The husband I snatched halfway through his life is strange.

Chapter 301 You were born in the fourteenth year of the Great Jin Dynasty, in the spring.
It was pitch black, and white lanterns were hung throughout the palace. They provided some light, but the sound of weeping drifted on the wind from afar. The lanterns swayed in the rain, the candlelight seemed ready to go out at any moment, and the white curtains fluttered, adding to the eerie atmosphere.

"What discouraging things are you saying!"

Marquis Zhongyong frowned.

He glared at Gu Fuju and gave Wei Zhao some instructions.

"During the days that the Crown Prince's body has been laid to rest, there will be three sacrificial rites in the morning, noon and evening. Everyone from princes to officials of the fourth rank must gather for the rites, and the ladies of the court will accompany them."

"Now that this has just happened, I'm afraid none of us will be able to leave the palace today."

"Go on your way. It's late at night, and the rain will be even heavier when you turn back, making the road difficult to travel."

"With your mother here, the Duke of Shun's mansion is just as well. There's no need to worry. Your uncle and aunt, as well as your maternal grandmother, are also here. I will have Huaiyan's mother take care of them as well."

Wei Zhao suppressed his emotions and thanked him.

Even after watching the person walk away, Gu Fuju did not look away.

The Crown Prince's death has plunged the entire nation into mourning. These next few days will likely be quite busy.

After Wei Zhao left, the Marquis of Zhongyong looked at Gu Fuju with a strange expression. He and Wei Fengxing were as close as brothers, and he regarded Wei Zhao as half a son.

"You don't like such a good son-in-law? Why are you cursing him for no reason?"

“Isn’t Guizhi your most valued student? Back then, you were still upset about his decision to abandon literature for martial arts. When the teachers at the Imperial Academy tried to dissuade him, you stopped them, saying that the boy has always been decisive and does everything steadily and surely, and it’s not just a passing fancy. No matter which path the Wei family’s descendants take, they can make a name for themselves.”

Gu Fuju sneered.

"Yes, his health is not good now, it's frightening to see. I also have a daughter, so I can understand you."

"But the two of them have been married for a long time. Do you expect your daughter to be a widow?"
Marquis Zhongyong added insult to injury: "I don't think that Yu woman is close to you. Where did she go all those years ago? It's lucky she met Guizhi. She's already married and has someone protecting her, and then you suddenly jump out and say you're her father."

Gu Fuju had to admit that what he said was true, and it was also heartbreaking.

Marquis Zhongyong put his hands behind his back, bid him farewell, and headed towards the East Palace along the road: "If Guizhi hadn't come to the capital, you probably would never have seen her in your life. Be content."

Gu Fuju's expression darkened.

He really should thank Wei Zhao!

It caused him to take so many days to find Yao Yao!
Suddenly, something occurred to him.

Ignoring everything else, he strode after them.

The rain blurred his vision; he hadn't used an umbrella and was completely soaked. Finally, he managed to stop a carriage that was about to leave at the palace gate.

Shunzi was startled.

Putting everything else aside, this man is the Grand Tutor of the current dynasty, so they quickly jumped down and held an umbrella for him.

Hearing the noise, Yu Tingwan lifted a corner of the carriage curtain and met Gu Fuju, whose eyes held a gentle look, yet who appeared disheveled.

It was as if at this moment, he was no longer a powerful minister who could manipulate events in the court, but just an ordinary father.

Yu Tingwan hesitated for a moment: "Is there...something wrong?"

Gu Fuju was getting on in years, and being a civil official, he walked briskly, slightly out of breath. He was always very particular about his appearance, but at this moment he couldn't care less: "Your birthday isn't today."

"You were born in the spring of the fourteenth year of the Great Jin Dynasty."

"Child, it was three days ago."

He spoke with a tone of negotiation, afraid of seeing any resistance on Yu Tingwan's face: "Father will explain the specifics to you in detail later, is that alright?"

Yu Tingwan was stunned.

Three days ago?
Wasn't that the day she went to Changdu Temple with Ning Suchan?

It was also... the day Princess Jiashan prayed for blessings at the temple.

Yu Tingwan's hand, which was gripping the curtain, tightened slightly.

She pursed her lips, her eyes clear.

Indeed, we should know why the fire at the Yu family's residence started back then.

"it is good."

Shunzi drove the horse, but the sound of the wheels rolling was drowned out by the heavy rain.

Gu Fuju then slowly walked back, holding his umbrella.

He Xuran rushed over at this moment. Seeing that he was soaking wet, she frowned and said, "Brother-in-law, go and change into some dry clothes first, so you don't catch a cold."

Gu Fuju: "Hmm."

He Xuran glanced at the street; through the layers of rain and mist, the carriage of the Duke of Shunguo's mansion was no longer visible. He then followed Gu Fuju along the official road. Thinking of Wei Zhao's face, he couldn't help but say anxiously, "In Ze County, I inquired about Tingwan many times. If something happens to Wei Zhao, does she have any intention of remarrying?"

Gu Fuju looked over, but didn't ask, waiting for He Xuran to continue.

He Xuran: "She said no."

"I've already decided on him."

"They say Wei Zhao is dead, and she'll spend the rest of her life holding his memorial tablet."

"When I tried to persuade her, she got angry."

He Xuran: "That's true. Putting everything else aside, Wei Zhao's face is indeed... plus his knowledge and skills, which young girl wouldn't be confused?"

Gu Fuju closed his eyes and accepted the fact.

Let's get down to business.

"how?"

He Xuran looked around and said in a low voice, "I have already investigated the Eastern Palace, and there is nothing suspicious about the Crown Prince's death."

Is there really no suspicious activity involved?

But this is too much of a coincidence.

Gu Fuju sighed, stopped thinking about it, and said solemnly, "I was overthinking it."

Upon hearing this devastating news, the Emperor was deeply grieved. He was tasked with handling many funeral arrangements with the Ministry of Rites.

“Xu Ran”.

Gu Fuju walked forward: "...Please keep an eye on Awu for me."

"Yes."

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

The death knell tolls, deep and resonant.

Upon hearing the commotion, the people of the capital were all alarmed, put on their clothes, and ran to the courtyard to count.

A sound.

Twice.

……

Eight tones.

End.

The eight tolls of the funeral bell signaled the death of the crown prince.

The people were filled with fear and anxiety.

"The Crown Prince is dead, so the new Crown Prince will be the Fifth Prince, right?"

"The Fifth Prince is indeed a good man. But his own uncle embezzled disaster relief grain, which led to the deaths of so many people during the famine. Although he has hanged himself, his sins are so grave that he deserves to be torn to pieces."

Some countered, "The embezzlement case was committed by his uncle. The Fifth Prince was still young at the time; what did he know? He shouldn't have been involved."

"That's an easy way to put it."

"His uncle has profited immensely from this; how could he not bribe the Fifth Prince? The waters of the palace and the court are deep and murky. Over the years, has the Fifth Prince not spent a single penny? Whether he knew it or not, spending money is tantamount to profiting from someone else's misfortune."

"Alright, then according to you, the Fifth Prince is unworthy of the position. Looking around the palace, who else is qualified to be the Crown Prince?"

Meanwhile, Yu Tingwan and Wei Zhao had already left the palace.

Wei Zhao, unlike her usual delicate self in the palace, skillfully brewed tea.

"The Grand Tutor has sent He Xuran to investigate the cause of the Crown Prince's death."

Yu Tingwan: "Will the investigation lead to you?"

Wei Zhao: "No."

Yu Tingwan: "Oh."

“You are not well and did not leave the banquet midway. The Wei family has always been loyal to the royal family, so it could not have been you who did it.”

Wei Zhaogang handed the brewed tea to her.

Yu Tingwan took a sip of her favorite flower tea. Listening to the rain outside, her mind was in turmoil. She murmured, "To be able to kill the Crown Prince without anyone noticing, my husband, you are so terrifying."