At the residence of Minister Geng of the Ministry of Rites, white mourning banners fluttered in the wind, shrouding the entire mansion in solemnity. Minister Geng stood beside his daughter's coffin, his face haggard, his eyes filled with reluctance and grief.
Emperor Qi Jingxuan personally attended the funeral, dressed in mourning clothes with a solemn expression. Before the coffin, the Emperor bowed deeply to express his condolences for the passing of Consort Shuyuan and to offer his sympathies to Lord Geng.
Court officials, imperial concubines, and commoners flocked to the Geng residence, dressed in mourning clothes and holding white flowers to pay their final respects to Consort Shuyuan. Among the crowd were Fu Lusiyue and Li Qingzhou; their past animosity seemed insignificant in the face of death.
As the cannons fired, Consort Shuyuan's coffin was slowly carried out of the mansion, beginning its final journey to the imperial mausoleum. The streets were lined with people seeing her off, their faces etched with sorrow.
The funeral procession was solemn and orderly. At the front were palace servants carrying funeral banners, followed by a band playing mournful music, and then civil and military officials and members of the royal family, who escorted the coffin slowly forward.
Lord Geng followed the coffin, each step heavy with sorrow. His heart was filled with longing for his daughter and a profound reflection on the impermanence of life.
At the imperial mausoleum, Emperor Qi Jingxuan delivered a eulogy, reviewing the life of Consort Shuyuan, praising her virtues and contributions to the country, and promising to forever remember her achievements.
Amidst weeping, Consort Shuyuan's coffin was slowly lowered into the tomb. Lord Geng personally sprinkled the last handful of soil, his vision blurred by tears.
Fu Lu Siyue and Li Qingzhou stood silently before the grave, their hearts filled with remorse. The past struggles and misunderstandings seemed so insignificant in the face of death.
As the funeral concluded, the crowd gradually dispersed, leaving only Lord Geng and Emperor Qi Jingxuan. They stood in silence before the tomb for a moment, then slowly departed, leaving Consort Shuyuan to rest in peace on this tranquil land.
Lord Geng knelt down with a thud. His voice trembled slightly, but it was full of sincerity: "Your Majesty, I was once heartbroken because of the pain of losing my daughter. However, the needs of the country and the promise I made to my deceased daughter compelled me to return to the court. I beg Your Majesty's forgiveness."
Emperor Qi Jingxuan remained silent for a moment, scrutinizing Lord Geng with his gaze, as if weighing his sincerity and ability.
Finally, the Emperor spoke slowly, his voice filled with majesty and tolerance: "Lord Geng, I have not forgotten your loyalty and past achievements. I grant your request and wish that you may continue to serve the country faithfully."
Tears of gratitude welled up in Lord Geng's eyes, and he bowed deeply once again to thank the Emperor for his forgiveness and trust.
On the way back, Fu Lu sighed.
The Palace Museum witnessed the sorrow of too many women in the imperial harem. Many of them, in order to win favor and gain status, had to participate in endless court struggles, losing their original innocence and happiness.
She lamented the fleeting youth of the women in the imperial harem. They were selected to enter the palace in the prime of their lives, but often had to spend the rest of their lives within the high walls of the palace, isolated from the outside world and deprived of freedom.
Fu Lu knew all too well that the women in the harem were often nothing more than victims of power. Their fates were rarely in their own hands, but rather fluctuated with the emperor's whims and the changing tides of the court.
I have also seen many lonely figures silently shedding tears under the moon. They longed for the warmth of home and for true love, but these were luxuries for the women of the imperial harem.
Behind their smiles lie countless hardships and tears, only the moonlight of the night can bear witness.
Many women in the imperial harem came from prestigious families and could have had different lives, but for various reasons, they were imprisoned in this golden cage, losing their wings to fly. However, many of these women maintained their kindness and optimism despite their hardships; their resilience and courage are admirable.
"What's wrong, Your Highness?" a palace maid asked with concern.
Fu Lusi shook his head, feeling dizzy, wondering if it was because he hadn't left the palace for a long time.
As soon as Li Qingzhou got into the carriage, he started grumbling. "I just had a miscarriage not long ago, and now I'm being made to see this wretched woman off! I really don't know what His Majesty is thinking!"
Ming'er tried to persuade her from the side, "Your Majesty, this... you didn't have a miscarriage either, did you?"
Li Qingzhou glared at her, signaling that there were too many people around and she should stop talking.
Ming'er wisely kept her mouth shut.
Now, this Consort Qing is no longer her elder sister when she entered the palace; she's becoming more and more like someone she doesn't recognize.
Ming'er and her older sister Li Qingzhou were inseparable playmates since childhood. In that carefree age, they caught butterflies together in the garden and studied poetry and literature together in the study. Their childhood memories were filled with laughter.
As the older sister, Li Qingzhou is always a role model for Ming'er. Not only is she academically excellent, but she also possesses gentle and virtuous qualities. Ming'er always looks up to her sister, hoping to be as outstanding as her.
As they grew older, the two sisters began to have their own worries. Whether it was joy or sorrow, they always shared it with each other, becoming each other's strongest emotional support.
Whenever a festival arrives, Ming'er and Li Qingzhou would dress in their prettiest clothes and participate in the celebrations together. Their laughter and joy often became the most beautiful sight during the festival.
Along their journey of growth, the two sisters encountered various challenges and difficulties. But no matter what, they always supported each other and faced them together. This unwavering sisterly bond ensured that they were never alone in the face of adversity.
Having been in the palace for so long, Ming'er has always been there for her, no matter how difficult or rare the times have been. But now she feels that her sister is not the gentle and graceful woman she used to be.
General Xu led his elite troops, traversing towering mountains and vast deserts, enduring countless hardships, and finally reached the northern border. The soldiers were exhausted, but their morale was high, for they knew they were about to face a battle that would determine the fate of the nation.
Upon arriving at the border, General Xu immediately convened a military meeting to understand the current battle situation and the enemy's movements. He discovered that the situation was even more serious than expected; the enemy had already deployed troops to the border and could launch an attack at any time.
He swiftly issued orders to begin preparations for war. Under the general's command, the soldiers built fortifications, inspected weapons and equipment, and conducted tactical training. The entire camp was filled with a tense yet orderly atmosphere.
General Xu deeply understood the importance of morale in war. He personally inspected the military camp, talked with the soldiers, and boosted their morale. His words were firm and powerful, reassuring the soldiers and strengthening their confidence in victory.
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