"Take the child away!"
The Empress Dowager's words stunned Feng Jin. For a moment, she wondered if her ears were playing tricks on her.
"Empress Dowager, did you just say… that you want me to take the little imperial grandson away?"
Unsure if what she had heard was true, Feng Jin asked again.
"Yes, take the child away," the Empress Dowager repeated impatiently. She slowly stood up, walked to Feng Jin's side, and reached out to help her up.
"A mother and child's bond is natural. The child is already gone, why must the mother and child be forcibly separated? Although Liu Meng Han has sinned, a person on their deathbed… I don't wish to hold on to grudges. Let mercy prevail where possible, it will also bring blessings to our descendants. You take the child, and bury them together."
At her age, how much more life did she have? Why be so heartless, not sparing even the dying? Keeping the child's body any longer would be useless. Let the child go with her mother.
"Empress Dowager is merciful. I thank the Empress Dowager on behalf of Liu Meng Han, and also on behalf of the little imperial grandson."
The reason for doing so was not bearing to see a mother and child separated.
She was a mother herself. If someone were to forcibly take Da Bao and Er Bao away from her, she would rather be dead than alive.
Moreover, Liu Meng Han was also on her deathbed. Any past grievances would have vanished like smoke. Helping her now would be better than letting her die with regrets, her eyes wide open in death.
"You are a kind child. This will also ease my guilt towards the child. After mother and child are buried, help me find a master to perform a rite for them, to cleanse their past karma and guide them to the Pure Land."
"Yes, Empress Dowager. I will make the arrangements."
Feng Jin nodded faintly. Just as she was about to leave, something suddenly came to mind. Her gaze, filled with hesitation, fell upon the Empress Dowager. After countless moments of deliberation, Feng Jin felt it was safest to tell the Empress Dowager about this.
With the Empress Dowager's backing, she would not fear anything she did.
"Empress Dowager, I took people to the Third Prince's residence yesterday. When I arrived, I happened to discover Feng Ruo Yan and Chu Yan Xi's child. At the time, the child still had a faint breath, so I took it upon myself to bring the child back to my residence…"
"The child has improved somewhat, but hiding this matter in secret makes my heart restless. I beg the Empress Dowager for your guidance…"
The Empress Dowager's brows furrowed deeply. Had she stumbled into a nest of children? Why were these child-related matters endless?
Seeing that the Empress Dowager remained silent for a long time, Feng Jin could not help but feel anxious. She mustered her courage and asked again, "Empress Dowager, what do you think we should do about this matter?"
With the Empress Dowager not offering any advice, her heart was in a constant turmoil, fearing that if anything happened to the child at her residence, it would implicate Ling Mo Han, and worse, drag the entire Ling family down with them.
But if the child were to be sent to the palace, she worried about the child's frailty and inadequate care, and the possibility of them being bullied.
In this short period, her heart felt like two small people constantly fighting, each with their own valid points, arguing non-stop. She found it difficult to make a decision.
It seemed this matter had to be left to the Empress Dowager to decide. She had no other recourse.
The Empress Dowager was clearly troubled by this matter, her expression grim. Her brows were tightly furrowed, and her hands rubbed together. This was no simple matter like a cat or dog; it was a child, a living being. She found it difficult to make a decision.
One had to admit that Feng Jin truly could not bear to see her idle for even a moment. She had brought her another huge problem, and not a small one at that.
"Empress Dowager, you've been thinking for almost half an hour. You should have come up with an idea by now…"
"You mischievous girl! You caused the trouble yourself, yet you come to me for a solution, and even hurry me along? Why don't you figure it out yourself and stop bothering me?"
The Empress Dowager's tone was slightly displeased. This troublemaker had caused an issue and wanted her to clean up the mess, and with such an attitude.
Fortunately, she could simply act as a hands-off manager. She had to solve her own problems and could not always rely on her for help.
"Empress Dowager, please do not be angry. I was merely anxious and spoke out of turn. I implore the Empress Dowager to be magnanimous, like a prime minister with a broad mind, and not to be offended by a mere girl like me. Empress Dowager, please be merciful and quickly help me find a solution…"
"Or else… or else, I will not be able to account for myself when I return to my residence. Just Ling Mo Han alone will not let me off, Empress Dowager…"
Feng Jin's tone was slightly pleading. She knew that the Empress Dowager had the softest heart. Although she spoke this way, she would certainly not abandon her.
As long as she said a few soft words, acted a little coy, and played the victim, or even shed a few tears, the Empress Dowager would surely not bear it and would help her find a solution.
"Alright, you girl, stop trying to gain my sympathy. Do you really think I don't know your little tricks…"
The Empress Dowager's face showed helplessness. Who asked her to be entangled with Feng Jin? It was likely that Feng Jin would not leave today without a solution.
"I've been thinking. Chu Yan Xi's matter is not yet settled. The existence of this child will undoubtedly cause a stir. Furthermore, if Chu Yan Xi is convicted, then this child will be an offspring of a criminal…"
"With such an identity, if the child remains in the palace, they will surely be bullied. Therefore… therefore, I think it is best for the child to remain in your residence…"
Feng Jin was stunned. Recovering from her shock, she quickly said, "If this is the Empress Dowager's wish, then I dare not have any objections. However, if the child remains in the Ling residence with the status of an imperial grandson, it will likely invite public discussion, and I even worry that the child might encounter misfortune…"
Her concern was not unfounded. She didn't want the child to stay in the palace initially, but she also didn't want the child to stay in the Ling residence…