Chapter 301

Chapter 0301: Marriage and Sorrow

Since Son-in-law Zhang Zizhi only received thirty strokes of the cane, it indicates his lack of involvement in Princess Hua Ying's death.

It truly was an accident.

Or at least, it appears to be an accident for now.

After all, there are two children left; a punishment was due but nothing excessive.

The Zhang family, though currently without significant official positions, boasts a general in their ancestry.

Zhang Zizhi's father is still alive and was a marquis, though now demoted to an earl.

But with grandson Yongkang Hou, the Zhang family still has hope for the future.

Princess Hua Ying's funeral was conducted with dignity and grandeur, and by the end of April, she was laid to rest.

Following her funeral, the Empress Dowager took her two children into the palace for a temporary stay.

The Emperor and Empress had no objections to this.

When Princess Mingzhu entered the palace, she stayed with the Empress Dowager.

Yongkang Hou stayed in Guanglong Palace and would also study in the palace henceforth.

This wasn't unusual; other children from princesses' families also studied in the palace.

In Cian Palace, after sending off Princess Mingzhu who had come to pay her respects, Lady Fan said, "The princess is about the same age as our Fifth Prince, a perfect match. If they could be united in marriage, wouldn't it be wonderful for you to see her more often?"

The Empress Dowager shook her head: "The Fifth Prince carries the Lin family's bloodline, as does Princess Mingzhu. If they were to marry, the Fifth Prince would forever lose his chance."

The Emperor would never tolerate it.

"Mingzhu is still young, there's no rush. I should seek some peace and see what unfolds in the harem," the Empress Dowager sighed deeply, "These days have truly exhausted me."

"Yes, Your Majesty, please take great care. Both the princess and the marquis are still young; they rely on you," Lady Fan said.

The Empress Dowager, tired, nodded and stood up, asking to be assisted to rest.

On the first day of July, news arrived that the Noble Consort and the Second Princess were returning to court.

On the sixth day, everyone in the palace finally welcomed back the Noble Consort and her children after several months away.

Both appeared largely unchanged, except for being somewhat tanned.

They first paid their respects in Cining Palace, where the Noble Consort also expressed her sorrow over Princess Hua Ying's passing.

"I was truly shocked when I heard the news; Princess Hua Ying was so young..."

"Ah, let's not speak of her. My heart can't bear it," the Empress Dowager sighed and waved her hand, "It's good you're back. I've been worried. Now that everyone is here, let's have a family dinner here tonight."

"Yes, thank you, Empress Dowager."

"Yixuan, were you tired on the journey? Did you enjoy the grasslands?" the Empress Dowager asked the Second Princess.

"Replying to Great Grandmother, it was fun, but there were many mosquitoes," the Second Princess said.

"Yes, the mosquitoes are a nuisance. It's good you had fun. When you're older, and your father goes to inspect the north again, he'll take you with him," the Empress Dowager said.

"Yes, thank you, Great Grandmother, I'll remember that," the Second Princess replied.

"Alright, go back and rest, have a good sleep. It's still early. You must have been traveling all night to return at this hour," the Dowager Empress suggested.

"Indeed, it was quite the journey," the Noble Consort sighed.

"Go back and rest then, come back in the evening," the Dowager Empress said with a smile, waving her hand.

The Noble Consort then took her leave.

After her departure, everyone else dispersed.

Yun Li teased, "You got tanned, rode a horse, didn't you?"

"Yes, I had to at least burn incense for my parents and brother and sister-in-law, even if I couldn't see anyone. We people of Yuanzheng don't necessarily need graves after death, but we do want our own hands to write some prayer flags," the Noble Consort sighed. "What else can I do for them?"

"It's precisely because of you that Hun Yin has his position today, and Yuanzheng and Da Jin can have better relations," Yun Li said.

The Noble Consort smiled: "That's true. I'll head back now, really exhausted. A carriage is not the same as riding, but alas, I couldn't ride on this journey. After all, it's unseemly for a Noble Consort."

Yun Li smiled and nodded, sending her off.

In the afternoon, Emperor He Jing issued an imperial decree for the marriage of Princess Yiyang and Fan Yang, the eldest son of Fan Man.

The decree had been planned before but was postponed due to Princess Hua Ying's death.

Now was the time, so it was directly issued.

In the evening, everyone gathered at the Ci'an Palace.

Of course, only the consorts of the ninth rank and above were present. All princes and princesses were in attendance.

It was a welcome back ceremony for the Noble Consort, who was the guest of honor.

Yun Li seriously observed Princess Hua Ying's children for the first time today.

Princess Mingzhu is quite striking, even at only eight years old, she stands out. In a few years, she will undoubtedly be a beauty.

She must take after her father.

Yongkang Marquis, Zhang Yen, is six and bears more resemblance to Princess Hua Ying. Still, he's young, and appearances may change as he grows.

Currently, it's hard to tell; both children, having just lost their mother, appear very well-behaved. They sit among the princes and princesses.

The Eldest Princess sits next to the Empress Dowager, probably feeling shy today as her marriage was announced.

The Empress Dowager, however, talks to her with a smile, mentioning she's reluctant to see her marry off.

The Eldest Princess, born in the Eastern Palace, is also seventeen this year.

But even with the urgency, she won't be married off this year.

So, the marriage is set for next January.

The Internal Affairs Department and the Ministry of Rites are tasked with preparing for the Eldest Princess's wedding. Being the direct daughter of the Empress, her status is prestigious, and her wedding must reflect that.

Her marriage sets a precedent for the future marriages of other princesses.

The entire family dinner revolves around discussing the Eldest Princess's wedding and the Noble Consort's stories from the grasslands.

After everyone disperses, in Zhaohua Palace, Jinde Consort sends everyone away except for Lanxiu.

"Seeing the Eldest Princess today made me think of my own child. If he were still alive, it would be time to discuss his marriage. The eldest son of the Emperor, how prestigious? I should be planning his marriage, not sitting there, heart aching, forcing a smile at others' happiness."

"Your Highness, please don't dwell on it... You still have the Second Prince," Lanxiu knelt down, tears in her eyes.

"The Second Prince, after all, is not my own flesh and blood. I only had that one child. Smart, beautiful, a good child, gone in an instant..."

Jinde Consort wept bitterly: "My heart is torn, my child..."

"Your Highness..." Lanxiu cried, hugging Jinde Consort's legs, "You must take care of yourself, you can't cry like this. If you fall, who will posthumously honor our Eldest Prince in the future?"

"You're right, you're right, I must not fall..." Jinde Consort took a deep breath, allowing Lanxiu to help her sit down, "For his sake, I must endure."

But a mother who has lost her child can never truly be free of sorrow, even if she is not a good person.

The death of the Eldest Prince is a wound in Jinde Consort's heart that will never heal.

"Your Highness, you must stay strong. With the current state of the harem, you cannot afford to relax. The Second Prince relies entirely on you; without you, he could not succeed," Lanxiu advised.

After a long while, Jinde Consort took a deep breath and nodded, "I understand."