Overnight, the situation changed drastically!
Prince Jin was beheaded, and the Duke's mansion was not spared either, suffering the calamity of having its property confiscated and being exiled.
Just then, the matter of establishing a crown prince was settled, but then the emperor suddenly passed away. This series of unexpected events caught everyone off guard.
Everyone was stunned and speechless, unable to recover for a moment.
It should be noted that prior to this, only a very few people knew about the emperor's poisoning.
Even those who knew the truth originally believed that the emperor had fully recovered and was out of danger.
No one expected that the emperor would suddenly pass away.
What's even more astonishing is that no one expected that the emperor had already arranged everything.
Ultimately, Lin Muheng was named Crown Prince, thus allowing him to ascend the throne and rule the world.
The ministers who had always supported Prince Yu finally breathed a sigh of relief.
However, the Prince of Xiang, residing in the Prince of Xiang's residence, found it hard to believe that the emperor had passed away, his face filled with astonishment: "My imperial brother has always been strong and healthy, how could he have left us so suddenly?"
Since being tricked by the emperor and left in the capital, Prince Xiang resolutely cut off all contact with the emperor, and did not even attend the emperor's birthday celebration.
Emperor Rongsheng, well aware of his younger brother's stubborn temperament, did not force him and let him go.
In the past, Princess Xiang would have tried to persuade the emperor with earnest words, but now she has seen through the emperor's true colors, so she simply supports her husband wholeheartedly. As for how the emperor wants to punish them, she will leave it to fate.
Should they be subjected to such a cruel punishment as the execution of their entire family simply because they did not enter the palace?
The Prince of Xiang belatedly realized that his elder brother, with whom he had grown up by blood, had left this world forever.
He had always felt disheartened by what his elder brother had done, and even believed that he would never be able to let go of his resentment until his death.
The past hurts and disappointments were like deep scars etched into his heart, making him firmly believe that he could never forgive his elder brother in this lifetime.
However, when that day actually arrived, and he learned of his elder brother's early death, an indescribable grief instantly welled up in his heart.
All resentment and dissatisfaction seemed to vanish in that moment, leaving only endless sorrow and longing.
Without hesitation, he rushed into the palace, embraced the emperor's already cold body, and wailed like a child.
This caused Wang Defu to burst into tears again.
The Emperor has even planned out his own escape route.
They bought him a house outside and arranged for eunuchs to serve him.
These are things that Wang Defu could actually have purchased.
He never considered living alone; he was determined to go with the emperor.
Unexpectedly, the Emperor seemed to have seen through him, leaving an edict early on, forbidding him from committing suicide and telling him to live on.
He could not disobey the emperor's decree; the emperor had been too good to him.
He can only try to live on...
At the same time, Jiang Chuwei also arrived at the palace. Just as she happened to catch a glimpse of Princess Qingning, Princess Qingning also noticed her.
The princess's belly was noticeably swollen, indicating that she was nearing the end of her pregnancy.
The moment Princess Qingning saw Jiang Chuwei, she tried to run over quickly, but Jiang Chuwei was quick-witted and called out, "Slow down! You're carrying two bodies now!"
Upon hearing this, Princess Qingning stopped abruptly as if she had been suddenly pulled back.
It seems that Princess Qingning cares a lot about this pregnancy.
Jiang Chuwei stepped forward and said with concern, "You look so heavy, you must be extra careful."
Princess Qingning nodded and replied, "Yes, I know. I just wanted to show my face and then go back."
In fact, Princess Qingning did not feel much sorrow at this moment.
Looking at her father's tearful and grief-stricken appearance, she couldn't help but frown slightly, a complex emotion welling up in her heart. She really couldn't understand why he was so sad at this moment.
It's worth noting that if time could be turned back, perhaps when she learned of the emperor's death, she would have felt some sadness and grief because of their blood ties.
However, she now finds that no matter how hard she tries, she can no longer squeeze out a single tear.
Recalling the moment when the emperor forcibly arranged the marriage without regard for her personal wishes or even her life, the last shred of affection she had for the high and mighty Emperor Rongsheng vanished like a candle in the wind.
At this moment, Jiang Chuwei said softly, "You can leave after you kowtow here. I don't think anyone will dare to say anything about it. After all, the Emperor has just passed away, and according to etiquette, the coffin must remain in state for as long as forty-nine days. With your health, if you really keep vigil day and night like others, I'm afraid you simply cannot withstand it."
As she spoke, Jiang Chuwei gently placed her fair and slender fingers on Princess Qingning's pulse.
In an instant, Princess Qingning felt a warm current slowly flowing from her wrist into her heart, which made her originally tense heartstrings relax slightly.
She quickly replied, "Don't worry, Your Majesty! I have the imperial physician check on Ping An's pulse every day, there's nothing wrong with her."
Upon hearing this, Jiang Chuwei nodded gently, but still couldn't help but add, "Even so, it's always better to be careful. As the saying goes, 'better safe than sorry.'"
Qingning really wanted to talk to Jiang Chuwei, but the occasion wasn't right.
Jiang Chuwei should get busy too.
After Emperor Rongsheng passed away, Consort Jing fell ill.
Since there was no suitable person in the harem, Jiang Chuwei had to step in to take charge.
Jiang Chuwei didn't refuse; she treated it as practice.
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