Chapter 321 Palace Coup
Qiu Heng walked in the huge procession, inconspicuous at all, but her face was filled with grief, just like anyone whose gaze could be casually met.
In this situation, not making a mistake is the best approach.
Emperor Jingping's coffin was at the front, and the new emperor was closest. As far as the eye could see, there was a sea of mourning clothes, and a solemn and heavy atmosphere enveloped the entire procession.
Upon arriving at the imperial mausoleum, the procession passed through a series of gates to reach the main hall, where Emperor Jingping's coffin was placed. The solemn and elaborate sacrificial ceremony then began.
The crowd knelt and wept in order of kinship and official rank.
Qiu Heng waited with the crowd, and when she saw Prince Fu, who was at the front of the line, looking heartbroken, she forced a smile.
What a show-off.
"Prince Fu!"
Amidst gasps of alarm, Prince Fu fainted from crying and was helped to the side by those nearby.
Qiu Heng's eyes showed admiration.
With such a good acting skill, it's no wonder he's the most successful among all the princes. He even used Xue Quan to kill Emperor Jingping. Presumably, the Crown Prince's death during the autumn hunt was also orchestrated by Prince Fu.
Fortunately, he encountered Xue Han, who could overcome all odds with sheer force. He didn't need to find evidence or others' approval; he simply killed him.
Thinking about Xue Han's original ending, Qiu Heng couldn't help but look for him, and her eyes met his gaze.
Their eyes met briefly before looking away.
By the time it was the turn of the noble ladies, who, like Qiu Heng, held the title of county princess, to offer sacrifices, quite some time had already passed.
After everyone had finished their worship, Emperor Jingping's coffin was moved from the main hall and carried into the underground palace by selected officials and eunuchs, where further memorial ceremonies were held.
By the time it was completely over, most of the day had passed.
Everyone had red eyes and sorrowful expressions, but they finally relaxed.
The new emperor returned to the palace, and the others either busied themselves with follow-up matters or returned to their official residences to rest.
Qiu Heng lived with the people of Prince Kang's mansion, just like during the autumn hunt, except that Princess Kang's attitude was completely different.
Qiu Heng didn't care about the change in Princess Kang's attitude. Whether she looked down on her or liked her, she didn't care about anyone's attitude.
Xue Han took some time to come over.
"It'll probably happen tonight, but it shouldn't affect this area."
"Xue Han, be careful."
"Yes, we will." Xue Han gently hugged Qiu Heng, then quickly separated. "Just wait for good news."
Night fell quickly. Qiu Heng ate and drank her fill, changed into dark clothes that were easy to move in, and touched the soft sword wrapped around her waist.
She couldn't just sit idly by; even if she didn't participate, she had to go and see what was happening when things got chaotic.
Time passed slowly, and night deepened.
Qiu Heng lay on the bed fully clothed, closing her eyes to rest.
It was quiet outside, the wind was getting stronger, and the leaves were rustling.
There was a faint sound coming from inside.
Qiu Heng got up from the bed and walked to the window.
She deliberately left the window open and looked out. The dark sky was tinged with red light, which was the direction of the imperial tombs.
Are they trying to take advantage of the fire at the imperial tomb to fish in troubled waters?
It must be said that Prince Fu was quite clever. If there was any situation at the imperial mausoleum, the imperial guards would definitely rush there, and even the new emperor could not wait peacefully in his palace.
They are intelligent, and even more ruthless.
The imperial tombs also contain the ancestors of Prince Fu. This is even desecrating his own ancestral graves. No wonder he could push his daughter to marry a foreign ruler without hesitation.
The commotion outside grew even louder.
Without further hesitation, Qiu Heng climbed out the window and disappeared into the night in a few leaps.
Princess Rongning was also gazing up at the firelight.
Upon discovering that the firelight was coming from the direction of the imperial tomb, she and Qiu Heng had the same idea.
"This is nothing compared to what's truly great," Princess Rongning muttered with a mocking smile as she walked into the courtyard.
Hearing the commotion, the Princess Consort of Fu hurriedly dressed and came out, her heart pounding like a drum. She grabbed Princess Rongning and asked, "Rongning, what are you saying?"
"Nothing. Why did Mother come out?"
"I—" Princess Fu wanted to say that she felt inexplicably panicked after waking up, but she was afraid that her daughter would worry, so she forced a smile and said, "I heard a lot of noise outside, so I came out to see what was going on."
"Mother, sister, what are you doing outside?"
Princess Rongning looked over and saw her third brother.
"Mother, sister, you should go back to your room immediately."
Princess Fu's unease intensified, and she asked in a trembling voice, "Sanlang, where are your father and elder brother?"
This place is not as spacious as the Prince Fu's mansion. The whole family lives in a small courtyard. Even she and Rong Ning came out, but the prince and his eldest and second sons were nowhere to be seen. Isn't that too strange?
"Mother, please go back to your room and rest." Sanlang ignored Princess Fu's question and directly reached out to help her back to her room.
Princess Rongning stared at her third brother, who was avoiding answering, with despair in her eyes.
Third Brother knows too! They all know!
They will all die...
Seeing that Princess Rongning's expression was off, Sanlang frowned: "Sister?"
Princess Rongning stared at him intently: "Third Brother, aren't you afraid?"
Sanlang's expression changed, and the way he looked at Princess Rongning changed.
How did Rong Ning find out?
"Third Brother doesn't know what you're talking about." Sanlang's expression turned slightly cold as he helped Princess Fu walk inside.
"Sanlang, what happened?"
"Mother, don't ask anymore, you'll know tomorrow."
Princess Fu was practically forced into the room, her face deathly pale as she slumped into a chair, grabbing Princess Rongning's hand: "Rongning, your father, they—"
Is this an attempt to rebel?
She didn't dare ask aloud, but she already understood.
“Mother.” Princess Rongning hugged the trembling Princess Fu tightly, her voice firm, “You still have me.”
Princess Fu shed tears silently.
The sound of hurried footsteps could be heard from inside the palace.
"Your Majesty, there's a fire at the Imperial Mausoleum!" the eunuch reported urgently.
The new emperor hurriedly dressed and walked out.
The distance between the imperial mausoleum and the temporary palace was quite far. Many of the guards protecting the temporary palace rushed to the mausoleum area, and the officials and nobles who were staying in their official residences also came out when they heard the commotion.
Amidst the commotion and chaos, a squad of imperial guards quietly approached the palace gate. Before the guards could even utter a sound, they were slain with a single blow.
This group of imperial guards cut down anyone they encountered. Although their numbers were not large, they surged into the palace like a torrent breaking through a dam.
The sounds of weapons clashing could also be heard from the residences of the imperial concubines.
Consort Shu hurriedly entered the Fifth Prince's room and breathed a sigh of relief when she saw that the Fifth Prince was still asleep.
Children of this age always have enviable sleep.
"Your Majesty—"
Consort Shu gestured for the palace servants to leave, then sat down on the edge of the bed and took the Fifth Prince's hand.
Perhaps because her hands were too cold, the Fifth Prince still woke up.
"Mother?" The Fifth Prince sat up, looking bewildered. "What happened?"
Consort Shu patted the Fifth Prince's head: "It's alright."
The Fifth Prince's eyes regained their clarity: "Mother, what's that sound outside? It sounds like fighting."
"Put your clothes on properly, and don't listen." Consort Shu looked outside, her face pale.
She had already ordered the courtyard gate to be blocked from the inside, so there was nothing more she could do.
It seems... a palace coup has occurred.
Consort Shu, who was actually Consort Dowager Shu, held her son's hand tightly, with only one thought in mind: no matter what, she and her son would be together.
written request for leave
I'm attending the annual meeting today and need to request a day off.
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