Zhang Tiehua, supported by her personal maid, returned to the courtyard with tears uncontrollably streaming down her face. She never imagined her fate would be so miserable. She had believed that following the Fifth Prince would lead to a good life, even going so far as to harm her own brother for it. Yet, all that awaited her was a lifetime of confinement here.
Though she lacked much worldly knowledge, she had enjoyed listening to opera in the past and knew that princes under house arrest were usually guilty of great crimes, with little hope of ever leaving.
Could this be retribution? If they had remained in their small town, and she had married obediently without getting involved with her brother, would they have lived happily ever after? Instead of this, separated from her brother in death, she didn't know how long she would live.
The Emperor lay in bed, lost in thought for a long time. He knew that each of them had suffered attacks from multiple assailants. Although he had no concrete proof against the Second Prince, he suspected his involvement, and even the Sixth Prince, whom he had always overlooked, was part of it. Upon learning the truth, a sense of sudden clarity washed over him; perhaps he had been wrong from the very beginning.
The reason he had organized this hunt while his own health was failing was due to his absolute confidence in the First Prince. After all, the First Prince had the largest retinue, each of them a top expert personally dispatched by the Emperor, and guarded by the Imperial Forest Army he had arranged. He had thought it foolproof, allowing the other princes to contend amongst themselves, depleting their forces, especially the Second and Third Princes, ideally with heavy losses on both sides, thus clearing all obstacles for the First Prince's ascension to the throne. He never expected the Second Prince to break through.
Alas, it was all destiny. He was old, and the world was now for the young. He decided to relinquish power.
When the Second Prince received the imperial decree appointing him Crown Prince, he could hardly believe it. He hadn't expected this day to arrive so soon. After the eunuch finished reading the imperial edict, he quickly offered his thanks.
As the butler handed the reward money to the envoy, the latter quickly refused. "This humble servant traveled here on behalf of the Emperor; it is my duty. How dare I accept a reward from the Crown Prince? I humbly congratulate the Crown Prince and wish him success in all his endeavors."
"Mutual congratulations," the Second Prince said with a pleased expression. He knew his current status made him an object of favor-seeking. He didn't press the matter of the reward money. Since the envoy wished to show him respect, he accepted it gracefully.
Zhang Dahai had just arrived in the front courtyard when he saw everyone beaming with joy. He immediately understood what had happened and breathed a sigh of relief.
The Second Prince saw him and quickly stepped forward to share the good news. "Dahai, I am now the Crown Prince in name and in deed. Everyone will look up to me. If you have any unfulfilled wishes, tell me, and I will grant them when I have the power."
Zhang Dahai quickly smiled. "This is truly cause for celebration. It is my honor to assist the Crown Prince. I have no wishes. I only wish to grow old in peace and harmony with my beloved. We enjoy making money the most. I hope the Crown Prince will protect us in the future."
The Crown Prince was surprised. Everyone who followed him wanted to see him ascend the throne so they could be promoted and bring honor to their families. To think that this man was the opposite, feeling a desire to retire after achieving his goals.
His intuition was correct. Since the Second Prince had successfully become Crown Prince, with his intelligence and abilities, he was sure to succeed. It was time for Zhang Dahai to leave and live his own life.
The Crown Prince felt it was a great pity and tried to persuade him to stay, but Zhang Dahai's mind was made up, and he refused to budge. Despite their current good relationship, if Zhang Dahai were to become an official, his accomplishments might overshadow the Crown Prince, and the Crown Prince might not forgive him.
How wonderful it was now. To retreat at the right moment, not only earning his regard but also showing he wasn't covetous of power. With the Crown Prince as his backing, they could walk freely in the capital. Leaning on a strong tree provided ample shade. He and Wu Caiwei could finally enjoy life peacefully. Wasn't that wonderful?
Three months later, the Emperor passed away, and the Crown Prince ascended the throne.
A new emperor brought new officials. Although the Emperor did not openly suppress the Fifth Prince, the gifts sent to his residence became increasingly poor and fewer in quantity.
Thinking of the future, with worse food and clothing, and the possibility of the Emperor taking his anger out on him one day, his life hanging by a thread, he died of melancholy within two years.
As for Zhang Tiehua, without the Fifth Prince's protection and lacking a family to support her, secretly sending her some provisions to improve her life, she often felt she would go mad contemplating these desperate days.
Indeed, her feelings were not misplaced. After five or six years of lonely existence, she truly descended into madness.
Meanwhile, Wu Caiwei and Zhang Dahai lived their lives as before, doing good deeds for the people within their means. When disaster struck in the south, they even donated half their fortune to support the relief efforts. Each time, the Emperor marveled at their wisdom, never giving him an excuse to punish them.
Alas, they loved to make money, didn't they? Then let him grant them some convenience. As long as they stepped forward when he needed them.
After the Second Prince ascended the throne, Lord Lin visited multiple times, hoping Zhang Dahai would speak well of him to the Emperor for a promotion, but Zhang Dahai refused him without mercy every time.
Old Master Lin also repeatedly sent Madam Lin to try and entice him to acknowledge his ancestral roots, but he refused, stating that his surname was Zhang for life, no matter who said otherwise.
Initially, Madam Lin would visit to persuade him, but then she realized her son's resolve was firm, and he was very filial to her. She decided to turn a blind eye and not bother with it further, as long as she was happy.
As for Wu Caiwei and Zhang Dahai's suggestion that she move out and live with them, Madam Lin was a hundred percent against it. If her father hadn't promoted her, he wouldn't be in his current position. If she left, everything would go to that mother and son. Why should she?
Even if her son didn't care, she still had two daughters. She could give it to them.
The couple likely guessed some of her thoughts, but they never pressured her and always followed her wishes.
After years of training in the capital, the sisters had all become capable. Coupled with Zhang Dahai's transparent relationship with the Emperor, even though his status wasn't high, everyone was willing to give him some face.
Even the sisters became highly sought after in the capital, with suitors constantly at their doorstep.
However, Wu Caiwei fully respected their decisions. The third daughter married first, followed by the fourth, and then the eldest and second. For each wedding, Wu Caiwei prepared a lavish dowry and saw them off with great fanfare.
They lived a leisurely and contented life. After Zhang Dahai passed away, Wu Caiwei also departed this world. Listening to the heart-wrenching cries of those around her, she had no regrets. In this life, she and Zhang Dahai had no children of their own, but they treated the four sisters as their own, and the four sisters, though not their biological children, were more devoted than any.