After receiving the imperial edict, the Third Prince's wife calmly bowed and thanked the emperor. After the eunuchs and the others had left, the Third Prince's wife sat quietly on the couch, holding her two sons.
She gazed out the window, thinking back to her wedding day. The Third Prince was so high-spirited then. Although he hadn't been given a title by the Emperor, he had married. First he had a family, then he had a career. He had accomplished half of his goal.
The Third Prince treated her with great respect, but he didn't dote on her. However, she was in good health and soon gave birth to her first legitimate son. The Third Prince was so happy that his eyes sparkled. From then on, he often stayed in her courtyard, and soon she became pregnant again.
When she first married the Third Prince, she had considered the possibility of becoming Empress. But after the Crown Prince was enthroned, she stopped thinking about it. She thought her life would continue in this ordinary way, perhaps with a few more children, and a more prosperous life in the palace. But now, that was impossible. She had no family, and she had lost her husband.
The third prince used his own death to exchange for the lives of the mother and her two sons. She is still the third prince's consort, and her son will inherit the third prince's mansion in the future.
"Mom, don't cry." The eldest son said in a baby voice.
Seeing her son reaching out to wipe the tears from her face, the Third Prince's wife hugged the child tightly. She pressed against her son's warm body and burst into tears.
Last night, the palace was awash in blood. Every household that heard the news dispatched servants early to patrol the area. Everyone in the Sheng residence gathered together, the women in one room, the men in another, and spent the night in fear.
It was not until the next day that the palace sent someone to take the plum blossoms away, and the Sheng Mansion returned to its normal state.
Li Yuxin clutched her chest and said to Xu Wen, "Sister-in-law, life in the capital is really not peaceful these days."
Xu Wen pulled Sheng Hong back to look at Li Yuxin and said, "Sister-in-law, being close to the palace has its advantages and disadvantages. This bad thing only happens once every ten years or so, it's okay."
Yun'er raised her innocent little face and asked, "Auntie, Yun'er knows that what happened last night was not good, so what was good?"
Xu Wen pulled Yun'er over and said, "Okay, after you come to Beijing, do you think there's a better place than Youyang?"
After thinking carefully for a moment, Yun'er replied, "Yun'er thinks the capital is more prosperous and lively than Youyang. The objects are exquisite and gorgeous. More importantly, the capital is home to the most powerful and noble marquises."
Sheng Hong added: "There is also a profound academic heritage and unique local customs and practices."
Xu Wen nodded and said, "Yes, perhaps each provincial capital has its own characteristics, but the capital is the center. It determines the fate of everyone and controls the life and death of every inch of land."
Several people were wearing plain clothes. Now that the Third Prince was gone, although there was no imperial decree, all the mansions in the capital had replaced their brightly colored decorations.
The Yongyi Marquis's family arrived in Beijing today, and Princess Jinyi's marriage was uncertain. No one had received the news yet. Xu Lin had been summoned to the palace early in the morning, and Sheng Huairen had also been summoned.
Xu Wen took Sheng Shu to meet everyone from the Yongyi Marquis's residence. They exchanged pleasantries and had dinner at the mansion before Xu Wen took Sheng Shu home.
Xu Lin returned from the palace before dark and went straight back to the Marquis's residence. He told the others, "My marriage to the princess will not be postponed."
It would be appropriate to wait at least a month before getting married, but there was nothing wrong with this. The Marquis stroked his beard and asked, "Is the Emperor well?"
Xu Lin nodded and said, "The Emperor looks much more haggard than he did a few days ago."
After hearing this, the Marquis narrowed his eyes and said, "Then let's prepare for the marriage according to the previous plan."
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