After being jilted, the entire neighboring village was filled with deep regret.

Chapter 553 Final Chapter
The princess Su Tai mentioned was Shen Tian's only daughter. She had been pampered and spoiled since childhood. Perhaps because she was a girl, she posed no threat, and the emperor and empress doted on her to an extreme degree.

Shen Tian made a special trip to satisfy the little princess's appetite, and if word got out, people would just think it was the least she could do and wouldn't think anything of it.

"Thank you, sister-in-law." Shen Tian nodded in agreement and got into the carriage with the help of her maid.

Su Tai turned and went back to the main courtyard, where her eldest daughter-in-law, Sun Yudie, was already waiting inside.

When the emperor held a palace banquet and committed massacres, all the noble families were terrified. The Rongguo Duke's family even fell ill and never recovered. Fortunately, the old lady was able to keep the situation in order and humbled herself to ask Princess Huai'an to act as matchmaker, hoping to marry Sun Yudie to Shen Congrong.

After Su Tai sent someone to learn about Sun Yudie's character, she consulted Shen Congrong's opinion and finally agreed to the marriage.

Sun Yudie has been married into the Shen family for eight years now and has given birth to one daughter and two sons.

"Mother, your daughter-in-law originally wanted to come and pay her respects to you earlier, but upon hearing that the Sixth Prince's concubine had arrived, she declined."

Su Tai nodded slightly. "It's nothing important. It's just that the young princess hasn't had a good appetite lately. The concubine used to love the pastries I made, so she came here especially for the young princess."

Sun Yudie suddenly realized, "So that's how it is! Mother's pastries are indeed excellent. Xuan'er only thinks about Mother's pastries now."

Su Tai smiled, thinking of her granddaughter's greedy look, and specially asked Yu Mei to send over another portion of pastries.

Sun Yudie hesitated and said, "Mother, I heard that the Emperor wants to choose a study companion for the little princess. I wonder which girl will catch the eye of the concubine?"

The Shen family has always been a clean and upright family in the court. Shen Yi is only loyal to the emperor and is indifferent to others. Su Tai also rarely goes out to banquets and only associates with a few familiar ladies, showing her self-preservation to the fullest extent.

Sun Yudie didn't dare to breathe loudly when she said this, for fear of being scolded by Su Tai.

Su Tai looked up at her, her eyes thoughtful. "Yu Die, ask whatever you want."

Sun Yudie's face turned pale, and she lowered her head. "Mother, actually it's my mother. Some time ago, my mother brought my niece to the mansion to see Xuan'er and mentioned this matter to me. Over the years, the Rongguo Duke's mansion has been declining. My father is just so-so. My eldest brother, second brother, and third brother are good at maintaining the status quo but not good at expanding."

A tree grows big and branches out; even the richest family fortune will eventually run out. My son is unreliable, so my mother can only rely on her grandchildren. The young princess is very favored. If we befriend her, we won't arouse the emperor's suspicion, and we can also get some help for the family.

The daughter-in-law knows the Shen family rules and dares not easily agree. These past few days she has been thinking of how to refuse my mother, but unexpectedly, the concubine has come today. Only now has the courage to ask, and she begs for my mother's forgiveness.

Su Tai sighed inwardly and waved her hand, "Since you want to ask, my dear in-law, just tell me frankly. There's no need to make things so difficult. Choosing a companion for the little princess won't happen so quickly. Besides, the Empress in the palace is in charge of the selection. How can we control that? As long as the child is outstanding, she will definitely be selected."

Sun Yudie respectfully agreed.

We walked out of the main courtyard.

The maid Changxi whispered, "Young Madam, you're never this careful when you speak in front of the Old Madam, so why do you lose your nerve in front of you, Madam?"

Sun Yudie said with a wry smile, "My mother-in-law is different from my grandmother. Even my grandmother admires her skills and abilities. Back then, it was the Princess who intervened to mediate this marriage, and my mother-in-law only agreed to it after that. I heard that my mother-in-law's original choice for a daughter-in-law was not me."

Changxi was quite surprised and dared not ask any further questions.

Sun Yudie returned to her own courtyard somewhat dejectedly.

When Shen Congrong returned home from work in the evening, she noticed that her daughter was in low spirits and asked her what was wrong.

Sun Yudie remained silent for a while before finally asking, "Husband, I heard that my cousin Su will be returning to the capital soon to report on his duties. Will my widowed cousin Su also be coming back with him?"

Shen Congrong nodded, puzzled. "Cousin Yongzhang has been gaining experience outside for many years, and it's time for him to be transferred back. If Aunt and Uncle come along, I, your cousin, will naturally not be left behind."

Su Yongzhang's younger sister, Su Xiaoxiao, became a widow three years ago. Because she was unable to have children, she was driven back by her husband's family and has been living at her parents' home ever since.

With red eyes, Sun Yudie gritted her teeth and asked, "Back then... if the Princess hadn't acted as matchmaker, would you have married your cousin from the Su family?"

"Pfft!" Shen Congrong was so shocked that she spat out the tea in her mouth, her expression one of astonishment. "Yu Die, what nonsense are you talking about! Where did you hear such a ridiculous thing?"

Sun Yudie was on the verge of tears, looking extremely aggrieved. "Isn't that right? At the wedding banquet at the Princess's residence back then, my father overheard my father-in-law talking to Uncle Su about their children's marriage. He said that his mother-in-law really liked his cousin from the Su family and hoped that her future daughter-in-law would be just like her."

This matter had become a source of anxiety for her, to the point that she was always cautious in front of Su Tai and dared not get close to her casually.

Shen Congrong was somewhat speechless. He stroked his chin and looked at the pitiful Sun Yudie, personally wiping away her tears. "I don't know what my father-in-law heard, but my mother will definitely not let me marry my cousin. According to her, people who are related by blood cannot get married. My cousin is just a cousin."

However, it's true that my mother likes my cousin. She said that when the family was poor, my aunt gave her many nice things the first time she met her. My mother and aunt had a very good relationship, and because of this, my mother naturally doted on my cousin as well.

Besides, my cousin is self-respecting, independent, and exceptionally talented, with outstanding skills in poetry and prose. My mother admires talented women, so it's not surprising that she likes my cousin. If you're bothered by this, it's not worth it."

Sun Yudie was both surprised and delighted. After confirming with Shen Congrong several times, she saw that Shen Congrong's expression was resolute and burst into tears.

After crying, her depressed mood suddenly lifted. Remembering what Su Tai had said, she personally wrote a letter and asked Changxi to send it back to her parents' home.

He was much more at ease when he went to pay his respects to Su Tai.

Su Tai noticed Sun Yudie's change, but didn't think much of it because the emperor had passed away.

The death knell tolled at dawn, without warning, and all the nobles, officials, and civil and military officials in the capital were jolted awake from their dreams.

Shen Yi and Shen Congrong hurriedly changed into their court robes and rushed to the palace.

Su Tai and Sun Yudie also got up, put away the red items in the house, changed into mourning clothes, and went to the palace.

The mother-in-law and daughter-in-law rushed to the palace gates and found many noblewomen there, with a group of people kneeling outside. They quickly found a spot to kneel and waited for news from the palace.

Inside the palace.

All the noble families and officials of the fourth rank and above were eagerly watching the several highly respected princes of the royal family.

The old prince, holding a brocade box in his hands, walked up the steps with a sorrowful expression.

"This is the Emperor's last edict before his death. We were all present at the time. The brocade box was sealed by the Emperor himself. The outer three layers of paper were all wrapped by the Emperor himself. It is stamped with the imperial seal and thirty-six other seals. Please take a look."

The items were passed around among the people, and no one objected.

The third and fourth princes stared intently at the brocade box, their hearts pounding. The ninth prince, out of favor and with his mother of low rank, dared not hope for anything. The sixth prince, knowing he was not qualified, remained the most composed.

The old prince observed everyone's reactions and began to unpack the package without expression.

Then the last layer of paper was removed, and Eunuch Zhou retrieved the key. The old prince opened the brocade box and took out the imperial edict inside.

He read aloud: "By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: I have been favored by Heaven and have ruled the world for thirty-nine years. I have been cautious and prudent, fearing that I am not able to bring peace to the people and safeguard the legacy of my ancestors. Now I am dying and know that my time is coming. However, I am worried about the country. Therefore, I have personally written this decree before my bed to settle matters after my death. I hope that all my ministers will abide by it."

Among my grandsons, Murong You is the most benevolent, filial, kind, virtuous, and talented. He is deeply righteous, understands the suffering of the people, and cares deeply for the common folk. In court, he assists me diligently, offering many wise counsels and making significant contributions to the affairs of the state. In the military, he is also a capable strategist, displaying remarkable martial prowess. Observing his words and actions, I find him to be befitting an emperor, truly the best candidate for crown prince.

I hereby appoint my grandson Murong You as Crown Prince, who shall ascend the throne. After my death, the Ministry of Rites, the Imperial Clan Court, and other relevant departments shall, in accordance with ancestral customs, prepare for the enthronement ceremony so that the new emperor may soon inherit the throne and stabilize the court.

I also hope that after the new emperor ascends the throne, he will prioritize the people, reduce taxes and levies, promote agriculture and sericulture, emphasize education, so that the people can live and work in peace and the country can prosper. Domestically, he should rectify officialdom, severely punish corruption, appoint virtuous and capable officials, and broaden channels for public opinion; internationally, he should pacify distant countries, protect the borders and the people, and enhance the prestige of our Langya Kingdom.

As for the princes and ministers, they are all pillars of the nation, whom I have always relied upon. The new emperor is young, and I hope that you will all be of one mind and wholeheartedly assist him, and that you will not form cliques for personal gain or harbor any disloyal intentions. Anyone who dares to disobey my will or disrupt the order of the court will be punished according to the law, without any leniency.

I have devoted my life to the affairs of the state, and I have no regrets before my ancestors and the world. Now I entrust the empire to Murong You, and I have no regrets. May future generations enjoy lasting peace and the dynasty continue.

Admire this! "

The old prince who read the imperial edict was also surprised, and the others were even more stunned for a long time.

A few breaths later, the old prince respectfully held up the imperial edict and came before Murong You, saying, "Grandson Murong You, receive the decree!"

Under the watchful eyes of everyone, Murong You calmly stepped forward and said, "Murong You accepts the decree and thanks Your Majesty for your great favor."

News of the new emperor's selection spread like wildfire through the palace.

The noblewomen kneeling outside the palace gates awaiting news were all astonished. They looked at each other, and finally their gazes all fell on Su Tai.

The reason is simple: the new emperor's birth mother is Consort Shen, who is the adopted daughter of the Marquis of Yong'an. Su Tai is the daughter-in-law of the Marquis of Yong'an, and can be considered the new emperor's maternal family. The Shen family has truly risen to prominence this time.

Su Tai didn't react much, but the people from the Rongguo Duke's Mansion were extremely excited. With the rise of the Shen family, the Rongguo Duke's Mansion, as a relative by marriage to the Shen family, would at least receive more protection, even if they didn't gain any benefits. That was enough.

After the emperor's funeral.

The new emperor ascends the throne.

Just when everyone thought the Shen family would rise to prominence, Shen Yi, who was already a first-rank minister, chose to retire gracefully and resolutely returned to his hometown.

Murong You disagreed.

Shen Yi was determined and submitted six memorials in a row before the new emperor finally had no choice but to release the man.

The nobles and court officials were all puzzled.

At this moment, Shen Yi had already taken Su Tai and headed to Zhaohua County in a carefree manner.

Su Tai breathed in the air outside the capital, feeling as if even her pores were free. "Great! I can finally leave this cage!"

Shen Yi nodded happily, "You've suffered all these years for the sake of the children!"

Su Tai gave him a reproachful look, "If anyone's wronged, it's you, not me at all!"

They had four children. Their eldest daughter was the daughter-in-law of Princess Huai'an. Murong Jue was granted the title of Prince by the late emperor for his meritorious service in exonerating the wronged, and Shen Yuezhang also became the Princess Consort, enjoying a life of wealth and honor.

The eldest son was originally a capable minister cultivated by the late emperor, holding the rank of fourth grade. The new emperor will definitely promote him after ascending the throne. If Shen Yi does not step down, Shen Congrong's career will be suppressed and he will find it difficult to realize his ambitions. Now that Shen Yi has taken the initiative to resign, the new emperor can feel at ease to give Shen Congrong important responsibilities.

The youngest son, Shen Congyu, has been working on the border for many years and has made some military achievements. He is now a fourth-rank military officer and married the daughter of a military officer, so he has the support of his wife's family.

The youngest daughter was granted the title of Lady of Anyue County by the late emperor, which gave her a high social status. She married the eldest son of the prestigious He family and will become the matriarch of the family in the future. With her older siblings to take care of her, the couple doesn't need to worry about her.

With their children no longer a worry, the couple enjoyed a hearty drink together in the carriage.

"Wife, how about we travel around together? I'll show you the beautiful landscapes of Langya Kingdom, what do you say?"

"Very good!"

The couple smiled at each other and headed off to their own free world.