Chapter 68 "The hibiscus-scented tent is warm..."

Chapter Sixty-Eight: A Glorious Chapter in a Prosperous Era ==

On the sixth day of the third month of the sixth year of Dingyuan, the eldest prince Xiao Ruofei launched a coup. It was quelled by Nan Shao, the head of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, and Xie Cheng, the eldest son of the Duke of Xie. Yan Wushuang, the eldest son of the Left Prime Minister, was beheaded on the spot, his blood splattering everywhere.

At Xihua Gate, the thick stench of blood was nauseating. The eldest prince, Xiao Ruofei, was being held down by Mu Ziyi and Xie Cheng. His soldiers were either dead or wounded. Xiao Ruofei looked disheveled, glaring fiercely at Xie Cheng, wishing he could kill him. His plan was meticulously crafted. Taking advantage of his father's illness and Xiao Yu's absence from the capital, he launched this coup. With the support of the Zheng family of Xingyang and the strategist Yan Wushuang, he would have succeeded long ago if it weren't for Xie Cheng.

“Your Highness, there’s no need to look anymore. The Zheng family of Xingyang has been taken into custody by Lord Zhou of Nanqiong. His Majesty requests Your Highness to come over.” Xie Cheng’s demeanor was refined and elegant, befitting the style of a century-old aristocratic family.

The eldest prince thought his plan was meticulous, but little did he know that the entire capital was filled with the emperor's spies. How could he possibly do anything without the emperor's knowledge? The eldest prince's most successful achievement was dealing with the plague in the capital.

Xiao Ruofei was both angry and resentful. He had married Lin Ruohan because he coveted the power of the Xie State Duke's mansion, hoping to gain their loyalty through Lin Ruohan. However, after their marriage, Xie Cheng, the eldest son of the Xie State Duke's mansion, immediately sided with Xiao Yu. His defection to Xiao Yu led the entire Xie State Duke's mansion to gradually lean towards Xiao Yu as well. Xiao Ruofei was filled with hatred. As a century-old aristocratic family, the Xie State Duke's mansion should have been loyal to the emperor. Instead, they not only didn't support him, the crown prince, but they were also wholeheartedly devoted to Xiao Yu. What had he done to get in their way? Knowing that the situation was hopeless, Xiao Ruofei had some things he had to say. "Xie Cheng, you were betrothed to the Lin family girl since childhood. Didn't you like her very much? Aren't you afraid that if I, the prince, fall, the Lin family girl will suffer a bad end? So your feelings for the Lin family girl are nothing more than this?"

Xiao Ruofei's eyes were filled with blatant mockery. He truly hated Xiao Yu and Xie Cheng. If it weren't for them, he wouldn't have ended up like this. Xiao Yu wasn't even in the capital, yet he could still bring him such misfortune. It was truly unbelievable. It must be Xiao Yu and his wife who were bringing him misfortune. Xiao Yu had only been married for less than two years when Xiao Yu took away the position of Crown Prince that belonged to him.

"Has Your Highness the Crown Prince made up your mind? If so, please come with me to see His Majesty." Xiao Ruofei's mouth was hoarse from talking, but Xie Cheng didn't even frown. It seemed that Lin Ruohan, that bitch, held no special place in Xie Cheng's heart. Xiao Ruofei was all too familiar with Xie Cheng's face, because Xiao Yu had the same face. They all looked down on him, and Xiao Ruofei felt a burning hatred in his heart.

"Your Highness, please." Outside the magnificent imperial study, Eunuch Li was waiting at the palace gate. Normally, Eunuch Zhou showed great respect to the Empress and the Crown Prince, but after what happened tonight, Eunuch Zhou spoke with a blank expression.

To launch a coup—how ​​could the eldest prince possibly do such a thing? Isn't that utterly rebellious?

Xiao Ruofei was in a sorry state, but his nostrils seemed to reach the sky. He glared fiercely at Eunuch Zhou before being forced into the Imperial Study.

Inside the inner hall, the Emperor's face was ashen, his lips trembling. He looked at his once most beloved son, his disappointment evident, his eyes dark and brooding. The Emperor waved his hand, dismissing everyone in the hall. "Why?"

Because Xiao Ruofei was the Empress's legitimate son, the Emperor indulged him greatly. No matter what he did, the Emperor never held it against him. But unexpectedly, this fostered his wolfish ambition. He not only wanted the throne, but also wanted his father's life. The Emperor breathed heavily, a metallic taste rising in his throat. If he had known this would happen, he would have preferred to have...

The emperor clenched his fists tightly.

"Father asked me why? I am the legitimate son of the Empress, and should rightfully be the future ruler of the world. Yet Father deliberately neglects Mother and wholeheartedly encourages Consort Qin and her son's arrogance, to the point that the court officials and the people of the world hold Xiao Yu in extremely high esteem and completely disregard me, the Crown Prince. Since Father is so heartless, then don't blame me for doing some things to consolidate my position as heir apparent." Xiao Ruofei's appearance was originally effeminate, but at this moment his tone was filled with undisguised ruthlessness, and his eyes were filled with blatant mockery as he spoke.

This shows a complete disregard for the Emperor.

The Emperor was so angry he almost fainted: "That's because you yourself lack the talent of an emperor. From colluding with court officials, working with the Minister of Works to plant people from the Eastern Palace in the court and in the provinces, to selling smuggled salt, to killing the General of the State and his son, to using the child in the eldest prince's womb to frame the Empress Dowager, to condoning Princess Zhaoning's deadly attacks on Consort Qin and the Crown Princess, and the plague in the capital—if it weren't for my indulgence, do you think you could still be living in the magnificent Eastern Palace?"

Indeed, the reason why the General of the State and his son died on the battlefield was because of Xiao Ruofei's scheme. Everyone thought that the most powerful person in the Eastern Palace was the strategist, but in fact it was Yan Wushuang. Yan Wushuang was skilled in disguise and had helped Xiao Ruofei solve countless problems. This time, Xiao Ruofei dared to launch a coup because Yan Wushuang was behind him giving him advice.

This is also why the Emperor insisted on Yan Wushuang's death.

"The death of the General of the State and his son is exactly what Father Emperor wanted. Father Emperor was afraid that the General of the State and his son's achievements would overshadow the Emperor, so he hinted to me to deal with them. Father Emperor was also afraid that a marriage between the Duke of Xie's family and the General of the State's family would be detrimental to the court, so he had me marry a girl from the Lin family." Xiao Ruofei wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth. At this point, what did Xiao Ruofei not understand? "Father Emperor has been delaying in deposing me as Crown Prince, and even if he did, he would still allow me to continue living in the Eastern Palace, so that I can continue to check and balance Xiao Yu, right?"

It is said that the heart of an emperor is unfathomable, and it is because of the current emperor that the princes below are fighting tooth and nail.

Those guarding outside the palace could hear the commotion and sounds inside. Everyone gritted their teeth, not daring to utter a sound. This was the imperial family—cold-blooded and ruthless.

"By imperial decree, the First Prince Xiao Ruofei has colluded with his cronies to plot a rebellion. His intentions are despicable, and I am deeply saddened by this. I hereby strip Xiao Ruofei of his title of Prince, demote him to a commoner, and exile him to the northern desert, never to return to the capital." The Emperor said, his eyes slightly closed, suppressing the anger rising in his heart, each word deliberate and forceful.

Eunuch Zhou glanced at Xiao Ruofei. According to the Crown Prince's various crimes, he should be executed. However, the Emperor still showed leniency. But for the pampered Crown Prince, this punishment was no less than a living hell. Upon hearing this decision, Xiao Ruofei's face turned pale. He laughed loudly three times. He only regretted that he was born into the wrong imperial family.

The Emperor continued speaking, giving further orders: "The Left Prime Minister's residence harbors treacherous intentions and has conspired with the Crown Prince to rebel. The Left Prime Minister is to be imprisoned and executed in three days."

Due to an incident at the Left Prime Minister's residence, Right Prime Minister Yan Chenzhou will assume the position of Prime Minister.

"Send a message to the Crown Prince and Crown Princess to return to the capital."

"Your Majesty, the Empress has arrived." Eunuch Zhou went out to inform Xie Cheng of the Emperor's orders. As the Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, Xie Cheng was to confiscate the Left Prime Minister's property before arresting him. Just as Eunuch Zhou was about to enter the palace to report, the Empress, disheveled and pale-faced, arrived at the Imperial Study. She knelt down with a thud, her eyes filled with tears. Xiao Ruofei was the Empress's legitimate son, the only hope for the Empress and the Imperial Father-in-law's family. How could the Empress tolerate the eldest prince being exiled to the northern desert? Wasn't this cutting off all their hopes? The Empress kowtowed and cried out, "The eldest prince is definitely innocent." The eldest prince was certainly innocent, but Eunuch Zhou couldn't bear to see the Empress like this. He went in to report to the Emperor.

The Emperor was not deaf. He instructed Eunuch Zhou to tell the Empress, "The Crown Prince has committed a capital offense by forcing the Emperor to abdicate. If the Empress wants to protect herself, she should know what to say and what to do."

Eunuch Zhou relayed the Emperor's words to the Empress verbatim. The Empress was stunned, as if she had aged several years in an instant. This was because the Empress not only had herself, but also the princess and the Imperial Father-in-law's family behind her. The Empress's sixth princess was already of marriageable age. The Empress clutched her chest and laughed bitterly. Her son was no less than anyone else, respectful to the virtuous and talented, and had everything he could want. Why had he ended up like this? How could she have lost to that vile Consort Qin?

Seeing the Empress's face contorted with madness and her mind wandering, Eunuch Zhou was alarmed. He immediately ordered someone to help the Empress to Kunning Palace and summoned the imperial physician.

That night, no one in the capital slept well. No one expected that the current emperor was in his prime, yet the eldest prince dared to plot a rebellion. Throughout history, forcing the emperor to abdicate and rebelling was a capital offense. The eldest prince's fate was entirely his own fault.

However, given the Crown Prince's personality, it's not surprising that he would do such a thing. He's single-mindedly eyeing the Emperor's position, and he won't feel at ease unless he does something while Xiao Yu is away.

In the middle of the night, Xie Cheng led his men to ransack the Left Prime Minister's house, seizing a large amount of gold, silver, jewelry, and land and shop listings. He had them registered and sent to the Ministry of Revenue. The Left Prime Minister's eldest son was about the same age as Yan Chenzhou. The Left Prime Minister, as his father, had already turned white-haired and had a white beard. He stared intently at Xie Cheng, spat at him, and cursed Xie Cheng, saying that he would definitely have a bad end in the future.

Xie Cheng, with an air of composure like a gentle breeze and a bright moon, didn't even blink, "Take him away."

In the dark, damp dungeon, Lord Pei greeted Xie Cheng, "Lord Xie."

"I'll leave Lord Yan to Lord Pei," Xie Cheng said with a smile that was as warm as a spring breeze.

"It is what I should do." Lord Pei sighed. The eldest prince dared to openly rebel, he really didn't care about his life. The Left Prime Minister's Mansion was simply aiding and abetting the evildoer. "Lord Xie has not slept all night, he must be tired. Why don't you go back to your residence and rest for a while? You can leave this to me."

Lord Pei still admires the young man before him. It should be said that none of those who support King Cheng are not capable. Lord Xie is one, and so is the young general Mu Ziyi.

Xie Cheng hadn't slept a wink all night, but he wasn't sleepy at all. He walked out of the dungeon, the bright sunlight shining on him. He looked down at his hands, which were so white they seemed to glow. Just then, the sound of galloping hooves came from the road. Xie Cheng thought it was someone from the palace, so he took a few steps forward. The person who came was Xie Cheng's personal guard. He dismounted, his face pale, and said, "My lord."

"What is it?" Xie Cheng frowned upon seeing his expression.

The guard glanced at him and said, "I just received news that the Crown Prince's Consort has hanged herself."

As the eldest prince's legal wife, the eldest prince's wife was bound to accompany him to the northern desert. It's understandable that she couldn't accept it, but hanging herself was simply too much...

The Crown Prince's wife is also a pitiful person, mainly because the Lord still can't forget her.

Xie Cheng felt a pang of pain in his heart, and his body hunched slightly. He asked, "She knows everything?"

The guard lowered his head and remained silent for a moment. "The Crown Prince's Consort already knows."

If anyone is to blame, it's the Emperor for being unable to tolerate the General of the Nation's Mansion. The General of the Nation is wholeheartedly devoted to the country, yet the Emperor is constantly on guard against him. It's truly ironic. If he were the Crown Prince's consort, he would also feel that he has wasted his life.

Xie Cheng suppressed the tears welling up in his eyes and looked at the warm sun that had already risen on the horizon. He remembered that before General Lin went to war, Lin Ruohan had secretly pulled him outside the study. "What did Father just say to you?"

"What?" Xie Cheng pretended not to understand her meaning.

"Oh, Xie Cheng, you've gone too far! Xie Cheng, how about I marry you when Father and Brother return to the capital?" Lin Ruohan, though the daughter of a military general, had extremely charming features. She looked at Xie Cheng and asked.

Xie Cheng's ears turned red. He thought to himself, what girl would bring up this topic with a man first? But he genuinely liked Lin Ruohan, so he smiled warmly and said, "We'll get married when General Lin returns safely."

But the General Who Protects the Nation never returned. Later, Lin Ruohan became Xiao Ruofei's principal wife. She did many things that people disliked. His mother told him more than once that people's hearts are fickle and that he should let go and wish each other well. But Xie Cheng would never do that in his life because he knew that she had never changed. She had her own helplessness and reasons.

Xie Cheng suppressed the pain in his heart and gritted his teeth, saying, "Go to the East Palace."

The Crown Prince's wife hanged herself, and the people of the capital couldn't help but feel that it was a boast. Back then, the Crown Prince's wife, Lin Ruohan, was one of the two beauties of Yanjing, with outstanding talent. She was also betrothed to the eldest son of the Duke of Xie's family since childhood. If she had married Xie Cheng, she would have had a perfect life. But she ended up in the imperial family.

Lin Ruohan's only living relative is Princess Zhaoning. Princess Zhaoning fainted on the spot after learning of her elder sister's death, and it was only through servants that a doctor was summoned. The body of the Crown Prince's wife is still in Yanyun Pavilion.

Throughout the entire ordeal, Xiao Ruofei didn't go over to take a single look. However, upon hearing that Xie Cheng had arrived, Xiao Ruofei glanced at the newcomer, his eyes flickered, and he said with a hint of sarcasm, "Lord Xie is putting on a show of deep affection at this time, but she was killed by you. If you had pledged your allegiance to me earlier, she wouldn't have died such a tragic death."

Anyway, he's going to have a terrible life, so why should anyone else have a good one? And he even dared to mess with Xiao Yu and his Crown Princess. If he had known he would end up like this, he should have killed the child in Su Wanyue's belly when she first became pregnant. If he's not having a good life, why should Xiao Yu and the others have a good one?

"Where is she?" Xie Cheng didn't want to waste time with small talk and asked directly.

Xiao Ruofei had no intention of telling him and remained silent. Xie Cheng's voice suddenly rose, and he pressed again, his face frighteningly grim, "Where is she?"

It seems that Lin Ruohan isn't so insignificant in Xie Cheng's eyes after all. Xiao Ruofei sneered and said indifferently, "She's at Yunyan Pavilion."

Xie Cheng turned to go to Yunyan Pavilion, and Xiao Ruofei could not stop him, nor did he want to.

Before turning away, Xie Cheng left behind a sentence: "Your Highness, the Xie family has been a family of upright officials for generations. We would never be loyal to the point of indiscriminately killing innocent people, and we cannot tolerate a treacherous person who is loyal to the emperor."

He's a scoundrel...

Xiao Ruofei found it absurd. Why were his hands stained with so much blood? It was because he was forced into it. These people were all trying to bring him bad luck. What could he do?

Yes, it's all these people's fault.

Xiao Ruofei, born of the Empress, what wrong has he done?

Eunuch Zhou closely monitored the movements of the Eastern Palace. Upon hearing that the Crown Prince's Consort had passed away, Eunuch Zhou sighed silently. He went inside to report to the Emperor that the Crown Prince had been demoted to a commoner, and the Crown Prince's Consort would naturally be removed from the royal family. For treason, which implicated his wife and children, the Crown Prince's Consort, even in death, would not be allowed to be buried in the imperial mausoleum. The Emperor frowned slightly, and after a moment said, "In remembrance of the sacrifice of the General and his wife for the Northern Li Kingdom, I hereby grant permission for their daughter, Lin Ruohan, to be buried in the General's Mansion Mausoleum, with her tombstone placed in the Lin Family Ancestral Hall."

Eunuch Zhou silently kowtowed, which was probably what the Crown Princess was thinking as well.

===

Hearing that Xiao Yu and Su Wanyue were returning to the capital of Beili, Qin Jue made a special trip to the Southern Prince's Mansion. The steward hurriedly welcomed him in. Qin Jue immediately spotted his younger sister frowning as she drank her medicine in the lotus pavilion. He smiled and walked towards them, saying, "Your Highness, my sister."

"Brother, what brings you here?" Upon seeing Qin Jue, Su Wanyue quickly drank the medicine in her bowl. Xiao Yu fed her some candied fruit, and she asked Qin Jue in a slurred voice.

"I came because I heard that Your Highness and my sister were going back to Bei Li." Qin Jue looked at Su Wanyue with gentle eyes, but spoke to Xiao Yu, "Why is Your Highness in such a hurry to go back all of a sudden?"

Thinking they would stay for a while before leaving, Su Wanyue told Qin Jue what had happened at the Beili Imperial Palace. Qin Jue frowned upon hearing this, saying, "This eldest prince has only himself to blame. No one held a knife to his throat and forced him to do those things. On the other hand, the eldest prince's wife is a pitiful person."

"Then when you go back, your royal uncle will be all alone. Sister, please spend more time with your royal uncle these next few days," Qin Jue sighed and said.

Su Wanyue and Xiao Yu exchanged a glance, and she said in a soft voice, "I just wanted to discuss something with my brother."

Qin Jue could roughly guess what she was going to say, and nodded with a smile, "Please speak, sister."

Qin Jue would agree to anything Su Wanyue said.

The Prince of Nan's study was located in the front courtyard of the Prince's residence. It was extremely spacious, though rather simple. The Prince, with a refined expression, was practicing calligraphy. A servant, noticing his master's sour mood, quickly tried to comfort him, "The Princess surely wants to spend more time with the Prince in Nanqiong, but something happened in the capital, forcing the Princess to return with His Highness the Crown Prince."

“Wanwan wanted to go back, and I didn’t stop her from going back.” The Prince of Nan glanced at him and said irritably.

He was just reluctant to part with his daughter, but as long as his daughter was doing well, the Prince of the South had nothing to be reluctant about.

The Prince poured himself a cup of tea when a servant's surprised voice came from outside the study, "Princess."

"Is Father inside?" Su Wanyue's gentle voice came in.

The Prince of the South spoke directly, "Wanwan, come in."

The next moment, Su Wanyue, dressed in a light green Shu embroidered dress, walked in gracefully from outside. "Father, I would like to discuss something with you."

"Just say what's on your mind. While your father is still here, he will help you if he can." The Prince of Nan sighed. No matter what, in his heart, his daughters were always that little girl who needed protection.

"My husband and I discussed this last night. Once things are settled in Beili, we will bring Father here. I just discussed this with my elder brother, the Crown Prince, and he has agreed. I wanted to ask Father what he means. If Father is reluctant to leave this place, then..."

Before he could finish speaking, the Prince of Nan jokingly said, "Father has nothing to worry about in Nanqiong except for Wanwan. However, now is not the right time. If the Crown Prince ascends the throne one day, and if Father is still alive, then Father will go there."

Since his wife's death, his daughter has become the only thing that the Prince of the South cares about in the world. But he certainly can't be a burden to his daughter. The Prince of the South knows perfectly well why they are going back this time. The Emperor of Beili is even more ruthless than their Emperor.

Su Wanyue: "Father will surely live to be a hundred years old."

"Your father knows about Wanwan and the Crown Prince's filial piety. You can go back now and rest assured. Your father will definitely take good care of himself." The Prince of Nan smiled gently and kindly, his eyes shining brightly, and his spirits seemed to have improved considerably.

The next day, Su Wanyue and Xiao Yu left the capital. The Prince of Nan saw them off, and Qin Jue escorted them to the city gate. "I will see you off here. Wanwan will be in His Highness's care. If His Highness needs any help after we return, please feel free to send me a message."

Xiao Yu nodded slightly.

Qin Jue smiled gently, then gave Su Wanyue a few more instructions. He then summoned a eunuch who was holding two brocade boxes. "These are a small gift for Wanwan's unborn child, a token of my appreciation as her uncle."

By the time they meet again, the baby in her sister's belly will definitely be born. Qin Jue is looking forward to it, wondering if it will be a boy or a girl.

"Thank you, brother." Su Wanyue's bright eyes shone with a smile.

Qin Jue: "Then Your Highness and your sister should be careful on the road."

Qin Jue watched them leave, a gentle breeze blowing. Only after the carriage disappeared from sight did Qin Jue turn back. When he returned to the East Palace, he received a letter from Lu Qingchen, a request to resign from his official position in the capital and take up a local post. At the end of the letter, Lu Qingchen asked Qin Jue to take good care of Su Wanyue.

His wife had been listless since getting into the carriage. Xiao Yu knew she was reluctant to leave her family. He raised his eyebrows slightly and coaxed her in a low voice, "After a while, we will bring Father to the capital."

Su Wanyue gave a muffled "hmm," and Xiao Yu held her back and placed a kiss on her forehead, a gesture of reassurance.

Halfway through the journey, Su Wanyue's discomfort intensified, and she was prone to dizziness and nausea. So they stayed in Rongzhou, the capital, for several days. What was originally a half-month journey took about twenty days. The capital was still as bustling as ever, with the shouts of the people along the way. It was prosperous and noisy, seemingly unaffected by the palace coup.

No sooner had Xiao Yu and Su Wanyue arrived at the Prince Cheng's residence than Eunuch Zhou, who served the Emperor, arrived. Xiao Yu went to the Qianqing Palace alone. The Emperor's majestic face was now only ashen and weary. "You should know about the matter concerning the First Prince?"

Xiao Yu nodded and remained silent.

His attitude seemed to be exactly what the Emperor expected. This son had always kept his true abilities hidden. The Emperor couldn't see through him before, and now he couldn't outmaneuver him. The Emperor smiled and let it go. The Emperor asked about his recent situation with the Crown Princess in Nanqiong, and Xiao Yu answered one by one.

"You may leave." The Emperor waved his hand, seemingly a little tired.

"Your subject takes his leave."

***

Zixia Palace.

"What did Father Emperor say to Husband?" Su Wanyue was half asleep when she felt the bed beside her collapse. Then she was pulled into a familiar embrace. The woman opened her eyes somewhat blankly, her voice a little muffled.

"He didn't say anything, just asked about my recent situation in Nanqiong." Seeing that she couldn't open her almond-shaped eyes, Xiao Yu kissed her watery almond-shaped eyes.

Su Wanyue was still asleep when she heard this and closed her eyes again, snuggling into Xiao Yu's arms. Xiao Yu's cold and stern expression immediately softened, and he closed his eyes while holding his soft wife.

A gentle spring breeze blew in through the window, making the bells on the hibiscus-patterned curtains ring melodiously. The hibiscus-patterned curtains were warm and inviting.

In the evening, Consort Qin sent someone over and heard that the Crown Prince and Crown Princess were still resting. Consort Qin then decided to summon Su Wanyue to the palace to meet her again the next day.

As the sun began to set, the sky was filled with purple sunset clouds, and the setting sun blazed like fire.

Su Wanyue had just woken up. The hall was dimly lit, and she was still a little dazed. She rubbed her eyes.

Long, slender, pale fingers parted the beaded curtain. "You're awake."

"Husband." Her voice was still slightly hoarse from just waking up, and her uncontrollable dependence on Xiao Yu pleased him. A slight smile played on his lips. "Is anything bothering you?"

"I don't feel unwell anywhere. Did someone just come by?" Su Wanyue shook her head. She vaguely thought she heard someone talking.

“Granny Gui, who serves Mother Consort, has come by. Mother Consort said she wants to see you.”

Su Wanyue buried her head in his arms and asked him about the situation in the palace. Xiao Yu rubbed her head and told her the truth, "The Empress's condition is not good."

Su Wanyue was silent for a moment. Xiao Yu put his arm around her waist and asked gently, "Are you feeling unwell anywhere?"

The woman was already slender, and in the past few days, she had been feeling nauseous and vomiting whenever she ate, making her chin look even more pointed.

Su Wanyue gently shook her head, took the man's arm and got off the bed. Before her feet even touched the ground, the man picked her up.

The next morning, before going to court, Xiao Yu sent his wife to Chengqian Palace. When Consort Qin saw Su Wanyue, she smiled from ear to ear and carefully examined her complexion, saying that she had been through a lot during her pregnancy. When she heard that Su Wanyue and Xiao Yu planned to bring the Prince of Nan over in the future, Consort Qin nodded happily.

Of course, Consort Qin also told Su Wanyue about the situation in the capital: "The eldest prince brought this upon himself. What good can come of a coup? The empress has always placed high hopes on the eldest prince. The empress can't bear the fall of the eldest prince and has been in a daze ever since. The eldest prince will be escorted to the northern desert soon. It's just a pity for the eldest prince's wife."

With one less prince causing trouble, the court will certainly be more stable. However, the emperor's health is not what it used to be, and he has not summoned the concubines in the harem for more than a month.

At this moment, a palace maid came in and said, "Your Highness, His Highness has come to take the Crown Princess back."

"He can't be without Wanwan for a moment." Not long after, Consort Qin was both amused and exasperated. She took Su Wanyue's small hand and stood up. "Your mother will see you out."

***

Clouds and mist swirl around the mountain.

Master Yunyang glared and puffed out his beard, "Old man, is this the divination you performed back then?"

He also mentioned that he had said last time that Bei Li was facing another calamity, and he had thought he was referring to their disciples, but it turned out he was referring to the situation in Bei Li.

Master Huiyuan placed the black piece and chuckled, “The Crown Prince’s personality makes him unwilling to be subordinate to others. If he doesn’t do something, he wouldn’t be the Crown Prince.”

"So this ordeal is over?" Master Yunyang raised an eyebrow.

Master Huiyuan nodded: "From then on, the rivers were clear and the seas were calm, and the world was prosperous and peaceful."

The "Northern Glass Historical Records" states: "At the end of March in the sixth year of Dingyuan, the eldest prince Xiao Ruofei was demoted to a commoner and exiled to the northern desert. The eldest prince's wife, Lin Ruohan, hanged herself. Before her death, she left a letter for Xie Cheng to deliver to the emperor and Consort Qin. The letter stated that her younger sister, Princess Zhaoning, was spared. The emperor was merciful and allowed Princess Zhaoning to spend her life with the ancient Buddha and the lamp."

The book "Nanqiong: Emperor and Empress" states: "In July of the sixth year of the Dingyuan era, the emperor, who had been diligent in politics during his reign, abdicated in favor of Crown Prince Xiao Yu. Crown Prince Xiao Yu succeeded to the throne, changed the country's name to Chengxi, and Crown Princess Su Wanyue was made empress, sharing the same status as the emperor. Girls' academies were established among the people, and during the new emperor's reign, women could also enter the court to serve as officials. The world ushered in a new golden age."

Later generations said: "During the reign of the new emperor, there was only one empress in the harem. The couple lived in harmony and were deeply in love."