"Guards, escort Lord Song and the Dowager Lady back to their residence," the Fourth Prince ordered the guards.
Song Kaifeng's face stiffened. When he looked up, the Fourth Prince had already turned around. Helpless, he could only grit his teeth and help the Grand Madam away.
Before leaving, the Dowager was somewhat reluctant. Since she had already arrived at the entrance of the main hall, she felt she had to see the Emperor. It is unknown what Song Kaifeng said in a low voice, but the Dowager obediently left.
As soon as the person left, the fourth prince said to the fifth prince, "Get up."
The Fifth Prince stood up and went to the Fourth Prince's side: "Brother, do you really want me to copy the palace rules by hand?"
He has more important things to do now and doesn't have time to copy.
The fourth prince glared at him irritably.
With just a glance, the Fifth Prince understood what was meant, and grinned slightly: "Thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty."
"Xiao Wu".
"I am here."
“There are many ways to make Lord Song suffer losses. Why be so blatant and damage your reputation?” the Fourth Prince advised earnestly.
The Fifth Prince shook his head: "I am what I am. Reputation is nothing but a name. It can't put food on the table. If the Fifth Prince is feared by all, isn't that a kind of honor?"
The fourth prince smiled bitterly.
“Brother, you are a benevolent ruler. Leave any inconvenient matters to me in the future. There’s no need for formalities between us.” The Fifth Prince patted his chest and assured him, “As long as you don’t interfere with anything I do, that’s enough.”
The fourth prince's eyes flickered, but he did not expose the truth. He said in a low voice, "I heard that two princes have come to the Southern Frontier this time. The eldest prince is the leader, and there is also a seventh prince."
The Fifth Prince raised an eyebrow.
"This seventh prince has been on the battlefield and has military merits. He has already shown great promise at a young age. No one can say for sure about the throne," the fourth prince reminded him.
The Fifth Prince was a clever man and immediately understood: "Thank you, Your Majesty."
As they were talking, Princess Jiahua came out. Her face was deathly pale. She gritted her teeth and forced herself to stand up. The Fourth Prince moved slightly, and the Fifth Prince came to her side and supported her: "Did the old man scold you? You wait here, I'll go find the old man and ask him for an explanation."
"Stop!" Princess Jia Hua grabbed his sleeve: "Take me back."
"cousin?"
"Walk!"
The fifth prince could not refuse and had no choice but to send them away.
When passing by the Fourth Prince, Princess Jia Hua said again, "The Fifth Prince has a short temper and is easily impulsive. Please bear with him and protect him more in the future."
The fourth prince nodded.
No one knows what Princess Jia Hua and the Emperor discussed that day. After returning home, Princess Jia Hua secluded herself and refused to see any guests. She learned by chance that the Fifth Prince had cursed Song Kaifeng to be childless. She was surprised: "When did this happen?"
Xiu Shu said, "It was an hour after you entered the palace that the Fifth Prince returned and blocked the Marquis in the street, and forced him to drink the medicine. The Marquis and the Grand Madam went into the palace together, but they returned not long afterward."
Princess Jia Hua's expression softened slightly, which saved her the trouble of taking action.
"Xiao Wu's temper..."
“Princess, I think that the Fifth Prince’s outburst has actually made the Marquis’s mansion more restrained, which shows that we are not someone that can be bullied by everyone.”
Princess Jia Hua shook her head: "I only hope that he is safe and sound and that no one will be able to find fault with him."
She couldn't even protect herself, let alone drag the Fifth Prince down with her, so she put aside her thoughts and went to visit Song Hengchuan.
"Young Master is very well-behaved. He didn't cry or make a fuss. He fell asleep as soon as the medicine was applied." Xiu Shu said with a pained expression.
Princess Jiahua's eyes reddened, and after sitting for a while, she stood up and fell into deep thought under the eaves.
The Emperor said that the armies surrounding Northern Chu are pressing in, and the southern border of Eastern Ying is eyeing us covetously. Eastern Ying has already annexed three cities of Northern Chu. Our army suffered a great defeat. If we are defeated again, we may very well face other countries sharing Northern Chu.
There are millions of people in Northern Chu; he cannot abandon them.
"Why was I chosen as the one sent for a political marriage?"
The Emperor stared into her eyes: "The Emperor of Southern Xinjiang is fond of beautiful women. He has seen your portrait and has declared that he has no choice but you. I have no other option."
Princess Jia Hua's breath hitched: "Southern Xinjiang is three thousand miles away from the capital. How could the emperor of Southern Xinjiang have my portrait?"
The emperor shook his head and did not respond.
"Did someone deliver my portrait to the Emperor of Southern Xinjiang?" Princess Jiahua pressed.
“Jiahua, these things are no longer important. If you don’t go, Northern Chu will be in grave danger. You bear the heavy burden of the people on your shoulders. Have you ever thought about the tragedy of the country being destroyed and the family being wiped out? Even if you don’t think about the people, you should at least think about the two children.”
The Emperor earnestly advised, "Xiao Wu has been causing trouble lately, but I can turn a blind eye. I also know that you have been kind to him, and he is unhappy. Song Kaifeng is indeed somewhat despicable. I will ensure that the two children are treated well. As for Jia Hua, I have no choice."
"Whoever sits in my position will do the same."
"I cannot abandon the lives of hundreds of thousands of people."
Princess Jiahua kept her eyes tightly closed, unable to express any more grievances, but she was somewhat comforted by the Emperor's assurance that he would treat the two children well.
As for the injury on his face, the emperor didn't even notice it.
She saw one urgent dispatch after another being delivered, the affairs of state never-ending, and the emperor's hair turning white in strands, almost to the point of being completely white.
I swallowed all my grievances.
After bowing, he turned around and slowly withdrew.
"The Empress Dowager is old, and she has already angered me because of your marriage alliance. Her health has been deteriorating these days. Don't go to the Empress Dowager. Save face for the Marquis's family, and I will forgive whatever trouble you cause," the Emperor advised.
Princess Jia Hua remained silent and walked away step by step.
What's the point of all that fuss?
With her two children still in the Marquis's mansion, she couldn't possibly destroy it completely. Right now, she was just being cautious.
"Princess," Xiu Shu said, draping a cloak over her shoulders, "Is there truly no room for negotiation regarding this marriage alliance?"
Princess Jiahua shook her head.
“Princess.” Xiu Shu sniffed. Her princess, who was usually so proud, looked like a helpless child at this moment, her eyes filled with confusion.
Even the Emperor and several princes cannot support the princess, so what hope does she have?
"I only wish to see my two children safe and well in my lifetime, nothing more." Princess Jiahua's cheeks were covered with crystal tears as she looked at the bright moon in the sky. She only hated that she had such a beautiful face and hated the emperor's weakness even more.
If he hadn't been weak, how could Northern Chu have suffered such a loss of military power and been constantly constrained by others?
Princess Jiahua was filled with disappointment that Northern Chu, which had been on the throne for more than 30 years, had been reduced to seeking peace through marriage. A thought arose in her mind: the throne should be given to a more capable person.
He doesn't deserve it!
“Princess, anything is possible as long as you’re alive,” Xiu Shu advised.
Princess Jia Hua nodded: "Yes, as long as one is alive, anything is possible. The old emperor of Southern Xinjiang is old; how much longer can he live?"
And him, he'll have to step down sooner or later.
There is hope of returning if you are alive.
Little did they know that their conversation was overheard by the person on the bed. The person clenched their small fists tightly, closed their eyes, and secretly vowed to go to the battlefield.
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