A flicker of approval for Xiao Jingfeng flashed in Xiao An's eyes.
"Yes, you are right. That is my intention. It seems you have opened your mind."
"And my brother was the Crown Prince. Burying him with the ceremony befitting a Crown Prince is in accordance with ancestral rites," Xiao Jingfeng said hesitantly.
Xiao An slowly stood up, paced, and walked to Xiao Jingfeng. He looked at his daughter and sighed softly, "Alas, do not speak of ancestral rites anymore. Just handle matters as you see fit. If we adhere strictly to ancestral rites for everything, we will be the ones to suffer!"
Hearing this, Xiao Jingfeng understood. She bowed and said, "Father, what you say is absolutely correct. Jingfeng has noted it and will arrange it immediately. We don't need to wait until the day after tomorrow. Tomorrow, I will have someone quietly move my brother out and bury him."
"Then we will announce the end of the national mourning period, allowing the people to have a peaceful New Year."
Xiao An nodded approvingly at Xiao Jingfeng's words and waved his hand, "So be it. Go and make the arrangements."
Back in her own residence, Xiao Jingfeng pondered deeply and summoned Chen Xiaobei. Such a significant matter required consultation with Chen Xiaobei.
Chen Xiaobei hurried to the princess's residence again. After hearing the princess's account, he was also surprised. He had not expected Xiao An's thinking to undergo such a significant change.
"Princess, I believe this is a good thing. After you take charge of state affairs, there will be a new atmosphere, and the common people will speak favorably of you. Do not let His Majesty's earnest intentions go unfulfilled."
Hearing Chen Xiaobei's words, Princess Zhaoning suddenly realized.
With a grateful expression, Princess Zhaoning stepped forward, took Chen Xiaobei's hand, and said, "Brother Xiaobei, if you hadn't told me, I wouldn't have understood. What should I do next?"
Chen Xiaobei held Princess Zhaoning's hand and patted it twice to comfort her. Then, he calmly helped Princess Zhaoning sit down. "You, do not rush. Think through matters carefully."
"Take this matter, for instance. The Emperor's intention is already very clear: he wants you to handle it yourself. This means he wants it to be low-key. You just need to arrange for someone to ensure His Royal Highness the Crown Prince is buried as soon as possible."
"Then I will arrange for this matter to be handled tomorrow," Princess Zhaoning nodded gently.
Chen Xiaobei nodded in agreement and then changed the subject. "Since you are here today, I have something else to tell you."
Princess Zhaoning blinked her large eyes, her gaze fixed on Chen Xiaobei with anticipation.
Looking at her expression, Chen Xiaobei suddenly felt a pang of reluctance, but he had to steel himself and say, "In a couple of days, I need to return to Hetou Village for the New Year. I will only return after the festival."
As expected, as soon as he spoke, a hint of disappointment flashed in Princess Zhaoning's eyes, and her smile froze.
"Why do you suddenly need to go back?"
Chen Xiaobei patiently explained, "I have been away for so long, I must go back. Moreover, during the New Year, I need to burn incense at my parents' graves. Also, your Aunt Huangying is in Hetou Village."
Upon hearing this, Princess Zhaoning was silent for a moment, then nodded gently.
"Brother Xiaobei, I understand. Then you may go back. After the festival, you must return soon."
"Alright, once my family matters are settled, I will return."
Seeing that Princess Zhaoning had agreed, a stone in Chen Xiaobei's heart was lifted.
He said a few more comforting words and turned to leave.
Since a state funeral was not required for Crown Prince Xiao Jingyun, he needed to return quickly to prepare for his journey home.
Indeed, the very next morning, Princess Zhaoning ordered an imperial proclamation to be posted, announcing that His Royal Highness the Crown Prince had been buried, the national mourning period had ended, and the people could prepare for the New Year.
The news, once released, shocked the entire city.
The most shocked were Fang Zheng and Feng Pengju.
Feng Pengju hurried to see Fang Zheng. As soon as they met, he said impatiently, "Alas, the times have truly changed! The Crown Prince's state funeral ended anticlimactically, buried so hastily. They didn't even invite us to pay our respects."
Fang Zheng sighed, "Yes, the times have changed. We can no longer view Princess Zhaoning with our old perspectives. In the future, we must not use these old rules to handle matters."
Feng Pengju also sighed, "Indeed, indeed. Since taking charge of state affairs, the princess has been acting less and less according to the old rules. In the future, we old fellows might not be as valued!"
Fang Zheng looked at him and shook his head slightly. "We shouldn't think like that. Regardless, we should do our best. By the way, have there been any replies from Xiao Yue and Fang Jun?"
Feng Pengju shook his head. "No replies yet. I suspect they might not be willing to come to the capital and might wish to stay in Xiaojia Town for the New Year. Since there is a new atmosphere in the imperial court, why should we cling to these old customs?"
The two looked at each other and gave a wry smile.
Feng Pengju was right.
Feng Xiaoyue and Fang Jun had indeed received letters from Wannian City, inviting them to spend the New Year there.
However, to be honest, Feng Xiaoyue was not at all interested in this invitation.
There were several reasons. Firstly, Feng Xiaoyue was happily busy running a restaurant and a hotel in Xiaojia Town, and it was going very well.
Secondly, without the constraint of her father and Fang Zheng, the two old stubborn men, Feng Xiaoyue felt much more relaxed.
So, when she received the letter asking her to return to Wannian City for the New Year, Feng Xiaoyue directly told Fang Jun that she didn't want to go back, intending to refuse by citing the restaurant staying open.
However, Fang Jun found it difficult to accept Feng Xiaoyue's idea. After all, he was more conservative and felt it was better to be with family during the New Year.
A disagreement arose between them, which led to the delay in replying to Wannian City. One day, Fang Jun came to persuade Feng Xiaoyue again.
"Xiaoyue, I think we should go back. After all, my grandfather is old, and we can spend a few more New Years with him."
Hearing Fang Jun's words, Feng Xiaoyue shook her head again. "This is not our fault. We wanted to live freely and happily in Xiaojia Town, allowing our grandfathers and fathers to live out their twilight years peacefully. But they went back to court to be officials."
Speaking of this, Fang Jun also sighed helplessly. "My grandfather's letter was very clear. Marquis Liu has strongly invited him, and my grandfather found it difficult to refuse."
"Isn't Uncle Feng in the same situation? He also stayed in the capital."
Feng Xiaoyue spread her hands. "Yes, then let them stay. In any case, I don't want to go back anymore."
"I don't want to be driven out of the capital again. I've had enough of being homeless."
"If you really want to go back, then you go."
Hearing Feng Xiaoyue's words, Fang Jun stopped trying to persuade her.
Returning to his room and thinking for a moment, Fang Jun rode his horse to Hetou Village. Since he couldn't persuade Feng Xiaoyue, he had to ask Cui Hongyu for help.