On the second day, the guards of the various cities within the Prince of Jin's fiefdom received the news and hurried to beg for forgiveness. In their eyes, if someone as formidable as the Prince of Jin could be defeated by the Emperor, they were even less of a match.
Huangfu Xingchen had learned in advance that the Prince of Jin's subordinates were all capable individuals. Although they had been very low-key in recent years, they had managed these regions exceptionally well. Thus, he gathered them, gave them a stern lecture, and then sent them back to their respective posts.
Some quick-witted individuals directly brought the Prince of Jin's family to Huangfu Xingchen. Seeing them, Huangfu Xingchen felt a headache. Logically, he should have eradicated them completely. However, there were children among them who knew nothing. Killing them would be too cruel. After much hesitation, he finally ordered his subordinates to escort them back to the Prince of Jin's mansion in the capital and place them under house arrest for life, forbidding them from ever leaving.
When the people of the Prince of Jin's mansion first heard this news, they felt a sense of surviving a catastrophe. However, upon further reflection, they realized they would never step out of that residence again in their lives. The children would not be able to marry or have children normally. Over time, the Prince of Jin's mansion would eventually disappear from this world. For a while, they were unsure whether to feel joy or sorrow.
The army returned victorious, truly achieving the unification of the realm.
Huangfu Xingchen kept his word. The day after his triumphant return to court, he announced to the world that his grand wedding with Bai Yulan of the Bai family would take place in one month.
Suddenly, the Bai family became the center of attention, with everyone eager to curry favor with them. Bai Shuming was now immensely proud, walking with his chest puffed out, as arrogant as a peacock. Old Master Bai, upon seeing this, shook his head helplessly, thinking that his son was truly beyond help.
The former Emperor and his concubines were kept under house arrest in the cold palace, heavily guarded. No one was willing to heed their commands. Huangfu Xingchen ordered that they be provided with sufficient food and vegetables daily, allowing them to fend for themselves.
For them, this was undoubtedly a bolt from the blue. After a lifetime of luxury and never having to cook, they could only slowly learn when hunger struck.
Initially, the former Emperor kept shouting to see Huangfu Xingchen. As time passed, he resigned himself to his fate. The thought of spending the rest of his life in this dilapidated courtyard, with no servants, ordinary meals, and even patched clothes, only fueled his anger. He fell ill.
In the cold palace, cries for help went unanswered and appeals to the earth were unheard. There were no imperial physicians or medicinal herbs. He barely managed to survive, and his health deteriorated. Whenever the weather changed, he fell ill, fearing that one day he would not wake up.
With the removal of his most formidable threat, Huangfu Xingchen was in good spirits as he governed the court.
Recently, Old Master Bai had been incredibly proud. Previously, everyone had shunned their Bai family, considering his daughter a murderer and mocking him for not being able to marry her off. Now, it was wonderful; his daughter was to become Empress, and he would soon be the father of the Empress. This was something he had never dreamed of.
He had to commend his daughter's foresight and good judgment in choosing the Prince of Lu's heir, who had been overlooked for so long, at such an early stage. Although some privately mocked the Prince of Lu for rebelling and seizing his father's throne, history books had always been written by the victors, and what future generations knew was what the Emperor wanted them to know.
As the wedding day approached, palace staff visited daily, either to teach her palace etiquette or to take her measurements for clothing. Wu Caiwei cooperated enthusiastically, as she was not new to being an Empress and was already accustomed to these procedures.
Little did she know that Bai Shuxue, far away at the border, upon hearing that she was to become Empress, unconsciously began to tear the handkerchief in her hand. Her fingernails broke, and blood flowed out without her noticing, her face contorted with jealousy.
General Zhenguo reacted quickly, immediately guessing that Wu Caiwei had sided with the current Emperor and demanding that his wife return to attend the wedding, as she was the sister of the future Empress.
What made Bai Shuxue even more disheartened was that she had recently noticed the General treating her much better. Although she didn't want to admit that she was benefiting from Bai Yulan's status, she knew clearly that even after she married, she would still rely on her. This conflicted emotion constantly churned in her mind, almost driving her mad.
Seeing her again, Wu Caiwei felt no surprise. After all, she was about to get married, and as her sister, she would naturally come to see her off. However, seeing the undisguised jealousy in her eyes, she secretly shook her head. Would she only be satisfied if the original owner lived a miserable life? But who cared what she thought?
This time, Bai Shuxue clearly felt a change in the family's atmosphere. Previously, her mother and brother had sided with her. Now, they unconsciously paid attention to that woman.
This realization filled her with dread. Was she destined to lose everything? After all the struggle, she still couldn't win against her? She felt like a joke. At General Zhenguo's mansion, she couldn't compete with the General's beloved. Returning home, she thought her mother and brother belonged to her, only to realize she was mistaken.
The Bai mansion had a medium-sized pond in its backyard, with a pavilion beside it. In the summer, one could enjoy the sight of lotuses from the pavilion.
One day, nearing noon, Wu Caiwei, bored, was strolling alone in the courtyard. When she reached the pavilion, she went inside to rest. Coincidentally, Bai Shuxue also walked in at that moment.
"Sister, you're such a busy person, how is it that you have time to come out?" Bai Shuxue asked her with a smile.
"I wanted some quiet time alone. Aren't you out too, sister?" Wu Caiwei actually didn't want to bother with her. She hadn't figured out how to get revenge for the original owner yet.
Seeing Wu Caiwei's impatient expression, Bai Shuxue inwardly seethed. Watching Wu Caiwei walk closer and closer to the pond, a wicked plan formed in her mind.
She quickly rushed towards her. Hearing the wind behind her, Wu Caiwei smoothly shifted her position, clearing the path from the pavilion to the pond.
By the time Bai Shuxue realized what was happening, it was too late. This time, she had used all her strength. The inertia of her body sent her tumbling headfirst into the pond.
Wu Caiwei stood in the pavilion, watching her struggle in the water. This time, she needed to teach her a lesson, otherwise, she would think she was easy to bully. If she didn't cause trouble, she would actively seek it.
"Help... help me..." Bai Shuxue cried out loudly, casting a pleading look towards Bai Yulan by the bank. At that moment, her mind was a blank, and all she wanted was to live.
The commotion finally alerted a passing servant, and soon someone came to rescue her. Throughout the ordeal, Wu Caiwei stood on the bank, unmoved.
"I heard that you were standing by when your sister fell into the water. Why didn't you call for help?" Madam Bai, having learned the details of the incident, questioned Wu Caiwei loudly.
"Speak up! Are you feeling guilty? Tell me, did you push her into the water?" Madam Bai's temper flared as she saw Wu Caiwei not even looking at her. In her eyes, this was clearly a sign of guilt.