There is no one old or young on the road to the underworld
"It worked?"
...I didn't curse that old man! If I knew it was so effective, I didn't curse Hua Shan!
Yinzhi jumped up and grabbed the eunuch's collar again: "Say it again, who died?!"
The eunuch in charge coughed, his head buzzing, wondering what "zero" meant. The next moment, he was being dragged over and yelled at. Dizzy and disoriented, the eunuch finally remembered Yinzhi's question and, while trying to save his clothes, replied tremblingly, "Ahem, it's... it's that Hua Shan!"
Then he watched his prince circling the room, completely overwhelmed with excitement, as if possessed. Alas, it was understandable; our prince had always been hoping for some bad news from the crown prince to cheer him up. Unfortunately, there had been few things that had made the prince happy in recent years. While good things always happened to the crown prince, it was the prince... who always suffered bad luck.
Alas, it’s not easy for the prince either!
Just as I was sympathizing with him, the troubled prince got too excited and started to make things difficult for the eunuchs: "Change your clothes! I need to go to the palace to apologize to the prince!"
How could this be possible? It wasn't the Crown Prince's father-in-law who died, it was a generation later. It would be more appropriate for the Crown Princess to complain to the Lady Consort. Moreover—"Your Highness, it's almost dark now. The palace guards are on their shifts, and the palace gates are almost locked."
"Huh?" Yinzhi looked up to the west. The winter sun set very quickly. It was sending warmth to the world just now, but while he was speaking, the sun had fallen below the wall and the light instantly dimmed.
Yinzhi was unhappy and could not gloat over his misfortune in person, which made the matter less perfect.
That's right! The head eunuch wiped his sweat. Some things were better to be secretly happy about. For example, ahem, after he secretly manipulated the guy who mocked him for being disabled to go to the manor outside the pass, his face remained calm. The prince's relative's death is not worth being so happy about. If you are already like this, will you be completely stunned by the next good news? (Don't worry about this, he is already stupid enough.)
Yinzhi's pleasure was enormous, not just the spiritual joy that the chief eunuch thought of. As a person who had been fooling around in the center of power for thirty years, his skill bar was not gray and unactivated except for the "acting stupid" option.
Yinzhi would occasionally use rational thinking, for example, right now: "Hua Shan is dead. Shi Wenbing and Shi Wenzhuo need to observe mourning. Fu Dali, Qingde, and Guanyinbao, as legitimate grandchildren, also need to observe mourning. The older generation of the Second Brother's Yue family will be deposed for two and a half years, and the younger generation for nearly a year. What a great opportunity! What a great opportunity! Soetu retired long ago. If something happens to the Second Brother now—"
Rubbing his hands, he noticed the chief eunuch was still there. He glared at him and said, "What are you still doing here? Are you waiting for your reward?"
"Shouldn't you have been the first to bring up the bonus? You're so stingy." The head eunuch now looked down on the ten or twenty taels of silver, but it still felt humiliating, especially since Yinzhi had two pretty maids standing around like wallflowers. "I'll be leaving now."
As he left the room, he saw another young eunuch, running at top speed, hurrying towards him. The head eunuch couldn't dodge and they bumped into each other with a loud thud. Rubbing his chest, he thought, "This place is so unlucky! I just got caught by the prince, and now I'm being bumped into again."
The chief eunuch cursed at the top of his voice: "Don't you watch when you walk?"
The young eunuch was very anxious: "Master, master, he's dead, he's dead."
"You're the one who's dead!" The head eunuch leaped up into the air, grabbed the young eunuch's ear, dragged him into the alley, and began to curse. "You bastard, you even dared to scold your master. I told you to keep an eye on the news in the palace, but you just kept digging in the sand! You also want me to personally report any news from other places to the prince."
The young eunuch felt very wronged. It was like he had a heat stroke in the middle of winter, just like snow in June! He saved his ears and said, "Master, you are wronging me! Didn't I just come to tell you the news?"
"What news?" He glanced sideways.
"Someone's dead." He's trying to show off his achievements while keeping the secret.
The chief eunuch scoffed, "If I had known this earlier, I would have reported it to the prince and returned."
"Ah? The news inside is that the eldest prince of Yuqing Palace just died? Who is so quick?" He must find out who his competitor is and then take brutal revenge!
"What?" The eunuch's voice was full of twists and turns. "Who did you say was dead?" He began to imitate Yinzhi's previous actions, shaking the little eunuch's hat so much that it slipped off.
The young eunuch was also trying to save his clothes, and then he said, "Master, you don't know? Then who is dead you are talking about?"
The head eunuch raised his hand and slapped the tilted hat, burying the eunuch's entire face in it. "I told you to pretend! I told you to pretend! Try pretending again!"
The young eunuch's voice was muffled: "Master, spare my life! Please don't hit me. I'm going to tell you right now... The eldest prince of Yuqing Palace was often ill. No one took it seriously at first, but later in the afternoon, he suddenly died."
The chief eunuch was very surprised: "Ah? Dead?" Hadn't he always been ill and unable to live? This had been going on for so long that many people believed he would remain like this until the end of time.
Hongyang had always been a frequent leaver, and this time he'd taken leave again, and no one took it seriously. Boys are difficult to raise when they're young, but they become better as they grow up. This time, the situation was different. The illness he'd requested was minor, something even Li Jiashi was used to, and the imperial physicians were experienced in treating this young prince.
Who would have thought that he would die this time?!
The chief eunuch reacted quickly: "Come on, there's nothing for you to do here. Just keep watching over the palace."
The young eunuch sniffed, thinking that he was no longer needed for the task of commending the prince, and left in a humiliated manner. Little did he know that the person who went to commend the prince was also worried: what if the prince "fainted from joy"?
The Prince of Zhi did not "faint with joy". He was itching to scratch the wall, but gave up because the posture was indecent and instead scratched the quilt in the middle of the night.
——————————————————————————————————————————
In contrast to Prince Zhi’s joy, the Eastern Palace was filled with gloom and sorrow.
Hua Shan died early in the morning and passed away peacefully.
Because of his slightly bad temper, the descendants who came to pay their respects, seeing he was "still asleep," didn't dare ask the servants to wake him. They hurriedly paid their respects and went back to work. When he still hadn't risen by breakfast time, someone reported it to Xiluotai and Guanyinbao, who was taking a rest at home.
Guanyinbao cautiously approached his door and called softly, but no one answered. Perhaps blood ties truly had a telepathic connection; Guanyinbao felt strangely uneasy. Holding his breath, he approached Huashan's bed, carefully opened the tent door, and hung half of the curtain on the hook.
Hua Shan was sleeping soundly.
Guanyinbao called him softly a few times, but there was no response. Suddenly, Guanyinbao realized that every hair on his lips was flat and smooth.
With a trembling hand, he reached under Hua Shan's nose, then pulled it back as if burned. If it was "like," it wasn't "actually," and the temperature there wasn't even remotely hot—it was completely integrated with the warmth of the room.
Guanyinbao's heart was pounding. He swallowed hard and encouraged himself. His father and brother were both out at work, leaving only the elderly, the weak, the women, and the children at home. He had to hold on. He reached out and touched Huashan's chest. The old man didn't grab his hand and slap him twice as usual. He was completely motionless.
Guanyinbao stepped back and looked down at his hands. A quarter of an hour later, or perhaps just a moment later, he regained consciousness. He ordered the people in Huashanyuan, "No one is allowed in without my permission! Send someone to invite my wife over!"
Some brave ones even asked, "Do you want to see a doctor?"
He was immediately glared at by Guanyinbao several times.
After Xiluo arrived, Guanyinbao felt more confident and whispered the news of Huashan's death. Xiluo was stunned for a moment, but then he quickly faced the reality - now was not the time to be in a daze.
"Send someone to call your father and your two brothers back. Your father is the Prince Consort, and his absence must be reported. Quickly ask your father to write a memorial. Change your clothes first! Then send someone to inform your eldest sister, your uncles, and others. Also, inform Prince Xin's mansion and your mother's brothers..."
After all, she had been the mistress of the household for decades, so she issued orders one after another in an orderly manner. The whole mansion was filled with sorrow and wailing, but nothing was out of control.
Wendu and Jueluo hurriedly took off their jewelry and came over with their children. The important stewards and housekeepers in the family also went to decorate the place. The whole place was crowded with people, crying their hearts out.
Xiluo Te wiped away tears and choked up as she said, "Open the storehouse and get some white cloth to make the mourning robe. Hurry and make the blue cloth boots and shoes for the gentleman. Tell the needlework staff to hurry up! Then go get some materials and set up the tent..." As she spoke, she adjusted her clothes. The mourning robe had to wait, but the hair could be altered immediately. She removed her jewelry and changed her hairstyle.
Originally, the hairstyle was a double braid, but now the left braid was detached, with a small flat braid tied around the back of the head, and the remaining hair was tied with a green rope and hung straight down. This is called "detaching the hair and forming a single braid."
With her around, by the time Shi Wenbing, Fu Dali, and Qingde rode back on horseback and cried all the way to Hua Shan as soon as they entered the gate, the funeral had already taken shape.
Shi Wenbing and his son both took off their hats and burst into tears as soon as they entered the house, crawling on their knees to the bed. Wendu and Jueluo quickly took the children away.
Hua Shan was still lying on the bed, motionless.
Shi Wenbing and his son cried for a while before finally stopping. Shi Wenbing asked Xiluo Te, "When did my father pass away?"
Xiluo Te said, "Just now, my father didn't have breakfast, so I sent Guanyin Bao to see him. Who knew that..."
No matter how unreliable this old man seems at ordinary times, when he really leaves, you will find that he is more important than you thought.
Shi Wenbing said, "Let's start preparing for Father's funeral..."
Action was immediately initiated. Ever since he turned fifty, Hua Shan's coffin had been prepared; this one was ready. The burial clothes were also included. Now there was still work to do, including arranging memorials, receiving friends and family, and distributing notices everywhere. Furthermore, the four of them, father and son, had to write memorials, and those who were supposed to observe mourning had to do so!
Li Guangdi had two major flaws: betraying his friend and being unfilial. The second flaw was even worse, and he was nearly drowned in saliva. Unlike Li Guangdi, who was protected by the emperor's powerful backing, it would be best to follow the rules.
——————————————————————————————————————————
Shi Wenbing's memorial was quickly submitted. It was urgent, so no one dared to delay and reported it directly to Kangxi. After reading it, Kangxi silently calculated that Hua Shan's death was a happy one, and his mood was not affected at all. "Call the Crown Prince."
Yinreng was working in Yuqing Palace and was surprised when he received the news that he was asked to go to Ganqing Palace: Nothing major has happened since Nerfu died?
It was only when we arrived at the Palace of Heavenly Purity that we realized how serious the matter was.
After Kangxi finished paying his respects, he didn't let him sit down, but waved him over. Puzzled, Yinreng walked over and took a memorial from Kangxi. He recognized the handwriting, it was Shi Wenbing's, though it was a bit sloppy.
I opened it and saw: Hua Shan is dead?!
Yinreng's feelings towards Huashan were quite complicated. On the one hand, he was a charlatan, and on the other hand, his pinching of Suo Etu made Yinreng a little uncomfortable, even though the old charlatan was quite right. Now that he was dead, he felt relieved but also felt a pity.
Then he realized that this old charlatan must not die! Once he died, the Shi family would have to take a long vacation!
Kangxi said, "Take Hongdan to see his mother and tell the Crown Princess not to be too sad."
The crown prince led his son along the way, educating him as he went, and teaching him to speak: "Today you can say he is sick, tomorrow you can say he is dead~"
"My son knows."
"Send someone to pick up Hongxi first, and then ask the Crown Prince to come back." The Crown Princess was also giving orders.
Hongyang was dead, and she was thinking about how to tell Yinreng the news. It would be good to have a child as a buffer. Besides... Li Jia's eyes were already wide open.
After all, he wasn't her biological son, nor was she raised by her, so Shujia was able to control herself and even persuade Li Jiashi: "Why are you acting so dull? Don't forget, you have more than one son. How can I trust you to hand Hongxi over to you again if you're like this?"
There was a hint of life in Li Jia's eyes.
Shujia sighed and said, "I'll send someone to fetch Hongxi. Don't be idle any longer. Don't go to Hongyang's yard again for now. When Hongxi arrives, take him to pay his respects to his brother."
Not only was Li Jia in disbelief, Shujia herself was having a hard time coming to terms with it. Perhaps because of his frequent illnesses, Hongyang had a somewhat peculiar temper, but he was well-behaved and rarely lost his temper with adults. Shujia had a generally good impression of him. She knew he was ill, but she had never imagined he would die from it.
What's going on? People keep dying one after another! Shujia is a little superstitious. Can funerals be contagious? Also, what should she tell Yinreng later? She has to tell him. It'll definitely make him sad. He's the eldest son, after all. Shujia feels like her brain isn't working.
Someone was sent to Hongxi first. When he was called back, the class was halfway through and he was still confused.
Shujia told him, "Your brother just passed away. Your mother is not feeling well. You should spend more time with her and don't let her be too sad." This matter could not be hidden from the child. She staggered with her bulging belly and led Hongxi to Hongyang's residence. Li Jia was still there.
After escorting her to the intersection, Hongxiu winked at her. Shujia bent slightly with some effort and said to Hongxi, "We're here. Go ahead. I just sent someone to invite your father. It's time for him to come. I have to go and greet him."
The letter was sent, but the messenger did not wait for the crown prince. Yinreng led his son all the way back to the Eastern Palace.
The couple met, you were worried that I couldn't accept it, and I was worried that you couldn't bear it, so we both didn't know how to speak.
From Shujia on down, everyone's eyes were red and couldn't stop. Yinreng's heart skipped a beat: Did she know?
Shujia was also very surprised. Today was not a day for outdoor exercise, so why did he bring the child here? Did he know?
"you……"
"you……"
"I……"
"I……"
"You go first..."
"You go first..."
Finally, Yinreng made a quick decision and gestured: "You say!"
Shujia asked, "You know everything?"
Yinreng hummed, "Don't be sad. Think about it, you're pregnant. He's so old, it's a happy funeral..."
Huh? What? Who is “that old”?
"Hey, hey, why don't I understand?" Shujia looked at her husband and then at her son, "Is Hongyang's funeral a happy one?"
"What?! Hongyang?" Yinreng was stunned.
"Who are you talking about?"
Hongdan tugged at Yinreng's hem, and Yinreng came back to his senses. He lowered his head and met Hongdan's eyes: "Father, are you still going to say that my great-grandfather is sick? Wouldn't that be foolish?"
Yinreng: ...
Here comes the problem.
Yinreng gritted his teeth and helped his wife sit down on the kang. He then diligently placed a lot of cushions behind her and tucked his son next to her. After finishing all this, he finally spoke: "Uh, you Mafa..."
Shujia was stunned: "What?! What the hell?" In her impression, the old man had always been lively and energetic. Even if his health had not been as good as before in recent years, it was just a normal old age disease. There was no sign of death at all.
The couple looked at each other. Each of these things was heartbreaking, but when mixed together, it actually increased their ability to withstand the blow.
"This matter must be reported to Khan Ama."
"I'm just waiting for you to discuss it."
"You...don't be too sad. It's a happy funeral. He passed away without illness or pain."
"Hey~ Go check on Hongyang. I've already called Hongxi over."
…
…
…
Hongdan looked at this, then looked at that, then looked down at his fingers.
The author has something to say:
Continue to distribute lunch boxes
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