After a journey of more than a month, Chang Lan's coffin finally returned to Yingtian Prefecture.

As the founding duke of the Ming Dynasty, and the eldest son of the Prince of Kaiping and his wife, Chang Mao was deeply saddened. Although he had come to terms with some things over the past month, the thought of his mother's impending burial still weighed heavily on his heart. This time, it would be a final farewell.

Lan Yu felt incredibly heavy-hearted. He had almost no memory of his parents. He only remembered that it was his sister who helped him survive in the chaos of war, and that it was his sister who brought him to the Chang family mansion. Lan Yu felt that his sister was the reason he had become a Duke of the Ming Dynasty and enjoyed his current wealth and status.

With heavy hearts, they escorted the coffin slowly toward Zhongshan Mountain; this was something they had to do.

Chang Jizu sat in front, holding the memorial tablet. As the eldest grandson of the Chang Lan family, this little boy knew that his grandmother had passed away. Perhaps he couldn't fully comprehend the weight of life and death, but he knew that his grandmother could no longer comfort him.

Suddenly, many people sensed something was wrong; they saw someone kneeling in the middle of the road ahead.

Chang Jizu didn't understand much, but Chang Mao, Lan Yu, and the others were greatly startled. Putting aside the fact that ordinary people certainly couldn't appear here, the key point was that even some torches and the faint morning light were enough to identify those people.

The main problem is that the clothing is so distinctive that it's hard not to recognize them.

"Your Majesty!" Chang Mao couldn't hold back any longer and staggered forward, wailing, "Your Majesty, you mustn't!"

Zhu Yunying ignored all that and continued kneeling. He felt he truly owed Chang Lan Shi, not only because his birth mother was her daughter, but also because over the years, Chang Lan Shi had silently cared for him, helped him look after his younger siblings, led the relocation to Beiping Prefecture, and offered unwavering support.

"Grandpa!" Little Zhu was picked up by Chang Mao and happily hugged Chang Mao's leg. "Grandpa, I want the tiger skin!"

Well, whether it's Little Zhu or Zhu Yunwen, he's received quite a few good things from his maternal great-uncle over the years. Especially when Zhu Yunwen had just left the palace to establish his own residence, he was basically taken care of by the Chang family.

Zhu Yunying remained kneeling, saying, "Uncle, your nephew couldn't see his grandmother off on her final journey, nor could he fulfill his filial duties over the years. Let me kneel here and see her off!"

Chang Mao didn't know what to say at this moment, and Xu Miaoqing also got up.

Dressed in her empress's robes, she continued, "Uncle, let His Majesty escort Grandmother. Yue'er, Madam Sang, come with me."

Lian Qiongqiong and Wang Shi didn't have such privileges; they could only help with embroidering brocade quilts and copying scriptures. Now, only the legitimate daughters were qualified to cover Chang Lan Shi's coffin with a brocade quilt.

Empress Chang's two legitimate daughters-in-law and her youngest daughter were qualified. Zhu Yunwen's wives were not.

With the help of her three aunts, Xu Miaoqing and the others covered Chang Lanshi's coffin with the brocade quilt they had embroidered themselves.

At this moment, Zhu Yunying stood up and patted little Zhu's head, "Go, follow your uncle and go ahead."

Chang Mao was somewhat worried, and then said, "Your Majesty, the Crown Prince is, after all, the heir apparent."

“That’s also my maternal grandmother’s great-grandson!” Zhu Yunying said with certainty. “Jizu, take good care of your little nephew.”

Letting Little Zhu carry the memorial tablet is one thing, but Little Zhu is surnamed Zhu after all; it would be more appropriate for Chang Jizu to go first. Having Little Zhu follow along is already quite good.

Zhu Yunying turned around and said, "Qi'er, go with your cousin."

Feng Qi, naturally obedient, was Zhu Yue's eldest son. Zhu Yunying's fondness for using the characters 'Qi' and 'Lin' wasn't laziness; although many of his relatives possessed the characters 'Qi' and 'Lin', only his closest relatives were entitled to be given names by Zhu Yunying. This also reflects Zhu Yunying's expectations for these children; 'Qi' and 'Lin' were very fitting.

Chang Mao thought for a moment and said, "When Mother was alive, she loved children the most, so let the children all go first."

Chang Mao actually had no children, but fortunately Chang Sheng and Chang Sen did. If nothing unexpected happens, and Chang Mao continues to have no children, he will definitely have to adopt a child from either Chang Sheng or Chang Sen to inherit the title of Founding Duke.

The funeral procession was about to resume, and Zhu Yunying naturally walked towards the coffin and snatched a rope from a servant.

Chang Mao and the others immediately knelt down, because Zhu Yunying was holding onto the rope that was pulling the hearse carriage.

Zhu Yunying smiled and said, "Grandmother loves it when her children and grandchildren are successful. Today, let's send her off on her final journey. Let's not hold back our energy. Only when we send her off in a grand and glorious way will she be at peace."

After saying this, Wang Chengen immediately brought his men over. They dressed him in the ceremonial robes of a duke and the attire of a marquis. Lan Yu's side was originally the duke's, but a young eunuch brought a horse, and several other eunuchs carried swords and armor.

Looking at Lan Yu, Zhu Yunying said, "Duke of Liang, you go first and see our maternal grandmother off!"

With bloodshot eyes, Lan Yu stood up, clasped his hands in a fist salute, and shouted, "This subordinate obeys the order!"

"Feng Cheng, you will also follow the General." Zhu Yunying turned around and said, "Shunchang and Jingfu, you two will also follow, as junior officers."

Mei Shunchang and Mei Jingfu were the offspring of Princess Ningguo. Although they were the second daughter of Emperor Zhu, they were legitimate daughters and Zhu Yunying's aunt.

The distinction between close and distant relatives was vividly demonstrated in Xiao Zhu's case. The only ones who could personally pull Chang Lan's coffin were her three sons and two grandsons.

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