Love In The Palace

Empress Harv

Chapter 43.

I know it's late, but anyway, Happy New Year to all of you! I hope 2017 will be a better year for me, I can make more friends and the list goes on. Hope 2017 will be good to all of you too! :)

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Recap: In the previous chapter, the ministers at the Court are trying to pull Crown Prince down from his position, and the Emperor is slowly losing faith in him too. Empress tries to persuade Crown Prince to return to the Court which only result in agitating Crown Prince. It is then found out that the Empress has been ill since young and she may not be able to live very long anymore.

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It is spring, the season where birds serenade the blooming of flowers everywhere they go, where leaves on the trees rustle with every single gentle rush of cool breeze passing by, creating a soothing rhythmic tune to all the ears nearby.

It is just like any other day as the sun generously splashing all the living beings on earth with its warmth and light. The sky is of a beautiful crystal blue with clusters of pearly-white clouds plastered all over the vast sky.

It is just like any other day, where one will be grateful for his life upon witnessing the beauty of nature, all until the palace is thrown into chaos when the Mother of the Empire collapsed in the palace's Grand Temple when praying.

Without any delay, she is sent back to her own palace while almost all the Imperial Physicians are summoned to attend to her. The Emperor has been informed and he himself, being carried on a sedan chair, rushes towards her palace. If it is simply just like any other events where one person or two faints due to heatstroke or sickness, it should have not created so much ruckus. However, the palace has never carried so much tensed atmosphere before, as people are collapsing one by one. It has not been exactly very long since the death of Empress Dowager, Emperor collapsed, the Mistress passed away and now the Empress fainted after coughing out blood. According to the Imperial Astronomer, the Imperial Family's star is shining dimly, almost engulfed by the darkness of the night sky. This means that the strings of events have not ended, and they have just started towards a fateful end.

The continuous shoutings from outside his chambers have irritated him so much, yet he makes no effort to say anything.

"Your Highness! Your Highness Crown Prince! Your Highness!" For one last time the eunuch frustratedly calls out for his master, though he never receive any reply from him.

"What are we supposed to do? We must tell His Highness, but His Highness is not willing to open his doors at all!"

"Just break it open! We cannot wait any longer!"

So the group of eunuchs, going against his commands, barge into his chambers as they find him drunkenly sprawled out on his bed, his eyes fazed and jugs of wine are scattered across the floors.

"Your Highness! Your Highness!"

"Get out..."

"Your Highness..! Her Highness Empress is-!"

"Get out! All of you! Scram! I am not listening!"

"Your Highness!" All the eunuchs are desperately trying their best to talk some sense into Crown Prince, however their attempts are all in vain. Maybe he is already too tired, having to listen to his Mother Empress his whole life and fighting for the throne like there is no tomorrow. He just needs a break, a rest from everything. He can find such comfort from Jade, but it is gone. She is gone.

"Scram! Scram!" Crown Prince gropes around for empty jugs of wine and, with his every single bit of energy left, hurls them at the eunuchs. All the eunuchs, the old and young ones scatter away, fleeing for their lives and hurriedly close the doors behind them.