There was a turbulent situation in the court.
This matter should have been loudly denounced by the censor as absurd, but it became a matter of course because of the hype in recent times and the firm words of the Imperial Observatory and Zhang Tianshi.
There were even court officials who cited classics and said that the practice of burying people alive with the dead had existed since ancient times. The Third Prince was a member of the royal family, a favored child of heaven, so it was only natural for him to be buried alive with the dead, and that burying living people alive with the dead was in line with etiquette regulations.
Amid the hustle and bustle, time passed in a flash and it was December 24th, only one day away from the Little New Year. Originally, the whole month of December should have been a winter vacation, but it was delayed until now because of the death of the third prince.
On this day, Emperor Longqing finally decided to follow the opinions of all officials and select a woman of appropriate age to accompany the third prince.
"It's just a formality." Concubine Feng held a navel orange in her hand, sniffed its fragrance, and smiled without any expression on her face: "The emperor should know what the queen and I mean. I have finally found something to do, and Queen Fang is his favorite person. This thing will definitely succeed..."
A moon was hanging high in the sky. Yunniang closed the window, turned around and smiled: "Yes, the New Year is coming soon, which is a good thing... You can put your worries aside."
This worry was about to be put to rest, but there was something more important. Concubine Feng raised her eyelids slightly, with a cold light in her eyes that lingered for a long time. After a long time, she sneered.
She is happy, but many people are worried.
Emperor Longqing said that he would select a woman of suitable age as a candidate, but it was not that easy. To find a woman of suitable age, one had to match their birth dates. If the birth dates matched, the two people's horoscopes would be placed in front of the grave and covered with a bowl for three days. If nothing major happened during these three days, it would be considered to be to the Third Prince's liking. But how could this be so simple
It was originally a mysterious and magical matter. Who knows how to choose someone who can meet the wishes of the dead third prince
Those who wanted to gain merit by using the death of a person have no other choice but to be sad and worried every day, and don't want to live for years.
I still don’t know who brought up the old matter again, mentioning what happened when Wei An was in Concubine Feng’s bedroom.
This was like lighting a firework, and thoughts in everyone's mind popped up one after another.
The Chinese New Year is coming soon. The Ministry of Rites has been arranging fireworks in Zhuque Street and other places since the 20th. Because today is the day before the New Year's Eve, there are more fireworks than in the previous few days, and even the Dingbei Marquis Mansion can see them.
The night was as cool as water. The Third Madam stroked her arm, clenched the heater in her hand, and continued to speak softly to Old Madam Wei and Wei An, "I received a letter saying that they have arrived in Hebei. If we hurry up, we should be able to come back for the New Year."
She was talking about Wei Yangqing and Princess Changning.
According to the date, they should have arrived, but it was heard that Princess Changning seemed to have fallen ill due to the unfamiliar climate on the way, so they were delayed for a while.
Old Mrs. Wei hummed.
The third wife then said, "Tomorrow is the Little New Year. Since Uncle Wu can't make it back, I think we don't need to have too much fun. We can just have a family reunion dinner..."
"It's just a family gathering." Old Mrs. Wei continued, "Don't worry too much."
Then he asked the Third Lady, "Why didn't the Fifth Sister come today?"
Come to think of it, Wei Yuyou seems to have come less frequently recently.
The third wife showed some embarrassment on her face. She subconsciously glanced at Wei An, then immediately looked away and said with a smile: "She is a child, thin-skinned, and always feels that she lost face because of the incident with the Zheng family..."
Old Madam Wei sighed. She had also been through that time, so she knew what girls were thinking. She shook her head and said, "What does this have to do with her? It's not her fault. Just tell her that it was because our family looked down on the Zheng family that this didn't work out. I've told you before that I will only look for a family that's better than the Zheng family..."
Since Wei Yuyou was so upset, Mrs. Wei said, "I will write a letter to Mrs. Kong tomorrow..." She then glanced at Wei An and said, "And the old Princess Zhennan, let them help with the matter..."
The third lady hurriedly thanked him.
Although she is a relative of the Kong family, the direct branch of the family has never been willing to associate with them, and asking the old lady for help is even more unthinkable. After Old Lady Wei said this, she invited these two extraordinary old officials to help arrange Wei Yuyou's marriage. Wei Yuyou would have stepped up countless steps invisibly.
Mrs. Wei waved her hands and said, "We are a family, why bother thanking her?" Then she asked her, "Go back and comfort her."
After the third lady left, she looked at Wei An again.
"You predicted it all correctly. I'm afraid it will happen tomorrow and you will be pushed out." Old Mrs. Wei's face was gloomy and she was really angry.
These people are so cruel, they are ruthless and want nothing more to do.
The flowers on the table were crystal clear. Wei An pushed the bowl aside and looked up at Old Lady Wei: "This is all within expectations. It's not surprising that it happened. Don't worry."
Old Madam Wei leaned back and found a comfortable position to sit before asking her, "Since you have made up your mind, I won't say anything. It's just..." She frowned and said, "Empress Fang and Concubine Feng both want you to go. If it doesn't go as they wish, I'm afraid your life will be difficult."
None of them are good people. Old Madam Wei used to think that Concubine Feng had some conscience, but now she knows that human nature is really hard to predict.
When there is a conflict of interest, even a person with a good conscience will inevitably become black-hearted.
Wei An hadn't thought about going to such a far place yet. Besides, it wasn't that difficult. If the King of Chu could kill someone with a borrowed knife, then she could certainly fight back...
The King of Chu was used to being a superior who controlled life and death, and he probably forgot how to write the words "cautious and cautious".
Emperor Longqing is not a fool. He has done so many evil things that if he is given a little reminder, Emperor Longqing will certainly not let him go easily. By then, his own life will be difficult, so how can he still have the mind to make others unhappy
And with this period of rest and recuperation, they can do many things to turn the tide.
As the night deepened, the noise gradually faded away and everything became quiet. Mrs. Wei felt a little sleepy. She yawned and asked Wei An to go back and rest first: "No matter how big the matter is, you have to wake up first to talk about it. As for your parents coming back..."
She said softly, "You still have to have an idea of what to do."
After all, the Master of Changning County has caused so much trouble in Nanchang. Once she returns to the capital, things will probably get even worse.