Winter day.
Flowers still bloomed in the imperial palace.
They blossomed in brilliant colors.
The Emperor sat numbly before a pot of vibrant flowers.
He had lost two children in a single day.
In an instant, he had aged.
Like a withered flower.
He poured boiling water on the flowers.
The flowers withered before his eyes.
Eunuch Yan and Vice Minister Jiang exchanged glances, then looked away.
They watched the Emperor's tall but gaunt figure.
In truth, the Emperor had already lived a long life - in this era, the average life expectancy was only 33 years.
He had lived far beyond the average.
He had many offspring.
Superior material conditions and medical care had extended his life.
Yet he couldn't protect his children's lives.
"Second son, ensure that Buqi receives a proper burial."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Jiang Changtian left without lingering.
Eunuch Yan remained constantly by the Emperor's side.
He brought several kettles of boiling water, which killed several precious flower pots.
In his heart, he was furious.
His son had to prove his innocence through death.
Because his son didn't trust him.
In truth, he also didn't trust his son.
When the Emperor learned that the Fifth Prince's consort belonged to the Sixth Prince, he was enraged.
The feeling that one's bedmate belonged to another - it was revolting.
But the Sixth Prince proved his innocence through death.
It only proved he was a fool.
Indeed, a gentleman could never become Crown Prince.
A gentleman could be deceived by propriety. Everyone thought the throne was easy to occupy, but those old cunning ministers - one moment of carelessness and you'd become their puppet. Whether the east wind overcomes the west or the west wind overcomes the east, as fortunes rise and fall, an emperor must be an emperor, not a gentleman.
So who was the real culprit?
Most likely among his remaining children.
But he didn't want to believe it.
This was forcing him to kill his own children.
No one wants to believe their children could be wrong, could be evil.
He now realized he might have truly erred.
Actually, the Crown Prince had done well before, with no major faults.
He had simply been overly critical, growing increasingly displeased, and so the ministers had understood his meaning and framed him, leaving him defenseless.
Though he hadn't taken his own life, perhaps his son, the Crown Prince, had died from that moment.
He had personally driven his pure-hearted child to death, leaving behind those with hearts like snakes and scorpions.
She didn't care about beauty at all, because she possessed too much of it.
But she didn't want to see anyone, not a single person.
It was a perfect excuse.
Princess Huiyun brought Mianmian with her to the palace.
Mainly because the little one was very attached to her, couldn't be separated.
Mianmian: ...Does Grandmother Princess misunderstand something? Clearly you're the one attached to me.
But Mianmian quite enjoyed visiting the palace.
It was like visiting a scenic spot, with free admission.
Princess Huiyun had thought her brother was pretending - he was well-practiced at feigning illness. Previously he had "fallen ill" to reduce court sessions from daily to every ten days. That "illness" had been quite severe.
So she was quite calm when entering the palace.
As for her nephews' deaths, while sad, death was too common among the royal family, sometimes becoming ordinary.
Everyone dies, she would die too.
Being born into the royal family, sometimes dying early wasn't such a bad thing.
The Princess wore white robes and a white cloak, holding hands with Mianmian who also wore white robes and a fluffy white cloak.
Princesses were allowed to wear swords.
Mianmian asked: "Grandmother, can I bring my sword in too?"
She pulled out her small sword.
Princess Huiyun looked at the small black thing in her hand and said disdainfully: "That little toy? Whatever, I'll find you a good one another day."
"No, this is from my father, it's the best."
"I have better ones."
"Impossible."
Princess Huiyun: ...Why did she feel short of breath after just a few words?
Eunuch Duan came to receive them, keeping his eyes down, naturally not interfering.
If it wasn't allowed, others would speak up, it wasn't his place.
If no one managed it, it meant it was allowed.
In the palace workplace, doing nothing was better than doing wrong.
Eunuch Duan now had favor before the Emperor, becoming another Eunuch Liu. He was very observant of moods, personally coming out to receive Princess Huiyun.
This earned more imperial favor than standing beside the Emperor.
After all, the Emperor's high regard for Princess Huiyun was obvious, not mere superficial courtesy.
Huiyun looked at the palace scenery - it hadn't changed much.
She used to think the imperial palace magnificent and gorgeous, but somehow, after staying in the Jiang family courtyard these days, she felt this place was empty and lifeless, not as nice anymore.
Aliali: 6747c480c4f3f33ac46fd021
Not as lively as that small courtyard.
After walking several turns, they arrived at the Emperor's chambers.
Huiyun had come just for a routine visit, but was shocked to see the man on the bed looking even older than her father the Emperor had in her memories.
She was stunned speechless.
Mianmian was also surprised.
Seeing the Princess's relaxed state, she had also been relaxed, thinking this palace visit was just a casual stroll to visit relatives.
Like bringing a box of milk to visit an elder.
See Uncle Emperor and then go home.
She hadn't expected the Emperor without his dragon robes to look twenty years older.
Men really couldn't do without their uniforms.