The Empress has passed away,
The Crown Prince's biological mother has died.
Seventh Uncle returned his sword to its sheath.
Anyone with sense would understand what the Empress's death signifies—that the Crown Prince's marriage cannot proceed in the near future.
"Again and again." Ji Chengjue said slowly, "First, the defeat at Wang River, the Left Army of the Eastern Expedition almost completely annihilated, bodies filling Wang River;
Then, under Jade Plate City, Lord Jingnan slaughtered forty thousand surrendered soldiers from Chu State, a scene of carnage;
Now the Empress has passed away.
The marriage, considered three tis, yet failed three tis, each ti accompanied by bloody disaster.
Seventh Uncle,
At this mont,
This isn't just about postponing the marriage again, although due to the Empress's demise, the marriage must be delayed, but can this union still proceed?
We Yan people, not like the Qian people who revere Daoist mysteries, prefer honing our scimitars, but this matter is hard to simply call a coincidence.
You don't believe it, yet there's no way around it.
Who can guarantee that another calamity won't occur when the next marriage attempt is made?
And since this marriage cannot proceed, the Princess won't marry the Crown Prince, and thus won't beco the Crown Princess.
Therefore, between the Princess and the Sixth Prince, it is no longer a matter of life and death competition.
The Princess remains a Princess,
The Sixth Prince remains the Sixth Prince,
Without fundantal conflicts of interest,
When they et again, they can still talk and laugh like siblings with a close bond.
Seventh Uncle clearly understood this truth, so he put away the sword.
There is no need to kill.
Because it's not about killing random people, but a current imperial prince.
Without absolute fundantal interests at stake, paying such a heavy price to kill a prince won't be called cost-ineffective, but rather too foolish.
"Sixth Prince..."
Ji Chengjue raised his hand, interrupting Seventh Uncle, saying:
"I won't speak of today's matters, because I actually fear more than you that this matter will get out."
Soone ca to kill you,
You had people wait,
Wait for dawn,
Then when the first light appeared, the bell sounded eight tis for Departure,
The Empress has passed away.
If this matter spreads, not only will the Princess suffer, Ji Chengjue could suffer even more.
"Alright." Seventh Uncle agreed.
Ji Chengjue laughed, then rubbed his face with his hands.
"Sixth Prince, this matter ultimately…"
Ji Chengjue's gaze suddenly tightened,
and said:
"Don't ask, it's better for both of us."
"Yes, I understand."
Without a life-and-death crisis hanging overhead, Ji Chengjue began to relax, and unabashedly said:
"Go back and tell my good sister that next ti, don't be so impulsive, Seventh Uncle, you and Brother Liangshen should advise her more."
Seventh Uncle replied, "Actually, I have so regrets."
"Regret that the sword didn't fall?"
"Your Highness, please forgive . My regret is that looking at the situation now, it's not regrettable for such a move to be used on Your Highness."
"I'm different from my third brother." Ji Chengjue said.
"Your Highness?"
"I'm not like the third brother!" Ji Chengjue slamd the table, almost growling, "I'm more useful than the third brother."
"Your Highness still holds a grudge in your heart."
"Seventh Uncle, it's easy for you to talk lightly, but what if you were held at sword's point at your neck all night, wouldn't you feel aggrieved?
Moreover, cough, cough…"
Ji Chengjue began to cough, then waved his hand dismissively, saying:
"The palace should be sending soone to announce, I need to prepare here, I'll be entering the palace soon, won't see Seventh Uncle off, tell the guards outside we drank late last night, and you stayed here."
"Your Highness, take care."
Seventh Uncle left,
The sword suspended above Ji Chengjue's head departed.
Ji Chengjue felt drained of energy, also because of staying up all night, worried and anxious thoughts had already exhausted his spirit, though he held on while Seventh Uncle was present, once Seventh Uncle left, fatigue and emptiness and that unavoidable sense of grievance began to flood over him.
And at this ti,
The eunuch who delivered the decree hurried into the prince's residence, informing the three princes residing there to enter the palace imdiately.
Everyone had heard the sound of the Departure Bell, so the household quickly prepared mourning outfits.
The fourth prince, still robust and strong, yet with a scruffy beard, clearly had been living through so lancholy.
The fifth prince, not tall, among the brothers, considered more plump, but now had reddened eyes.
The fourth prince walked over and whispered:
"Give a piece."
"But it's very spicy," the fifth prince warned.
"Quickly give it to ."
The fifth prince nodded, handing a piece of ginger to the fourth prince.
The fourth prince waved his sleeve, rubbed his eyes with the peeled ginger, soon his eyes reddened.
There was really no way else; though nominally the Empress was their mother, they were not really blood-related.
As a prince, crying can be forced out, but was too lazy to put up the act forcefully, using external stimuli was more direct and effective.
"Fourth Brother, I also have so sour plums, would you like so?"
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