Chapter 449 – Withdrawing at the Height of One’s Power

Chapter 449 - Withdrawing at the Height of One's Power

Yun Li sighed. "Initially, I didn't wish to meddle in your affairs. But you haven't seen how your Third Brother bowed to your father. When he was young, he was quite a fool, daring to do and say all sorts of silly things. However, his love for you now is genuine and sincere."

"Therefore, if you're living comfortably, there's no need to mention it. If not, don't let your Third Brother's efforts go to waste," she continued.

Princess Liuliu's tears immediately fell. "Yes, thank you, Mother Empress. I... I will seek a divorce. It's just that... despite our inability to live together, we aren't enemies. I don't wish for anything bad to happen to him..."

"You'll have to tell your father this yourself," Yun Li said.

"Yes, thank you, Mother Empress for your advice," Princess Liuliu replied.

After Yun Li finished speaking, she left.

Empress An looked at Princess Liuliu for a moment before saying, "Your mother also supports you. Do as you wish."

She felt defeated and had to admit that despite her best efforts to treat Princess Liuliu well over the years, it still couldn't compare to Third Prince's affection.

On Yunli's side, Juyu commented, "Who would have thought? Back then, the Third Prince seemed so insignificant, hardly someone to be reckoned with. Yet now, look at him. It's truly unimaginable. Madam Xu probably never envisioned such an outcome for herself. To leave behind her own daughter, relying on the son she adopted to protect her."

Indeed, Concubine An dared not mention the Sixth Princess's plight to He Jinli.

The Sixth Princess herself was also hesitant to speak of it.

With no one to advocate for her, she might just have to endure this life as it is.

"Yes, her intentions were impure, but the Third Prince truly knows how to repay a small favor with a great one." He was no longer young; he was well aware of what Empress Lan had felt for him back then.

Nonetheless, those years when Empress Lan had cared for him mattered.

For that reason, he had resolved to protect the Sixth Princess for the rest of his life.

People are like that – they can't judge someone solely as good or bad based on one instance.

The Sixth Princess spent half a day with He Jinli. Outsiders were unaware of their conversation.

But afterward, the Sixth Princess divorced her husband.

The matter was handled discreetly, and the prince consort moved out of the princess's residence.

The Third Prince paid frequent visits, and Princess Liuli gradually found solace. Her plans for remarriage would have to be a more gradual process.

In early May, it was Princess Qi's wedding. She was betrothed to the eldest son of Minister Mao, a man of good standing. The marriage was a respectable match.

In summary, all is well.

It was Princess Shu and her son who were in the wrong.

After the prince's marriage, there was no need for him to reside in the Southern Garden either. He could simply come daily to pay his respects. Hence, Sixth Prince naturally didn't accompany them. With Xie Yiyao's incident, Concubine Shu's plans with her son had become disrupted. In the Ganlu Palace at that moment, Concubine Shu furrowed her brows. "Mother doesn't know how to decide on these matters. Still, opportunities like these cannot be missed."

"The Crown Prince is also scheduled to visit the northern territories this year, apart from attending the New Year's Day festivities. Father is sending him on a reconnaissance mission," the Sixth Prince grumbled. "But he won't return anytime soon."

Princess Shu tightened her grip. "So what do you plan to do?"

"On Father's birthday…" The Sixth Prince clenched his teeth. "We've reached a point where we have no choice but to try."

"Are you sure about this?"

"Yes, Fu Jingyang is prepared. There's never a guarantee of absolute success in such matters. It'll be easier to act when Father is at the summer palace than within the palace walls. On his birthday, after the banquet and into the midnight hours, the guards will surely be less vigilant – that's our chance."

"…Alright." Princess Shu gritted her teeth. "No matter what, Mother will stand by your side."

The original plan was to strike when the Empress died, for the death of a queen was always a significant event.

Unfortunately, Xie Yixiao had been deposed. After her fall, whether she lived or died was insignificant.

As for the Crown Prince, he was solidifying his position with each passing day, making any future attempts more challenging.

Indeed, there could be no foolproof plan, so it was better to act sooner rather than later.

By the end of May, great floods ravaged the southern regions, breaching river banks and causing widespread damage. He Jinning was so busy that he barely had time to rest.

They all regretted allowing the Crown Prince to leave the capital, but by now, he was most likely already in Yuanzheng.

So, He Jinning had no choice but to shoulder the burden alone.

Yun Li's health had improved, and the most she could do for him was accompany him while he read official documents and help sort out those of lesser importance.

Thus, documents from various places awaited the Empress Xiaojie's calligraphy.

However, at this time, there was no rule against concubines interfering in politics, so seeing her involvement would be seen as normal.

It would only earn her praise for being a worthy and beloved Empress Xiaojie.

Despite Yun Li's assistance, the heaviest burden still fell on He Jinning.

Fortunately, despite the severity of the floods, the national treasury remained abundant.

The relief efforts were prompt, minimizing loss of life. Nonetheless, many agricultural fields in the Jiangnan region had been devastated this year.

It would inevitably lead to reduced crop yields, a severe issue in this day and age.

Therefore, Yun Li understood He Jinning's busyness and exhaustion.

All she could do was instruct the imperial kitchen to attend to his diet diligently and persuade him to rest as much as possible.

Despite these efforts, He Jinning had still lost considerable weight and appeared haggard.

Yun Li could only sigh; after all, he was no longer in his twenties or thirties.

She had no idea when the Sixth Prince's plans would unfold, or if he would take any further action.

After all, nobody had the ability to see the future, unless they were divine.

However, now that He Jinning was aware of the potential threat, it was unlikely that he would let his guard down.

By mid-June, the flood crisis had finally passed. The subsequent recovery and reconstruction efforts proceeded smoothly and systematically.

Only then did he finally breathe a sigh of relief.

The second of July marked his birthday, a date that Jingen Li had never particularly cared for.

It wasn't as if he needed to celebrate it every year.

Still, he wouldn't simply ignore the day altogether.

At the very least, the members of his royal family would come to pay their respects.

Especially this year, after the dethronement of the empress, there was a need for some joyous occasion, so his birthday celebration was planned.

Yun Li took charge of all the arrangements. Concerned about tiring her out, Jingen Li specifically instructed her not to go overboard.

The Empress Dowager, now completely detached from affairs, left everything to Yun Li, emphasizing the importance of making this year's celebration a success.

One said not to exaggerate, the other said to do it well.

Yun Li didn't heed either advice but found a middle ground.

Not too grand, not too subdued.

Qi Xiang made his second request to retire with honor. Once again, it was denied, but this time, His Majesty indicated that he would consider it.

Probably next time, it'll go through.

He Jinli wasn't one to discard a workhorse after the millstone was removed; Qi Xiang was indeed advanced in age, and it wouldn't be right to demand his last breath of service.

Everyone knew about Qi Xiang's intention to retire.

All they could do was admire him. Who didn't know that the next generation of the Qi family had yet to rise to prominence?

Although they all served in the court, how many could reach Qi Xiang's position without enduring thirty years?

Qi Xiang, despite his age, was still capable; would he willingly step down?

It takes courage to withdraw at the height of one's career.

But Qi Xiang's intentions were clear; he was determined to retire.

The Qi family truly was remarkable, and Empress Xiaoxian was equally impressive.

With this retreat, His Majesty might actually be more appreciative of the Qiu family's merits.

Everyone knows the wisdom of letting go when the time comes, but when it's upon them, who can truly release their grip so easily?

One need not look far for an example; just consider Xie Yiyao.