Chapter 290: Rest in Peace
The news that Prince Anding was collaborating with the enemy and committing treason was no longer a secret in the court, despite the emperor's strict orders prohibiting the news from being leaked.
But within three or four days, all kinds of rumors were flying around in the capital.
Those who had been on good terms with Prince Anding stayed indoors, fearing that they would be implicated in this matter and get into trouble.
The people did not have so many concerns and instead talked about this matter without restraint.
Some people have heard the story of King Anding following the previous emperor in battle, and they don't believe that King Anding would do such a thing.
Some people also think that people die for money, and it is not surprising that they will do anything for the sake of immense wealth.
The imperial guards were stationed around the general's mansion, and no one was allowed to enter or leave.
He Qing dismounted, placed one hand on the long sword at his waist, and strode into the general's mansion with several trusted men.
In front of the main house, King Anding's coffin has been placed for five days.
Shen Yu was wearing a linen robe, kneeling in front of the coffin, burning paper money with a hunched back.
The way he burned the paper looked a little strange, as if he had no aim. He just fumbled with the paper money and tore it into the iron basin in front of him.
Some paper money was thrown outside the basin, and the flames of some of the burning paper money were very close to him, and the flames jumped onto the back of his hand.
He Qing glanced at Shen Yu's hands, which had already been covered with blisters.
He Qing’s confidant lowered his voice and said, “General, Shen Yu’s eyes are still blind.”
He Qing's pupils shrank, and a sneer appeared on his lips, but he didn't say much.
Several people came to the mourning hall, and the confidant went to get three incense sticks.
He Qing took the incense handed to him by his confidant, kowtowed in a pretentious manner, and then inserted the incense into the incense burner.
"General Shen, I express my condolences."
Shen Yu didn't react at all. He kept burning paper in his hands and asked without raising his head:
"Does His Majesty have a decree? Can you allow my father to... rest in peace?"
He Qing said calmly, "Today in the court, the emperor and many of his senior ministers fell out over this matter. Prince Anding committed the serious crime of treason and collaborating with the enemy. Although he has died, he will still be convicted after the Ministry of Justice sorts out the evidence."
After a pause, he continued, "The Emperor, mindful of the prince's lifelong sacrifices for the Duan Dynasty, proposed that the prince's funeral be held tomorrow, but... the court officials objected."
"Heh." Upon hearing this, Shen Yu laughed sarcastically. It was just a double act in the court.
Those old ministers were very good at reading the emperor's mood, so how could they openly oppose him? Most likely, it was the person above who secretly instructed them to do so.
Chen Yu choked up and asked, "So, what's the final conclusion? Is my father's coffin supposed to remain in the palace forever?"
An Ding worked hard all his life and devoted himself to the Duan Dynasty, but in the end, he ended up unable to rest in peace.
He Qing remained expressionless and said, "The court officials are saying that although there is irrefutable evidence that the prince has committed treason, we still need to investigate the circumstances of his death. We must not wrongly accuse him."
As he spoke, the corners of He Qing's mouth lifted up almost imperceptibly.
"Some court officials suggested that we ask the coroner to perform an autopsy before burying the prince."
"Autopsy?"
Shen Yu raised his head suddenly, but his eyes were empty and out of focus, just looking into the distance.
He Qing said coldly: "General Shen also wants to find the murderer who killed the prince, so the autopsy will not only find clues, but also allow the prince to rest in peace as soon as possible."
It seemed like a high-sounding reason, but it made Shen Yu so angry that he wanted to laugh.
He had already examined Prince Anding's body, but apart from the bones being smashed all over his body, there was no other clue.
If the ministers in the court really wanted to perform an autopsy to find out the truth, it has been several days since then. Why are they proposing it now?
What's more, if King Anding's body fell into the hands of others, who knew what those people would do?
King Anding gained power at a young age. When he followed the previous emperor, he expanded the territory and naturally offended many people.
When Shen Yu thought of this, he laughed crazily with his head raised.
"Father, this is the Great Duan Dynasty that you have protected throughout your life!"
"Father, do you see clearly?"
His roar was mixed with resentment and regret.
A gust of wind blew, and sparks scattered in the iron basin in front of him, and ashes drifted away in the wind, like the response of the dead.
Outside the mourning hall, there were several old men from the Shen Mansion kneeling on the ground. When they heard Shen Yu's roar, they were all moved.
The elders in the Shen Mansion wiped their tears one after another. For a moment, the atmosphere was filled with sorrow, and even the imperial guards guarding the gate could not help but feel emotional.
Suddenly, Shen Yu supported himself on the ground with one hand and stood up shakily.
He groped his way forward and accidentally kicked over the brazier, causing the unburned paper money to scatter all over the floor.
He stepped over the paper money and raised his hand to press on the coffin.
There was a loud "bang" sound, and it was Shen Yu who actually lifted up the coffin.
When everyone saw this scene, they were all frightened and looked horrified.
A man who stood tall and upright, carrying the coffin alone, his back bent under the weight, but he stubbornly held his head up.
Cold sweat broke out on his forehead and he growled.
"housekeeper!"
The official who was kneeling outside the door quickly stood up and crawled in.
Shen Yu: "Tell all the young and strong guards in the mansion to go to the backyard and get axes and shovels!"
The housekeeper was puzzled, so he listened to Shen Yu continue.
"They won't let my father rest in peace, so I'll find a good feng shui site for him in the mansion!"
"My father loved that peach forest the most when he was alive. Let's bury him... in the peach forest."
Shen Yu gave instructions while carrying the coffin forward.
He seemed to have poor eyesight and almost fell when he stepped over the gate.
But when the coffin was about to fall to the ground, he roared and pulled the coffin back swiftly.
Just this one move was enough to make the surrounding imperial guards unable to hide their shock.
He is worthy of being a world-famous general. Even though he is blind, his skills are still admirable.
He Qing's face was gloomy, and he shouted sternly: "Chen Yu!"
"What?" Shen Yu didn't turn around. "They won't let my father's funeral go ahead. Can't I even bury my father in the mansion?"
He Qing was about to speak.
But then Shen Yu spoke in a trembling voice, "General He, you are also a man who guards the border and fights the enemy on the battlefield. How can we be sure that my father's current fate will not be the same as yours and mine in the future?"
Perhaps these words touched the general's soul. He Qing's eyes flashed, but he did not stop him in the end.
*
There is strength in numbers. In just half an hour, a temporary cemetery was dug under the peach blossom forest.
Shen Yu buried Prince Anding personally.
In front of the grave, Shen Yu prostrated himself on the ground and kowtowed three times.
"Father, unfortunately, the peach blossoms have already bloomed this year."
"Next year... before the peach blossoms bloom, I will bring my enemy's head to your grave to comfort your soul in heaven!"
The guards in the mansion knelt behind Shen Yu. When they heard these words, they immediately growled.
"Revenge! We will definitely avenge the prince!"
The old lady came late, supported by the old nanny. She was so thin that only skin and bones remained after a few days of seeing her son off.
Hearing the guards' shouts, the old lady burst into tears.
Shen Yu seemed to sense something and asked the housekeeper beside him: "Are grandma and Zhao here?"
The housekeeper turned around and glanced at her, looking embarrassed. "The old lady is here, but Madam..."
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