Chapter 2597: Chapter 4: Xuan Jing Solely Judges_2
Zhongxuan Sheng wasted no time with idle talk and directly activated the Zhong Xuan Ability.
Bam!
The poor Marquis of Bowang, without seeing anything, was kicked entirely out of the study.
The door slammed shut.
Only Jiang Someone’s voice was sent out: "Housekeeper, see the guest out!"
...
...
The funeral held at the Shuofang Earl’s Mansion was completely a private family ceremony.
No one was invited to participate in the worship, white flags were not shown outside, nor was mourning music heard beyond the courtyard.
Jiang Wang and Zhongxuan Sheng came to pay respects, naturally in a low-key manner.
The two of them, along with Shisi, dressed in plain clothes, all shared a carriage, arriving discreetly at the Bao Residence.
Now that Shisi was Madam Marquise of Bowang, her status was unlike before. It’s said she shouldn’t be following Zhongxuan Sheng everywhere like a personal bodyguard...
But who cares?
The young couple can do as they please.
Shisi was not happy being a household matron or handling business accounts; she just loved to be at Zhongxuan Sheng’s side. Zhongxuan Sheng also loved having her by his side—just a moment without her yesterday, someone took advantage to beat him up, didn’t they?
If Miss Yi were present, Jiang’s reputation would definitely be taken seriously.
Bao Zhongqing’s death only drew a sigh of "what a pity" from outsiders or some sentiment on the loyalty of Shuofang Marquis’s family. The truly sorrowful ones are always the family.
Yet stepping into the Bao Residence, Jiang Wang didn’t sense a sorrowful atmosphere, but rather a seriousness like soldiers being lined up.
On their turf, Jiang Wang and Zhongxuan Sheng did not communicate much. The ceremonial money had been delivered by servants yesterday; they only came to light incense and make an appearance.
Under the guidance of the housekeeper at the Bao Residence, they headed straight to the mourning hall.
The Commander of the Annihilation Thunder Army, Northern Frontier Count Bao Yi, was already waiting outside the mourning hall.
In terms of status and position, Marquis Wu’an Jiang Wang and Marquis Bowang Zhongxuan Sheng now stood on the same level as Bao Yi.
Apart from those few Grandfathers in the Bao family, no one else was qualified to receive them.
Neither Marquis Changhua nor Marquis Yingyong of the Bao family returned to Linzi for the funeral of Princely Heir Bao Zhongqing.
So Bao Yi must personally welcome them.
And since Jiang Wang and Zhongxuan Sheng were juniors after all, he didn’t need to greet them at the main door, just standing by the mourning hall sufficed. This was most appropriate.
"Marquis Wu’an, Marquis Bowang." Bao Yi, dressed in black today, said solemnly: "For Zhongqing to have friends like you is his good fortune, a meaningful presence in the world."
His attire perhaps also hinted at his feelings.
When Bao Bozhao died, Shuofang Marquis personally wore mourning attire. In major family sects, formal mourning attire is required for the death of the family heir, as the heir bore the responsibility of inheriting the ancestral temples and state affairs, regarded as important, hence "father for the eldest son."
After Bao Bozhao’s death, Bao Zhongqing became the sole heir to the Bao family, rightly the Northern Frontier Count’s Princely Heir. Yet Bao Yi didn’t wear mourning for him.
Certainly, no one would blame a father who has lost both his eldest and second sons in succession.
Jiang Wang clasped his hands in greeting: "Grandfather, please accept my condolences. Although I did not have a deep connection with Brother Zhongqing, we studied together at Under Jixuegong, so we can be considered classmates. Today, I offer incense for him and hope he has few regrets."
Zhongxuan Sheng, skilled in diplomacy and charm, didn’t mind being friends with Bao Zhongqing. If interests permitted, he’d even consider a ceremonial brotherhood or afterlife connection.
Jiang Wang, however, differed; even with Bao Zhongqing deceased, he refused to go with the flow and instead stated directly before Bao Yi, "We are not close."
His presence today was to pay respects and maintain decorum but wished for Shuofang Earl’s Mansion to stop there.
The "brotherly bond" between him and Bao Zhongqing had become exaggerated, tales of Marquis Wu’an charging through the enemy ranks in Qi Xia battlefield to save Zhongqing were unnecessary.
Bao Yi showed no anger.
As Zhongxuan Yunbo’s lifespan ended and Zhongxuan Sheng came to the forefront, old grievances between Bao family and Heavy Mystery’s older generation were effectively bygone. The Bao family saw the successive deaths of Bao Bozhao and Bao Zhongqing, ending struggles with the younger Heavy Mystery generation before they even began.
The long-standing political rivalry between the two families would unlikely continue.
Zhongxuan Chuliang, qualified to wrestle with him, had already established his own family.
He and Zhongxuan Sheng facing off would be laughable.
Finding a fitting reason for Bao Zhongqing’s death was one aspect; leveraging the "deep friendship" between Bao Zhongqing and Jiang Wang through a firm yet gentle approach was key to temporarily pacifying Bao and Heavy Mystery families. Unresolved resentment could wait for their grandchildren to grow up.
Zhongxuan Sheng, visiting today as the new Marquis Bowang, suggested acceptance of the intricacies involved in the situation.
What Bao Zhongqing had done or attempted with Jiang Wang was obvious; Jiang Wang’s unwillingness to feign friendliness with a deceased person was a young man’s tendency he understood.
Thus, he simply stepped aside: "Please enter. Your coming would make Zhongqing at peace if he knew from below."
No further mention of friendship.
The mourning hall was not large.
Its arrangements were simple.
Lying in the coffin was just a form set of clothes — reportedly even the body was dissolved by poison from Zhang Linchuan.
Bao Zhongqing’s widow Miao Yuzhi knelt by the side, expression wooden as if a clay statue. Dressed in coarse white hemp, there was a hint of coldness akin to snow.
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