Chapter 98 The Empress Dowager's Burial
Three days later, the Northern Kingdom delegation escorted Helian Mingzhu's coffin and silently left the capital.
As soon as they stepped out of the city gate, Han Ying appeared in the shadows of the city wall, whispering instructions to his two shadowy subordinates beside him:
"Stay close to them, and don't alert them."
"Yes, boss."
“Remember, the Lord has ordered that we must wait until they have completely crossed the border of the Great Zhou before we make a move.” Han Ying’s tone was icy. “Thirty miles north of the border, there is a place called Luoying Gorge. It has a treacherous terrain and is sparsely populated, making it the most suitable place.”
One of the shadow guards nodded: "Understood. It's an easy place to defend and difficult to attack, suitable for setting up an ambush, and also convenient for dealing with traces."
Han Ying gave a final instruction, a cold glint in his eyes: "Make it clean, leave no one alive. Those Northern Kingdom guards will be buried with the princess."
"Your subordinate obeys!"
Two dark figures silently blended into the crowd, trailing far behind the Northern Kingdom delegation.
Han Ying stood rooted to the spot, watching the dust raised by the departing delegation, his eyes unwavering. He turned and addressed the empty space behind him:
"Go and report to the Lord that the fish have been released from the sluice gate and the nets have been hauled in at Luoying Gorge."
A very low reply came from the shadows: "Yes."
Han Ying returned to the Shadow Pavilion to deal with the backlog of affairs, while the secret guard quietly entered the palace and headed straight for the Hall of Thought and Politics.
Inside the hall, Li Dehai was helping Yuwen Che remove his usual black dragon robe and change into the mourning clothes prepared for the Empress Dowager's funeral.
While adjusting his belt, Li Dehai whispered, "Your Majesty, all the princes, civil and military officials, the ladies of the harem, and His Highness the First Prince are waiting outside Cining Palace according to protocol."
Yuwen Che nodded expressionlessly and instructed, "Send someone to Guanju Palace to tell the Empress that there are many people and it's quite cold today. Tell her to stay in the palace and rest during her pregnancy, and that she doesn't need to come over. I'll go and keep her company later when I'm done with my work."
"This old servant will go immediately," Li Dehai replied, bowing.
Just then, Yuwen Che's eyes flickered slightly, keenly sensing an almost imperceptible presence in the hall. He remained calm, and only after Li Dehai had straightened the last piece of his clothing did he raise his hand and say, "Go out and wait here. I will be there shortly."
Li Dehai, unaware of anything amiss, respectfully replied, "Yes, this old servant will wait for Your Majesty outside the palace."
After Li Dehai left the hall and closed the door, Yuwen Che turned to the shadows and said calmly, "Come out."
The figure appeared silently and knelt on one knee: "My lord, Lord Han Ying has ordered me to report that the fish have been released from the sluice gate and the nets have been collected at Luoying Gorge."
Yuwen Che's eyes remained expressionless as he simply waved his hand and said, "I understand. Tell Han Ying that I must ensure everything goes perfectly."
"Yes!" The guard accepted the order and disappeared again in a flash.
Yuwen Che straightened the sleeves of his mourning clothes, his face regaining its solemn sorrow, and strode towards the outside of the palace. Outside the palace were ministers and concubines waiting for him to preside over the funeral rites, while far beyond the northern border, a bloody purge was about to begin.
As Yuwen Che walked out of the Sizheng Hall, Li Dehai immediately greeted him: "Your Majesty, everything is ready."
Yuwen Che nodded slightly and boarded the imperial carriage. The entourage silently set off for Cining Palace.
Outside the Cining Palace, white banners fluttered, and members of the imperial family, high-ranking officials, and concubines all stood respectfully with their heads bowed, dressed in mourning attire. Four-year-old Yuwen Hao, led by Consort De, stood timidly at the front.
The imperial carriage stopped, and Yuwen Che slowly stepped down. The master of ceremonies announced loudly, "Kneel—"
Everyone knelt down in unison. Yuwen Che's gaze swept over the crowd, lingering briefly on Consort De and Yuwen Hao before moving away.
"Get up." His voice was steady, devoid of emotion.
The coffin departed, and the funeral procession proceeded in a grand procession to the imperial mausoleum. The entire process was solemn and dignified, and no one dared to utter a single sound.
Upon arriving at the imperial mausoleum, the officials in charge of ceremonies presided over the ceremony according to protocol. As the Empress Dowager's coffin was slowly lowered into the mausoleum to be buried alongside the late emperor, Yuwen Che closed his eyes and bowed slightly.
After the ceremony, everyone stepped forward to pay their respects. When it was Consort De's turn and Yuwen Hao's turn, Yuwen Hao seemed frightened by the solemn atmosphere and began to sob softly.
Consort De quickly covered his mouth, looking at Yuwen Che in alarm: "Your Majesty, please forgive me, Hao'er..."
Looking at Yuwen Hao's terrified face, Yuwen Che remained silent for a moment before saying, "It's alright. Take him back."
Consort De felt as if she had been granted a pardon and quickly pulled Yuwen Hao away.
On the way back to the palace, Pei Xuan rode closer to the imperial carriage and whispered, "Your Majesty, news has come from the northern border that the Marquis of Zhenbei has dispatched troops as planned."
A sharp glint flashed in Yuwen Che's eyes: "Tell him not to show mercy."
"yes."
At that moment, a shadow guard silently approached and handed over a secret report. Yuwen Che unfolded it and read it, a cold smile curving his lips.
The secret report contained only one simple line: "The matter at Luoying Gorge is over; not a single survivor."
He crumpled up the secret report and looked up at the northern sky.
This game has only just begun.
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