After the Lantern Festival, the weather gradually becomes warmer.
The people in the capital also began their busy new year.
Just after the Lantern Festival, the emperor issued an order to execute the concubine Sun.
Afterwards, he summoned the head of the Sun family to appease them.
The content of their conversation was nothing more than, "I trust you and your Sun family. The Sun family's affairs have nothing to do with your Sun family. You can rest assured and continue to work hard for the Great Zhou Dynasty."
With the emperor's comfort, the elder of the Sun family burst into tears.
Since the palace coup last year, the Sun family, from top to bottom, has been worried.
Although they had no connection with the Eastern Palace or the Prince of Chu's Mansion, there was no guarantee that His Majesty would not vent his anger on them.
When the emperor ordered the death of Concubine Sun, the Sun family's worries reached their peak.
The emperor's words of comfort have completely dispelled their concerns.
The head of the Sun family expressed his loyalty while crying, and the picture of harmony between the monarch and his subjects was very moving.
The reason why the emperor appeased the Sun family was because the Sun family was still useful, and King Ning had no intention of killing the Sun family as a sacrifice after he ascended the throne.
If he appeases this side, and Prince Ning kills the Sun family as soon as he ascends the throne tomorrow, how can he save his face as the emperor?
The father and son had already discussed how to treat these ministers.
King Ning had a list in his mind of who should be killed and who should be demoted.
He had discussed it with the emperor, and the emperor was now making revisions according to Prince Ning's list to clear the way for Prince Ning to ascend the throne in the future.
Prince Ning often joked with the emperor, "Father loves his son deeply! We should let Prince Yan see our fatherly love and filial piety, so that he can reflect deeply."
"roll!"
The emperor was very upset. Prince Ning actually dared to make fun of him and became more and more presumptuous.
Prince Ning took the opportunity to leave and went to the court to compete with the court officials in a battle of wits and courage.
The emperor finally issued an edict to bury Jiang Shuyi alive with him.
Since the coup, Jiang Shuyi has been in constant fear.
Especially when rumors spread that the child she and Concubine Li De were pregnant with was not the emperor's blood, she was almost scared to death.
She had made contributions, but they were not enough for the emperor to let her go.
She has been living in fear these days.
When the order to bury her alive came down, Jiang Shuyi fell to the ground with a pale face.
It's over, it's over, everything is over.
"Zhou Miao, what should I do?"
"Does your Majesty want to live?"
"Of course. Who wants to die when they can live?" Jiang Shuyi's voice was trembling.
Zhou Miao squatted down and looked Jiang Shuyi in the eye. "Have you thought about what will happen after you survive? You must hide your identity and never see your family again, let alone recognize them. You can't even stay in the capital. After all, there are many people in the capital who have seen you."
Jiang Shuyi grabbed Zhou Miao's sleeve and said, "As long as I can survive, I can endure all this."
Zhou Miao laughed. "Your Majesty, do you still remember the nobleman I told you about? He was very satisfied with your performance in recent months, and saving His Majesty was a great achievement. He did not want to see you die, so he was willing to help you fake your death and leave the palace."
Jiang Shuyi covered her lips and opened her eyes wide, obviously shocked.
After a while, she came back to her senses, "Does this noble really have such great ability to help me fake my death and leave the palace?"
Zhou Miao nodded affirmatively.
"Who exactly is this noble man? Could it be Prince Ning?"
Zhou Miao shook his head, "Don't try to guess the identity of this noble man."
Since Jiang Shuyi gave birth to a ghost baby and fell out of favor, everything she did afterwards, including taking refuge with Concubine Xue, was all done by Zhou Miao according to the instructions of the noble lady, arranging for Jiang Shuyi to do what she was told.
Jiang Shuyi's surrender to Concubine Xue may seem like an insignificant move, but it unexpectedly played a crucial role.
If Jiang Shuyi had not failed, the emperor would have died on the day of the coup.
A small chess piece, at a crucial moment, actually played a decisive role in the overall outcome. This shows that the chess player not only thinks far enough ahead, but also thinks deeply.
Jiang Shuyi had many speculations about the noble person Zhou Miao mentioned, but they were all denied by Zhou Miao.
Jiang Shuyi asked anxiously, "Can I trust you? Can I trust the noble person you mentioned? Isn't this noble person trying to take advantage of the opportunity to silence me and kill me?"
Zhou Miao lifted Jiang Shuyi's chin and said, "Your mission has been completed. I am very satisfied with your performance and am willing to lend you a helping hand.
If the noble wants to kill you to silence you, then you can just leave it alone. Your Majesty's decree for your burial is still fresh in the mind of the beholder, and the one who truly wants to kill you is rubbing his hands in anticipation.
Of course, if you don't believe me, or the noble, I won't force you. I'll leave now and just watch you being buried alive from afar."
"No, don't go. I didn't say I don't trust you. I'm just curious about your identity."
Zhou Miao smiled softly, "Curiosity kills the cat. If you want to live, be less curious. If you knew the identity of the noble, he would have no choice but to kill you."
Jiang Shuyi shuddered, "Okay, I won't ask about your identity. How can you help me escape from the palace?"
Zhou Miao said, "When His Majesty asks you to be buried alive, he doesn't mean you should die immediately. You should wait patiently until the day His Majesty passes away.
Here is a drug that can make you appear dead. Take this drug quickly before His Majesty passes away and the palace servants who are going to execute you arrive. Just think of it as committing suicide.
Your Majesty's body will remain for twenty-one days, but you will be sent to the underground palace the day after your death.
By then, someone will help you steal the day and bring you out of the underground palace and wake you up. After that, someone will send you out of the capital."
"It's that simple? I just need to take this medicine at the critical moment?" Jiang Shuyi was a little bit unbelieving.
Zhou Miao nodded. "Of course, the simpler it is, the better, so as not to arouse suspicion. The real trouble is stealing and changing the subject, which is a life-threatening matter. But you don't have to worry about these, someone will arrange everything."
Jiang Shuyi suddenly asked, "Am I worthy of your taking such a big risk to help me?"
"What do you think?"
Jiang Shuyi shook her head. "I'm already a useless person. There's no need to take such a big risk to help me."
Zhou Miao raised an eyebrow and smiled, "It's good that you know. So you must cherish this opportunity. I don't want to disappoint the meritorious officials, so I am happy to help you even if it means taking some risks."
Jiang Shuyi opened her mouth and said, "Can't you really tell me who this noble man is?"
Zhou Miao shook his head, "No. If you insist on asking, then the plan will be cancelled and no one will help you escape."
Jiang Shuyi shook her head repeatedly. "I won't ask anymore, never again. As for my family, I will ask them to leave the capital and return home immediately. I'll also ask Eunuch Zhou to help look after them and at least leave them a way out."
Zhou Miao said softly, "As long as your family behaves themselves and doesn't cause trouble, no one will bother them. If they refuse to behave themselves after returning home, don't blame anyone for wanting to kill them."
"I know. I will tell them to be honest and don't cause trouble or talk nonsense."
"That's great."
Zhou Miao placed the porcelain bottle in Jiang Shuyi's hands and said, "Remember, take the medicine immediately when you hear the bell. Be sure to take it before the palace servants arrive."
Jiang Shuyi held the porcelain bottle tightly and nodded heavily, "I know."
In the next few days, Jiang Shuyi began to arrange her funeral.
She met her family and asked them to leave Beijing and return to their hometown as soon as possible, and also left some money and property to her family.
Afterwards, she collected all her gold and silver jewelry and asked Zhou Miao to take them out of the palace and hide them in a house in the city.
As long as she escapes, these gold and silver jewelry will be the guarantee of her life for the rest of her life.
Jiang Shuyi's nerves became more and more tense, and she couldn't help but think of Gu Jiu.
She also thought about asking Gu Jiu for help, but Gu Jiu would definitely not interfere in matters of life and death.
She could only suppress every little thought in her mind.
Before the end of the first month of the year, the emperor finally completed the last journey of his life.
In the afternoon of the 28th day of the first lunar month in the 38th year of Kaiyao, the emperor passed away!
The death knell tolled, and the whole city heard it.
The officials' wives immediately changed into mourning clothes and entered the palace.
The people also changed into plain clothes.
Restaurants, teahouses, brothels, and all places of entertainment were closed.
Only businesses related to people's livelihood, such as grain and oil shops, can operate as usual.
Prince Ning accompanied the emperor on his last journey with a sad expression.
The other princes all knelt on the ground.
Minister Li and Duke Zhuguo, in front of Prince Zhenning and all the civil and military officials, took out the imperial edict of succession and announced it to the world.
Prince Ning burst into tears, crying like a 200-pound child.
Concubine Xiao Shufei fainted and was carried back to Changchun Palace.
The court officials tried to persuade Prince Ning to mourn and accept the change.
The Ministry of Rites had to prepare for the funeral while preparing for Prince Ning's coronation ceremony.
The country cannot be without a king for a day. Funerals must be held, and the coronation ceremony must also be held.
From the Minister of Rites down, everyone in the Ministry of Rites was so busy that they had to borrow people from other government offices.
Minister Li bent down and said to Prince Ning, who was lying on the bed, "The Ministry of Rites has selected two dates: one for the enthronement in three days and one in ten days. What do you think, Your Highness?"
Prince Ning wiped his tears and asked, "Will it be too late in three days?"
Minister Li whispered, "Time is short, and I'm afraid there may be some inconsiderateness."
"Then ten days later." King Ning made up his mind.
"I obey the decree."
Prince Ning turned to look at the Minister of Revenue, "Before my father passed away, he left a will that the funeral should be lavishly arranged. The necessary expenses will be borne by the Ministry of Revenue."
The Minister of Revenue's face wrinkled, "The Ministry of Revenue is completely empty. For the time being, we can only provide 200,000 taels for emergency use. Your Highness, please understand our difficulties."
After saying this, the Minister of Revenue looked towards the Minister of Household Affairs.
The Shaofu is so rich, why doesn’t he pay?
Too much!
The Shaofu's household official was very cautious and would never take the initiative to bear the funeral expenses.
Prince Ning said, "Your Majesty understands the difficulties faced by the Ministry of Revenue. The remaining funds will be borne by the Ministry of Finance."
The Minister of Revenue smiled happily, "Great, great!" Of course, he didn't dare to laugh out loud, but he was happy in his heart.
The Shaofu's household official bowed and accepted the order, "Don't worry, Your Majesty. The Shaofu has made preparations and will cover all expenses of the Ministry of Rites."
"That's great."
Prince Ning took the princes and grandchildren to observe mourning. When the Liangyi Hall was decorated, everyone moved to the Liangyi Hall to observe mourning.
Gu Jiu knelt in the mourning hall with the female relatives and cried.
She should be thankful that Gu Shan has married into the Duke of Zhuguo's mansion.
Otherwise, two years will be wasted.
Because once the emperor's mourning period was over, Mr. Gu's mourning period was also over.
When the emperor passed away, the families of officials were not allowed to marry within 100 days.
Common people are not allowed to marry within 27 days.
Pei was kneeling in the front, with Gu Jiuju behind her on the left.
Pei wiped the corners of her eyes with a handkerchief, sobbing and feeling very sad.
Several princesses and princesses also cried very sadly.
Only Princess Huyang showed a hint of happiness amidst her sadness.
Gu Jiu had to remind her and handed his spare handkerchief to Princess Huyang, "Aunt, wipe the corners of your eyes."
Princess Huyang nodded, picked up Gu Jiu's handkerchief and guessed, tears falling down her face.
I don’t know how much ginger juice was put on this handkerchief, it made Princess Huyang’s eyes hurt.
In a blink of an eye, Princess Huyang became the one crying the most sadly.
Later, she couldn't control herself and grabbed Gu Jiu's hand, pulling hard.
Gu Jiu bared his teeth, wondering if his desire for revenge was so strong.
Two hours later, everyone returned to the side hall to rest and have tea and food in the corridor.
The food served in the corridors is the working meal in the palace. The taste is average, but the food is hot. It is slightly better than the palace banquet.
Gu Jiu discovered that the imperial kitchen might really have a strong resentment towards the palace banquet.
The food and wine at the palace banquet were not even as good as the food served in the corridor.
The food in the corridor is at least hot, but the food at the palace banquet is always cold.
After eating the food in the corridor, everyone finally recovered some strength and spirit.
There is still half an hour to rest, so everyone takes the time to take a nap.
Princess Huyang found Gu Jiu and whispered, "Your handkerchief was too strong. I still want to cry."
Gu Jiu said, "I'm not afraid that my aunt won't be able to cry, so I specially prepared a powerful one."
"Humph! How could I not cry when my father passed away? I just need time to calm down."
"Yes, yes, I misunderstood you, aunt. Please return the handkerchief to me."
"No," the Huyang County lord refused. "I've already used this handkerchief and haven't washed it yet. How can I just give it back to you like this?"
Gu Jiu said: "I don't mind."
Princess Huyang snorted, "I do mind."
After a pause, she asked again, "How many similar handkerchiefs have you prepared?"
Gu Jiu took out a handkerchief from his sleeve and said, "There are three left. Do you want any, aunt?"
"Give me another one."
Gu Jiu readily gave Princess Huyang an extra handkerchief, guaranteeing that after she fumigated herself with it, her tears would fall like crazy.
While there was still time, Gu Jiu went to visit everyone in the Gu Mansion and the Marquis Mansion.
Mrs. Zhou, the young lady of the Marquis's Mansion, was pregnant with a big belly and was about to give birth. She had to go to the palace to mourn, which was extremely painful.
Gu Jiu was very worried. He calmly held Zhou's wrist and checked her pulse. "Can you hold on, sister-in-law?"
Grandma Zhou's face turned pale. "I can still hold on, but I'm a little tired."
Gu Jiu said to Old Madam Wei and First Madam Little Wei, "Just hold on for today. I'll go and think of a way to save the eldest cousin's wife from crying. She can't kneel for long in her current condition."
Madam Wei thanked him profusely. She was most afraid that something bad would happen to Zhou, leaving her two children dead.
Old Madam Wei considered it more, "Will it be too difficult? If it is too difficult, we can find another way."
Gu Jiu let go of Zhou's wrist and said that she was overworked and needed to rest in bed for two days and eat something good.
She said, "I'll try it first, and if it doesn't work, I'll think of another way."
"Thank you for your hard work, Xiaojiu."
“It’s not hard.”
Gu Jiu went to find Pei and Concubine Xiao Shufei and told them that the young lady of the Marquis's Mansion, Zhou, was eight months pregnant and that she might be hurt by crying for a long time.
God is merciful and kind, so it is better to exempt her from the rules and consider it as accumulating blessings.
Concubine Xiao Shufei said, "The Marquis' Mansion is also your family, so it's appropriate for you to come forward on their behalf. But how can you make an exception to mourning for His Majesty just because you're pregnant? You can't be unable to hold on for a few days."
"Your Majesty, you may not know that the eldest grandson of the Marquis' Mansion has been childless for many years. The importance of Zhou's child to the Marquis' Mansion is undeniable. Please be merciful and allow Zhou to return home to rest."
"What if I don't agree?" Concubine Xiao Shu asked with a stern face.
Gu Jiu raised his head and said, "Granddaughter-in-law can only ask the prince to show mercy and allow Zhou to return home to rest."
"How outrageous!"
Gu Jiu lowered his head and smiled, then immediately stopped smiling. "His Majesty's funeral will last for twenty-one days. Your Majesty is sure you want to create a double murder to bring bad luck to the palace?"
Concubine Xiao Shu was furious.
She wanted to suppress Gu Jiu, but Gu Jiu turned out to be so bold as to talk back to her.
But before she could open her mouth to rebuke him, Madam Pei spoke first, "Your Majesty, calm down. Your daughter-in-law also saw Madam Zhou. She was so heavy and pregnant.
"Your Majesty is so kind that she allowed her to return home to rest. Everyone in the Marquis' Mansion is grateful for your grace. Besides, the prince has not yet ascended the throne, and our family cannot let rumors of discord spread at this time."
Concubine Xiao Shu frowned and stared at Pei with sharp eyes.
What does it mean that Pei stood up for Gu Jiu?
Of course, Pei wanted to compete for power with Concubine Xiao Shufei.
When Prince Ning ascended the throne, Concubine Xiao Shu suddenly became the empress dowager.
Pei was the Empress of Weiyang Palace.
The Queen and the Queen Mother naturally don't get along.
In the past, one lived in the harem and the other lived in the palace. The mother-in-law and daughter-in-law seldom saw each other. In addition, they were surrounded by wolves, so they could naturally live in harmony.
Now that the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law live together in the harem, conflicts are inevitable.
Pei thought clearly that helping Gu Jiu was helping herself.
From now on, she will live in the harem, and it will be inconvenient for her to take care of many things, so she will have to ask Gu Jiu to run errands for her.
Today she would try her hand at it, have a chat with Concubine Xiao Shufei, and establish some authority.
End of Volume 3
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