novelaction Chapter 331: Skinned Alive
Chapter 331: Skinned Alive
Empress Ji was ill and needed two palace maids to support her on both sides even when she was kneeling.
But half a minute ago, she endured the pain and looked weakly at the Minister of Rites and said, "Thank you for your hard work, Minister Ren. Tomorrow is the day to pray for the Queen Mother. Although I am a junior, I cannot be absent from such an important ceremony even though I am not feeling well. Please do not listen to the emperor's words and make sure to reserve a seat for me."
Yesterday her life was in danger, but fortunately the emperor asked Lord Jiang to go to Kunning Palace to take care of her, which resolved the crisis and saved her life. It is said that there is a ghost haunting there.
Lord Jiang captured the ghost, and all the nourishing food in the palace was delivered to Kunning Palace like water. She had just woken up for half a day when she heard that the empress dowager had passed away.
She hadn't originally planned to come, but luckily Lord Jiang gave her a talisman.
Lord Jiang said that during the Empress Dowager's funeral, she needed to be present in person to lead the imperial concubines in the palace, to set an example and be a role model. This would not only be helpful to the Emperor, but would also be of great benefit to the Third Prince.
The talisman she wore had miraculous healing properties, so she was able to hold on a little longer.
It was just that he had originally said that he only needed to come once tonight, and the emperor was very angry about it.
But I don't know why he changed his mind half an hour ago and asked her to be present tomorrow, and this is exactly what the emperor meant.
She didn't know what the emperor was planning, but for Xu'er's sake, she had to persevere!
Ren Ze hurriedly advised, "Your Majesty, you are so weak. The chanting ceremony will take four hours. Please consider your phoenix body and don't force it..."
Empress Ji waved her hands, "It's my own fault that I'm not doing well. I've made you worry about me in this situation. Don't worry, this is my last chance to show my filial piety to my mother, and I want to do my best. I've made up my mind, and there's no need to persuade me anymore..."
Ren Zeben wanted to say a few more words, but at this moment he found that the emperor, who had always been dissatisfied with the queen's lack of regard for her body, did not say a word at this moment.
Therefore, he swallowed the words in his throat and just answered, "Yes."
The conversation between the Empress and Minister Ren was spread from front to back by all the palace servants. Suddenly, the entire mourning hall was filled with voices praising the virtues of the Emperor and the Empress.
Lu Xuan withdrew his gaze from Jiang Xing, knelt quietly on the mat with his eyes lowered, and deliberately hid his body in the crowd.
She did not hear the conversation between the Queen and the Minister of Rites.
But from the sounds of praise coming from all around, it is not difficult to guess that the Queen might have to attend the ceremony tomorrow despite being ill.
No wonder the prince told her not to leave.
At this critical moment, Empress Ji, despite being so weak, still insisted on participating in the worship and chanting ceremony. As a princess, and the princess of Prince Jin, the Queen Mother's favorite, if she dared to say that she would not participate tomorrow, she would probably be eaten alive by everyone on the spot.
Don't offend the public.
Her lips were tightly pursed, and her hands were folded together obediently, but she was already feeling uneasy in her heart.
The Empress Dowager's spirit said nothing today. Suddenly, not only was the funeral ceremony changed, but even Empress Ji, who looked like she was on the verge of death, had to watch and participate in the ceremony.
This is directed at her!
I just didn't expect that Jiang Yuanfeng had coordinated everything in such a short time.
Does this mean that he is also in this Renzhi Hall?
At this moment, Lu Xuan regretted not going to the team to pay tribute with Jiang Xing.
If that were the case, she would definitely be able to find Jiang Yuanfeng.
As the night deepened, the brightly lit Renzhi Hall was all white, forming a sharp black and white contrast with the dark night outside the hall.
"Your Majesty, the Empress, please return to the palace—" He Yuanguang shouted at the top of his voice outside the mourning hall.
The ground was covered with prostrations, and everyone said in unison, "Farewell, Your Majesty, Your Majesty!"
Due to the passing of the Empress Dowager, the Emperor was filled with grief and his back was a little unsteady when he walked.
He supported Queen Ji and walked out of the palace with sadness and sorrow.
Both the emperor and the empress were trembling a little, and at this moment they seemed to be supporting each other.
Jiang Xing's lips curled up in mockery, he felt that this scene was absurd and ridiculous.
The emperor walked out step by step, and suddenly stopped when passing by Lu Xuan.
Lu Xuan's heart tightened, and he glanced at the pair of black satin dragon-embroidered boots that stopped beside him and did not move. In an instant, cold sweat broke out on his back.
Emperor, what does this mean?
Could it be that Jiang Yuanfeng told him something that made him curious about himself, or did he have some plans?
If he were to use his status as emperor to force them, then indeed, neither she nor Jiang Xing would be able to resist.
Lu Xuan couldn't help but lower his head even lower, revealing only his small, dark head, his body trembling slightly.
The emperor looked down at Lu Xuan and gave him two meaningful glances.
Lord Jiang was as serious as facing a great enemy. From before until today, he mentioned Lu Xuan's name in front of him countless times.
Previously, he was quite curious about who this Princess Jin was.
Is it really that powerful and terrifying?
However, looking at it this way, it seems to be just ordinary.
Before he even saw me, he was already trembling with fear at the emperor's pressure.
Be cautious.
uninteresting.
"Princess Jin?"
The emperor's voice sounded beside him, but it was like a firecracker exploding in Lu Xuan's heart.
"emperor!"
Lu Xuan and Jiang Xing's voices rang out at the same time.
Jiang Xing's heart was in his throat, fearing that the emperor would cause trouble for Lu Xuan.
He had been kneeling at the front of the team, and with his extraordinary hearing, he had heard several of the Queen's maids say in private that the Queen was in poor health and in imminent danger because of the incident with Concubine Yun's soul.
Later, Lord Jiang went to deal with the matter, and the palace maids outside the room heard him mention Princess Jin's name.
If the emperor believed Jiang Yuanfeng's words and knew that Concubine Yun was put in there by Axuan.
In his heart, he probably had murderous intentions towards her a long time ago.
So what good could come from calling her now?
The emperor didn't expect that Jiang Xing would become nervous just because he called her "Princess" and couldn't help but look back at him.
But at this time, Lu Xuan did not raise his head.
"My Royal Brother... and the Empress have worked hard today. We are still waiting for your decision regarding Mother's funeral. Please return home early to rest. I will respectfully send you off."
Jiang Xing tried to make up his mind and looked at Lu Xuan's slightly trembling back with a hint of suspicion.
Isn't this person usually very brave? Why is he shaking with fear now?
The emperor raised his chin slightly, looking a little arrogant and a little displeased.
"Yunce, why did you let Princess Jin be ranked behind the Fourth Prince? She is the daughter-in-law of the Queen Mother and should be ranked with the Queen, Concubine Rong, and others. Tomorrow, please do not make such random arrangements again!"
After saying that, he finally turned around, embraced Queen Ji, and walked out slowly.
Jiang Aiqing mentioned this several times tonight, saying that Lu Xuan must be kept under their watchful eyes. She must not be allowed to hide alone, otherwise something terrible would happen.
Seeing the young woman trembling all over and being so scared, he didn't think anything serious would happen.
However, giving Jiang Aiqing some face is always good for yourself.
After hearing the emperor's reprimand, Jiang Xing and Lu Xuan finally breathed a sigh of relief, but the Minister of Rites, who had just felt the emperor's gaze, was so frightened that he quickly wiped the sweat off his face and bowed to see him off.
As soon as the emperor and the empress left, the crowd returned to their palaces one after another and dispersed.
Seeing that Jiang Xing was still kneeling in front of him without moving, Lu Xuan planned to call him back.
They cannot leave the palace tonight. A palace maid has just come to tell them that they are arranged to rest in Jingyang Palace.
Lu Xuan was about to stand up when a voice from the front made her expression change instantly.