Emperor Xuanwen hesitated for a long time, his gaze shifting between the child and the Empress Dowager, before he finally spoke calmly, "Then let the child be sent away."
It was a helpless decision. Since the child could not be saved, it was only fitting to let the child depart without suffering. This was his last act of mercy towards the child.
"Yes, Your Majesty."
With Emperor Xuanwen's approval, Feng Jin felt a sliver of reassurance. She walked towards the child, who was crying incessantly and in great pain, a pang of reluctance instantly seizing her heart.
She had saved countless lives before, yet this was the first time she had to act against a newborn. Though she knew the child could not survive and this was to alleviate its suffering, her heart ached profoundly.
After a moment's hesitation, she took out a prepared pill from her embrace, dissolved it in warm water. Feng Jin found herself unable to proceed, and handed the bowl to a nearby palace maid. "Give this medicine to the child."
Having given the instruction, Feng Jin turned her head away, unable to bear another glance. Such a cruel act was something she herself had to perform today.
The palace maid, filled with trepidation, carefully scooped a spoonful and fed it to the child. The medicine was potent, and after only a few mouthfuls, the child's breath ceased.
Seeing that no more medicine could be administered, the palace maid reached out to check the child's breathing. Upon finding that the child was no longer breathing, her hand trembled violently, and the bowl slipped from her grasp, shattering on the floor.
Terrified, the palace maid immediately knelt down and kowtowed heavily on the ground. "Reporting to Your Majesty and the Empress Dowager, the little imperial grandson has no breath."
Upon hearing the news, Emperor Xuanwen, though prepared, felt a tremor in his heart. His steps faltered, and he slumped onto his chair, utterly drained. A void felt as though it had been gouged out of his heart. This was his own grandson, and his passing left him in despair.
The Empress Dowager drew a deep breath, suppressing her grief. Her gaze fell upon Emperor Xuanwen as she slowly rose. At this moment, she absolutely could not falter; she had to remain strong to manage the situation.
"Have the imperial grandson sent away for a proper burial."
"Mother, is the imperial grandson not to be buried in the imperial mausoleum?"
Hearing the Empress Dowager's words, Emperor Xuanwen forced himself to inquire, as custom dictated that imperial grandchildren were to be buried in the imperial mausoleum.
"This child was born with a potent poison, his complexion strange. If the officials and the world were to know that the royal family had given birth to such a child, there would be endless gossip, and the reputation of the royal family would be utterly ruined. For the sake of the royal family's honor and for the sake of our future endeavors, not a single blemish can be allowed. This child absolutely cannot be buried in the imperial mausoleum!"
"The royal family absolutely cannot have such a child. Fortunately, few people know of this matter. Silence them, and it will be as if the royal family never bore such an inauspicious child!"
The reason for this decision was for the greater good. The child was poisoned from birth, and if this were to spread, what would the world say? The royal family's reputation would be irrevocably damaged.
Only by discreetly sending this child away, as if he had never existed, could peace be maintained.
"Mother's considerations are thorough. I was rash, son. Let us proceed according to Mother's wishes."
Emperor Xuanwen said with resignation. As much as his heart ached, he had to consider the stability of Eastern Chu and the eternal prosperity of the empire.
He could only abandon this child. This was the sorrow of being born into royalty; one could not live for oneself. One's life was never one's own.
"Mother, your son is tired and will retire for now."
With that, Emperor Xuanwen, his body weary, walked out. His steps were unsteady, like those of an old man.
The Empress Dowager understood Emperor Xuanwen's feelings and did not blame him. She then turned her attention to Feng Jin. "You handled this matter well. You brought the child into the palace in a timely manner and prevented this matter from spreading."
"Your Majesty exaggerates. These are all things I should do. However, I am incompetent and could not save the little imperial grandson. The third prince's consort is also on the brink of death, likely not living much longer."
Feng Jin mentioned Liu Menghan, cautiously testing the Empress Dowager's reaction.
"That woman's intentions were impure. If she had not harbored malice, how could she have harmed others only to harm herself? Her current fate is her own doing, and she has no one else to blame. It is a pity the child had to suffer such torment, unable to even open its eyes to see the world before departing..."
Although the Empress Dowager had not spoken much before, she still cared about the child, otherwise she would not have said these words.
Feng Jin had a general grasp of the Empress Dowager's sentiments. It seemed the fate of Liu Menghan was of no concern to her.
After a pause, Feng Jin spoke again. "Your Majesty, I wish to ask you for a favor."
Having said that, Feng Jin immediately knelt down, fearing that her subsequent words might anger the Empress Dowager. She felt it safer to kneel before speaking.
"My child, you were speaking well just now, why do you kneel? Speak what you have to say, and get up."
The Empress Dowager reached out to help Feng Jin up, but Feng Jin was unyielding and refused to stand.
"Your Majesty, it is not too late for me to stand after I have finished speaking."
She truly did not have the courage to stand and discuss this matter. Kneeling made her feel more at ease.
"Very well, speak first. I wish to see what grave matter it is that makes you so cautious."
The Empress Dowager became curious. What kind of significant matter could make even the fearless Feng Jin so timid that she knelt on the ground and refused to rise?
Feng Jin took a deep breath, organized her thoughts, and then spoke. "Your Majesty, I wish to beg you... to allow me to take the little imperial grandson and bury him together with Liu Menghan."
She blurted out everything on her mind in one go. After speaking, Feng Jin quickly lowered her head, not daring to look at the Empress Dowager, fearing her anger and her own impending doom.
Fortunately, Emperor Xuanwen had already left, giving her the courage to speak to the Empress Dowager. If Emperor Xuanwen were still present, she would never have dared.
However, after saying it, she began to regret it. How could she have been overcome by a moment of compassion and spoken such words? If the Empress Dowager were to become angry, her life would surely be forfeit.
"Your Majesty... I was confused just now, speaking nonsense. Please consider it as..."