When Yueyao saw Ma Peng again, besides noticing that Ma Peng had beco much more mature and steady, there was also an indescribable feeling that Yueyao couldn’t quite put into words.
Ma Peng looked at Yueyao, his heart filled with indescribable gratitude. If it weren’t for Yueyao, his fate might have been just like a dream, ending in a aningless death.
Zhuang Ruolan found her husband’s deanor quite strange: "Husband, were you also startled by Yueyao’s three sons? When Yueyao gave birth to three children at once, it gave quite a fright."
Ma Peng laughed and said: "It is Yueyao’s good fortune. Co in and have a seat!"
Although Ma Peng felt very grateful to Yueyao, he found there wasn’t much to say to her. He had also doubted whether Yueyao had shared the sa dream as him, dreaming about those incredible things. Yet, after serious consideration, he concluded it was impossible, as Yueyao’s behavior didn’t suggest it.
A young servant ca in from outside: "Old Master, Great Grandfather has so matters for you to attend to."
After Ma Peng left, Yueyao and Zhuang Ruolan began to chat openly: "Big cousin is back, so cousin-in-law won’t have such a hard ti anymore."
Zhuang Ruolan didn’t hide anything in front of Yueyao: "Yes, now that your big cousin is back, the burden on has lessened quite a bit." With her husband at ho, she wouldn’t have to work as hard.
As the two were happily conversing, an old nanny hurriedly ran over and said: "Madam, sothing bad has happened. The Crown Prince has passed away."
Zhuang Ruolan was taken aback and quickly ordered: "Remove all the colorful decorations from the residence, and cancel the arranged banquet. I heard early on that the Crown Prince’s health wasn’t good, but I didn’t expect him to pass away at the end of the year."
Yueyao rushed ho as well. With the Crown Prince gone, although the funeral wouldn’t be as grand as those for the Emperor and Empress, they still needed to mourn. Moreover, everyone in the realm had to observe mourning.
An Zhichen received this news, recalling the words Yueyao had shared with him, feeling it was too coincidental.
Without the Crown Prince, Yueyao was no longer constrained: "I had a dream where five years from now, the Barbarian Tribes would rebel. By then, the Crown Prince had already passed away, and the Fourth Prince and Fifth Prince, along with others, were involved in fierce competition, the intrigues at the Imperial Court affecting the frontlines. This battle dragged on for a long ti." Although Yueyao wasn’t familiar with politics, she understood that the longer the war lasted, the more lives it would claim and the more financial resources it would consu, thereby shaking the foundation of the nation.
Although An Zhichen had contemplated many things, he never imagined the cause would be a dream.
Yueyao recounted her previous experiences: "So of the dreams I had before were utterly baffling, but those regarding warfare seed to have traces to follow." Now that the Crown Prince was gone, it was obvious that every Prince would want to ascend the throne, leading to fierce competition.
An Zhichen laughed and said: "Who would have thought Zichang was a semi-sage."
Yueyao asked: "Do you not believe it?"
An Zhichen nodded: "I believe it, why wouldn’t I? Even the Marquis believes it, so how could I not?"
Yueyao, who was sowhat familiar with An Zhichen, saw no signs of pretense in his expression, and said with a smile: "When you go to the Northwest, you must be careful."
Soldiers naturally enjoyed war, and having heard Yueyao’s words, he felt not anxious but rather eager: "If things happen as you say, you definitely shouldn’t follow to the Northwest. Even when the children grow older, you cannot take them to the Northwest."
Though Yueyao longed to see the Northwest, she understood she couldn’t risk her children’s safety: "I plan to wait a couple of years when the children are older to take them on a trip to Jiangnan. I haven’t seen my teacher for many years." With An Zhichen heading to the Northwest, she would also have the opportunity to take a trip.
Having a wife who’s always eager to travel is indeed a headache, but Yueyao had found such a good reason; one couldn’t really say no to a visit to Mr. Yu Shan, could they: "Alright, but we’ll talk about it after a couple of years."
Yueyao nodded in agreent.
With the Crown Prince’s passing, there was a plus for Yueyao; no need for social gatherings attending banquets at various households. With the Emperor and Empress mourning their loss intensely, officials handled affairs cautiously, leaving no room for hosting banquets.
It wasn’t until mid-February that the Capital City returned to its usual bustle. Yueyao wasn’t particularly fond of social gatherings, but so occasions couldn’t be avoided, like the invitation to Lady Li’s fortieth Birthday celebration, which Yueyao had to attend.
Yueyao first went to the Upper Chamber to see Lady Li. The Li family was now highly influential, attracting many sycophants, yet Yueyao wasn’t one to curry favor, so after paying respects to Lady Li, she withdrew.
This ti, many people attended Lady Li’s birthday celebration, including Lin Qinghan and Mu Qinglian. Yueyao’s attitude towards Lin Qinghan was always consistent; not distant but not overly friendly either. As for Mu Qinglian, Yueyao simply ignored her.
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