Finally Convinced

She turned and instructed the chief eunuch and head palace maid, "Help Prince of Qi out."

Although the rebellion had been quelled, things were still somewhat chaotic outside. Noble Consort Cen dared not let Zhao Ruxi go home immediately, so she kept her in the palace for another twenty minutes until the scouts she had sent out returned and reported that everything was peaceful. Only then did she have someone escort Zhao Ruxi home.

Inside the Earl of Suiping's Residence, the old lady and Lady Zhu were already frantic with worry.

Not long after the rebellion began, a servant returned from outside and reported that the palace had been besieged.

Thinking of Zhao Ruxi, who was staying in the palace, the two of them were restless. They knew that they should close the doors and windows and protect themselves at this time, but they still sent people to check on things from time to time, wanting to know how things were going in the palace.

Fortunately, Xiao Ge had made preparations in advance. The rebels were too busy dealing with the Palace Guards and Imperial Guards that Xiao Ge had ambushed near the palace, so they didn't have time to bother with the servants who were peeking around. Only then were the guards of the Earl of Suiping's Residence able to return safely.

Although Noble Consort Cen later sent someone to say that Zhao Ruxi was alright, they were still worried because they hadn't seen Zhao Ruxi.

Upon seeing Zhao Ruxi return, the two couldn't help but shed tears, once again regretting their decision to agree to the marriage.

"Your master has already sent people to inquire three times," said Lady Zhu.

Upon hearing this, Zhao Ruxi immediately instructed Xiang Ming, "Go to the Kang Residence right away and tell my master that I have returned home safely."

"Yes."

"Ask my master again if he knows anything about my eldest and second senior brothers, whether they are both safe and sound."

"Yes."

Xiang Ming Zhao Ruxi had no further instructions, Xiang Ming turned and left.

Zhao Ruxi then sat down and comforted the old lady and Lady Zhu, saying, "The Third Prince has been executed, Consort Jin has hanged herself. The rebellion is over. There will be no more disputes, and such things will never happen again. You can rest assured."

She sighed and asked, "Is there any food? I'm hungry."

There were snacks available in the palace, but she was too restless to eat much, so she only ate a little. Now she felt very hungry and was about to starve.

"Yes, yes, yes." The old lady hurriedly ordered someone to serve the meal.

They were so worried and had no appetite that they were hungry.

Halfway through the meal, Xiang Ming returned and reported, "Mister Kumu was relieved to hear that the young lady had arrived home safely. He said that Lord Wu and Lord Gong had sent people to report that everything was alright, and that the young lady could rest assured."

Zhao Ruxi finally breathed a sigh of relief.

The biggest and final calamity has passed, everyone is safe and sound, and life will be easier from now on.

The next day, Zhao Ruxi followed Noble Consort Cen's instructions and did not go into the palace.

These past two days, the capital has been purging the remnants of the Ming Prince of Ming. Ministers who belonged to the Prince of Ming's faction and did many things for him have had their homes confiscated, been demoted, or dismissed from their posts. It's chaotic everywhere.

After this incident, Noble Consort Cen felt even more that Zhao Ruxi was a rare gem.

Firstly, her faction was the royalist faction. Wu Huaisi had done a great deal of work in secretly investigating those wicked officials some time ago, and now that the matter had come to light, the emperor was able to issue a direct decree to punish them, thus intimidating the court. Mister Kumu's contribution in calming the emperor down and making him composed was also irreplaceable.

Even as emperor, Xiao Ge had his vulnerable side. Now, hurt by his sons, if it weren't for Kang Shilin, he might have sought solace in the gentle embrace of his concubines in the harem. Those concubines, whether being used or intimidated, might have leaked secrets and ruined everything.

Secondly, Zhao Ruxi's composure and deep affection for Xiao Lingyan allowed her to entrust her youngest son's life to her with peace of mind. True feelings are revealed in times of adversity, which is rare.

Therefore, she is now focused on Zhao Ruxi's sake and has not allowed her to enter the palace.

At the Prince Jingping's Estate, Zhao Ruyu sent a servant to plead with the Consort of Prince of Jingping, hoping she could inquire about her cousin, Zhao Ruxi.

During this time, Xiao Sijie's wife gradually fell seriously ill, Consort of Prince of Jingping was troubled by various matters, and the court was in turmoil, with the whole capital in a state of panic. She was very upset.

Upon hearing the servant's report, she angrily scolded him a few times and complained to Prince of Jingping, "Didn't they say she and her cousin didn't get along? What's she pretending for now?"

Prince of Jingping frowned and said, "Didn't I tell you to be nicer to her? Of all the princes now, only Prince of Qi still has a chance. Why are you getting angry with the fourth prince's concubine at this time? Even if she doesn't mention it, we'll still be asking around."

"Didn't they say that Prince of Qi is still bedridden and unable to move?" Consort of Prince of Jingping asked.

"I heard he's slowly getting better. He was unconscious a few days ago, but now he can open his eyes," Prince of Jingping. "Illness comes like a landslide, but recovery is slow and gradual. As long as he can improve, there's a possibility of a complete cure."

He looked at his wife, his face serious. "I told you to be nicer to the fourth prince's concubine, and you'd better remember that. That kind of person is Youyu trouble than she's worth. It's impossible for her to speak well of us to the Consort of the Prince of Qi and help us advance. But she can certainly speak ill of us to the Consort of the Prince of Qi and sow discord between us. Why offend her over such a trivial matter? It's not worth it!"

Consort of Prince of Jingping was startled by these words and quickly nodded, saying, "Your Highness, rest assured, I understand."

She sent someone to inquire about Zhao Ruxi's whereabouts, and then had someone inform Zhao Ruyu.

Zhao Ruyu was stunned for a long time, then murmured, "How come this life is so different from the last?"

If the Prince of Qi recovers, he will undoubtedly become the Crown Prince, and Zhao Ruxi will become the Crown Princess.

Zhao Ruyu never understood why she had been reborn, but at most she could only use the prophet's power to arrange her own destiny, without making any waves in the political arena or the outside world.

Even though she had the system, nothing changed.

But Zhao Ruxi has managed to stir up such a huge storm in the Great Jin. Not only has she become exceptionally intelligent and capable, but she has also directly changed the entire political landscape of the Great Jin. Now she is almost going to become the Crown Princess.

How did she manage to do that? Did she become a ghost after living as a ghost for several years and then find a powerful ghost master? Otherwise, how could someone undergo such a drastic change?

Zhao Ruyu had initially felt some resentment, but at this moment, that resentment completely vanished.

She finally realized that she and Zhao Ruxi were worlds apart, like sparrows compared to swans.

Fortunately, she had no ambition and chose a prominent family far from the court. If she had been ambitious and married either the Crown Prince or the Third Prince, she would be in a miserable state now.

Based on her experience, as long as the Prince Jingping's Estate did not participate in the power struggles and stayed away from the court, it would not be affected by Zhao Ruxi. As long as she quietly lay low and waited for things to develop according to the trajectory of her previous life, and then benefited from Zhao Ruxi's identity, she could become the Prince of Jingping.

That's enough.

Thinking of this, she sighed deeply.

With the culprit brought to justice and no one causing trouble, the court quickly returned to calm. Zhao Ruxi resumed her daily routine of visiting Xiao Lingyan at the palace and then returning to the Earl of Suiping's Residence to practice calligraphy and painting.