After the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, everyone finally had some free time.

The envoys from various countries were also about to set off one after another.

The ones I'll miss the most are the young lady Qimula and the adorable big-eyed child Suoduo.

The former clearly couldn't bear to part with the sixth prince, while the latter clearly couldn't bear to part with the delicious food.

The food here is so delicious! *sobs*

But even though I'm reluctant to leave, I have to. After all, I've been here for several months.

However, one child survived: Wei Xiao's second son, Wei Huan.

This child is favored by His Majesty, who ordered him to stay and study and practice martial arts with the princes.

Wei Xiao was naturally delighted; from then on, the child had a bright future.

Therefore, not only him, but also after the envoy left, His Majesty would issue an edict to summon a group of sons of officials of similar age from the capital to come in.

Both boys and girls are wanted, to serve as companions to princes and princesses.

On the eighteenth day, a banquet was held in Beichen Palace to bid farewell to the envoys from various regions.

The next day, Meng Haijiang's men left first.

The others from the other countries also left one after another, and by the 20th, they had all set off.

After everyone left, Yan Nangui began to pay attention to matters concerning the inner palace.

In Yujing Palace, Consort Kehui is not doing well.

"The imperial physician means that I'm afraid he won't make it to August," Shuanzi said.

"Summon Physician Huang," Yan Nangui said.

Before long, Physician Huang arrived.

"Do you know what happened to Consort Ke Hui?" Yan Nan Gui asked.

Physician Huang was treated with great courtesy, and he answered questions while seated.

"Yes, I have examined her condition closely. It is caused by... a combination of fear and anxiety. She has endured until now, and is now showing signs of exhaustion."

"Shuanzi heard from other imperial physicians that she can't hold on any longer. The Second Prince and the Third Prince's weddings are both in August. Do you have any way to help her hold on until the Third Prince's wedding?" Yan Nangui asked.

"Your Majesty, I'm afraid it's hopeless. She wouldn't be able to endure the sweltering heat of midsummer, let alone now. She's only managing to stay afloat with medication," said Physician Huang.

"Tsk, it hasn't been that long since the incident. She's still young, and she's already being praised?" Yan Nangui frowned.

Physician Huang said, "After all, her constitution is not very good to begin with. These days, she's just scaring herself..."

"Alright, since that's not possible, I'll go to His Majesty. There has to be a plan."

The imperial physician Huang agreed, thinking that he would try his best to change the medicine so that Consort Kehui could live a few more days.

Yan Nan returned to the Beichen Palace, where none of the ministers were present.

I told him about it.

“I also specially summoned Physician Huang, but it seems there is no way to help him. If it really doesn’t work, we can only ask the Third Prince to observe mourning. Two years and seven months, by the time he finishes observing mourning, he will only be seventeen or eighteen, which is not too late.”

Shu Chengfeng frowned: "No need to stay, the wedding can proceed during the mourning period."

Yan Nangui raised an eyebrow: "Are you sure?"

Shu Chengfeng looked at her and said, "Or, we can reschedule. But there's still the second prince ahead of us. Putting his wedding first wouldn't be good for him." It would make outsiders look down on the second prince.

"Then let's reschedule. Your Majesty should speak with the Imperial Household Department and the Ministry of Rites. I reckon Consort Kehui won't be able to hold out for much longer," Yan Nangui said.

After saying this, he returned to Zhaochun Palace.

Bai Wei asked, puzzled, "Why has Your Majesty suddenly become so... resolute?"

"Because the Murong family has been making some underhanded moves. Nobody's a fool. Last year at the state banquet, someone from the Murong family was also there. Since they couldn't see Consort Ke Hui, how could the Third Prince not tell the truth? If he's observing mourning, His Majesty can't very well send him out of the palace to observe mourning." Yan Nangui looked at the blue sky outside and gently shook his head: "The emperor is the emperor. His Majesty is not satisfied with the Third Prince."

What makes Shu Chengfeng better than the late emperor is that his dissatisfaction is direct and he doesn't shy away from expressing it to anyone.

"Give the order to speed up preparations. I remember the Imperial Household Department said last time that there are auspicious days in March, and we might be able to arrange them all on the same day," Yan Nangui said.

"Oh, Your Highness, don't worry, this matter can be expedited quickly. From what I can see, Consort Xiang is also... in dire straits. Her tuberculosis has really taken hold, and she can't even get out of bed now," Bai Wei said.

"Take good care of yourself."

"Your Highness," Jiangxiang stepped forward, "Rong'er, who used to serve the Crown Prince, can now be openly kept in the backyard, now that she's out of the palace."

“If he wanted to protect it, he wouldn’t leave it there now. But it doesn’t matter. In time, it will eventually be moved to the backyard anyway,” Yan Nangui said.

There's no rush for these things right now.

Soon, His Majesty informed the Imperial Household Department and the Ministry of Rites of the matter and ordered the dates to be recalculated.

Then naturally, there won't be as many good days as in August.

Almost there, but quite a few.

Another imperial edict was issued, promoting Jin to the rank of Consort.

This was purely for the sake of the Second Prince; he originally didn't want to be promoted. But because of the rescheduling, things got messy. His Majesty felt indebted to the Second Prince.

This is the only time Jin has been promoted in her life, and she probably won't cause any more trouble.

It can be considered a satisfactory outcome.

Seeing that His Majesty didn't even need her to express her gratitude, one could tell how much he disliked her.

Even so, many people still envy him.

Compared to Consort Luo, one was demoted from Consort to Lady because she failed to raise her daughter well.

One of them was promoted from Attendant to Lady-in-Waiting because she had a son.

For a moment, I didn't know what to say.

In Yujing Palace, Consort Kehui is now unable to get up.

His mind was sometimes clear and sometimes confused. When he was clear-headed, he wanted to see the Third Prince, but naturally, it was to no avail.

When he's confused, he'll talk nonsense for a while and then try to get up.

It's a miserable situation anyway.

I was sober today, and after hearing the news from outside, I remained silent for a long time.

"It would be good if they could get married sooner." Consort Ke Hui's most angry and painful moment had passed. Now she understood that she was powerless and could say nothing more.

I just hope the Third Prince is well.

She was naturally unwilling to accept this situation. She was wholeheartedly supporting her son, hoping that she could also have a good life.

But now, His Majesty is not giving us that chance.

Finally, the Ministry of Rites issued new dates in March. One was the sixth day of the month, and the other was the ninth.

There were only three days in between.

Preparations are being accelerated everywhere.

Consort Kehui submitted two memorials to His Majesty, but received no response.

Now, one of them is in Yan Nangui's hands.

After reading it, she tossed it aside: "They are all determined to use women from their families to gain benefits. She's already like this, yet she still wants to marry off the Murong family's daughter to the three emperors as a concubine."

Shu Chengfeng sneered: "How could we let her have her way?"

“This memorial should be shown to the Third Prince,” Yan Nangui said.

"This is a good way to prevent future mistakes. Think about Shu Yufeng, who died in the villa not long ago. Wasn't it because the late emperor gave too many vague hints back then? There can only be one crown prince. If an emperor isn't straightforward, he will harm his princes. In any case, no matter who the crown prince is in the future, using one's own brother as a whetstone is a despicable tactic," Yan Nangui said.

That's too direct.

Shu Chengfeng smiled helplessly and shook his head: "You've already said everything you need to say."

However, despite saying that, he still sent the memorial to the Third Prince.