The Crown Princess is busy fishing

Back at the Prince's Mansion, Hua Ruoyan and Lin Yuge were examining a new batch of exotic fabrics that had arrived on the merchant ship.

The fabrics were brightly colored and had unique textures, shimmering with a captivating luster in the candlelight.

"Grandma, Mom, we're back! We even caught a big fish!" Xiao Qianmo shouted excitedly.

Hua Ruoyan greeted him with a smile, took the fish basket from Xiao Yuan's hand, and said reproachfully:

"You two, grandfather and grandson, all you do is play around. Aren't you afraid of getting sunburned?"

Lin Yuge then pulled Xiao Qianmo aside and pointed to the fabrics:

"Qianqian, do you think these fabrics are pretty? How about your mother makes you some new clothes?"

Xiao Qianmo touched the soft fabrics with curiosity, her eyes full of wonder.

At this moment, Xiao Yunqing led Xiao Yi'an into the house.

As soon as Xiao Yi'an saw Xiao Qianmo, he ran over to share the interesting things that happened at the academy that day:

"Little sister, the master told me many stories of wisdom from the ancients today, and I wrote them all down. I'll tell them to you later."

The family sat together, their laughter filling the air.

Just then, Mo Nan, who was now the steward of the Prince's mansion, hurriedly walked in, his expression slightly grave. "Your Highness, a secret letter from the capital!"

Upon hearing this, Xiao Yunqing felt a chill and quickly got up to take the secret letter.

He quickly glanced through it, his brows furrowing deeper and deeper, as if the surrounding air itself had become heavier.

Upon seeing this, the laughter and chatter ceased abruptly, and everyone turned their gazes toward Xiao Yunqing, their eyes filled with concern and worry.

Xiao Yuan asked in a deep voice, "Yun Qing, what is written in the letter? Has something happened in the capital?"

Xiao Yunqing took a deep breath and slowly spoke:

“Father, my uncle is seriously ill and has not attended court for many days. The struggle for the throne among the princes is becoming increasingly fierce.”

The court is now in a state of panic, with various factions vying for power and creating chaos.

Xiao Yuan's expression changed, and his face immediately turned sorrowful:

"Your royal uncle has worked so hard for so many years, but he never expected the situation would still come to this!"

In this struggle for the throne, it is ultimately the common people who suffer the most.

He paused slightly, a resolute glint in his eyes:

"Yunqing, quickly give the orders to settle all affairs in Lingnan, contact the others, and we will prepare to return to the capital."

Xiao Yunqing hesitated.

"Father, if we go to the capital at this time, won't people think we're also going to fight for the throne?"

After all, we've accomplished quite a bit in Lingnan over the years, so it's inevitable that we'll attract suspicion.

Xiao Yuan shook his head slightly and sighed deeply:

"As a subject, one must go to the aid of one's ruler when he is in trouble."

Besides, your royal uncle has treated us well; both morally and logically, we cannot stand idly by.

Xiao Yuan's words made Xiao Yunqing no longer hesitate, and he immediately accepted the order to settle the many affairs in Lingnan.

After contacting a trustworthy person, they prepared to discreetly travel to the capital with Xiao Yuan.

Although Lin Yuge and Hua Ruoyan were filled with worry, they could only brace themselves and stay in Lingnan.

Protect this land and eliminate any worries for the father and son.

However, despite the father and son's hurried journey, before they even reached the capital, devastating news arrived from the city.

Emperor Qianyuan did not live to see them arrive in the capital; he had already passed away.

The news came like a heavy hammer blow to everyone's hearts.

Upon hearing this, Lin Yuge dropped the ledger she was examining to the ground with a "thud," and her face instantly turned deathly pale.

His eyes were filled with fear and worry, and he muttered to himself:

"My father and Yunqing should not have arrived in the capital yet, now His Majesty has passed away."

The situation in the capital must be extremely dangerous, like boiling oil in a pot. I wonder how they will cope.

She was extremely anxious and paced back and forth in the hall.

However, being far away in Lingnan, there was no way to know their safety immediately.

All we can do is pray that they can handle the complicated and chaotic situation safely.

Hua Ruoyan was even more restless. She had been trying to remain calm while arranging the defense of Lingnan.

But upon hearing the news, her hands trembled slightly, her eyes reddened, and her voice trembled with a hint of a sob:

"What should we do? We should never have let them come to the capital at this time."

Now that His Majesty is gone, those princes will surely stop at nothing to vie for the throne.

They are caught in that vortex, facing danger at every turn; a single misstep could plunge them into utter ruin.

She quickly summoned a messenger and ordered him to send more people to the capital to gather information.

Then they went to the Buddhist temple to pray for the father and son, hoping they could escape this disaster and return home safely soon.

After a long and agonizing three-month wait, shocking news finally arrived from the capital.

The news was like a pebble thrown into a calm lake, instantly creating ripples throughout the Lingnan Prince's Mansion.

It turned out that the new emperor had ascended the throne and issued an edict appointing Xiao Yuan as regent.

This news left Hua Ruoyan and her daughter-in-law Lin Yuge both stunned.

However, he also secretly breathed a sigh of relief, glad that Xiao Yuan and his son Xiao Yunqing were safe for the time being.

However, the identity of this new emperor was quite unexpected.

According to popular speculation, the new emperor should be chosen from among several princes who have a strong reputation, have cultivated their influence in the court for many years, and wield considerable power.

Either he was a prince who had long resided in the Eastern Palace and whose status had been predetermined.

Either he is the second prince who has the support of many powerful clans and a large number of followers.

Or perhaps it is the Fifth Prince, whose maternal family is prominent and who controls part of the military.

However, the one who ultimately ascended the throne was someone who had just turned thirty.

The Ninth Prince, who previously had almost no presence in the imperial court.

How could the Ninth Prince, who has always kept a low profile, suddenly ascend the throne?

After much anticipation, Xiao Yunqing finally returned.

The mother-in-law and daughter-in-law eagerly pulled him close and bombarded him with a series of questions.

Looking at their anxious faces, Xiao Yunqing gave a wry smile and slowly revealed a shocking secret:

"We have all been deceived by our father and our royal uncle."

Back then, the Emperor's uncle seemed to have taken back the military power in the north, but in reality, he never truly took it back.

Furthermore, she left her father a crucial imperial edict.

Lin Yuge's eyes widened, her face filled with disbelief:

"How is this possible? How could such a major event not have leaked out at all?"

Hua Ruoyan chimed in, "Yes, your father has kept this from us for so long. What's the real story behind it?"

Xiao Yunqing sat down and said solemnly:

"When my uncle was in power, he noticed that the princes were fighting openly and secretly for the throne."

If this continues, it will inevitably drag the court into an abyss and endanger the fate of the Great Qian Dynasty.

The Ninth Prince displayed extraordinary intelligence and kindness from a young age. Although he was sent out of the palace to experience life among the common people, he always cared about the world.

After years of secret investigation, the Emperor's uncle concluded that only the Ninth Prince's ascension to the throne could sweep away the corruption in the court and usher in a prosperous and enlightened era.

My father has been staying in Lingnan all these years, ostensibly away from the court's intrigues, but in reality, he has been preparing for this day.

Our trip to the capital is to cooperate with our Imperial Uncle's plan, to help the Ninth Prince smoothly ascend the throne, and to stabilize the court.

The mother-in-law and daughter-in-law remained silent for a long time after hearing this.

I admire Emperor Qian Yuan's profound wisdom and foresight.

I am still shaken by the harrowing journey I have taken.

Fortunately, everything is moving in a positive direction.

After the Ninth Prince ascended the throne, he lived up to everyone's expectations.

The imperial court was transformed, and the Great Qian Dynasty gradually embarked on the path to prosperity.

Despite the new emperor's repeated invitations, Lin Yuge and Xiao Yunqing did not return to the capital.

They dedicated their lives to the development of Lingnan.

As time goes by, the names of Lin Yuge and Xiao Yunqing are still widely circulated among the people of Lingnan.

They dedicated their entire lives to protecting this land.

They witnessed the prosperity of Lingnan and wrote their own legendary stories amidst the green mountains and clear waters.

Even when I am old and gray, looking back on my life, I will have no regrets about the deep affection and kindness this land has given me.