Chapter 280: Chapter 280
At this moment, Jiang Wan Hua was naturally unaware of her destiny, immersed in the immense joy of soon reuniting with her family.
The palace has strict rules, especially during the Emperor’s mourning period. Jiang Wan Hua acts cautiously, first sending someone to deliver a message, then going to Jiaofang Palace to kneel in mourning. She waited until dark, when Prince Dongping and his son finally arrived.
Prince Dongping led the Princely Heir to pay respects to Empress Dowager Zheng, both expressing their profound grief over the Emperor’s passing.
In terms of blood relations, Prince Dongping is a proper close branch of the Imperial Family, being a cousin of the late Emperor for many years. During Emperor Taikang’s lifetime, he also called him Uncle.
Da Liang has five Vassal Kings with real power in their territories. Previously, Prince Nanyang was the leader; after his death, Prince Dongping, being the oldest, became the senior.
Prince Dongping, with a head full of white hair, trembled as he cried, "The Emperor passed away in his prime, truly breaking my heart."
This year, Prince Dongping’s Princely Heir is forty, at the height of his prime; he also had reddened eyes and shed a few tears.
Empress Dowager Zheng was full of grief, and seeing Prince Dongping and his son weep, she cried along as well. After the crying, she did not forget to instruct, "You haven’t seen Wanhua for some years. Wanhua, escort your grandfather and your father."
Jiang Wan Hua suppressed her excited joy, replying softly.
White lanterns were hung all over the palace, emitting a pale light; combined with the cold spring winds, it was enough to make those with less courage have their hair stand on end.
After escorting her grandfather and father into the side room, Jiang Wan Hua knelt down in tears, kowtowing three times: "Grandfather, Father."
Prince Dongping sighed longly: "Wanhua, it has been hard for you these years."
Jiang Wan Hua’s body trembled, tears rolled down in streams.
Five years ago, Prince Dongping’s Princely Heir’s consort passed away. Empress Dowager Zheng, pitying her for losing her mother with no one to care for her, brought her into the palace. This was the Empress Dowager’s kindness, not to be refused. She was also transformed into a hostage, a piece used by Empress Dowager Zheng to tether Prince Dongping Mansion.
Living in the palace, she had to be cautious in her words and actions, not bringing trouble to her grandfather and father. The depth of such an experience, only she understood.
Seeing his daughter cry so pitifully, Prince Dongping’s Princely Heir felt troubled, stepping forward to lift Jiang Wan Hua, gently asking, "Today is a joyful reunion after long separation, do not cry anymore."
Jiang Wan Hua sobbed and asked, "Father, how long will you stay in the Capital City? When you return to Dongping County, can you take me back with you?"
Prince Dongping’s Princely Heir was somewhat troubled and turned to look at Prince Dongping. Nᴇw ɴovel chaptᴇrs are published on 𝓷𝓸𝓿𝓮𝓵⁂𝓯𝓲𝓻𝓮⁂𝓷𝓮𝓽
Prince Dongping slightly furrowed his brow and said solemnly, "You are sixteen, already at the age to discuss marriage. Don’t return, marry directly from the palace."
Jiang Wan Hua became even more aggrieved: "The Emperor has passed away, I must observe mourning for a year. During this year, I cannot discuss marriage plans. I wish to go back with my grandfather and father."
"Do not be unruly." Prince Dongping emphasized: "You are living well in the palace, suddenly wanting to return at this time, how can I speak to the Empress Dowager?"
"You know the Empress Dowager’s temper very well."
Empress Dowager Zheng had been Empress and Empress Dowager for many years, and in recent years has interfered with the court affairs, cultivating a temper that brooks no dissent. At this moment, mentioning taking Jiang Wan Hua away would surely infuriate Empress Dowager Zheng.
"However, Jiang Shaohua never came to the Capital City." Jiang Wan Hua couldn’t hold back, blurting out: "Last year the edict went to Nanyang County, and she didn’t come."
"She can defy the edict, why must I obey the Empress Dowager’s words?"
Displeasure flashed in Prince Dongping’s eyes, and he glanced at Prince Dongping’s Princely Heir.
Prince Dongping’s Princely Heir had no choice but to reproach his daughter coldly: "How dare you speak to your grandfather this way! Quickly apologize to your grandfather."
Jiang Wan Hua bit her lip stubbornly, refusing to speak.
It was inevitable that the relationship had grown distant after not seeing for years. Jiang Wan Hua was throwing a tantrum, making Prince Dongping more angry, his words becoming colder: "How can you be compared to Jiang Shaohua?"
"She is the sole heir of Nanyang Prince Mansion, a Commandery Princess with real power and land. Nanyang County is more prosperous and vast than Dongping County. In terms of military strength, it is the foremost among the Vassal Kings."
"Let alone you, even I cannot put on a senior posture before her."
Ultimately, it all came down to her lack of significance. Jiang Shaohua had the position and power to be willful, while she had to bear the role of the hostage of Prince Dongping Mansion, controlled by Empress Dowager Zheng.
Jiang Wan Hua turned her head aside, tears falling down.
Prince Dongping’s Princely Heir sighed, gently coaxing his daughter: "We seldom get together, don’t throw a tantrum. You are sixteen now. We came to the Capital City, firstly for mourning, and secondly to arrange your marriage. Haven’t you always admired the Li Family’s son? This marriage, your grandfather will personally take care of. After the mourning period ends, you will be wed to the Li Family as you wished."
Jiang Wan Hua indeed stopped crying, wiping her tears with her sleeve, bashfully saying: "It is always the man’s family that proposes marriage, there is no reason for the woman’s family to speak first. If word gets out, I will surely be ridiculed."
"Silly girl, gaining a satisfactory husband is what is most important." Prince Dongping’s anger slightly subsided, and he soothed his granddaughter: "Face or not, what does it matter."
"You needn’t worry about this, wait for your grandfather’s good news."
Jiang Wan Hua smiled through her tears, bashfully responding, "Mm."
Prince Dongping and his son exchanged a meaningful glance.
After coaxing Jiang Wan Hua away, Prince Dongping and his son conspired in whispers for a long time.
Two days later, Prince Huaiyang entered the palace with Princess Huaiyang and his three sons to mourn.
Jiang Yuehua, having been in the palace for over four years, finally had the chance to reunite with her family, her eyes crying like ripe peaches.
As a woman, Princess Huaiyang had to kneel in mourning in Jiaofang Palace, allowing Jiang Yuehua to stay with her all day. Jiang Wan Hua felt somewhat envious, but then remembered what her grandfather and father had said, feeling delighted.
As for Jiang Shaohua, she spent two days with Empress Dowager Zheng in Jiaofang Palace, and then went to Zhaohai Palace.
Family and nation, family comes before the nation. Almost all major ministers in the court come from noble families, behind every high-ranking court official lies a large family.
From this perspective, the Jiang Royal Family has shown signs of decline. With the death of Emperor Taikang, the Imperial Family only has the Crown Prince and the Second Prince left.
Princess Bao Hua was in Jiaofang Palace, the young Second Prince, not understanding, cried and fussed in the mourning hall, often running to the harem.
The Crown Prince often knelt alone before the coffin. After Jiang Shaohua arrived, she accompanied the Crown Prince in mourning, bolstering the Crown Prince’s presence.
As the Vassal Kings gradually arrived at the palace, more Jiang Family members knelt before the Emperor’s coffin, gathering around the Crown Prince. The Crown Prince’s side no longer seemed so thin.
By the time the Vassal King traveling the farthest reached the palace, the mourning was near its end.
Along with this came the heinous news of chaotic troops in Pingzhou plundering and staking out territories.