Chapter 151: Finale

Chu Jiuning was also thinking about it.

Wait until spring comes.

I'll bury my parents properly, and then go out with grandpa and everyone else to travel and find a place with beautiful mountains and clear water to live for a while.

Because Prince Jing's affairs were exposed too seriously, the Emperor was ill for a period of time, and all court affairs were decided by His Royal Highness the Crown Prince. The Crown Prince would hold meetings in the morning and take a break in the afternoon. If it was too cold, he would move to the Crown Prince's Mansion and not have to attend court. The court officials also had a rare opportunity to relax for a while.

The Chinese New Year is approaching.

Nanny Hong took care of every detail and made the mansion lively and bustling.

Everyone was wearing new clothes, holding reward money, and busying about.

New Year’s Eve.

After Chu Jiuning paid homage to his parents, he went to his grandfather's yard.

The lights are on.

The heating was burning brightly and the yard was very warm.

Chang Tianzi's health has improved a lot. He can now walk on his own with the help of a cane. He also speaks a lot faster, from two words at first to a complete sentence now.

Although it was very hoarse and even a little unclear, it was already very good.

He was originally as thin as skin and bones.

After this period of careful care, I can see that I'm gaining weight.

Wuyou cut off the raised scar on his face bit by bit, and then took some skin from his leg to sew it back together. Although it doesn't look very good now, it is much better than before.

He originally wanted to wear a gauze hat, but Chu Jiuning felt that he should be braver and face up to his current flaws, and that he would slowly get better.

Chang Tianzi did not insist and met people with that face every day.

No one in the Chu family was unaccustomed to this, and no one was frightened. They all treated him with respect, which made him feel warm in his heart.

Knowing that he would not be able to bear it mentally, Chu Jiuning specially had someone make a large rocking chair, put a soft cushion on it, and covered him with a goose feather quilt. If he could bear it, he would stay for a while longer; if he couldn't, he would just go to sleep and continue to stay up all night when he woke up.

In the second half of the night.

The heavy snow fell like goose feathers as expected. Chu Jiuning wrapped herself in a cloak, looked up at the flying snow in the sky and smiled.

Mingtang ran over with a smile.

His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, Madam Yang's family, Cheng Yanzhi's family, and Dean Qi's family, a total of nearly thirty people were outside, saying they wanted to come over and celebrate the New Year together.

Chu Jiuning's eyes lit up, and she hurried out with her grandfather to welcome the guests in.

Dean Yang and Dean Qi originally disliked each other, but after thinking about it, they realized that they would both be loyal to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and were his disciples, so it was normal for them to have strengths and weaknesses. They might as well take this opportunity to have a good talk and exchange ideas.

Can't we just compare normally from now on?

"We heard that your hotpot is especially delicious. Since it's still early, why not have some hotpot?"

Madam Yang's eyes were filled with smiles as she spoke gently.

Qi Zhiyu walked up to her and held her hand.

"I'm here to keep you company and pay my respects to my uncle and aunt."

"good."

Chu Jiuning agreed, and then asked Mingtang to take her to burn incense. After that, after the prince took his seat, everyone came forward to salute and wished His Royal Highness the Crown Prince good health in the new year.

The hot pot was soon prepared. Dean Yang liked spicy food, so he naturally ordered a spicy hot pot. Dean Qi liked light food, so he naturally ordered a light soup hot pot.

One table has spicy food, one table has non-spicy food, and one table has medium-spicy food.

A total of three tables were prepared.

The table was filled with a variety of delicacies, fruits, red envelopes, and tea. Everyone was pleasantly surprised to find that the food in front of them was what they liked.

then.

The group of people were in the warm pavilion, watching the falling snow outside, eating hot food, chatting about their dreams for the future, and eating happily.

Old Master Chu looked at the lively scene in front of him, his eyes full of smiles.

It was actually just as lively in previous years, but those people were not sincere, so it was all just a formality. But it’s different now.

After eating.

Dean Yang and Dean Qi were playing chess while chatting about the affairs of their respective academies. Madam Yang and Madam Qi were talking about their children. Yang Heming, his brother-in-law, and Cheng Yanzhi were also chatting about official affairs. Madam Cheng was very happy to hear that His Royal Highness the Crown Prince was going to arrange a position for Cheng Yanzhi.

The prince and Old Master Chu were roasting fire and drinking tea, and the prince asked Old Master Chu.

"The Empress Dowager's health is not as good as before, and her thoughts are extreme. My mother is moving in to accompany her to prevent any accidents."

This is to prevent the Empress Dowager from committing suicide.

Old Master Chu raised his eyebrows slightly and leaned over to ask him in detail.

"Will this affect your marriage?"

"So I have to deal with these things as soon as possible, otherwise if she commits suicide, I will be in trouble."

The prince held the tea and spoke solemnly.

Although the Empress Dowager is now being protected in terms of food, clothing, housing and transportation, she has already noticed their intentions and is now making a fuss, trying desperately to die.

Chu Jiuning and Qi Zhiyu were playing in the garden, holding hands and running together in the corridor hung with bright yellow lanterns.

His Royal Highness the Crown Prince looked at her beautiful appearance and his eyes suddenly softened.

"I believe she will be a very good princess consort, and she and I will definitely expand our territory and create a new era of peace and prosperity."

Old Master Chu's eyes were full of smiles as he listened. He looked at His Royal Highness the Crown Prince from left to right and felt extremely satisfied.

In the eyes of others, His Highness is bloodthirsty and murderous, and his methods are fierce, but in his eyes, those are all necessary means of survival.

"Old Master, how are you treating the Imperial Grandmother..."

This is something the prince has always wanted to ask.

Old Master Chu thought of the past and sighed deeply.

"That happened many years ago. I did love her sincerely and wanted to be with her. I tried hard, but in the end, as you saw, I couldn't argue with the facts. In fact, she could have just explained it to me and I wouldn't have insisted."

Why bother to humiliate him so severely, making him feel embarrassed and leave her house in disgrace?

She wanted to enter the palace and become the superior person.

He could understand this.

Everyone should have ideals and ambitions. If she is willing to accept it and is willing to climb up, the old man thinks there is nothing wrong with it.

He knows too.

It was she who wanted to be together with him, it was she who wanted to get married, and it was she who regretted it. She was afraid that she would use these things to make trouble, so she simply sent him to hell and made him unable to turn over a new leaf.

Originally, he had the opportunity to enter the officialdom and completely change his identity as a merchant, but because of her, his future was cut off.

"Jiu Ning originally agreed to the marriage proposal from the Duke of Song's Mansion. In fact, the most important reason was that she wanted to ask the government to investigate her parents' case."

otherwise.

How could you agree to such a marriage when you know that an official and a businessman are not a match?

"Thank you, Your Highness."

Old Master Chu patted the Crown Prince's shoulder, his eyes full of love for the younger generation.

The prince nodded.

"I will definitely love her, respect her, cherish her, and protect her."

Old Master Chu listened to his assurance, his brows wide open, and looked up at the sky. The snow seemed to be falling heavier and heavier. In just one or two hours, a thin layer of white covered the ground.

The prince turned his head.

Looking at Chu Jiuning who was chatting and laughing with Qi Zhiyu in the distance, she walked towards her.

"Jiuning, are you planning to leave after the New Year?"

Qi Zhiyu asked her reluctantly, and Chu Jiuning nodded.

"Well, I'll plan it after I bury my father and mother. Grandpa used to take me everywhere, so I thought I'd take them for a walk now and see if other places are as beautiful as this."

Hear a sound.

The two men hurried forward to salute. The prince nodded and looked at Chu Jiuning deeply.

"I have one more thing I need your help with."

Chu Jiuning was slightly stunned, but thought that it didn't matter if she helped in any way she could before leaving. Qi Zhiyu looked at the gentle appearance of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, hurriedly took a step back, hugged the pillar and smiled secretly.

The prince took a step forward and moved closer to her.

"You know, I'm not in good health, and I rely on your antidote to get by. Those old guys in the court quarrel every day, forcing the Crown Princess to be isolated. I don't have anyone I like, and I don't want anyone else to enter the palace. Why don't you become the Crown Princess?"