N-A-A Chapter 422 It's better to rely on yourself than others
Chapter 422 It's better to rely on yourself than others
The eldest princess now knows how to bend and stretch, and for the sake of her own life, she has no choice but to humbly seek advice from the second prince.
The second prince didn't necessarily want to make things difficult for her. Since his mother didn't want to make things difficult for her, he didn't need to be too ruthless.
"What the Empress Dowager means is that the death of Tang Yi's three fiancées was not due to fate, but possibly caused by human intervention."
"Your mother asked you to investigate this matter for your own good; once you find out who did it, firstly, you will have done Tang Yi a favor, and secondly, when you marry into the family, you won't be caught in the middle with your enemy in the shadows, and won't easily fall victim to someone's malicious schemes."
The eldest princess, a bully only at home, was now terrified. "How...how could this happen? Who...who is it? What...what am I going to do? How could Father Emperor arrange for me to marry into such a family?"
Which inner palace is free from infighting?
The second prince couldn't bear to look at her. He shook his head inwardly. His half-sister was so pitiful now, and he really couldn't stand by and do nothing.
"Look, if Tang Yi were to fall on hard times, who would benefit? Who would be the one to harm him? Otherwise, how could someone have killed his fiancée when he was only born?"
They acted again and again, all to destroy him. Normally, if you want to harm someone, you just target that person directly. As for why that person didn't do that, you'll need to investigate.
The eldest princess was extremely nervous. "But I... I don't know how! Second brother, please help me!"
The second prince laughed in exasperation. "So now you remember I'm your second brother? Is there anything you can't do? Some things you'll never learn if you don't learn them. Hejing, your mother is gone, no one can help you anymore. Instead of asking others for help, you should rely on yourself."
The second prince was about to leave when the eldest princess grabbed him. "Who can I ask to help me investigate? Mother said I can ask someone for help, but who can I ask?"
The second prince didn't expect his mother to be so kind. Fine, he'll help her out. If she were bullied to death, it would be a disgrace to the royal family.
"Commander Cen, Minister Song, and Chao En under the Empress Dowager's command, you can also ask the people from the Censorate. It's best not to use your own people, and don't tell anyone, lest the news leak out."
The eldest princess wasn't completely stupid. "Are you saying my men are disloyal?"
The second prince glanced at him and said, "Don't you know how capable you are? Before, Consort Du gave you a lot of people, but after you went to the Taoist temple, you killed them all. Who around you will still be loyal to you?"
They gave you a little something in return, and you sold out a little bit of your business? You'd better be more careful; things outside aren't like they are in the palace.
The palace should be even more cruel than the outside world, but the Empress Dowager is in charge. She hates all kinds of schemes and plots. Unless someone goes too far, she won't bother to take action against them.
Moreover, even in battles, there are strong boundaries; for example, the older generation will never interfere in the struggles of the younger generation.
When the eldest princess returned to Yichun Palace, she had no one to consult with, and she once again felt like a failure in life.
It's too late to train your own staff now.
She listened to the Second Prince and went to the Ministry of Justice after leaving the palace, specifically requesting to see Song Yan.
Although Song Yan was puzzled, he couldn't refuse to see the eldest princess since she was already at the door, so he had someone invite her in.
The eldest princess didn't interfere, but honestly replied, "My mother asked me to find someone to help me, but I don't know who to ask. I thought the Ministry of Justice investigates cases, so I came to Minister Song. I don't know if this is the right approach?"
Song Yan's opinion of the eldest princess has changed somewhat. It's inevitable that children will be ignorant when they are young. Now that the eldest princess has changed, and the Empress has informed her in advance, Song Yan assigned two reliable people to the eldest princess.
"If the eldest princess's guesses are correct, then this is an old case that will be difficult to investigate. However, if there are identified suspects, it will be easier."
I wonder if the eldest princess suspects who it is?
The eldest princess didn't want to involve her mother, the Empress Dowager. If she guessed wrong and it damaged the Empress Dowager's reputation, she would simply say it was her own guess.
The eldest princess said, "I suspect that the Duchess of Lu is the biological mother of the second son, Tang Wei. If Tang Yi cannot become the heir apparent, then the position of heir apparent will belong to Tang Wei."
Song Yan felt he could think more highly of the eldest princess. "What the eldest princess says is very true. Let's investigate along this line of thought. Perhaps we can find some clues."
The Duke of Lu favored his second son. It is said that once there is a stepmother, there will be a stepfather. In the past, the Duke of Lu was forced by his mother's tyranny to use the excuse that Tang Yi had killed his own mother and his fiancée to refuse to ask for Tang Yi to be named the heir apparent.
Once the old lady died, Tang Yi would have another charge of causing his grandmother's death, even though the old lady lived to the ripe old age of sixty-two and died peacefully in her sleep.
In the eighteenth year of Yongxi's reign, on the occasion of the Emperor's birthday, Shen Shixi accepted the court officials' homage and then went to Cining Palace to pay his respects to the Empress Dowager. The Empress Dowager had not gotten up all winter and was still lying in bed at the moment, so he ordered that she be given a seat.
Before the New Year, Li Yuanyin, who had already been granted the title of Prince, and Zhu Shouchun entered the palace together to pay their respects to the Empress Dowager. They left after exchanging only a few words, which angered the Empress Dowager so much that she fainted. The imperial physicians had to rush to her aid to revive her.
On the first day of the Lunar New Year, Li Yuanke warned Li Yuanyin before allowing him to pay his respects to the Empress Dowager. Li Yuanyin did come, but he didn't utter a single word, which angered the Empress Dowager so much that she vomited blood.
"I don't know how many days I have left to live. I heard the eldest princess's marriage is arranged; let's get it done as soon as possible! And what about the second prince's marriage? Whose daughter has been chosen?"
Shen Shixi said, "No selection has been made yet. As for Mother's health, I heard from the imperial physician that it is still due to excessive worry. Prince Guo and his wife are now living in harmony, and he himself is doing well. Why should Mother still be so troubled?"
"It's come to this, I have to come to terms with it. The second son is a prince, so even if he has to observe mourning for me in the future, it won't matter if his marriage is delayed for a year or two. I've already told Qingruo that when I die, the things in the private treasury will be divided in two, one half for the four legitimate children you've given birth to;
The other half will be divided among the remaining princes and princesses, with the other half reserved for Qingruo and a few others for their future retirement.
She didn't give Li Yuanyin a single penny, but when Li Yuanyin got married, the Empress Dowager almost emptied her private treasury.
Shen Shixi didn't stand on ceremony, "Your subject thanks Your Majesty on their behalf!"
Qingruo and the others cried uncontrollably.
Back at Qianyuan Palace, Shen Shixi had the Second Prince summoned and asked him about his marriage. "The palace has no intention of selecting consorts. In recent years, the imperial family members have chosen their own consorts and then reported them to the Emperor for review."
Your mother and I have discussed it, and we'll hold a flower festival in the palace in a couple of days. We'll invite a few noble ladies to come and have you see them. You can choose one that catches your eye, how about that?"
Seeing the Second Prince hesitate, Shen Shixi added, "Or do you have a girl you like?"
The second prince was so embarrassed that he shook his head vigorously. "No...no, it's just that I'm not good at choosing. I think that since ancient times, people have chosen wives based on their virtue. I don't have many requirements in terms of appearance, but I would like Mother to help me check their character."
Shen Shixi said, "Your mother and I will oversee things for you. However, let's make it clear first: if a husband and wife can't love each other, they must at least respect each other. You are not allowed to bully others in the future."
"Your subject will not, Your subject will humbly follow Your Majesty's teachings!"
In the evening, the family went to the peach orchard and planted their twenty-fifth peach tree.
Shen Shixi selected several girls with good reputations and had the Imperial Household Department send out invitations. He also invited some nobles and high-ranking officials. At the end of March, when the Imperial Garden was full of beautiful women, the invited officials brought their daughters, whether young or old, into the palace.
Several wives of close officials also brought their sons into the palace.