The Cannon Fodder in Quick Transmigration Refuses the Usual Path

Chapter 593: The Arrogant Imperial Noble Consort Who Failed to Seize the Throne, 5

"Your Highness, something's wrong… His Majesty—"

"His Majesty is not well!"

Early morning, Luan Yi Palace.

Still the same clamor of panicked young maidservants.

But given how explosive this news was, even the slowest minds could tell what it meant.

An Ning couldn't afford to sulk now. With palace women helping her, she hurriedly dressed, couldn't be bothered with the countless ornaments on her dressing table, and dashed toward the Hall of Diligent Governance.

"His Majesty!"

At the Hall of Diligent Governance, inside and outside the hall it was already utter chaos. The emperor had collapsed suddenly while dining, and the imperial physician had just diagnosed that it was beyond recovery. The funeral arrangements had not yet been fully explained, and all the palace people present were naturally anxious.

Especially now, in front of the dragon bed, the newly appointed crown prince and Consort Shu’s line, standing together, made clear that at some unknown point the two factions had formed an alliance.

Outside the inner chamber, a group of imperial clan ministers stood in solemn silence.Because of the original owner's earlier "prestige," An Ning walked in without much difficulty.

Inside the inner hall, the heavy smell of medicinal herbs quickly overpowered the long-standing scent of dragon incense.

Though it was broad daylight, the entire hall felt inexplicably dim.

At this moment, the imperial physicians clustered before the canopy, and the consorts and princes who had rushed over all wore faces full of sorrow. Some had already fallen into the role, clutching white handkerchiefs and crying copiously.

Seeing this scene as she arrived, An Ning's steps instinctively paused for a beat. For an instant she looked a little unsteady. But only for a moment; after recovering she strode forward with her usual ferocity toward the bright yellow dragon bed.

As she walked, one could still catch hints of an ornate sweet fragrance.

Even at such a time, that person’s face retained a dazed air. Nearby, the woman in a purple-gold phoenix robe—whose palace attire radiated kindness and composure—spoke first:

"So the Noble Consort sister has come."

That "Noble Consort sister" came out in the same gentle tone as always, but perhaps because the moment was unusual, an ordinary phrase carried an extra edge.

Sure enough, when her words fell, the whole hall seemed to quiet. The consorts wiping tears hesitated in mid-motion, their gazes repeatedly drifting toward that woman.

Yet An Ning herself did not notice a thing. She didn't even realize why, though she lived closest to the Hall of Diligent Governance, she had arrived last. She moved on with the same anger, not pausing an inch.

She only gave a perfunctory nod to the Empress’s earlier remarks, not even returning the formal greeting or meeting the eyes.

Before leaving, she didn't forget to scowl at those blocking her and say unhappily:

"What are you all staring at? Move out of my way!"

Everyone: "……"

No way—could someone really be that oblivious?

Do they know who stands before them? That is the birth mother of the crown prince, the future Empress Dowager!

But… oh, she’s the Noble Consort, then that's not surprising.

Even the usually composed Empress’s smile froze oddly for a moment.

This blockhead—obviously the winner—couldn't even enjoy her victory properly.

A thousand criticisms of the late emperor’s wisdom rose in their minds—how could he have chosen so poorly? Eyes kept involuntarily falling back to the woman before them.

She wore a slightly thin, Xiangfei-color chest-length palace gown; beneath the layers of satin her skin was milky and translucent. Because she had rushed over, her makeup was scant, and only a few hairpins were tucked into her especially dark, thick hair.

Compared to her earlier sumptuous elegance, she now had a different, startling kind of beauty. Though about thirty and soon to be a grandmother, she looked fresher and more youthful than many recently entered palace women.

Indeed, with the status of noble and precious, always favored, whatever fine items she used, everything good was theirs, and when things went wrong it was always others' fault—this woman never internally cracked under pressure.

If she had a temper, she would vent it on the spot, with no lingering humiliation.

Isn’t she young and beautiful!

Thinking about the grudges accumulated over the last decade and seeing her acting as if she were owed everything, everyone felt a new resentment swell.

Suddenly it made them furious!

Especially now, beside the bed, Consort Shu—who had just been roughly shoved aside—couldn't keep any hint of a smile on her face.

But the culprit seemed oblivious, still venting to the imperial physicians:

"What are you all dawdling for? Hurry and wake His Majesty!"

A moment later, a thud was heard.

From long habit, as soon as An Ning finished speaking, the imperial physicians immediately and nimbly sank to their knees. The motion looked even quicker than when they had knelt to the Empress a moment ago.

"Your Highness, it is not that we—truly, His Majesty… he has already—"

Before they could finish the words "beyond help"…

Naturally sensitive, the Empress and Consort Shu all noticed at once: "………"

After a brief pause, the physicians realized something was wrong: "!!!"

Alas, nobody had time to dwell on this.

If it were that easy, she wouldn't be the Noble Consort. She shot a murderous glare at the woman who had spoken:

"Liar! How could he have gone? He hasn't agreed to my revocation, to restore Yu as crown prince!"

She still kept prodding the man on the bed, face streaked with tears: "Your Majesty, wake up! You're the emperor, your word matters!"

"Noble Consort!"

"His Majesty is gone. The Hall of Diligent Governance is not a place for your nonsense!"

When these words fell, the inner hall fell silent again. It wasn't the words themselves so much as the speaker…

Unexpectedly, the sharp reprimand did not come from the Empress, but from Consort Shu, who had always been low-key and gentle and rarely raised her voice in anger.

And her expression…

Seeing the faint hard edge flash between her brows, many of the consorts exchanged glances. Even the Empress and the newly appointed crown prince showed a subtle surprise in their eyes.

Yet because he was still crown prince, his gaze flickered to An Ning—who cried with mascara-streaked cheeks—and he gave a slight look to the attending palace women.

"The imperial clan ministers are currently in the outer chamber. They will be here soon. Noble Consort, you are too overcome with grief; it would be best if you stepped down to rest for a while."

He then clasped his hands behind him, showing full respect. He displayed none of the arrogance of someone suddenly elevated.

Even facing the Noble Consort's rude behavior, there was no disrespect whatsoever.

Still, with the emperor gone and the crown prince set to be the new sovereign, his words carried weight and no one dared contradict. The palace women exchanged looks and were about to politely escort her away.

But in the next second, the woman in Xiangfei color by the gauze canopy seemed to be forcefully pushed and suddenly toppled to the side.

After a brief shock, the person at the bedside let out a sudden wail and grabbed the fallen woman, crying in great distress.

Seeing who had pushed her, many people’s brows twitched. After a barely perceptible unease, a bit of schadenfreude crept into some hearts.

Oh, so the fearless Noble Consort finally has her day!

One couldn't help but feel, after a decade of bottled-up resentment, the sky looked bluer and the water clearer.

Then in the next second:

The bright yellow canopy, which had been still, trembled barely perceptibly. Immediately, a familiar, clear cough rang out.

Even through someone's crying it was distinctly audible.

"Ahem… Yue'er…"

The consorts: "!!!"

Outside the hall, the imperial clan ministers preparing to escort the imperial carriage and welcome the new emperor: "Huh???"

Taken together with the faint sound heard earlier, outside the hall the ministers exchanged bewildered glances.

At this moment, for no reason, an absurd thought flashed through everyone’s minds:

Could it be that His Majesty was… angered back to life?