mesbooks Chapter 274 The Mad Couple 38
Chapter 274 The Mad Couple 38
When the emperor passed away, the funeral bells tolled, and the entire capital was shrouded in solemnity and sorrow.
Ji Xiaosong stood in the main hall of the Wu residence, listening to the chimes, her brows furrowing slightly, a vague unease creeping into her heart.
Wu Chufeng has not returned yet, and the emperor has suddenly passed away. These two events combined have made her even more worried.
She is now more than a month pregnant. The couple has a deep love for each other, and she absolutely cannot let anything go wrong in this family.
After much deliberation, Ji Xiaosong decided to settle things at home first before personally going out to find Wu Chufeng.
Ji Xiaosong first summoned the stewards and servants of the mansion.
She stood before the crowd, her gaze calm and resolute, her tone steady and powerful:
"With the Emperor's passing, during the period of national mourning, all affairs in the manor must be handled with utmost care. Everyone must perform their duties and remain calm. Old Li, you are in charge of the daily affairs of the manor, ensuring everything is in good order. As for Consort Wang, send someone to reassure her and tell her not to panic, that I am here to help."
Old Li nodded in agreement and immediately led several managers to make the arrangements.
After calming down those most likely to cause trouble, Ji Xiaosong turned to the captain of the guards and said, "During the national mourning period, the capital will inevitably be in turmoil. Immediately increase manpower and patrol day and night, especially the front and back gates and the walls. We must not allow anyone to take the opportunity to break in. If any suspicious person approaches, deal with them directly and then report back."
The captain of the guards solemnly replied, "Yes, Madam, rest assured, I will guard against them with utmost vigilance."
The guards sprang into action, doubling the number of patrols around the mansion, with guards stationed both inside and outside the walls.
Ji Xiaosong stood in the courtyard, her gaze sweeping over the busy figures, and her heart felt a little more at ease.
Safety issues have been addressed, as have rules and etiquette.
During the period of national mourning, officials and their families must wear mourning clothes and observe strict etiquette.
Ji Xiaosong instructed the embroiderers and head maids in the mansion: "Prepare mourning clothes immediately. Everyone in the mansion, including the servants, must be dressed properly. Also, send someone to inquire about the court's funeral etiquette procedures to ensure that our Wu mansion will not make any mistakes in etiquette."
The embroiderer and the head maid left to carry out the order. Ji Xiaosong then added to another head maid, "Go to the storeroom and take stock to see if there are any sacrificial offerings or tributes that need to be prepared. Make sure they are prepared in advance."
The maid nodded: "Yes, Madam, I'll take care of it right away."
Thinking of the worst-case scenario, Ji Xiaosong called over the person in charge of the accounts.
"Immediately take stock of the silver and supplies in the manor to ensure we have sufficient reserves. Also, send someone to the market to purchase some food and daily necessities for emergencies. Of course, safety is the top priority. If you find anything amiss after going out, come back immediately, and I will take care of these things."
The accountant accepted the order and left.
According to the rules of the time, when the emperor died, the families of officials had to set up a memorial tablet in their residences and perform sacrifices.
Just then, Old Li returned, and Ji Xiaosong instructed him: "Old Li, take some people to set up a memorial tablet in the main hall, prepare incense, candles, and offerings, and everyone in the mansion should come to pay their respects and express their condolences."
Old Li nodded: "Yes, Madam, I'll take care of it right away."
The main hall was quickly converted into a mourning hall, with incense, candles, and offerings placed in front of the memorial tablets.
Everyone in the mansion was dressed neatly and came to pay their respects in turn.
Ji Xiaosong stood before the memorial tablet, her gaze calm, but a faint unease lingered in her heart.
Wu Chufeng has not returned yet. Although Ji Xiaosong is worried, she remains calm on the surface.
She instructed Ji Dan: "Ji Dan, take a few men to the Ministry of War to inquire whether the master is there. If there is no news, go outside the city to search. Be sure to find him as soon as possible."
Ji Dan nodded: "Don't worry, Madam, I will find the master as soon as possible."
Ji Dan left in a hurry with several guards, while Ji Xiaosong stood at the gate of the mansion and watched them go.
She could certainly use her divine sense to investigate directly, but the information she obtained that way would arouse Wu Daniu's suspicion.
Therefore, she would not highlight her uniqueness in front of others unless absolutely necessary.
In addition, Ji Xiaosong knew that after the emperor's death, there would inevitably be a power struggle within the court.
She instructed one of the robot guards: "Send someone to inquire about the movements in the court, especially the Ministry of War and several important officials. Report any unusual activity immediately."
The guard nodded: "Yes, Madam, I will make the arrangements immediately."
After everything was arranged, Ji Xiaosong locked herself up.
She extended her divine sense outwards, first looking at the Ministry of War, but finding no one there, she then looked at the Imperial Palace.
At this moment, frost had formed on the gilded dragon pillars of the Golden Palace.
Wu Chufeng had been kneeling on the jade bricks for three hours.
A bone-chilling coldness crept up my bones from my knees, but what was even colder was the sinister gaze from behind me.
The Second Prince, Zhao Yuanqi, was toying with the jade seal on his desk, his sharp gaze sweeping over the more than thirty high-ranking officials who had been detained in the hall.
"Report—!" The commander of the Imperial Guards rushed in. "The Eastern Palace Guards have broken through Xuanwu Gate!" The imperial seal slammed heavily on the table.
Zhao Yuanqi suddenly sprang up, grabbing Wu Chufeng by the collar. The black iron wrist guard made his Adam's apple ache. "Minister Wu, hand over the tiger tally of the Western Suburbs Camp now, and I may spare the life of your wife's unborn child."
Wu Chufeng lowered his eyes, staring at the four-clawed golden python on the other person's robe, and suddenly remembered how Ji Xiaosong had straightened his clothes when he went out a few days ago.
The warm scent of jasmine lingered from her slender, white fingertips as they brushed against his Adam's apple, a scent that now burned in his memory, making his eyes sting.
Wu Chufeng suppressed his anxiety and calmly analyzed the current situation.
Although Zhao Yuanqi held the Imperial Guard in his hands, the Crown Prince had been secretly making arrangements for many years, and the Eastern Palace Guard was the elite of the elite.
The breach of Xuanwu Gate indicates that the Crown Prince's power has approached the capital, and Zhao Yuanqi's chances of victory are slim.
The reason the Wu family has never been purged is actually because of this tiger tally.
Only members of the Wu family could mobilize the veterans in the western suburban camp.
He raised his head, his gaze calmly meeting Zhao Yuanqi's, his voice steady and powerful:
“Your Highness, the tiger tally of the western suburban camp is indeed in my hands, but have you considered how long you can hold out even if I hand it over? The Eastern Palace Guard has already broken through Xuanwu Gate, and His Highness the Crown Prince's army will soon be at the city gates. Why would Your Highness put yourself in a hopeless situation for the sake of temporary gain?”
Zhao Yuanqi sneered, increasing the pressure in his hand even further:
"Minister Wu, do you think you can sway my resolve with just a few words? The Crown Prince is nothing but a coward and incompetent man. If it weren't for Father Emperor's favoritism, this throne should have been mine long ago! As long as we obtain the Tiger Tally, the troops in the Western Suburbs Camp will be enough to turn the tide!"
Wu Chufeng felt pressure in his throat, making it difficult to breathe, but he remained calm:
“Your Highness, the Crown Prince has the support of a group of veteran officials, including the Grand Secretary and the Minister of War. Moreover, the Crown Prince also possesses a secret edict left by the late Emperor. If Your Highness insists on going against the will of Heaven, I fear you will end up being abandoned by everyone.”
Zhao Yuanqi's eyes flickered, clearly moved by Wu Chufeng's words.
But he quickly regained his ruthless expression: "Stop spreading alarmist rumors! I know what I'm doing! You just need to hand over the tiger tally, otherwise—"
He leaned close to Wu Chufeng's ear and whispered, "Your beautiful wife and unborn child are doomed."