Chapter 25 That brat is incredibly audacious
During this period, remnants of the previous dynasty stirred up trouble among the people again.
The Kingdom of Bonni and the Kingdom of Liao are stirring up trouble on the border again, harassing each other from time to time and doing some minor things. Although they are harmless, they are still quite annoying.
This was akin to plucking the fur off a tiger, which greatly displeased the emperor.
Then came the loss of two important court officials in succession, who brazenly committed murder right under the emperor's nose, challenging the imperial authority, and on top of that, bad news came from the border.
These days, the emperor's mood makes those below him feel as if they are walking on thin ice or treading on steel knives, and they must be careful with every step.
Serving a ruler is like serving a tiger. The Minister of Justice went to Suizhou to investigate a case of smuggling salt, but made no progress for a long time. He repeatedly called on his master, the current Chief of the Privy Council, Duan Gan, to come and discuss the matter. He did not miss a single day, and each time he did not return until the middle of the night.
How can I get proper rest like this?
Some time ago, remnants of the previous dynasty suddenly appeared in Luzhou, inciting local martial arts practitioners to launch a riot that resulted in countless deaths and injuries. Zhang Cheng, the commander of the Xiaoji Battalion, was ordered by Duan Gan to lead his troops to investigate and suppress the uprising.
While escorting the criminals back to the capital, they were ambushed on the way. Zhang Cheng was skilled in martial arts and only suffered minor injuries, while the soldiers of the Xiaoji Camp were more seriously injured and temporarily stationed at the Yizhuang, which was 20 miles outside the city.
Now that they are stationed at the mortuary, Duan Gan knows that those remnants will definitely make a comeback in order to save people. He has decided to keep them from returning to the capital for the time being and lure them out. He has decided to go and see what they are capable of.
On the surface, only two people went, but in reality, Duan Gan had already arranged for the Privy Council's secret Ghost Guard to secretly go to the mortuary.
Chen Jinghe lifted the small curtain and looked outside. Suddenly, he exclaimed "Eek!" and a look of surprise flashed in his eyes.
"Isn't that the formidable young lady who was in charge of Qiu Yanling's funeral?"
"Walking down the street with a coffin on her back, she really doesn't seem to care at all. This young lady is really bold."
That day at the Privy Council's mourning hall, she disregarded the Empress's orders; wasn't that incredibly audacious? If it weren't for the Privy Council, this young lady would probably have been beheaded long ago.
Ordinary people on the street would avoid the coffin, some even muttering disdainfully that it was bad luck.
At some point, Duan Gan lifted his eyelids, glanced at him disdainfully, and looked at him with indifferent eyes.
The moment she looked over, Tao Tao pulled over to the side, keeping her eyes down and mind at ease, making way for the distinguished guest's carriage to pass first.
The groom was dressed in a dark blue robe with embroidered owl patterns. His face was cold and his eyes were sharp as knives. He was clearly a member of the Privy Council's guards.
On the street, no one dares to give way; they're too busy dodging to get out of the way.
Tao Tao knew that it was inappropriate to carry a coffin in broad daylight on the street, especially under the emperor's nose, and she was afraid of offending some important person. Therefore, when she saw the ornate carriage, she quickly stepped aside.
Hearing Chen Jinghe's mutterings, the man leaning against the soft couch hummed softly, his face showing a mixture of mockery and amusement.
"That brat is taking my things and freeloading at Dali Temple. She's really audacious. If I weren't so busy, I would have dealt with her long ago..."
Upon hearing this, Chen Jinghe chuckled dryly a few times and lowered the curtain.
Even if you're not busy, you don't need to do it yourself. She's just a young woman; you can just give an order to someone.
Besides, when you reported it that day, you didn't ask your subordinates to tidy up.
Tao Tao and the other two drove the cart out of Zhengyang City Gate. As soon as the gate guards saw that there was a coffin on the cart, they hurriedly waved them away, so they didn't spend much time at the city gate.
After leaving the city gate, they still had about twenty miles to walk. In order to get back before sunset, they had to speed up their journey.
Half an hour later, Tao Tao looked at the steep mountain road at the foot of the mountain and suddenly felt like crying.
"I should have called two more people over. If the carriage can't get on, we'll be exhausted!"
Yu Shan looked at his boss's thin frame and said, "The two of us can manage."
"Boss, just take the paper offerings."
"It's alright, it'll be easier for three people to carry it. Otherwise, you might get tired and slip. You can come down and get the rest later."
Despite Tao Tao's repeated insistence, the three of them carried the coffin together and walked step by step up the rugged mountain path.
Once you reach the mountainside, you'll see many unmarked tombstones. There's also a mass grave in the wilderness, but it's on the opposite side of the road.
Tao Tao was exhausted, her face flushed and her forehead covered in fine sweat. She lay sprawled on the ground, completely lacking the appearance and demeanor expected of a modern woman.
The Yu brothers, Yu Shan and Yu He, were also exhausted, so they simply sat down on the ground, panting heavily.
It was quite cool up on the mountain. A gust of cold wind immediately soothed her burning cheeks and made her mind very clear.
"I will never do this thankless task again."
She must have been possessed at the time, actually helping people she had no connection with, giving them money and effort. She was either stupid or crazy.
Now that she's sober, there's nothing she can do but grit her teeth and do it. Next time, she definitely won't meddle in other people's business.
"Yu Shan, could you please take down the dry rations hanging on the coffin for me?"
"Okay."
Yu Shan got up to get it and then handed it to Tao Tao on the ground.
Tao Tao breathed a sigh of relief, stood up and took it, "Come over here, everyone."
We prepared three portions of dry food and water, which came in handy now that we were both hungry and thirsty.
After eating and drinking, and resting briefly, she instructed Yu Shan and Yu He to dig a pit for burial.
She then made some simple arrangements.
Long white banners fluttered in the air, white lanterns hung from tree branches, and the cold wind swirled the yellow paper money in the baskets, making everything seem so lonely and desolate.
The two brothers laboriously carried and pushed the coffin into the pit. Tao Tao sat to the side, holding a long stone tablet in her arms, quietly carving it with a small knife. This tablet was carefully selected from a pile of stones not far away.
Before long, another solitary grave appeared on this desolate mountain.
She built a fire, her face expressionless, her eyes dark, and began burning the paper crafts she had made herself. Yu Shan and Yu He also sat around it, throwing yellow paper and gold and silver ingots into the fire.
Suddenly, a gust of wind swept through the bonfire, sending ashes and yellow paper flying everywhere. The blazing flames almost licked her fingers, but then instantly subsided.
The Yu brothers, Yu Shan and Yu He, accidentally got some ashes in their eyes. They rubbed them frantically, and when they opened their eyes, the world had changed color.
A gloomy, oppressive feeling settled in my heart, making it hard to breathe.
Yu Shan said, "Boss, looking at the sky, it looks like it's going to rain heavily. Let's hurry back."
His voice was muffled by the wind, but Tao Tao was close enough to hear what he was saying.
She looked up at the overcast sky, where there seemed to be lightning and thunder in the distance, and the sound of the forest rustling and swaying in the air.
"Pack your things and let's go now."
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