Two nights later, Father-in-law passed away peacefully at the age of forty-eight. Until his very last moment, he never saw the woman he had loved his entire life or his only son.
I kept vigil by his side all night, thinking all night. This night, I did not cry again.
I cannot continue like this. I cannot passively wait for An Jin or Mother-in-law to save me. I cannot watch my family in danger.
Chapter Fifty-Four: Remarriage Becomes Reality
After Father-in-law’s seventh day memorial, I met with the Crown Prince.
“Your father’s passing is truly regrettable,” Xia Zhiyuan consoled gently. “My lady, please take care of yourself.”
I lowered my head. “Your Highness is kind. These past days, I’ve thought a lot, and I find your previous suggestion feasible.”
“Really?” Xia Zhiyuan’s eyes lit up with joy as he stood and approached. “My lady agrees?”
I bit my lip and frowned. “Indeed. The Western Liang people have destroyed my family. This revenge must be taken. But my family was not involved and I don’t want them to be implicated innocently.”
“My lady can be at ease. As long as you’re willing to cooperate with me, I guarantee your family will not suffer the slightest harm.
Heart slightly surprised. Originally thinking An Jin was just missing, now that Xia Zhiyuan agreed so readily, seemingly without hesitation, could he be so certain that An Jin had been killed by Tang Wei?
“The last is that Nanrui token, the Phoenix Black Gold Talisman.” Barely steadying himself, he continued. “To go to Nanrui, one must rely on this token.”
Xia Zhiyuan’s expression turned difficult. “That black gold talisman should be in the Third Prince’s possession. Now that he no longer exists in this world, this talisman is afraid it will be hard to find again.”
“Is the prince certain?” Laughing softly, seeing surprise in his eyes. “The Third Prince is truly no longer alive? Does the prince also believe the rumors of falling off a cliff?”
He frowned. “Does my lady know something?”
“I know nothing, only heard An Jin say that even His Majesty suspects there’s more to the Third Prince’s death.” Raising an eyebrow at him. “Could it be that His Majesty never mentioned this to the prince?”
Xia Zhiyuan remained silent, his expression not looking good. Inwardly delighted, knowing he had bet correctly again.
An Jin had once told him that the Third Prince’s return and fall from the cliff was highly suspicious.
According to information from the secret department, the Third Prince was likely ambushed, most likely connected to the Eastern Palace.
Now, only two people could determine the fate of the entire family: the Qi Emperor and the Eastern Palace. Ginger was shrewd, and the Qi Emperor was clearly more difficult to deal with, so they could only work on the Eastern Palace. As long as they could make him and the Qi Emperor fight internally, they would have a chance to benefit.
Moreover, Xia Zhiyuan already harbored many suspicions, and with a little provocation, these suspicions might turn into irreconcilable conflicts between the two.
Three days later, their family was escorted back to the Xiao residence, but still could not go out freely, with their words and actions under strict surveillance.
The Eastern Palace announced that in a month, he would marry a concubine, and the chosen concubine was the newly widowed An Furen. It was unclear what means the Eastern Palace used to make this matter proceed smoothly.
The rumors this would bring to Yanfeng could almost be predicted.
Most likely something about An Jin not even waiting for her husband’s body to go cold before remarrying, and quickly becoming a concubine in the Eastern Palace, showing a fickle and opportunistic nature. For these rumors, she not only did not resist but hoped they would spread further and faster.
Due to disagreements over releasing them and marrying the concubine, the atmosphere between the Eastern Palace and the Qi Emperor had become tense. She also did not forget to occasionally meet with the Eastern Palace, chat with him about life and ideals, and inadvertently add more wounds to his increasingly deteriorating relationship with the Qi Emperor.
Being a provocative and poisonous woman felt really good.
During this month, she thought of many ways to escape. The challenge was how to escape from Yanfeng City with just their family’s strength. Even if they were lucky enough to escape Yanfeng, would they force the entire family to live a life of displacement and exile? This was clearly not a long-term solution.
Her parents had not blamed her, but they could not help feeling guilty. She needed a foolproof plan.
If An Jin truly could not come, she would have to go along with the plan, marry into the Eastern Palace, and continue to try to turn the father and son against each other.
A month passed. Waiting proved futile, and An Jin never appeared.
Once again donning the rosy veil, her heart was like still water. This was not a wedding, just a transaction.
While dressing in front of the mirror, she suddenly felt her expression was unfamiliar. The palace matrons knelt beside her, helping her put on a string of pure white pearls; the hairdressing official spoke flattering words.
It didn’t matter. Her younger sister held her hand, eyes slightly red.
The Eastern Palace did not go back on his word, using the highest standard for receiving a concubine, bringing her into the palace. Performing the three bows and nine kowtows, her mind was elsewhere, only wanting to finish quickly and thinking about the next step.
Red candles flickered, the moment of the bridal chamber.
Xia Zhiyuan gently lifted the red silk from his head. At that instant, they both froze.
Frozen, because they thought of An Jin. Three years ago, on their wedding night, he was also dressed in red. At that time, her heart was already in chaos.
Who would have thought he would be completely unconcerned, directly drinking and then moving to undress her.
It was only then that she realized that even someone as calm and composed as An Jin had moments when he needed alcohol to boost his courage.
Xia Zhiyuan was momentarily dazed, staring at her face, suddenly smiling softly, seemingly genuinely moved.
“On that day, my lady accidentally replaced the new imperial consort. It seems heaven had long given a sign.” He murmured tenderly, actually taking her hand. “A Yao. This is your given name, isn’t it?”
“A Yao.” Xia Zhiyuan sat beside her, reaching out to brush her hair. “This marriage is unavoidable for you, but for me, it is a long-awaited good fate.”
Staring at him, she momentarily didn’t know how to respond.
His face was like a full moon, radiantly bright. “A Yao, forget An Jin. Stay by my side, share this great rivers and mountains with me. Isn’t this better than being a widow?”
She turned away, muttering, “Your Highness is joking. An Jin is my husband and childhood sweetheart. No one can replace him.”
Xia Zhiyuan let go of her hand, silent for a moment. He had spoken so freely before and now regretted it. He had clearly planned to lay low and curry favor, trying to gain her trust, but now had spoken the truth.
“Your Ladyship can rest assured, this palace will not force you now.” He swept his sleeve and stood up, turning his back. “As long as Your Ladyship doesn’t forget our agreement.”
“Of course—” Before he could finish, his figure swayed and fell down.
Turning around, two figures emerged from the heavy gauze curtains.
“They have finally come.”
Before leaving, he couldn’t help but look back at the Eastern Palace’s unconscious eyes.
Chapter Fifty-Five: The Husband’s Scheme
