thefictionvixens Chapter 424 The Empress Dowager's Death
Chapter 424 The Empress Dowager's Death
No one would say such a thing to him, not even his mother who raised him.
It's not that I'm unwilling to talk about it, but rather that I can't think of anything to say, or rather, I don't have such insights into life.
The second prince's eyes were a little moist. "Your subject is not good at judging people. Even if I like someone, I only see their appearance. It is always easier to live with a person of good character than with an unreasonable person."
Xihe said that since the Empress Dowager thinks Miss Han is good, I have paid more attention to her and also think she is indeed quite good. As for the others, I don't have a very deep impression of them.
Shen Shixi said, "Alright, then I'll give you more time. You can visit the Han family a few more times and inquire about things indirectly. If it's suitable, then let me know."
The second prince was deeply moved. "Your subject thanks Your Majesty!"
When he went out, he happened to run into Xihe and the Crown Prince returning from school. Xihe asked about his marriage, and the Second Prince told her.
Xihe said, "Second brother, I'll take you to the Han family this time during your break. I'll arrange a meeting with Sister Han for you, and I'll also help you get some information."
"Alright, thank you very much, Your Highness!"
There was progress on the eldest princess's side. Song Yan requested an audience with the empress, saying that the investigation was almost complete. Shen Shixi then had the eldest princess summoned to listen to the proceedings together.
Just as they had guessed, the one who attacked Tang Yi's mother and three fiancées was none other than the current Duchess of Lu, Tang Zhijie's former mistress.
The reason she didn't target Tang Yi but instead ruined his reputation is said to be because she hated him to the core and wanted him to suffer a fate worse than death, since Tang Yi's mother had taken her place.
As for whether Tang Zhijie knew about this, nobody knows. Anyway, when the Ministry of Justice went to arrest him, Tang Zhijie cursed his wife and slapped her hard several times.
Before this, Tang Zhijie had doted on this lady.
The other three families, upon learning that their daughters had been killed by this lady, all filed complaints with the emperor. They also learned from Song Yan that it was actually the eldest princess who had requested the investigation, and they were extremely grateful to the eldest princess.
The eldest princess's reputation improved immediately.
Tang Zhijie also spoke highly of the eldest princess in court. Li Yuanke was so pleased that he immediately issued an edict to marry the eldest princess to Tang Yi, who was then appointed as the Imperial Son-in-Law Commandant.
The position of heir apparent to the Duke of Lu naturally belongs to Tang Yi.
Upon learning of this, the eldest princess went to Qian Yuan Palace to pay her respects to Shen Shixi and performed a grand ceremony for her.
Seeing that she seemed like a completely different person, Shen Shixi breathed a sigh of relief. Although the eldest princess's reckless behavior would only lead to her own demise, it was still troublesome if she really did act up. It was better to have less trouble if possible.
"Now that this matter is settled, I'm relieved. I'll have the Imperial Observatory choose a date for you as soon as possible. It's not that I want you to leave in a hurry, but you're not young anymore."
The eldest princess said sincerely, "I am deeply grateful for Mother's arrangement."
Shen Shixi said, "Your mother passed away early, so I'll tell you some things. It would be best if you could take it to heart, but if you can't, you can still use it as a reference."
"Although you are a princess, if you want your husband and I to live in harmony, you shouldn't be bound by the formalities between ruler and subject. Your husband is sincere towards you, so you must respect him. Only when husband and wife are equal can they live a good life together. If you put on airs, don't blame others for distancing themselves from you. Do you understand this principle?"
The eldest princess lowered her head and said, "Your subject understands, Your subject will certainly remember Your Majesty's teachings."
"Of course, if you are bullied, you should still come back and tell your father. No matter what, you are still a princess. The dignity of the royal family cannot be lost, and your own dignity is also important."
"Yes, Your Majesty, I will live a good life and not bring shame to Father and Mother." The eldest princess shed tears.
Before the eldest princess could get married, the Empress Dowager passed away. Before her death, she called her two sons and daughters-in-law into Cining Palace. She had nothing to say to her two sons, and even less to Zhu Shouchun. She only talked to Shen Shixi.
"After I leave, needless to say, the Emperor is someone you have always cared for, so I have nothing to instruct him on. I am worried about Yuan Yin, as Zhu is not a dutiful son. Please keep an eye on him for me and make sure he does not go astray."
Shen Shixi thought to herself, "Without you, Li Yuanyin would probably never have had the chance to go astray in his life." She nodded, "Your Majesty's words will stay in mind."
The Empress Dowager held her hand. "I know you're a good person. I... I've done those things, those things, you... you'll understand them in the future. Just... just forget them!"
Shen Shixi said, "Mother, don't overthink it. Even teeth and tongue sometimes fight. It's too formal for a family to talk like that."
In any case, death absolves all debts, and Shen Shixi was too lazy to cause internal strife for the sake of the Empress Dowager. Besides, she had never suffered a loss before.
"I...I am relieved. I entrust the Emperor to you."
"Don't worry, Your Majesty, the Emperor will be alright."
The Empress Dowager smiled, then released her hand, which fell to the floor onto the couch.
Shen Shixi looked at her, feeling very uncomfortable. Du Shi was dead, Pei Shi was dead, and the Empress Dowager had passed away. Since when did the people around her start leaving one by one?
Whether they are enemies or family, they are ultimately people connected to you.
Li Yuanke came in, put his arms around her, and patted her gently. "Mother is getting old and her health has always been poor. This day was bound to come sooner or later."
Li Yuanke was also very sad, after all, she was his own mother, but ever since Shen Shixi fell ill last time, he had been on tenterhooks and dared not let her grieve too much.
Shen Shixi buried her face in Li Yuanke's chest, took a deep breath, and said, "Li Yuanke, I was thinking, what will happen to Dongjun and the others if I'm not here one day? You'll definitely take good care of them, right?"
Li Yuanke's eyes welled up with tears. He lowered his head and pressed his face against her head. "No! We'll be together through life and death."
Shen Shixi said, "If we all die, how pitiful will the children be? With parents, we still have a place to come from; without parents, we will only have a place to go."
I don't want my children to be all alone in this world. We'll live as long as we can. If I go first, I'll wait for you patiently. Don't worry, spend more time with Dongjun and the others. Come find me when they're older.
Li Yuange closed his eyes, feeling her sorrow, but he couldn't agree. "Since you're worried, then live well. With you here, they will surely be alright."
The Empress Dowager's funeral was naturally to be grand. Afterwards, according to the rites, the emperor should observe three years of mourning. However, a country cannot be without a ruler for a day. If he really observed three years of mourning, which is twenty-seven months, who would manage the affairs of state?
In response to the expedient measures, the Minister of Rites, on behalf of all officials, submitted a memorial to the emperor, requesting that he prioritize the well-being of the nation, observe a 27-day mourning period instead of a month, and that the emperor and his officials observe a 27-day mourning period. He also requested that the government suspend auspicious ceremonies and that the common people refrain from weddings, banquets, entertainment, and other activities for 100 days.
However, how members of the imperial family and their grandchildren should observe mourning should still be in accordance with the established rites.
The eldest princess will not be able to get married for the time being, which is a relief to her. For the time being, she does not know how to be a wife. Shen Shixi assigned a nanny to her and let her stay in the princess's residence temporarily.
As a princess, shouldn't she learn to manage her own residence?
The Second Prince's marriage was also put on hold. Before that, he had visited the Han family twice, accompanied by Xihe. He exchanged a few words with Miss Han, and they both felt quite fond of each other.
Shen Shixi then sent a message to the Han family, saying that he would issue an imperial decree once the Empress Dowager's mourning period was over.
Before they knew it, it was the nineteenth year of Yongxi. In the spring, the Empress Dowager's mourning period was not yet over, so Shen Shixi naturally could not celebrate her birthday. However, the family still planted peach trees as usual.
This year marks the planting of the twenty-fifth peach tree.
The peach trees planted a few years ago are growing exceptionally well, and the flowers are blooming profusely.
A year after the Empress Dowager's death, Shen Shixi had the Imperial Astronomical Bureau choose an auspicious date for the eldest princess's wedding. The second prince also chose an auspicious date, and Li Yuanke issued an imperial decree to bestow a marriage upon the second prince and Miss Han, and to confer upon Miss Han the title of Princess Consort of Pingyang.