Early on the ninth day of November, a thick fog hung in the air. Paper money was caught up by the autumn wind and fluttered aimlessly, adding to the melancholy atmosphere.
Wei Dongling got up early, washed and dressed neatly. She changed into mourning clothes and, accompanied by La Mei and two palace maids, hurried to the Taiji Palace.
The funeral ceremony for the Fourth Prince was extremely hasty. After all, suicide was not a glorious way to die.
The emperor, wearing a long purple - black robe with dark patterns, stood quietly behind the coffin with the civil and military officials in mourning clothes. Concubine Rong led the concubines, princes, and princesses of the harem and stood at the very back.
The funeral was arranged by the ministers of the Ministry of Rites and the Ministry of Works. The emperor posthumously conferred the title of Marquis of Hanyang on the Tenth Prince, Murong Jingyu, and granted him the fief of Hanzhong.
Since the Fourth Prince was not allowed to be buried in the imperial mausoleum, his coffin had to be transported to Hanzhong to rest with the 80,000 fallen soldiers of the Xue family's army.
Marquis of Hanyang? Wei Dongling couldn't help but smile bitterly inside. With such a posthumous title, it seemed that ever since the appearance of the Tenth Prince, her father had completely forgotten his previous grievances. He wouldn't even bestow a posthumous title that would bring glory to the Fourth Prince. Truly, the royal family was the most heartless!
The funeral ceremony was long and boring. Wei Dongling stood behind the concubines, listening attentively. Seeing everyone around her pinching their handkerchiefs and crying with red - rimmed eyes, she couldn't help but sigh inwardly. They were all such great actors!
Not far to Wei Dongling's right stood the Tenth Prince, silently bowing his head in a daze. She wondered what was going on in his mind at that moment. To the right of the Tenth Prince, several old nurses were quietly coaxing a restless three - year - old boy. The little fellow was very good - looking, but he was clearly impatient and eager to go out and play.
This must be the Twelfth Prince, the son of Concubine Rong who had gained status because of her child! She wondered if this little one could grow up healthily under the "care" of that crazy Tenth Prince.
Finally, when the minister of the Ministry of Rites finished reading the memorial speech and ordered the coffin to be closed, there was a commotion from behind.
The concubines turned around and saw that the sword - wielding guards at the door were blocking a woman and wouldn't let her in.
That woman was Xue. At this moment, being blocked, she was crying hysterically at the door, which made the civil and military officials in the front keep looking back.
The impatient guard at the door tried to push her away. Seeing that she refused to leave no matter what, he drew his sword and put it against Xue's neck.
Wei Dongling, not too far away, clearly saw the guard's wrist holding the sword being hit by a small flying stone, and the sword accidentally fell to the ground.
It was Concubine Shu who made the move.
Taking the opportunity, Xue bit hard on the hand of the guard who was grabbing her shoulder, shook them off, and lifted her dirty skirt and ran straight towards the coffin.
The guards at the door flew forward to chase her. Concubine Shu stomped her foot, and another small stone hit the knee of the guard running in the front. The guard stumbled and fell, tripping the one behind him, thus creating some distance.
Xue didn't care about the surprised looks from the crowd. Running while crying, she shouted loudly, "Yu'er! My good child! Mother is here to see you! Wuwuwu..."
Was this dirty - looking woman really the once - high - and - mighty Noble Consort Xue? Everyone was shocked.
The guards behind rushed forward to stop her. The scene was extremely chaotic. The minister of the Ministry of Rites at the front didn't know what to do and kept looking at the emperor for instructions.
Hearing the familiar voice, the emperor turned around and saw that it was Xue, the birth mother of Murong Jingyu. He frowned slightly, wondering how she had managed to escape from the Cold Palace. Seeing her being harassed by the guards, the emperor sighed softly and waved his hand at the guards, saying, "Let her come and see the Fourth Prince off for the last time!"
"Yes!" The guards let go of Xue's arms and silently retreated to the door.
Xue rushed impatiently to the coffin. With teary eyes, she glanced at the emperor, bowed her head, and then turned to push open the coffin lid. After just one look, she couldn't hold back her sobs and covered her face.
Xue's body swayed unsteadily and slowly slumped down. Finally, she held on tightly to the coffin to keep from falling. "Yu'er! My Yu'er!" Xue cried uncontrollably. Her child lay in the coffin. The body hadn't decayed because of the ice, but the shocking bruise on his neck was truly heart - breaking.
The emperor lowered his eyes and said nothing. The servants and the civil and military officials didn't dare to say a word either.
Wei Dongling craned her neck to stare at Xue's figure, clenching her fists tightly and keeping silent.
Seeing that Xue had been crying for a long time without letting go, the minister of the Ministry of Rites coughed softly and whispered something in the emperor's ear. The emperor nodded and said to Xue, "I'm also very sad about Yu'er's death. Step back now. Don't miss the proper time."
Xue was so dizzy from crying that she held on tightly to the coffin and refused to let go. Looking back at the emperor, she pleaded, "Your Majesty! Your Majesty, please seek justice for my Yu'er! He didn't commit suicide. He was murdered!"
"Presumptuous!" The emperor's face darkened. A royal prince committing suicide was already an extremely disgraceful thing and should not be publicly discussed. Now, not only did Xue openly say this in front of everyone, but she also claimed that there was more to Murong Jingyu's death. The emperor had been suppressing this matter and hadn't made it public. Now, with Xue's commotion, people would surely start to speculate! Where could he, the emperor of a great nation, put his face?
Xue didn't care about all this. She knelt down and cried, "I swear on my life! I swear on the spirits of the 80,000 soldiers of the Xue family's army! I swear on my Yu'er's soul! My son was really murdered! Your Majesty, please, for the sake of our past love, investigate this matter clearly! He's my only son, and he has your blood in his veins! Your Majesty, you can't just watch our child die like this and let the murderer go unpunished!"
Concubine Rong was also extremely shocked and worried. It was her dereliction of duty that the woman under house - arrest in the Cold Palace had managed to come out and disrupt the ceremony. Moreover, Xue had caused the emperor to lose face. She was afraid that she would be punished along with Xue after this.
Thinking of this, supported by the palace maid beside her, Concubine Rong quickly stepped forward and shouted, "Xue, don't be rude! Step back quickly!"
Then, Concubine Rong quickly walked over, curtsied, and reported, "Your Majesty! Xue has been a bit crazy since she was locked in the Cold Palace and often talks nonsense. I failed to keep a strict watch on her today, and it's my fault that she managed to escape from the Cold Palace. Please calm your anger, Your Majesty! I'll have someone take her away right away!"
Concubine Rong's words in front of everyone implied that Xue was crazy and her words couldn't be trusted.
Wei Dongling couldn't help but sneer inwardly. Look! She was doing her best to save the emperor's face and taking all the blame on herself. No wonder she was favored by the emperor.
The emperor's complexion immediately improved. He said gently to Concubine Rong, "It's my fault. I felt soft - hearted because of her loss and let her in. My love, take her away and deal with her."