Chapter 471: Retribution
Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations
The Old Marquis had a strong suspicion that Su Bin was behind all of this.
He resolved to end Bao’er’s life prematurely, a decision he believed to be in her best interest.
That night, the Old Marquis visited Bao’er.
Ever since her illness had taken hold, she had been moved out of the temple hall.
“Marquis… am I going to pa.s.s away?
She had just endured nearly two hours of excruciating pain, leaving her body weak, and her thoughts somewhat hazy.
The Old Marquis responded, “You’re still alive, and the ability to speak won’t remain once you’ve pa.s.sed.”
“If you have something to share, please do so.” The Old Marquis didn’t voice his intentions.
“Will I continue to suffer like this if I go on living?
Bao’er slowly regained her clarity of mind.
The Old Marquis nodded calmly. “Yes, because you’re in the terminal stage of your illness.”
She had brought this suffering upon herself entirely due to her past actions.
He had poured all his love into her. Why was she still not content?
Why did she covet a status and power that were not rightfully hers?
“I understand. I’m not actually unwell. Someone has poisoned me.”
Much like in the past, the Old Marquis’s first wife should not have succ.u.mbed so swiftly, or perhaps she wouldn’t have perished at all. It was her own actions that had led to this outcome.
Now, her retribution had come.
As expected, the Old Marquis silently acknowledged the situation.
Bao’er wore a wistful smile. “Marquis, even if they hadn’t poisoned me, you would still have me executed in secret, wouldn’t you?”
The Old Marquis didn’t provide a direct answer. Instead, he asked her, “If you were in my shoes, what would you do?”
She had been deceived by her seemingly kind facade for her entire life.
Her actions had led to the death of his wife, the expulsion of the heir, and nearly the ruination of his biological grandson’s future.
She knew well that she and her child couldn’t inherit the marquisate, yet she still aimed to wrest the death exemption medallion from him and trade it for the position of his primary wife with the Emperor. She desired her son to become the Marquis and herself to be the powerful Grand d.u.c.h.ess.
Bao’er’s voice trembled. “I won’t retaliate. I won’t harm you. I’m not as heartless as you… Because you are the person I love the most. I understood you had a legitimate wife, but I married you because my love for you was too strong…”
“Even if you betray me, I have no complaints. I don’t want to harbor hatred towards you. My resentment is directed only at the one who took you away. I hurt her because my love for you is too deep…
Despite her words, she still clung to the hope that the Old Marquis might spare her life.
However, the Old Marquis remained unmoved.
“You don’t wish to save me?”
“I’ve summoned the imperial physicians. Sadly, there’s nothing they can do.”
“Isn’t your granddaughter-in-law a miraculous doctor?”
“She came, and even she conceded that she couldn’t help.”
Bao’er finally relinquished her hope. “So she has been here before!”
“Hehe… This is indeed karma!”
“Marquis, I understand that you intend to end my life.”
“It’s considerate of you not to be the one to do it.”
“However, I want you to be the one to end my life personally. This way, we won’t be lovers in our next life, and we’ll surely be enemies!”
“I no longer wish to be your partner!”
Her tone grew unwavering by the end.
Tears streamed down the Old Marquis’s cheeks, but he remained resolute.
During her next episode, he instructed someone to administer a pill.
Before long, she lay peacefully on the bed, resembling someone in deep slumber.
Yet, the Old Marquis understood that she had ceased to breathe.
The Old Marquis conducted her funeral with minimal fanfare.
Her children remained unaware of the true cause of her death.
Before her pa.s.sing, she made a shrewd decision. She refrained from disclosing the details of her death to her children and concealed the cruel actions she had taken in the past.
She recognized that her son wouldn’t be able to contend with Su Bin..