A glorious end
The 20th day of the twelfth lunar month is the day of severe cold, a time when coffins are laid to rest and burials are carried out. King Yao's funeral was held on this day. A prince's funeral was considered a national mourning, with fire and cold food prohibited, and the entire nation mourning.
Eighteen soldiers slowly carried King Yao's coffin from the main gate of the imperial palace. The bearers were all the wise and loyal generals who had accompanied King Yao on his campaigns. King Yao's son, Shangguan Yichen, led the way on horseback. Benlei, King Yao's favorite warhorse, had accompanied him on the battlefield, possessing both spiritual and human sensibilities. He shared life and death with King Yao, whom he considered a brother. In the first carriage behind the coffin sat King Yao's wife, Zhong Yujing's uncle, the former Prime Minister Zhong Xianren. Also in the funeral procession, Zhong Xianren, who had come to see his dear friend off for the final time, rode in the second carriage.
The uncle was worried that Princess Yao could not hold on, so he asked Zhong Yujing to ride in the same carriage with Princess Yao.
Behind the carriage was a line of servants that stretched as far as the eye could see, carrying mourning banners and wearing mourning clothes, with cries and wails filling the air.
The team moved forward in an orderly manner. One could tell at a glance that the eighteen soldiers had received rigorous military training for many years. Their steps were neat and powerful, and their momentum was solemn and majestic. Every step they took showed the iron will of a fierce general, reflecting the magnificent and noble life of King Yao.
Ben Lei was also extremely intelligent. Every time the eighteen soldiers advanced a certain distance, they would pause for a moment and roar in unison, "Goodbye, Prince!" Ben Lei would also pause and roar to the heavens. The sounds of men and horses blended together, rich and solemn, like thunder rumbling across the sky.
Wherever they passed, citizens of the entire city came out of their homes and spontaneously gathered on both sides of the team, watching them sadly. Men, women, young and old, were all crying. An elderly man, leaning on a cane, stood by the road, trembling and crying, "My son died on the battlefield while following the prince to war. He was loyal to the country. My son and I have no complaints. The prince knew that my son was the only son in the family and was afraid that I would have no one to see me off to the end, so he has sent people to take care of me for many years. I didn't expect that I was still alive because of the prince's kindness, but the prince left first..." He had not finished speaking when he was already crying. The people around him who heard it felt even more sad and wailed even more.
When they reached a corner, the carriage jolted a little. Zhong Yujing lifted the curtain and looked at the front of the team. She saw Shangguan Yichen standing tall on his horse. Under his mourning clothes was a battle robe, which matched the armor of the eighteen soldiers. Ben Lei turned right and saw that the horse also wore a metal mask, and it looked like it was ready for battle. Suddenly, it seemed as if he saw the magnificent scene of flags like bird wings and armor like fish scales, which was very exciting.
Zhong Yujing saw Shangguan Yichen's face was resolute, sad but not mournful, and she felt relieved. She remembered that before the funeral procession set off, he had whispered to her that he had a dream the night his father passed away. In the dream, his father was wearing armor and riding a warhorse, galloping across the vast plains. The sunset glow painted the sky and the earth, vast and boundless. At the end of the world, his father reined in his horse, looked back at him, then turned around with great passion and continued to run towards the golden light, disappearing.
Perhaps this is why he chose this way to say his final goodbye to his father.
The long and mighty procession finally reached the imperial mausoleum. At the moment when the Broken Dragon Stone of King Yao's tomb was lowered heavily, the crowd let out a final wail, which was their last regret and farewell to this prince who had lived a glorious life. From then on, they were separated by the Yin and Yang, and could only remember him.
Zhong Yujing gently patted Shangguan Yichen's left arm, just like that snowy day when he stretched out his arm to support her. She said nothing, but just looked at him. He suddenly understood, smiled at her comfortingly, and nodded.
Zhong Yujing raised her head and looked towards the back of the imperial mausoleum. She saw the majestic and towering imperial mausoleum, shrouded in the rosy glow of the sky. It was magnificent and dazzling. The golden glow reflected the unmelted frost and snow, the jade branches and trees, and the splendor of colored glaze, just like a luxurious palace. She thought to herself, I wonder if this scene is somewhat similar to the one in Shangguan Yichen's dream... She turned her head to look at Shangguan Yichen and saw that he was also looking at the magnificent scene in front of him with a burning gaze. There seemed to be sparkling sparks in his eyes. Suddenly, she heard him say softly, as if he was talking to herself, "My father, you can rest in peace." A drop of crystal fell from the corner of his eye and dripped onto the scales of his armor, but he quickly wiped it away with his hand.
Zhong Yujing pretended not to see it, but was very relieved in her heart. At the same time, she thought that one day, King Ping would be brought to justice.
The life of Prince Yao Shangguan Jinyao, a wise king, came to a grand and glorious end at dusk on the last day of the year.
Ten days later, New Year's Eve arrived and the national mourning ban was lifted. People cleaned the altar, hung lanterns and posted Spring Festival couplets to welcome the New Year and pray for good weather, peace and prosperity in the coming year. The people were in a peaceful mood.
The same was true in the palace. The empress ordered the eunuchs and palace maids to clean every corner, not even leaving a cockroach behind, saying that they wanted to get rid of the bad luck and remove the bad fortune. She then went to Yong'an Temple in a grand manner, made a lot of donations and kowtowed, praying for the safety of the royal family, the health and happiness of the people, and the prosperity of the country. Only then did she return to the palace.
That night, the palace held a grand banquet as usual. All the royal relatives, princes and nobles were invited. Zhong Yujing and her uncle naturally received invitations as well. They dressed solemnly and followed her uncle into the palace. They saw nine big red lanterns hanging high outside the palace gate, and a strong sense of the New Year came over them. In the extremely cold season, the garden lacked vitality, but the flowers arranged by the queen with gold embroidery were in full bloom, and the beauty was even greater than that of real flowers. The guests all praised the queen's attentiveness. This festive, rich and gorgeous scene made people happy. If it were not the Spring Festival, one would have thought that a wedding banquet was going to be held in the palace.
The banquet began at the hour of Xu. Emperor Hong and Empress sat side by side in the main seats, both raising their glasses. "We bid farewell to the old year and toast to the new. To all the relatives and friends of the Shangguan clan, whether sorrow, pain, worry, or hatred, all are now in the past. From tomorrow on, all families, big and small, shall rejoice!"
Everyone raised their glasses and said in unison: "Thank you, Your Majesty! Thank you, Queen!"
After a round of drinking, singing and dancing began. In the peaceful atmosphere, the guests at the banquet laughed and talked happily, commenting on the performances or chatting about family matters. Emperor Hong and the Empress also joined in the fun, and the atmosphere was harmonious.
Zhong Yujing picked up a piece of shrimp and chewed it in her mouth. It tasted delicious. Just as she swallowed it, she noticed someone's gaze coming towards her. She raised her eyes and met Shangguan Yichen's gaze.
He usually appeared in military uniform, appearing resolute and stern. Today he was wearing a gorgeous suit with wide sleeves and his hair was loose. The gorgeous and translucent glass and the cool and soft moonlight illuminated him. The brocade suit made of sea-blue satin flowed like water with his slight movements, and his hair was elegant. He supported his head with one arm, leaning leisurely on the table, looking at Zhong Yujing with a slightly drunk look, and slowly raised his glass to her.
He squinted his eyes and smiled at her. She also smiled, raised the cup in front of her, pushed it towards him, and drank it in one gulp. Then she stuck out her lips at him proudly, turned the glass over, and faced the rim towards him, indicating that she had drunk it all and that Your Highness could make the decision himself.
Shangguan Yichen straightened his body and gladly accepted the offer. He raised an eyebrow in a feigned amazement, then raised his arms and saluted, "This king admires you!" Then he straightened up and filled his glass with awe-inspiring dignity. He raised it solemnly with great passion, raised his head sharply, and drank it all in one gulp. He even made a deliberate hissing sound, the wine strong and the friendship heavy. He raised his chin, raised the corners of his lips, and looked at her with a raised eyebrow.
Zhong Yujing also made a big circle, raised her arms, and bowed to him, thank you, thank you!
The two looked at each other again and smiled.
Emperor Hong and Empress were toasting and exchanging pleasantries with several guests. Halfway through the banquet, a woman in blue suddenly stood up from the table and slowly walked to the front of Emperor Hong and Empress's seat. She spoke softly and bowed gracefully, expressing her blessings. The Empress hurriedly led her to sit next to her, holding her hand in an intimate manner, as if they were sisters.
Zhong Yujing looked at the woman and found her unfamiliar. She whispered to Zhong Xianren, "Uncle, who is this woman?"
Zhong Xianren took a look and smiled, "She is the granddaughter of the former Prime Minister Shen Zhixing."
Zhong Yujing understood, "So she is Shen Qingci, the granddaughter of Prime Minister Shen."
Rumor has it that this Miss Shen is more talented than Su Xiao and as beautiful as Wang Qiang. She learned poetry and painting from Shen Shoufu since she was a child. She could compose poems at the age of five, and her poems and paintings at the age of seven were sold at high prices in the art market. She is truly a person of both talent and beauty.
Seeing Miss Shen and the Queen chatting and laughing, Zhong Yujing asked again, "Are Miss Shen and the Queen old acquaintances?"
Zhong Xianren put down his chopsticks, touched his chin, and continued with a smile: "No, Prime Minister Shen and Minister Wen are old friends. Miss Shen's mother, Shen Ruyi, and the Queen Mother are close friends in the boudoir, so the Queen is willing to be close to Miss Shen to show her affection to the Queen Mother." He glanced at Zhong Yujing meaningfully.
Zhong Yujing smiled and nodded. There was intrigue and scheming in the court, and in the harem there were also open and covert struggles and everyone had their own thoughts.
After drinking a cup of fruit tea, the fragrance of lemon and osmanthus diluted the smell of alcohol and spread in my mouth. I shook my head and my mind became much clearer. I didn’t know how long this night would last, so I had to try my best to hold on until the end of the banquet. I must not get sleepy too early.
While the Queen and Shen Qingci were talking and laughing, she glanced in the direction opposite Zhong Yujing from time to time. While glancing in that direction, the Queen smiled and chatted enthusiastically with Shen Qingci. Shen Qingci smiled sweetly after hearing her words, also looked in that direction, lowered her head shyly, said a few more words, kept looking in that direction shyly, and finally nodded to the Queen.
The Empress smiled in understanding and gave Emperor Hong a look. Emperor Hong nodded with understanding, then said, "It's a festive occasion, and the whole country is filled with joy. The Empress and I would like to act as a matchmaker today, to double our joy!"
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
