The Sixth Prince remained to garrison the area, responsible for cleaning up the mess and pacifying the local people. Meanwhile, Jiang Meiyu and the Crown Prince returned to the capital of Beiyue. From that point on, the nation of Dongque ceased to exist. The Emperor placed it under the jurisdiction of Shicheng and conferred upon the Sixth Prince the title of Prince Zhen, making this place his fiefdom.
In a mansion in the capital, the eldest prince waved his hands in anger, spilling the tea on the table. He gritted his teeth and said, "This is too much! The Crown Prince is clearly trying to kill me! I will never let him go easily!" The eldest prince's eyes were filled with viciousness.
Meanwhile, upon learning that Dongque had been defeated, the King of Xiliang began to worry about Xiliang's situation. In order to find allies, he decided to send people to Southern Wu to lobby and try to win them over to his side.
Jiang Meiyu and the Crown Prince finally returned to the capital. The Emperor personally greeted them with a grand banquet. During the banquet, the Third Prince approached the Crown Prince, bowed, and said, "Your Highness, congratulations on your outstanding military achievements for North Vietnam!" However, his expression made it difficult to tell whether he was happy or angry, as he had concealed his true emotions well.
"Thank you for your praise, Third Brother. It is my duty as a prince to serve North Vietnam," the prince said righteously.
After the banquet, the third prince did not leave the palace, but went to Concubine Xiao's palace.
"Mother, are we just going to sit here and wait for death? Now that Dongque has fallen into the hands of the crown prince, I am unwilling to accept this. I must become the crown prince!" The third prince said fiercely with a ferocious look on his face.
Upon hearing this, Concubine Xiao gently stroked the Third Prince's cheek and comforted him, "Pei'er, don't worry. Your grandfather sent a message the other day. He sent someone to deliver something. This time, it's not just to make him childless, it's to take his life."
Hearing this, the Third Prince's eyes widened in disbelief, and he asked, "Mother, is what you said true?"
Concubine Xiao smiled sinisterly, nodded, and said, "Of course it's true, my son, how could I lie to you?"
A trace of determination flashed in the Third Prince's eyes, and he gritted his teeth and said, "Well, if that's the case, then let him have a taste of what it feels like to be schemed against!"
Concubine Xiao nodded with satisfaction and continued, "Don't worry, with your grandfather's help, we will definitely succeed."
Upon hearing this, the Third Prince's uneasiness gradually dissipated, replaced by a longing and anticipation for the future. He knew that if he could become Crown Prince, he would be able to control the fate of all of North Vietnam. And all this would require the combined efforts of mother and son.
Thinking of this, the Third Prince clenched his fists tightly and said firmly to Concubine Xiao, "Mother, I will definitely work hard and will never let you down."
Concubine Xiao looked at the Third Prince's determined eyes and smiled with relief.
On this day, Jiang Meiyu and the Crown Prince returned to the East Palace. After washing and brushing their teeth, they washed off their fatigue. As night fell, they embraced each other and slept, spending a wonderful night together.
The next morning, Jiang Meiyu woke up and took a twin pill. She knew the importance of this pill, which would bring her two lovely children, but it also came with a huge responsibility.
Days passed, time flew by. In the blink of an eye, it had been over a month since Jiang Meiyu took the twin pills. She sat quietly by the window, her mind racing.
"It's time to let them know..." She murmured to herself, a determined light flashing in her eyes. She knew that once the news was revealed to the Crown Prince and the Emperor, they would face many unknown challenges and difficulties.
Jiang Meiyu walked into Kunning Palace with brisk steps, a bright smile on her face: "Mother, I'm here! What are you busy with?" Her voice was crisp, pleasant and full of energy.
The Queen smiled at Jiang Meiyu as she entered the palace, her eyes filled with love. She put down what she was doing, stood up, and approached Jiang Meiyu, saying softly, "Yu'er, come sit here. Take a look at this screen. It's a gift from the proprietress of the Cuixing Pavilion in the capital. I heard it's the best screen in her shop. The Empress Dowager will be turning eightieth in a few days, so I'm planning to give it to her as a birthday gift. What do you think?"
Jiang Meiyu looked at the screen carefully and couldn't help but admire it, "Mother, I don't know much about these things, but from the surface, the material and craftsmanship of this screen are very exquisite. The embroidery patterns inside are exquisite, the needlework is delicate, and the colors are bright. It should be considered top-grade! I believe the Empress Dowager will definitely like this gift." Her eyes revealed her love for the screen.
The Queen nodded slightly, satisfied, and said, "Yes, I agree. The proprietress of Cuixing Pavilion has always been famous in the capital for her high-quality embroidery. The screen she sent this time is indeed eye-catching. I hope the Queen Mother will like this special gift."
Jiang Meiyu walked over to the Queen and sat down. She took her hand and said coquettishly, "Mother, you are so discerning! I believe the Queen Mother will be so happy after receiving this birthday gift."
The Queen smiled, stroked Jiang Meiyu's hair, and said with emotion: "The Queen Mother has always treated us very well. This eightieth birthday must be celebrated well. I also hope to do my part to let her feel our respect and love."
"Yu'er, how about having dinner with your mother?" The queen looked at Jiang Meiyu expectantly, her eyes full of love.
"Yes, mother, I will accompany you for dinner." Jiang Meiyu replied obediently, a sweet smile on her face. She walked to the dining table and sat down, opposite the queen.
The queen patted Jiang Meiyu's hand gently and said softly: "Yu'er, do you know? Since you entered the palace, your mother no longer feels as lonely and isolated as before. You are always chattering beside your mother, bringing me endless joy. Seeing you so lively and cute, your mother feels extremely happy." There was a trace of loneliness in the queen's eyes, but more of it was love for Jiang Meiyu.
Jiang Meiyu quickly comforted her, "Mother, I will come to bother you every day from now on and stay by your side so that you won't feel lonely. As long as you don't find me annoying, that's all that's fine!" She blinked and smiled mischievously.
The Queen couldn't help laughing after hearing this, and she was in an especially happy mood: "Silly child, why would you think so? You are my most beloved daughter-in-law. I wish you would come to chat with me every day!" The more the Queen looked at Jiang Meiyu, the more she liked her. She then added: "It is a blessing for the prince to marry you!"
Jiang Meiyu smiled shyly when she heard this, lowered her head and said softly, "Mother, you are too kind. I am also very lucky to marry His Royal Highness the Crown Prince." Her heart was filled with happiness and gratitude because she knew that she had the recognition and love of the Queen.
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