Becoming a stepmother of three children gives me space

The secret room of Prince Qing's Mansion,

The black robe was tied up with chains on all five limbs,

"My time is limited. You have one chance to speak. Please speak up."

If he had no means of survival, Heipao would not have fled back to Prince Qing's Mansion. Death is worse than life. I believe Heipao knows how to choose.

Since he chose the latter, it means he has a trump card. The value of this trump card is enough to make him let him go. Prince Qing is very curious about what it is.

The black robe's injuries were simply treated. Some parts of his body were oozing emerald green sticky pus, but he ignored it with a gentle smile on his face.

"Your Highness, I have some royal secrets here, about the current emperor."

There is no need to beat around the bush and come up with valuable news that will impress Prince Qing. Only then will there be hope of survival. Explanations are useless.

Upon seeing this, Zhu Guangxiao immediately left the secret room.

"Your Highness, I will take my leave."

Zhao En bowed hypocritically and followed him out, but he was actually very curious. The emperor's secret was so intriguing.

The King of Chu had no intention of keeping them. There were many ways to win people's hearts. It was foolish to use such important information to test other people's loyalty.

The two of them closed the door of the secret room, and Prince Qing finally spoke:

"Tell me, I'm really curious about what secret has kept you here until now."

The black robe grinned.

"The Plum Blossom Guards helped Your Majesty seize the throne, yet he wants to purge them. Isn't that strange, Your Highness?"

The secret guards, shadow guards, and plum blossom inner guards all help the master deal with matters that are not allowed to be seen in public. They are the absolute confidants.

To exaggerate,

When the emperor favors a concubine, they have to eavesdrop in secret or hide in the roof beams to peek. Such a relationship makes him an absolute confidant who is closer than his wife and children.

Cleaning out your confidants in a big way, not to mention the backlash that will come, other people who have joined you will definitely have other thoughts in their minds.

Even the absolute confidants will be killed, what are they? This will directly lead to instability among the people, and no one dares to surrender.

But the emperor did just that.

Prince Qing had thought about this question but hadn't found the answer. Now that Black Robe mentioned it, he became even more curious.

The man in black robe did not give a direct answer, but continued to ask questions.

"His Royal Highness the Crown Prince was murdered, and His Majesty has abandoned a thorough investigation. Does Your Highness know the reason?"

Prince Qing gave an uncertain answer:

"Father, don't you want to lose another son?"

"Hahaha....."

The black robe laughed loudly,

"Nine sons are vying for the throne, and His Majesty has killed his brothers and father without mercy. Would he care about the death of one more son? It's simply ridiculous!"

Yes,

After my father registered his throne, he implemented benevolent policies and cared about his reputation, so much so that many people have forgotten how he seized the throne.

Family affection is indifferent. How could they give up their rebellious behavior just because one more son died?

Zhao Tong frowned.

"Tell me why."

"Your Majesty is unwilling to restore the title of Crown Prince and is unwilling to investigate the Crown Prince's affairs. The reason lies with the Empress."

Kunning Palace,

"Your Majesty, this is the food sent by the Crown Prince's Consort."

"I'll make it for dinner."

Shen Shujie was lowering her head, sewing a New Year's dress. The bright red phoenix looked lively and lifelike, as if it was about to fly out.

The nanny wanted to help, but was rejected by Shen Shujie:

"I will do it myself."

Xiao Yunxi has no family background and does not know how to do handicrafts. As her wedding is approaching, the Queen wants to sew a wedding dress for her by hand to express her gratitude.

The Zhou family is also busy preparing for the upcoming wedding. Because of the tight time schedule, Qin Lan personally took action.

She has managed three sons, two daughters, and five weddings, and everything was done in an orderly manner. If it were handed over to Sheng Shumo, it would probably be a mess.

I was going to pay the betrothal gift tomorrow, but I didn't expect trouble to come my way.

In ancient times, marriages were mostly arranged by parents and matchmakers, and the process had to follow the six rituals.

First is Nacai,

The man asks a matchmaker to bring gifts to the woman's house to propose marriage. After the woman agrees, the matchmaker asks her name and date of birth and performs divination.

This is asking for the name?

The divination result is auspicious, and the man prepares gifts to formally propose marriage. Is it for Najib?

The man sends a betrothal gift to the woman's family to formally engage the woman. Is this called "Nazheng"?

The man selects a wedding date, informs the woman's family and asks for their consent. Is this a request for a date?

The groom goes to the bride's house in person to marry the bride, which is called "qinying". At this step, the marriage contract is officially fulfilled.

Xiao Yunxi doesn't have any contact with her biological father, and since the marriage was arranged by the emperor, the Zhou family discussed it directly with Xiao Yunxi. Tomorrow is the day to pay the betrothal gifts.

The eldest princess sent someone to the door and said that Daxia ruled the country with filial piety. Xiao Chen was Xiao Yunxi's biological father, so it was unreasonable for her daughter to get married without the approval of her father.

The betrothal gifts were sent to the Xiao Mansion, and Xiao Yunxi was also going to marry out of the Xiao Mansion.

"That's too much! The eldest princess is taking advantage of Yunxi's motherlessness to bully her, right? I'm going to find my eldest sister."

Shen Shumo is a hedgehog, she explodes at any moment. Qin Lan glared at her:

"What's the matter with you? Sit down and be quiet!"

"mother...."

"sit down!"

Shen Shumo reluctantly sat back in the chair, and Zhou Yu poured her a glass of water to cool her down.

"This matter is originally a small matter, there is no need to ask the eldest sister to come forward."

"How can it be a small matter? Fuqing is just bullying people."

"Okay."

Qin Lan asked her to be patient:

"After all, Xiao Chen is Yun Xi's father. If this matter gets out of hand, people won't blame Xiao Chen, but only Yun Xi. Don't you understand the truth that people's words are to be feared?"

The eldest princess coming to the Zhou family at this time is an open conspiracy.

When the Zhou family approached Xiao Chen to discuss betrothal gifts and marriage matters, Xiao Chen and the eldest princess could use the names of their parents to disgust Xiao Yunxi and even deliberately delay the wedding.

If the Zhou family still skips Xiao Chen, it will inevitably spread rumors that Xiao Yunxi is unfilial.

The Zhou family couldn't make a decision for Xiao Yunxi, so they sent someone to the Xiao Mansion to inform her. Xiao Yunxi didn't take it seriously. Since they wanted to disgust her, she would just play along with them.

"On Wednesday, you will take people to transport a batch of gold and silver jewelry to the Zhou Mansion. This money will be sent to the Xiao Mansion as an additional betrothal gift."

If the Xiao family wants to disgust people, it's not a big deal. But if Xiao Chen wants to deliberately delay the wedding date, Xiao Yunxi has more ruthless ways to deal with them.

the next day,

The Zhou family beat gongs and drums and sent the betrothal gifts to the Xiao Mansion. The housekeeper sang and read the betrothal gifts at the door.

1000 taels of gold, 10 million taels of silver, 20 boxes of jewels, 100 rare books, 30 sets of calligraphy and paintings by famous artists, 100 South China Sea pearls...

"The Zhou family is really generous!"

"This betrothal gift is more generous than the one the prince would give his wife."

“My dear, I’m curious about what dowry the Xiao family wants.”

"Dowry? You're overthinking it. The Xiao family is deliberately trying to disgust the Crown Prince's Consort and the Zhou family."

"how do I say this?"

"The eldest princess is the stepmother of the Crown Prince's wife. Back then, the prince consort abandoned his wife and daughter to curry favor with the rich and powerful. The two have severed their relationship. Xiao Chen and the eldest princess just can't stand seeing the Crown Prince's wife doing well, so they're deliberately making things difficult for her."

One pass ten, ten pass one hundred,

The Crown Prince's Consort fought against evil and protected the good, and taught Princess Gaoyang a lesson, but she offended the eldest princess instead. The news that the eldest princess wanted to take revenge on Xiao Yunxi and deliberately made a fuss about her marriage spread like wildfire.