in2ebook Chapter 269 Main Media
Chapter 269 Main Media
Hanmei hurriedly went to pour water. The cup, which was about 80% full, trembled in her hands. By the time she brought it to the bedside, it was only 40% full.
Yu Shuxian took a sip from her cup and suddenly burst into tears: her child was gone, and it was Nanhua who had caused it.
But Nan Hua, in her palace, acted as if she were accusing someone, completely lacking any sense of being the victim, as if she were the one in the wrong.
What did she do wrong? She encountered Nan Hua in the garden, bowed to him, and was ignored; when the palace maids quarreled, Nan Hua's maid struck first; she was expected to endure everything that came to visit her, both openly and subtly...
Yu Shuxian was overcome with grief, but dared not cry loudly; her mournful cries were deeply distressing to hear.
Hearing Yu Shuxian's cries, Nan Hua suddenly felt pity. She had cried before, even more miserably than Yu Shuxian. But she dared not cry in front of others, instead crying alone under the covers in the dead of night, her cries heart-wrenching and suffocating.
What pain could a woman feel upon losing her child? Nan Hua suddenly stood up and walked out. Chun Hua and Qiu Yue were stunned for a moment before quickly following her out.
Nanhua walked rather quickly, with Chunhua and Qiuyue jogging behind her. Back home, Nanhua sat by the window, her eyes slightly closed, seemingly lost in thought.
Qiuyue asked softly, "Your Highness, why did you spare Hanmei?"
Nan Hua suddenly sighed deeply: "They are all pitiful people."
Spring Flowers and Autumn Moon exchanged bewildered glances: "All? Who?"
Although Yu Shuxian was the daughter of a surrendered official, she had been raised in seclusion. After arriving in Dongyang, she was made a concubine and naturally became pregnant. Her life was smooth, and she had never suffered any grievances.
This turn of events was a devastating blow to Yu Shuxian. A woman's status depended on her son; which woman in the palace didn't want to have a child to solidify her position?
The loss of Yu Shuxian's child must have been a significant blow to Prince Ming, potentially thwarting his original plans. Yet, Prince Ming managed to keep Yu Shuxian calm; this composure and wisdom truly impressed Nan Hua.
After all, Prince Ming only recommended his son, a civil official, when Yu Shuxian became pregnant and he truly began to contribute to Dongyang. Civil officials had slower but safer careers, and they could later make friends and recruit reliable protégés, making their official careers relatively stable.
Military merit certainly leads to rapid promotion, but the battlefield is dangerous, and a single misstep can cost you your life. After the war, those with military power are easily viewed with suspicion and distrust by the monarch, especially surrendered officials like them. Prince Ming risked his life to ensure his two children's continued wealth and honor.
Nan Hua thought quietly for a while, then suddenly asked, "Qiu Yue, what do you think of General Tang?"
Qiu Yue was completely confused: "General Tang? The one who carried the young master's coffin?"
Nan Hua said, "Hmm."
Qiu Yue thought about it carefully: "I heard that the young master has sworn brotherhood with him, so he must be a good person."
Nan Hua said, "I heard that he is not yet married. If you think he is a good match, I will ask the Crown Prince to betroth you to him."
Qiuyue didn't react for a while.
Nan Hua said, "General Tang is a little older than you, but he is in his prime and has good energy and spirit. He comes from a poor background. If you marry him, you will be the general's wife and the mistress of the house. You won't be wronged."
Qiu Yue met Tang Bing on the day of his funeral. Her first impression of him was that he was of average appearance, but brave and righteous. She had a good impression of him, so the idea of marriage seemed rather sudden.
Nan Hua added, “You’re not young anymore, it’s a good thing to get married soon. You can stay at Xi Zhai for a while, it’s quiet there with few people, the servants are discreet, and there won’t be any messy rumors.”
Qiuyue sensed something was wrong: "Your Highness, what are you doing...?"
Nan Hua said, "Regarding Consort Yu's miscarriage, we are in the wrong no matter what. Lady Mu will arrange a personal maid for me, and if I don't use her, I will be disobeying the Empress's decree."
Now that things have come to this, if we remain completely inactive, we won't be able to explain ourselves to Consort Yu, the Empress, the Crown Prince, or the ministers, and the Nan family will face difficulties in the future. The glory that the young master and young mistress risked their lives for cannot be squandered in my hands.”
If you want to wear the crown, you must bear its weight. Being the Crown Princess is an honor, but what honor comes for free?
Hanmei disrespected Nanhua, and the wicked accused her first. Nanhua certainly has the right to punish her, but what happens after that?
Others only said that the Crown Princess was arrogant, domineering, narrow-minded, and disregarded human life, bullying others by abusing her power. She not only forced the concubine to miscarry, but she also didn't spare the concubine's maid.
Fortune changes every thirty years. She's successful today, but who can guarantee they'll be successful forever?
Nan Hua said, "Pack your things, and I'll escort you out of the palace in a bit."
Chunhua almost burst into tears: "Miss, we can't bear to part with you."
Nanhua was the young lady they had called her for over a decade, but after entering the palace, she was renamed Crown Princess according to palace rules. Now that they were about to part ways, Chunhua couldn't help but call her young lady again.
Nan Hua laughed and said, "It's not like we're going to be separated by life and death. There's much more freedom outside the palace than inside, so you should be happy. You'd better control your temper in Xi Zhai and not argue with Gu Yu anymore."
Chunhua pouted and didn't say anything.
Nan Hua took them to Xi Zhai, explained the situation to Gu Yu, and asked Gu Yu to take care of Chun Hua and Qiu Yue.
Gu Yu immediately agreed: "When the young master left, he instructed that the Crown Princess could come to Xi Zhai at any time if she needed anything."
Nan Hua felt a pang of sadness: "People say that the young master is cold and aloof, but how many people know that he is kind and benevolent?"
Gu Yu calmly said, "Most people in the world are foolish, so the Crown Princess need not worry about it."
Nan Hua couldn't help but say, "You used to argue with Chun Hua and almost came to blows out of righteous indignation. But these past few years you've become more and more like a young master, even when you're comforting someone you have no expression on your face."
Gu Yu's tone became even: "The past is too painful to recall, so let's not mention it."
Chun suddenly said, "Miss, why don't you let me go back to the South Mansion? I can't even eat because I see his face here every day."
Gu Yu said, "Xi Zhai is a large place with few people. I am very busy and do not have time to meet with Miss Chunhua every day."
Some people are cold on the outside but warm on the inside; you only realize their worth when you meet them. Nanhua felt reassured that they were at Xi Zhai. After leaving Xi Zhai, Nanhua went to the Imperial Guard's garrison in Jingji Road and found Tang Bing.
Tang Bing did not travel south with the army, but instead served as the commander of the Imperial Guard, protecting the imperial city and palace. Tang Bing had heard various rumors about the Crown Princess before, and coupled with the reason for his southward journey, he respected Nan Hua Ge.
Nan Hua didn't stand on ceremony and stated her purpose directly: "Given General Tang's current status, Qiu Yue is certainly honored to be associated with him. However, Qiu Yue is different from ordinary maids."
"A wife should be virtuous. Qiuyue is literate, kind, gentle, steady, capable of handling any situation, and responsible. She has the presence and strength of a matriarch. It wouldn't be too unfair to General Tang."
Hearing this, Tang Bing finally snapped out of his shock and stammered, "No, no, no... I wouldn't dare... I'm not wronged, I'm not wronged, I'm not wronged..."
Nan Hua said, "Since General Tang doesn't feel wronged, then I will act as matchmaker. September 19th is an auspicious day, suitable for betrothal and engagement. If General Tang has no objections, then we will set that day."
So fast? Tang Bing panicked again: "Your Highness, I, I, I have no experience and don't know what to prepare?"