on having some cleverness in the past, when facing such great matters, she had not a single solution.

Her entire life had been confined within the inner quarters. What she had seen and known was only one small world. Once outside that small world, she knew nothing. She had never seen the scenery, rocks, trees, and woods outside the inner quarters, nor had she seen the common people’s food, clothing, and daily necessities.

Books wrote much about self-cultivation and understanding principles, but never once taught people how to earn silver.

“Sister-in-law, may Wan’er request something of you?”

Ming Xiang blinked, her eyes carrying a faint smile: “As… as your sister-in-law… don’t speak of requests or not.”

The young woman was somewhat shy. The speech impediment that hadn’t appeared in a long time now emerged due to her bashfulness.

“Though I’m a few years younger than you, as… as your sister-in-law… I should naturally dote on my younger sister.”

Hearing these words, Song Wan, weak and pale-faced, couldn’t help but smile faintly.

“Tell me—whatever it is, sister-in-law will definitely help you accomplish it.”

“Sister-in-law, could you help Wan’er bring Lady Lin of the Marquis of Chengyang’s residence into the palace?”

At this moment, Song Wan deeply knew that in some ways she was inferior to Lin Jiayue. She had previously felt the other woman lacked proper upbringing, but hadn’t realized Lin Jiayue’s horizons were far broader than her own. Though that person’s actions were difficult to see through and understand, the methods in her hands were all extremely useful.

Just like that day when she promised to inform the world of Emperor Wenhui’s actions overnight, she had truly accomplished it.

Regarding military pay and provisions, the court ministers were at their wits’ end, but she might not be without solutions.

“This matter is easy to arrange. You rest and recover well. Sister-in-law will bring her to see you tomorrow.”

For others during national mourning, it would be difficult to bring someone into the palace, but Ming Xiang could do it. Now the Grand Princess was temporarily residing in the rear palace managing rear palace affairs—only she could have a say.

After coaxing Song Wan to rest well, Ming Xiang sent someone to the Marquis of Chengyang’s residence to summon Lin Jiayue to enter the palace the next day.