Chapter 1,104: Self-Proclaimed Truth

The whole family knew that the old woman had gotten angry, so they could only serve her carefully.Tao Hongying just came out from the kitchen, walking face-to-face with her daughter. She instructed: "...While the common folk buzzed with gossip and idle chatter, within the courtyards of noble families and officials' mansions, gatherings of relatives and associates focused on matters of a higher caliber.

"Something's not right, this is too strange." A young official glanced at the elders, whispering, "I feel like the Emperor is being too hasty. Even if it's to stabilize the government and get the Crown Prince on the throne as soon as possible, it feels off. "

"But to hurriedly choose a bride for the prince is a bit too hasty, like fearing that the prince wouldn't be able to handle it and desperately trying to find help for him.

"Now that the Third Princess is also in a hurry to get married, it's even more strange. It seems like something big is going to happen, and the Emperor is in a hurry to place his children…"

The rest of them also nodded solemnly.

“That’s right, ever since the Noble Consort and Empress Dowager were disgraced, the Emperor has become increasingly anxious. It's not just the marriage arrangements for the Crown Prince and Third Princess, but also matters of state. He's making decisions about everything, even things that won't happen for years.” A middle-aged man agreed with a few words.

The young people, emboldened by this encouragement, grew even bolder and said, "I suspect that the Emperor's dragon body might have some problems"

"Silence!" the oldest gentleman present rebuked, silencing his grandson's impertinence.

"Don't mention this outside, or you'll bring disaster to your family."

The young official hurriedly lowered his head to apologize, but he still insisted on his own point of view.

"Grandfather, I'm at least 80% certain about my guess. Otherwise, why would the Emperor be in such a hurry Think carefully, every arrangement the Emperor has made recently, doesn't it seem like he's making final arrangements"

Everyone was silent. They naturally had some guesses, but the matter was serious and it wasn't easy to speak casually.

"After all, the old man said, "Don't make a fuss about this. We should investigate further before saying anything."

Everyone readily agreed and didn't say another word.

But any family that has lasted for over a hundred years will generally have some people working behind the scenes to handle matters that are not suitable for public discussion.

Information gathering is arguably the simplest and most common method.

Even if this goal is the palace, the most honorable place in the world.

But even in the most prestigious and opulent places, they are still inhabited by people. People have different thoughts, so there's no point in trying to keep any secrets.

Moreover, what exactly is happening in the palace now Could it be that the Emperor's health has deteriorated, causing the Crown Prince and Third Princess to rush into deciding their marriages

This question has become a mystery to everyone.

Everyone displayed their unique abilities, with a shared goal in mind. The outcome was thus unsurprising; the truth was quickly uncovered.

The Queen has passed away!

Five words, once again causing a small ripple in the homes of those in the know.

It's no wonder that the Prince's enthronement and the selection of a princess were so rushed, even the third princess had to marry urgently.

It turns out that the Empress has passed away. According to custom, both the Crown Prince and the Third Princess have to observe three years of mourning.

Even if the Crown Prince and the Third Princess were willing to observe filial piety, the Emperor was not.

Therefore, keeping the matter secret and hastily marrying a son-in-law to his daughter is only natural.

Everyone let out a sigh of relief and gradually stopped paying attention.

Of course, some clever consorts who had heard the news were already making preparations.

What kind of invigorating scent sachets, cooling pills, or ginger-infused "tear-jerking" tools are there

After all, the Empress's passing was only a secret burial, not a perpetual one.

After the prince chooses his bride and the third princess gets married, the palace will definitely start making preparations.

Otherwise, the Queen's corpse would probably be rotting.

Then where will the royal face be placed

Those pedantic literati have guessed the inside story, and they're probably going to use their pens to brand the emperor, the culprit, as a disgrace on the pillar of shame...

The outside world was in turmoil, but life within the palace remained undisturbed.

The Emperor was busy with state affairs, and the Crown Prince was studying.

And the Third Princess also came out of Kunning Palace, bringing several maids, to make one last arrangement of her dowry, binding it into books and preparing for her marriage.

Perhaps out of guilt, the Emperor had people send over a great many good things. It can be said that half of the treasury was emptied.

The third princess didn't hesitate and accepted them all.

Before the princess's marriage, the dowries amassed by the previous Empress and prepared according to ritual, as well as those accumulated over many years of "robbery," can be said to have made the Third Princess' dowry the most generous in all imperial history.

The grandmothers in charge of organizing the ledgers have gone from shock to numbness.

When a young lady gets married, she is very happy to receive a box of jewels crafted into headwear.

But for the Third Princess, the jewels were counted by box.

There are over two hundred kinds of headwear and jewelry, so many that one lifetime wouldn't be enough to wear them all.

Shui Ling carried a food box and followed the eunuch into Zhi Lan Palace. Princess San was sitting by the window reading, her serene and cold expression was completely unlike that of a new bride.

Shuilin’s heart was a mixture of emotions. She stepped forward and bowed, saying, “Princess, our county mistress has been thinking of you through this hot summer. She's worried that your appetite might not be good, so she personally cooked lily porridge, steamed crystal vegetable dumplings, and even prepared your favorite small cold dishes.”

"I've brought everything, Master. Please eat some. I'll report back to the mistress."

She originally thought that the Third Princess wouldn't eat, but unexpectedly, the Third Princess actually laughed and motioned for Caiyun and the others to set up a table.

Then, she ate her porridge and dishes one by one, and also inquired about the trivial matters of Suijin Beach during the process.

Shui Ling, though surprised, responded one by one.

By the time the third princess finished her meal, half of the food had been served.

Caicun was over the moon, wishing that the county princess would send food to him every day.

The third princess casually took a pair of red gold bracelets from the jewelry box on the table and presented them to Shui Ling.

"It was hard work for you to make this trip. When you return, tell the County Princess not to worry about me, I'm fine. Before my wedding day, please ask her to come to the palace to add makeup, we can have a good reunion then."

Shui Ling quickly and respectfully agreed, but the bracelet was too precious, she was a little afraid to accept it.

Caiyun, seeing this, stepped forward and shoved the bracelet into Shui Ling's hand before dragging her out.

In the courtyard, many eunuchs and maidservants were busy moving boxes, sweeping and cleaning.

But everyone unconsciously slowed their pace, hesitant to make a sound.

The Zilan Palace was so quiet, it felt oppressive and heavy.

This doesn't look like a wedding celebration at all!

Shui Ling and Cai Yun walked out the door hand in hand. Shui Ling lowered her voice and asked, "Cai Yun sister, why does the princess seem a bit off"

Caoyun looked troubled, leaning into her ear and saying, "I can't fathom the master's thoughts. But seeing him like this, I'm truly worried."

"Water Spirit, my dear sister, Princess [Name] has always been intelligent and perceptive. I believe she can understand the princess's intentions. Please return to her and tell her about it. See if she can help persuade her a bit."

"Even if the Miss can't persuade him, could she please trouble herself to send some food for our master every day The princess only touches her chopsticks to the meals from the small kitchen. I'm almost worried to death!"

Shui Ling nodded quickly, "Sister Caiyun, rest assured, I'll tell the princess when I go back."

Cai Yun sent Shuiling a distance, then turned back.

Suiling hurried back to Suijintan and, seeing her mistress, blurted out everything. Finally, she tentatively asked, "Miss, I see that Third Princess is also feeling uncomfortable in her heart. Do you want to go comfort her"

Jia Yin shook her head and looked out the window at the cloudless sky.

"No one can dissuade her, this is the path she has chosen!"

Today I'm posting two chapters ~~ dressed up to show everyone how fortunate I am to have so many good sons!"As they were speaking, a sound of horses' hooves came from outside the village.It turned out to be the Marquis, Li Zhensheng,...