Blissful Days After Widowhood - Chapter 521

Emperor Zhengyuan solemnly said, “It seems she targeted you because of your young age, wanting to deceive you. Such people cannot be kept.”

Gu Ye nodded, “I also think so, Father.”

Emperor Zhengyuan considered reaching out to touch his son’s head but refrained, realizing that his grown-up son, who was soon to become the crown prince, openly shared information with him instead of hiding such a person around for future use.

He immediately ordered his men to go to Prince Lie’s Mansion, but instead of conducting an interrogation, the command was to execute her on the spot.

However, when the covert guards arrived at the room where Shen Hanchun was confined, they found that she had already passed away. Moreover, her condition was peculiar—no visible wounds, and the coroners confirmed she was not poisoned. Her appearance was completely withered, as if she had been dead for a long time.

Considering the bizarre claims she made about supernatural occurrences, it only added to the ominous feeling. However, since the outcome was what their master desired, the covert guards didn’t delve further into it. They simply wrapped her in a straw mat and sent her for burial.

…

In June of that year, Gu Ye succeeded as the Crown Prince and moved into the Zhonggong Palace.

Emperor Zhengyuan’s affection for him was evident, not only organizing a grand ceremony for him but also granting him a personal title, Chengjun.

In the current customs, a man received his personal title when he reached the age of twenty and performed the Coming-of-Age Ceremony.

This bestowed title not only reflected Emperor Zhengyuan’s expectations for him but also had a deeper meaning—this title could be used as a reign name in the future, carrying more profound significance than a single character like Lie.

Before the grand ceremony, Gu Ye moved out of the mansion. Gu Yin and others naturally accompanied him.

Gu Ye respectfully kowtowed to Gu Yin and Mrs. Wang, expressing his gratitude.

Thus, the world gained a new Crown Prince, Chengjun, and would no longer have the ruthless and heartless Prince Lie that Shen Hanchun predicted.

With the Crown Prince left, the family was one member short. Although Gu Yin occasionally visited the palace, there was still a sense of emptiness in her heart.

Xiao Yudi found it even more challenging to accept the reality of not seeing her brother often. Every dinner, she would eagerly look towards the door.

After numerous disappointments, she reluctantly accepted the reality. However, she insisted on keeping her brother’s bowl and chopsticks at his seat.

Fortunately, as she grew older, she inherited her father’s good health. Whenever Gu Yin went to the palace, she would bring Xiao Yudi along.

With more frequent visits, Xiao Yudi quickly became familiar with the palace environment.

Empress Zhou, who had seen her only a few times before, grew increasingly fond of her as they spent more time together.

Later, both the Empress Dowager and Emperor Zhengyuan became familiar with her. Whenever they knew Gu Yin was entering the palace, they would send someone to bring Xiao Yudi to meet them.

In the second year of Crown Prince Chengjun’s reign, Emperor Zhengyuan entrusted him with an important task—to investigate a widespread corruption case in Lianghui.

The case had wide-ranging implications, and Gu Ye and Feng Yu were gone for half a year. At that time, Xiao Yudi felt as if the sky had fallen, especially when her brother was away.

As she grew older, she didn’t cry as easily as she did when she was ignorant. Instead, she cried secretly at night.

Her big grape-like eyes turned into big walnuts from crying. She spontaneously asked for schooling, wanting to write letters to her brother miles away.

Typically, boys started their education around three or four, while girls were not subjected to such strict requirements. Even high-ranking families didn’t enforce strict rules for educating girls.

In Gu Yin’s presence, there was no distinction between boys and girls. Since Xiao Yudi requested it, she was naturally accommodated.

However, finding a knowledgeable teacher who didn’t have biases and was willing to teach girls was not easy. Gu Yin, who had developed a good relationship with Empress Zhou, sought advice from her when entering the palace.

Empress Zhou suggested, “Why not let Xiao Yudi directly study at Wenhua Hall? There are not many children in the palace, and the scholars there do teach well. Moreover, Xiao Yudi hasn’t been coming to the palace recently, and both the Empress Dowager and I miss her. It would be nice if she stays with us regularly from now on.”

After figuring out a solution, she immediately discussed it with Emperor Zhengyuan.

Emperor Zhengyuan loved Xiao Yudi as if she were his own, so despite the impropriety, he explained to the public that she was just there to play. After all, Princess Zhao Yang often accompanied her elder brother to class in Wenhua Hall. So naturally, Emperor Zhengyuan agreed.

Going to the palace for studies meant leaving early in the morning and returning only when it was almost dark.

When Gu Ye was younger, he found it tiring, even refusing to get out of bed at times. However, Xiao Yudi never uttered a word of complaint. Every day, she returned home joyfully, sharing that she had learned new characters and then diligently practiced calligraphy. She would send her best-written pieces to her brother after dinner.

While she adapted well to this routine, it was Gu Yin who struggled to adjust. Since her reincarnation, she had been busy—first hustling for a living, then managing a restaurant in the capital, supervising Gu Ye’s education, getting married, and later welcoming Xiao Yudi.

Now that both her children were occupied with their own matters, the restaurant thrived, and the theater on the fifth floor operated smoothly, thanks to Mr. Jiang behind the scenes and the joint efforts of Chu Manrong and Xiao Fengge on stage.

With everything at home running smoothly, Gu Yin found herself with more free time. It left her feeling a bit at a loss.

She had been the center of the family, and her mood affected everyone. Her husband, Wu Qingyi, and even her daughter, Xiao Yudi, noticed the change.

Mrs. Wang suspected it was because Gu Yin wasn’t used to having idle time. She suggested to Wu Qingyi that perhaps having another child would keep Gu Yin occupied.