Chapter 493 Extra Shang Yang [5]
Due to the sudden death of the eldest prince, on New Year's Eve of that year, the candlelight faded its red makeup overnight and was replaced by layers of plain white.
Although the weather was cold in winter and suitable for storing corpses, the eldest prince's body had been transported back from Kyoto during a bumpy journey, and when the coffin was opened, no trace of human form could be seen.
So the emperor decided to hold a national funeral the next day. Although it was hasty, the body was buried in his hometown and the wandering soul finally had a place to go.
At the funeral, all the civil and military officials in the court were in grief, especially Jiang Muye, who was the most emotional.
He attached great importance to the brotherhood. After burying his brother, he clenched his fist and shed tears, saying that he would seek justice for his brother.
He was so angry in front of all the officials that he even encouraged them to rise up and rebel against the Qi Dynasty.
All the officials fell silent upon hearing the words. He was like a lone fighter, doing futile things all by himself.
In the end, it was the Emperor who cut off his shouting with a hard slap.
[How are you going to avenge your brother? Are you going to rely on your rebellious nature, or your body that is less than seven feet tall and can't even hold a heavy sword?]
Later, all the officials bowed their heads. Because I was serving Jiang Muye personally, I stood less than ten feet away from him.
I heard him sobbing in a low voice, and I also heard the Emperor say to him in an extremely weak tone as he passed by him:
[I am not only your and Muqiu's father, but also the support of Zhuyin's subjects. Your brother is dead, and no one can change this fact. As my only son, you must learn to endure and also learn to accept.]
What you have to endure is humiliation, what you have to accept is fate.
I then understood,
In times of chaos, even the emperor who seems high and mighty in our eyes is actually just wearing gorgeous robes to cover up the fact that he is surviving in a humbly manner like an ant.
From that day on, I never saw Jiang Muye cry again.
He learned from his brother's diligence and would get up before dawn every day to practice martial arts or study statecraft, filling his day with activities.
He seemed to have given up the hatred in his heart, and had come to terms with his brother's death, no longer dwelling in grief.
But I know,
In fact, for a long time afterwards, he had been living behind the door of the Candle Dragon Hall that was locked tightly by his brother.
That feeling of powerlessness, fear, and inability to see the light.
Perhaps because we had both experienced the loss of a loved one and were helpless, I could understand his feelings very well at that time, and our private contacts became more frequent from then on.
Gradually, they no longer seemed like master and servant, but more like... friends?
Just like I did with little tiger before,
At least, that's what I thought at the time.
A few years later, in order to save money, the palace had to lay off and exile palace servants.
The head aunt was also sent out of the palace at that time. After she left, I became the head of Zhuyin Palace.
I was only eleven years old at that time. How could I take on such a heavy responsibility?
I asked Jiang Muye: [The head aunt has managed the Zhuyin Palace in an orderly manner, why do you want her to leave the palace? ]
At that time, the situation outside the Zhuyin Imperial City was in chaos. The people were starving and eating their own children was common. The women who were sent out of the palace at this time had no means of making a living and some of them starved to death or were eaten.
Jiang Muye just replied to me coldly:
[No reason, I just can't stand her lecturing me. You are about the same age as me, you are not so long-winded, at least you won't bother me. ]
I saw a flash of sadness in his eyes when he said this.
So, I didn’t ask any more questions.
The job of the head aunt is not easy.
From then on, in addition to serving Jiang Muye on a daily basis, when I had free time, I had to follow other palace maids to do some needlework and embroidery, and then hand them over to the head steward to be sent to Qichao to be sold and exchanged for money.
Not only me, almost all the women in Zhuyin do this.
Everyone sacrificed all their free time and used the best they could to repay the unwarranted debts their country owed to Qi Dynasty.
Although life is hard, I rarely hear anyone complain.
Because everyone knew very well that if the taxes and tributes were not paid in full, Qi Dynasty would attack again at any time.
Our united forbearance at this moment is simply our common desire to protect our own home.
The days go by one after another, and the repetitive busyness has long made people numb.
When I was thirteen, Jiang Muye turned sixteen.
Zhuyin is different from other countries. Although girls here also reach the age of 15, boys have to perform the ceremony of coming of age at the age of 16.
At the beginning of the year, the Emperor had already begun arranging a marriage for Jiang Muye.
The women from official families were arranged to enter the palace on the day after Jiang Muye’s birthday, and he would of course select them personally.
I am responsible for taking care of his food, clothing, and daily life, so naturally I have to pay more attention to such major matters.
So the night before, I brought him new clothes to change into, carefully arranged his hair crown, and said to him happily:
[Your Highness looks really good when dressed up~]
But he was annoyed:
[After the marriage is settled, I will leave the palace and set up my own residence. I no longer need you to serve me. What? Are you looking forward to leaving me? Do you feel happy? ]
We grew up together, and now that we are separated, I naturally feel a little lost.
At first I didn't know what that empty and sour feeling was.
I was so angry when he scolded me like that that I threw away the rules and blurted out:
[Of course. Now that His Highness is gone, no one will bother me anymore.]
After hearing this, he stared at me for a long time with trembling eyes.
It was not until a mist inexplicably appeared in his eyes that he turned his head away, angrily threw the clothes he was going to wear tomorrow on the ground, and ran out.
[Updates will resume on 10.7. I have too many things to do at home these past two days to write. I am humble and kowtow online.]
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