She refused to marry.

Su Wanwan and her group chose to take a detour, and more than ten days later, they met up with Zhang Huaiyu.

They only learned after they reunited that General Shen had already left.

The charge was colluding with bandits to murder the county magistrate.

Because of General Shen's merits during his lifetime, Lord Fengchen not only did not punish him, but also gave him a grand funeral.

The Shen family had some grievances, but after this ordeal, they only wanted to preserve their current wealth and status. They took their family and left the capital, returning to Cangzhou.

Worried that she would suffer a loss if she fought with her husband in the future, she wrote back to him.

I wrote down what I was worried about.

"Upon hearing about General Shen's matter today, I am deeply impressed by my husband's exceptional strategic acumen. However, as husband and wife, we are bound to quarrel in the future, and I hope my husband will show mercy."

For the sake of our marital bond, please don't scheme against me as well.

I am but a woman, seeking only a peaceful life. If my husband truly cherishes this marriage, could you perhaps be more lenient with me in our future disagreements?

Su Wanwan put down her pen, rolled up the letter, put it in a bamboo tube, and waited for Changying to fly away.

Suddenly, I felt that writing these words down made me seem timid.

He became annoyed again.

Inside the East Garden.

Xiao Xuanjing received the letter, slowly unfolded it, and after reading it, he felt that his wife was overthinking things. Fearing that his methods might frighten her, he hurriedly replied.

"Madam is overthinking things. How can the person beside you in bed and the court be confused?"

In the imperial court, there are only enemies and allies, not relatives and friends. This situation is not because my husband is fond of playing power games, but because I am unaware that I am in the shadows.

General Shen's actions were not my intention. Since he harbors the intention to harm you, your husband cannot stand idly by.

In the imperial court, there is no distinction between superior and inferior methods; it all comes down to who makes the first move.

If a husband and wife who have bowed to heaven and earth and drunk from the same cup have to scheme against each other, wouldn't it be too pathetic to spend half a lifetime plotting against each other?

My husband has wronged everyone in the world and even himself in his life, but he will never wrong you.

If we ever really start arguing in the future, I'll give you three chances. If you still disagree after those three chances, I'll admit defeat.

With the full moon approaching, the nine-mile fragrance in the East Garden is in full bloom, filling the garden with its delicate aroma, making it a truly beautiful sight.

Unfortunately, my wife is far away, and we missed each other tonight.

I broke off a branch and tucked it into the letter as a small consolation.

When you return, the flowers in the garden will likely still be in bloom; I'll take my time to admire them with you then.

After finishing writing, he folded the letter, went to the garden, picked out the most beautiful blooming branch, and tucked it into the letter.

Then tie it to Changying's legs and gently hold its head. "Fly faster, or the jasmine will wither. If you can't smell it, I will definitely reduce your food."

Changying couldn't speak, but she could understand about 70-80% of what was being said. With her eyes bulging, she flew away angrily.

Outside the East Garden, the eldest princess stood at the courtyard gate, hesitant to enter for a long time.

These days, Jing'er only shows a smile when she sees letters from that girl from the Su family.

He had never shown such an expression since he left Fengchen's fiefdom.

Even though she didn't like that girl, seeing Jing'er's smile finally made her feel a little better.

The eldest princess turned around and slowly walked out.

"Your Highness, Prince Changxin wishes to see you," the old woman said softly, standing beside the prince.

"He's here..." The princess took a deep breath, her hand involuntarily reaching out.

The old woman hurriedly stepped forward to support him, "Your Highness, do you wish to see him?"

The eldest princess stopped in her tracks. "Go and do my hair and makeup."

Half an hour later.

The eldest princess sat in the warm pavilion, with a screen in the middle that allowed her to vaguely see outside.

Prince Changxin, dressed in court attire, slowly stepped in.

The two stood facing each other through the curtain, neither daring to cross the screen even a fraction of an inch.

The warm pavilion remained quiet for a long time.

"How has the Princess been all these years?" Prince Changxin asked.

"I'm doing well..." The eldest princess sat slightly turned to the side. After they parted years ago, it was he who said they would never meet again in this life. "Crown Prince, how have you been?"

Upon hearing the address, Prince Changxin felt a surge of tenderness and pain, along with past regrets and resolute determination, making it difficult for him to respond.

"Has Your Highness come to see me today on official business?" the Princess asked. Seeing that Prince Changxin did not answer, she sat up straight.

"If it's just for reminiscing, then forget it. At the beginning of the year, my son almost died at your hands. For that alone, I am irreconcilably opposed to you."

"It wasn't my idea; you imprisoned Zheng'er first." Prince Changxin raised his eyes.

"Hmph... I have no interest in such trivial matters." The eldest princess touched the thermos in her hand, lowered her eyes for a long time, "His Majesty wanted to test your attitude, and you certainly did not disappoint him, you have raised an army in rebellion."

The room was so quiet that you could hear the wind rustling through the curtains.

"Zheng'er is my life, and no one can hurt him. This is my bottom line." Prince Changxin straightened his back.

"Hmph..." The eldest princess chuckled lightly. "Is that so? Now that His Majesty is about to write an edict to pass the throne to the heir apparent, what do you think?"

Prince Changxin clenched his fists. He had come to the capital thinking that His Majesty would take his life, and that His Majesty would use Zheng'er to blackmail him into giving up his military power.

I never imagined it would be this...

His Majesty's condition has worsened, and he has no capable son to assume the great responsibility. The imperial edict states that Zheng'er will enter the Eastern Palace, and he must remain in the north, not setting foot in the capital even once, otherwise the edict will be invalid.

He tried his best to celebrate the New Year because he wanted to go back to Beijing, to rediscover the warmth of his childhood, and to spend the rest of his days in harmony with his family.

"What, Prince Changxin is still unwilling to give up the throne? When you forcibly sent me away from the capital, did you ever think that you would end up like this?" The princess raised her eyes.

"His Majesty is seriously ill, and I do not wish to escalate this matter. My purpose in coming to the capital is twofold: first, to thank His Majesty for saving Zheng'er's life; second..." Prince Changxin steadied himself, "and third, to bid farewell to the Princess. I wronged you back then, Yao'er..."

The princess paused, her chest writhing as if a thousand spiders were gnawing at her, tearing away the dignity she had maintained for so many years, leaving it bleeding profusely.

"Hmph... I'm sorry... Hahahaha..." The princess took a deep breath, her eyes filled with tears as she looked at the person behind the screen.

Her life was ruined by him, and in the end, all she could say was "I'm sorry."

"Absurd... Absolutely absurd..." The princess stood up, raising her eyes to hold back her tears.

"My whole life has been lived in darkness. For thirty years, the person who threw me into that darkness has only said sorry?" The princess slowly approached the screen.

"Coward..." The princess stared at the blurry figure, turned around and slowly walked to the window, her hand gripping the windowsill tightly. "My elder brother, the crown prince, was brave and extraordinary when he was young. How could he be such a coward as you... Let's go... I don't want to see you."

Prince Changxin slowly stepped out from behind the screen, gazing at the figure he had once longed for day and night, filled with shame and remorse. He pulled out an old handkerchief from his bosom, a handkerchief containing the culmination of his life's work.

"Yao'er, I'm sorry, I hope this will help you forgive me." She put down the handkerchief and stepped out of the warm pavilion.

The princess slowly turned around, looked at the handkerchief on the table, suppressed the bitterness in her heart, and slowly walked to the table.

Unfolding the handkerchief revealed the tiger tally of King Changxin.