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Liang Han sat to one side, his face gloomy, clearly seething with anger. His family was related to the Duke of Liang's mansion, and with the Duke of Liang's mansion being severely punished for the granary case, his family had inevitably been implicated. To quell the matter, the Yongchang Earl's mansion had to spend a large sum of money, drastically reducing its expenses. Liang Han, accustomed to a life of extravagance and debauchery, was now greatly affected by this turn of events. Thinking of this, his resentment grew stronger, and even the sumptuous dishes on the table held no appeal for him; he only occasionally let out a cold snort to vent his dissatisfaction.

As the elder at the table, Sheng Hong noticed Gu Tingye's absent-mindedness and Liang Han's displeasure. He sighed inwardly but said nothing. He could only try to maintain the atmosphere, chatting casually with Grand Secretary Yu and Liu Shan to ease the slightly oppressive atmosphere. Wen Yanjing listened attentively to the conversation, occasionally interjecting politely, displaying his usual gentle and refined manners. The younger brothers, Sheng Changfeng and Sheng Changdong, seemed to understand the complex situation but remained quiet, watching the adults talk. Grand Secretary Yu, Liu Shan, Youyou, and others also harbored their own thoughts, creating a subtle and complex atmosphere at the joyous full moon celebration banquet.

Inside the Jin residence, everyone was immersed in the lively atmosphere of the full moon celebration, clinking glasses and exchanging laughter. The aroma of wine and food mingled with the sounds of conversation, creating a joyous ambiance throughout the banquet hall. Just then, a commotion arose from the direction of the residence's gate. A servant, leading a group of people, slowly entered the Jin residence carrying several large boxes of gifts. Everyone's attention was immediately drawn to them, and they began to speculate about the distinguished guest from whom these generous gifts were presented.

The messenger walked directly to Marshal Jin and respectfully presented the gift list from the Emperor and Empress Cao. The moment Marshal Jin received the list, a gasp of astonishment rippled through the crowd. In everyone's understanding, for the weddings and funerals of officials, the Emperor usually only sent some gifts through the Ministry of Rites as a token gesture, and these were mostly handled by ordinary officials. To send a special messenger with such solemnity was extremely rare. This undoubtedly demonstrated the Emperor's extraordinary regard for Marshal Jin, truly surprising everyone present.

Jin Shuai's face instantly contorted into a greedy grin, his eyes glued to the gift list, eagerly examining its contents. Just as he was engrossed in reading, a servant rushed in, panting, and reported, "My lord, Princess Fukang has arrived!" Upon hearing this, Jin Shuai was taken aback, inwardly wondering, "Holy crap, why is she here?" But he quickly recovered, knowing that the princess's arrival demanded proper etiquette. So, he hurriedly went with Old Master Jin to the main gate to greet her.

The father and son hurried to the entrance, where a richly decorated carriage came to a smooth stop. The curtain was lifted slightly, and a beautiful young woman gracefully stepped down. She wore magnificent palace attire, her figure elegant, her face exquisite, and her eyes exuding royal nobility. Old Master Jin and General Jin quickly stepped forward, respectfully bowed, and said in unison, "Welcome, Princess!"

Princess Fukang nodded slightly, a gentle smile on her face, and said, "Lord Jin, Lord Zhiyong, I apologize for disturbing you. My mother is unwell and unable to come in person, so she specially sent me to see the child. It just so happens that I have some matters I would like to consult with Lord Zhiyong." Her voice was clear and melodious, like a nightingale singing in a valley.

Old Master Jin quickly bowed and said, "I am deeply grateful for Your Majesty's concern. I hope the princess will convey my gratitude to Your Majesty on my behalf." After saying this, he gently nudged Marshal Jin, who was still in a daze, with his elbow.

It turned out that when Jin Shuai heard that Princess Fukang had arrived, he couldn't help but recall the various past events of Princess Fukang in later history, and for a moment he was lost in thought. It was only after being nudged by Old Master Jin that he suddenly came back to his senses, and quickly bowed again, saying, "Your Highness is too kind. I hope that this humble subject can be of assistance to Your Highness."

Princess Fukang smiled slightly and said, "Whether I can help or not, I thank Lord Zhiyong in advance. Come, take me to see the child!" With that, she walked lightly into the mansion, led by Marshal Jin and Old Master Jin, leaving behind a group of guests who were still savoring this unexpected scene.

Marshal Jin summoned Yue Ru and instructed her to lead Princess Fukang to the inner quarters to first visit Hua Lan and the child. Yue Ru and the princess had met a few times before, so having her lead the way was both convenient and appropriate. After the arrangements were made, Marshal Jin hurriedly ordered people to go to the pavilion in the garden and carefully prepare a feast. He already had a plan in mind: he would receive the princess in this pavilion later.

At this moment, in the pavilion of the Jin Mansion Garden, water was boiling on a small stove, making a bubbling sound, and wisps of steam rose, seemingly adding a touch of poetry to the tranquil garden. To avoid criticism, given the distinction between men and women in this era, and especially since Princess Fukang was an unmarried royal daughter, Marshal Jin specially invited several ladies to accompany him, so that conversation could unfold naturally during the meal.

Standing in the pavilion, Jin Shuai watched the servants make orderly arrangements, pondering to himself: what could be the purpose of this most beloved princess of Emperor Zhao Zhen's visit? Just then, Princess Fukang, Zhao Huirou, gracefully approached. Jin Shuai and the others quickly rose, respectfully bowed, and warmly invited the princess to sit. After taking her seat, Princess Fukang, with a gentle smile, first showered Jin Shuai's son and wife with praise, her words revealing sincerity and friendliness. However, after a brief exchange of pleasantries, she quickly got to the point.

It turns out that when Princess Fukang was nine years old, Emperor Renzong (Zhao Zhen) had already betrothed her to Li Wei, who was thirteen at the time. Consort Li had a younger brother named Li Yonghe, and Li Wei was Li Yonghe's second son, meaning Li Wei was actually Emperor Renzong's cousin. Princess Fukang had seen Li Wei since childhood and was deeply impressed by his appearance—he was certainly not handsome, and could even be described as ugly. As he grew older, Li Wei's appearance did not improve; in the princess's eyes, he became increasingly ugly. However, although Li Wei was not good-looking, he was quite talented. However, Princess Fukang was truly unwilling to marry Li Wei, which is why she sought out General Jin, hoping to find a solution from him.

Upon hearing Princess Fukang's explanation of her purpose, Jin Shuai secretly breathed a sigh of relief. He had initially speculated that the princess's visit must have concerned some important matter of the court and the nation. However, upon learning it was about marriage, he thought: In later generations, such a thing would be unthinkable; marriage between close relatives would be absolutely against ethics and morality and would be forbidden. However, in this era, there was no explicit prohibition against marriage between close relatives, and even marriages between people of different generations were common in society and not considered a violation of etiquette. Take Princess Fukang's case, for example. According to seniority, the princess should have addressed Li Wei as her cousin, a generation apart. Why would Zhao Zhen marry his daughter to his cousin? Behind this lies a poignant and tragic story, the "Prince Replaced by a Civet Cat" tale widely circulated in later generations, reflecting Zhao Zhen's tragic past.

Emperor Renzong of Song, Zhao Zhen, was not born to Empress Liu E, but to Consort Li. Consort Li was originally just a close attendant of Liu E. Although Empress Liu E was of high rank, she had long suffered from infertility. In that courtly environment, to consolidate her position, Liu E devised a plan to have Consort Li serve Emperor Zhenzong in her place. Coincidentally, Consort Li became pregnant and gave birth to Zhao Zhen. However, according to the rules of the ancient court, Zhao Zhen was immediately placed in Empress Liu E's care after birth, and it was publicly declared that Liu E was his biological mother.

In the turbulent court, a rather special and subtle relationship existed between Empress Liu and Consort Li. They tacitly protected the secret of their birth. Therefore, before Empress Liu's death, Emperor Renzong of Song, Zhao Zhen, was completely unaware of his true parentage, always regarding Empress Liu as his biological mother and serving her with utmost respect.

Fate's turning points are always sudden. After Empress Liu's death, the peaceful court was suddenly thrown into turmoil. Prince Yan, Zhao Yuanyan, harboring ulterior motives, slandered Emperor Renzong (Zhao Zhen), saying, "Your Majesty, you are not Empress Liu's biological son. Your birth mother was Consort Li, who was tragically persecuted to death by Empress Liu!" These words struck Emperor Renzong like a thunderbolt, instantly exploding in his heart. Only then did Emperor Renzong awaken from his dream, realizing with shock that Empress Liu, whom he had served for many years and revered as his mother, was not his biological mother.

Upon learning the truth, Zhao Zhen was filled with anger and grief, his heart heavy with resentment over his birth mother's fate. He resolutely ordered the coffin of his mother, Consort Li, to be opened, wanting to personally examine her remains and uncover the truth behind her death. However, the scene revealed when the coffin lid was slowly opened was vastly different from what Zhao Yuanyan had described. Although Consort Li had been dead for many years, her expression remained peaceful, with no trace of abuse on her face. Moreover, all the funeral arrangements within the coffin were meticulously carried out according to the standards for an empress, displaying utmost respect. Everything before them clearly indicated that his birth mother had indeed been treated kindly by Empress Dowager Liu E during her lifetime.

This is the true version of the "Prince Replaced by a Civet Cat" story that has been passed down through the ages. It is not filled with bloody killings and cruel conspiracies as in folk legends, but rather a historical event full of court secrets and the complexities of human nature, which makes people feel a lot of emotions and endless sighs for that turbulent court period.

However, Emperor Renzong of Song, Zhao Zhen, could never find peace in his heart, grieving that he had failed to fulfill even the slightest filial duty to his mother during her lifetime. This regret weighed heavily on his heart like a boulder, causing him restlessness day and night. Therefore, he devoted himself to trying to bestow more favor and affection upon his maternal uncle's family, attempting to slightly compensate for the unfillable void deep within his heart.

In ancient times, with its strict feudal ethics, for ordinary families, being able to marry into the royal family was undoubtedly the highest honor and a real blessing. It not only meant a dramatic rise in family status but also the enjoyment of wealth and luxury. After much deliberation, Emperor Zhao Zhen finally decided to betroth his most beloved daughter, Princess Fukang, to his mother's family. In his view, this would strengthen the ties between the two families, making them a loving and unified whole. He himself could then shower his boundless love upon the couple about to enter into marriage.

This was Zhao Zhen's most simple and straightforward way of thinking. In his mind, things were like solving a simple math problem: 1 + 1 = 2, the logic clear and straightforward. He believed that by doing so, he could both console himself for his mother's passing and bring imperial favor to her family—a win-win situation. Little did he know that this seemingly simple decision would later trigger many unexpected waves of trouble.

Emperor Renzong of Song, Zhao Zhen, meticulously chose Li Wei as the husband for his daughter, Zhao Huirou. His intentions were undeniably noble; he hoped the marriage would bring the two families closer together, continuing the legacy of imperial favor. However, reality, like a cruel blade, easily shattered his beautiful illusions. He could never have foreseen that marriage is not a simple arithmetic problem. Forcing two people together through rigid arrangements would only lead to a heartbreaking marital tragedy, deeply wounding two once-happy families.

Princess Fukang's life was like a dramatic and tragic epic, best described as "adorable in her childhood, hateful after marriage, and pitiful in her later years." Emperor Renzong's affection for Princess Fukang was unparalleled, rarely matched throughout thousands of years of history. To summarize this favor in a succinct sentence, her treatment was comparable to that of the Crown Prince.

Historical records clearly reveal this extraordinary favor. "On the day of Bingyin in the sixth month of the second year of the Jiayou reign (1896), Princess Fukang was promoted to Princess of Yan, and the relevant authorities were ordered to select a day for the grand investiture ceremony. On the day of Wuchen, Consort Miao, the mother of Princess Fukang, was promoted to Consort Xian." The phrase "grand investiture ceremony" is particularly crucial, signifying an exceptionally grand investiture ceremony for Princess Fukang. It's important to understand that in the deeply ingrained patriarchal society of ancient China, the investiture of a princess typically required only an imperial edict; there was no precedent for such a grand ceremony. Princess Fukang, however, broke this long-standing rule. Furthermore, at the same time as her investiture, her mother, Consort Miao, was also promoted to Consort Xian due to the principle of "a mother's status rising with her daughter's." This is far from all. Zhao Zhen even bestowed upon Princess Fukang the same honors as the Crown Prince, granting her three young attendants in the Eastern Palace. Furthermore, he spared no expense, spending hundreds of thousands of strings of cash to build a residence for the princess in the southern suburbs. Her treatment was only slightly less than that of the Crown Prince. All of this demonstrates Zhao Zhen's unparalleled affection for Princess Fukang.

In the rigidly hierarchical and notoriously cold-hearted imperial family, Emperor Renzong of Song's affection for Princess Fukang was extraordinary, raising questions: Why did he dote on this daughter so much? Did Emperor Renzong actually have the idea of ​​making his daughter the crown princess? If the prevailing social norms had allowed it, perhaps Emperor Renzong would have actually taken action! It turns out that for a considerable period of time, Emperor Renzong had no sons, and Princess Fukang was practically his only daughter during those years.