Chapter 57 – Funeral Procession

The news of bereavement came at dawn, when Xu Chun was still sound asleep in Xie Yi’s room, enjoying the fragrance he loved so much that Xie Yi allowed him to rest in the Hidden Scale Courtyard. As the morning light began to brighten, they lay entwined, embracing each other in slumber, while the subtle, lingering scent filled the room.

The door knocker sounded softly, but it was Xie Yi who woke up first, asking, “What is it?”

Liu Fu whispered, “Chun Xi has come to report that a message arrived from the city, the matriarch of the Jingguo Duke’s Mansion has passed away.”

Xie Yi’s brows furrowed slightly. He knew the matriarch, born into high society, had chosen to end her own life before the Ministry of Rites could revoke her title, ensuring her burial with the honor of a Lady of Imperial Decree, preserving her dignity in death. According to tradition, unless someone had committed grave offenses, their posthumous honors were usually not revoked after their passing, allowing them to maintain face. Indeed, coming from a family steeped in bureaucratic history, she had seen many things.

Xie Yi looked down at Xu Chun, who was still tightly holding onto his waist. The curve of his spine, alluringly exposed, caught the light from the window, casting a lustrous sheen akin to silk. The satin blankets were crumpled beneath his long legs, his sleeping posture still poor. But his features were serene, his thin lips pursed, making him appear calm and obedient even in his deep sleep. Only Xie Yi remembered how lively and bold he had been the night before, stirring up flames and causing all sorts of disturbances, leading to his eventual breakdown, gasping cries, and pitiful pleas for mercy.

In the midst of their conversation, Xu Chun showed no reaction, clearly exhausted. Xie Yi’s fingers gently landed on his shoulder, slowly moving across, caressing from the shoulder down to the spine. Under his palm, the skin felt like silk, undulating with every touch. He recalled the tautness of the body when arched under his ministrations, the suppressed sobs, the fragile cries that shattered at the slightest touch—the sensation of dominating him was exquisite.

His fingers lingered around the waist for a moment, and Xu Chun, sensing something in his dream, tensed his midriff slightly and tried to subtly evade, his eyelashes fluttering, yet he remained asleep.

Xie Yi leaned down, lifting his chin slightly with his fingers, and kissed him.

Xu Chun, still half-asleep, was drawn to the focused, entangling kiss. Just as he wanted to respond, Xie Yi suddenly released his lips, letting go of his chin as well, and ran his hand over his blushing cheeks and kiss-swollen lips. “Wake up.”

Xu Chun was utterly bewildered. “What happened? Brother Jiu?”

Xie Yi stroked his hair. “There’s an urgent matter at your mansion; get up, change your clothes, and have something to eat.” His expression was unreadable, his eyes dark.

Xu Chun got up, still not fully awake. Getting out of bed proved quite difficult; his limbs were heavy and weary. Struggling against the weight of his eyelids, he rose, as Xie Yi instructed Liu Fu and others, “Bring hot water in for the Prince to wash his face and comb his hair.” He then got up to change his own clothes.

Soon, Chun Xi and Xia Chao entered to assist Xu Chun in washing his face, combing his hair, and changing his clothes. Xu Chun noticed that the robe presented to him was plain, and his face and lips paled. “What happened at the mansion?”

Xie Yi turned to hold Xu Chun’s suddenly cold hand. “Don’t worry, it’s not your parents.”

Chun Xi whispered, “The messenger rushed out of the city gates as soon as they opened, reporting that the Dowager Lady fell gravely ill last night and passed away.”

Xu Chun couldn’t believe it. “How could this be? The Dowager Lady has always been in good health, without any illness. Could there have been a mistake in the message?”

Chun Xi replied, “The messenger brought mourning attire, saying that Madam instructed him to wear it when returning home, and to be careful on the journey, not to rush too much. Eat something, don’t go hungry.”

Xu Chun’s eyes welled up with tears as he turned to look at Xie Yi. Xie Yi said calmly, “For mourning a grandmother, you must observe the Qi Cui ritual. Go back quickly. I was also going to suggest taking a break these days, it’s time to return. Don’t worry about me, I’ll arrange my own return. You should head back to the mansion first.”

Xu Chun hastily bid farewell to Xie Yi and got into the carriage, rushing back to the Jingguo Duke’s Mansion. Indeed, by the time he arrived, white banners hung from the gate, a sea of white covered the place. The main doors were wide open, and mourning pavilions and memorial arches had been erected. Inside, wails echoed through the air, as servants and retainers dressed in white bustled about, greeting guests and handling affairs. Upon exiting the carriage, a servant helped Xu Chun put on his mourning attire and led him to the main hall where the coffin rested, where he burned incense and paper money, shedding bitter tears.

Sheng Madam then took him inside, asking if he had eaten while also saying, “During the seven-day mourning period, relatives and guests will come to pay respects and accompany the funeral procession. Your father will lead you three brothers in welcoming guests, offering sacrifices, and mourning beside the coffin. Take care of yourself.”

Xu Chun asked, “Grandmother was fine just a few days ago, why did she suddenly pass away?”

Sheng Madam whispered, “Last night, she suddenly complained of chest tightness, palpitations, and chest pain. The doctor diagnosed it as a case of angina pectoris and administered Suhe Xiang Pills, but she passed away before dawn. Such things are common in elderly people. The matriarch didn’t suffer much, and sixty years is considered a ripe old age. Don’t be too grief-stricken; make sure to eat properly to avoid harming your vital energy.”

Seeing Sheng Madam’s preoccupied and haggard appearance, Xu Chun hurriedly said, “Mother, please take care, the arrangements for the servants and stewards, the kitchen and tea preparations, and the funeral procession will likely fall on you. I’ll have Qing Qian come back to help you.”

Sheng Madam was touched and gave him further instructions, calling over a few young servants and giving them orders to stay close to their young masters during these days before leaving in a hurry.

The sudden death in the Jingguo Duke’s Mansion caught everyone off guard. During the first few days, most of those who came to offer condolences were relatives and friends, not too difficult to handle. Xu Anlin reported his bereavement to the officials, and the Ministry of Rites soon sent representatives, stating that the Emperor’s grace was profound, considering the family’s military achievements, granted two thousand taels of silver and instructed the Ministry of Rites to lead the memorial ceremony.

As word spread about the Ministry of Rites leading the memorial ceremony, the Jingguo Duke’s Mansion became a hub of activity for several days, with a steady stream of mourners. Monks and nuns chanted sutras to relieve the deceased’s suffering, while Taoist priests set up altars to exorcise grievances. Various tasks piled up. For forty-nine days, Xu Chun spent most of his time welcoming and seeing off guests at the coffin, visibly losing weight. However, it was Xu Gu who startled him, having refused food since guarding the coffin; his eyes were deeply sunken, and his complexion had withered after just a few days.

A month passed quickly, and the seventh day of the seventh week approached. Relatives from the Sheng family arrived to attend the funeral, including Uncle Sheng Tongyu with his second son, Sheng Changyun, and third son, Sheng Changtian. The Jingguo Duke personally greeted Sheng Tongyu and escorted him to the flower hall in the rear for the rites. Seeing Sheng Tongyu, Xu Chun felt a strong sense of familiarity and asked, “How are Grandfather and Grandmother doing? Why didn’t Cousin Changzhou come?”

Sheng Tongyu patted his head. “They’re all well, just worried about you two. Your cousin Changzhou mentioned you’ve grown more sensible since his last visit; indeed, you’ve matured. Your mother and I have some things to discuss. Take your two cousins out for a walk and have some tea and food. You look pale, probably worn out, so take a break.”

Xu Chun noticed his mother’s reddened eyes, knowing she was moved by seeing her younger brother. Since the front was taken care of by the Jingguo Duke and Xu Gu, he agreed to take Sheng Changyun and Sheng Changtian out to the inner garden for a vegetarian meal.

When they were alone, Sheng Changtian whispered to Xu Chun, “What did you tell Big Brother last time? After he went home, he made us kneel in the ancestral hall for half a day, insisting we corrupted you and got you interested in men!”

Embarrassed, Xu Chun replied, “Let’s not talk about that. I already told Big Brother it wasn’t your fault; I just wanted to try…”

Sheng Changyun added, “I said Little Carp always has his own ideas. Poor us, we were implicated. Big Brother interrogated our bookboys thoroughly.”

Xu Chun poured them some wine. “You two have come a long way; you must be tired. Have some tea and food, please don’t blame your little brother.”

Sheng Changtian remarked, “Who would really blame you for such things? Seeing your family’s troubles, you’ve lost weight. But what shocked me was your haughty elder brother; he looked devastated.”

Xu Chun explained, “Who knows what he’s thinking. Maybe he’s genuinely heartbroken. Grandmother cared a lot about his future. There was some tension over the matter of leaving the capital recently, so he might feel regretful. I heard Aunt is sick and hasn’t shown up these days. Mother has been handling everything. Many ladies of imperial decree have visited, and mother has been greeting them alone, which is exhausting. The Bai family sent someone to burn incense and inquire about the illness, but their expressions weren’t friendly. They treated Big Brother coldly, ignoring his greetings and not even bothering to give a meeting gift, acting quite distant.”

“What’s strange is that Elder Sister claimed to be sick and couldn’t come. Only Han Brother-in-Law came to pay respects, rather coldly. The gifts were meager. After burning incense, he left. Hearing that Aunt was sick, he didn’t even send a servant to check on her. I saw Father was quite angry that day but didn’t say anything. He told Mother that this relative is now considered estranged.”

Sheng Changtian, always straightforward and unreserved, commented, “Your elder sister has been childless for many years, so it’s no wonder they dislike her. Now that the matriarch is gone, they’re probably planning to split the family estate. Anyway, it doesn’t concern your branch. Still, your father is a duke; logically, they should try to curry favor with your family, especially since it’s the matriarch’s funeral. If they dared to be disrespectful, it’s likely your family is somehow at fault. I suspect your elder sister must have done something wrong, which they’re keeping secret for the sake of appearances. Perhaps your aunt’s illness and the matriarch’s sudden death are related.”

Xu Chun muttered, “Who knows about the inner workings of the household. The maidservants say everything seemed fine that night, but the next day, we learned the matriarch had passed away. Discussions about it are forbidden in the mansion. Immediately after her death, all the servants and maids around her were sent to the nearby manor by the ancestral tomb, claiming they hadn’t served her diligently enough.”

Sheng Changyun, who rarely gossiped, suddenly interjected, “The matriarch’s servants must have been under her influence for a long time, deeply entrenched. If Aunt doesn’t take this opportunity to find a pretext to dismiss them, it will be hard for her to establish authority in the future. Although the matriarch always doted on you, your mother has suffered many injustices. Don’t blame your mother; she’s had a hard time.”

Xu Chun was embarrassed, aware of the Sheng family’s efforts to mend relations between them and their mother. He explained, “I understand, but it’s just odd, not blaming Mother. Mother wouldn’t care about the wealth of the dukedom. Perhaps there were genuine reasons for their lack of service. Besides, they need to prepare the manor and the family temple, maybe sending them there can help arrange the burial and other matters in advance, since the coffin needs to stay there until a suitable date for interment.”

“What’s even stranger is that I heard Xu Gu wants to live at that manor to mourn the matriarch! Isn’t that bizarre? Although Uncle isn’t around, he’s the heir of the main branch, so he should mourn for his father. But Father is still alive in our branch, and he’s not the designated heir-grandson.”

Sheng Changyun responded, “Didn’t you say he’s achieved success through the imperial examinations? Perhaps he’s seeking a reputation for filial piety to advance his career later. Moreover, with the matriarch gone, you mentioned the Bai family doesn’t treat him well. He might not have a good life living with his mother in the mansion, so it makes sense for him to avoid the situation by mourning.”

Xu Chun added, “Maybe so. I heard from Third Brother that Grandmother saw Big Brother before she passed, and it seems the family’s assets were divided. Mother told me that Grandmother left everything related to her dowry to the main branch, telling White Bi and the others to keep separate accounts, waiting for the mourning period to end before dividing the estate. I’m not sure if this was planned beforehand or decided hastily due to her deteriorating health.”

Sheng Changtian sneered. “Aunt certainly doesn’t lack resources. From my perspective, your family’s matriarch probably favored the main branch more.” Sheng Changyun stomped on his foot, distorting his face. Sheng Changtian glared at Changyun but remained silent. Sheng Changyun said, “Third Cousin speaks without filter; don’t take it to heart.”

Xu Chun casually mentioned, “Uncle was indeed virtuous and talented, so it’s understandable that Grandmother favored him.” However, he recalled what Ninth Brother had said about his father’s and his own tarnished reputations, which now seemed to echo what his cousin implied. It appeared clear to those with discerning eyes that Grandmother still cherished the memory of her deceased eldest son. Feeling gloomy, Xu Chun thought about his hasty parting from Ninth Brother. With mourning ahead, he wondered how long it would be before he could see him again, his heart growing desolate.

Changyun and Changtian tried to cheer him up, making small talk. They mentioned the precious gifts prepared by Changzhou, the thriving business of his publishing house outside the capital, and tales of foreign lands. Changtian recounted his adventures at sea, the exotic sights and people he encountered, the valuable goods he brought back, the amount of merchandise sold, and the profits earned. He loved traveling and adventure, spending only a few months a year in Minzhou, mostly aboard ships.

Enviously, Xu Chun said, “I once talked about sailing the seas with you, but who knows when that dream will come true.”

However, Sheng Changtian was daring and unconcerned. “If you want to go, just do it. We have ships scheduled to depart for Nanyang in the fall, when the seas are calm and safe. This route is incredibly interesting, with an abundance of treasures. Now that you’re mourning, you don’t have to attend school. Talk to Aunt about it; after the mourning period, quietly leave for a few months and come back. People will assume you’re mourning at home.”

Sheng Changyun sternly scolded, “Changtian, are you trying to die? Stop talking nonsense! When you get home, tell Big Brother you incited Little Carp to go to sea and see how he punishes you!”

Muttering, Sheng Changtian said, “We sail to Nanyang several times a year, and it’s always safe. Grandfather mentioned that if Little Carp wants to broaden his horizons, this route is the most comfortable, with wealthy countries along the way. Little Carp can’t sit still at home. After the mourning period, it’s not unreasonable for him to visit his maternal family. It’s better than being cooped up in the capital.”

Xu Chun was somewhat tempted but knew his mother would likely disapprove. He merely said, “I’ll talk to Mother about it slowly.”

On the day of the funeral, the number of guests swelled, with many prominent families from the capital sending representatives. Xu Chun and Xu Gu accompanied Xu Anlin in greeting and seeing off guests. The number of people they met that day was probably the highest since birth, their facial expressions became stiff.

Surprisingly, Xie Fei came in person to offer a roadside sacrifice. Xu Anlin was astonished and hurriedly greeted him himself. Xie Fei merely smiled and exchanged pleasantries, then said to Xu Chun, “Brother Siyuan, please accept my condolences. Unfortunately, you won’t be able to attend the Imperial Academy anymore. I see that Mr. Shen still mentions you occasionally.”

Xu Chun could only smile apologetically and bow. After Xie Fei paid his respects, he left. Later, several classmates from the Imperial Academy arrived, and Xu Chun dealt with them. Then, he saw the trio of top-ranked scholars approaching. Both Xu Chun and Xu Gu went forward to greet them. After they burned incense, He Zhiqiu called Xu Gu aside, leaving Xu Chun puzzled about when Xu Gu had developed a rapport with He Zhiqiu.

He Zhiqiu spoke to Xu Gu in a low voice. “The decree was almost delivered to the Ministry of Personnel, but with your grandmother’s passing, it was put on hold. You’re still awaiting assignment, and after a year of mourning, you can apply for reinstatement. Hopefully, by then, the current emperor’s anger will have subsided. You must focus on your studies at home and avoid further mistakes. How will your mother handle the aftermath?”

Xu Gu bowed, his face filled with remorse. “Thanks to the magnanimity of Uncle and Aunt, they secretly buried my biological mother in the Xu family graveyard, presenting her to the public as the matriarch’s maid, who died loyally serving her mistress. Thank you, Brother He, for your guidance. Before, you helped clear my mother’s name. Everything that happened today is my own doing. After the mourning period, I will submit a memorial to take responsibility and ask for punishment. Even if I am sent back to Lingnan, I will work to redeem myself.”

He Zhiqiu sighed. “It’s all part of our duty. You should thank the emperor for his lenient punishment, ensuring fair trials and rewards. This time, the decree still reached the Ministry of Rites for the memorial ceremony, without revoking the imperial decree, preserving the face of the Jingguo Duke’s Mansion. Indeed, the emperor’s grace is merciful.”

He glanced subtly at Xu Chun, who seemed oblivious, engrossed in conversation with Zhang Wenzheng and Fan Mucun. Reflecting on the case, it was specifically instructed from the palace not to reveal a single detail to the Crown Prince. On the day of the incident, Fang Zixing had verbally conveyed the imperial command, confirming that Crown Prince Xu Chun was accompanying the emperor, thus eliminating any suspicion. The subsequent investigation and arrest of the servants involved were all personally arranged by Fang Zixing. After the case was concluded, He Zhiqiu even received a reward from the palace.

Considering the imperial calligraphy on the printing shop, as well as the previous banned books, He Zhiqiu realized that Crown Prince Xu Chun had already gained the protection of the emperor. He sighed repeatedly, advising Xu Gu, “Your stepmother will likely be taken back by the Bai family after the mourning period. Your elder sister is in the Han family temple and won’t return to the Xu family. Treat Uncle and Aunt well.”

Xu Gu smiled bitterly. “How can I show my face now? After the imperial decree was announced, Uncle was confused, but Aunt looked at me with icy disdain. I have informed Uncle and Aunt that after Grandma is buried, I will reside in the nearby manor by the tomb to mourn. After the mourning period ends, I will head to Lingnan to take up my post. This is the sin I must atone for. If there’s a chance in the future, I will repay the kindness of their upbringing.”

He Zhiqiu sighed. “It’s good that you’ve come to your senses. If there are any difficulties, send someone to inform me. Despite my hardships, I can still provide some assistance.”

Xu Gu shook his head. “Aunt never makes things difficult in such matters. Moreover, before Grandma passed away, she handed over all the property of the main branch to me. Aunt even gave me the Bai family’s dowry. I don’t have such a thick face to accept it, so I told Aunt that she has raised me for many years, and she should distribute it as she sees fit.”

He Zhiqiu sighed. “Madam Sheng is indeed virtuous. The Jingguo Duke… with such a capable wife, it’s certain that Prince Xu will become a capable and virtuous individual. Once this matter fades, you should support the Jingguo Duke’s Mansion more.” He glanced at Xu Chun again and asked Xu Gu, “Prince Xu doesn’t know the intricacies of the situation, does he? You can still cultivate brotherly affection with him, which can be considered a way to repay the kindness of your uncle and aunt.”

Xu Gu shook his head. “After all, it’s a confidential decree. Uncle and Aunt said not to disclose a word to outsiders, originally to preserve the family’s dignity. Later, Grandma… In short, it’s been settled. I won’t tell Chun about it. I’m in this state now; what am I talking about repaying kindness?”

In his heart, he recalled Grandma’s final instructions.

“You were originally determined and talented, resembling your father. I made a mistake by not bringing you back openly and recognizing you as part of the main branch, allowing you to pursue a career through the imperial examinations… Alas, one misstep leads to a series of errors. Now, the emperor’s wrath has fallen upon you, demoting you to Lingnan. I managed to save you once.”

“The current emperor is inscrutable and lacks compassion, making decisions alone, intolerant of any dissent. Even the empress dowager was confined to the imperial temple. I chose to poison myself. You and your uncle can only mourn for a year. Seeing this, the emperor won’t revoke the posthumous honors and immediately exile you from the capital. The glory of the Jingguo Duke’s Mansion remains. After a year, take steps cautiously. Staying in the capital is best, but if that’s not possible, choose a peaceful place for an external appointment. It’s better than going to a disease-ridden region and risking your life. Afterwards, focus on your career and arrange a marriage. Carry on your father’s lineage, and I can die in peace.”

“You should continue to respect Uncle and Aunt. They are actually kind and honest people. As the saying goes, a gentleman can be deceived by propriety. Grandma has been a villain her whole life. Now, she shamelessly asks them not to hold a grudge against you. They promised to continue caring for you, arranging a good marriage for you, and overseeing your personal affairs. You must do well in the future… My whole life, I only loved your father. Unfortunately, heaven didn’t grant him longevity, leaving me with lifelong regret. That’s why I acted foolishly, ultimately failing both you and your uncle and aunt. This is the last evil deed I do, still for your sake.”

“Don’t blame Xu Kui. The root cause lies with me. Your elder sister is naive and deluded. She won’t have a good life in the Han family. As her younger brother, if you frequently send someone to inquire about her, even if the Han family is angry, they won’t endanger her life. After a few years, beg your uncle to find a way to have the Han family divorce her and bring her back. Even if you raise her in your own family temple, it’s better than leaving her in the hands of others to be tormented.”

Xu Gu felt a deep sorrow and regret. If he had earlier revealed the return of his biological mother to Madam Sheng and brought her back openly, abandoning any thoughts of seizing the dukedom, things wouldn’t have ended up like this. All he wanted was to escape and run away. Grandma, who had planned for years, would never let go, ultimately leading to his mother’s tragic end. Grandma had indeed been senile, planning for him for years. Now, both Grandma and his mother had died for his sake, his stepmother had severed ties and returned home, leaving only his elder sister, who had driven their mother to suicide, confined in the Han family. The second branch viewed him as ungrateful, leaving him isolated and friendless, his future in ruins. Wasn’t this all the result of his own misguided actions, leading to his current predicament?

Aware of his distress, He Zhiqiu comforted him further before joining Xu Chun and Xu Gu to escort the coffin away.

He Zhiqiu, along with Zhang Wenzheng and Fan Mucun, then left together.

Zhang Wenzheng sighed. “The two Xu brothers have lost weight; it’s pitiful. Their grief is excessive, but Xu Siyuan looks as pure as snow in his mourning attire, his demeanor more refined than when he was at the academy.”

Fan Mucun, however, seemed contemplative as he asked Zhang Wenzheng, “Did Brother notice the scent on Prince Xu? I’m not very knowledgeable about fragrances, but I couldn’t identify which one it was. It’s quite unique.”

Zhang Wenzheng replied, “Dongye has a keen nose. I didn’t detect anything special. Presumably, Xu Siyuan wouldn’t have the mood to wear perfume at this time. It’s likely the scent of incense and candles from the memorial altar.”