“I was entrusted by His Majesty to specifically meet your family here. Moreover, His Majesty has a message he specifically asked me to convey to you.” He paused, his expression softening. “Welcome home.”
My heart warmed. Despite my lingering caution about the South Rui journey, these words touched me.
Chapter Fifty-Seven: South Rui’s Wind and Clouds
South Rui retrieved Princess Zhao Hua, celebrated for three days in Feng Zhu City, and simultaneously issued a general pardon, sharing joy with the people. “I truly regrets, truly,” Emperor Hong held my hand, his eyes misty, his face sorrowful. “If I had tried to prevent your mother empress’s marriage back then, she would not have married your father consort; if she had not married your father consort, she would not have been neglected in the inner palace and had her political power seized; if your father consort had not seized political power, he would not have had the opportunity to rebel; if he had not rebelled, your mother empress would not have fled in panic…” I had heard this incoherent heartfelt speech eighteen times already. Initially, I felt deeply sad and emotional, but now, whenever I hear the words “I truly regrets,” I unconsciously drift off.
No wonder the princes and princesses rush to leave after paying their respects, finding any excuse to escape quickly. Who would have thought this gentle and humble Emperor Hong was such a chatterbox in private?
Fortunately, I have a father who goes off-topic whenever discussing historical events, so I’ve been accustomed to handling such situations since childhood. Emperor Hong was delighted that I was willing to keep him company.
Emperor Hong was insistent that I reside in the ** Palace, which had always been the residence of South Rui’s heir apparent. This clearly announced to the world that he viewed me as the heir. Simultaneously, he hired two teachers to instruct me in royal etiquette and governance principles.
Although I didn’t consider myself suitable for governing the world and found mid-career learning extremely difficult, I couldn’t refuse Emperor Hong’s kindness. I obediently attended classes, though I found the coursework overwhelmingly burdensome.
Three princesses and the fourth prince had been granted territories and would soon depart. The fifth princess was married to Da Qi and had disappeared, leaving only the second princess, Jiang Yun Qiao, without a territory.
