Compared to the gossip of ordinary people, the focus of attention among the relatives, friends, and associates gathered in the private quarters of various aristocratic families and high-ranking officials had risen to a certain level.
“Something’s not right. This is too suspicious.” A young official glanced at his elders and said in a low voice, “I have a feeling that the Emperor is too impatient. Even if he wants to consolidate the government and wants to put the Crown Prince on the throne as soon as possible, that’s understandable.”
"But it's a bit too hasty to select a consort for the Crown Prince. It's as if they're afraid the Crown Prince won't be able to control the situation and are trying to find him a helper."
"It's even stranger that the Third Princess is in such a hurry to get married now. It's as if something big is about to happen and the Emperor is anxious to settle his children..."
The others also nodded with somber faces.
"Yes, ever since the Consort and the Empress Dowager were punished, the Emperor has become increasingly anxious. It's not just about the marriage of the Crown Prince and the Third Princess; he's also making more and more arrangements for state affairs, even things that will be decided several years from now." A middle-aged man chimed in.
Encouraged, the young man became even bolder and asked again, "I suspect that there might be something wrong with His Majesty's health?"
"Shut up!" The oldest man present snapped, stopping his grandson's insolent words.
"Don't say a word of this outside, or you might bring disaster upon your family."
The young official quickly bowed his head and admitted his mistake, but still insisted on his own point of view.
“Grandfather, I’m at least 80% sure of what I’m guessing. Otherwise, why would the Emperor be in such a hurry? Think about it carefully. Doesn’t all of the Emperor’s arrangements lately sound like he’s making his final arrangements?”
The crowd fell silent. They naturally had their own guesses, but the matter was of great importance, and they couldn't speak casually.
Finally, the old man said, "Don't make a fuss about this. Let's investigate the situation first."
Everyone quickly agreed and didn't say another word.
If a family has lasted for more than a hundred years, it will generally have some people working behind the scenes to help deal with things that are not easy to bring to the table.
Gathering information is simply the simplest and most common method.
Even if the goal is the imperial palace, the most prestigious place in the world.
But even the most prestigious and prosperous places are still places for people to live in. People will have different thoughts, so don't think about keeping any secrets.
Moreover, what exactly happened in the palace? Is it because the Emperor is unwell that the Crown Prince and the Third Princess are in such a hurry to settle down?
This question has become a question mark in everyone's mind.
Everyone used their unique abilities, but with the same goal, the outcome was predictable, and the truth was quickly uncovered.
The Empress has passed away!
These five words caused a minor stir in the homes of those in the know.
No wonder the appointment of the crown prince and the selection of his consorts were so rushed, and the third princess also had to get married in a hurry.
It turns out the Empress has passed away. According to the rites, the Crown Prince and the Third Princess must observe three years of mourning.
Even if the Crown Prince and the Third Princess were willing to observe mourning, the Emperor was not.
Therefore, it was only natural to keep the death a secret and rush to marry off the daughter and son.
Everyone breathed a sigh of relief and gradually stopped paying attention to it.
Of course, some clever ladies of noble birth knew the news and were already making preparations.
Sachets to refresh the mind, pills to relieve summer heat, and "tear-inducing artifacts" soaked in ginger juice.
After all, the Empress's death was kept secret, not kept secret forever.
After the Crown Prince selects his consort and the Third Princess marries, the palace will surely begin preparations.
Otherwise, the empress's body would probably have rotted by now.
Where will the royal family's dignity be then?
Those pedantic scholars, having guessed the inside story, will probably use their pens to condemn the emperor, the culprit, to the pillar of shame...
Despite the outside world's turmoil, life within the palace remained completely undisturbed.
The emperor was busy with state affairs, while the crown prince was studying.
The Third Princess also left Kunning Palace with several nannies to finalize her dowry, binding it into a book in preparation for her marriage.
Perhaps feeling guilty, the Emperor sent over many more fine things, so much so that the Imperial Treasury was practically emptied by half.
The third princess accepted them all without any hesitation.
Including what the previous empress had saved up, what should have been prepared according to etiquette, and what had been accumulated over the years through "plundering," it can be said that the dowry of the Third Princess was the most generous among all princesses throughout history.
The old women responsible for compiling the registers had gone from initial surprise to numbness.
When a girl gets married, she's very happy if she has a box of gemstones to make headdresses and jewelry.
But for the Third Princess, gems are counted by the box.
There are more than two hundred sets of various headdresses and jewelry; it's likely that one could live a lifetime and still not finish wearing them all.
As Shui Ling carried the food box and followed the eunuch into Zhilan Palace, the Third Princess was sitting by the window reading a book. Her calm and indifferent demeanor was nothing like that of a newlywed.
Shui Ling felt a mix of emotions. She stepped forward, bowed, and said, "Princess, our princess was worried about your summer heat and feared you might not have a good appetite, so she personally cooked lily porridge, steamed crystal vegetable dumplings, and prepared your favorite cold dishes."
"I've brought it all. Please eat some so I can report back to the princess."
She originally thought the Third Princess wouldn't eat, but to her surprise, the Third Princess actually smiled and gestured for Caiyun and the others to set the table.
Then she started eating her porridge and vegetables, asking about the trivial matters of Suijintan in between.
Shui Ling suppressed her surprise and agreed to everything.
By the time the third princess finished eating, half of the food that had been served was gone.
Caiyun was overjoyed and wished the princess would send her food every day.
The Third Princess casually took a pair of red gold bracelets from the jewelry box on the table and gave them to Shui Ling as a reward.
"Thank you for making this trip. Go back and tell your princess not to worry about me. I'm doing well. The day before my wedding, invite her to the palace to add to my dowry. We'll have a good get-together then."
Shui Ling quickly and respectfully agreed, but the bracelet was too valuable, and she hesitated to accept it.
Upon seeing this, Caiyun stepped forward, stuffed the bracelet into Shuiling's hand, and then pulled her out of the house.
In the courtyard, many eunuchs and palace maids were carrying boxes, sweeping and cleaning, and were very busy.
But everyone subconsciously slowed down their movements, and dared not make a sound.
As a result, the vast Zhilan Palace was eerily quiet and oppressively so.
This doesn't look like a wedding celebration at all!
Shuiling and Caiyun walked out the door hand in hand. Shuiling lowered her voice and asked, "Sister Caiyun, why does the princess seem a little off?"
Caiyun looked distressed and whispered in her ear, "I can't guess what my mistress is thinking. But seeing her like this, I'm worried sick."
"Sister Shuiling, the princess is always intelligent and should be able to understand the princess's thoughts. Please go back and talk to the princess, and see if she can help persuade her."
"Even if the princess can't persuade her, could you please bring some food to our master every day? The princess barely touches the food from the kitchen, and I'm so worried about her!"
Shui Ling nodded quickly, "Don't worry, Sister Caiyun, I'll tell the princess when I get back."
Caiyun escorted Shuiling for a while longer before turning back.
Shui Ling hurriedly returned to Broken Gold Beach and began to speak to her master. Finally, she tentatively asked, "Princess, I feel sorry for the Third Princess. Do you want to go and comfort her?"
Jiayin shook her head, looking out the window at the sky, where there wasn't a single cloud.
"No one can persuade her otherwise; this is the path she chose herself!"
Two updates today!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com