Zhen Guo, the founding father of the dynasty, had a remarkable military career, earning great respect from both the army and the people. His passing brought tears to the eyes of the common folk.
The Yan Palace gathered to hold a mourning banquet in his honor. In his youth, King Yan had engaged in several battles with the brave, loyal, and humble Duke Zhen Guo. King Yan deeply admired him, choking up several times during the event. His tears prompted Yin Hui and others to wipe away their own, whether genuine or not.
Princess Xu and Xu Qingwan cried until their eyes were swollen. Being a daughter and granddaughter, they had been away from home for so long and could never return to visit their relatives.
Even Wei Yang’s eyes were red.
Da Lang, San Lang, Liu Lang, and Sister Mei, all young, had never seen the legendary God of war from that dynasty. They could only observe the adults’ expressions and feign nostalgia.
After the mourning banquet concluded, everyone dispersed. Upon leaving Qinzheng Hall, Ji Xianxian’s expression relaxed, revealing a sense of gloating. She acknowledged that Xu Qingwan only surpassed her in family background. With the most powerful figure in the Xu family gone, although Xu Qingwan’s father inherited the title, he couldn’t match the old man in terms of military achievements and public admiration. Unlike their Ji family, which had been renowned in Jinling City for several dynasties.
Despite this, Duke Zhen Guo had earned such admiration from soldiers and civilians that even Ji Xianxian’s father-in-law shed tears for him. She refrained from making any disrespectful comments at that juncture.
When they arrived in the harem, the people in several houses said goodbye one after another, and went back to their yard in the dark.
The children were taken away by the nurse, and the maids waited on Yin Hui and Wei Luo to wash up.
After a period of rest, Yin Hui overheard Wei Luo sigh. As a military officer, he had grown up immersed in tales of military exploits involving his imperial grandfather and several founding generals. The passing of a legendary general naturally evoked a sigh of regret.
Yin Hui offered comforting support by holding his hand. Wei Luo reciprocated the gesture but remained silent.
On Princess Xu’s side, King Yan was also comforting his wife. The funeral was already set. King Yan also wrote a eulogy for the old man, and sent them to the capital.
He was very satisfied with his eulogy, which only expressed his remembrance and grief, but did not mention the great achievements of Mr. Xu, lest his father would be displeased.
Princess Xu cried again after reading her husband’s eulogy.
Her father was dead, and King Yan was still plotting.
Princess Xu was dissatisfied with her husband’s indifference when she married him, but she also knew that her husband was the one she would rely on in the future.
She wiped away her tears, pulled herself together and wrote a family letter to her elder brother. After finishing writing, she also showed it to King Yan.
In her family letter, Princess Xu specifically highlighted her husband’s tears, expressing her hope that her elder brother would be more inclined to support the Yan Palace and speak well for it in front of the Emperor when necessary. King Yan, viewing these words as a clear attempt to win favor, recognized that such directness could harm his reputation if widely known. Nevertheless, he understood the strategic importance of Princess Xu’s approach.
Reading his wife’s family letter, King Yan embraced her, and the couple mourned once more for the old Duke.
In late July, the Yan Palace held the funeral. Before the Mid-Autumn Festival, a letter arrived from Xu Yao, the new Lord of the Town. The letter was first delivered to King Yan, who promptly invited Princess Xu to read it.
Princess Xu hurriedly arrived, opened the letter, and found only a few short lines. The letter primarily conveyed that her father’s funeral was proceeding well, and he was laid to rest peacefully. It urged her to take care of herself and not dwell too much on sadness.
Notably, there was no mention of King Yan in the entire letter. Princess Xu, expecting her brother to express gratitude to King Yan for remembering their father, was disappointed.
As she read the letter again, Princess Xu confirmed the absence of any reference to King Yan. When King Yan asked to see the letter, she hesitated but complied.
Observing the content, King Yan envisioned the upright face of his brother-in-law Xu Yao.
The old Duke had been prudent, treating all the kings equally except for his unwavering loyalty to the Emperor. Despite this, it appeared that his brother-in-law was not proving to be particularly helpful in that regard.
“I still have something to attend to; you go back first,” King Yan said, his expression unreadable as he handed the letter to his wife. Princess Xu could only comply and leave.
The following morning, when Xu Qingwan came to greet her, she noticed her aunt’s troubled expression.
“Mother, what’s troubling you?” Xu Qingwan sat beside her aunt on the couch, gently tapping Princess Xu’s leg.
Princess Xu gestured for her niece/daughter-in-law to sit, motioning for others to leave. She sighed, confiding in Xu Qingwan, “My lord is likely blaming your father.”
She proceeded to recount the story, and Xu Qingwan couldn’t help but frown, remarking, “Father can be so tactless.”
Princess Xu expressed her concern, “I fear the letter might fall into the wrong hands and be used against us.”
Understanding her brother’s dilemma, Princess Xu acknowledged the powerful position of the imperial court and the delicate balance one had to maintain when dealing with vassal kings. The choice between the court and the vassal king inevitably carried consequences. However, she also recognized that her brother’s decision could potentially upset King Yan, implicating her son and daughter-in-law.
“Advise my son to be cautious, take care of the children, and avoid offending King Yan at this time,” she urged.
Recognizing the gravity of the situation, Xu Qingwan returned and relayed the message to the children, their nurses, and accompanying eunuchs. When Wei Yang returned, the couple had a private conversation.
Wei Yang’s brows furrowed with anger as he looked at Xu Qingwan. His father, King Yan, had arranged his marriage to a cousin from the Xu family in an attempt to gain favor with Duke Zhen Guo’s mansion. Upon careful consideration, Wei Yang questioned the benefits that the Xu family’s marriage had truly brought to the royal household.
The situation wasn’t as favorable as the military strength of the Guo family or the wealth of the Yin family.
Over the next few nights, Wei Yang sought comfort with Concubine Meng.
By the time of the festival, the entire palace had resumed its usual activities. However, Princess Xu and Xu Qingwan might still be affected by the recent death of the old Duke, their lives marked by a lingering sorrow.