binnovel Chapter 173 Mourning Hall
Chapter 173 Mourning Hall
On the first day of March in the ninth year of the Jingzheng reign of the Yongzheng period, the late Empress Dowager Lu passed away.
At the beginning of the morning hour of the second day, Qin Zhi, who had not slept all night, was wearing mourning clothes and rushing from Zhaozheng Palace to Ci'an Palace to mourn for the empress dowager.
All the tables, chairs and desks in the center of the main hall of Ci'an Palace had been removed, and the empress dowager's empty coffin, which had not yet been covered, and several banquets for worship were placed there.
Inside and outside Ci'an Palace, everything was white, with hemp mourning clothes everywhere, and the sounds of sobbing and wailing were endless.
The late Empress Dowager Lu had just died, and the funeral ceremony had not yet been performed.
The Ministry of Rites quickly made arrangements for the funeral of the late Empress Dowager yesterday evening.
The decree was issued that the entire nation should mourn for the Empress Dowager for 27 days and that no one should marry or engage in entertainment within 100 days.
People across the country wrapped white cloth on their hats to mourn for the Empress Dowager. Court officials and women of the imperial court wore straw sandals and sackcloth clothes. When the news of the funeral was received, the temples rang their bells 30,000 times day and night.
The spring chill of March had not yet gone away, and the cold wind was howling sadly into the bones. The courtiers and ladies from outside the palace entered the palace before dawn. The courtiers and ladies from outside the palace were separated on the platform in front of the main hall of Ci'an Palace, howling on both sides.
They were crying and shivering as the sky began to brighten. Their feet in their straw sandals were frozen red and soon began to itch.
Qin Zhi's queen, concubines, princes and princesses were inside the palace. The concubines were in the empress dowager's bedroom in the inner hall, kneeling in front of the empress dowager's bed and sobbing.
Princes and princesses of all ages cried in front of the empress dowager's coffin in the main hall. Even the two-year-old fifth prince Qin Mingzhang and the second princess Qin Mingyue were no exception.
The two-year-old fifth prince Qin Mingzhang and the second princess Qin Mingyue were held in the arms of their respective palace servants, who knelt in their positions and bowed on their behalf.
It can be said that except for Concubine Zhen and the Sixth Prince who was just one day old, almost all members of the royal family were inside and outside the Ci'an Palace.
"How could the Queen Mother pass away so suddenly? I haven't even gotten pregnant with your Majesty's child yet!
The mourning period lasts for a full twenty-seven months, and apart from the newlyweds, I am the only one in the palace who has no children.
The Queen Mother collapsed at such a bad time! Wuu ...
Jiang Lanzhi knelt among the concubines with a sad look on her face, sobbing and crying. She seemed to be blaming herself and was filled with grief and anger in her heart.
In fact, it is like opening the world's megaphone.
Although the entire Ci'an Palace was filled with deafening cries, the concubines in the Empress Dowager's bedroom in the inner hall were kneeling very close to her and therefore could hear her complaints.
Everyone had gotten used to Jiang Lanzhi's occasional revelations, so they simply ignored them and focused on crying, not bothering to delve into these useless nonsense.
Except for the two newcomers to the palace - Concubine Yu and Concubine Shu.
Although Yu Sheyue and Bai Liangyu were not familiar with the empress dowager and even had only a few polite greetings with her, in the sad atmosphere created by the sobbing of everyone in the hall, they were naturally drawn into the grief without any preparation or pretense, and were filled with grief.
Everyone was crying and grieving, so Jiang Lanzhi's voice was so abrupt that they were stunned for a moment.
But no one stood up to point out Jiang Lanzhi's disrespect and unfilial behavior towards the Empress Dowager, so although Yu Sheyue and Bai Liangyu were extremely surprised, they restrained the urge to turn back and investigate.
These thoughts that Jiang Lanzhi expressed when her "emotions were fluctuating violently" are basically true and credible. They were released by Jiang Lanzhi to consolidate the fact that there are limits on how her own thoughts can be heard.
His Majesty is not in Ci'an Palace at the moment, and he cannot hear it, so he will not be dissatisfied with her complaints about the Queen Mother.
Those kneeling in front of the empress dowager's bed were only the concubines in the harem who did not have deep feelings for the empress dowager. The empress dowager's biological daughters, Princess Zheng and Princess Xu, were ladies of the imperial court and were both outside the palace.
Jiang Lanzhi's disrespectful thoughts were revealed at this time and place. Not only would no one stand up to accuse her of being disrespectful to the Queen Mother, but it would also add a bit of authenticity to her setting.
Because no one is perfect, and no one's inner voice is bright and positive.
Jiang Lanzhi lowered her head, stuffed the wet handkerchief into her arms, and let out a long sigh.
"I'm so tired from kneeling, my legs are numb, the weather is cold and there's no floor heating, I'm freezing to death."
The entire mourning hall was solemn and dignified, with only the endless sobbing and Jiang Lanzhi's sudden complaints.
Meng Wuyue had a wooden face and slightly red eyes. She lowered her head and knelt behind Queen Shen Ningyue. Her eyes casually swept across the Queen's belly, which was about to give birth in two or three months, and her own belly, which was not yet showing any signs of pregnancy.
Her eldest princess was also born during the mourning period. Now Ronglu’s brothers and sisters also chose the mourning period to be with her?
Ronglu was born during the mourning period for the late emperor. During the entire mourning period, she was the only child in the palace, and the eldest princess occupied all of His Majesty's attention on his children.
If the baby in her belly is the youngest child that His Majesty has during the three years of mourning, perhaps he will receive a little more favor?
Meng Wuyue knew that the appreciation of the emperor and father was the most necessary thing for the princes and princesses to grow.
Qin Ronglu hoped to have a younger brother who could take care of her mother, Meng Wuyue, and support her after she surrendered.
But Meng Wu Yue had a glimmer of hope that her child was a princess. It would be great if she was a princess.
If she were a princess, she wouldn't have to worry about her child being driven by ambition to compete for power with her brothers or even her father when she grows up.
She was terrified whether her children won or lost.
If you lose, your life will be in danger; if you win, will your children be as cold-hearted as you are and treat their mother as coldly?
If only she were a princess, she wouldn’t have to worry so much about something that didn’t even exist.
Liu Yiren hid in the system space of Yan Shuer's system. With her mind-reading ability, she was like a fully transparent person. All the secrets of the people could be heard by her.
“Jiang Liangren suspected that she was pregnant. She could freely control her inner voice being heard by others, and the restrictions were fake.
In the dream of Concubine Zhi Fu Mengli, there was a river that could make pregnant women give birth to daughters. She tricked the Queen into drinking the river water that could give birth to daughters?
Concubine Yi is sure that she is pregnant and wants to give birth to a princess. As for this worry, I suggest that she go find Fu Mengli.
Li Xihua has memories of her previous life. Does this count as a previous life? In her previous life, her cousin Bai Liangyu was the emperor's favorite concubine.
Meng Xinghe is from the modern era like you. The Legend of Concubine Yi? She also knows a little about the plot which is almost useless? Plot?
Your Majesty's harem is really, really makes me not know what to say." Liu Yiren shook her head and complained to Yan Shuer.
"Oh my god, oh my god, this is such an explosive and exciting thing. Sister Liu, you are so tight-lipped. Why did you tell me only now? This is too much fun."
Yan Shuer, who was kneeling among them and crying along with everyone else, was acting sad, but suddenly she heard the news revealed by the mind reader Liu Yiren, and her crying stopped abruptly.
Following Liu Yiren's words, her eyes secretly glanced at the concubines. Her eyes widened and opened wider, with excitement flashing in her eyes, and her excitement surged.
"Don't get excited, just pay attention to Li Sisi.
Our Concubine Ying is coming to find you. With her suspicion and resentment towards you in her heart, she may stab you at any time. She has gone crazy a long time ago.
Your life is in danger at any moment now, there is no point in trying any further.
Of course, if you change your mind,
Not only will I no longer help you, I will also do everything I can to hold you back. Do you hear me?
Don't blame me for not reminding you then."
Liu Yiren warned Yan Shuer in a cold voice.
"Can we change what we have decided?
Don't worry, I, Yan Shuer, will stick to my word. It's okay, believe me.
If I said I would take you to modern times to have fun, I will definitely take you there to have fun.
Anyway, I am tired of staying in Dayong, seriously, I swear."
Not long after kneeling, Yan Shuer began to get restless again, sighing. Those who didn't know her would think she was mourning the death of the Empress Dowager. In fact:
"Sister Liu, I don't want to kneel anymore. Can I pretend to faint and go back to Changchun Palace? I'm so annoyed. I can't stay here any longer."
"Of course you can. You're pregnant, so anything is fine. But I suggest you move faster!"
Liu Yiren spoke slowly with an ambiguous smile on her lips.
"because......"
Before Yan Shuer had time to ask why, as soon as Liu Yiren finished speaking, there was a commotion in front. It turned out that Concubine Yi, Meng Wuyue, had fainted.
"Hey, someone come quickly, help Concubine Yi to the side hall and call the imperial physician." The queen ordered in a low voice with a slightly hoarse voice.
The palace maids moved swiftly and quietly to carry the unconscious Concubine Yi out of the inner hall.
"Ah, this." Yan Shu'er was stunned.
"I told you to hurry up, but look at him." Liu Yiren said gloatingly.
"You didn't even give me a chance to react. She fainted as soon as you finished speaking. I am extremely speechless about your despicable behavior, Sister Liu."
"You can pretend now if you want to."
"Row."
After saying that, Yan Shuer immediately fell backwards and fell on Shi Qingzhang, who was worried about the eldest prince Qin Mingyu.
Shi Qingzhang supported Yan Shuer, who was pretending to faint with a big belly, and was almost scared to death.
Yan Shu'er also successfully left the inner hall, but she did not go to the side hall. Instead, she fooled the palace maids and eunuchs, sneaked out of Ci'an Palace through the back door, and returned to Changchun Palace.
.................................. .................................. ........
"Noble Concubine Ying, what are you doing? Stop." Shen Ningyue turned her head to look at Noble Concubine Ying Li Sisi who was walking out silently and scolded loudly.
If you want to go to the bathroom, just let her know quietly, then move quietly towards the door away from people, and Shen Ningyue won't say anything.
However, Li Sisi showed no sign of grief. She stood up suddenly and knocked down Concubine Hui Meng Xinghe who was kneeling beside her. Without saying anything, she walked out of the team of concubines kneeling before the spirit and headed towards the gate. Is she crazy?
She learned from the imperial physician that Concubine Ying had been taking medicine for depression ever since she lost her son, so she never bothered with Li Sisi, but she was not without temper.
Hearing Shen Ningyue's reprimand, she sneered nonchalantly and kept walking out.
"I am not feeling well, so I will go back first."
There was an uproar in the palace at Concubine Ying's arrogant behavior.
"Hush, don't let outsiders laugh at you. Someone, call the imperial physician to Yuntai Palace to check on Concubine Ying. Is she really feeling unwell or is she just pretending to feel unwell?
Since Concubine Ying doesn't want to keep vigil for the Empress Dowager, and is even unwilling to show her final filial piety to her, then so be it.
Since Concubine Ying likes to stay in her own palace, she should not come out again unless there is something more important than the funeral of the Empress Dowager that requires her to participate."
Shen Ningyue frowned and gave the order in a cold voice.
Everyone basically understood what the Queen meant. Now, no matter whether Concubine Ying was really unwell or just pretending to be unwell, unless His Majesty insisted on releasing Concubine Ying, Yuntai Palace would forever become a cold palace.
Whether or not she could come out was not a big deal compared to other things. The most important thing was that once the Queen said this, she firmly established the accusation that Concubine Ying was unfilial.
The reputation of the unmarried girls from Ying Guipin's maternal family, the Li family, is likely to be ruined.
After giving the order, Shen Ningyue lowered her head and continued to mourn for the Queen Mother.
After stepping out of the palace, Li Sisi had no intention of returning to Yuntai Palace. Instead, she went to the side hall to look for Yan Shuer who pretended to faint and left. However, she only saw Concubine Yi Meng Wuyue who was resting with pale lips.
Meng Wu Yue was awakened by a crisp slap and the sound of the door being pushed open. He opened his eyes and was surprised to see Li Sisi.
"Sister Ying, why are you here? The imperial physician is outside. I'll ask the palace maid to call him in to check on my sister."
Li Sisi didn't respond to the question of whether to call the imperial physician or not, and asked directly, "Is Concubine Yi pregnant again?"
"How did Sister Ying figure it out? I just found out about it."
"When Concubine Yi found out she was pregnant with the eldest princess, and when she found out she was pregnant with Crown Prince Zhaohui, she was like this, with a pale face, looking like she was both worried and happy."
"Sister Ying is very perceptive."
"Perceptive? Ha! I was just guessing. I hope that your baby will grow up safe and healthy like the eldest princess."
Li Sisi said with her back to Meng Wu Yue.
If her child's death had nothing to do with Meng Wuyue, would she feel guilty? Li Sisi touched her chest.
No.
"Thank you, sister. Where are you going, sister Ying?"
"I have some doubts and I need to ask Lady Li. I can't hold it in any longer."
"Just now I heard that Concubine Li quietly left through the back door of Ci'an Palace. She must have returned to Changchun Palace. Sister Ying, if you have anything to do, why not wait until today is over before looking for Concubine Li? There are court officials and ladies outside. If they see you pretending to be sick and not in the palace, it will be bad."
"Pretending to be sick? No, Madam Noble Concubine Yi, I am not pretending to be sick. I just came out to offend the Empress."
Meng Wuyue frowned. It was not the first time that Li Sisi had offended the Queen. But was it today that she offended the Queen? Why was Li Sisi getting more and more outrageous? Did she think the Queen was easy to bully?
"Since Her Majesty Noble Consort Yi is so kind-hearted, before I go to look for Noble Lady Li, I will tell Her Majesty a secret - I had a hand in the death of Her Majesty's Crown Prince Zhaohui."
Li Sisi said with a smile.