Chapter 1068: The Self-Deceived Truth!

h brother, don’t go. Go tell Master Liu that our family doesn’t need this money right now. Peace is more important than anything else.”Li Laosi hesitated a little, men always have a bit of an adventur...Now that the Empress Dowager has passed away, for the sake of the royal face, a simple funeral must be held, and she will eventually be buried somewhere.

The dying emperor was hanging on by a thread, barely breathing. He would rant and rave incessantly whenever he saw anyone.

Even if this emperor went, he wouldn't see any good looks.

The Noble Consort was sent to the cold palace, and the Second Prince fell ill. The imperial physicians guarded his chamber day and night.

After counting and recounting, he could finally let out a sigh of relief now that he was at Zhi Lan Palace.

Thinking this way, he looked at Jiayin again and found her even more pleasing to the eye.

If it weren't for this girl entering the palace and taking care of the Third Princess all day, I'm afraid the Third Princess would still be willful and capricious, causing headaches at all times.

Then, he was in such a vast palace, it was hard to find even a peaceful place...

Jia Yin was peeling shrimp when she suddenly saw the Emperor using his chopsticks to give her a dish of vegetables. She was rather surprised.

Looking at the Emperor's face full of kindness, he understood a little.

"Fu Niao'er, do you have any wishes I shall grant you one wish that comes true!"

The Emperor had drunk a few cups of wine, and at this moment, he was overcome with emotion.

Moreover, facing a little girl he had watched grow up since she was young, he couldn't bring himself to scheme against her.

So, he truly meant what he said.

Jia Yin's heart turned quickly, then she smiled sweetly.

"Grandfather Emperor, my wishes are simply too many to count, I can't even choose the one I long for most right now.

"So, I'll keep this 'wish fulfillment' for now. When I figure it out later, I'll go to Uncle Huang and exchange it."

"Haha, what a clever little girl!" The Emperor laughed and didn't refuse. "Alright, let me know when you've thought it through."

Having said that, he looked towards the Crown Prince and instructed, "Remember this matter for me. If I forget, you must fulfill my promise for me."

"Yes, Father. Your son remembers," the prince replied with a smile, then picked up dishes and served both Princess Three and Jia Yin.

Of course, the Third Princess would protest, "Father, how could you not ask if I have any wishes"

"You, your only wish is to eat, drink and play!" The Emperor patted his daughter's hand, smiling helplessly. "It's me, now my only wish is to get you married as soon as possible! Let someone else worry about it, I just want to watch the excitement!"

"Father is biased!" The third princess refused to give up and started making a fuss, causing everyone to laugh.

A simple, home-cooked meal enjoyed by four people of all ages.

After the meal, we shared a jade melon together, enjoying a rare moment of harmony and joy.

But the households outside the palace were completely different at this time.

Who knows how many people gathered together, carefully ruminating on the many changes of today.

There's just so much information, I can't even begin to process it. I don't understand what they went through or what they plan to do next.

Several officials sat together, the tea by their hands untouched for a long while.

They were all relatives and in-laws who had been close for a long time. Their relationship had recently soured, and it had been a long time since they had gotten together.

After the wind and rain, there was a mess everywhere, but also opportunities everywhere. They could no longer afford to hesitate and had to consult urgently.

"Our emperor has been under the Empress Dowager's thumb for half his life, and I never expected he would do such a big thing behind her back! No wonder he has few children but never seems worried. It turns out he has raised such a great son outside!"

An official, trying hard to suppress his voice, was still clearly filled with astonishment.

"Indeed," sighed a middle-aged official in agreement, "we all underestimated the Emperor. We thought that after being suppressed by the Empress Dowager, he would only be able to barely maintain his position in court with the support of Marquis Xinting."

"Looking back now, the emperor's schemes are far beyond our comprehension. As early as ten years ago, even before the capital was moved, he had already begun to lay the groundwork."

"Those who rushed to flatter the Noble Consort and the Second Prince earlier are now out of luck!" someone gloated, "Who could have imagined that such favored figures would turn out to be decoys!"

"The most heartless is the imperial family, one moment they are pampered beyond measure, the next they are sent to the cold palace. It's truly..."

Now that the eldest prince is back at the palace, he will be named Crown Prince immediately. He'll probably be the first to deal with those people. After all, who let them fawn over the second prince like that before

"Perhaps not. I don't think the Crown Prince is a narrow-minded person. He might even be willing to show mercy to these people. After all, maintaining stability in the government is the top priority right now."

"What shall we do then"

"What else can be done Just do our best, keep a low profile, and see how things develop before making any further decisions."

After much discussion and debate, they finally settled on two words: make do.

Someone unwilling to accept this, whispered, “After the crown prince is sealed, it will be time for the selection of concubines. We can’t just sit idly by. Our daughters must be sent to try their luck. If one catches the emperor and crown prince’s eye, our family will have one more chance.”

After a long silence, no one was willing to give up this opportunity.

Thus, besides enduring the situation, they all made up their minds to go home and have their daughters prepare well.

It's not just about having fine clothes and jewelry. More importantly, remind your daughter that when entering the palace, she must not be ostentatious.

At the last summer banquet, the Noble Consort had already intended to select a wife for the Second Prince. As a result, those young ladies just didn't have eyes, bullying the Lady Kangle to the point that she slapped them all and became famous throughout the new capital...

Recreation Princess!

Someone thought of this name, and suddenly their heart skipped a beat. They hurriedly said,

"Oh no, County Princess Kangle is still in the palace!"

Everyone else was stunned silent.

"What happened to Concubine Kangle in the palace Doesn't she always live there"

That man panicked and waved his hand in response, “County Princess Kangle is most favored by the Emperor, she was practically raised under his watchful eye. The Crown Prince… the Crown Prince once served as County Princess Kangle’s steward, could it be that their prolonged association has blossomed into love”

"Before, the Li family was always nasty to anyone who came to propose. They would even set their dogs on them! Could it be...could it be that they're just waiting for the prince to choose a wife!"

"Are you planning to make Lady Kangle the... Crown Princess!"

Everyone was struck as if countless bolts of lightning had fallen from a clear sky, both scorched on the outside and raw within. There was nothing they could do about it.

"No wonder, no wonder! No wonder when anyone mentioned the county lord's marriage, the Li family said the county lord was still young, and even said they would wait until after the Northern Expedition ended and Lord Hou and General Li returned before discussing it."

"The Li family has really been waiting for this day!"

"Treacherous! The Li family is so treacherous!"

"Just that, all the good things are taken up by their family. Now they've even plotted out the position of Crown Princess."

I told you, such a capable person like the Crown Prince spent many years in the Li family. Even if he hid very well, it's impossible that there wouldn't be any clues, right

"The Li family must have known about this beforehand and secretly orchestrated the match between the Crown Prince and the noblewoman!"

For a moment, everyone thought they had guessed the truth. They were so enraged that their eyes were bloodshot, wishing to curse the Li family ten thousand times over...

Meanwhile, back in Zhilan Palace, the Emperor felt tired and decided to return to his study.

Jia Yin called Shui Ling over and presented two baskets of golden fruits, smiling. "Imperial Uncle, the Crown Prince has returned. Someone is now taking care of the government affairs for you, and the Princess has a brother to look after her. Tomorrow, I'll go back home!"

"Over at Suijin Beach, no one is stationed there. My medicine field needs harvesting soon, and I need to make a batch of healing potions ASAP. They're going with the third shipment of military rations to Jiangbei."

The Emperor hadn't given it much thought at first, but occasionally glancing at the Crown Prince, he suddenly understood three points.

At this moment, the feelings in his heart were indescribable.

Isn't she trying to avoid suspicion

Two updates today, thanks to my money-eating beast at home being surprisingly efficient, letting me finish writing earlier! so these fish were brought back on the ship""Yeah," Li Zhensheng nodded, frowning slightly, "The weather is too hot, and buying ice is expensive. Most of the fish and shrimp almost died on the way."...