Chapter 22

"You must be new to the capital. Empress was once married to prince Jing" Waiter answered.

"So-"

"Don't you know, it's a crime to talk about royal family?" They looked at the person who just join the conversation. He was fairly handsome and a tall person. He was the commandant Shi of Wolf army of 16 armies of general Xiao.

"Who are you?"

"It doesn't matter, who am I? Of course, empress should visit prince Jing manor first. One of decedents of the royal family has died after all both fourth princess consort and the baby is healthy. So, it is acceptable for empress to go to prince Jing manor first"

"What do you know?" Waiter rebuked.

"It means empress is fair to everyone instead of looking at blood relations" Other customers whispered among themselves.

"Right, empress is a great example for the mother figure of the nation"

"Who don't know that prince Jing and empress didn't have a wife and husband relationship when they were married" Waiter and 2 men who were on the table was embarrassed as they put few coins down and exit the restaurant.

"That's right. Empress is fair and justice. I saw on my own eyes that day when 2 young masters was fighting in the road she personally came down and stop it. If it's for another one they wouldn't even take a glance or maybe just send a low rank servant because they don't want to touch dust" He said a little louder.

"Of course, empress is general Xiao's granddaughter, who think about country. This guest is?" Restaurant owner asked.

"I am from Eastern border" Shi Lin said while sitting down in an empty chair his right-hand man, Gu Lin was beside him.

"I am the owner of the restaurant, so as compensation the meal will be free"

"No need"

"We need a private room"' Gu Lin said putting silvers on the restaurant owner's hand.

"This costumer come this side" The man went to the private room.

"Ask your real owner to come out" Restaurant owner first was shocked a little and composed.

"You're?" Gu Lin show a jade token. The jade had the word "wolf" engraved.

"Wolf? Commandant? Wait a minute I will ask him for you" Restaurant owner said and went out of the private room.

"Master, but what are you going to say for coming to capital without summoning?"

"I will ask for punishment. It's so boring to just stay in Eastern border without doing anything"

Few maids were kneeling in the prince Jing manor's main hall and dead bodies of the babies was in the ground. No one could see any emotions in empress eyes instead it was ice cold that the hall's temperature drops even if it's spring. If someone look at her eyes anyone would feel their knees weaken.

"Who is the one take care of the little prince?" Everyone was astonished since in kingdom Sui prince and princess child will not be a prince until they are granted.

"Where are all others at that time?"

"Answering empress. Wet nurse separated the weak babies and the healthy babies. So, half of us take care of the 2 daughters and half took care of the other two"

"Stand up the one who take care of 2 daughters" 4 maids stood up.

"See if there is a maid who is not assigned to take of the 2 daughters here?" They look at themselves and shook their heads.

"Step back" Maids went to the back of the remaining maids.

"Now everyone gives me an explanation. If you can give a reasonable explanation then you can help yourself and 9 generation of your families"

"I, I. I was appointed for the daughter" A maid exclaimed.

"Me too"

"I was appointed for the son but I was" She was shuttering but suddenly the one beside her collapsed and the maids gasped and shouted. The blood came out from her mouth. A maid went to check on the maid.

"Empress, she has bitten her tongue to death" Xiao Feng sighed.

"Empress, it was my first son and other was my daughter. Please let me find the murder"

"Granted. Find the murder. Kill the one in spot who dare to harm royal blood. Then report it to his majesty"

"Thank you, your majesty"

"Your majesty, your highness, 5th princess consort, 5th princess consort died because of over exhaustion" Imperial physician said making everyone freeze on the spot.

"Ming'er?" Prince Jing was shocked as Xiao Feng stood up and take a deep breath.

"Prince Jing, you can go. I can see myself out" Prince Jing looked at the empress and ran outside. Empress looks at the dead babies' bodies.

"Someone is cruel enough to kill a newborn" Xiao Feng walk pass the dead bodies.

"Give proper burial to princess consort Jing and 2 babies" A maid came running.

"Your majesty, the other daughter passed away" Xiao Feng sighed.

"Give them a proper burial. Take care of the little princess"

"Your majesty! Your majesty! Bad news! Bad news!" A eunuch came from the Jing entrance.

"What happened?"

"Prince Sheng, suddenly became ill and it is server"

"What?" Xiao Feng was frozen for a bit as her eyes glowed as if she got what is happening. She quickly stood up.

"Linlin, go quickly. See if my nephew is okay. I am heading back to the palace, right now"

"Yes"

Everyone was in the prince Sheng's palace. Empress came inside the hall almost running.

"What happened?"

"Prince Sheng was all good in the morning and suddenly became like this" Nanny Gu reported.

"Nanny Gu, how could this happen?" Nanny Gu knelt.

"Empress, I was incapable of taking care of the little prince"

"What is the reason!?"

"Drop the act, empress. You must be the one behind this, you just got pregnant and you're already trying to kill my Sheng'er. My sheng'er is innocent. How can you do this" Concubine Wei stood up from the ground while wiping her tears with agony was filled in her eyes. Xiao Feng looked around to see where is the emperor.

"Emperor had a meeting after morning court" Weining said knowing who is empress looking for.

"It isn't over yet? Call his majesty over"

"Yes. I will go now" She went out.

"Tell me what happen. Don't leave a small thing"

"Prince Sheng was playing and nothing was wrong but a little pale after breakfast and after the lunch he became worsen"

"See if there's any remaining in meals and imperial physician, please go and check if there's any wrong with it" A maid and a physician went away after bowing. Imperial physician stood up and look at the empress.

"Empress, I think prince Sheng will not make it to tomorrow"

Xiao Feng looked paler after all problems she went through. She was exhausted since yesterday and for the worst she was pregnant. Concubine Wei fell to the ground kneeling. Consort Shu also was there waiting. Concubine Wei suddenly stood up came towards Xiao Feng and grabbing her shoulders, she started to shake her furiously.

"Give my Sheng'er back. Give my Sheng'er" Xiao Feng was also deep in thought to think even straight and she was numb to concubine's Wei.

She was thinking about her promised to the late emperor. She promised to protect imperial family members. Right now, in the same day his 3 grandchildren have died and one is on the death bed. She was hating herself for breaking her promise. She has sacrificed her happiness, love to protect them but right now she felt she have done nothing. She felt miserable.

Her grip in her hand clenched hard that knuckles went white. Blood dripped from hands from the fresh wounds on the palms because of the nails clenching inside the palm. She came back to her senses when a hard slap land on her face. Everyone in the room was shocked. Xiao Feng's face was already red from the slap. She looked at concubine Wei who was in front of her who was gritting her teeth and few maids trying to stop her from doing anything more.

"You, vicious woman. You killed my child. You murder." Xiao Feng was going to touch her cheek because of the burning sensation she felt in her left cheek but stopped in middle way thinking "Xiao Feng, you deserve it"

"Imperial mother" The hall suddenly went silent and everyone look at the little prince. Maids let go of concubine Wei as she went to prince Sheng.

"Mother is here" She went towards the prince and knelt in front of the bed. Xiao Feng was looking at him. He also looked passed his own mother, concubine Wei to Xiao Feng.

"Imperial mother" Everyone looked at the empress including concubine Wei.

"Empress, prince Sheng seem to talking to you" Nanny Gu reminds seeing Xiao Feng didn't hear it.

"Imperial mother, can you come here"

"Sheng'er, I am your mother. See, I am your mothe" Concubine Wei pat her chest showing herself.

"Nanny Gu, is imperial mother don't like Sheng'er?" Nanny Gu was tearing as she shook her head.

"Empress" Xiao Feng went towards the bed as concubine Wei tried to stop her but maids soon stopped concubine Wei. Xiao Feng was tried to take his hand in her but stop seeing the blood on her hand. She quickly wiped them in her dress. After wiping all blood, she held his hand and sat down.

"Sheng'er sorry. Sheng'er always runway from teacher to play"

"Sheng'er, you don't want to be sorry. I said you can do anything in the palace"

"Imperial mother said you will take Sheng'er to fly a kite in outside soon but I heard physician said Sheng'er can't live tomorrow"

"Who says, it's just a joke. Sheng'er just wait a bit and after taking medicine Sheng'er and I can go out to fly a kite"

"Sheng'er knows. Please" Xiao Feng was filled with tears she was speechless.

"Sheng'er!" Everyone who was standing look at emperor and bow except Xiao Feng. Maids were long kowtowing.

"Imperial father"

"Your majesty, empress. She killed your majesty's and my son" It was like karma that a hard slap land on concubine Wei.

"Can't you see Sheng'er all well? Are you trying to curse my son" Emperor was furious. Concubine Wei was astonished. Emperor went towards prince Sheng and Xiao Feng tried to stand up but prince Sheng didn't let her go.

"Sheng'er afraid" Xiao Feng patted his hand and stood up. She looks at the physician who just went to check the meals.

"Empress, it's indeed poisoning. It a server poison that have seen only in books. I have never seen it in eyes" Linlin came inside and greeted the emperor and the empress.