Princess Jia Hua patted Fu Ge'er's head, handed him over to Xiu Shu, and hurried to catch up with the Seventh Prince: "Your Highness!"
The seventh prince stopped in his tracks.
"Fu Ge'er was Xiang Zhu's dying wish."
“I know.” He turned to the side and smiled slightly: “The manor should indeed be more lively.”
"I do have my two children on my mind."
The Seventh Prince's expression became somewhat subtle. Princess Jiahua then said, "One day, I want to return to Northern Chu with dignity, not with Your Highness in fear."
"No one will make things difficult for us," the Seventh Prince said hastily.
Princess Jiahua shook her head: "The Empress Dowager and my mother used to tell me the same thing, that I would definitely find a good husband and live the life I wanted. But later, they couldn't decide my marriage. With an imperial decree from the Emperor, I became a member of the Song family. Later, I was sent here for a political marriage. All of this only required one word from that person. Your Highness, do you really believe in brotherly affection?"
As long as the Seventh Prince ascends to that position.
She can then return home openly and confidently; the Southern Frontier will be her refuge.
Even the Emperor of Northern Chu had to give him some leeway.
If the Seventh Prince, in his capacity as a prince, were to allow her to return, she would have to do it secretly, and the Seventh Prince would even have to bear the blame for condoning her actions, and there was a high possibility that he would also be accused of treason.
Isn't it better to have your own destiny in your own hands?
The Seventh Prince's expression darkened: "Is it only that position that can give you everything?"
Princess Jiahua closed her eyes, feeling an indescribable disappointment: "You hold military power. Even between father and son, this is how it is, let alone between brothers? Never mind, as long as Your Highness is happy."
She turned and left.
From the moment she let Fu Ge'er into the manor, she knew that this child was a thorn in her side, constantly reminding the Seventh Prince how much she missed her two children.
But she had promised Xiangzhu that she would do everything in her power to protect Fuge'er.
"My lady." Xiu Shu rushed forward anxiously when she saw Princess Jia Hua return with a pale face: "What happened to you?"
Princess Jia Hua shook her head: "It's alright."
"Aunt." Fu Ge'er looked up, staring at her with wide, questioning eyes.
Princess Jia Hua bent down and patted Fu Ge'er's head: "Auntie is alright. Fu Ge'er, you must eat well and sleep well every day, okay?"
"good!"
Since taking Fu Ge'er under her wing, Princess Jia Hua would talk to him about Xiang Zhu every day: "Your mother is a noble lady from a prestigious family, proficient in all the arts, including music, chess, calligraphy, and painting..."
Fu Ge'er's face was full of admiration, which made Princess Jia Hua smile. Looking at Fu Ge'er, she seemed to see little Chuan Ge'er looking at her with admiration back then.
"Your Highness," Xiu Shu said in a low voice, "His Highness has gone to the Prime Minister's residence to offer condolences."
"Um."
"The Empress also went."
Princess Jia Hua was not surprised.
She thought about it for a long time. The southern border was not safe. She wanted to send Fu Ge'er back to the northern Chu to be raised. She was afraid that one day she would not be able to protect Fu Ge'er.
In Northern Chu, find a farm to raise them.
Even living in anonymity is better than a vague and uncertain sense of security.
"Embroidered book".
"This servant is here."
"If one day I send you back to Northern Chu, you can take the child and go to find Madam Jiang and the Fourth Prince's Consort. No matter who it is, they will protect you."
Xiu Shu stared wide-eyed in confusion: "Master!"
“Your Highness is soft-hearted and cannot hold onto the throne. He has offended so many people without realizing it. The Seventh Prince’s residence will surely not have a good end.” Princess Jia Hua’s gaze was fixed on Xiu Shu: “He has half of the Northern Chu blood in his body. If he returns to Northern Chu, he can live a peaceful life.”
In Northern Chu, no matter who ascends the throne, they will not harm Fu Ge'er.
Xiu Shu's eyes reddened: "This servant wants to stay with you forever."
“Xiu Shu, I don’t want to break my promise to Xiang Zhu. My two children still have someone to rely on, but Xiang Zhu can only rely on me.”
Princess Jia Hua sighed, "Unfortunately, I cannot leave."
If she leaves, she will harm Bei Chu and her two children.
She would rather die in the southern border region.
Under Princess Jia Hua's earnest persuasion, Xiu Shu relented: "Don't worry, Your Highness, I will definitely take good care of Fu Ge'er."
Princess Jia Hua breathed a sigh of relief.
As the days passed, the funeral at Prime Minister Yan's residence was held with great solemnity. Empress Yan personally kept vigil and fainted several times from crying.
Several imperial physicians were stationed at the Prime Minister's residence.
Empress Yan, dragging her sickly body and dressed in an ill-fitting white dress, painstakingly copied scriptures, only to burn them to ashes, muttering that her daughter was unfilial.
Prime Minister Yan stood before the coffin with a gloomy expression.
The younger generation of the Yan family knelt on the ground, weeping bitterly.
Countless officials and their families were also in the courtyard to pay their respects.
Finally, after five days of enduring hardship, Empress Yan's health collapsed, and she fainted on the ground, her pale hands still tightly clutching a pen.
"Your Majesty!" Prime Minister Yan shouted.
Empress Yan was quickly carried back to the courtyard.
Many people were guarding the courtyard, their eyes fixed on the other side of the gate, whispering among themselves: "Wasn't the Empress supposed to be under house arrest? Why is she out here?"
"After Madam Yan died, all the mistakes the Yan family made were wiped clean, and who would dare to hold them accountable?"
"Your Highness is confused!"
Suddenly, news came from the palace.
The Southern Emperor returned to the main hall after a series of battles, and sat on the golden throne. The news caused an uproar as soon as it spread.
"Isn't His Majesty ill?"
"How...how could this be..."
Everyone was astonished.
The Third Prince then stepped forward: "Father is the Son of Heaven, revered by all people. He is only taking a short break. There is no need for you to panic. Father has now regrouped. A country cannot be without a ruler for a day. You should all go to the palace to pay your respects."
All eyes turned to the Seventh Prince.
The seventh prince frowned.
"Seventh Prince, Father is cured. You should be happy." The Third Prince wore a triumphant smile.
At this moment, Prime Minister Yan also came over: "His Majesty is blessed by Heaven, which is a good thing for the Southern Frontier."
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