Chapter 93: Successor Dorji ran over, stretched out his long arms, and took Muxue...
Dorji ran over, stretched out his long arms, and hugged Muxue tightly in his arms.
He used his hand to brush off the snowflakes that had fallen on her silver sable Zhaojun coat, and seeing that her face was frozen white, he couldn't help but hold it up with his hand, and his fingertips really felt something cold.
Thinking of the deserts and snowfields they would pass through along the way, he said in a somewhat anxious tone: "Why are you here? In such a heavy snowstorm, so reckless! If anything happens to you, I... I..."
His answer was a hug with the smell of wind and snow.
Mu Xue's voice was soft and gentle, but it rang unusually clear in his ears amid the howling snow and wind.
"I'll come with you?"
I'll be with you. Don't be lonely or afraid. Even if your grandfather is gone, you still have me.
Dorji felt his throat tighten, hugged her tightly, and said with a choked voice: "What a fool! Where is your usual cleverness? Really."
Mu Xue leaned against his chest and said, "Actually, when I first got on the road, I felt a little regretful because the snow and wind were too strong. But, I thought of you waiting for me on the other side of the snow and wind, so I just kept going."
Dorji was deeply moved, leaned over, and pressed his forehead against hers. "I am so lucky to have the princess's favor. Princess, you treat me so well, I will definitely repay you a thousand times!"
"Okay," Mu Xue glimpsed the embarrassed Lifanyuan official behind her and patted Dorji on the shoulder, "I'm here with the imperial edict."
Dorji let go of his hand, looked at the officials behind him, and then looked at Muxue. Muxue nodded slightly, and he understood in his heart, and immediately ordered his personal soldiers: "Please invite your uncle, uncle, and the big and small taijis to come out and receive the order."
Soon, the taijis of high status and nobles from other tribes in Mobei who came to pay their respects gathered around.
Dorji stood in the wind, his hand on the knife at his waist, and the wind blew his fur collar.
Mu Xue's eyes were always fixed on him. It seemed that during the time when the old Khan passed away, he must have taken on many responsibilities, dealt with many things, and grown up rapidly. Now his temperament had become more calm and majestic, like a sharpened knife.
"Reporting to the master, everyone is here." The personal soldier reported to Dorji.
Dorji glanced at the newcomer indifferently, then turned his head to look at Muxue, clasping his hands together and saying, "All the taijis of the Tushetu Khanate have arrived, and we look forward to hearing God's grace."
The official of the Lifanyuan solemnly brought out the box containing the imperial edict. As usual, the official should have read it out. But as soon as the imperial edict was brought out, the princess took it calmly.
The official of the Lifanyuan opened his eyes wide, but in front of everyone, and the princess, he had no way to take her back. The official Li Wen, who had been to Kulun and seen the princess's behavior, gently advised him: "It's just a small matter, it's okay."
It was obvious that the princess wanted to establish her authority, so why would one of her own rush forward to hinder her? Only a madman would do that. Li Wen dragged the official to the side and saw the serious faces of the taijis. He was thinking, maybe the princess was not afraid of any difficulties and insisted on rushing over as soon as possible. In addition to the husband, she also had this consideration.
Regardless, Mu Xue held the imperial edict tightly in her hands. The bright yellow cloud-patterned scroll was so dazzling. She held it in both hands and raised it slightly.
"The emperor has issued an order. Everyone in the Tushetu Khanate? Listen to his order."
Dorji was the first to kneel down, his expression solemn and dignified, followed by other tribal taijis who knelt down in a sea of black.
Mu Xue slowly unfolded the imperial edict with her frozen hands and read out:
"The Emperor, by the Mandate of Heaven, proclaims... Since the Tushetu Khanate surrendered, its loyalty is commendable. I am deeply saddened to hear of your sudden death. Dunduobuduoerji is the eldest grandson, respectful, diligent, talented and experienced. He shall inherit the Khanate title and be the Zasak Prince, commanding his old tribe."
Although everyone had already anticipated the Qing court's will, the impact of hearing the princess announce in a firm tone the appointment of Dorji as the successor Khan and prince was more shocking.
They couldn't help but turn their eyes to the tall young man in front of them.
A prince and Khan in his early twenties, the head of the three Khalkha tribes, was really too young.
I don't know if this position is appropriate. However, the Taijis glanced at the fourth princess who was reading the imperial edict. With the Qing court's protection, it must be stable.
After the imperial edict was read, Dorji accepted the edict and thanked the emperor. His tone was extremely firm: "Your servant Dun Duobu Dorji accepts the edict and thanks you! I will not let you down, and I will be loyal to my duties and remain faithful to you."
Mu Xue rolled up the imperial edict again and helped him up personally: "You will definitely do a great job. I believe in you."
Dorji looked up at her, his eyes full of tenderness: "With you by my side, I will definitely live up to your trust."
Being watched by so many people, the two of them were particularly restrained in their words and actions.
Muxue handed him the imperial edict, Dorji took it, their fingers touched lightly and separated as soon as they touched.
After the decree was announced, Mu Xue gathered her cloak and said, "Is the spirit tablet still there? I will burn some incense for the old Khan."
"Here." Dorji ordered his guards to put away the imperial edict and led the way forward.
Entering the funeral shed, the biting cold wind finally died down. Muxue took the incense and bowed solemnly in front of the coffin.
For Lao Tushetu Khan, although they didn't have much contact, it was indeed sad to see someone they used to know turned into a coffin like this.
In such an occasion, it would be impolite not to shed a few tears. Mu Xue mourned in front of the coffin. There were many female relatives in the mourning shed. Seeing the princess like this, they hurriedly stood up and gathered around, bowing, comforting and exchanging a few words.
During the conversation, Mu Xue learned that the old Khan's burial site had been chosen, on the ancestral mountain, and they were just waiting for the ice and snow to melt and the burial to take place in the spring when it was easy to walk. The funeral etiquette and regulations of the local princes and nobles were not much different from those of the nobles in the interior of the country, and some ordinary herdsmen still followed the more traditional sky burial method. They just waited for the circling vultures to let the dust return to the dust.
Mu Xue sighed for a moment, and then said, "The court specially granted five thousand taels of funeral silver, and I brought it all this time. I was also worried that with just the silver, some things on the grassland would not be enough at this time of year, so I used my own money to buy two carts of incense, candles, paper money, and paper objects, all of which were blessed and chanted by high monks in the capital. It's just right to take them out so that everyone can show filial piety to the old Khan together."
So he ordered the maid to bring some paper utensils, including paper golden tents, paper horses, paper attendants, etc. These funeral utensils were rarely seen in the tribe before. Many people came over to take a look at the novelty.
Not only that, Mu Xue also specially prepared funeral gifts. Each one was wrapped in a beautiful little lotus leaf, containing two golden melon seeds and a silk Hada. Any guest who came to pay their respects could receive one.
Everyone said that the princess was thoughtful and filial.
We were busy until late at night and finally had some time to talk quietly in the big tent.
As soon as Dorji entered the tent, he said, "Give me your hand."
"how?"
Mu Xue was a little confused, but still gave him her hand. Duo Erji held her hand and frowned, saying, "It's still so cold."
When he received the imperial edict just now, he noticed that the princess's fingers were icy cold.
Dorji wrapped her hands in his palms and rubbed them gently.
Mu Xue looked at the two people's clasped hands, and felt the warmth of his palms. The corners of her lips curled up slightly: "It's okay. I was holding a hot water bottle in the car on the way, so I wasn't that cold. It's just that you happened to see me after I got off the car. It's actually not that serious - ah."
Before he finished speaking, he sneezed.
At this moment, Dorji's brows knitted even tighter, and he immediately pulled her to the brazier to keep warm. He also brought two blankets and wrapped Muxue tightly, saying seriously: "It's not fun to get frozen in such severe cold weather."
Dorji realized that his voice was a little high and immediately regretted it: "I'm not, ah, I, why are you so good."
Mu Xue leaned against him gently: "It's okay, now we can snuggle up to each other, isn't it nice?"
Dorji stretched out his hands to hold her in his arms, but when he opened his hands, he couldn't move because of the layers of blankets. She was like a big dumpling, how could he hold her?
Mu Xue smiled and shook off the outer layer: "I'm wrapped up like a bear. If I keep doing this, I'll sweat. Just put on another layer. Rong'er and the others will boil the water later. I'll soak my hands and feet in the hot water and I'll feel better."
After a while, Rong'er really led people to bring over a silver basin and towel. They were about to serve the princess as usual, but they heard the prince consort say, "Leave it there, don't move it, I'll do it."
Rong Er was stunned for a moment, then looked at the princess. The princess could only smile helplessly but with a hint of joy, and winked at her.
It seemed that the prince consort was the one who was to serve her. Rong'er led the maid and quietly withdrew.
Dorji said nothing more, silently took the silver basin and placed it on the low table. The heat in the silver basin slowly rose, illuminated by the light, and white smoke was faint.
He held her hand and immersed them both in the warm water. His movements were extremely gentle, as careful as if he was holding a cloud.
After carefully helping her wash her hands, Dorji brought another basin of hot water, knelt on one knee, and helped her take off her shoes and socks.
Mu Xue felt a little awkward: "Let me do it."
"I'll do it." His tone left no room for doubt as he took off her shoes and socks. But when he saw a slightly purple patch of skin between her feet, he sighed.
"You're going to get frostbite."
Mu Xue subconsciously tried to hide her feet behind her, but her ankle was grabbed by a big hand, and his palm was extremely hot.
"It's fine."
Dorji looked at her for a few breaths, then sighed and dipped her feet into the warm water. Fearing that the water might be cold, he brought over a pot of hot water and carefully added some hot water at the right time.
It was extremely quiet in the tent. Mu Xue lowered her eyes and soaked her feet. After the coldness wore off, she felt a little itchy.
She bent down slightly and tried to scratch it, but before her hand touched the water, it was grabbed.
"Do you feel itchy?" Dorji asked.
“A little.”
"Don't scratch the itch. The more you scratch, the worse it gets." Dorji simply picked up a handkerchief and wiped the water off her feet. "Lie down in bed."
Mu Xue huddled into the quilt as she was told. She didn't feel anything when she was cold just now, but now that she was soaking in hot water, she felt even more itchy and couldn't help scratching it.
"Tsk, why are you so naughty?" Dorji held her down through the quilt, took off her coat and lifted the quilt.
"Hey, this? Isn't it a good idea?" Mu Xue said.
"What are you thinking about? I'm so tired that I don't want to move." Dorji came in, and the next moment, he put her feet against his abdomen.
"What are you doing?" Mu Xue widened her eyes and sat up to look at him.
"Don't move." Dorji held her feet firmly in his arms. "I'll keep them warm for you and make sure you don't scratch yourself. Now, go to sleep."
He turned around and blew out the light.
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