After that day, Meng De settled in. To Ning Qing's dismay, this guy seemed to have confused his own identity.

Why would a brother have the heart of an old father? This made Ning Qing think that the person who came was not the original owner's sworn brother, but her father, Prince Jin'an.

While Ning Qing was playing chess with Meng De, they suddenly heard the sound of a bell resounding throughout the entire city. It was the sound of the Nine Dragon Bell hanging in the highest pavilion of the imperial palace, and only the bell from there could resound throughout the entire city.

This bell is not to be rung except for major events, but at this moment the Nine Dragons Bell rang, and upon closer inspection, it rang forty-five times, signifying the passing of the emperor.

Meng De threw the chess piece in his hand onto the chessboard, his face grave, before he spoke, “It was forty-five bells. No wonder the whole city was under martial law when I entered the city that day. So that’s why.”

Ning Qing had known all along that not long after he entered the palace, he sent a trusted confidant with a letter explaining why he could not return: the emperor had passed away, and the news of his death was kept secret until all the arrangements were made before the funeral bells were rung, and the whole country mourned to send the emperor off.

After the initial shock, seeing Ning Qing's calm expression, he admired his younger brother's composure.

I was still slightly blaming myself for not being calm enough, and I should learn from Qingdi.

Two days later, Qing Dynasty officials, imperial relatives and nobles were required to enter the palace to observe mourning. Ning Qing and Meng De represented the Prince of Jin'an's Mansion to enter the palace to observe mourning.

When Ning Qing and Meng De, dressed in plain clothes, stepped into the mourning hall, they saw Wu Chenxi, whom they hadn't seen for a long time. He had lost a lot of weight. He stood there, his tall and slender figure wrapped in plain mourning clothes, his dark eyes looking in their direction, his face exquisite and beautiful.

Their eyes met, and it seemed there were many things left unsaid, yet neither could utter a word, leaving them only to remain silent.

Ning Qing knew why he was like this. In the past few days, the system had been telling her in the space how he had tried so hard to get the civil and military officials to agree to let Ning Qing appear at the funeral as the Crown Princess's daughter-in-law. In the end, it was Ning Qing who wrote a letter to persuade him. Just kidding, being a consort is fine, but being the Crown Princess is impossible. She can only be the heir of the Jing'an Prince's Mansion. How can she appear in front of people in any other identity?

Ning Qingchao nodded and then silently took his place in the Jin'an Prince's residence.

In the middle of the night, a young eunuch came to Ning Qing's side and whispered a few words in her ear. Ning Qing looked up and saw that Wu Chenxi's seat was empty. She then followed the young eunuch.

The young eunuch led Ning Qing to the entrance of a palace, stood to one side of the door, and said, "Your Highness, please."

As soon as Ning Qing stepped into the main hall, she was pulled into a warm embrace by a strong force.

Upon smelling the familiar scent of bamboo, Ning Qing lowered her hand, which was about to attack, and let the person hold her tightly.

Wu Chenxi rested her chin on Ning Qing's shoulder, her hot breath spraying against his neck, and called out in a wronged tone, "Qingqing."

He paused for a moment, then asked, "Qingqing, why are you unwilling?"

Ning Qing knew he was referring to her letter, so she said, "It's not that I'm unwilling, but it's a joke for a dignified and upright man like me to become a crown princess."

Wu Chenxi hurriedly said, "We have gone through the proper betrothal and marriage ceremony, and we are already husband and wife. This is not a joke."

Ning Qing gently patted his hands, which were tightly holding her, and said, "I don't deny that you are my wife."

Wu Chenxi said anxiously, "Then why are you still..."

Seemingly remembering something, he asked again, "So, what is our relationship in public?"

Ning Qing replied, "You are my wife, that will never change."

After a pause, he added, "I can only be the heir apparent of the Prince of Jin'an."

Upon hearing this, Wu Chenxi remained silent for a long while, simply holding Ning Qing in her arms.