60 National Mourning
◎ Please ask His Royal Highness the Crown Prince to inherit the throne and preside over the overall situation◎
Liu Tongwu was silent for several seconds. By this time, she was fed up with it. "I am the same. I am tired of it a long time ago. I will take my leave."
After saying that, she left without looking back. She had been married to Fu Kang for more than 20 years, gave birth to a son and then a daughter. Her mother's family was also powerful and her mother was a daughter of the royal family of the previous dynasty, but she had to be trapped in the imperial city for the rest of her life.
Back then, she'd fallen for the young Fu Kang and pestered her father to marry him, but the Crown Princess had already been chosen, and she'd been content to remain his concubine. Fu Kang was indeed kind to her, but only within the limits of what he could offer. Beyond that, he remained vague about her position and her status as eldest son.
After so many years of doting on her, she now saw that his feelings for her were far less profound than those for Bai Yi. He had previously been obsessed with status and the crown prince's position, but now, he was only willing to be buried in the concubine's mausoleum and refused to see her again.
After a few more days, Fu Kang's condition became worse and worse. He could hardly eat, was unconscious for half a day, and was awake less and less.
From then on, Liu Tongwu never showed up to visit him again. She locked herself in her bedroom all day long and never went out, staring in a daze at the bracelet that Fu Kang had given her.
Everything the empress bestowed upon her during her lifetime was a gift from the emperor. Even the promise of a wild goose alliance was merely a token of his affection. This token, a symbol of their deep love, would be bestowed upon someone else in the future, perhaps transformed into a hairpin or pendant, a token of their affection once more.
She was adorned with jewels and precious stones, her name was recorded in the Golden Book, and she had been a favorite concubine for twenty years, but in the end she was just a bird in a cage.
In Fu Kang's bedroom, Bai Yi was the only one left to take care of him without taking off her clothes, but he didn't want to see her these past few days. "How is His Majesty?"
Fu Hua also had a bad feeling and said in a very low voice, "Father is not feeling well. I think he will die in the next few days."
"Why did the condition suddenly take a turn for the worse and I need to be admitted? Didn't His Majesty tell me to come in?"
Fu Hua shook his head, "No."
She also understood what Fu Kang meant. They were a young couple who had been through thick and thin together. He didn't want Bai Yi to see him in such a miserable state.
Although he wasn't the one who doted on Bai Yi the most in his life, he respected her the most and would always ask for her opinion on everything. Bai Yi was also always considerate and generous, which was why he didn't neglect her in the inner chambers. No matter how busy or tired he was, Fu Kang would remember Bai Yi's birthday and the day they got married.
There are few devoted couples in the imperial family, but there is an emperor and empress who share the same honors and disgraces, and have been together for more than ten years. This time, they finally waited for the day of separation.
Bai Yi was helpless and stood up with a sigh, "Forget it, it's been so many years, I've seen enough, I've seen enough, I'm going home first."
"Let me help you."
"No need." She walked out of the bedroom alone without asking anyone to help her, but she was still worried, as if something big had happened. She was absent-minded and didn't pay much attention to the threshold of the door. She fell down without paying attention.
"Oh no! His Majesty has passed away!!!"
The hall fell silent for a moment, and then the palace bell rang not far away, and Fu Kang passed away.
Bai Yi fought back her tears. Her status as the mother of a nation didn't allow her to cry. Although she knew he didn't have much time left, she still couldn't bear the terrible news and fainted several times. "We've been married for almost thirty years, and he's gone first."
Rong Qianyu was quick to respond and quickly comforted her, "Mother, please accept my condolences. We still have to count on you in the future!" She then ordered the palace maid to help her go down to rest.
Everyone was still immersed in grief, some were crying, and some looked dazed.
She stood up and was the first to kowtow to Fu Hua. "Your Majesty has passed away, but the country cannot be without a ruler for a day. I, along with all the female relatives, ask His Royal Highness the Crown Prince to inherit the throne and preside over the overall situation. Long live our emperor!"
All the palace maids, eunuchs, concubines and ministers followed Rong Qianyu and shouted "Long live the emperor."
Just as she said, if they couldn't be husband and wife, they would be ruler and subject, and a subject should behave like a subject. For the sake of the people of her motherland, she must do her best.
"Please stand up, Crown Princess." This is a turbulent time. Fu Kang has done everything he can for his son. Now it depends on him.
He had no time to breathe, as there were still many things waiting for him to do. He turned away and wiped his tears, as he was now the new emperor.
The entire palace is busy dealing with the funeral of the late emperor and arranging matters related to the new emperor's ascension to the throne. On the other hand, Liu Tongwu still can't let go of the throne.
"What are you thinking? If you don't make a decision now, that kid Fu Hua will inherit the throne, and Nian'er and Yan'er will have to marry!"
She urged him urgently, but Fu Zhang was still ambiguous.
In fact, he didn't really want to be a subject, but he could never take that step. He knew that he was capable of competing, but he always hesitated.
Fu Zhang lowered his eyes and said nothing. He slowly whispered, "Father just left. How can I..."
Rong Qianyu was cautious and came to test the wind, "Your Highness Prince Jin is here, why don't you go see your father?"
"Crown Princess!" He was startled by Rong Qianyu's sudden appearance and stood up to salute.
Rong Qianyu's attitude remained gentle, her usual compliment, unhurried and unhurried, earning praise from the entire palace. "Prince Jin will still be counting on you from now on, so don't overwork yourself. I think Yan'er is older than Shu'er, so bring her over to play with Shu'er tomorrow."
She asked what Princess Jin said that day, but unfortunately Fu Zhang said the same thing.
"There is an order of respect and hierarchy. I am afraid that Yan'er has forgotten the rules of respect and hierarchy."
Rong Qianyu understood what he was thinking, but she said the same thing as Princess Jin, "Why do you say the same thing as Princess Jin? If you have rules in mind, why worry about breaking them if you don't have that intention?"
His explanation was scant, "The ministers will be unhappy."
"The ministers are all outsiders. In the future, His Royal Highness will have to rely on these veteran ministers. However, Your Highness is the eldest brother, and His Royal Highness still values you very much."
He was humble and bowed his head deeply. "I am still not qualified enough, and I am ashamed to accept this position."
Rong Qianyu helped him up and said with a smile, "Your Highness Prince Jin is so modest, isn't he a little too cautious? As the saying goes, once bitten by a snake, it's ten years away... There won't be any snakes in this palace wall and courtyard, so there's no need for Your Highness to be afraid."
Fu Zhang left without saying a few words.
Fu Hua: "Do you think Big Brother will rebel? Why?"
"Speak softly. Be careful, there are ears on the other side. A while ago, when my father was seriously ill, the Princess of Jin came to see me. Now the Prince of Jin is talking to me in the same way. I think you should be careful. We have just finished the war, and my father's body is still warm. You must be careful in these troubled times."
Rong Qianyu told Fu Hua about the matter, but he didn't take it seriously. He finally became the emperor and no longer had to take her seriously. "You're exaggerating a bit. The harem is not allowed to interfere in politics. You haven't even become the queen yet, but you're already meddling in state affairs. Do you really think you're second only to the emperor?"
The two of them started arguing again, "Since you say that, why don't you just cripple me now and let me be buried with my father!"
"You think I don't dare?!"
No palace maids or eunuchs outside dared to enter. It was rare for the two of them to have such a fierce quarrel. The palace people were privately wondering whether Fu Hua would make the Crown Princess the Queen, or abandon the etiquette for his old love.
Now it seems that the Crown Princess’ glorious days are coming to an end.
There was a sound of things being thrown in the house, "Get out, get out!"
Rong Qianyu didn't show weakness either. Following Xue Ji's example, she also learned to be cunning and arrogant. She cursed back, "You'd better depose me as soon as you ascend the throne. Don't make me beg you!"
In Concubine Liu Xian's palace, mother and son looked at each other in bewilderment.
Fu Zhang wanted to take her out of the palace, but she refused. "Mother, just follow me out of the palace. We will take care of you. Nian'er has grown up and there is nothing for you to worry about."
Liu leaned sickly against the bed, sighing and groaning. She had been crying these past few days and waking up in a sweat. "You're just like your father, the emperor. You take everything for granted. Why should I leave? Why should I let that bitch Bai Yi show off so much?!"
Fu Zhang tried to persuade her earnestly, hoping she could let it go. "Mother and father have already passed away. Just come with us to the mansion. Xiao'er and Yan'er both want to honor you."
But she was used to being proud, and all of a sudden all her reasons for being proud were gone, her backing was gone, her favor was gone, and the family background that she had always been proud of became the biggest obstacle to her son's ambition to conquer the world.
She couldn't get out, nor did she want to wake up. "Son, I can't accept it, I can't accept it. Your father is the best to me, giving me the best of everything. Why is it like this..."
Fu Zhang tried to persuade her, and Fu Nian also cried, hoping that her mother would be more open-minded. "Mother, I have grown up. You can leave the palace with my brother. The Queen will treat me well. I will never be willful again. I will be a good boy and not let you worry."
In an instant, her father was gone, and the always willful Sixth Princess suddenly grew up. She was a few months younger than Fu Tao, and although they were both young girls, they were equally favored.
But Fu Tao was unfazed by her favoritism. Everyone doted on her because she was the legitimate princess and the queen's youngest daughter, allowing her to grow up in peace and security. Fu Nian, on the other hand, had to be extremely cautious, fearing that any mistake would implicate her mother. But she had been so spoiled by her father that she had almost forgotten her own status, and now reality had slapped her in the face and finally woke her up.
She no longer had any support and was just a daughter born out of wedlock who was not favored by others.
Liu Yuan also comforted her, "Mother, Nian'er will eventually get married. Just come with us and leave the palace. We will take care of you. Why waste time here?"
When Liu heard her speak, she immediately scolded, "You have no right to talk here! Get out, get out!"
Fu Zhang was worried, so he told Fu Nian to be obedient and not to make his mother angry with her in the future. She had grown up and should know her limits.
He patted her head again, his face full of sorrow, "Go back and take good care of your mother."
He returned home with Liu Yuan, "You have been wronged, my mother did not mean that."
Liu Yuan held his hand and comforted him, "I understand that mother is upset. As a daughter-in-law, you should be more understanding. You are also in a difficult position."
"Thank you." He felt relieved. Fortunately, there was someone around him who was willing to understand.
"If Your Highness wants to try that chair, it's fine. I and my family will definitely help you. Even for your mother? For Nian'er, so that Yan'er can be the first wife and not be bullied."
"Okay," he shook his head and didn't want to talk about it anymore, "Let's go back. We're not needed now."
It’s not that he doesn’t want to, but he has some concerns.
As the two were about to return home, they saw Rong Qianyu, who had gone out in a huff, waiting to be deposed. "Is that the Crown Princess?"
"Your Majesty, are you waiting for someone here? Why did you leave the palace?" Liu Yuan stopped the person and asked.
Rong Qianyu looked aggrieved, like a delicate flower being bullied. "I had a fight with Fu Hua. It would be best if you divorce me. Who cares about being a Crown Princess or a Queen?"
"Where is mother going now?"
"Go stay at my private residence for a few days. This time I'm going to teach him a lesson and leave him hanging for a few days."
Liu Yuan let go of Fu Zhang and took Rong Qianyu's arm, "Then why don't you come back with us, Your Majesty?"
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