Song Siyao's death was like a cold rainstorm, mercilessly extinguishing the warmth and hope in Jiang Ling's heart. The Prime Minister's Mansion, once filled with laughter and joy, was now immersed in endless sorrow.
Jiang Ling sat in front of the mourning hall, his eyes empty, as if his soul had dissipated with Song Siyao's departure.
He looked haggard, with messy stubble on his face and bloodshot eyes, but he couldn't shed a single tear because the pain in his heart made him want to cry but couldn't.
He was completely desperate, but he still forced himself to hold a funeral for Song Siyao.
The mourning hall was decorated solemnly and dignified, with white curtains fluttering in the wind, as if Song Siyao's ghost had not yet left.
Jiang Ling personally selected the best coffin for her, which was carved with exquisite patterns, which was his last love and respect for her.
Upon hearing the tragic news, officials from the imperial court came to offer their condolences. At the gate of the Prime Minister's residence, carriages arrived one after another, and the officials, dressed in plain clothes, looked solemn.
The first to arrive was the Minister of Personnel, Lord Li. He walked into the mourning hall with heavy steps, and seeing Jiang Ling's distraught appearance, his heart ached.
"Prime Minister Jiang, please accept my condolences. Your wife is such a virtuous woman, but she has suffered such a misfortune. God is really cruel." Lord Li's voice was choked with sobs, his eyes full of sympathy.
Jiang Ling raised his head slightly and glanced at Lord Li. His lips were trembling, but he couldn't speak, as if he no longer had the strength to respond.
Lord Zhao from the Ministry of Justice stepped forward and patted Jiang Ling on the shoulder: "Prime Minister Jiang, this vengeance must be avenged. I will do my utmost to track down the murderer and give justice to your wife."
Officials from the Ministry of Rites also expressed their condolences. They brought various memorial items, hoping to comfort Jiang Ling's pain a little.
General Liu from the Ministry of War was furious: "Prime Minister Jiang, if you need my help, just ask. I will make that murderer pay with blood!"
The officials tried to comfort Jiang Ling one by one, but his heart had already been broken. These words were like a breeze blowing across the lake, unable to stir up any waves in his heart.
Jiang Zhuo stood silently by, watching his father's painful expression, his little heart filled with hatred and sadness.
The entire Prime Minister's Mansion was immersed in sorrow, with cries and sighs intertwined.
Jiang Ling mechanically saluted and thanked every official who came to pay his respects. It seemed as if his body no longer belonged to him, and he was only supported by a strong obsession.
As night fell, the guests gradually dispersed, but Jiang Ling still stayed beside the coffin, unwilling to leave.
"Ayao, why are you leaving me? Our vows have not yet been fulfilled, how could you bear to..." Jiang Ling finally couldn't help but mutter to himself, his voice filled with endless pain and longing.
The moonlight shone on him through the window, reflecting his lonely figure, which looked so desolate.
In this long dark night, Jiang Ling's heart seemed to have fallen into a bottomless abyss, with no light ever reaching her.
But in order to give Song Siyao a decent funeral and to give his son Jiang Zhuo a strong support, he knew he had to hold on, even though his heart was broken.
Murong Sheng sympathized with Jiang Ling and allowed him not to go to court for the time being.
The Prime Minister's Mansion was closed to visitors for nearly two weeks. Two weeks later, Jiang Ling went to court as if nothing had happened.
But no one will be waiting for him at home anymore.
…
Song Siyao's autobiography:
I am Song Siyao, once the beloved daughter of the Song family. But overnight, the Song family was struck by disaster and the entire family was executed.
I watched helplessly as my loved ones fell one by one, their blood staining the ground red. The scene was as horrific as hell.
I escaped in the chaos, but had nowhere to go, like a stray dog.
The prosperity and glory of the past vanished in an instant, and I was left alone, drifting in this world.
When I was at my wit's end, it was Jiang Ling who, regardless of his own safety, quietly brought me back in those critical moments.
I still remember the nervous yet determined look in his eyes when he found me. He held my hand and said, "Don't be afraid, I'm here."
In the Jiang family, I was immersed in pain and fear every day, and often woke up from nightmares.
But Jiang Ling has been working hard. He runs around looking for clues, trying to find out the truth about the Song family's massacre.
During those days, he would often come home exhausted, but he would always come to comfort me and tell me not to give up hope. Seeing how hard he was working, I knew I couldn't continue to dwell on my sorrow.
So, I started trying to cheer myself up. I tried to stop being haunted by the nightmares, and started helping with the housework, doing my best to ease Jiang Zhuo's burden.
Days passed, and with Jiang Ling's company and efforts, I slowly emerged from the shadow of the Song family's annihilation. Although the pain in my heart can never be erased, I know that I must live strong, for Jiang Ling and for those relatives who died.
Not long after, we had a child, Jiang Zhuo. Looking at that little life, I felt unprecedented happiness and satisfaction.
However, fate doesn't seem to want me to have smooth sailing forever.
As the child grew older, his mischievous behavior made me both angry and amused. While I was taking care of the household chores, I was also teaching Jiang Zhuo the principles of life.
I thought life would continue in this peaceful and happy way, but who could have imagined that disaster would suddenly strike.
That day, Jiang Zhuo came to the palace to accompany me to study. I happily dressed them up and sent them off. I waited at home for their return, imagining Jiang Zhuo telling me about the new and interesting things in the palace.
But I never expected a catastrophe to befall me. A group of assassins suddenly burst into my house, killing anyone they saw without mercy. I fled in terror, trying to find a safe place.
Watching familiar faces fall in pools of blood, my heart was filled with fear and despair. I ran desperately, wanting to survive and see my husband and child again.
But in the end, I couldn't escape this fate. As I collapsed at the gate of the mansion, my eyes seemed to flash back to the good times I had with Jiang Ling and Jiang Zhuo. I wished I could hug them again and tell them how much I loved them.
My consciousness gradually blurred and the world became dark. I was unwilling to accept that before I could fully enjoy this life, my beautiful vision of the future had turned into a bubble.
Jiang Ling, you must take Jiang Zhuo with you and live well.
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