Chapter 1384: Utmost Grief

None among those who reached this station through the treacherous currents of political strife was a fool.Feng Gu's current attitude was a natural extension of Jiang Wuqi's will in life.His goodwill towards Jiang Wang extended beyond Jiang Wang himself. He treated Jiang Wang well, not merely for Jiang Wang's talent, but because Jiang Wang was in Qi and served in Qi. He wished for a prodigy like Jiang Wang to draw closer to the state of Qi, even if Jiang Wang were to become a de facto aid to the Hua Ying Palace.What occupied his thoughts, heart, and soul was the entirety of the Great Qi Empire.The Great Qi, where prodigies gathered like clouds, was his, Jiang Wuqi's, home and country.This included his valiant embrace of death. In his final moments before the Son of Heaven, what he uttered was "there must be no hidden worries within the army," his mind set on the grand endeavors of Qi.Such breadth of vision and magnanimity, how could they not stir the heart?The Son of Heaven of Qi gazed at Feng Gu for a long while, as though seeing in this old eunuch that person who had drifted further and further away, never to return.Finally shifting his gaze back to Jiang Wang, he sighed, "Minister Jiang, please forgive a father's grief and suspicion. I spoke rashly."Jiang Wang bowed deeply, utterly silent, and returned to his former position.Jiang Wuqi's death brought immense repercussions to the struggle for the dragon throne in the entire state of Qi.Looking across the palaces, it was originally the Chang Sheng Palace that posed the greatest threat to the Crown Prince.This was a prince with virtually no flaws, save for an innate severe illness.Even the fatal flaw of the cold toxin entering his very being was masked by his talent and vision, for a long period of time, making it almost imperceptible.Though it was a problem that would be considered unsolvable for anyone else, before Jiang Wuqi truly died, many believed he would surely overcome it.He simply inspired that kind of confidence in people.And at this very moment of Jiang Wuqi's passing, the landscape of the struggle for the dragon throne in Qi underwent a dramatic shift. As the Eastern Palace, the Crown Prince needed to re-establish his position.But as the benevolent Eastern Palace, the Crown Prince ought to maintain cordial relations with his siblings. Having grieved so deeply for his brother today, how could he engage in further contention?The Empress also felt the ties of blood, unable to completely sever them. But why could she overlook He Zhen's imprisonment and punishment on other days, yet could not ignore his humiliation today?This was precisely the reason.As the Crown Prince's birth mother, she could secure the Crown Prince's position without tarnishing his reputation for benevolence.A casual reprimand towards Jiang Wuyou for her humiliated nephew, even if exaggerated to the heavens, was merely human nature. A mother instructing her daughter, what fault was there in that?If Jiang Wuyou retorted, it would be unfilial and disrespectful of etiquette. If she yielded, she would be seen as inferior to the Eastern Palace.But Jiang Wuyou paid the proper respects and yielded the path when necessary. From beginning to end, while losing not an iota of her imposing presence, she consistently directed her focus towards He Zhen, exhibiting impeccable control of her demeanor.Before Jiang Wuqi's bier, even the Empress could not be overbearing and could only gently let it pass, telling He Zhen to "scram."Before the Great Qi Empress, He Zhen was driven out of Jiang Wuqi's mourning hall. If this spread, who would be seen as arrogant?Jiang Wuyou silently took a seat beside Jiang Wang. As the mistress of the Hua Ying Palace, sitting in the outermost position was intended to show who held sway here, whose voice was loudest. She had indeed ordered He Zhen to scram, but He Zhen's departure was not solely her decision...And Jiang Wuyong, weeping and sniveling, how could he not know his thoughts were clear to his brothers and sisters? He merely sought the Son of Heaven's empathy.When the Crown Prince embraced him in a display of brotherly affection, he too shed tears, fulfilling his duty as a younger brother.Jiang Wuxie arrived the latest among his siblings, thus demonstrating his profound sentiment with lavish gifts.But gifts were useless to the present Jiang Wuqi, and excessive ones were ostentatious.When the Empress asked what he had sent, it was a casual trap. Jiang Wuxie simply brushed it aside with the words "an expression of sentiment"...Those of the imperial family always lived a weary existence. The undercurrents here were not difficult to discern.Only, this happened before Jiang Wuqi's bier!Thus, the Son of Heaven grew angry.Jiang Wuqi had, in the end, fulfilled his duty as a subject and died before him as a son, pure and unsullied.His arrival in mourning robes today was not without a final remembrance, yet he still had to witness these people squabble.How could he not be angry?However, the struggle for the imperial succession had grown more and more intense, reaching this point... it had occurred with his silent assent all along. Without contending with the raging waves, the dragon would not be revealed. Without being tested by the fierce wind, the sturdy pine would not be shown.How could he be angry for this?This sorrow, this sentiment, was truly difficult to articulate. As the ruler of this myriad-chariot state, every word and action had to be carefully considered. He could only question his children by questioning Jiang Qingyang.While Jiang Qingyang's response was indeed resolute, such sharp-edged young men were precisely what the Son of Heaven needed.He did not take it as defiance; his silence was more a form of observation.Observing the different thoughts of each person in this mourning hall.Governing this myriad-chariot state, not a moment of slack could be afforded.Feng Gu's words, while explaining for Jiang Wang, made him miss Jiang Wuqi even more.This child, whose fate was sealed while still in the womb, how much had he silently done for the Great Qi realm?And the Son of Heaven suddenly realized...He alone no longer needed to observe Jiang Wuqi.Just as Jiang Wuqi had said—"Now you can believe your son."The Son of Heaven could not be without suspicion.However, this word "suspicion," sometimes, as Jiang Qingyang said... "how deeply it wounds a subject?"The Son of Heaven of Qi sighed deeply, "Minister Jiang, I retract my previous words. Please forgive a father's grief."Within the mourning hall, silence still reigned. But within people's hearts, a tempest raged, unquenchable by anyone.This Son of Heaven, who had achieved the hegemony of Great Qi, actually admitted his error!Who was Jiang Wang truly?The person the Son of Heaven hated was currently being dismembered at the execution ground, Yan Tu, who had fought for Great Qi for decades, achieving countless merits and being listed in the Hall of Military Affairs. In an instant, he became a prisoner, without even the chance to meet the Son of Heaven and plead his case.The person the Son of Heaven loved, with a love heavier than mountains, was right before his eyes.Therefore, with the dignity of the Son of Heaven, he apologized to Jiang Wang. With the weight of the world, he grieved for Jiang Wuqi alone.There was no sound within the hall, only the voice of the Son of Heaven of Qi echoing."There is one of the Jiang clan named Wuqi, my beloved son. Born in the depths of winter, cut from his mother's womb. I said to my beloved concubine Lei, 'Wuqi, abandon not my son,' yet in the end, Heaven was jealous!The cold toxin entered his being, life a path to extinction from birth. Yet his will never faded, his ambition never waned, contending with Heaven for life for seventeen years. With a single step into the Divine Landing realm, he gouged out the rot within my Great Qi.I loved him, I grieved for him, an sorrow unmatched in my life!"The Son of Heaven of Qi stood before the coffin, a slight tilt of his head allowing him to see Jiang Wuqi's sleeping face.His gaze swept over Jiang Wuhua, briefly passing over Jiang Wuyong, lingering on Jiang Wuyou's face, and also sweeping over Jiang Wuxie.At that instant, his power was like mountains and seas: "Wuqi's death is my great misfortune, and your great fortune!"Jiang Wuhua, Jiang Wuyong, Jiang Wuyou, Jiang Wuxie, all knelt on the ground, unable to raise their heads!The Crown Princess also knelt with Jiang Wuhua.The Great Qi Empress lowered her eyes and remained silent.Considering the years, how many tumultuous events the Emperor of Great Qi had experienced, yet he spoke of a sorrow unmatched in his life.This man by her side, the head of the inner palace, could not speak after all.The Son of Heaven of Qi lowered his head to look at Jiang Wuqi, at this handsome face, etched with frost.After a long silence, he gently parted his lips with his hand, took out a piece of white jade from his sleeve, and placed it in his mouth."Your jade, your Imperial Father returns to you."Placing treasure in the mouth, a funeral rite.The Son of Heaven of Great Qi personally completed this step.And it declared that Jiang Wuqi, in a legal sense, had truly died.Of course, when he departed, he was pure, like flawless jade.This purity was attested to by the Son of Heaven.Feng Gu's forehead pressed against the ground, weeping uncontrollably, old tears streaming down his face.Jiang Wang had said earlier in Jiang Wuqi's study that he hoped Jiang Wuqi, when he left, had obtained what he wanted.Feng Gu understood that Jiang Wuqi had already obtained it...Returning Jiang Wuqi's guilt-laden jade to Jiang Wuqi, this simple action seemed to have restored the Son of Heaven of Qi to tranquility.The immense pressure felt by everyone in the mourning hall dissipated instantly."Return to the palace," the Son of Heaven said, no longer looking at Jiang Wuqi, nor at the mourning hall again, and walked out alone.Han Ling followed behind, saying nothing.The Son of Heaven walked from the side where the Empress had been standing. To his right was the coffin, and to his left were the kneeling Crown Princess and Jiang Wuxie.He walked past.He walked past the standing Xiuyuan, the kneeling Jiang Wuyou, the perfectly upright Jiang Wang, and finally walked past the prostrate Feng Gu, leaving the main hall of the Chang Sheng Palace arranged as a mourning hall.He simply walked away and did not look back.According to ritual, the entire funeral was not yet complete, and not everyone had arrived. The final condolences still needed to be presided over by Wen Yanyu.But the Son of Heaven had already left.Jiang Wuhua, Jiang Wuyong, Jiang Wuyou, and Jiang Wuxie were all speechless for a moment.Jiang Wang remained silent. For the first time, he felt the emotions of the Son of Heaven of Qi.Beneath the deep sea, there were also raging waves.The Great Qi Empress looked at these princes and princesses and said faintly, "Get up, all of you. What are you still kneeling for?"Several princes and princesses rose to their feet.The Empress seemed weary. She turned around and sat down in the first chair. Facing the coffin, she gently raised her left hand and waved outwards, "Those who should leave, leave. I will stay here to accompany Wuqi on his last journey."Her hand fluttered in the air, conveying a sense of powerlessness.Although the Empress said this, none of the princes or princesses could possibly leave now.The Son of Heaven had just asked why they came so early, who they wanted to show off to. If they left immediately after the Son of Heaven, they would truly be running headfirst into trouble.The Empress's words had fallen a while ago.Cao Jie rose and said, "This minister still has military matters unfinished and requests to be excused."Immediately after, Chen Fu and Xiuyuan also rose and left.For powerful ministers like them, listed in the Hall of Military Affairs and the Hall of Political Affairs, there was little that could shake their position, except for grave crimes like treason. They did not need to engage in too much performance.Moreover, holding such a position, they were indeed burdened with various affairs. Being able to come and offer incense today was already considerable respect towards Jiang Wuqi.The incense had been offered, and since the Son of Heaven had left, there was no need for them to remain.Since the three important figures had left, Jiang Wang naturally had even less reason to stay. Although he had originally intended to participate in the entire funeral of Jiang Wuqi today, not genuinely to show off before Chong Xuan Sheng, but to fulfill the friendship of Jiang Wuqi's gift. His genuine intention was to cherish a hero.But with the Son of Heaven's question today, his continued presence here would inevitably carry a hint of performance. Furthermore, he was unwilling to continue enduring the pressure within the imperial family here.Therefore, after exchanging a look with Jiang Wuyou, he took his leave from the Empress.Just as he was stepping out of the palace gate, Feng Gu rose and said, "This old servant will see you off on behalf of His Highness."Jiang Wang subconsciously prepared to refuse, but a thought flashed through his mind, and he said softly, "Thank you, Eunuch."Others didn't think much of it. After all, Feng Gu had spoken out before the Son of Heaven earlier, already demonstrating the friendship between Jiang Wuqi and Jiang Wang.Seeing him off was within reason.Perhaps only Jiang Wang himself knew that his contact with Jiang Wuqi was actually very limited, and their friendship was far from the point of entrusting reputation after death.Feng Gu likely had something to say to him...He waited for Feng Gu to speak along the way.But perhaps because there were many people and loose tongues in the Chang Sheng Palace at this time, Feng Gu remained silent.It wasn't until they reached the screen wall that he suddenly said, "Lordship, do you believe in the Eleventh Highness?"Jiang Wang thought for a moment and said, "I think, the kind of person he was, he has proven with his entire life. I have no reason to doubt him.""Not being able to form a friendship with Lordship earlier was indeed His Highness's regret." Feng Gu suddenly bowed, "I thank you on behalf of His Highness."Jiang Wang quickly supported him, "Eunuch, what are you doing?"Feng Gu took out a handkerchief, wiped the turbid tears from the corners of his eyes, and then said, "His Highness has obtained what he wanted, but what this old dog wants has not yet been realized."Jiang Wang looked at him in surprise.What did he mean?But Feng Gu had already stopped, "This old servant will see you off to here... May Lordship rise swiftly to the heavens and soar ten thousand li hence."With many eyes and ears present, Jiang Wang found it inconvenient to ask in detail and could only bypass the screen wall filled with questions, leaving first.He thought of waiting until the funeral was over to find an opportunity to ask about the situation.When he left the palace gate, he happened to see Wen Yanyu calmly instructing the officials of the Ministry of Rites, overseeing every aspect of the funeral, down to the smallest detail.Putting aside other things, the cultivation of composure in these important figures was truly first-rate.For Wen Yanyu, with the dignity of a Grand Master of the Court, to oversee the funeral of the Eleventh Prince was, of course, a reflection of the specifications.But the Son of Heaven's early departure immediately scattered half of the people's hearts. Those of sufficient weight, like Cao Jie and Chen Fu, also left after offering incense.It could be said that this was already a thankless task destined to be difficult.And although the Son of Heaven had left, his work could not stop there. For someone of his caliber to be responsible for the funeral, it had to have a beginning and an end.It was already a case of using great talent for a small task, and this complicated and detailed work was still subtly overlooked. The悶鬱 contained within was self-evident.But there was no trace of dissatisfaction on Wen Yanyu's face, not even a hint of impatience. It seemed as if he didn't feel it was a waste to be doing such a job.This time, Jiang Wang proactively stepped forward, bid him farewell, and then left the Chang Sheng Palace.Today, he had set out intending to show off before Chong Xuan Sheng, but Chong Xuan Sheng hadn't even arrived yet, and he had already finished his condolences and left. The affairs of the world were truly difficult to describe.Lord Jiang did not travel on foot this time. The Jiang Manor steward, Xie Ping, had already prepared the arrangements and arranged for a coachman and carriage.However, when he reached his carriage, he saw an unexpected person—Xiuyuan, the commander of the Zhan Yu Army.This person was sitting inside a tall carriage, beckoning to him, "Come in."The carriage from Lord Jiang's manor was dwarfed by the carriage of a Nine Corps Commander, looking rather shabby, like a child's toy.Steward Xie Ping and the newly hired coachman from the Jiang Manor stood obediently, not daring to speak.At that time, the long street in front was desolate, and the palace gate behind was deep.The autumn wind was piercingly cold.The entire bustling and noisy city of Linzi mourned Jiang Wuqi in silence."You two can go back first."Jiang Wang instructed, then climbed into Xiuyuan's carriage.