Chapter 390 – Little Sister

Chapter 390 - Little Sister

Yet Yun Li didn't approach her. Instead, she smiled at the girl and said, "Your name is Yun Xia? Indeed, you're very beautiful."

Yun Xia stood up. "This humble servant pays respects to Her Majesty."

"Sit down and let's talk," Yun Li observed closely. She resembled her mother more.

Perhaps it was because Yun Li had grown older, or maybe it was due to the passage of time that made her more lenient towards the Qi family.

Forgiveness was not on the table; a severed familial bond of many years could not be mended easily.

She was an aloof and even cold-blooded person.

Forgiveness and understanding were not her strong suits.

It was good enough that they could interact like this now.

But weren't all people from ancient times like this, maintaining a distant and indifferent relationship?

"Has the marriage been arranged?" Yun Li inquired.

Yun Xia felt embarrassed, and Yu Shi replied, "Not yet. Mother-in-law suggests that if Your Majesty has a suitable match in mind, you could also consider him for Xia."

Yun Li immediately understood – her mother probably hoped that Yun Li would find a royal candidate for her younger sister.

"Have you any thoughts on your own marriage? Would you like to be a companion to the prince?" Yun Li asked frankly.

Yun Xia quickly rose again. "This servant has no such intentions. Your Majesty has misunderstood."

Yun Li acknowledged with a soft "Mmm." "If that's the case, I can keep an eye out for you. In my opinion, there's no need to be too concerned about social status. With the Qi family's support, you needn't worry about being at a disadvantage. What's more important is that your husband's family is kind-hearted and has a simple household. Of course, this is just my suggestion; you should think it over yourself."

"I fully agree with Your Majesty's perspective," Yun Xia hurried to say. "Seventh Brother feels the same, as does Elder Sister-in-law."

The Qi family's prosperity was evident for all to see.

Should Empress Xian and Ninth Prince's relationship progress further, the Qi family would enjoy generations of glory.

Thus, for Yun Xia, marrying into the Qi family truly meant having the freedom and peace of mind to choose her own path.

In essence, it was all thanks to Elder Sister's efforts.

Yun Li had her grievances with the Qi family, but not with Yun Xia.

When she entered the palace, Yun Xia hadn't even been born yet.

They sat for a while longer, after which Yun Li bestowed some gifts before dismissing them.

Hardly had Yu Shi and Qi Yunxia left Yuzhu Palace when they brushed past envoys from Zhengyang Palace.

Li Mu bowed upon seeing them. "Young Lady, Seventh Miss."

The two women, not knowing him, hurriedly curtsied as well. "Your Excellency, greetings."

Li Mu smiled. "This servant has to convey a message to Empress Xiaolian, so I won't see you two off."

Both women hastily said that it wasn't necessary.

Li Mu then rushed off.

Yun Xia whispered, "Is something wrong?"

Madam Yu shook her head. "We’ll talk outside."

After all, they were still in the palace, a place where they couldn't afford to speak too freely.

Once they left the palace and got into the carriage, seeing that Yun Xia was still nervous, Madam Yu said, "As the saying goes, don't inquire about the family's fortunes upon entering the door; one can tell by their appearance. If there had been an issue, that noble official wouldn't have spoken to us with a smile."

Qiu Yunxia nodded. "Sister-in-law has indeed seen more than I have."

Sure enough, before they even returned home, someone from the Qiu family came looking for them.

"Seventh Lady, Miss Seventh, hurry back to the manor. Prince Qi has passed away."

Both of them were startled and quickly agreed, urging the carriage to move faster.

They were dressed brightly, and at a time like this, they feared being caught in gossip.

In Jade Stream Palace, Li Mu also mentioned this: "It only happened an hour ago."

Yun Li sighed. "Quickly, have someone change the decorations. Change the clothes too, and bring me something simpler."

After Li Mu conveyed the message, he left first; he had other places to attend to.

Zhi Fu sighed. "He said it wouldn't work, and indeed, it didn't."

"He's not young anymore," Qi Wang was one of the earliest princes during the previous emperor's reign.

He belonged to the same generation as the former crown prince.

The prince they once fought against was long gone, yet he, as one of the elder princes, had managed to survive. It wasn't easy.

Look at who the current emperor's surviving brothers were now—the thirteenth prince and the fifteenth prince.

The emperor himself was the tenth prince, all of them were around the same age.

All those who came before them had perished.

For the fourth prince, Qi Wang, to live up to his sixties was quite an accomplishment.

"Send a messenger to pay respects and inform Prince Nine to be cautious. As imperial princes, they should show respect to their uncle by paying their respects and burning incense," Yun Li said.

"Shall this servant go in person?" Zhi Fu asked.

"It wouldn't be proper for you to go. Let Bai Lu take care of it," Yun Li replied.

Zhi Fu acknowledged and left to convey the message.

Zhu Yu and the others had already fetched the clothes for Yun Li to change into.

She certainly didn't need to wear white; a simple lake blue outfit would suffice.

Yun Li removed her grand head ornaments, replacing them with smaller, simpler ones. Any excessively lavish items in the palace were put away for now.

Soon, word came for her to visit the Empress Dowager.

In name, the King of Qi was the Empress Dowager's son, despite them being close in age.

Yet the Empress Dowager would still have to put on a show of grief.

The heart of a queen mother, you see.

People from the Prince Qi's Manor were kneeling in the Empress Dowager's palace, weeping as they announced the bereavement.

The Empress Dowager also wiped away tears.

Yun Li was genuinely impressed. How did these tears even come about?

The concubines offered their condolences, but their words were shallow and insincere; no one genuinely mourned.

It was impossible to feel true sorrow.

However, the passing of the emperor's own brother was no trivial matter.

Emperor He Jinli issued an edict, ordering the highest honors for his royal sibling's funeral.

The Ministry of Rites, the Office of Imperial Clan Affairs, and the Inner Court were instructed to ensure a grand and dignified farewell for Prince Qiao.

The heir apparent of the Qi King inherited his father's title exactly as it was.

All the princes were required to pay their respects at the Qi King's funeral for twenty-one consecutive days.

This was undoubtedly the highest form of tribute.

The new Qi King was deeply moved, weeping every day until his eyes swelled.

By the time the mourning period ended, it was already the end of the first month, and the Lantern Festival had been skipped this year.

On the ninth day of the second month, the Fifth Prince was to be married – fortunately, the wedding didn't overlap with the mourning period. Otherwise, with the grand funeral ceremony for the Qi King, the wedding might have had to be postponed.

The courtiers donned their magnificent attire once more, awaiting the Fifth Prince's wedding.

After the repairs on the residence were completed, the Qin Prince still hadn't left.

In truth, Helan Jiluo had told him to stay temporarily, leaving when the weather warmed up. If he didn't wish to enter the palace, he didn't have to.

However, the Qin King himself commented, "One cannot truly isolate oneself from the world..."

He Jinli understood and sighed, patting his shoulder. "Then we'll wait until after your fifth brother's wedding, when Father will send you off."

The Qin King agreed, seemingly in a rather good mood.

As the fifth prince's wedding drew near, the Empress suddenly summoned Miss Liao, who would soon be the fifth prince's wife.

This move caught the attention of the entire harem.

In Fengyi Palace, Miss Liao was also unsure of the reason behind the summons. Nevertheless, she greeted the Empress respectfully.

"The empress finds you to be a well-mannered child," the Empress remarked with a smile.

"Your servant dare not take such praise," Miss Liao replied, feeling bashful.

"Come closer, let Mother have a look at you," the Empress said with a warm smile.

Miss Liao's face turned even redder, as she had yet to officially wed.

"Don't be bashful, it's only a matter of days. I called you here today because our Fifth Prince doesn't have a royal mother. It's pitiful, really. As his imperial mother, I must think for him," the Empress said with a smile, waving her hand dismissively.

Immediately, someone carried in a box.

Upon opening it, it revealed exquisite silk and satin fabrics, alongside exquisite jewelry.