While Shang Rui was brimming with confidence, Shang Changge was giving Shang Changze terrible advice.
Not only did they issue an arrest warrant for Shang Rui, but they also planned to use Shang Rui's escape to solidify the charge that Shang Rui had staged a coup.
If you didn't stage a coup, why would you run away, right?
Running away means you're guilty, and being guilty means you're plotting a coup!
Rebuttal? You can refute me all you want, I'll spread rumors all I want.
They just kept harping on the falling out between Emperor Mingde and Shang Rui and his son, and kept bringing up this issue.
Was it the crown prince who staged a coup?
On what grounds is he the Crown Prince? What evidence is there that he is the Crown Prince? He is already the Crown Prince, so why go through the trouble of forcing him to abdicate and rebel?
The Crown Prince and Emperor Mingde have always had a good relationship, as everyone in the world can see!
It doesn't matter whether the officials in the court accept it or not, as long as the people accept it.
If the people accept it, it means that the will of the people is there, and if the will of the people is there, it means that the people's expectations are met!
Crown Prince Shang Changze has always had a very good image in the hearts of the people of Qingyan, so the prevailing opinion among the people is...
Within a few days, they went from initially favoring Shang Changze to even more favoring Shang Changze. Don't ask why, just say it's because they have good character!
Days passed by, and on this day...
It's another snowy day, another day of wearing mourning clothes.
Shang Changge's crocodile tears were a masterclass in feigned compassion; he knelt in the snow, wiping away tears.
Her tall, slender figure swayed precariously, and at just the right moment, she fainted and collapsed in the snow.
"Princess!"
"Help! Quick! The Princess has fainted! Quick, take the Princess away..."
Amidst the chaotic and panicked sounds, Shang Changge was carried by Qingyao into the warm palace.
The imperial physicians came and went, and Shang Changge only slowly opened her eyes after there was no one else in the palace except Qingyao.
Qingyao exclaimed in delight, "Princess!"
Shang Changge put her index finger to her lips in a shushing gesture, then closed her eyes again to catch up on her sleep, feeling at ease.
A petty person inside thought to themselves:
How come I still can't see through this little girl's dramatic nature after she's been by my side for so long?
However,
Qingyao couldn't see clearly; it was just that her princess was too afraid of the cold.
She was afraid the princess had really fainted from the cold, but thankfully the princess was just pretending.
A person's dizziness doesn't last long normally. Shang Changge timed it perfectly and went out to kneel again. He felt very upset but there was nothing he could do.
This period lasts for a total of 27 days, ending on the day before the Spring Festival, which is New Year's Eve.
New Year's Eve,
Shang Changge spent the night in the palace, staying up all night with her stepmother, the Empress Dowager, and her beautiful younger brother, sitting in the warm pavilion of Cining Palace to celebrate the New Year.
Because of the recent passing of the emperor and the death of his concubine, Qingyan's New Year celebrations this year will be simplified for everyone, from the royal family to the common people.
Cining Palace
It was snowing outside, and the world was covered in white. The mother and her two children sat in the warm pavilion, enjoying the snow and chatting idly.
"By this time next year, it will be just the two of you, brother and sister."
The Empress Dowager took the hands of Shang Changze and Shang Changge, looked at the snowflakes dancing in the sky, and said this sentence calmly.
My wish has been fulfilled, and I understand that the poison I've been afflicted with is incurable. With time, I've come to accept it.
My only worry is my two children, especially my son who has only recently ascended the throne.
Amidst the siblings' tearful words of comfort, the topic of Shang Changge and Xiao Ji's marriage was brought up again.
"Since Ze'er is like this, you don't need to mention changing the national mourning period to avoid incurring criticism from the people."
Before the Empress Dowager's death, issue an imperial edict stating that she wishes to see Ge'er married before she dies. What do you think?
Shang Changze is the new emperor and is not yet of marriageable age. It would be neither reasonable nor logical for the empress to be in a hurry for Shang Changze to get married.
However, Shang Changge was already of marriageable age, so the Empress's request before her death was both reasonable and justifiable.
Shang Changze did not agree immediately, but instead consulted Shang Changge's opinion:
"What does my sister think?"
Shang Changge thought it was okay, but she couldn't accept the idea of using it to ward off bad luck.
However, fulfilling his mother's dying wish and marrying the man he loved was still acceptable, so he nodded.
"Alright."
Although the Empress Dowager was no longer radiant, a gratified smile appeared on her still elegant and dignified face as she grasped Shang Changge's hand tightly.
"Good, that's the good daughter of the Queen Mother!"
"You are siblings born of the same mother, you should support each other. Xiao Ji is a good man, your mother will not harm you."
Shang Changge maintained her smile and did not respond.
The Empress Dowager didn't try to appeal to emotions anymore. She had always been a pragmatic woman and hadn't expected that in the short time since she fell seriously ill,
The change in his attitude towards his daughter was able to warm up the lukewarm relationship he had maintained with her for over twenty years.
Just as she never fantasized that the emperor's favor towards her would surpass that of Consort Yunrou, she only thought...
For decades, the Murong family devoted themselves to supporting the emperor, and she bore him children.
All these factors, in turn, can earn the emperor some genuine affection and trust.
Unfortunately, it was ultimately just wishful thinking on her part.
Fine, the throne now belongs to her son.
She severed all ties with the emperor after decades of marriage, and all the grudges and grievances between the Murong family and the emperor were also settled.
Daylight broke.
The Spring Festival is here, and a new year begins.
There's no reason not to reunite during the Spring Festival. Shang Changge stayed in the palace until almost dusk before returning to Princess Anguo's residence.
Yes, the eldest princess.
The emperor has changed; she is no longer the emperor's daughter but his own elder sister.
"Princess, the General is waiting for you in the front hall."
The head steward, along with a group of people from the manor, had been waiting at the manor gate for a long time before announcing the arrival of the steward.
Shang Changge's gaze swept past the head butler and the others, landing on the man approaching her whose height was strikingly tall. She smiled wryly.
"I know."
The crowd dispersed, making way for them.
As Shang Changge stepped across the threshold, the head steward and his entourage stood together again, using their bodies to block the view from inside and outside the mansion.
In the house,
After many days, Shang Changge was finally able to appear openly before the world with General Xiao again, and she felt wonderful.
She hugged the man's narrow and strong waist, utterly enamored with the warmth emanating from her body that Xiao Ji had noticed ever since winter began.
Happy New Year, Xiao Ji.
The next moment, her body was lifted into the air and picked up by Xiao Ji, whose handsome and rugged face was close to hers, his expression gentle.
Shang Changge was already used to it and remained completely calm. She moved her body with practiced ease, finding the most comfortable position and feeling satisfied.
He proactively cupped General Xiao's face and kissed him openly, his eyes crinkling with a playful smile:
"General Xiao, don't you wish me a Happy New Year? That's rather impolite of you."
Xiao Ji has always been well-behaved, and the General Xiao, rewarded with a kiss, became even more docile, like a large animal being stroked by its mate.
Moreover, being able to appear openly in front of people again after so many days made Xiao Ji very happy: "Happy New Year."
"lady."
Shang Changge raised an eyebrow, surprised: "You knew?"
Xiao Ji: "Know what?" Could it be that in less than a day since he last saw him, his little rascal has already hidden another little secret from him?
The two walked towards the largest warm pavilion in the princess's residence, whispering sweet nothings to each other as they went.
Shang Changge told Xiao Ji about his mother's arrangements, and Xiao Ji's smile deepened, making no attempt to hide his current pleasure.
Xiao Ji: "Madam."
Shang Changge: "...Stop fooling around."
Xiao Ji, unusually disobedient, continued to make a fuss: "Madam."
Shang Changge still couldn't accept it; he felt that the way the lady spoke just sounded awkward.
She still preferred her General Xiao to call her "little rascal," so she continued to correct him: "Be normal."
Xiao Ji persisted: "Madam."
Shang Changge: ...Alright then.
Considering General Xiao's persistence and his usual tolerance and affection for her, she compromised.
Her face rested on the man's broad, reassuring shoulders, and her luscious lips gently bit Xiao Ji's neck for a moment.
Leaving a red mark similar to marking a partner's actions, the thorny voice lost its sharpness, and the languid ending was extremely alluring:
"My husband."
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