QT: TPE Chapter 7.2

However, it turned out to be just a dream.

The Empress Dowager was extremely disappointed and heartbroken, and she still couldn’t get over it, feeling depressed.

This illness was also due to this reason.

This dream was also the reason why she wanted to hold the selection. She once dreamed that she and her son successfully won the position, and later, they really did.

Therefore, the Empress Dowager believed in these things. She believed even more that the dream was a kind of guidance for her.

“Let’s try one last time, just for the sake of Mother.” The Empress Dowager said, holding the Emperor’s hand tightly.

The Emperor looked at the Empress Dowager’s hand. Her hand was covered with wrinkles, showing her age, but it was still as warm as it had been many years ago. In the past, he had held the Empress Dowager’s hand as he fought his way up to the throne.

Now, the best mother in his heart is getting older, and perhaps in the near future, they will be separated forever. At that time, he will truly become a lonely man.

Faced with the Empress Dowager’s expectant gaze, the Emperor couldn’t bring himself to refuse.

He had truly given up hope and had no expectations of having children in recent years.

Because he had experienced disappointment after disappointment, and even despair now.

“Your Majesty!”

The Empress Dowager held his hand tightly, pleading, “For my sake, you must try again. Even if we still don’t have a prince, at least I can die without regrets and accept my fate.”

Was it really possible to try again?

The Emperor asked himself honestly. Could he really have a prince?

He was no longer young; in this era, fifty was considered a long lifespan.

But upon seeing the Empress Dowager on her sickbed, he finally relented.

“I will listen to Mother and start the imperial concubine selection in the coming days. Mother, you must take good care of your health, take your medicine, and rest well. I will do my best.”

The Emperor gave instructions.

The Empress Dowager was very pleased, and her spirits seemed to have improved somewhat.

“Mother will handle the selection. When I heard that you were willing to hold it, I felt hopeful.”

The Empress Dowager was determined to get this done as quickly as possible. She didn’t know how long she could hold on, but if she could see her grandson, it would be worth dying for.

***

These things in the capital had little to do with Xu Lingyi at Lingguang Temple.

She knew that she wasn’t eligible for the selection, so she stayed quietly behind the temple.

If this didn’t work, she would have to think of other ways.

Anyway, she was determined to enter the palace. She couldn’t waste this chance to be reborn, and she couldn’t waste the items in her brocade pouch.

From the moment Xu Lingyi saw the brocade pouch, she knew that everything inside was genuine.

Moreover, there was a voice in her heart that seemed to be urging her to enter the palace.

It seemed like this was a mission she had to complete.

***

“Hey, have you heard? The Emperor is going to select concubines from among the common people. This is the first time in history.”

“Yes. Weren’t they all daughters of officials in the past? How could it be the turn of common women?”

“I heard that it’s because the Emperor can’t have children, so he wants to find some women who can bear children to enter the palace.”

“I’ve heard that His Majesty has only had one princess all these years, so even if he were to select daughters from official families, I doubt many families would be willing to send their daughters to the palace.”

This person guessed it. In fact, when there was a selection before, many families in the capital were reluctant to let their daughters enter the palace.

After all, the Emperor could not have children, so even if they were selected, what was there to fight for?

So many families used illegitimate daughters to fill the vacancies.

The Emperor and Empress Dowager also realized this, and they did not want to force anyone, so His Majesty stopped holding a selection.

“Let’s give it a try. We’ll go back from the temple today. If we’re selected, we’ll live a life of luxury and never have to worry about food or clothing again.”

“You wish! This selection not only requires girls of the right age, but I’ve also heard they’re considering your family background—how many children your mother had, and your sisters…”

“Really? It seems the Emperor still wants a son, but is that even possible?”

Of course, that still wouldn’t work.

Xu Lingyi knew that the Emperor’s hopes would be dashed once again.

 

 

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