Chapter 96

The heavy snow fell incessantly. After burning paper money three times in the evening, Chu Shaoling ordered everyone to go and eat, but as the crown prince, he could not eat this meal to show his grief. Chu Shaoling still sent away the Fifth Prince and Sixth Prince, and knelt in front of the memorial tablet to burn paper money himself.

After the duke's ceremony, Wei Ji followed Wei Zhan to have a meal in the palace. Afterwards, the officials and the titled ladies left the palace. Wei Zhan accompanied Fuyi to stay in the palace, while Wei Ji went to find Wang Muhan alone.

"Master Wei, don't worry," Wang Muhan looked around and pulled Wei Ji to the side, lowering his voice, "Although he says he can't eat, how can he really not eat or drink? Without you mentioning it, the royal relatives will go to persuade the Crown Prince to eat before the Xu hour."

Wang Muhan laughed softly, "This is the rule of the royal family. The Crown Prince always has to go hungry for a while. After the royal relatives persuade him a few times, the Crown Prince will eat some food. Otherwise, how can it show the Crown Prince's utmost filial piety to the late Emperor?"

Wei Ji was speechless, not expecting there to be some tricks to this. He was still uneasy, "Eunuch, are you sure His Highness can eat by the Xu hour?"

"Rest assured, Master Wei." Wang Muhan smiled reassuringly, "The meal has already been prepared in the small kitchen of Chengqian Palace. If Master Wei is afraid that the servants will not handle it properly, you can personally deliver the meal later. With Master Wei's persuasion, the Crown Prince will surely eat well."

Wei Ji laughed, "Eunuch, don't tease me."

Wang Muhan smiled, "This old servant misspoke, Master Wei, please don't take offense. But it's also the truth. Nowadays, who doesn't know that Master Wei's words are the most effective in front of the Crown Prince? Master Wei is by the Crown Prince's side all day and doesn't know what's happening outside. Every day, just the people who come to find Master Wei, wanting to borrow Master Wei's connection to talk to the Crown Prince, are countless. But with the Crown Prince's previous orders, we servants have blocked those people, so Master Wei is unaware."

Wei Ji nodded, "Eunuch has worked hard. In the future, please continue to block these things. Others may not know, but Eunuch must be clear. I never dare to meddle in His Highness' affairs. His Highness has his own ideas in everything. It's useless for others to ask me."

This was what Wang Muhan admired most about Wei Ji. When others rose to power after gaining favor, only Wei Ji never asked Chu Shaoling for anything. He also never interfered in major matters. Wang Muhan couldn't help but recall when Wei Ji was still a little guard in Bitao Palace. After so many years, Wei Ji now held a high position, but he was still as diligent and self-disciplined as before. Wang Muhan sighed in admiration. Able to endure poverty and bear wealth, it was not easy. With such a person by Chu Shaoling's side, it might be much better than those orioles and swallows who each had their own ideas.

Wang Muhan nodded with a smile, "Of course. There's one more thing. The Crown Prince instructed this servant before that Master Wei must not be allowed to get tired these few days. Like today, going to Bitao Palace to get clothes, Master Wei only needs to tell us servants. How can you run the errand yourself? Isn't that slapping our faces?"

"I'm not used to ordering people around. If I can do it myself, I'll just do it. Besides, everyone is busy today. Only I am idle, so it's only right that I do some work." Wei Ji was concerned about Chu Shaoling's meal and turned to look, "I'll go see how the meal preparations are going."

Wang Muhan smiled knowingly, "Then I won't delay Master Wei."

In Ci'an Palace, the Empress Dowager leaned on a red sandalwood couch. Behind her, Granny Sun gently massaged the sides of the Empress Dowager's forehead. The Empress Dowager closed her eyes and said in a low voice, "What a pity."

Granny Sun understood and comforted, "The Crown Prince is still young. It doesn't matter to wait a few more years."

The Empress Dowager sighed, "Useless. It's hard to say if I can wait until that day."

"Empress Dowager!" Granny Sun chided, "Empress Dowager is saying this again. How can you not wait? Empress Dowager, waiting a few years is not a bad thing. Wait three more years, and it will be the perfect age for the second young lady of the Ling family, Ling Yi."

The Empress Dowager opened her eyes, thought for a moment, and laughed, "That's right. Haha, how did I forget? A few days ago, I was still worried that the Crown Princess couldn't be chosen from these few families. If we wait three years, Ling Yi will have just come of age. Wouldn't that be just right for marriage?"

Granny Sun smiled, "Empress Dowager has been muddled by being busy these past few days. It's a pity that Lady Ling Yun is unlucky, but Lady Ling Yi is healthy and born with great fortune."

"Yes, I like Ling Yi very much. She has a good appearance, a gentle and firm temperament, and is dignified and steady. Marquis Zijun's family education is unquestionable." The more the Empress Dowager thought about it, the more satisfied she became. "She's a bit similar to Empress Ling. I just like this kind of child. We absolutely cannot marry in another one like Zhen Bihe."

Granny Sun nodded with a smile, "The Crown Prince has always liked what the Empress Dowager likes. This marriage is definitely right."

The Empress Dowager nodded, "Very good. We can't take care of it now. After the mourning period, we'll inform Marquis Zijun. Ling'er will surely be satisfied too."

"Since the Empress Dowager is not worried anymore, have another bowl of porridge." Granny Sun waved her hand, and a little palace maid outside brought over a bowl of rice porridge with both hands. Granny Sun took it, scooped it, and smiled, "You only ate a little at dinner. You must be hungry now."

The Empress Dowager smiled, "You're always finding opportunities to insert a word. Forget it, I'll have some more."

The Empress Dowager took the porridge bowl, took two sips, and said, "Has Ling'er's meal been prepared in Chengqian Palace? The child didn't even have a sip of water at dinner. He still has to endure for more than a month. He can't ruin his health like this."

"Someone has already gone to persuade him. Empress Dowager, don't worry."

In Chengqian Palace, after much persuasion from everyone, Chu Shaoling finally agreed to eat. Wei Ji hurriedly ordered the prepared meal to be sent over. It was just rice porridge, pickled vegetables, and the like, very light. After everyone withdrew, Wei Ji walked over and turned over a small bowl of rice from the meal. Inside, there was actually a small bowl full of smoked meat. Chu Shaoling laughed, "Where did you find this?"

Wei Ji carefully looked outside and lowered his voice, "This servant saw that the meal prepared for Your Highness was too simple. Your Highness has been hungry for half a day. How can porridge fill you up? This servant sneaked to the Imperial Kitchen. Today, the whole palace did not eat meat. There were no fresh meat dishes, only this smoked meat was not bad. Your Highness, please have some."

Chu Shaoling felt warm inside. He took a bowl of porridge and handed it to Wei Ji, "It's not easy to eat some meat these past few days. Eat some with me."

Wei Ji nodded with a smile and accompanied Chu Shaoling for another meal. After they both finished, Chu Shaoling ordered Wang Muhan to take care of the leftovers. Chu Shaoling then went to kneel before the ancestral tablet for a while before taking Wei Ji back to Bitao Palace with him.

In the evening, after bathing, the two went to bed. Wei Ji leaned against Chu Shaoling and said slowly, "After forty-nine days, the coffin will be moved out for burial. Does Your Highness have to be like this these days?"

Chu Shaoling looked down at Wei Ji and smiled, "Feeling distressed for me?"

"Yes." Wei Ji nodded honestly, "You can't eat or sleep well, and can only have some porridge and rice. I heard Eunuch Wang say that when the coffin is moved out for burial, Your Highness won't even be able to come back to sleep, but will have to kneel all night in the mourning hall. Your delicate body has never suffered such hardship."

"It's not as bad as you say. Just like today, I didn't go hungry, right?" Chu Shaoling lowered his head and kissed Wei Ji on the forehead, "With you here, what am I afraid of?"

Wei Ji still remembered the rules Wang Muhan mentioned, "Can someone else kneel in the mourning hall for you? I'll go kneel in Your Highness's place."

Chu Shaoling smiled, "How can that be allowed? I wouldn't bear to let you do that either."

Chu Shaoling turned over, held Wei Ji and said softly, "Don't think wild thoughts. I've been on the battlefield, what's a little thing like this? Go to sleep early, there will be a pile of things to deal with tomorrow."

Wei Ji nodded, put aside the hot water bottle he was holding, and tucked in the quilt for Chu Shaoling before closing his eyes.

The sound of the night watch could be heard in the distance outside. Just as the two were about to fall asleep, Wang Muhan entered the inner hall outside and said in a low voice from behind the two screen partitions, "Crown Prince, the people you sent to Pingyu have returned. They said something happened, Your Highness..."

Chu Shaoling sat up. Wei Ji also wanted to get up, but Chu Shaoling pressed down on Wei Ji's shoulder and said softly, "It's alright, I'll go take a look. You sleep first."

"I'll go with Your Highness." Hearing it was about Pingyu, Wei Ji was also worried. "Did something happen to the Fourth Prince?"

Chu Shaoling gave a reassuring smile, "Who cares about him? You sleep first, I'll be right back."

Chu Shaoling insisted on not letting Wei Ji get up. Wei Ji had no choice but to nod, "Your Highness, wear more clothes."

"I know." Chu Shaoling didn't call for anyone to come in, but put on his clothes himself and took a cloak to put on. He turned around, lowered his head and kissed Wei Ji on the lips. "Go to sleep early. If you're still not asleep when I come back, see how I'll punish you."

Wei Ji pursed his lips. Chu Shaoling smiled and went out.

Chu Shaoling turned past the screen and took the hand warmer handed to him by the palace servant. He said lightly, "What happened?"

Wang Muhan bowed and said, "The people who went to Pingyu to receive the Fourth Prince have returned. They didn't even reach Pingyu. Halfway there, they met the people originally by the Fourth Prince's side. They were rushing towards the imperial city to report his death."

Chu Shaoling lightly stroked the hand warmer, "Report his death? Chu Shaoyang is already dead?"

Wang Muhan didn't expect Chu Shaoling to be so calm. He nodded and continued, "According to those people, it was done by the Western Yi people. Escorting the Western Yi people to Yunnan, Pingyu is a place they must pass. When camping outside Pingyu city, a group of Western Yi people escaped into the city, burning, killing and looting. Those people killed their way into the Fourth Prince's residence. After ransacking it, they set it on fire. The Fourth Prince couldn't run out and was burned to death."

Chu Shaoling said indifferently, "Oh, have those bandits been caught?"

Wang Muhan shook his head, "This servant is not clear about the details. We still need to interrogate the people by the Fourth Prince's side. They failed to protect the Fourth Prince. In the end, they couldn't even retrieve the Fourth Prince's remains from the fire. They really deserve to die."

Chu Shaoling nodded, "Indeed they deserve to die. They still have the face to return to the imperial city to report his death. Pass down my order, these people failed to protect their master, their crime warrants death. Execute them immediately."

Wang Muhan hesitated for a moment, "Kill...kill them all?"

Chu Shaoling nodded, "Kill them all."

What a joke. How could he possibly keep Chu Shaoyang's old subordinates around? Now was the perfect opportunity to eliminate these roots and branches, once and for all.

Wang Muhan lowered his head, "This servant understands. I will pass down the order immediately."

Chu Shaoling thought for a moment and added, "The Empress Dowager is advanced in years and cannot withstand shocks. Break this news to her slowly, don't startle the old lady."

Wang Muhan acknowledged the order and left.

The next day, the news of Chu Shaoyang being burned to death by the escaped Western Yi soldiers spread throughout the palace. Chu Shaoling first went to Ci'an Palace to console the Empress Dowager. The old Empress Dowager said bitterly, "How could such a thing happen... Although this child was not very well-behaved, I only hoped that he could live peacefully in his fief for the rest of his life. How could this..."

"Imperial Grandmother has a compassionate heart. It's just that the Fourth Prince himself had no luck." Chu Shaoling persuaded softly, "Now we need to arrange the Fourth Prince's funeral. But with it falling at this juncture, a grand burial is not possible."

The old Empress Dowager rubbed her temples wearily, "With the Emperor's funeral at hand, it is indeed difficult... But he was still a legitimate prince, it cannot be too simple."

Chu Shaoling said, "The Ministry of Internal Affairs has drafted the Fourth Prince's posthumous title - 'Prince Guang', to match the 'Yang' character in his name. It is quite fitting."

The Empress Dowager nodded, "Then let it be so. What sins have we committed, for so many people to pass away in one month... Summon more monks and Taoists to perform a few religious ceremonies in the palace. I really cannot bear for anyone else to meet with misfortune..."

Chu Shaoling laughed inwardly. On this point, the Empress Dowager could set her mind at ease. Those who should die had already died. No one else in the palace would die.

Chu Shaoling went to handle Chu Shaoyang's funeral arrangements himself. Because of the late Emperor's grand funeral, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Ministry of Rites were already overwhelmed. How could they spare effort to oversee Chu Shaoyang's matters? There were bound to be oversights here and there.

Seeing it was quite unseemly, Chu Shaoling turned a blind eye. Wherever there were oversights, he didn't bother with them. Seeing Chu Shaoling was unconcerned, the others dared to be even more lax. A legitimate prince's funeral was carried out in a way that was inferior even to that of a commandery prince - simple and perfunctory.

"Your Highness forgot your jade pendant on the bed." Wei Ji used an excuse to tell the guards outside the main hall, then entered the hall and turned into the inner room to see Chu Shaoling. "Your Highness, it's already the You hour. Has Your Highness not had dinner yet?"

Chu Shaoling smiled and waved for Wei Ji to sit beside him, "Not yet. Have you eaten?"

Wei Ji nodded, "I ate together with Big Brother. Your Highness, take this..."

Wei Ji took out a small package from his bosom and handed it to Chu Shaoling, as if presenting a treasure, "I found this for you."

Chu Shaoling laughed and opened the package to find dried beef. He picked up a piece and fed it into Wei Ji's mouth, chuckling, "You've really become a little thief these past few days."

Chu Shaoling tasted a piece and nodded, "The flavor is very good. Where did you find this?"

Wei Ji smiled, "I had my older brother bring it from home. We have a chef at home who is best at making this. I've been eating it since I was little."

Just as Chu Shaoling was about to praise it some more, a palace servant said in a deep voice from outside the door, "Your Highness, Steward Zhang from the Ministry of Internal Affairs requests an audience."

Wei Ji quickly put the things away. Chu Shaoling smiled and turned his head to say to the outside, "Come in."

"Greetings to Your Highness." After paying his respects, Steward Zhang said, "The craftsmen repairing the imperial road to the mausoleum ran into some trouble and actually built the flags beside the road incorrectly. They asked this servant to inquire of Your Highness whether to directly remove all those flags or dismantle and rebuild them?"

Upon hearing this, Chu Shaoling's eyes darkened and he said in a low voice, "Wait for me to personally take a look before making a decision."

Steward Zhang nodded, "Yes, this servant will immediately arrange for Your Highness to leave the palace." With that, he withdrew.

Wei Ji didn't understand, "It's not a big matter and it's already so late. Your Highness still wants to leave the palace?"

Chu Shaoling smiled, "It's just for show to others. It won't take long before I return."

Wei Ji nodded and was about to return to Bitao Palace to change clothes when Chu Shaoling stopped him, "You don't need to come along. It will only be a short while. It's snowy and slippery outside, don't run around blindly."

Wei Ji was even more puzzled, "Isn't your servant riding in the carriage with Your Highness? I won't need to walk. I want to go together with Your Highness."

"Listen to me." Chu Shaoling rubbed Wei Ji's head. "After all, it's an inauspicious matter. I don't want you to always be involved. Honestly wait for me in Bitao Palace. I'll be back soon."

Wei Ji had no choice but to compromise, "Then Your Highness, please be careful. Your Highness should still take the sedan chair. The road is slippery and a carriage is inappropriate."

Chu Shaoling nodded, "Don't worry."

At the hour of Xu, Chu Shaoling left the palace. However, the sedan chair didn't head towards the imperial road. After leaving the inner city, it took a turn and went to a farm estate in the west.

Chu Shaoling's secret guards had long been waiting at the estate. Seeing Chu Shaoling arrive, they directly led him to a cellar deep within the estate. Chu Shaoling covered his nose and mouth with a handkerchief, frowning slightly, "Why is there such a strong odor?"

"Please bear with it, Your Highness," the secret guard said softly. "This cellar hasn't been used for a long time and the air doesn't circulate well, so the smell is a bit strong."

Chu Shaoling said indifferently, "Where is the person?"

The secret guard bowed and turned to walk to the depths of the cellar. He dragged out a person who was tightly bound. As soon as the guard let go, the person fell to the ground. The hair covering his face fell away, revealing that it was actually Chu Shaoyang who had already "died" many days ago!