Ministers Begging Me to Ascend the Throne

Chapter 1160: Chapter 162: The Date for Prince Han’s Wedding Is Set (2)

The Marquis Xuanping was her brother. Since childhood, the feelings between them as siblings were very strong; they could be said to have relied on each other for survival from a young age. Now, her brother’s entire family has been beheaded, not a soul left alive, ever since the Yu Family’s fall—how can she accept this?

The death of her brother was a severe blow to Noble Princess Consort Rong, worsening her illness significantly. However, she knows she cannot die; she has to live well for the sake of her two sons who are imprisoned in the Royal Mansion. As long as she remains alive, the days for her sons in the Royal Mansion will be somewhat bearable.

If she dies, her two sons will surely be bullied, and perhaps that wench Xie Yi might even take their lives.

Noble Princess Consort Rong had been so ill she was about to die. But in these past few days, relying on sheer willpower, she has managed to withstand it and her condition is slowly improving.

During this period, the Emperor visits her every few days.

Noble Princess Consort Rong knows she should not hate the Emperor, but she cannot let go of the death of Marquis Xuanping. She is aware that Marquis Xuanping’s rebellion, leading to the extermination of nine clans, was deserved, but emotionally she cannot accept it.

Marquis Xuanping was not just her brother; he was also the Family Head of the Yu Family. The Yu Family only had Marquis Xuanping’s family left, yet the Emperor wiped them out completely, effectively erasing the Yu Family. How will he face the Empress Dowager in the future?

Noble Princess Consort Rong initially thought the Emperor, considering the Empress Dowager, wouldn’t annihilate the entire Yu Family, perhaps at most just kill Marquis Xuanping, but the Emperor mercilessly killed the entire family of Marquis Xuanping.

"Madam, you must not cry anymore," Jin Mei advised, "The Imperial Physician said, if you cry again, your eyes might..."

"Jin Mei, why does my cousin not care about the Yu Family at all? The Yu Family is his maternal family after all," Noble Princess Consort Rong couldn’t understand.

"Madam, I do not know." It’s likely everyone is bewildered by the Emperor’s ruthless treatment of his maternal family. "I only know the Emperor loves you, and because of you, the two princes remain safe and sound."

This sentence made Noble Princess Consort Rong feel a bit better, "But he was my own brother, my only brother, and my cousin..."

"Madam, right now the two princes are well, which is the best outcome." Jin Mei continued urging, "If you resent the Emperor because of the Marquis, it might chill the Emperor’s heart. You must understand the Emperor also did not want to kill the Marquis’s entire family; the Emperor was not unkind to them, yet the Marquis instigated a rebellion against the Crown Prince, wounding the Emperor’s heart."

Jin Mei’s words made sense, Noble Princess Consort Rong ceased her crying and complaint, instead let out a long sigh: "I still cannot comprehend why my brother chose to rebel?"

"Madam, what’s done is done, you should not ponder it anymore. Now you must think of the two princes, you cannot remain ill," Jin Mei said, "The Empress has recovered; aren’t you afraid she might seize the opportunity to make life difficult for the princes?"

Thinking of her two sons confined in the Royal Mansion, Noble Princess Consort Rong’s gaze instantly became resolute, no longer weeping.

"You are right, I must recover quickly, I cannot allow Xie Yi to bully Yi son and the others."

At this time, in Kunde Hall, Zhao Yao and Prince Wei were dining with Lady Liang.

While previously at the Swamp Prefecture, Prince Wei would come daily after court to Kunde Hall to pay respects to Lady Liang, accompanying her for tea and conversation. Sometimes, he would even bring gifts for Lady Liang.

Lady Liang would often prepare food or make clothes to give to Prince Wei.

During the meal, the three of them did not discuss political affairs but rather spoke of daily trivial matters.

After finishing the meal and drinking tea, Prince Wei brought up Zhao Yao’s upcoming marriage.

Just two days ago, the Emperor issued a decree for Zhao Yao to marry on May 8th.

May 8th is the best date in the entire year, a day of great fortune, suitable for all events. Such an auspicious day only appears once every few years.

Prince Wei reassured Lady Liang that the future Princess Han is excellent, and her family members are honest and straightforward as well.

After spending some time with Lady Liang, Zhao Yao and Prince Wei left.

"Eighth brother, with me getting married, I feel like you’re preparing for your son’s wedding," Zhao Yao commented.

Prince Wei staggered in shock at Zhao Yao’s words, luckily Yu Hai supported him in time, or Prince Wei might have fallen on his face.

"My son’s wedding?" Prince Wei laughed incredulously, "How could you have such a misconception?"

"I’m getting married, yet you’re busier than me as the groom, considering everything for me, arranging everything so I don’t have to worry about anything, not a single task."

"Isn’t it good that you don’t need to worry?" Prince Wei laughed, "You don’t have to do anything, just wait to get married."

Zhao Yao walked with his hands behind his head, casually.

"Alright then, I’ll just patiently wait for the wedding." There’s still two months before his marriage, he wants to return to the Swamp Prefecture but can’t, he can only stay in the capital. Two months, such a long time. "However, thinking about having to attend early morning court every day before the wedding, I feel miserable." While he was at Swamp Prefecture, he didn’t have to attend early court every day; he only attended once every few days and court started at the hour of dawn.

"As a prince and a subject, attending court should be your duty," Prince Wei said, "You should pay more attention to political affairs."

"I can’t even manage the matters of Lingnan, why should I care about political affairs?"

"You..."

The two brothers walked side by side, engaging in a warm conversation. Following behind them, Yu Hai and Tong Xi watched their backs, unconsciously smiling.

Returning to Prince Han Mansion, Zhao Yao took a nap. Prince Wei, upon returning to his own residence, soon headed to the Royal Mansion.

While Prince Wei was on the road to the Royal Mansion, the Emperor in the palace received the news.

"Your Majesty, Lord Wei has gone to the Royal Mansion, should we stop him?"

The Emperor replied indifferently: "No need."

"Should we send someone to monitor his actions?"

"No need." The Emperor is well aware of Prince Wei’s intentions for visiting the Royal Mansion.

Sun Kui, at the side, mumbled to himself, Prince Wei visiting the Royal Mansion at such a time surely isn’t for rest but to look for Prince Dai and the others. Isn’t the Emperor afraid that Prince Wei might harm Prince Dai and them?

Furthermore, the abolished Crown Prince was once imprisoned in the Royal Mansion, and then the whole family was in the Royal Mansion.