As it turned out, the fifteenth of that year was particularly unsettling.

As expected, rumors began to circulate in the capital.

It is said that Princess Rongyu died because she learned a secret.

That is, the late emperor intended to make the third prince the crown prince, and the imperial edict had already been drafted.

But suddenly the fifth prince became the crown prince.

The fifth prince is none other than Shu Zhongjing today.

What's even more puzzling is that even the Third Prince from back then died under mysterious circumstances.

Princess Rongyu was the late emperor's most beloved daughter, so it's not surprising that she could enter the late emperor's study and see anything.

The main issue is that her death was strange back then.

They say she died of illness, but she was perfectly fine before she died. Whether she was actually fine or not, who cares? Wouldn't it be more sensational to say she died suddenly?

He suddenly died.

Of those who knew about this back then, apart from those who couldn't be moved, none of the eunuchs and palace maids survived.

For a time, rumors of a usurpation of the throne spread like wildfire.

Usurpation is far too serious.

No matter which emperor it was, they refused to admit it.

Even if one usurps the throne, there must be a plausible reason. For example, the previous emperor was incompetent and tyrannical, and I am acting on behalf of Heaven and the people to overthrow him.

But the late emperor was not incompetent.

First, the Crown Prince died in battle, then the Third Prince, who was possibly favored by His Majesty, died of illness, and Princess Rongyu, who had seen the imperial edict, also got involved.

Isn't that how it is when you spread lies? Who cares where it's unreasonable?

If it's unreasonable, people will fill in the blanks with their own imaginations.

The imagined scenario is now plausible.

The story spread like wildfire, a mix of truth and falsehood.

In the front yard, Ding Min said, "We've only just pacified the southern border, and the people there aren't really settled yet. If something happens in Nan'an Prefecture... then we'll have to fight again."

Shu Chengfeng nodded.

During the Lunar New Year, Consort Wan merely mentioned a younger relative who had long since passed away.

But once it was mentioned, many things started circulating in the capital.

But the fact that it spread so quickly outside makes it hard to believe that no one was behind it.

Yanjia, this was another time Rong Ning was startled awake from her dream.

Sitting on the bed, looking at the moonlight outside the window, she couldn't help but think of the past.

She thought of Rong Yu.

Princess Rongyu was the most favored princess in her time. The late emperor praised her for her intelligence and understanding, saying that she was outstanding in poetry and literature, and that if she were a man, she would have been a wise and virtuous prince.

When the late Crown Prince was alive, he loved her the most.

She had everything that was available in the palace.

The clothes and jewelry were always the best among the princesses.

Along with Consort An, despite being out of favor, she was always dressed smartly, and few dared to offend her.

She still remembered that when she was a child, although Consort Wei was much more favored than Consort An, His Majesty's attitude towards Rong Ning and the Fifth Prince at that time was only so-so.

After Consort Wei passed away, the relationship between the siblings deteriorated further.

How did Rong Yu die...?

Rong Ning thought to herself, she didn't die suddenly.

She was indeed bedridden after her fiancé and brother died in battle.

At that time, the palace was in chaos because of the Crown Prince's death. Her father, who had always doted on her, could only order the imperial physicians to treat her well and send her some gifts, but he couldn't take care of her much anymore.

When the Crown Prince died, the most honorable princes in the palace were the Third Prince and the Fifth Prince.

The third prince was born to the virtuous concubine, and the fifth prince was born to the noble concubine.

The four concubines of the first rank were of the same rank.

However, the Imperial Concubine was the head of the four consorts.

Therefore, the fifth prince should be the most honorable.

It's a pity that Consort Wei had already passed away several years earlier.

Consort Xian is still alive. Whether or not a mother is present makes a big difference, especially since Consort Xian was an old servant who had been with the late emperor since he was the crown prince.

But the third prince also died.

Rong Ning didn't know for sure how the Third Prince died, but...

It's not uncommon for members of the royal family to die under suspicious circumstances.

Rong Yu died of illness, but she shouldn't have died.

At that time, Rong Ning used some methods to make her take incompatible medications.

The late emperor, already grieving the loss of his beloved son, was in increasingly poor health.

Having lost the Third Prince and the Virtuous Consort, they were already at their last gasp.

She no longer had the energy to see Gu Rongyu. So she died of illness.

He died silently.

Over the years, she rarely thought of this older sister. The resentment and bitterness she felt under the spotlight of her sister's favor have long since dissipated.

Anyway, it was her brother who ascended the throne and became emperor.

She was always the most noble of all the princesses.

Rong Ning thought this way, but her expression was somewhat blank.

She recalled that last year, the Second Prince sent someone to deliver a message saying that His Majesty did not intend to build a residence for her. He still hoped that she and General Yan would get along harmoniously.

All these years of living in luxury are indeed thanks to my brother.

But now, she doesn't know whether she has been happy or unhappy these past ten years.

She used to like Yan Lingyun so much.

But later, that person's indifference towards her increased year by year.

Since the birth of Yan Jinfei, she hasn't lived in a house at all.

He only had eyes for Lan Shi, and she hated Lan Shi to death.

Kolan is dead.

So she doted on her second son excessively, and watched as the whole family was isolated and abandoned.

She wanted Lan's son to recognize her as his mother and wanted Lan's daughter to never be able to rise again.

But……

Lan's daughter went to the Crown Prince's residence.

Lan's son also went far away.

Rong Ning hugged her knees, her vision seemingly blank.

If she could marry someone else, she would have a princess's residence and several children of her own.

What would it look like?

She will remain the esteemed eldest princess, and the center of attention.

There's no need to be a second wife, no need to suffer grievances.

Rong Ning took a deep breath and lay back down.

Unfortunately, there are no "what ifs" in this world.

On the tenth day, Lady Yin visited the Crown Prince's residence again.

They're returning to Daiyangguan tomorrow, and they don't want to wait until after the fifteenth; they miss their child.

It was still Jiyue Pavilion. Yan Nangui ordered tea and snacks to be served.

The two women, aunt and sister-in-law, chatted for a while.

Madam Yin was rather straightforward: "Sister, it's not easy for you here. Just take care of yourself. We have your father-in-law looking after us in Daiyang Pass. My second brother and sister-in-law are in Bailu Prefecture. I heard they are now highly regarded by General Huo. Moreover, since my sister-in-law gave birth, they say my second brother has become much more sensible. With people taking care of him, you don't need to worry."

"As for others, they're all doing well, so don't worry about them. Just focus on yourself. I wouldn't live such a complicated life, and I know it's not easy for you. Your brother understands too, but men are never as good as women when it comes to words," Madam Yin said with a smile.

Yan Nangui smiled too, thinking that his sister-in-law was truly a wonderful person.

This is clearly telling her that her father and two brothers are doing well, and she doesn't care about the rest of them.

“If I had had a sister-in-law earlier… I wouldn’t be in this situation.” Yan Nangui held Yin’s hand, her eyes reddening. “My eldest brother blames me for not being respectful and wants me to be a concubine. My second brother scolds me for being shameless and wanting to be a concubine instead of a wife.”

As Madam Yin was about to speak, Yan Nangui patted her hand, smiled at her, but her eyes were getting even redder.