Jiayin, worried that her adoptive father might be upset, quickly said, "Let's go back to Jiangnan first, but this time let's not take a boat south. After what happened, the waterways will probably be strictly inspected. Let's go by land!"
"For so many years, my father and godfather have been in the north and have never been to the south. Let's take this opportunity to see the scenery of Jiangnan."
"Great idea!" Old Li was the first to respond, and the Marquis also nodded with a smile.
They fought for more than a decade to protect their homeland.
The fact that the people of Tianwu live and work in peace and contentment today is the best reward they can give themselves.
Dr. Zhang didn't care, as long as he had food and drink and could eventually get home.
Yes, he had long considered the Li family his own home...
In the end, it's still Hayama's turn to work hard.
After all, the Liu and Jia families in Xindu were still waiting for him to report that he was safe and sound!
In Xinduli, the sweltering heat had finally eased considerably after the rain, and even the refugees from outside the city seemed to have lost their listless appearance.
Of course, the emperor was still in mourning, so even if he was happy, no one dared to show it.
But it's okay to whisper to each other in private.
"Have you heard? People say the Crown Prince is a true dragon. When the late emperor passed away and he was about to ascend the throne, it rained."
"I've heard about it too. Some people even say that the late emperor committed some sins, which is why we're suffering as a result."
"Oh dear, you can't say that, or you'll get into trouble. I'm just wondering when the imperial court will send us food and money so we can go home."
"Don't worry about that. The new emperor will grant a general amnesty upon his ascension to the throne, and he certainly won't treat us unfairly."
"Hehe, maybe I can even marry another wife after I go home."
The situation was the same outside the city, and the people inside the city were equally unwilling to shut up. Even the civil and military officials kneeling before the coffin in the palace were secretly plotting their next move.
Whether it was because of the cool weather or the change of dynasties, everyone's minds were focused on the benefit of the family. This time, not a single elder fell ill; they were all full of energy.
First the empress died, then the emperor died.
The previously cautious crown prince's concubines have finally had the mountain over their heads removed and are now in charge.
The Crown Princess, accompanied by her concubines, beauties, and ladies of noble birth, strictly adhered to etiquette, kneeling respectfully before the coffin, as if afraid that others would say she was ignorant of the rules and unfilial.
The Third Princess had been fussing around all day and was really annoyed, but she couldn't say anything because of her brother, the Crown Prince. So she simply had someone tidy up Zhilan Palace and used the excuse of copying scriptures to openly slack off.
Fearing gossip from outsiders, Caiyun whispered a few words of advice.
The third princess waved her hand impatiently and replied, "The person is dead. Crying or kneeling for a while longer won't bring them back to life! Besides, Father has always known that I'm disobedient, so he won't hold it against me this time."
After saying that, she leaned back in the recliner and stared at the sky in a daze.
My mother is dead, my father is dead, and even Jiayin is gone. Life is getting more and more meaningless.
Caiyun felt very sorry for her master when she saw him like this, but there was nothing she could do.
Fortunately, not long after, a box of pastries from Baiyunjian was delivered from outside the palace.
Caiyun asked the errand boy a few questions, then smiled and arranged the dishes for the princess, saying, "Princess, these are from Baiyun Pavilion, all newly made pastries by Master Chen. Please try them!"
Sure enough, the third princess immediately became interested, tried them one by one, and kept saying how good they were.
Finally, she even smugly hummed, "Who told Jiayin to run so fast? She didn't even get to eat these new snacks. I'll write to her and make her drool!"
Caiyun couldn't help but laugh along, and the atmosphere in Zhilan Palace finally relaxed a bit, allowing the other palace maids and eunuchs to breathe a sigh of relief.
But while some were happy, others were sad. They were relieved, but Eunuch Feng wished he could hang himself.
The Crown Prince knelt in the main hall to mourn, and he served by his side. It was not bad, in theory, although it was a bit stuffy, but he would get used to it after a few days.
But for some unknown reason, the Crown Princess just brought people over to deliver "ice cream" to the Crown Prince.
The prince said it wasn't hot and that she didn't need to come over.
The Crown Princess actually cried, saying she felt sorry for the Crown Prince, and as she spoke, she even tried to pull on the Crown Prince's hand!
The crown prince was so angry that he chased everyone away!
Even he, the chief eunuch, got into trouble!
The Crown Princess is far too impatient. If she had just waited quietly, the Empress's position would have fallen into her lap. Why bother coming all this way and annoying the Crown Prince?
If she were to be accused of disrespecting the deceased at the funeral, she would not only lose her position as empress, but she might not even be able to stay in the palace...
Eunuch Feng leaned against a pillar in the corridor, secretly complaining to himself.
Just then, Steward Yi walked over, and he quickly stopped him, "Steward, the Crown Prince is in a bad mood right now, why don't you come over later?"
Steward Yi waved his hand and said with a smile, "Thank you, but the timing is perfect, I must see the Crown Prince."
As he spoke, he knocked on the door and went inside, leaving Eunuch Feng anxiously peering into the room on tiptoe.
A short while later, Steward Yi came out with a big smile on his face.
Eunuch Feng was curious, but before he could ask, Steward Yi said, "After the late emperor's funeral, I will be going to work at Princess Suijintan's residence. Over the years, I've eaten a lot of the princess's fruit. Now that the princess is not here, I'll take the opportunity to manage the warm room for her!"
Grandpa Feng was so surprised that he didn't know what to say for a long time, his eyes full of envy.
As a rootless eunuch, if he didn't go out with his master, he could say he would be confined within these high walls for the rest of his life. Going out to deliver an imperial edict would be an unexpected joy.
Unexpectedly, Chief Steward Yi actually had the opportunity to leave the palace to enjoy his retirement, and he even settled in Suijin Beach!
This was something he could never have dreamed of!
Manager Yi's expression showed a rare hint of pride. He patted his shoulder and said in a low voice, "Remember, when you encounter a truly good person, lend them a hand. Accumulate good karma for yourself, so you'll have a good place to settle down in your old age!"
Eunuch Feng nodded vigorously; he also longed to one day leave the palace and live as an ordinary person.
I don't need to be rich, just free and easy!
Inside the room, the prince sat slumped on the ground, completely disrespectful, with a few pieces of burning yellow paper in his hand.
The little fox appeared out of nowhere and rubbed against his arm.
The prince immediately smiled, picked up the little fox, and took out two dried fish from his sleeve.
The little fox was delighted and immediately began to eat, chirping incessantly.
The prince gently lifted the little fox's chin and sighed softly.
"Little thing, you're really lucky. It just goes to show that being born into the right family also requires luck. You're incredibly lucky, while I'm the unluckiest."
"When I was very young, I used to fight with stray dogs for scraps of food. The scars from those dog bites are still on my legs. Back then, I just wished a kind family would buy me and make me their servant!"
Who would have thought that I was actually a prince, the son of the ruler of a country! Haha, isn't that surprising?
"I don't believe it either, but it's true! A brat who can beat up a beggar at any time is actually a prince!"
"Just because I, as the father, was too cowardly and couldn't protect my wife and children, my wife was murdered and my son was thrown out of the palace. They even had the audacity to call it protecting my son from harm and ensuring he had a bloodline for future plans!"
The crown prince laughed heartily, somewhat hysterically, but his eyes were red.
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