TGCFNM -Chapter 568 The Grand Finale

Prince Rui looked at Chu Ling’s dazed expression and helplessly sat down, and Prince Su followed suit.

“Wan Xing probably knows more about this,” Prince Rui said, looking at him.

Wan Xing nodded slightly. “I’ve known since I was a child that I am the crown prince’s child. I was sent to live with the Wan family. Most of the forces under the crown prince back then were also integrated into the Wan family. They raised me carefully, and with everyone’s expectations, I gradually took over this part of the power, strengthening the Wan family step by step, all in preparation for the future.”

Everyone present knew exactly what “preparation” meant.

Prince Su nodded and spoke in a deep voice: “Things happened too suddenly back then; we had no chance to retaliate. We always thought it was Father’s doing… After leaving the palace, we secretly investigated and quietly built our strength.”

Prince He added, “I didn’t flee to my fief to hide. I was raising soldiers. That’s why we were able to strike back so quickly this time.”

“In short, everything is settled now, so we want to ask you two,” Prince Rui said, looking at Wan Xing and Chu Ling. “What are your plans?”

“If you ascend the throne, we can immediately begin arranging things,” Prince Su said, looking at Wan Xing. “You’ve already been guided by those your eldest brother left behind. I believe you can handle it well.”

Wan Xing looked solemnly at everyone and said, “I choose to give it up.”

Prince Su frowned. “Why give it up? You are fully capable of taking the throne.”

Wan Xing shook his head slightly. “Over all these years, I’ve been thinking about one question: is royal bloodline really that important? Just because I’m the crown prince’s orphan, does the Wan family have to produce another son, even pouring all their energy into me…”

“Everyone protected me. No one even knew I had a sister. They devoted all their care to me, neglecting Sanjin and Xiao Ling, just because I might become the future emperor? That’s not fair.”

Prince Rui looked at him. “You could choose to make amends.”

Wan Xing nodded. “Of course I’ll make amends, but I refuse the throne. That cold, unfeeling dragon seat—I don’t want it. I’d rather do business and enjoy freedom.”

Prince Su pursed his lips, frowning, then looked at Chu Ling.

Chu Ling pointed at herself. “You’re not seriously going to make me empress, right?”

“It’s not impossible. With everyone here, who dares say you’re unfit?” the princess consort said decisively.

After thinking seriously, Chu Ling replied solemnly: “I want to return to Sishui County and serve as the county magistrate. And I hope the newly enthroned emperor will grant me my salary.”

Prince Rui: “……”

Prince Su: “……”

“Have you made up your mind?” the princess consort asked, half embracing Chu Ling.

Chu Ling nodded. “I have. And I plan to renovate the county office—lay down dragon tiles for the floor.”

“Speaking of your county office…” Prince Rui and Prince Su exchanged a glance before slowly speaking: “Back then, our eldest brother had arranged for a group of people to be sent to Sishui County to retain some strength. But actually, it was a trap someone set, so they all died there.”

Chu Ling stared blankly at Prince Su, her eyes reddening as tears fell: “Then… their remains are in the county office?”

Prince Rui nodded. “They should be.”

Suddenly, Chu Ling raised her hand to wipe her face, choking back her sobs. “I… I need to prepare to leave. I have to go back to Sishui County.”

Prince Su, seeing her like this, helplessly looked at the princess consort. “Wipe her face… why did she suddenly start crying?”

The princess consort gently patted her back. “Alright, if you don’t want the throne, you don’t take it. If you want to return to Sishui County, then go. I promise your salary—whoever doesn’t pay, I’ll make a scene with them.”

Chu Ling nodded repeatedly.

Prince Rui had no choice but to change the subject, looking at the two of them and recounting their father’s demeanor back then, and how their eldest brother appeared in their eyes.

Though the crown prince was regarded by all as the future wise ruler of Da Zhou, and indeed performed admirably, deeply loved by many, he had also once hated studying, skipped classes, caused mischief with his brothers, and even played tricks on the tutors and the emperor himself… those had been carefree days, giving Chu Ling and Wan Xing a more concrete impression of their father.

He was a good man, and also a playful one.

And all that he did to protect his younger siblings and serve Da Zhou—even at the moment of death—he never regretted. That was why Chu Ling never saw his spirit.

Yet, if there were a next life, Chu Ling hoped he could live happily with the crown princess.

Before leaving the palace, Wan Xing and Chu Ling went to the Eastern Palace.

Fu Qingyu’s belongings had already been cleared out, and the remaining items of the crown prince, aside from some wear, hadn’t changed much.

After kneeling together and kowtowing once, the two rose and left.

Three days later, Chu Ling and Wan Sanjin gathered their things and left the capital ahead of schedule, returning to Sishui County to cause trouble for lack of funds.

Wan Xing stayed temporarily in the capital to handle his own business.

A month later, the Princess Consort of Rui returned victorious. At the same time, Prince Rui ascended the throne, offering sacrifices to Heaven together with the princess consort, and Xiao Yunsheng was named Crown Prince.

After participating in the grand ceremony, Prince He left the stationed troops behind and returned to his fief.

The Prince Su took the Princess Su on a tour outside the capital; his youthful wish could finally be fulfilled.

Minister Lu was forcibly kept by Prince Rui, continuing his duties and overseeing next year’s spring examination. His wife, Madam Lu, was quietly taken away by Chu Ling, who said they would go visit Sishui County and give her a comfortable retirement.

By the time Minister Lu found out, there was nothing he could do besides submitting daily memorials. Fortunately, Prince Rui had ultimately agreed that once the spring examination concluded, Minister Lu could retire.

With that, the capital finally returned to peace, and under Prince Rui’s restructuring, things slowly began moving in a positive direction.

Sishui County.

Since Chu Ling’s return, the place had been lively for three days, then everyone returned to their own routines, just as it had been when Chu Ling was away.

Chu Ling enlisted Qi Da to demolish and rebuild the entire county office, and they unearthed the remains.

After finding the remains, Chu Ling held a proper funeral for them, treating them like children—sending them up the hill with incense and kowtows before slowly descending.

About three days later, the remains of Chu Ling’s parents were personally brought by Wan Xing.

Chu Ling held another funeral, with Wan Xing quietly accompanying her to burn paper offerings, kowtow, and then return to the remains previously unearthed at the county office, bowing sincerely and expressing thanks.

“Are the names all written on them?” Wan Xing asked softly.

Chu Ling nodded, her fingers brushing over the characters she had carved. “Yes, they all have names.”

Wan Xing didn’t ask more. After bowing, he slowly rose and looked at Chu Ling. “Let’s go down the hill.”

Chu Ling nodded and walked down side by side with Wan Xing.

Wan Sanjin was waiting in the carriage. When he saw them descend, he happily waved. “Xiao Hua dug up a lot of wild vegetables; tonight we’ll have wild vegetable dumplings.”

Chu Ling smiled and ran over, looking at the pile of vegetables in front of the carriage. “We can cook a whole big pot with these.”

Zhang Dong looked a bit regretful. “If Zhuifeng hadn’t nibbled some, we’d have even more, sir.”

Chu Ling stepped forward and rubbed the horse Zhuifeng’s face, humming to it twice, before getting into the carriage.

Wan Xing also got in, smiling.

Wan Sanjin shouted, “Let’s go, we’re heading home!”

Zhang Dong urged Zhuifeng to trot along.

Chu Ling lifted the curtain, watching the fallen yellow leaves. She murmured softly, “It’s getting cold.”

“By today, the ground dragon should be laid, so it won’t be a problem when it gets cold. And with Su He supervising, the area is much larger than what elder brother had originally approved,” Wan Sanjin said proudly. Truly, having Su He in charge was essential; if they had only relied on their writing, they wouldn’t have gotten so much area.

Wan Xing could only laugh and shake his head.

Chu Ling laughed heartily. “Then tonight’s dumplings are a celebration!”

Wan Xing nodded lightly, laughing. “Yes, it should be celebrated.”

Xiao Hua couldn’t wait and called out, “Zhuifeng, let’s go home! I’ll add beans for you!”

Zhuifeng neighed, lifted its hooves, and ran forward happily.

(End of text)