The sudden death of Emperor Rongsheng plunged the entire country into grief. However, a country cannot be without a ruler for a day. Thus, as the people expected, Lin Muheng was appointed as the crown prince and succeeded to the throne in the name of legitimacy.
Just before the emperor passed away, he left a will specifically requesting the crown prince to ascend the throne immediately in order to stabilize the court and appease the people.
Upon receiving the imperial decree, Lin Muheng knew the weight of his responsibility. After careful consideration, he decided to first hold a simple yet solemn enthronement ceremony.
Following this brief ceremony, Lin Muheng finally ascended the throne, changed the country's name to "Zhenwen," and bestowed upon himself the title of "Divine Martial Emperor."
At the same time, he also issued an edict, officially naming Jiang Chuwei as Empress.
However, due to the national mourning period, the grand investiture ceremony could only be held after the national mourning period ended.
According to custom, all weddings and celebratory events are prohibited nationwide during this period.
With the ascension of the new emperor, Lin Muheng and Jiang Chuwei moved from their original residence in the Prince Yu's Mansion to the heavily guarded imperial palace.
As a result of this marriage, the powerful General's Mansion, Jiang Chuwei's maternal family, rose in status and became a highly sought-after new aristocratic family in the capital.
Who could have predicted that Jiang Chuwei, who was once so controversial, would have such amazing good fortune, especially considering that she was a remarried woman!
Now, however, she has transformed herself and ascended to the throne of Empress, the mother of the nation.
The news shocked all parties involved.
Meanwhile, the usually proud Princess Jin was living a life worse than death in prison.
She pleaded with the new emperor to spare her and her child's lives.
Finally, they sent a message to the general's mansion seeking help.
From the moment she learned that her father and mother had been exiled to the frontier, Zheng Yao spent her days in tears, shedding more tears in just a few days than she had in her entire life.
Only then did she understand why her mother had gone to such lengths to prepare such a lavish dowry for her, and why she seemed so eager for her to marry into the general's mansion.
It turned out that the mother had a premonition that the Duke's mansion would encounter misfortune sooner or later.
At that moment, as Zheng Yao opened the letter for help sent by her elder sister with trembling hands, tears instantly welled up like a burst dam, blurring her beautiful eyes.
Her heart felt as if it were being gripped tightly by an invisible hand, causing her unbearable pain.
Zheng Yao knew that the weight this letter carried far exceeded the weight of its paper and words.
However, no matter how much inner turmoil she was going through, she knew perfectly well that she could never plead with her husband, Jiang He.
Because Prince Jin has committed the heinous crime of treason!
The execution of the Prince of Jin was a decree personally issued by the late emperor, the severity of which is self-evident.
Although Zheng Yao has had a smooth life since childhood and has never experienced many storms, she is not ignorant.
She knew perfectly well what was permissible and what was absolutely forbidden.
Therefore, even when faced with such a difficult choice, she chose to silently bury this pain deep in her heart and did not reveal a word to anyone in her family.
During this period, Ye Huan stayed by Zheng Yao's side.
Back then, the two of them married into the general's mansion on the same day, and from that time on, they forged a deep friendship.
In the grand mansion, they never engaged in the usual scheming and infighting common among sisters-in-law; instead, they got along as well as blood sisters.
But now, every move of the General's Mansion is being watched by the world.
The slightest misstep could bring endless trouble to the Emperor and Empress.
Therefore, no matter how bitter or painful it was in her heart, Zheng Yao could only grit her teeth and suppress her grief.
However, a strong desire had been surging deep within Zheng Yao's heart—to visit her elder sister.
Finally, she couldn't help but speak to Ye Huan, "Sister-in-law! I really want to go see my elder sister. I hope this won't cause any trouble for my husband?"
Upon hearing this, Ye Huan looked troubled and replied, "Second Sister-in-law, but that's a death row! It's probably not appropriate for you to go there..."
Clearly, Ye Huan did not agree with Zheng Yao's risky idea, because she knew that if Zheng Yao went, it would only make her more heartbroken.
Just a few days ago, the Duke of Zheng and his family were exiled.
At that time, Zheng Yao specially prepared a large amount of food and a considerable amount of silver notes, hoping to help her family get through the difficulties as much as possible.
She carefully and secretly sewed the banknotes inside her clothes to prevent others from noticing.
At the same time, a large sum of money was given to the guards responsible for escorting the goods.
As they parted, Zheng Yao hugged her mother tightly and burst into tears, heartbroken.
The mother, fighting back tears, told Zheng Yao to take good care of herself, live her life peacefully, and never harbor any illusions about being able to save them and bring them home.
After all, the crimes committed by the Duke of Zheng and his family were decided by the late emperor himself, and even the current emperor would certainly not easily reduce their punishment.
As night fell, when Jiang He dragged his tired body home, he immediately saw Zheng Yao with eyes swollen and red like two walnuts.
His heart tightened, and he quickly stepped forward, pulling his beloved wife into his arms. He asked with concern, "Is Yao'er missing her mother again?"
Zheng Yao gently shook her head, slowly raised her head, her gaze meeting Jiang He's, and truthfully told him, "My elder sister sent a letter through someone, imploring me to do everything I can to rescue her..."
Before he could finish speaking, Jiang He's face instantly darkened, and he frowned, questioning, "How could she have sent this letter while she was in a death row cell?"
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