The Empress Dowager looked at Shi Mei and the others and ordered, "Help the Empress go back to rest. Don't let her be too sad. The Emperor will be alright."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Shi Mei glanced at the Emperor, then at the Empress, and went over to help the Empress out.
Feng Qian, Shen Ruoxuan, and the others followed behind them and left. The inner palace of Lanyuan Palace quieted down, and the Empress Dowager was still coaxing Ye Lingfeng.
"Feng'er, everything will be alright, you'll be alright, don't worry."
No one expected things to turn out this way, and everyone felt heavy-hearted.
Inside the bedchamber of Liuyue Palace, besides Feng Qian, Shen Ruoxuan and Ji Shaocheng also appeared. They all looked at Hai Ling, who was lying on the bed with a pale face, sleeping peacefully. Even in her sleep, her brows were still tightly furrowed, and wet tears slid down from the corners of her eyes.
Seeing her, who is usually so strong and wise, so heartbroken, is truly devastating for her friends.
But no one could help her, and everyone felt heartbroken.
The night passed quickly, and dawn broke. Hai Ling woke up and, despite her weakness, led people to Lanyuan Palace to see the Emperor. However, they were stopped by the guards at the palace gate. The Emperor had decreed that no one was allowed to see him.
In the cool morning mist, dew dampened Hailin's clothes, and her delicate face was wet with moisture. It was hard to tell whether it was dew or her tears. She remained motionless, like a stone statue.
Feng Qian couldn't help but speak up: "Hailing, the Emperor's face is now disfigured, and he can't handle the shock. The person he's most afraid of seeing right now is you. Even if he has amnesia, he probably still won't be able to face you. So don't be sad. I believe that in a couple of days, once the Emperor accepts this fact, he will see you."
That was all Feng Qian could say to her.
They were already heartbroken that Ah Lang hadn't been caught, but now this had happened, which was truly distressing.
"Mei'er, help Her Majesty the Empress back."
Feng Qian instructed Shi Mei, who responded and helped Hai Ling back.
Hai Ling was completely numb, letting Shi Mei and Shi Lan support her all the way back to Liuyue Palace. Her hand unconsciously went to her stomach, her heart aching with pain.
My child, I thought your father would be overjoyed to know you were born, but instead we are faced with this situation. What should we do now? How can we help your father?
The group returned to Liuyue Palace.
The court officials soon learned of the emperor's return to the capital and that he was injured, causing widespread panic throughout the court.
Many people went to the palace to pay their respects to the emperor, but the emperor issued an edict to block them from seeing anyone.
Nalan Mingzhu had accompanied Xi Liang to the Prince Cang's mansion for a short stay these past two days, but unexpectedly heard this news. The two of them rushed to the palace to accompany Hailing.
Unexpectedly, when they met, Hailin was completely stunned, not only sad but also looking haggard.
Xi Liang and Nalan Mingzhu were shocked and quickly asked Feng Qian what had happened. Feng Qian then recounted the events after the Emperor's return, and Xi Liang and Nalan Mingzhu immediately felt sorry for Hai Ling.
She had thought that the Emperor would protect Hailing when he returned to the capital, but she never expected that not only would he not be able to protect her, but he would also make her even more heartbroken.
"Ling'er, don't be sad. The Emperor must be unable to face the fact that his appearance has been ruined."
Although Xi Liang felt sorry for Hai Ling, he tried his best to persuade her to open her heart, otherwise she would feel even worse.
"Miss, please don't be like this. It breaks our hearts to see you like this."
As soon as Nalan Mingzhu spoke, Xi Liang and Feng Qian's eyes welled up with tears. Seeing that Hai Ling did not respond, Xi Liang could no longer hold back his tears. He stood up and went to Lanyuan Palace to settle accounts with Emperor Ye Lingfeng. So what if his appearance was ruined? Did he know how much suffering Ling'er had endured? She had been struggling to maintain the situation in Bei Lu for him. He never expected that upon her return, he would deliver such a painful blow to Ling'er.
Even the hardest times will pass. Why doesn't he let Ling'er stay with him and face the difficulties together? Now he's sending Ling'er back and won't even see her. She must be in a lot of pain, especially since she's pregnant with his child.
"I'm going to see the Emperor."
Xi Liang rushed out, and Feng Qian quickly ordered Shi Mei to stop him.
Although they knew Xi Liang was heartbroken for Hai Ling, they decided it was best not to go to the Emperor in the current situation. The man had lost his memory, and if he did something bad, Ling'er would be even more heartbroken.
Right now, all they can do is stay with Ling'er and comfort her; the Emperor will surely come to his senses.
"Ling'er, it breaks our hearts to see you like this. Please don't do this."
Feng Qian pleaded softly, and Hai Ling finally withdrew her gaze. Looking at the three tear-streaked faces in front of her, she finally felt a little more at ease. She reached out and hugged Feng Qian, and could no longer hold back her tears.
"Feng Qian, why is this happening? Why is this happening?"
Seeing her cry, Feng Qian breathed a sigh of relief. Being able to cry meant that she felt a little better.
However, seeing her cry made the others feel bad too. In the end, Xi Liang, Feng Qian, and Nalan Mingzhu all hugged Hai Ling and cried with her.
A somber mood hung over the main hall of Liuyue Palace.
In contrast to the desolation here, Lanyuan Palace is quiet and beautiful.
The person on the bed remained motionless, leaning back with their face covered by a white sheet. They looked listless, neither sad nor desperate, and it was unclear what they were thinking.
There was hardly anyone in the palace, except for a woman in green who sat by the bed with a bowl of porridge, gently coaxing her.
"Brother Ling, don't think about those things. Wanxing will feed you something. I'll take care of you. You'll be fine."
Shu Wanxing held a bowl of porridge, looking at the person on the bed with a face full of heartache. Although his face was ruined and he no longer had his former stunning beauty, he was still the Ling-gege in her heart. Besides, he was the emperor.
The person on the bed didn't move, just stared at her, but instead cooperated by slowly opening their mouth.
Shu Wanxing was overjoyed and immediately began to feed the person in bed. She was meticulous and gentle, comforting him as if she were coaxing a child.
The person on the bed quietly ate a bowl of porridge, then asked softly, "Your name is Shu Wanxing."
"Yes, Brother Ling, have you forgotten what happened when we were little? I was always with you when we were little."
Shu Wanxing was overjoyed to hear the Emperor's question. She was filled with happiness. The Emperor had spoken to her. The Emperor had spoken to her.