A fleeting joy flickered in Wan Zhen’er’s eyes and disappeared. She asked with a concerned expression: “Did the Crown Prince eat something wrong?”
The eunuch continued to kowtow: “This servant doesn’t know.”
The Emperor collapsed into a chair, grief-stricken, tears glistening in his eyes. He couldn’t utter a sound.
Wan Zhen’er walked over and embraced the Emperor, stroking his hair, as if comforting a small child.
She spoke softly: “Your Majesty, you must restrain your grief and not be too sad.”
The Emperor couldn’t help but sob, deeply sorrowful.
Was this predestined? Destined to be childless in this lifetime?
Regarding the Crown Prince’s sudden “violent illness”, people in the palace secretly whispered in private. How could the previously healthy, lively, and adorable young Crown Prince suddenly die so abruptly, with no warning?
Except for the Emperor, everyone knew this was definitely Wan Zhen’er’s doing.
Due to lack of evidence, it was merely speculation. No one dared to speak out or raise suspicions.
The Crown Prince’s mother, Concubine Bai Xian, could only swallow her grief and anger, not daring to speak out.
The Emperor did not pursue the matter, even in his grief. If it was truly Wan Zhen’er who had caused this, what could he do? Without a son, he could still live, but without Wan Zhen’er, his world would be darkness. He would find no reason to continue living. Wan Zhen’er was his everything.
The Emperor only wanted Wan Zhen’er.
No! No! No!
The only thing the Emperor did was to posthumously grant his second son, Zhu Youji, the title of Mourning Gong, to comfort the soul of his not-yet-four-month-old son in heaven.
It was not the Emperor who was anxious about not having a son, but the court officials.
How could the Emperor not have a son? Without a heir, there was no royal succession. Without a royal succession, it was not just the Emperor’s personal matter, but a national issue.
Some officials submitted memorials, arguing that for the preservation of the Zhu surname, the Emperor should spread his seed widely and shower love across the land.
The Emperor was somewhat annoyed.
Whose bed he slept in was none of their business.
