Chapter 457: Chapter 255: The Former Empress and Her Majesty the Empress
The passing of Princess Consort Dai did not stir up much in the capital. However, her death was not good news for Marquis Xuanping’s Mansion.
The Marquis Mansion dearly loved their eldest daughter, and her passing at such a young age was a great blow to him, making him suddenly feel ten years older.
Princess Consort Dai was wise and filial, and the glory of Marquis Xuanping’s Mansion today had much to do with her contributions.
The Marquis often said that Princess Consort Dai resembled Noble Princess Consort Rong the most, not in appearance, but in her exceptional intelligence.
Princess Consort Dai grew up by Noble Princess Consort Rong’s side, deeply influenced by her, and her way of doing things bore the mark of Noble Princess Consort Rong’s style. However, she possessed an added touch of delicacy. It was precisely this delicacy that enabled her to perceive Prince Dai’s emotions.
She had a way with words and could always persuade the fiery Prince Dai to calm down. Both the Marquis and Noble Princess Consort Rong worried that without Princess Consort Dai, no one could placate Prince Dai.
Prince Dai had a somewhat irascible temperament, was hasty in his actions, and also a bit stubborn. Once his temper flared, he would become obstinate, making it difficult to heed others’ advice, except for the words of Princess Consort Dai, which he could listen to.
If Prince Dai were likened to an untamed wild horse, then Princess Consort Dai would be the reins that held this wild horse. Now that these reins were gone, who could hold Prince Dai?
The passing of Princess Consort Dai was also a huge blow to Prince Dai. During this period, he seemed like a lost soul, having no appetite even for meals, let alone attending court.
Noble Princess Consort Rong was very worried for Prince Dai and specially requested permission from the Emperor to leave the palace to visit and comfort her son.
Prince Dai was too heartbroken to heed anyone’s advice at the moment.
With no alternative, Noble Princess Consort Rong brought out her grandson, which finally roused Prince Dai.
In memory of Princess Consort Dai, Prince Dai invited eighty-one eminent monks to chant scriptures for her for forty-nine days.
Seeing Prince Dai’s deep affection for Princess Consort Dai, the people praised him as a good husband, winning him a wave of good reputation among the populace.
"Your Highness, do you think Prince Dai is pretending to be deeply affectionate?" Tong Xi doubted Prince Dai’s sincerity towards Princess Consort Dai.
"Not necessarily." Zhao Yao recalled seeing Prince Dai appear utterly heartbroken during mourning and thought Prince Dai did not seem to be acting. "Prince Dai and Princess Consort Dai grew up together as childhood sweethearts; their relationship should be quite genuine."
"Really?" Tong Xi looked skeptical, "Your Highness, could someone like Prince Dai truly be so affectionate?" He couldn’t imagine Prince Dai being so tender and devoted like a character in a book; it was too frightening.
Zhao Yao glanced sideways at Tong Xi and said, "Why couldn’t Prince Dai be affectionate?"
Tong Xi said, "It just seems very strange."
"There’s nothing strange about it," Zhao Yao said, raising his arms to stretch, then crossed his hands behind his head, strolling lazily.
"Your Highness, now that Princess Consort Dai is gone, will the Consort become the Heir Princess Consort?"
"No, neither the Marquis nor Noble Princess Consort Rong would agree to that." Zhao Yao speculated, "They’ll probably have Princess Consort Dai’s sister become the Heir Princess Consort."
Tong Xi exclaimed, "Isn’t that just like the Empress?" After the former Empress passed away, her sister, the current Empress, married the Emperor as the successor Empress.
"Yes, just like the Empress..." At this, Zhao Yao suddenly remembered something, and his expression turned very peculiar.
Seeing Zhao Yao’s odd expression, Tong Xi asked worriedly, "Your Highness, what’s wrong?"
"What did you just say was like the Empress?"
Tong Xi found Zhao Yao’s question strange but answered truthfully, "The Empress is the sister of the former Empress, and after the former Empress died, that’s why she married the Emperor. Now that Princess Consort Dai has passed away, wouldn’t her sister also marry Prince Dai as the Heir Princess Consort?"
"That’s it." Zhao Yao had a frightening suspicion in his mind, but he quickly dismissed it, thinking he had overthought things.
Seeing Zhao Yao’s face change — surprised, then shocked, then denying — Tong Xi couldn’t help but worry, "Your Highness, what’s wrong?"
Zhao Yao shook his head and said, "It’s nothing, I just overthought." Just now, he had a very terrifying thought. Really, how could he have such a dreadful idea?
"Your Highness, what were you worried about just now?"
"Nothing to worry about," Zhao Yao said. "It’s getting late, let’s head back."
Zhao Yao had returned from the Fourth Prince’s place. Just like two years ago, every evening he would go to the Fourth Prince to learn a few things. Previously, he was learning the Li Family script from the Fourth Prince. A year ago, he had mastered all the Li Family script.