It seems that in the Emperorās heart, he holds State Duke Tong in high regard.
"Thatās very good, congratulations to Madam Tong."
"Madam Ye, some often say that as people get older, their hearts either become clearer or more muddled. I was quite muddled before, made many mistakes, and Iām really sorry for that."
Yang Chuxia was a bit surprised. The last time she met the State Duchess and her son in the alley, although they were much calmer, they didnāt apologize to her then.
Now it seems there has been a great awakening.
"I heard about the Second Princeās situation. I must thank you for bringing him out last time; otherwise, he might have ended up like my poor daughter."
Yang Chuxia had almost forgotten about this matter. That Secondary Princess Consort was posthumously titled a consort, but unfortunately, it was useless after her death. Back then, the situation was urgent, and she could only leave with the child. The child she brought out is now the Second Prince. She had seen him a few times; he was different from before, less lively, and no longer as arrogant as before when he saw her.
"Madam Tong, please donāt say that. Under such circumstances, anyone would try to protect the imperial bloodline. As for past matters, let them remain in the past."
Madam Tong had learned her lesson and truly repented. There was no need to reignite the feud between the two families, just a nod and a greeting when meeting would suffice.
As for saving the Second Prince, it was for Baili Yanās sake and had little to do with the Tong family, not deserving of thanks from them.
Not to mention, Baili Yan hadnāt thanked her, and this wasnāt something for the Tong family to thank either, since it was the royal familyās child.
Madam Tong realized she misspoke and looked a bit awkward.
Yang Chuxia didnāt want to embarrass her too much and said, "The palace gates will open soon, letās enter the palace together."
"That would be good too."
As they spoke, the palace gates opened. "The gates are open, everyone wake up." Lele had been nestled in Ye Ziāanās arms sleeping since getting on the carriage, and now as he opened his eyes, he was still groggy.
Ye Ziāan got off first. Noticing Leleās head bobbing, he picked him up and patted his back, "Sleep, Dad will call you later."
"Lord Marquis truly dotes on the child." Madam Tong remarked.
In their family, neither the Lord State Duke nor her son would hold a child of that age in their arms.
"Yes, our Lord Marquis loves children dearly." Yang Chuxia paused and added, "However, the Lord Marquis also has his strict moments. When he loses his temper, Iām even afraid to plead for the child."
Walking ahead, Ye Ziāan internally remarked that she didnāt plead for their child but rather resorted to directly threatening him instead.
"Being strict when itās needed and gentle when itās needed, thatās very good." The State Duchess of Tong said, "Unlike our Lord State Duke, who wears a scary face all day, frightening the young ones at home. Let alone holding them close."
"Stern fathers raise virtuous sons." Yang Chuxia responded.
The two of them exchanged detached words and soon arrived at Yunqian Hall, where the Grand Emperor resided when in the palace, and where the mourning hall was set up.
The entire Yunqian Hall was divided into two sections, with women on the right and men on the left.
In the morning, the mourning began from 5:00 a.m. to 7:00 a.m. and ended around 8:00 a.m.
During midday, it lasted from 10:45 a.m. to noon.
In the afternoon, it ended from 1:45 p.m. to 4:45 p.m. The women returned to their own homes while the men stayed in official residences, not allowed to return home for three days, reportedly to prevent officials from sneaking off to indulge in personal affairs under the guise of mourning.