Yanran, oblivious to everything, continued eating hotpot and singing songs, happily heading to Liaodong.
Emperor Wen suspended court for a month and ordered the entire nation to mourn the late emperor.
Tang Zhuyun, along with her children, also donned heavy mourning clothes and led the other noblewomen in mourning.
She cried until her head ached, and her knees ached from kneeling.
Xiu'er was pregnant, Tang Zhuyun wouldn't let her leave the palace, but instead had her stay in the inner palace to take care of several children, trying to minimize the number of children who came out.
They were all too young, and there was also Wuxian, who might say something unexpected, so they simply avoided going out.
Emperor Wen has lost a lot of weight.
He personally handled all the arrangements for the late emperor's funeral, striving for perfection.
Tang Zhuyun was very supportive of him.
This is the final tribute; let's leave no regrets.
All past grievances vanished with the death of the late emperor.
What remains is probably some genuine father-son affection.
However, she herself was very calm, even shamefully relaxed.
As long as the retired emperor is still alive, Emperor Wen's throne will have one more hidden danger.
Moreover, even until the Emperor Emeritus passed away, Tang Zhuyun never truly understood what kind of person he was.
She didn't regret saving him, but she also felt no genuine grief over his death.
As long as it saves face, that's fine.
Tang Zhuyun's biggest worry was her own father.
Tang Mingfan fainted from crying many times, refused to eat or drink, and became emaciated from excessive grief.
Her father was truly loyal to the late emperor; they were each other's ideal men.
well.
She tried to comfort her several times, but she also knew in her heart that some sadness could not be diluted by words of comfort.
Only time can tell; it can even be carried to the grave.
Tang Mingfan fell seriously ill.
"If you're going to visit your father-in-law tomorrow, take Jinse with you," Emperor Wen instructed Tang Zhuyun when he visited her that evening.
Before leaving, Yingying had a deep conversation with Jinse and decided to leave her with Tang Zhuyun for the time being.
The reason is simply that Jinse understands better the strange and mysterious hidden families of Nanyue.
That face, exactly like Tang Zhuyun's, was clearly still a sword hanging over everyone's hearts.
Therefore, Jinse is now serving in the palace.
However, Tang Zhuyun didn't really try to persuade her, always feeling that Jinse didn't actually want to stay, but only had to stay because of Ren Yingying's sake.
In this situation, it's best to be polite.
"I'm just going back to my parents' home, and hardly anyone will know. There are guards and Hanxiang with me, so it'll be fine."
"Take her with you." Emperor Wen was still worried, and vaguely aware of her concerns. "Since Ren Yingying has been left to you, just use her as you see fit."
Tang Zhuyun nodded.
The reason I don't argue with him is because he's already exhausted from dealing with the late emperor's death.
She reached out and touched Emperor Wen's stiff stubble, rested her face against Emperor Wen chest, and held his hand, trying to give him some warmth with her embrace.
Emperor Wen reached out and hugged her, resting his chin on the top of her head. "I'm fine, I'll be alright. Actually, I'm not heartbroken, just indescribably sad."
The late emperor may not have been a good father, but on the surface, he was a wise and capable ruler.
During his reign, he resolved the mess left by the previous generation and laid a more solid foundation.
He was also an idol worshipped by Emperor Wen.
If only Xiao Wu weren't there.
But without Xiao Wu, there would probably have been no contact between his birth mother and the late emperor, and therefore no him.
After much deliberation, Emperor Wen was indeed feeling quite troubled lately.
"If you're sad, just cry. It'll make you feel better."
"No."
Emperor Wen held Tang Zhuyun Jingjing. Sunlight streamed through the window, its rays scattering into dappled patterns that shone on the two embracing figures.
A moment of tranquility.
A loving couple is one who shares joys and sorrows; in times of unspeakable sadness, she is there to offer silent comfort.
Hanxiang quietly withdrew, stood at the door for a moment, and then went to the next room to talk to Jinse.
As for Yanran and her group, after a long month-long journey—mainly Ren Yingying was pregnant and they had to take care of her feelings along the way—they finally arrived in Liaodong.
The world is vast, and even the air is different.
It's so cold here!
Ren Yingying was naturally sensitive to the cold, and she huddled in her fox fur coat like a quail.
Yanran, on the other hand, was full of vigor, rubbing her hands together excitedly. "We've finally arrived!"
Is there still a war going to be fought?
The Tatars are a bunch of useless trash.
My older brother is getting married, aren't you going to take this opportunity to get revenge for yourselves?
Come on, let's wipe you all out!
Zhao Qing led his men to greet them.
After bowing respectfully, he said, "I have already sent someone to inform the Prince, and he should be waiting for us at the gate of the Prince's residence."
Linlin has too many things to do; she can't stay here every day.
Especially now that he is getting married, neighboring countries and some surrounding tribes that want to attach themselves to the Central Plains are also coming to join in the fun.
"Is my brother very busy?" Yanran asked casually, riding on her horse.
Jiang'er leaned out of the carriage, trying to get Yanran back inside, Yanran refused.
"I'm not cold. You can lower the curtain so you two don't catch a cold."
Zhao Qing hurriedly replied, "I'm usually very busy. Busy checking military affairs, taxes, and other miscellaneous matters..."
Prince Ming said to have "foreseen the future" and was also able to develop gunpowder, a powerful weapon, which led the local people to regard him as a god.
Therefore, if any local people had any grievances, they would go to the Prince's Mansion to seek justice.
This leads to... Linlin having to get involved in even the most Linlin matters.
However, something truly important has happened today.
An envoy from Goryeo has arrived to offer congratulations on Linlin's wedding on behalf of Queen Goryeo.
Yanran thought she had misheard.
"Whom do they represent?"
"Empress Goryeo."
Yanran: "In Goryeo, is it a society where men are inferior to women?"
"Not really... it's just that their emperor and empress don't get along, and they each manage their own affairs."
Yanran: What a weirdo.
If the relationship is bad, why don't you hurry up and get a divorce? Are you waiting for your food?
At this moment, Cui Xiaoqiu, who was riding beside him, explained, "The Queen of Goryeo comes from a prestigious family, and her father and brothers all hold real power; in reality, the Emperor can't do anything to her."
Yanran wanted to whistle; that would be so cool.
However, she held back and only said, "Interesting."
"Oh, right," Yanran remembered something important and lowered her voice, leaning closer, "Have you received any news from the capital? About the Emperor Emeritus?"
Zhao Qing was startled by her movement and quickly reached out to help her.
What if someone falls headfirst while hanging upside down like that?
Suddenly, he felt two cold gazes.
Zhao Qing looked up and saw Cui Xiaoqiu with a blank expression. He heard Cui Xiaoqiu say, "The princess has asked a question."
Zhao Qing abruptly withdrew his hand—he was wrong!
"No, Your Highness," he said, bowing his head.
Yanran touched her nose. "Not yet? That can't be right. Let me ask you, when you communicate with the capital recently, are you using the express courier service or Xiao Ye?"
Xiao Ye delivering the letter shouldn't be that slow, right?
It's been a month already, and Grandfather is still insisting?
Something feels off.
(On the way to the second chapter~)