Chapter 652: Funeral Service [Seeking Monthly Tickets]
Shen Tang fiddled with the wick of the lamp that was barely extinguishing.
Using a small spoon to add oil to the lamp, he said casually, "Ah, Wangchao, why do some people think 'it's better to live a miserable life than to die,' while others can literally scare themselves to death with their imaginations? As long as Qiu Wenyan goes back with a bang, can Qiu Dalang still openly mistreat him? Let alone kill him. If he throws a tantrum and refuses to be escorted back tomorrow, he can still live if his classmates bring him ransom money..."
All you need to do is be thick-skinned.
Gu Chi gave the answer: "It's just my personality."
Qiu Cheng's personality destined him to be driven to his death.
"My lord is probably not very clear about Qiu Cheng's childhood experiences. He was born into the prestigious Qiu family, and the Qiu family's illustrious reputation brought him far more burden than glory. Outsiders thought that scions of noble families should be dressed in fine clothes and riding spirited horses, spending money like water, but little did they know that Qiu Cheng was short of money, and he refused to show his weakness or complain about being poor, so he could only put on a brave face. Over time, some things became ingrained in his bones."
The more exquisite Qiu Cheng's outward packaging, the more praise he garners, and the higher he's placed on his pedestal, the less he can face the harsh reality.
Gu Chi said calmly, "Proud yet insecure, confident yet arrogant. He would never, and would never, throw a tantrum and beg for his life from the lord. As a defeated man, it would be better for him to die than to face the ridicule of his clansmen and the charity of his elder brother Qiu Dalang."
"For this kind of person, living is more difficult than committing suicide."
Shen Tang neatly placed the small spoon, put the lamp that had been lit again back in its place, picked up the scroll at the top of the table and opened it: "When Wen Yan Gong heard that his elder brother had not held a grudge and repaid evil with kindness, and sent money to buy his freedom, he reflected on his past and felt ashamed. Tonight, he drew his sword and committed suicide... I wonder if Qiu Da Lang will be saddened or happy when he hears this news?"
Gu Chi: "It's not important."
The important thing is that Qiu Wenyan is dead, and the money is in hand.
"That's right, it'll give Gong Xichou some closure."
This guy looks rather silly when he's smiling, seemingly innocent and harmless, but don't forget his martial arts totem is a snake. He still remembers Qiu Cheng's passionate online greetings to the Gongxi Chou clan from the city wall. He wanted to kill Qiu Cheng himself even before his injuries had fully healed. However, because Qiu Cheng was already Shen Tang's prisoner, he hesitated and didn't do anything rash.
As he was being seen off, he kept muttering about Qiu Cheng's head. Only when he heard Shen Tang say that he would find a way to kill Qiu Wenyan once he got the ransom did he reluctantly stop. Qiu Cheng didn't necessarily have to die, but Shen Tang needed to make an example of him, so he had to die.
I must die, but not because of Shen Tang.
Just as he finished reading two lines of text, hurried footsteps came from outside the council hall. The clerk who rushed over hadn't even caught his breath before he bowed and said, "My lord, Lord Wenyan has committed suicide. The physician was too late to save him when he arrived."
Snap!
Gu Chi was so "shocked" that he let go of the book and slammed it onto the table.
After a moment, the clerk heard his lord's calm reply: "I understand. Did Lord Wenyan leave any last words?"
The official replied, "Lord Wenyan ordered his wife to remarry."
Shen Tang paused, holding the scroll.
"...He could barely be considered a man of character." Some powerful leaders, after their defeats, fearing their women would be defiled by others, would take their victims with them to the underworld to become ghostly couples. In comparison, Qiu Wenyan's actions were at least somewhat humane.
"My lord, shall we hold a funeral for this matter?"
It took Gu Chi a while to "come to his senses".
Shen Tang pondered for a moment before speaking: "Let's hold the funeral. Quickly order people to set up the mourning hall and make the whole story public, allowing Wenyan Gong's former officials to come and pay their respects. After the seven-day mourning period, escort his relatives to return to their hometown, so that he may rest in peace."
The mourning hall was quickly set up.
That very night, Qiu Cheng's former officials, still in Xiaocheng, received news of their former master's suicide. They had known Qiu Cheng for many years and were well aware of his temperament. This was something he was capable of doing. Unaware of the details of Shen Tang's message relayed by a minor official, they did not suspect anything. Hearing that Shen Tang had allowed them to attend the funeral, some set off immediately, while the rest delayed until daytime or simply did not come.
White banners were hung throughout Tangyuan.
When everyone arrived, Qiu Cheng's body had already been cleaned up. The First Madam dressed him in his favorite clothes, applied a light layer of makeup, and even carefully stitched up the deep wound on his neck with an embroidery needle, leaving no visible stitches. Qiu Cheng's eyes were closed, and his hands were clasped in front of his chest, making him appear almost alive at first glance. It was the First Madam, who had gone to such lengths, who looked more like a corpse.
Qiu Cheng's children knelt on the ground.
The youngest were unaware of what had happened, while the oldest knew whether they were alive or dead. Their expressions were filled with bewilderment and fear about the future, while several in the middle wept loudly. Several former officials who had rushed to the scene also wept uncontrollably. The First Lady knew them all.
His voice was hoarse: "Since Wenyan has left, he has left cleanly, not wanting to be a burden to you. Why did you come here?"
Some of them refused to submit to Shen Tang and could only wait for the ransom to be delivered, or if the ransom never arrived, they would have to roll up their sleeves and earn extra wages. Others had already changed their allegiance. Especially the latter—weren't they afraid that coming here now would arouse Shen Tang's suspicion?
"Why are you being so formal, mistress? Who's afraid of that?" The speaker was a burly, strong man, the only one among them who had humbled himself to earn extra hours. Because he slept in a large communal room every day, he reeked of fermented sweat. Upon receiving the news, he summoned his warhorse and galloped over. "But my lord, why go to such lengths?"
As long as the green hills remain, there will always be firewood to burn!
The First Madam, her eyes red, wiped away her tears with a handkerchief and said weakly, "His temper is like this... how can we persuade him?"
Young couples understand each other best.
"Alas, my lord... if only I had known, if only I had known that was the last time we would see each other..." The burly man lamented and blamed himself, wiping away tears with the back of his hand. "I should never have argued with my lord... said such harsh words..."
The First Madam interrupted him: "Light an incense stick."
The "dispute" he mentioned occurred not long ago.
Miao Shu's body lay unattended in the courtyard of Tangyuan, left to rot for five or six days. He overheard the news from a former colleague, and, in his volatile temper, stormed over, demanding to know when Qiu Cheng had become so cold-hearted. Not only was Miao Shu a former subordinate and Qiu Cheng's concubine, but they were husband and wife—how could she not even deserve a simple coffin after death?
How could Qiu Cheng bear such questioning?
He immediately said it was a family matter, and Miao Shu was a member of the inner circle; her status was sensitive, and how she was dealt with was none of the man's business. He also said that Shen Tang's actions had a deeper meaning, and he couldn't act rashly given his current situation. The burly man wouldn't listen to any of this beating around the bush. He didn't even set up a mourning hall, leaving the body in the courtyard to be the subject of daily gossip—a truly humiliating disgrace!
The burly man brandished his sword and roared, "The Lady has saved my life; how can I stand by and watch her suffer such a tragic end? Since my lord is unwilling to take the risk, I will be the one to do it! Let Lord Shen hold me accountable for all the consequences!"
He was furious at Qiu Cheng for being cowardly and cold-hearted.
Now that the person is dead and the lights are out, there's no point in worrying about these things anymore.
The crowd took turns offering incense, among whom one person stood out. He was limping, his right hand in a sling across his chest, and judging from his appearance, he was clearly suffering from qi and blood deficiency, likely due to a serious injury that had not yet healed. He laboriously offered incense for Qiu Cheng and asked a servant for a prayer mat to prepare for keeping vigil for his former master.
The First Madam hurriedly said, "It's inconvenient for you, sir, so perhaps..."
He refused, saying, "It's alright."
The First Madam had no choice but to agree.
He asked, "Why did Wenyan Gong suddenly have the will to die?"
The First Madam, her expression numb, repeated the words she had said many times before. The others who came to mourn offered words of comfort, telling her to accept her fate, but this person pressed on, "First Madam, could you please tell me in detail what the minor official's message was?"
The First Lady was puzzled, but she did as she was told.
The scholar pondered the First Lady's reply several times.
His eyes were lowered, revealing little emotion.
The First Madam asked, "Is...is something wrong?"
The scholar shook his head: "...No."
Before the two had exchanged more than a few words, an announcement came from outside Tang Courtyard: Prefect Shen Tang had come to offer condolences. A moment of silence fell over the mourning hall until Shen Tang appeared, dressed in plain, simple clothes. Gu Chi and Liao Jia accompanied him; Liao Jia, unusually, had changed into a dark blue straight-hemmed robe.
Everyone bowed in greeting.
Everyone: "Greetings, Lord Shen."
The lame scholar said, "Greetings, my lord."
"No need for such formalities, everyone." Shen Tang returned the greeting, ignoring the awkward atmosphere in the air, and turned to the First Madam to comfort her in a deep voice, "Madam, please take care of your grief. If Wenyan Gong is watching from heaven, he would not want you to be so sad."
The First Madam performed a curtsy.
Regardless of what others might think, Shen Tang lit incense, looked at Qiu Cheng in the coffin, and said with a hint of self-reproach, "Although I did not kill Bo Ren, Bo Ren died because of me. The world is in turmoil, war has not ended, and all living beings suffer... Lord Wenyan, may you rest in peace."
As the victor, Shen Tang didn't need to say too many polite words, as it would easily incite hatred. Gu Chi and Liao Jia also offered incense, with Gu Chi listening to everyone's thoughts expressionlessly.
The comments were mostly sarcastic remarks like "feigning compassion at a time like this" and "coming to the funeral to laugh at us." Some even whispered, "In the afterlife, I have failed this good friend. Is it true or false?"
Gu Chi remained unmoved.
Take the opportunity to turn your gaze to that place.
The scholar had his right hand hanging in front of his chest, his expression blank.
He vaguely remembered this person.
He then exchanged a meaningful glance with Liao Jia.
Both of them were in Qi Shan's circle of friends, sharing similar tastes and a natural understanding. Liao Jia understood this perfectly and glanced at them secretly. He remembered this lame scholar; he was said to be Qiu Cheng's most trusted scholar, but also the first to switch allegiance.
The lord asked him if he was willing to serve, and the man agreed without much hesitation. However, his injuries were too severe, and he was still recuperating, not yet reporting to the government office. Liao Jia secretly communicated with Gu Chi: "Is there something wrong with this person?"
Gu Chi recounted what he had heard.
Liao Jia sensed Gu Chi's doubt and added, "Didn't you personally vet him? That one sentence only shows his good relationship with Qiu Wenyan; it doesn't prove anything. If you're still worried, find an opportunity to let him pass away peacefully!"
Gu Chi: [...]
Gu Chi couldn't help but roll his eyes inwardly.
[When did you say you wanted to take his life? If he dies, will Qiu Cheng's former subordinates who surrendered truly be loyal and at ease? Let's wait and see.]
_(:з」∠)_
I had a great shower yesterday, but this morning I caught a cold and I'm still feeling dizzy and have a headache while I'm writing this.
P.S.: Though I did not kill Bo Ren, Bo Ren died because of me. In the netherworld, I have failed this good friend! —Book of Jin
P.S.: Don't you guys think the storyline of Xu Ke in the first incarnation of the Empress was quite heartbreaking? (Ahem, this question is for long-time readers. New readers, just treat it as a surprise and look forward to some angst... ah, no, some sweet moments.)
PPPS: Have you noticed that the recent chapters have been a little longer? Hehe, I'm slowly getting back into a consistent update rhythm. Once I'm out of my maternity leave, I'll try my best to maintain a stable double-update schedule...
(End of this chapter)
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