As the Seventh Prince remained silent, the steward rushed in from outside: "Your Highness, someone from the palace has come to invite you to the palace. They say something bad has happened at Fengyi Palace."
The seventh prince jumped to his feet.
"Your Highness!" Princess Jia Hua cried out urgently, "Your Highness, please reconsider."
He glanced back at Princess Jia Hua, nodded, and before leaving, he summoned his confidants and chatted for most of the hour before entering the palace.
Night had fallen
Princess Jia Hua sighed and Xiu Shu said, "Your Highness, the Seventh Prince is too sentimental. This is not a good thing."
"I've said all I need to say, considering he saved my life."
The person she hoped would ascend the throne was the seventh prince.
Only in this way can she return to Northern Chu safely.
Looking up at the bright moon in the sky, she bit her lip hard, forcing herself to swallow her tears. She wondered how Yue-jie was doing now, and how Chuan-ge was doing.
The thought of her two children tormented her heart.
"It's been three years, and the Emperor is still alive." Princess Jiahua closed her eyes, wishing he would die sooner.
Xiu Shu quickly reassured him, "There are still two princes in the capital, so the chances of winning are extremely high."
"I hope so."
Ten days have passed in the blink of an eye.
After the imperial physicians used some miraculous medicine, Empress Yan's illness improved somewhat, and she gradually became able to sit up.
The Third Prince's Consort and Lady Yan keep him company and chat with him every day.
Several princes came to visit him every day.
Even the Emperor of Southern Xinjiang sent people to visit him.
Empress Yan glanced at the branches outside the window, and only looked at the palace maid when no one was around. The palace maid lowered her voice and said, "Although His Highness is in the palace every day, his attendants go back to report every day."
Empress Yan raised an eyebrow: "Really?"
"How dare this servant lie?"
Empress Yan's eyes suddenly darkened, and the palace maid continued, "So many days have passed, and several ministers and the prime minister have been subtly reminding His Highness that it is time to choose a new emperor, but His Highness never expresses his opinion. The Third Prince is getting anxious, and the other princes are not to be outdone, all wanting to take advantage. I think the Third Prince's wife is also losing patience."
"She has no patience, she doesn't have to come," Empress Yan scoffed.
Just then, the Third Prince's Consort walked over from the other side of the screen. At first glance, she saw the anger still lingering on Empress Yan's face, and her smile became somewhat awkward: "What's going on? Who has offended Your Majesty the Empress again?"
The palace maid rose and withdrew.
"Just some trivial matters." Empress Yan rubbed her temples, smelling the faint fragrance emanating from the Third Prince's Consort, and frowned: "How is the court?"
When the Third Prince's wife mentioned this, her expression became strange: "In the first few days after the Seventh Prince returned, he clearly softened his tone. After returning to the manor, he changed completely. He wouldn't make any decisions when asked and would try to avoid them whenever possible."
Empress Yan frowned.
"Your Highness, could it be that someone whispered something in the Seventh Prince's ear?" The Third Prince's Consort was practically about to mention Princess Jia Hua's name.
"I've been ill these past few days, and several of the princes' consorts have come, but she hasn't. It's a shame I've been protecting her for the past three years," Empress Yan said meaningfully.
The Third Prince's wife immediately understood and nodded hurriedly: "Your Majesty is right. In principle, Seventh Brother's wife should indeed come to visit."
The Third Prince's wife acted swiftly. She first went to find the Seventh Prince, but found him busy with official business. She then turned to the Seventh Prince's attendant and instructed, "Her Majesty the Empress has finally recovered and wants to talk to someone. Go and invite the Seventh Prince's wife to the palace."
The attendant hesitated.
"As a daughter-in-law, it is my duty to be filial to my mother-in-law. I will explain once Your Highness has finished his business."
Having said all that, the servant no longer hesitated and got up to leave.
Princess Jiahua was not surprised at all to be summoned to the palace. After changing into light-colored clothes, she got up and went into the palace. Along the way, she heard many people praising the Seventh Prince for his bravery and skill in battle.
She smiled.
He was indeed brave, fighting against nine opponents and still managing to return victorious. There has never been a general like him in the world for decades.
Upon entering the palace, they went straight to the Phoenix Palace.
This was her second visit. Fengyi Palace was very large, with a huge garden full of peonies in full bloom, exuding elegance, nobility, and national beauty.
"Seventh sister-in-law, you've finally arrived." The Third Prince's wife came over, took her hand and sighed repeatedly, "I shouldn't have bothered you, but all the other princesses and crown princes' wives have come. Even if you didn't want to come, you should at least make an appearance."
“Cough cough…” Princess Jiahua picked up a handkerchief and covered her mouth and nose, coughing incessantly. She said guiltily, “I caught a cold a few days ago and dared not enter the palace for fear of spreading my illness.”
The Third Prince's wife looked suspicious: "The weather is so unpredictable, sometimes cold and sometimes hot. We should be careful."
Whether the Third Prince's wife believed it or not, Princess Jiahua put on a perfect act, with her head bowed and eyes downcast, appearing gentle and obedient.
"The Empress is, after all, an elder, and she has protected you a lot these past three years. She also cares about you. Why don't you go and talk to her?" The Third Prince's Consort led Princess Jia Hua inside by the hand.
Princess Jia Hua nodded.
As I stepped over the threshold, I suddenly heard a familiar voice coming from inside.
"Slow down."
Princess Jia Hua immediately recognized the voice of the Seventh Prince from those two words.
"I forgot to tell you, the Seventh Prince is here too." The Third Prince's wife sighed, "These days, thanks to the Seventh Prince's daily companionship, he talked about the scenery beyond the Great Wall, which made Her Majesty feel better, and even her illness has improved."
Princess Jia Hua lowered her eyes and smiled: "Is that so?"
The Third Prince's Consort, along with Princess Jiahua, stood behind the screen, watching inside. They hesitated to go in. The Seventh Prince, holding a bowl of medicine, was feeding Empress Yan small sips of it.
Through the half-hidden screen, she could see that Empress Yan's eyes were so tender they could melt water.
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