Chapter 234: Empress Zhang Yi's Funeral

When the Queen Mother passed away, the whole world was in mourning.

The emperor was deeply saddened and suspended court for seven days. He ordered the cabinet to give the late empress a posthumous title and ordered all officials to mourn and offer sacrifices.

He also issued an edict that the country was in mourning for three years and that ordinary people were not allowed to marry. Anyone who violated the decree would be severely punished.

On the night of Empress Cui's burial, the cabinet submitted an imperial decree to give Empress Cui the posthumous title of "Zhang Yi".

The virtue is obvious and in accordance with the etiquette and law.

Virtuous character and noble behavior are Yi.

The two words "Zhang Yi" can be said to be the best description of Empress Cui during her lifetime.

Xie Chen sat in the imperial study, looking at these two words in silence for a long time, and finally said in a hoarse voice, "Let's decide on these two words."

The cabinet ministers went to draft the imperial edict.

Pei Tingyue is here.

"emperor."

This call brought Xie Chen back to his senses, and he looked straight at the person in front of him.

"Tingyue, I...I am a little sad..."

Pei Tingyue sighed and went forward to hug him.

"I know."

Xie Chen took a long breath and said in a hoarse voice, "I feel guilty. I am so sorry to her and Minghui... If I hadn't favored the Shen family in order to check and balance the previous dynasty, allowing them to become so arrogant that they dared to poison Minghui openly, she would have been fine... She wouldn't have ended up like this today..."

Pei Tingyue patted his back gently, just like he used to coax her.

"This can't be entirely blamed on the Emperor. He ascended the throne and the dynasty was in turmoil. Using the harem to contain the situation was the quickest and most effective way. Furthermore, the Emperor favored Shen not for his own selfish reasons, but for the sake of the people of the world. So, how can the Emperor be blamed? The Empress Dowager is very understanding and righteous, so I don't think she would blame the Emperor either."

Xie Chen closed his eyes: "No, it's my fault. I can't face them, mother and son."

Pei Tingyue knew.

He couldn't hear anything at this time, so I didn't say anything and just stayed with him quietly.

The two hugged each other for a long time, and Pei Tingyue kept comforting him.

After Xie Chen felt better, he let her go. "During this period, I'm afraid Tingyue will have to work hard with the trivial matters in the harem."

Pei Tingyue shook her head: "Since I have become the Imperial Concubine, I must shoulder this responsibility in order to live up to the Emperor's expectations."

Xie Chen whispered, "If you don't understand, come and ask me. If I'm busy, go find the Queen Mother."

Pei Tingyue nodded gently, "Okay, I understand."

After instructing her, Xie Chen finally noticed the item on the table. "Is this... a memorial from the Empress?"

Pei Tingyue took it and handed it to him: "Yes, the Queen gave it to me when she was alive."

Xie Chen's brows furrowed as he opened it and began to read.

After watching it, there was another long silence.

The guilt was even deeper.

"she…"

Pei Tingyue held his face, lifted it up, and said seriously, "Besides that, the Queen has another unfulfilled wish, which I dare not take away."

Xie Chen's eyes were full of complexities: "What else does she wish for?"

Pei Tingyue said: "The Empress said that she did not want to be buried in the imperial mausoleum."

Xie Chen's eyes darkened, obviously not expecting this: "Don't want to enter the emperor's mausoleum? But she is the queen, how can she be wronged by entering the concubine's mausoleum?"

Pei Tingyue looked at him and said, "The Queen doesn't want to be buried in the Concubine's Tomb either."

Xie Chen lowered his eyelashes, and when he raised them again, they were visibly red. He smiled bitterly and said, "She wants to be with Minghui?"

Pei Tingyue sighed deeply: "Yes, the Queen Mother said that she wanted to be buried with Prince Minghui. She said that she didn't want Prince Minghui to be alone."

Xie Chen moved his lips but didn't say anything.

He buried himself in Pei Tingyue's arms again.

After a long time, he replied "OK".

Pei Tingyue stroked his back and continued to accompany him.

*

Empress Zhangyi's funeral was extremely solemn and honorable.

During her lifetime, she was the head of aristocratic families and held a distinguished status. Later, she became the envied Crown Princess and the queen who ruled the country.

Over the years, not only in the harem, but also in the people of the court, she also held a high prestige. Therefore, after her death, not only did she have the honor of mourning by all the officials, but the people also mourned for her, which was something that no other deceased queen could match.

In the mourning hall every day.

Pei Tingyue led the concubines and ladies in knelt down to pay tribute.

Several princes were also present.

The eldest prince and the second prince cried until their voices were hoarse. The third prince and the fourth prince were still young and did not understand these things, so they were carried here by their wet nurse.

This went on for seven days.

After the seventh day, Empress Zhangyi's ice coffin was moved from the mourning hall to the funeral palace.

After the emperor presided over the sacrifice, an auspicious day was set and the remains were ready to be sent to the imperial mausoleum.

The first day of May, the sixth year of Xining.

It was a sunny day.

The coffin of Empress Zhangyi was carried out of the funeral palace, with the emperor's personal guards leading the way, the imperial guards guarding, and the emperor himself supporting it. Countless princes, ministers, concubines and ladies followed behind, and sent Empress Zhangyi's coffin to the imperial mausoleum.

In the crowd, Pei Tingyue was dressed in mourning clothes, watching the coffin being slowly carried to the underground palace, feeling melancholy in his heart, and then clarity came over him.

The coffin is empty.

Yesterday, Empress Zhangyi's coffin was buried in the tomb of Prince Minghui, together with Prince Minghui.

In this way, her wish was fulfilled and she could rest in peace.

*

After burying Empress Zhang Yi, Xie Chen ordered the Phoenix Seal to be sent to Chengning Palace, allowing Pei Tingyue to take charge of the six palaces.

When he woke up the next day, the concubines were waiting at the palace gate, saying they wanted to pay their respects.

Pei Tingyue was in no hurry to show off her status as the mistress of the harem. She asked all the concubines to disperse and told them that they had worked hard for a while and should take a rest first.

Naturally, everyone was willing to do so. Empress Zhangyi's funeral had lasted for more than a month, and they really hadn't had a good rest.

After hearing these words, they complimented and thanked him, and then left one after another.

After the concubines left, the female officials, eunuchs in charge, and aunts in charge from the Ministry of Internal Affairs all came.

What each of them said made me feel so relieved.

If it was originally about fawning and flattering, now it is about showing loyalty and following.

Pei Tingyue smiled and sent them away without saying a word.

You can't be too hasty in taking power. You have to understand it bit by bit and take it over step by step.

If she wanted to swallow it all up in one bite, there would be all kinds of people here, and she would be the one who would suffer in the future, and she might even be sidelined.