The residence of Prince East Sea is numerous, spanning different periods.

When he forced his way into Luoyang and took the emperor hostage, most of the princes of the Imperial Family had already perished. Their estates and properties in Luoyang City were largely seized by him.

It could be said that out of ten residences outside the Imperial City, three belonged to him, all taken from various uncles and brothers.

Thus, when he described Princess Hongnong, she was momentarily unsure of which residence he referred to, but it didn’t matter. Her expression turned somewhat dazed, murmuring, "The marriage chamber isn’t here?"

Fu Tinghan nodded, "That place is close to the Vermilion Bird Gate, making it convenient for handling palace matters."

Of course, it’s convenient there; not far past the Vermilion Bird Gate lies the South Palace, where the emperor and officials conduct political discussions and celebrations. According to protocol, the Vermilion Bird Gate is the most revered; during the Han era, only the emperor and specially permitted ministers could pass through it, or it was opened for special occasions.

However, after the late Eastern Han, these rules were gradually broken, and for Jin... they were enforceable for only about a decade.

Even so, the status of the Vermilion Bird Gate is different in Princess Hongnong’s context. Based on what was heard, Zhao Hanzhang and Fu Tinghan both use the Vermilion Bird Gate to enter and exit?

She looked at him intently, "Did you already agree to this?"

Fu Tinghan replied, "I suggested it." 𝕗𝐫𝚎𝗲𝘄𝐞𝕓𝐧𝕠𝘃𝕖𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝚖

Princess Hongnong sneered, "Do you know what this implies? How have you become so foolish? Does she really need you to shoulder these tasks?"

Princess Hongnong asked, "As you enter and exit through the Vermilion Bird Gate, do the officials have no objections?"

Fu Tinghan, seemingly puzzled, responded, "Don’t all officials use the Vermilion Bird Gate?"

Princess Hongnong was bewildered, "What?"

As night fell, Princess Hongnong sat quietly by the window gazing into the darkness outside. Fu Xuan brought a cloak, smoothing its prominent silk threads, and draped it over her shoulders, gently saying, "It’s so cold, leaving the window open can easily cause a chill."

Though he said this, he didn’t forcefully close the window, merely stood beside her to block some of the wind.

The couple remained silent.

After a long while, Princess Hongnong asked, "Do I have the right to oppose her now?"

Fu Xuan shook his head, "Father might say a few words; we, with mere fame, lack authority. Besides, speaking of reputation among officials, nobles, and commoners, Zhao Hanzhang is an ocean, whereas you and I are just streams."

Princess Hongnong’s eyes reddened, "Seeing Tinghan like this, I wonder what grievances Your Majesty endures."

Fu Xuan did not favor the Sima Royal Family; unlike his loyal father and wife, he felt no affinity for this decaying dynasty. He merely felt pained, hurting for his father, for the princess before him, and for the son drawn into all this.

Princess Hongnong lowered her head, wiping her eyes, and lifted her chin proudly, "Let things proceed according to their wishes."

Fu Xuan probed, "The marital arrangement..."

Princess Hongnong’s expression remained calm, "Just follow their decisions."

Early the next morning, Princess Hongnong entered the palace to meet the Little Emperor. Upon arrival, she realized she also entered through the Vermilion Bird Gate.

Descending from the carriage at the Vermilion Bird Gate, she first turned her head to look around, then looked back at the half-collapsed palace walls and the somewhat dilapidated main gate.

At this time, someone was entering and exiting through the Vermilion Bird Gate; judging by their attire, they were mere low-ranking officials, merely fifth or sixth rank, who immediately found their horses or carriages in the open spaces on either side of the gate and departed.

Watching their hustle, Princess Hongnong became a bit dazed.

Imperial Guards approached, bowing, "Princess, His Majesty permits you to enter the Imperial City by carriage."

Regaining her senses, Princess Hongnong looked at him intently, asking, "Is this His Majesty’s order or the Great General’s will?"

The Imperial Guard smiled respectfully, without answering, but Princess Hongnong understood—this was Zhao Hanzhang’s favor.

Princess Hongnong’s heart sank; she did not mount the carriage but slowly walked inside. The Imperial City remained somewhat quiet at this time.

The Little Emperor welcomed Princess Hongnong in the main hall, with both his uncles present.

Princess Hongnong was escorted into the hall; she looked up at the adolescent seated within the grand hall, and her eyes reddened involuntarily.

She advanced to the center, knelt deeply in salute, "Your subject greets Your Majesty!"

The Little Emperor hastily raised his hand, "Please rise, Princess."

Seeing Princess Hongnong unmoved, he quickly commanded, "Quickly assist the Princess to her feet."

Princess Hongnong hastily wiped her tears, then raised her head and stood with the eunuch’s support.

Xun Fan and Xun Zu immediately stepped forward to greet Princess Hongnong. Politely, Princess Hongnong invited them to rise, thanking them for safeguarding the emperor and upholding the Jin Dynasty.

Xun Fan replied, "We merely fulfill our duties as subjects, unworthy of the Princess’s gratitude. Rather, the Great General and Minister Fu have tirelessly labored for Great Jin and are first among the merit-holders."

Princess Hongnong sighed, "Indeed, thanks to the Great General and the Zhao Family, our Jin Dynasty being blessed with such worthy ministers and generals is heaven’s fortune."

The Little Emperor silently settled back into his seat, perked his ears to listen to their pleasantries.

Once their pleasantries were nearly done, he allowed them to sit, then proceeded to console Princess Hongnong.

Princess Hongnong held an unusual status; she was not only the legitimate daughter of Emperor Hui but had also consistently strived to support the Jin Dynasty for years, earning a reputable name among officials and nobility.

These officials included not just Xun Fan and other former ministers but even officials from Zhao Hanzhang’s faction, like Ji Yuan and Ming Yu, held her in high regard.

The Little Emperor initially had no intent to involve himself in her return, given her close ties with Fu Tinghan as his birth mother and Zhao Hanzhang as his mother-in-law. Naturally, her closeness was with them, and he was just her cousin, ultimately distanced.

However, Zhao Hanzhang sought him out last night for a heart-to-heart talk, changing the Little Emperor’s feelings towards Princess Hongnong.

When Princess Hongnong said to him, "Over these years, Your Majesty has endured grievances,"

The Little Emperor’s eyes reddened too; no one had ever asked if he felt wronged—everyone assumed, being of Imperial Family and now emperor, how could he face grievances?

Yet unknowingly, since he became aware, he had lived under the constant threat of potential death. Even now, he hadn’t escaped this fear.

Princess Hongnong had also fared poorly over these years, deeply empathizing, and the two siblings shed tears together.

Moments later, the Little Emperor wiped his tears and declared, "I want to elevate Imperial Sister to Eldest Princess and grant her an Eldest Princess Mansion."

Princess Hongnong was stunned and quickly refused, "The national treasury is empty, how can we waste funds on constructing a Princess Mansion?"

But the Little Emperor insisted, "Imperial Sister has contributed to the Jin Dynasty, to the realm. When you were distant in Chang’an and Shu, I couldn’t reach you. Now that you’re back in Luoyang, I can’t possibly let Imperial Sister remain without a Princess Mansion."

Persisting in granting her a Princess Mansion.

The residence was already available—one among the Prince Mansions outside the Imperial City, selecting one fairly intact to be bestowed, then instructing the Ministry of Industry and Ministry of Rites to jointly renovate it. Perhaps she could even become neighbors with Zhao Hanzhang and Fu Tinghan.

The Little Emperor glanced at the blueprint handed up, marked with a circle, comparing its distance to the General’s Mansion, feeling slightly disappointed—they couldn’t become neighbors.