Chapter 853 The Truth - Twenty Years Ago 14
Although the Seventh Prince was not born to Consort Qin, in the eyes of the elders of both families, the Seventh Prince was no different from their own grandson.
"Why did the old lady come out herself? It's so sunny, she mustn't catch a heatstroke."
As the Seventh Prince spoke, he helped the old lady up.
The old lady never felt anything was wrong with the fact that the prince personally helped her up. Over the years, to avoid criticism from those with ulterior motives, the seventh prince rarely went to the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion. In order to get news of his maternal grandparents at any time, the seventh prince often came to the Marquis of Yi'an's mansion.
She claimed to be looking for Gu Jin to play with, but in reality, she would always spend half an hour sitting with the old lady.
“This old woman isn’t that precious. It’s just a little bit of sunshine. When you were kids, you were playing around, and this old woman spent half a day looking for you.”
The old lady was talking about things from ten years ago. With her age, she could no longer stay outside for half a day like she used to.
However, neither Gu Jin nor the Seventh Prince said anything after hearing this.
“Grandmother is in good health and is not afraid of the sun, but as the younger generation, how can we let her wait in the sun like this?”
As soon as Gu Jin finished speaking, the Seventh Prince immediately echoed, "Ah Jin is right, I just couldn't bear to let the old lady be exposed to the sun!"
"Yes, yes, you are all good children."
The old lady laughed heartily and led the two into the house.
The three sat down and waited for the maids to serve tea and refreshments before the old lady spoke up: "Your maternal grandmother's health has been deteriorating lately. When I visited her last time, she mentioned wanting to see you."
“I know that you’ve only visited your grandmother once or twice over the years, except for sending her New Year’s gifts. Each time you went, you barely exchanged a few words with her. But things are different now. Your grandmother’s health may not last much longer. I hope you can find a time to take the Princess to see your grandmother.”
As the younger sister of the Duke of Zhenguo's wife, there were some things that even if she didn't say them aloud, the old lady knew what she was thinking.
Two days ago, the old lady heard from her daughter-in-law that the Empress had allowed the eldest princess to visit the old lady of the Duke of Zhenguo, but later, for some reason, it was delayed and she was unable to go.
Since the passing of Consort Qin, the old lady of the Duke of Zhenguo has rarely seen her grandson, and even this granddaughter, raised under the Empress's name, is not often seen.
After hearing the old lady's words, the seventh prince immediately nodded: "Don't worry, old lady, I will ask my father tomorrow to take my sister to the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion to see my maternal grandmother."
Actually, he came today to hear news about the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion. Now that he knows the old lady's health is indeed not good, he naturally can't let other factors cause the old lady to keep worrying.
After exchanging a few more words with the old lady, she suddenly asked, "I've heard that both Jin and Wei are interested in establishing a marriage alliance with our country. I wonder what Your Highness's thoughts are on this?"
The old lady asked her question casually, but how could the Seventh Prince not know the deeper meaning hidden in her words?
The marriage alliance between the two countries may seem like an effort to achieve peace between them, but in reality, it is more about increasing one's own advantage. After all, gaining the support of a country is an extremely favorable external condition for winning the position of crown prince.
"Father's intention is that a marriage alliance is inevitable, but the specific choice between Jin and Wei will likely have to wait until after we see the results."
The Seventh Prince was unwilling to mention the Eldest Princess. After all, as her brother who truly loved her, how could he be willing for her to marry into a foreign land?
However, he also knew that he couldn't make the decision, and could only temporarily forget these unpleasant things by deceiving himself.
The old lady saw through the seventh prince's thoughts, so she stopped asking.
"The eldest princess is His Majesty's only daughter, so he would surely consider her needs before making any decisions."
The old lady gave the seventh prince a comforting look, then raised her hand and said, "This old woman is getting a little tired of talking. Why don't you and Jin'er go play in his courtyard?"
There was a hint of fatigue in the old lady's eyes. Upon hearing this, Gu Jin and the Seventh Prince immediately bid farewell to the old lady.
After the two had gone far away, the old lady called her personal maid.
"Go and get the things from my box."
Upon hearing the old lady's instructions, the mother immediately went into the inner room, and in no time, a box was placed in front of the old lady.
Upon seeing this, the old lady opened the locked box. Inside, there were no particularly valuable items, only a round jade pendant and a bracelet.
After taking the bracelet out, the old lady put the box back.
"Send the bracelet to Miss Ji at the General's Mansion, and also tell General Ji and his wife that our family will be visiting to propose marriage and discuss the wedding date in a few days."
The old lady's sudden remark puzzled my mother.
"Didn't the old lady say before that she would wait until the end of the year to present the betrothal gifts? Why did she suddenly change her mind?"
As the old lady's confidante, the mother was somewhat puzzled by the old lady's sudden change of heart.
The old lady sighed upon hearing this. "A few days ago, before I went to the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion to see my sister, I consulted the oracle. It would be better if this marriage were settled as soon as possible."
The old lady's tone was helpless. After hearing this, the mother sighed, looked at the bracelet in her hand, and turned to leave.
Two days later, at the Duke of Zhenguo's residence.
The Seventh Prince and the Eldest Princess sat before the old lady of the Duke of Zhenguo's bed. Looking at the pale-faced old lady, tears welled up in both of their eyes.
"Grandmother, we are late."
The seventh prince looked at the old lady, his eyes filled with guilt and self-reproach.
Upon seeing this, the eldest princess sobbed, "Grandmother, it's all Showa's fault for not coming to see you sooner."
"Silly children, it's good that you're here. Your grandmother is happier than anything else."
After the old lady finished speaking, her throat itched, and she couldn't help but cough again.
Seeing that her mother-in-law was coughing badly, the Duchess quickly reached out to pat her back to help her catch her breath.
"Aunt, when did Grandmother fall ill?"
Seeing how frail the old lady was, the Seventh Prince couldn't help but shift his gaze to the Duchess's face.
"It's been about half a year. At first, I just had a cold. After taking a few doses of medicine, the cold got better, but then I started coughing non-stop. When the cough got really bad, I would also have to gasp for breath."
Seeing that the old lady had barely stopped coughing, the Duchess turned to the two of them, saying, "Your maternal grandmother has always been very concerned about you, but she was afraid of worrying you, so she kept it from you. Now, after coughing for half a year, her health has also..."
The Duchess paused for a moment before continuing, "You've come all this way, so have a good talk with your mother-in-law!"
The two men naturally understood what the Duchess meant. They nodded and watched her leave before turning to the old lady.
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