Chapter 318 Sacrificing Family for the Righteous
Princess Rongning left the main courtyard and walked out silently.
"Is your sister going out?"
Princess Rongning stopped and looked at the person who had greeted her: "Elder brother."
The Prince of Fu walked over, his gaze sweeping over her slightly reddened eyes: "Where did you go, little sister?"
"Go out for a walk, chat with some friends." Princess Rongning looked at her brother with concern, her heart stirred slightly, and she tentatively asked, "Brother, do you know that Father has chosen a marriage for me?"
The Prince of Fu paused for a moment, then gently advised, "Sister, don't worry, the husband Father has chosen for you will be excellent."
"But I think that person is too old."
The Prince of Fu patted Princess Rongning's arm and casually advised, "Although Yang Zhen is a few years older than you, he is at the age when he can make great achievements. Others his age do not hold important positions."
Princess Rongning smiled.
That's good, my older brother knows too.
She was naive. Her elder brother was the heir apparent of a prince, and their father was obsessed with that position. In the end, wouldn't it be passed on to her elder brother anyway?
It would be a joke if the eldest brother were completely unaware of his father's intentions.
He was a beneficiary and an accomplice.
"I understand. Thank you for your comforting words, brother. I'll head out now."
"Go ahead, be careful."
Princess Rongning curtsied to her brother and strode out.
The days of national mourning have passed, and the 27th is over. People on the streets are dressed in bright or simple clothes, and the streets are bustling again.
Princess Rongning sat in the carriage, quietly watching the commotion outside, her heart filled with coldness.
Ah Heng... she should be at home, right?
Qiu Heng was indeed at home, eating shaved ice made by Fang Zhou with the others from Lengxiangju.
"Miss, word has come from the gatekeeper that Princess Rongning is here to visit."
Qiu Heng went to the entrance hall herself.
Upon seeing Qiu Heng, Princess Rongning's eyes reddened: "Aheng—"
"It's hot outside, Princess, please come with me to Lengxiang Residence first."
Princess Rongning nodded, trying her best to hold back the tears that were about to well up.
It turns out that not wanting to cry in front of her father and brothers wasn't because she wasn't strong enough, but because they made her feel that she shouldn't shed tears.
This was not Princess Rongning's first visit to Lengxiang Residence. The people of Lengxiang Residence bowed to Princess Rongning and then quietly withdrew.
"Can the princess eat ice cream? Would you like to try the ice cream made by Fangzhou?"
Princess Rongning glanced at the shaved ice cream sprinkled with cherry sauce and gently shook her head: "I can't eat ice these days."
It wasn't that she was physically uncomfortable, but rather that she felt too cold inside; she was afraid that eating ice cream would make her vomit violently.
"Then let's have a cup of herbal tea."
Princess Rongning took the teacup Qiuheng handed her, silently drank a few sips, and felt her icy fingertips warm up a little.
"Aheng, I have something important to tell you."
"Please speak, Princess."
Princess Rongning unconsciously gripped her teacup tighter. The words she had long been determined to say seemed to be stuck in her throat when she actually opened her mouth.
The things her father was about to do were so dishonorable, and if he failed, the Fuwang Mansion would face unimaginable consequences, making it difficult for her to speak of them easily.
Princess Rongning raised her eyes and looked at Qiuheng.
Despite being younger and appearing more delicate than her, she was like a slender bamboo shoot that could not be broken by the wind, or a lonely moon in the desolate night sky.
Her resilience and brilliance brought peace to her bewildered and fearful heart.
Princess Rongning took a deep breath and slowly said, "Aheng, my father intends to rebel on the day of the late emperor's burial..."
In the end, Princess Rongning was in tears.
She thought returning to Daxia from Xijiang would be a rebirth, but instead she fell into an even deeper hell.
If I had known this would happen, I might have been happier to have fallen on that bloody road leading out of the Xijiang Palace.
"Aheng, the new emperor trusts Lord Xue a lot. Tell Lord Xue about this so they can be prepared," Princess Rongning said calmly, wiping away her cold tears.
That wasn't true peace; it was the deathly stillness that followed the desperate act of giving up everything.
Qiu Heng gently hugged Princess Rong Ning.
"Ah Heng, am I going to hell?"
The crime of treason will ruin the entire Prince Fu's mansion, including her mother.
"No, there are too many evil people in hell, there is no place for a princess."
"Really?"
"real."
Princess Rongning smiled: "Aheng, being able to become friends with you makes going to hell seem less scary."
She didn't find love, was disappointed by family, but fortunately, she found the best friendship.
"Princess, have a piece of red bean cake. No matter how difficult the situation, as long as I eat a piece of red bean cake made by Fangzhou, I feel that nothing is insurmountable."
"Mmm." Princess Rongning took the red bean cake that Qiuheng handed her and ate it carefully in small bites.
Qiu Heng did not immediately go to find Xue Han. Instead, she accompanied Princess Rong Ning to visit a perfume shop and a clothing store before the two parted ways.
When Princess Rongning returned to the manor with newly purchased perfumes, jewelry, and other items, Prince Fu saw her. Prince Fu's expression improved considerably, and he turned to Princess Fu and said, "I told you Rongning would accept this marriage."
If I'm in the mood to buy cosmetics, I probably won't cause any trouble.
Princess Fu felt a little better after hearing this, but she was unwilling to say more to Prince Fu.
"Since the engagement is already arranged, tell her to stay home as much as possible." Prince Fu said this and left with a sullen face.
Qiu Heng went to the Xue residence to wait for Xue Han.
Not long after, Xue Han, having received a message from a servant at the Xue residence, hurriedly returned.
"What's wrong, Ah Heng?" Xue Han asked, his breathing becoming rapid.
He knew that Ah Heng wouldn't have come to see him today unless it was something important.
Qiu Heng didn't keep me in suspense: "Princess Rongning came to see me. She overheard Prince Fu talking secretly with his advisors, planning to make his move on the day of Emperor Jingping's burial..."
"Alright, I'll speak to the new emperor tomorrow."
It was expected that Prince Fu would resort to desperate measures; it would be best if we could pinpoint the exact day he would do so.
"His decision to act on the day of Emperor Jingping's burial was deliberate."
The burial of Emperor Jingping in the imperial mausoleum was a grueling ceremony, leaving everyone exhausted and prone to slacking off.
"Xue Han, the Prince of Fu is plotting a rebellion. What will happen to Rong Ning and the Princess of Fu?"
Seeing Qiu Heng's worry, Xue Han grasped her hand: "Princess Rong Ning has shown righteousness by sacrificing her own family, and the new emperor will be lenient. Besides, the laws of this dynasty are generally more lenient towards the female relatives of criminals."
Qiu Heng nodded: "Then I'll go back first. Don't keep busy, take care of your health."
"Aheng".
"Um?"
A faint smile appeared in Xue Han's eyes: "You're worried that I'm too busy, so how about we get married soon? That way, I can be reminded all the time."
"Then you should keep busy." Qiu Heng gently pushed him, and when she returned to Lengxiang Residence, the corners of her lips were still unconsciously turned up.
"Girl, guess who's back?" Fangzhou asked with a smile.
Qiu Heng pondered for a moment: "Wu Qingzhou?"
Fangzhou's eyes widened in surprise: "How did you guess it so quickly?"
Qiu Heng chuckled: "The only person who could be described as 'coming back' is Wu Qingzhou. Where is he?"
"The girl wasn't here, so he went back to his place to pack. Oh, and he brought his little nephew with him."
Upon hearing this, Qiu Heng's heart sank slightly.
Wu Qingzhou took leave from Beijing because his brother and sister-in-law had gotten into trouble. Now that he has brought his nephew back, his brother and sister-in-law are probably not doing well.
"Fangzhou, come with me to see Wu Qingzhou."
(End of this chapter)
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