Chapter 1602: Chapter 6: A City Full of Snow
In the fifth year of Yuan Feng, on the twenty-sixth of October, it was the day of Jiang Wuqi’s funeral.
The specifications of this funeral were unprecedented.
The ceremony was presided over by the Imperial Court Adviser, Wen Yanyu, overseeing the Ministry of Rites.
The Son of Heaven decreed:
Ninety guards affiliated with the Longevity Palace, and six hundred officials from the Clan Office were in mourning for twenty-seven days.
All civil and military officials of the court wore mourning clothes without hats for seven days.
Even as respected as the Son of Heaven, they also removed their hats for three days for the ceremony.
An honorary carriage was set up in the main hall of the Longevity Palace, with princes and ministers gathering to perform the rites as per convention.
Outside the hall, a banquet was held, with fifteen seats arranged.
Officials, military, and civilians in Linzi did not celebrate or marry for thirteen days. Nationwide, officials, military, and civilians did not celebrate or marry for three days...
Such a funeral standard far exceeded what a prince should enjoy.
All of Linzi City, for hundreds of miles, was cloaked in frost.
Many establishments, including Linzi’s four great guest houses, brothels, wine shops, and gambling houses, all closed their doors.
The Son of Heaven seemed unsatisfied still, ordering the public execution by dismemberment of twenty-three spies from the Equality Country, including the Rain-slicing Army commander Yan Tu and the third-rank Qing brand catcher Li Youjue, to appease the spirit of the Eleventh Prince.
When a True Man dies, the heavens and earth mourn. To use this in commemoration of the Longevity Palace Master was indeed an immense gesture.
It is said that the commoners waiting to witness the execution blocked the roads for a full five miles, making the execution ground impenetrable.
...
...
"Shall we go have a look?" Chongxuan Sheng of the Jiang Family in Shaking Light Way said, "There’s still some time."
Jiang Wang, dressed in mourning attire, came out from the inner room and asked, "Look at what?"
Chongxuan Sheng squinted his eyes. Unconsciously, the young man in front of him had really grown. In nothing more than rough linen clothes, he had an air of elegance. Moreover, his demeanor while walking exuded Immortal Qi... Is this the benefit of Immortal Technique?
He glanced again at the mourning attire that felt quite uncomfortable... It was indeed ill-fitting!
He thought for a moment, some tailors would have to be brought here, yes, and an additional sedan chair prepared. The potted flowers in the courtyard were also not satisfactory; they needed to be replaced.
With many thoughts flashing through his mind at once, he said out loud, "Li Youjue has caused you so much suffering; don’t you want to see how he gets executed by a thousand cuts? It is said they will make three thousand three hundred and eighteen cuts this time, and he is not allowed to die before the count is complete."
Jiang Wang shook his head, "Since death is already the inevitable outcome, what is there to see?"
"You don’t hate him?" Fourteen rarely spoke up, asking curiously.
"Hate, for causing me harm for no reason at all, how could I not hate him?" Jiang Wang said with earnestness, "If Li Youjue had not been caught and was still alive, I would surely kill him in the future. That is my hatred for him. But that would be it; I only need him dead, I don’t need to watch the process of his death."
"Then let the court do the killing." Chungxuan Sheng said, "Even the Nine Soldier Commander had their people; the power of the Equality Country is stronger than I imagined. It’s not suitable for you to be at the forefront."
Having been targeted by the Equality Country multiple times, Jiang Wang naturally had opinions about them, but he didn’t make any harsh remarks, lightly changing the subject: "Today is the funeral of the Eleventh Prince; we should hurry to offer incense."
Chongxuan Sheng: ...
Jiang Wang then suddenly came to a realization: "Oh, I almost forgot!"
He tidied his collar, casually stating, "Only officials of the third rank and above can enter the main hall of the Longevity Palace to offer incense... ahem, so I shall head there first."
With that, he swished his coat tails, not giving Chongxuan Pang a chance to retaliate, and suavely departed.
Chongxuan Sheng seemed calm, watching the figure leaving, only saying to Fourteen, "I asked the wrong question just now."
Fourteen tilted his head, giving a questioning look.
"I should have asked him if he wanted to study how the Golden Frame and Jade Marrow perform under dismemberment. And whether he wanted to observe up close how a True Man of Flesh receives three thousand three hundred and eighteen cuts. Also, the Sword Style that can break the Golden Frame and Jade Marrow, the Flesh Body of a True Man, is also worth learning."
Fourteen thought for a moment and had to admit Zhongxuan Sheng made a good point; Jiang Wang was indeed someone who would be interested in these things.
"Then are you going to watch?" she asked.
"No." Chongxuan Sheng turned back towards his residence, "The death of a True Man is not that rare."
"Are you not going to the funeral either?" Fourteen pursued until behind.
"The later, the better..." Chongxuan Sheng finally lost his composure, "I get angry just seeing anyone with the surname Jiang!"
...
...
Everywhere lay frost and snow, and Chang Le Palace was no exception.
The Daqi Crown Prince, Jiang Wuhua, in mourning attire, greeted outside the palace gates: "Mother, why do you have time to come today?"
The Daqi Queen grasped his hand, walking quickly into the palace, her steps swift but still maintaining her regal demeanor: "Today is Little Eleven’s funeral, and I was worried you might be overly sad, so I came to see you. I will accompany you to the Longevity Palace later."
Jiang Wuhua then ceased to speak.
The mother and son entered the palace room and sat down.
Queen He looked around: "Where is Ning?"
Jiang Wuhua nonchalantly replied, "Got up late; she’s still dressing herself."
Noticed the queen frown slightly.
He softly explained, "There is an appropriate manner for dressing in plain attire, Ning knows the standard."
Queen He thus passed over the matter and gently waved her hand.
Near serving Palace Maidens retreated, leaving the large palace room with just the mother and son sitting beside each other.
This was the most honored mother and son duo in the entire Eastern Region.
"Eleven yet received the treatment befitting a Crown Prince while the Crown Prince is still very much here! I truly don’t know what His Majesty is thinking!" The Queen’s tone was already quite displeased.
