Peasant Woman’s Decreed Life as a Wife

Chapter 2470: Chapter 2467: Deng Jieyu Has Passed Away

“Being able to bring her down in this lifetime is my greatest joy. Who told you to vie for favor and block my path? In the Emperor’s heart and eyes, there should only be me.”

“Hmph, plotting against the Prince is indeed a good excuse. No matter how favored you are, even if you give birth to a son, what does it matter? You’ll still be banished from the palace, unable to return for a lifetime, doomed to spend a lonely old age outside. It’s truly satisfying.”

“Emperor, I precede you, leaving this life without regrets, to meet again in the next.” Deng Jieyu laughed wildly twice, suddenly spat out two mouthfuls of blood, tilted her head, and ceased to breathe.

“Consort…”

“The consort is gone…”

“Ah, Emperor…” The Palace Attendant in the Cold Palace immediately knelt down when they saw Emperor Xuanming.

Emperor Xuanming’s face was solemn, gazing at Deng Jieyu’s lifeless body on the ground, his face showing no trace of emotion.

He seemed to be staring at Deng Jieyu, yet also at the air, reminiscing about someone from the past.

After a long while, Emperor Xuanming spoke indifferently: “Handle it according to protocol.”

Having spoken, he turned and left the Cold Palace.

This protocol meant treating her according to the standard for a deposed consort, as she had already lost her status when banished to the Cold Palace. Naturally, she was treated as an ordinary palace attendant, with only a thin coffin for burial.

It was extremely simple, and even later historical records would not contain much about Deng Jieyu, maybe at most a single line noting the mother of the Fifth Imperial Son, and the age she died, without reasons or detailed records.

Pitiful and sad.

Soon.

Grand Tutor Deng learned of his daughter’s passing. His eyes reddened, and he secretly arranged Deng Jieyu together with the Eldest Young Master of the Deng Family, all the while clinging tightly to the Fifth Imperial Son.

But the Fifth Imperial Son was too young, not yet two years old.

Grand Tutor Deng, despite his desire to protect him, had no means to exert power, forced to watch as the Fifth Imperial Son was entrusted to an old concubine from the Imperial Harem who had been with Emperor Xuanming for over thirty years.

“Father, will the Qi family’s Grand Secretary Qi really not take action against us?” The Eldest Young Master of the Deng Family did not trust Minister Qi at all. Reflecting on it himself, if the Qi family fell into trouble, he would certainly not let them go, treating enemies as if sweeping away fallen leaves with a spring breeze.

Not giving the opponent any chance to breathe.

“I don’t know, but at least having their weakness in my hands is better than having nothing. You shouldn’t go out recently, and even if you must, do not go alone.” Grand Tutor Deng warned with concern: “You are not young anymore; I cannot take care of you, but your son must be nurtured.”

“Father, where are you going?” The Eldest Young Master of the Deng Family saw Grand Tutor Deng preparing to go out, asking darkly with his eyes.

“You need not concern yourself with this; just know that I am doing this to protect the Deng Family. Even if we no longer achieve such a high status, it’s better than losing our lives.” Grand Tutor Deng decided not to disclose his intentions.

He quickly left to meet someone, and after some disguising, returned to the mansion.

The Chu family.

Recently, other than writing stories in her spare time, Ye Muyu hardly took care of anything else.

Unless sought out specifically, she would then handle business matters.

Most of her time was spent in the kitchen, personally cooking every meal.

Then personally delivering it to Chu Heng.

Chu Heng, without tasks, would not remain in the yamen but seize opportunities to return to the mansion or accompany Ye Muyu on outings, roaming various places in the capital, compared to his previous exhausting efforts in dealing with political affairs, now showing some relaxation.

Today, he and Ye Muyu, with Nuanbao, happened to be at the teahouse by the lakeside enjoying tea.