Shen Wan was extremely curious about why the Empress Dowager had made such great concessions and sacrifices; her curiosity was like a cat scratching at her heart.
Chen Feng told Shen Wan and Xie Jingyan everything he knew, then jumped out of the window and left.
No sooner had Chen Feng left than Dong'er came in to report, "Your Highness and Your Highness's Consort, the First Prince has returned to his own residence."
The eldest prince should have returned to his own palace long ago, but choosing this time gives off a somewhat self-destructive vibe.
But considering that the eldest prince went to the city gate to watch the execution, and the knife didn't hit Xie Jingyin but instead struck the eldest prince's heart, it seemed somewhat understandable.
The Empress Dowager's move is probably more damaging to the Crown Prince than Xie Jingyin's stab.
The Empress Dowager forced the Emperor to execute Xie Jingyin, even resorting to a hunger strike. This act moved the Crown Prince deeply, while the Crown Prince's heart was chilled by the fact that the Emperor used a pardon to save Xie Jingyin.
The one who hurts you the most is never your enemy, but your own people.
The eldest prince must feel that the Empress Dowager doesn't care about his feelings anymore, so whether he lives or dies, the Empress Dowager probably won't care much either.
The eldest prince returned to his own residence, so there was no need for Physician Xu to stay at the Ling Prince's residence. He then sent the medicine the eldest prince needed to the Qin Prince's residence.
That night, troubled by too many things she couldn't understand, Shen Wan didn't sleep well.
I tossed and turned, and it was almost midnight before I finally closed my eyes.
If you go to bed late, you'll wake up late.
The next day, when Shen Wan woke up, the sun was already high in the sky. When Shen Wan woke up, Yin Shuang was quietly going to check if she was awake. When Shen Wan opened her eyes, Yin Shuang said, "Your Highness has finally woken up."
Shen Wan looked out the window, and even though the window was closed, the sunlight was dazzlingly bright.
Shen Wan sat up and noticed that Yin Shuang seemed hesitant to speak.
Shen Wan then said, "Report if there's anything you need."
Yinshuang looked at her and reported, "This morning at court, the Grand Master of the Palace... who was also the demoted Left Chancellor, led the Prince of Jin's faction to request His Majesty to establish the eldest prince as the Crown Prince."
Shen Wan frowned deeply. "The Emperor has agreed?"
Yinshuang quickly shook her head, "No, the Emperor said that the matter of establishing an heir should be discussed after the eldest prince has recovered from his injuries."
They neither agreed nor denied it.
Yinshuang said, "The Empress Dowager used the pardon to save Prince Jin, could it be just to get the Left Prime Minister and the others to support the First Prince?"
“It’s not that simple,” Shen Wan said firmly.
On the surface, it seemed like the Empress Dowager was negotiating with Empress Song using a pardon, but with Prince Jin dead, Empress Song and the demoted Left Chancellor could no longer hold any power. Since the Empress Dowager didn't pursue their involvement, Empress Song and the Left Chancellor should have kept their heads down. They wouldn't dare to negotiate with the Empress Dowager about the matter of choosing an heir.
The Left Chancellor's actions seemed more like an attempt to quell the Empress Dowager's true purpose in using the pardon to save Prince Jin. With a reasonable explanation for the Empress Dowager's unusual behavior, people would stop speculating.
The more they try to cover it up, the bigger the problem becomes.
However, the Prince of Jin's faction is quite powerful in the court. No matter what the reason, they are now wholeheartedly supporting the eldest prince. Will the emperor really make the eldest prince the crown prince?
Although they saved the Crown Prince's life, that position is more secure for him than anyone else's.
Yinshuang and Haitang helped Shenwan get up, and then said, "The prince went to the military camp early this morning and may not be back until noon."
Xie Jingyan doesn't go to the military camp often, but whenever someone does, it's always because of something difficult.
Xie Jingyan wasn't there, so Shen Wan ate breakfast alone. After breakfast, she strolled around the courtyard twice. The viewing tower had been burned down, and because it was in the inner courtyard, it was inconvenient for the servants to come and go. So the palace sent more than a dozen eunuchs to rebuild it. The garden was in a mess right now, so Shen Wan didn't go there. All the flowers that could be moved from the garden were sent to Moyuxuan.
Shen Wan sat on the swing, swaying back and forth, using a round fan to block out the sunlight, watching the clouds drift and gather in the sky.
A maidservant entered from outside the courtyard and stepped forward to report, "Your Highness, Chef Li's family has been brought to the capital. Chef Li wishes to bring his wife and children to pay their respects to you."
It was Shen Wan who agreed to let Chef Li bring his wife and children to the capital. They wanted to come and pay their respects to her, and Shen Wan would not refuse.
Half an hour later, Steward Zhou arrived with Chef Li, his wife, and their two sons.
Li Yuchu's eldest son is already eighteen years old and has the same features as Madam Li, while his second son is only eight years old and looks more like Li Yuchu.
Chef Li bowed to Shen Wan and said, "Thank you for your kindness, Your Highness, so that our family can be reunited in the capital."
Shen Wan smiled and said, "Chef Li, you're being too polite."
She looked at Steward Zhou, "Is everything ready in the courtyard?"
Manager Zhou said, "Everything is ready."
Shen Wan nodded, then said to Chef Li and Madam Li, "If you need anything, just tell Steward Zhou. Don't be shy."
Madam Li was somewhat reserved. Although the royal chef had told her that the princess was kind and there was nothing to be afraid of, it was inevitable that she would feel reserved when she suddenly met someone of such noble status.
Madam Li nodded repeatedly, "Thank you, Your Highness."
Shen Wan glanced at Haitang, who went inside and brought out a jewelry box. Shen Wan said, "This is our first meeting, and I have prepared a small gift for Madam Li."
Madam Li was terrified. "How can this be?"
Haitang handed the brocade box to her. Madam Li glanced at Chef Li, who nodded. Only then did Madam Li reach out and take the box.
Lunch was less than half an hour away. Chef Li had taken time out of his busy schedule to come. He was also busy going back to cook, and his wife and children were a bit reserved, so he didn't stay long. He came to pay his respects to Shen Wan and then took them to the small courtyard behind the Prince's Mansion to settle in.
Chef Li's house is right next to Doctor Tao's. Chef Li's house is slightly smaller than Doctor Tao's, but it is 10% more expensive. Doctor Tao refused to sell, so Chef Li bought it with a lot of money.
Once outside the Ling Prince's residence, Madam Li couldn't resist opening the brocade box. Inside, she found a gold bracelet, a pair of gold hairpins, a necklace, and earrings, all exquisitely beautiful and captivating.
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