Since the other party knew everything, there was no point in keeping it to himself. Chen Xiaobei and Liu Rumei clasped their fists in a salute and turned to leave.
"Prince Consort Chen, please stay!"
Fang Zheng called out, waved to someone beside him, and the butler immediately went into the house, holding out a tray.
On the tray were two Buddha statues, each over a foot tall, carved with lifelike detail.
"My esteemed guests, these two jade Buddhas were originally intended for Fang Jun's wedding. It seems they will not be needed now, so I will give them to you!"
"I hope you two will have many sons soon!"
Seeing the helplessness in Fang Zheng's eyes, Chen Xiaobei and Liu Rumei exchanged glances. Chen Xiaobei stepped forward, took the two jade Buddhas, bowed and thanked him again, then quietly left.
Just as they left Fang Zheng's mansion, they saw Feng Xiaoyue rushing towards them from that direction. Feng Xiaoyue quickly waved at them when she saw them.
Feng Xiaoyue ran up to the two of them, her face full of anxiety, and asked, "Brother Xiaobei, Sister Liu, have you found any trace of Fang Jun?"
Chen Xiaobei didn't know how to answer this question. He knew that the news would be a great blow to Feng Xiaoyue.
Liu Rumei, after a moment's thought, stepped forward and took Feng Xiaoyue's hand. "Xiaoyue, we did find him, but Fang Jun is in a very bad mood right now and doesn't want to see anyone."
"What on earth is going on?" Feng Xiaoyue was a little confused.
"Xiaoyue, I won't hide it from you. Fang Jun has gone to Xiangguo Temple and wants to become a monk."
"Actually, his condition is quite troublesome. His face is completely disfigured now, covered in wrinkles and pockmarks."
"How to put it, his face now looks like that of a sixty or seventy-year-old man."
After hearing Liu Rumei's explanation, Feng Xiaoyue was dumbfounded. "This, how is this possible?"
"I came to see him yesterday, and he said it was a contagious disease and he would see me in a couple of days when he got better."
Hearing this, a flash of light crossed Liu Rumei's eyes. She suddenly realized, "Xiaoyue, is it possible that he just didn't want you to see his appearance, so he deliberately said that?"
After hearing Liu Rumei's words, Feng Xiaoyue's body visibly trembled. After a few moments, Feng Xiaoyue also came to her senses, and tears flowed silently.
"Fang Jun, oh Fang Jun, you are such a fool. No matter what you become, my feelings for you will never change."
Liu Rumei stepped forward and pulled Feng Xiaoyue into her arms, letting her cry on her shoulder.
Feng Xiaoyue cried her heart out. She recalled how her father was banished to the frontier, endured hardships, and finally returned. Her engagement, which had been decided long ago, was still honored by the Fang family. Just as everything was about to get better, such a thing suddenly happened.
Under Liu Rumei's constant persuasion, Feng Xiaoyue finally stopped crying.
Only after Feng Xiaoyue stopped crying did Chen Xiaobei slowly speak, "Xiaoyue, Fang Jun is just being short-sighted for a while. In a couple of days, we'll go to Xiangguo Temple and persuade him properly to face his problems."
"If we persuade him more, I believe he will change his mind."
Liu Rumei also took the opportunity to persuade, "Yes, Xiaoyue, we all know Fang Jun's feelings for you. As long as he understands that you don't care about his appearance, he will naturally return."
Under their continuous persuasion, Feng Xiaoyue finally wiped away her tears and nodded forcefully, "Okay, then I'll listen to you two and go to Xiangguo Temple to find him in a couple of days."
After comforting and sending Feng Xiaoyue away, Liu Rumei and Chen Xiaobei let out a long sigh of relief. Fang Jun's matter was finally handled satisfactorily.
Just then, they saw Bai Han rushing over.
"Prince Consort Chen, Miss Liu, Her Highness requests your presence."
Chen Xiaobei nodded. "Yes, now that we have news of Fang Jun, we must go and report to the Princess!"
Chen Xiaobei and Liu Rumei hurried into Princess Zhaoning's chambers.
Princess Zhaoning looked much better today, leaning against the bed, her eyes showing a bit more spirit.
Seeing them arrive, Princess Zhaoning waved her hand. Bai Han immediately led Chun Hua and Qiu Yue, two palace maids, out. Only the three of them remained in the room.
Princess Zhaoning raised her hand, took out the wooden box from under her pillow, and said to Chen Xiaobei, "This is the late emperor's will. I have read it!"
Hearing this, Chen Xiaobei's heart sank. "Princess, you don't mean to..."
Princess Zhaoning looked at Chen Xiaobei and nodded slightly. "Yes, I intend to disobey the imperial decree."
Disobeying the imperial decree, Chen Xiaobei was secretly delighted. He had just been worried that Princess Zhaoning would follow Xiao An's will.
Liu Rumei on the other side also let out a long sigh of relief.
After exchanging glances, Liu Rumei and Chen Xiaobei both felt a weight lifted off their shoulders. Chen Xiaobei was even more excited. Liu Xiangnan had specifically instructed him to handle this matter before he left.
"But Your Highness, if you disobey the imperial decree, what will happen if this news gets out..." Liu Rumei asked tentatively.
Princess Zhaoning shook her head slightly. "I want to return this imperial decree to the great hall. When my son inherits the throne in the future, I will bring this decree out again, and everyone will understand my earnest intentions."
After speaking, Princess Zhaoning looked at Chen Xiaobei again. "I have also asked Bai Han and the others, and my body will probably not recover in a short time."
"I have decided that for future matters, you two will discuss them with State Preceptor Fang and Prime Minister Chen. From now on, you will no longer discuss state affairs with me. It will be decided by you all together."
Hearing this, Chen Xiaobei was greatly startled, and Liu Rumei was even more dumbfounded. She hurriedly stood up, lifted her skirt, and knelt on the ground.
"Your Highness, this must not be. I am just a mere warrior and cannot bear such a heavy responsibility. The burden of Da Cang, Your Highness must carry it personally."
Princess Zhaoning waved her hand gently.
"There is no need for such ceremony between us. You married Brother Xiaobei early, so I should call you sister."
"I trust you and Brother Xiaobei to discuss state affairs."
After speaking, she looked at Chen Xiaobei again. "Brother Xiaobei, I have already ordered people to summon State Preceptor Fang Zheng and Chen Junyu. When everyone arrives, I will announce this matter in person."
"I have also instructed Zhou Quan to tidy up the Crown Prince's Mansion. From now on, you will hold discussions there."
After speaking, Princess Zhaoning involuntarily closed her eyes, clearly showing her fatigue.
Seeing Princess Zhaoning's expression, Chen Xiaobei felt a complex mixture of emotions.
Frankly speaking, Princess Zhaoning was about to become his wife. She had not fully recovered but was dealing with state affairs, which would undoubtedly be very tiring. He naturally felt heartache.
But she was the Princess, the sole bloodline of the royal family. If she didn't come forward and handed the affairs to him and Liu Rumei, his words might not be convincing enough, right?