Three imperial edicts were issued.
Like a drop of cold water splashed into a pot of boiling oil, it explodes instantly.
The happiest person was none other than Madam Tao. After listening to the contents of the imperial edict with wide eyes, she didn't react for a long time until her maid gently reminded her, "Madam, it's time to express your gratitude."
Tao kowtowed to express her gratitude.
The second master, Song Qingfeng, was completely stunned. He never imagined that one day he would actually inherit the title.
"Is this a dream?" Song Qingfeng pinched his sternum, a sharp pain shooting through him.
Tao said excitedly, "The princess not only granted the second branch of the family a title, but also arranged a good marriage for Huan'er, the Crown Princess of Shen..."
Tao clasped her hands together, chanting Amitabha Buddha, and smiled from ear to ear: "Yesterday, the Crown Prince of Shen came to visit. I saw him; he is handsome and has a distinguished bearing."
She never imagined in her life that Song Huan could marry into such a family.
Previously, Madam Tao had considered marrying Song Huan back to her maternal clan, the Tao family, since they knew each other well. However, due to matters at home, the marriage was delayed. Unexpectedly, this wonderful marriage was arranged.
"Lord Duke, the Dowager Madam requests your presence." The steward rushed over.
Tao's smile vanished, and she grabbed Song Qingfeng's sleeve, her expression grave: "Husband, you are now a Duke. Everything we have today is a gift from the princess. Don't be so naive."
Song Qingfeng nodded: "Don't worry."
He is not like his elder brother Song Kaifeng; he is not so easily swayed, nor will he be easily manipulated by the Grand Madam, much less will he stand up for her.
Tao then released her grip and hurriedly told someone to wait for news at the palace gate. If the princess returned, she would personally greet her.
The maid said, "Madam, our household has produced a prince, a princess, and now a crown princess. Most importantly, we have a future crown princess. Who can surpass our household?"
Tao's smile deepened: "Yes, who would have thought that the once-unpopular Duke Jing's mansion would be where it is today?"
Just then, the carriage stopped by the roadside.
The curtain was lifted, and Princess Jiahua stepped down from the carriage. She glanced at Tao Shi, who was smiling, and smiled back, "It's so hot outside, why don't you go inside and wait a bit?"
"It's autumn now, and such fine weather is a rare treat. Let's soak up some sun." Madam Tao descended the steps herself and affectionately took Princess Jiahua's arm: "Sister-in-law, thank you for your help."
Princess Jiahua knew she was a grateful woman, so she smiled gently and said to Xiushu, "I have something to talk about with the Second Madam."
The embroidered letter conveys a message, creating distance between the person and those around them.
Tao said, "Sister-in-law, please feel free to ask if you have any instructions."
The two walked towards the pavilion. Princess Jiahua bent down and sat on the stone bench, leaning against the railing and watching the koi swimming in the pond. She said in a low voice, "I do have something for you to do."
Tao's eyelids twitched.
"There is a Zhuang family in the city, and their daughter is named Chang'an. I don't care what methods you use, but make sure the eldest son of the Tao family agrees to this marriage."
"Furthermore, the governor of the city is quite close to the Tao family, but he is dishonest and wants to distance himself from the Tao family. I don't need to teach you that, do I?"
Tao's expression changed slightly. She knew nothing about these things, and her joy from before had faded considerably. Princess Jiahua sighed, "The Emperor has been on the throne for two years, and many people are dissatisfied. I cannot sit idly by. Second sister-in-law, don't you think so?"
The governor of the city embezzled a lot of silver and secretly got close to the faction of the Prince of Zhennan. He was cunning and meticulous in his work, but he had a close relationship with the current master of the Tao family. If the Tao family reported him, he would definitely be arrested with a single word.
Ms. Tao was caught in a dilemma.
Princess Jiahua was not in a hurry. She threw the fish food that was placed aside into the pond: "How good can the fate of traitors be? What I hate most is a fence-sitter."
Tao was startled and her face turned pale as she said, "Don't worry, sister-in-law, I'll go back to the manor right away."
Before leaving, Madam Tao stopped and looked at Princess Jia Hua: "What about the Prince Shen's residence..."
"Princess Shen is kind-hearted and easy to get along with, and the Crown Prince is both scholarly and martial, from a good family."
Hearing this, Ms. Tao breathed a sigh of relief.
What Princess Jia Hua didn't say was that Prince Shen was ruthless and had long coveted the throne, and had secretly been colluding with Empress Dowager Xu.
But it doesn't matter. Once Prince Shen enters the capital, he will only face certain death.
The Prince Shen's residence also received the imperial edict.
Prince Shen's face turned extremely ugly, and he had no choice but to kowtow in the direction of the palace to express his gratitude. Only after the eunuch who delivered the imperial decree had gone far away did he look at Prince Shen's heir.
"Did you see Miss Song yesterday?"
Crown Prince Shen shook his head.
He didn't know Song Huan at all.
"Why would the Emperor suddenly bestow a marriage?" Prince Shen hadn't expected the Northern Chu Emperor to bestow this marriage so suddenly, especially with the Song family.
"Could it be that the Emperor feels he has offended us and wants to compensate us? Second Master Song inherited the Duke of Jingguo's mansion, and I heard that the second branch has a good relationship with the princess. Fourth Miss Song is also a good match for our family," said Princess Shen.
King Shen hesitated, then looked up at his heir.
“Father, Miss Song is still young, there’s no rush,” Prince Shen comforted her.
Prince Shen frowned deeply: "Then what is the meaning behind General Jiang's marriage to Prince Guangjia?"
The Emperor's move was extremely risky.
Knowing full well that the Prince of Guangjia had an awkward position and many supporters in secret, they still dared to push General Jiang, who held military power, to the Prince of Guangjia.
Isn't this like throwing lambs to the slaughter?
“Your Majesty, it’s not as reckless and simple as it seems on the surface. We’ve all been fooled.” Prince Shen’s thoughts were complicated: “General Jiang and Prince Guangjia are in a marriage alliance. If Prince Guangjia causes trouble, it will definitely implicate General Jiang. Your Majesty is trying to take back the Jiang family’s military power.”
"Then Miss Xu was even bestowed upon the Prince of Zhennan as a concubine. Such a fine young lady, isn't this a slap in the face to the Xu family?" Princess Shen didn't understand. The Xu family was the Empress Dowager's maternal clan. Wasn't the Emperor worried about offending the Xu family?
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