Chapter 1382: Co-Sacrifice

In truth, there was a thread of "緣分" connecting the State Uncle's Estate and Jiang Wang.

There was a reputable elder in the Gathered Treasure Commerce Guild named Cao Xing, who was none other than a man of the Great Qi's State Uncle, He Fu.

To put it plainly, he was there in name for He Fu, receiving filial offerings from the Gathered Treasure Commerce Guild.

Xu Fang's self-剖心問罪 outside the Cyan Stone Palace initiated the collapse of the Gathered Treasure Commerce Guild, directly severing one of He Fu's sources of wealth.

Later, when Chong Xuan Sheng dismantled the Gathered Treasure Commerce Guild and Jiang Wang slew Su She, they thoroughly consigned this once prominent commercial organization to the dust.

Judging by this, although Jiang Wang had not engaged in any direct conflict with the State Uncle's Estate, upon closer examination, there were indeed underlying tensions.

However, He Zhen truly had no intention of seeking trouble with Jiang Wang today. Perhaps he had entertained the thought before, but Jiang Wang's meteoric rise in stature far outpaced the realization of his intentions.

By the time he resolved to act, his supposed opponent had already become a Third Rank Golden Gourd Warrior of Great Qi, enfeoffed as Qing Yang Zi!

In all aspects, Jiang Wang surpassed him by more than just a notch.

It could be said that aside from his imperial kinship, there was absolutely nothing about him worthy of mention before Jiang Wang.

Encountering him in the Palace of Longevity today, he genuinely wished to forge a friendship.

Not long ago, he had been caught red-handed by Zheng Shangming, the son of the Northern Court Commander, for reckless chariot driving in the marketplace, serving as a warning to others. While the Great Qi State Uncle's Estate sounded illustrious and influential, lacking significant backing from the Crown Prince and the Empress, they were utterly powerless against the Northern Court. He could only accept the punishment and responsibility with clenched teeth.

However, speaking of it in detail, Jiang Wang and Zheng Shangming shared a longstanding friendship. Furthermore, rumor had it that Zheng Shi intended to step down as Northern Court Commander, and Jiang Qing Yang, who had displayed his Outer Tower demeanor in the Star-Moon Plains, was highly likely to assume this position of considerable authority.

If he were to become friends with Jiang Wang, would Zheng Shangming still trouble him in the future?

Wouldn't he be able to stride sideways within the Northern Court?

Not to mention, Jiang Wang was already widely recognized as a peerless figure with immeasurable potential in the future.

If he could recruit this individual for the Crown Prince, would his father still scold him for being unlearned and incompetent? Would the Empress still regard him, her nephew, with indifference?

He knew his own lack of consequence, but the Crown Prince was the nation's heir, the future Emperor of Great Qi. No matter how arrogant Jiang Qing Yang might be, could he possibly disrespect the future Emperor of Qi?

Forging a friendship wasn't that complicated.

He was genuinely sincere in his desire for friendship, even having planned where to take Jiang Wang for pleasure and entertainment after the funeral rites. Although there was a rule in the Palace of Longevity against merriment during mourning, he, He Zhen, was a man with connections. If the four renowned establishments were inaccessible, other places offered utopian dreams.

Who would have thought that the Mistress of Glorious Bloom Palace would unleash her wrath so abruptly?

He felt that since entering the hall, his etiquette had been impeccable, and he had shown no disrespect to this highness. Why was she unleashing unwarranted fury upon him?

Damn it, these people surnamed Jiang, every one of them is so capricious!

He Zhen fumed inwardly, attempting to dispel the drowning fear, while scurrying out of the hall.

"He Zhen, what are you doing here, sneaking around?" A dignified voice sounded at just the right moment.

He Zhen felt his head being gently supported by a soft force, and then his entire body was "lifted," standing there with a proud and upright posture.

He recognized his Empress Aunt, of course, as well as the Crown Prince Cousin and Crown Princess Cousin-in-law beside her.

But his mind was still in a state of confusion.

It wasn't until the old eunuch from the Palace of Longevity knelt down in obeisance, "Greetings, Your Highness the Empress, Greetings, Your Highness the Crown Prince, and Your Highness the Crown Princess."

Only then did he come to his senses and respectfully perform the proper salutations.

After he completed the prescribed rituals, the Great Qi Empress asked again, "What is the matter?"

At this moment, Jiang Wang in the hall had already risen, showing respect to Her Imperial Majesty the Empress. Unconsciously, he glanced at Jiang Wuyou from the corner of his eye. Jiang Wuyou remained standing there, her face devoid of expression.

At such close proximity, with the cultivation of the Great Qi Empress, she would certainly not have failed to notice what had transpired in the hall. Therefore, this present inquiry carried profound implications.

"Uh..." He Zhen hesitated for a moment, saying, "It's nothing. I have already offered incense to the Fourteenth Highness. As I have matters at home, I was just about to leave."

He was not utterly foolish, for he did not consider seizing the opportunity to complain to his Empress Aunt.

Jiang Wuhua, standing nearby, spoke in a gentle voice, "Then return slowly on your way."

Clearly, this Crown Prince intended to smooth over the matter.

But Empress He did not agree.

She looked at Jiang Wuyou, who stood by the coffin, and asked in a calm voice, "Wuyou, is that so?"

Since ancient times, imperial families have had difficulty nurturing genuine affection.

As the esteemed Empress of Great Qi, she had always restrained her brother and nephew, preventing them from causing trouble. Even when He Zhen was arrested by the Northern Court for reckless chariot driving in the marketplace, she refused to intervene and rescue him.

For she knew well that even if she did nothing, the blood relationship between her and He Zhen remained. The Northern Court would at most handle matters according to regulations and would never dare go too far. Those cannibalistic methods would not befall He Zhen.

However, if she were to intervene and rescue He Zhen, indulging his violation of Qi law, that would truly be opening a Pandora's Box. It would only unleash the endless greed of He Zhen and his father. A single measure of her compassion would be magnified a hundredfold by He Fu outside, becoming a source of support.

She had always been a remarkably clear-headed individual, understanding that the He family was able to replace the Yin family, apart from Jiang Wuhua, largely because the He family lacked deep roots, allowing the Emperor to feel at ease.

She had also consistently restrained the expansion of the He family's power, unequivocally recognizing that Jiang Wuhua himself was the sole foundation. How illustrious was Jiang Wuliang's maternal Yin family back then, and how are they now?

However...

He Fu, as her only brother, in order not to trouble the Crown Prince, dared not seek official positions, dared not seek titles. Even when earning a little extra income, he would immediately cease upon the slightest sign of disturbance.

He Zhen, as her brother's only son, was still mediocre and accomplishing nothing in his thirties, spending his days only frequenting brothels. Although He Zhen had no ability, there were many people in this world with no ability who occupied lucrative positions. The fact that he could not touch anything, was it not also enduring hardship for the Crown Prince?

Although Empress He did not speak of it, how could she look at her increasingly aging brother each time without a trace of pity?

If He Zhen had committed some crime, it would be one thing. Today, he merely spoke a few words, his voice a little louder, and Jiang Wuyou chased him away like a dog or pig. This was simply too much!

And it showed far too little regard for her, the Empress of Great Qi!

Her unwillingness to let the matter pass easily today was threefold: firstly, to assert her dignity as the Empress of Great Qi; secondly, because she genuinely held dissatisfaction in her heart; and thirdly, to test Jiang Wuyou's confidence.

She wanted to ask what this Jiang Wuyou intended to do.

Having been called by name, Jiang Wuyou could no longer feign deafness. She turned around and courteously saluted Empress He, "Imperial Mother."

"Dispense with the formalities." Empress He raised her palm, blocking her, but she refused to skip the question: "Tell Imperial Mother, what just happened, Wuyou?"

Although her voice was not stern, the atmosphere within the entire mourning hall had suddenly become heavy.

"Alright, Imperial Mother." Jiang Wuhua interjected to smooth things over: "Today is the Eleventh Younger Brother..."

"Did I ask you, Crown Prince?" Empress He did not turn her head, yet she caused the Crown Prince to silence himself.

He Zhen's feelings at this moment were a mixture of anxiety and excitement.

How many years had it been?

His Empress Aunt had finally stood up for him once!

And before the Mistress of Glorious Bloom Palace!

Was this the beginning of the pinnacle of his life?

Looking throughout Linzi City, who would dare provoke him, Master He, from now on?

But this mix of anxiety and excitement was quickly doused with a bucket of cold water.

Jiang Wuyou merely glanced at him indifferently: "Then he shouldn't roll. He should stay here and wait to be an eyesore to Imperial Father."

Feng Gu, the chief eunuch of the Palace of Longevity, who was kneeling outside the hall, remained motionless like a statue.

Jiang Wuhua was silent, and He Zhen froze.

Even Jiang Wuyong, who had been quietly sobbing beside the coffin, forgot to weep at this moment.

Jiang Wang's eyelid twitched.

The Third Princess said she merely had a bad temper before. This was truly too modest...

"Wuyou, you have truly grown up."

Empress He said this coldly, turned back, and looked at He Zhen: "What are you still standing there dumbfounded for?"

"Ah?" He Zhen hadn't fully reacted.

There was no trace of anger on the Empress's face, only a calm voice: "The Mistress of Glorious Bloom Palace told you to roll. Didn't you hear?"

Jiang Wuhua reached out and patted He Zhen's back, showing comfort: "Ah Zhen, you go back first."

He Zhen lowered his head.

"This humble commoner... takes his leave."

He walked out dejected, just seeing a few significant figures who had stopped halfway: Cao Jie, the commander of the Spring Death Army, Xiu Yuan, the commander of the Imprisoned Lightning Army, and Chen Fu, the Grand Master of Imperial Deliberations.

These important figures had clearly sensed what was happening in the mourning hall and did not wish to become entangled in the royal family's troubles, so they had temporarily halted there.

He Zhen felt even more humiliated.

He even felt that everyone sitting at the memorial feast at this moment was secretly mocking him...

Who wouldn't find it laughable?

But what could he do?

He could only bury his head lower.

Within the mourning hall, Jiang Wang maintained his silence.

He realized that he did indeed seem to have arrived a little early. At this time, the mourning hall was almost entirely filled with members of the imperial family. He, as the sole outsider, felt particularly constrained and awkward.

Perhaps he shouldn't have mocked Chong Xuan Pang. Coming specifically one step ahead didn't yield much good either...

Sitting here watching their imperial family stare at each other, saying anything was awkward, and saying nothing was also awkward. It was truly somewhat difficult to bear.

When Jiang Wuhua entered, he did cast a look of comfort.

Beside him, the Crown Princess Song Ning'er, was a virtuous and elegant woman. Her face was unadorned, and her demeanor in her movements exuded grace. However, her personality should not be rigid. The look in her eyes as she regarded Jiang Wang, this rising star of the younger generation in Great Qi, was filled with curiosity.

Jiang Wang was not curious about the Crown Princess. He merely felt that the Crown Princess's unadorned face and Jiang Wuyou's unadorned face seemed to be subtly different, yet he couldn't pinpoint where the difference lay.

The Great Qi Empress, on the other hand, walked forward expressionlessly, her bearing dignified, her phoenix eyes containing majesty.

The attending palace maids and eunuchs remained outside the hall.

No one spoke in the hall, nor were there any other sounds.

This made the Empress's very soft footsteps sound remarkably heavy.

Jiang Wuyou silently yielded the position beside the coffin. Without saying a word, she walked directly beside Jiang Wang, but did not immediately sit down. She merely glanced at the chair where He Zhen had been sitting.

Jiang Wang reacted and quickly got up, exchanging this chair with the one beside it.

Only then did Jiang Wuyou smooth her clothes and sit down, but she still remained silent.

Jiang Wang's seat was on the outermost edge of the mourning hall. From here, with a slight lean, he could see Feng Gu kneeling outside the hall... He was almost deteriorating three times a day, looking so aged that one could not bear to see him.

Jiang Wang found it neither appropriate to stare at Feng Gu, nor convenient to speak with Jiang Wuyou. Of course, he could even less stare at the Crown Princess. He could only fix his gaze on the coffin in the hall.

Regardless of how glorious and brilliant a figure, regardless of how beautiful and exquisite a coffin, under the eternal significance of death, all are without ripple.

The Empress's hand rested on the edge of the coffin.

And her voice carried a faint sorrow: "Eleventh Younger Brother, you have suffered. Your body was weak since childhood. Having finally reached this age, yet... Imperial Mother failed to take good care of you. My heart is truly filled with shame."

The Crown Princess Song Ning'er supported her, gently consoling her: "Imperial Mother, please restrain your grief. The Eleventh Brother, being divine in spirit, surely does not wish you to be sorrowful."

The Crown Prince walked alone to the other side of the coffin, reaching Jiang Wuyong's side.

Jiang Wuyong attempted to rise and yield, but was held down by his outstretched hand.

He directly knelt beside Jiang Wuyong, one hand resting on his shoulder, the other holding his hand: "Wuyong, you have lost a kind elder brother. I have lost a virtuous younger brother. We..."

His voice choked, making it difficult to continue. He only held Jiang Wuyong's hand, tightening his grip again and again.

Jiang Wuyong only called out "Brother," and then tears streamed down his face.

There were actually no kneeling cushions or straw mats on the ground, so they were kneeling directly on the cold floor.

And in the coffin lay a person who would never hear cries, never see tears.

Cao Jie, Xiu Yuan, and Chen Fu, three high-ranking officials of the Qi State, arrived together at this moment.

They did not speak much. Following the protocol, they paid their respects to the Empress and the Crown Prince, then offered incense before the altar.

The Empress asked them to be seated first, so they found seats for themselves.

Jiang Wuyou sitting next to Jiang Wang had already disrupted the order, so they also sat quite casually.

Chen Fu was a person who appeared very wise. His eyes were deep, his temples slightly frosted. After offering incense, he chose a seat behind the Crown Prince.

Xiu Yuan, possessing both scholarly elegance and sharp intensity, silently found a chair on Jiang Wang's side and sat down.

Among the high-ranking military and political officials in Linzi, others might not come, but he had to. After all, it was Jiang Wuqi, who now lay in the coffin, who had helped clear his name.

Cao Jie still wore that pained expression, sitting silently beside Chen Fu.

Among these three, Jiang Wang was only familiar with Cao Jie. He had met Chen Fu a few times, while Xiu Yuan was a first encounter.

In response to Jiang Wang's respectful gaze, the three significant figures appeared very benevolent. As for the undercurrents between the Great Qi Empress and the Mistress of Glorious Bloom Palace, they all pretended not to see them.

"Born in winter, after death, snow covers the city."

A voice like a lament echoed outside the hall.

The Ninth Prince of Great Qi, Jiang Wuxie, entered the mourning hall in such an atmosphere.

He looked at the coffin placed in the hall, sighing: "Even if a True Lord is buried with him, and Divine Realm figures shed sorrowful blood, how can it be worthy of you, Jiang Wuqi?"

Seeing Jiang Wuxie again today, he wore mourning attire, his long hair bound with a wooden hairpin. That slightly wicked and unrestrained temperament had significantly subsided.

He slowly walked to the front of the coffin and placed a drop-shaped piece of white jade into the coffin, right at the foot of Jiang Wuqi.

Only then did he salute the Empress beside the coffin: "Imperial Mother, please restrain your grief. Do not injure yourself with excessive sorrow."

"Wuxie..." The Empress looked at this extraordinarily handsome prince, saying kindly: "What did you give Wuqi?"

"Soul Calming Jade." Jiang Wuxie said softly: "Although I know it's of little use... it's a comfort nonetheless."

Soul Calming Jade was a precious treasure suitable for soul cultivation. Jiang Wuxie had found it somewhere, yet he readily used it as a burial object for Jiang Wuqi. It could not be said that his affection was not deep.

By this point, all the imperial descendants of Great Qi who were qualified to contend for the dragon throne had arrived here.

Gathered to mourn Jiang Wuqi.

Genius in one second: m.173kxsw