She had been there for a short time and took advantage of the break to say a few words to Chu Jingxing. This was a very normal thing and no one would think too much about it.
When Princess Chang'an saw her come in, they exchanged a glance and continued to lower their heads as if nothing had happened, waiting for the ceremonial officer to continue the procedure.
A sacrificial ceremony basically lasts two hours.
During these two hours, basically no one dared to neglect him. After all, everyone knew that this was the Queen's beloved baby. Prince Linjiang was scolded for being delayed for other things, let alone others.
Therefore, the crying was deafening soon.
But after these two hours, it was a completely different world.
All the ladies of honor were exhausted. Those who knew each other helped each other to stand up, while those who were not from other dynasties had to hurry to leave the palace.
However, most of the clan members were kept.
Everyone knew more or less that Emperor Longqing was not doing this to make things easier for them, but to detain them, so everyone was treading on thin ice.
Princess Chang'an waited until everyone had almost left before she slowly walked to the eaves of the corridor, glanced at the crescent moon hanging in the sky, and took a deep breath.
As usual, someone has to keep vigil over the body, the incense and candles must not be interrupted, and the three sacrificial animals have to be changed every day.
She gave some final instructions before going to the Fengyi Palace bedroom to meet Queen Fang.
After Empress Fang had a deep conversation with Emperor Longqing, she felt even more exhausted. She leaned against the head of the bed, stroking the patchwork quilt and gadgets that the Fourth Prince had once used, looking lifeless and without a sign of life.
Aunt Xiao's eyes were filled with tears as she watched her, and she advised her to be more open-minded.
They have been master and servant for many years, and Xiao Gu has been with her since she left the palace. They are very close to each other, and there are some things that only she dares to say.
Queen Fang raised her head and heard that Princess Chang'an had come outside and said she had something to say about the Fourth Prince. Suddenly, fire lit up in her eyes.
But then the fire went out little by little.
The dead cannot be resurrected.
Xiao Gu felt even more sad. She followed her instructions with red eyes and invited Princess Chang'an in. She said softly, "Your Highness, there are some things I shouldn't say, but the queen is not feeling well right now, so please be careful with your words."
Princess Chang'an knew her position in the Queen's palace, so she was polite and gentle in her agreement. When she entered the bedroom, she saw Queen Fang with her hair loose, sorting out the Fourth Prince's things.
She took a few steps forward and sat down on the footstool, calling out softly, "Your Highness," causing Empress Fang to turn around. Then she said softly, "The ladies outside the palace have all left, and the ladies inside the palace have also been settled."
Queen Fang nodded lightly.
Princess Chang'an then continued, "It's just that Consort De left early, saying that the Fifth Prince seemed ill."
Are you sick
A hint of mockery appeared on Queen Fang's face, and she hummed coldly. Then she raised her head and asked in a cold voice, "Have you called the imperial physician?"
Princess Chang'an shook her head in embarrassment: "I don't know about that. But His Majesty should have gone to Lanyue Palace. If there is anything, His Majesty should be the one who makes the decision."
He came to persuade her to ease her grudge against Concubine Peng De and stop doubting her, and now she can't wait to go and see his precious son
That’s right, now the Fourth Prince, the only one who could compete with the Fifth Prince, is dead.
When he was alive, Emperor Longqing asked the eldest fourth prince to give up the throne, let alone after he died.
She subconsciously clenched the clothes in her hands, her knuckles crackling, and then she lowered her head coldly: "I know, you should go back and have a rest too."
Princess Chang'an responded in a low voice, "Yes," and slowly stepped out.
She and Xianrong County Lady were mother and daughter, so they naturally stayed together. When Xianrong County Lady saw her coming back, she quickly walked over to her, took her arm, and asked her softly, "Mother, how are you?"
Princess Chang'an hummed, and asked the maid to pour a cup of tea with a tired look. Then she looked at them. After everyone had left, she turned around and looked at her daughter in reproach: "The palace is not like the outside world. I have told you so many times, why don't you remember it?"
She knew her daughter's temper, so she didn't say anything more. She just rubbed her temples and said in a low voice, "The Queen's place will catch fire even without any oil poured on it. It all depends on Jingxing. If it works for him, it's done."
Xianrong County Lady was relieved and was stunned for a while before she said, "Mother, I'm a little scared."
"What are you afraid of?" Princess Chang'an held her in her arms, stroked her hair, and said in a gentler voice, "If it really becomes a big deal in the future, you will have to face many things. What does this matter? You know what kind of person your husband is. He is ambitious. You can't fall behind, otherwise sooner or later someone will surpass you and stand shoulder to shoulder with him."
Xianrong County Lady responded sullenly, then raised her head to look at her: "There won't be any more mistakes this time, right?"
She leaned in her mother's arms, sighed comfortably, and then said: "Although the Queen hates Concubine Peng De, but..."
Princess Chang'an immediately interrupted her: "It's nothing, after today, this matter has nothing to do with you anymore, don't mention it again!"
She never spoke so harshly to Lady Xianrong. Whenever she needed to give such instructions, it was always a serious matter that could not be missed.
The Lady of Xianrong County knew how serious the situation was and nodded quickly.
Princess Chang'an then changed her tone and told her to go and rest: "There will be another big fight tomorrow, so go to bed early."
Princess Xianrong agreed, but she lay in bed and couldn't fall asleep no matter what.
She thought of Chu Jingxing's ambition and his murderous intention towards Chu Jingwu and others, and then she thought of how Wei An was able to escape from the trap every time. She tossed and turned all night and couldn't sleep well.
After she finally fell asleep, she was soon woken up by someone.
While helping her put on her clothes, the maid whispered to her, "Please get up quickly, the Fifth Prince is ill. We don't know what has happened. The Empress has already rushed over. Your Highness asked us to wake you up."
All the sleepiness in Xianrong County Lady's body disappeared in an instant. She let the palace maids help her put on her clothes. When she went out, she saw Princess Zheng, the wife of the Prince of Ping'an and others gathered together, looking panicked.
The sky was just beginning to brighten. She looked at the red that appeared on the horizon and suddenly felt it was dazzling. She raised her hand to block it, then followed the palace maid through the corridor and down the stairs.
Princess Chang'an was still presiding over the sacrificial ceremony for the Fourth Prince in an orderly manner, with genuine sorrow on her face. She didn't show any special expression when she saw her, but just nodded slightly at her.