Chapter 49049 Staying by his side for all eternity
Xie Zhan refused to allow Yun Sheng's body to be buried. He personally cleaned the intact skin and flesh, then asked someone to bring an ice coffin and laid Yun Sheng flat in it.
Xie Zhan straightened his clothes and rode back home first.
The fire was so fierce last night that the news spread throughout the streets and markets the next day. People passed the news around and found out that the fire was in the villa of Marquis Dingbei's mansion. It was a pity for Marquis Xie's beloved concubine, who died at such a young age.
This matter also spread to the harem.
After hearing the report from the palace maid, Concubine Shu's face changed drastically and she immediately sent someone to call Princess Anle.
"Mother, why are you calling me so early in the morning?"
Princess Anle yawned lazily.
Concubine Shu said angrily, "Mother asks you, was it you who ordered Yun Sheng's death?"
"What nonsense is my mother talking about? She was burned to death in the fire, what does it have to do with me?"
Princess Anle rolled her eyes, then realized what had happened. She opened her mouth in astonishment, "Mother, you really are so stupid and vicious in your eyes."
Yun Sheng was merely an insignificant concubine, having not given birth to Xie Zhan's eldest son. Xie Zhan, following the advice of the court ladies, had sent her to live in a separate courtyard before the wedding. Xie Zhan had shown her such respect, and Yun Sheng hadn't become spoiled by her favor. So how could Princess Anle take her seriously?
Besides, if the truth came to light, wouldn't she become a cruel and ruthless person in Xie Zhan's mind?
Princess An Le Tang Tang, she doesn't believe that if she marries, she won't be able to compare with even a village girl. She will make Xie Zhan crazy about her.
Concubine Shu finally breathed a sigh of relief and glared at her: "If you are usually a worry-free person, how could your mother be like this?"
Fortunately, my daughter still has some brains.
Princess Anle pouted and said aggrievedly, "Since mother is fine, I will go back to sleep."
Unfortunately, she ran into a young eunuch walking hurriedly on the palace road. She stopped him and asked, "Why are you rushing to the Taiji Hall in such a hurry?"
"In reply to the princess, it's not a matter of urgency. Marquis Xie sent a letter to the palace, and he will not be attending court today."
Princess Anle looked stunned. Just because a concubine died, Xie Zhan was going to neglect even the official business of the court?
She pursed her lips, not very happy. She was just a concubine, why would he care so much about her?
Princess Anle shook her head and said that after she got married, she would never allow him to think about the dead Yun Sheng again.
Xie Zhan rode into the mansion at full speed. He looked tired and one could tell from his eyes that he had not slept all night.
Everyone gathered in the Wenzhai Hall of Old Lady Xie, and were shocked to see Xie Zhan's formal attire.
Old Lady Xie was the first to ask, "What happened last night? Why did a huge fire start out of nowhere?"
Xie Zhan's eyelids twitched violently, and he explained it in a few words.
"After all, she is unlucky and has no blessings." Old Lady Xie sat on top and sighed twice.
"Logically speaking, since you've always doted on her and given her honor, it wouldn't be a bad idea to have a lavish funeral. However, your wedding to Princess Anle is just a few days away, and she hasn't given birth to any children for the Marquisate. Grandmother, in my opinion, it's best to bury her quickly and simply to avoid bringing bad luck to the royal family."
"Grandma." Xie Zhan called out in a deep voice.
This grandson has always been filial, but the cold and distant glance he gave her just now startled Old Lady Xie.
"Her funeral doesn't need to be arranged, her grandson has his own plans."
Xie Zhan's eyes flickered slightly, and he said in a cold voice: "As for the matter of marriage, I'm sorry, your grandson can only disobey your order."
"You...what did you say? Tell Grandmother again? Are you not going to marry the princess just because of a dead woman like her?"
Old Madam Xie's eyes went dark. If the old woman had not quickly supported her, she would have almost fallen backwards.
Her fingers trembled as she pointed at Xie Zhan and cursed, "Disobeying the imperial order is a capital crime punishable by the death of nine generations of your clan. Are you going to drag down your grandmother and the entire Dingbei Marquisate just for that dead woman, a concubine?"
The people from the second and third houses present were in an uproar, and they also thought that Xie Zhan was crazy. Was he going to drag his entire family to be buried with the dead Yun Sheng?
"Grandmother, don't worry. I have a plan in mind for the matter of disobeying the imperial order, and it will definitely not implicate the Marquis's Mansion. Before my father died, I promised him that I would protect the Xie family from worries." Xie Zhan curled the corners of his lips, turned around and left.
Old Lady Xie was still so angry that her head was spinning. She stared at Xie Zhan's back and said bluntly, "You are not allowed to go. If you dare to refuse the order to cancel the engagement, you will have to walk over Grandmother's corpse."
Xie Zhan paused, then stepped out of the door without hesitation.
Old Lady Xie fainted immediately, and everyone cried out in confusion.
Xie Zhan turned around and ordered, "Go and ask the doctor to take good care of the old lady."
The servants responded tremblingly. Everyone suddenly felt that he was a stranger and was even more in awe of Xie Zhan.
When Xie Zhan returned to Linyuan Pavilion, Hua was crying as she packed up Yun Sheng's belongings. As for Ah Xi, if it weren't for her having served Yun Sheng, Xie Zhan would have killed her last night.
Not to mention everyone else in the courtyard, including her, if they were beaten with fifty sticks, it would take several months for their skin and flesh to heal.
He closed his eyes and said coldly, "Everyone get out."
Xie Zhan's eyes swept across every corner of the room, and Yun Sheng's figure instantly appeared in his mind.
The joyful look on her face as she bent over the desk to read and write, the seriousness with which she sat by the window sewing her own underwear, and the shy look on her face as she lay in his arms under the lamp.
Coquettish, happy, aggrieved, sobbing, her voice and smile lingered in Xie Zhan's mind.
Only now, only now, his heart was broken.
She was so timid, and I didn't know if she was cold or afraid. How could she dare to cross the Naihe Bridge alone? It would be better for her to stay by his side for the rest of her life.
Once Master Kongji receives a letter, Xie Zhan will definitely not let her wait alone for too long.
Seeing the object reminded him of the person, he closed the door cruelly.
Xie Zhanfang returned to his bedroom and saw a set of groom's suit for his wedding hanging on the wooden rack behind the screen.
Hua Lao sighed softly and said, "Someone from the palace brought it this morning. They said it was a wedding dress made to your measurements."
"It's burned."
Xie Zhan withdrew his gaze with an indifferent expression.
This kind of red should be worn by his Ah Sheng, to match her beautiful face.
Hua was shocked and said, "My Lord, this... this is in the palace..."
"No problem, take it and burn it. I will go to the palace to see the emperor immediately."
Hua knew that no one could change Xie Zhan's decision, so even with the old lady's threat, he had made up his mind to break off the engagement with Princess Anle.
She sighed in her heart, and thought of Yun Sheng's death. She didn't know whether she was blessed or not.
Hua Lao could now see clearly that the Marquis's feelings towards Madam Yun were more than just love and favor.
Xie Zhan changed into court clothes and entered the palace in a purple robe.
Emperor Yonghui had just finished his morning court session and asked the eunuch to invite him into the study.
He sighed, "I heard this morning that something happened at Lord Xie's residence. Why are you rushing into the palace now?"
Xie Zhan immediately knelt on the ground and said straightly: "I am guilty."
"What crime have you committed?" Emperor Yonghui said solemnly.
"I'm sorry I can no longer obey your order regarding my marriage to the princess."
Emperor Yonghui's expression immediately changed, and he shouted angrily, "Xie Zhan, you are so bold! Your wedding to Anle is only a few days away, and now you dare to say you won't marry her? My daughter is a precious child, what do you think she is? Where do you put my reputation and the reputation of the royal family?"
"The princess is precious, so Your Majesty should find a husband who truly loves her, and this person is definitely not me. It is also a grievance for the princess to be neglected by me after marrying into the family." Xie Zhan said word by word.
"What? If you don't truly love my daughter, who do you want to love?" Emperor Yonghui sneered.
Xie Zhan said sternly, "I dare not deceive Your Majesty. I already have someone in my heart."
Emperor Yonghui straightened up and narrowed his eyes: "Your beloved concubine?"
"Yes, it is the Yun family. Now that she has passed away, I regret my actions. Therefore, I cannot marry the princess again."
Xie Zhan felt a pang of pain in his heart. Now he realized that it was not Yun Sheng who could not leave him, but he who could not leave Yun Sheng.
Emperor Yonghui carefully observed Xie Zhan's expression. His grief didn't seem feigned. Could it be that he truly had a deep affection for a concubine? Otherwise, why would he risk offending the emperor by breaking off the engagement?
Xie Zhan knew the Yonghui Emperor's concern and said in a deep voice, "I am loyal to Your Majesty and the Imperial Family. Otherwise, how could I dare to disrespect the Imperial Family so much? I hope Your Majesty will agree."
"The royal family's reputation is paramount. How can I explain your actions to Anle, Consort Shu, and all the other clan members? Xie Zhan, do you know that disobeying an imperial order is a grave crime punishable by the death of all nine generations of your clan?"
Emperor Yonghui continued, "Since you claim to be loyal to me and the royal family, then the issue of military power..."
Xie Zhan sneered in his heart. In the end, it all came back to the issue of military power. He had anticipated this before he entered the palace.
He cupped his hands and said, "I am in charge of the army on behalf of Your Majesty. The Dingbei Army's tiger talisman should naturally be kept by Your Majesty."
After Xie Zhan finished speaking, he took out a tiger talisman from his bosom. Emperor Yonghui's pupils shrank and he asked the eunuch to present it.
He looked at it carefully several times, unable to hide his excitement. This was the tiger talisman that made him uneasy day and night. Xie Zhan presented it to him so easily. He didn't expect that he was still a romantic man.
Xie Zhan, ah Xie Zhan, it is true that heroes have always been tempted by beautiful women. He also has a day when he is sentimental and acts on impulse.
"My marriage to the princess..."
Before Xie Zhan could finish his words, Emperor Yonghui interrupted him: "My dear, your love is so deep that I am moved to tears when I hear it. How can I bear not to fulfill your wish? However, I must also give an explanation to others. My dear, you will accept thirty lashes. Are you willing to do so?"
"I thank Your Majesty for your help."
Xie Zhan took off his outer robe and only wore his inner garment.
He straightened his back and knelt outside the Taiji Hall. The eunuch who was torturing him said, "Thank you, Lord. I am sorry for the offense."
"No problem."
The eunuch whipped Xie Zhan, but he remained straight and didn't even blink.
It was not until the eunuch's wrist felt sore, Xie Zhan's back was covered in blood, and the bright red blood soaked his shirt that he managed to groan twice.
Princess Anle, having received the news, rushed over. Seeing Xie Zhan kneeling, she immediately shouted angrily, "You bold dog slave! Xie Zhan is my consort. How dare you act like this?"
After the eunuch finished the last act, he withdrew the whip in his hand and said with lowered eyes, "In reply to the princess, if Marquis Xie insists on breaking off the engagement with you, he will certainly bear the wrath of His Majesty."
Princess Anle froze in disbelief, "What did you say? The wedding is only a few days away, why are you cancelling it?"
She tilted her head and looked stiffly at Xie Zhan: "This dog slave must be talking nonsense. Xie Zhan, tell this princess that we are clearly going to get married in a few days."
"I am afraid I shall disappoint the princess."
Xie Zhan's expression was indifferent, and his eyes were calm.
Princess Anle ignored everything and rushed into the imperial study like a madman.
Xie Zhan forced himself to stay awake and leave the palace. After a while, the crying sound of Princess Anle could be faintly heard from the back hall.
When he returned home, Bai Yuanbao came to meet him hurriedly. Xie Zhan looked at him and suddenly vomited blood.
"My Lord."
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The author has something to say: I have revised the last chapter, so don’t find out for now. I want to torture this man and then have fun [covering my face and laughing and crying] Tomorrow at 12 noon
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