Chapter 636 Heading to the Imperial Mausoleum
Jiang Fenghua gave Shang Hong a deep look. He was incredibly audacious, daring to even lay hands on the concubines in the harem. If the ancestors of the Shang family knew that he had committed a capital crime, they would probably be so angry that they would crawl out of the ground.
She said calmly, "The snacks are a small token of my appreciation. Lord Shang, please don't you want to try them?"
"No," Shang Hong said firmly, as if he understood what the Empress meant.
“Since Lord Shang doesn’t like it, I won’t force him.” Jiang Fenghua continued, “Wang Mama, please take the snacks away. Lord Shang doesn’t like snacks, but surely he has something he likes. Tell me, and I’ll cater to his tastes.”
"Does Your Majesty have something you wish me to do? Please tell me." Shang Hong said again.
"Actually, it's nothing else. Lord Shang is still unmarried, isn't he?" Before Shang Hong could speak, she continued, "I have several beautiful cousins who are of marriageable age. I would like to offer them to Lord Shang as his wives. I wonder what Lord Shang thinks?"
Shang Hong was so shocked that his pupils changed color, and he quickly said, "I do not wish to marry, thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty."
"I know that Lord Shang has not remarried since his wife passed away. Lord Shang was truly devoted to his deceased wife. But the dead are gone, and Lord Shang is so young. He should look forward. I can assure you that my younger sister is just as beautiful as me and is a perfect match for you."
"Your Majesty, you misunderstand. It's not that I'm afraid your sister isn't pretty; I just really don't want to get married."
"Does Lord Shang have some unspeakable difficulties?" She continued, "I heard that your father was a great general and a capable assistant to the late emperor, and your grandfather was a key minister of the Holy Ancestor Emperor. Now, in your generation, you have gained the emperor's deep trust and have entrusted the safety of the entire capital to Lord Shang. I believe that with the power of Lord Shang's family, he will not tarnish his life or make any mistakes."
Hearing this, Shang Hong clenched his fist. The Jiang family's power was at its zenith, and who wouldn't want to be related to them? Marrying a daughter of the Jiang family would be entirely beneficial, especially since the Empress was currently in the Emperor's favor. If this marriage were to happen, it would be advantageous for both Shang Hong and the Jiang family.
Shang Hong suddenly knelt before Jiang Fenghua, "Forgive me for not being able to marry Your Majesty's sister, for I already have someone in my heart."
"Oh, I wonder whose daughter is so fortunate to have won the Commander's favor." Jiang Fenghua said deliberately, "Tell me, my lord, and I will ask the Emperor to grant you a marriage."
Hearing this, Shang Hong panicked, "She is a..."
Shang Hong hesitated, then Jiang Fenghua asked, "What is she?"
"Your Majesty, Shang Hong is guilty." Shang Hong kowtowed heavily to Jiang Fenghua. The Helan family was a prominent and respected family. After the Empress's reminder, the Shang family's century-old glory might be ruined by him.
Jiang Fenghua's eyes were cold and deep, like the vast night sky. She stared intently in Shang Hong's direction. "What crime has Lord Shang committed?"
Shang Hong thought and thought, and he was still looking for an opportunity to take Helan Yanran out of the palace and escape from Shengjing, so that they could live a life together from then on.
But upon closer reflection, even if they did escape, what would happen to the Helan family and the Shang clan? They had committed a capital offense!
-
This day was the day of the funerals of Consort Zhang and Consort Pan. The concubines in the harem were united and waited for all the sacrificial activities to end before they all came out to see them off.
Representatives from both the Zhang and Pan families have arrived. After expressing their condolences for the deceased, Zhang Jingjing's family decided to follow their daughter's last wishes and take her back to Yuzhou for burial.
The Pan family took one look and decided to bury Pan Nianru in the royal mausoleum. They heard that his family had a custom that a married daughter could not return to her parents' home even if she died.
Later, Jiang Fenghua learned that the Pan family was afraid that Pan Nianru's death would affect the family's fortune. The Pan family really did treat their daughter as a cash cow to climb the social ladder. It was just a pity that she had bad luck.
Xie Shang still bestowed new titles upon them.
Shang Hong walked up to the Empress and said, "Your Majesty, I will escort you to the Imperial Mausoleum for burial."
Jiang Fenghua said calmly, "I have specially requested His Majesty's permission to allow the ladies to see them off on their final journey. I entrust the safety of the ladies to Commander Shang."
"It's all what this humble subject should do, please rest assured, Your Majesties," Shang Hong said.
Gao Qingtong, Song Jing, and others were also granted permission by the emperor to leave the palace for the funeral.
Jiang Fenghua walked up to Shu Yan. Hearing that Shu Yan was trying to gain the Emperor's favor, she harbored even more resentment towards her. Her delicate and beautiful face was filled with scheming in her eyes.
Shu Yan bowed politely to her, then lowered her head slightly, not daring to look at her.
Even Helan Yanran stood upright in the line, knowing that this was Shang Hong's plan.
She then followed the caravan and boarded the carriage.
The funeral procession set off from the palace in a grand procession, with two hearses carrying the coffins moving slowly one after the other. A concubine in the palace had passed away, and the large funeral procession showed that the concubine was very favored by the emperor, which was why such a large-scale funeral ceremony was held.
The people were buzzing with discussion, saying, "The Empress herself attended the funeral!"
Jiang Fenghua also wore a white flower, her clothes were simple yet elegant. She sat in the carriage, surrounded by a biting wind, and saw that the entire imperial city was shrouded in a somber atmosphere.
Ever since Jiang Fenghua left the city, people have been following her in the shadows, and they have even started spreading the news that the Empress has left the palace.
The sky was overcast, as if suffocated by a thick layer of dark clouds, and the cold wind was like a knife, stinging one's cheeks.
She kept waiting, waiting for the person who would take her life to appear.
Once the funeral procession left the city, she said goodbye to Zhang Jingjing's parents.
Zhang's mother's eyes were already swollen from crying. She then took Jiang Fenghua's hand and pleaded repeatedly, "Please, Your Majesty, treat the princess kindly. We will never forget Your Majesty's great kindness."
Madam Zhang almost knelt on the ground. Jiang Fenghua got off the carriage and quickly helped her up. "Madam Zhang, don't worry. I will treat Yue'er as my own daughter. You take Consort Jing home first. I will come to see her when I'm done with my work."
"When Jing'er wrote back, she said that the Empress had taken good care of her. Thanks to the Empress, the people of Yuzhou have a good life. It is the princess's blessing to have the Empress as her mother."
Jiang Fenghua had more important things to do; otherwise, she would have personally escorted Zhang Jingjing home for burial. Now, the Ministry of Rites could only send officials to escort her back to her hometown.
Jiang Fenghua assigned Xiao Yu to escort Zhang Jingjing, saying, "Thank you for your trouble, Lord Xiao."
Xiao Yu said in a deep voice, "Your Majesty, rest assured, Xiao Yu will certainly live up to your mission."
After seeing Zhang Jingjing off, Jiang Fenghua returned to the carriage. It was only half a day's journey from here to the imperial mausoleum. They could leave early in the morning, finish their business, and return to the capital city in the evening.
I hope Su Qingqing really followed me because she had a strong urge to kill her.
Shang Hong led the team forward slowly, glancing back every now and then.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
