g you home.""Little girl, it's none of your business!" Ye Qingran glanced at Qian Yun.Qian Yun looked at Nan Lingrui. She recalled his drunkenness from the time he drank a jar of Orchid Wine and passe...Chapter 11: The Third Fall of the Spirit Palanquin

Outside the Cloud Imperial Manor, there was a black carriage that belonged to Rong Jing. Xian Ge sat at the front of the carriage.

Rong Jing and Yun Qianyue entered the carriage. After the curtains were pulled down, the carriage set off towards the imperial palace.

The snow on the streets had already been cleared away. A warm stove was placed inside the carriage to block out the cold morning wind. The thick curtains kept the warmth inside.

Yun Qianyue leaned lazily against Rong Jing, yawning softly.

"Didn't you sleep enough" Rong Jing looked down at her.

"Yes," Yun Qianyue answered.

"I didn't sleep all night long, but you slept very soundly. How can that be fair You still haven’t had enough sleep" Rong Jing asked her.

Yun Qianyue raised her eyes and indeed saw dark circles under Rong Jing's eyes. She was curious: "Why didn't you sleep" Rong Jing glanced at her but did not answer, closing his eyes instead.

Yun Qianyue blinked her eyes, suddenly enlightened. She stretched out the words: "Oh, I understand now!"

"What do you understand" Rong Jing's voice was slightly lowered.

"I understood why you didn't sleep," Yun Qianyue said with a smile: "Our Young Master Rong has grown up, hasn’t he"

Rong Jing’s ears turned a little red. He suddenly bent down and kissed Yun Qianyue's lips fiercely.

Yun Qianyue was still smiling when she was caught by his kiss, her sweet taste swept away by Rong Jing's tongue纏住她的舌頭，掠奪她口中的甘甜。

Yun Qianyue wanted to say something, but her voice was swallowed up in the kiss. She only made a couple of soft sounds and then smacked Rong Jing lightly. Rong Jing held her tighter and deepened the kiss. Soon, she was ignited by this passion and closed her eyes, responding softly.

After a moment, Rong Jing let go of Yun Qianyue. With his jade-like hand touching her smooth face, he said gently: "Indeed, I have grown up, and you too. If it weren't for the timing being off, we would have..." He stopped halfway through, leaving the meaning unsaid.

Yun Qianyue panted heavily, her eyes still dazed as she looked at Rong Jing, unable to say anything for a moment.

Rong Jing suddenly covered her eyes with his hand and closed his own eyes, taking slow breaths to calm himself down.

The wind outside was cold. It blew the curtains of the carriage softly, their breathing mingling in the air within the carriage before settling into silence once more.

There were no words exchanged between them on the way to the palace gate.

Xian Ge's voice sounded: "Young Master Shi, we are at the imperial gates!"

Rong Jing replied. He noticed Yun Qianyue was still lying on his lap and nudged her awake. Yun Qianyue opened her eyes lazily, stretched out her waist, sat up, and slowly pulled back the curtains to look outside.

The imperial gates were already lined with countless carriages covered in plain-colored silk cloth. White or black ribbons hung from them.

Yun Qianyue gave a quick glance before pulling her gaze away, jumping down from the carriage lightly. Rong Jing followed Yun Qianyue slowly behind. Without speaking, they headed towards the gate.

Upon entering the palace gates, they made their way straight to the Divine Yang Hall.

The imperial palace today was similarly draped in white and black mourning attire as on that day. Some false mountains, rock sculptures, and tree branches still bore a layer of snow, while white silk hung from pavilions and terraces.

Arriving at the Divine Yang Hall, an ominous crowd had already gathered outside the Spirit Pavilion. Among them were officials led by Ye Tianyi, former concubines now promoted to Empress Dowager, royal children led by Sixth Princess and Seventh Princess, monks from Lingtai Temple led by Master Ci Yun, Taoist priests from the Imperial Astronomical Bureau led by Taoist Zhang, as well as eunuchs and maidservants led by Wenhui.

Everyone seemed to be ready for Rong Jing and Yun Qianyue's arrival.

The moment they appeared, all eyes turned towards them.

This was the first time Yun Qianyue had returned to the palace since she left after destroying the will in anger a few days ago. Everyone watched as the two of them walked towards them, both still dressed as usual: Rong Jing in his moon-white brocade robe and Yun Qianyue in her light purple Ruanyan Luo attire. They were like a magnificent painting, causing those who saw them to hold their breath involuntarily.

No matter how many times they had seen the two of them together, everyone would be amazed and praise them as being perfectly matched. But no one dared to voice this thought or express admiration openly.

Because there was still a Seventh Prince, and an imperial decree for their marriage in his will.

"More and more openly defiant, not even respecting the late emperor's edicts. Brother Seven, are you just going to let them get away with this What about the dignity of our royal family Haven't you heard what people are saying about you" The Sixth Princess looked at those two people with a jealous fire hidden in her eyes and turned her head towards Ye Tianyi.

Ye Tianyi turned around and glanced at the Sixth Princess coldly, showing no emotion.

The Sixth Princess wanted to say something more but fell silent when she met Ye Tianyi’s gaze.

Ye Tianyi looked away from her and instructed Wen Lai, "Go see why Xiao Wangzi Rang is still not here."

"Yes!" Wen Lai hurriedly went to do so.

Rong Jing and Yun Qianyue approached. Everyone's faces were clearly visible. Yun Qianyue’s gaze passed over familiar and unfamiliar people before finally settling on the current Empress Dowager.

The Empress Dowager still wore her bright red formal attire as empress dowager. In a group of plain-colored consorts, she stood out. After several days without seeing her, it seemed that she had become even more withered and haggard. Apart from the protruding belly in front of her body, her clothes hung loosely on her almost unrecognizable form; her complexion no longer held its former luster as if all vitality was drained from her like a tree stripped of its essence to leave only bark behind. Yun Qianyue felt an icy chill in her heart.

The Empress Dowager, seeing Yun Qianyue looking at her, waved warmly and said, "Moonie, come here!"

Yun Qianyue focused herself, lowered her head slightly, and walked over. As soon as she stood in front of the Empress Dowager, the latter reached out to hold her hand and scolded with a smile, "Do you know how many people are worried about you You must never do such foolish things again!"

"As long as no one forces me, I naturally won't," Yun Qianyue felt that the Empress Dowager’s hand was icy cold and changed her words. "Auntie, why don’t you wear more clothes and hold a hand warmer"

"With you by my side to warm my hands, Auntie doesn't feel cold," the Empress Dowager smiled affectionately.

“Even if my hands are warm, they can’t match a hand warmer.” Yun Qianyue glanced behind the empress dowager and instructed Guan Nanny. "Nanny, please fetch an incense pot for Auntie!"

"Miss Shallow Moon, although it's cold with the late emperor’s funeral, according to the rules, the Empress Dowager is supposed to perform large rites but now she doesn't have to kneel because of her condition. However, an incense pot would be sacrilegious to the sacred emperor," Zhang Tao, head of the Astronomical Bureau, immediately said.

"Rules are made by people! Minister Zhang, if you freeze the future emperor in Empress Dowager's womb, who will take responsibility Can you afford that" Yun Qianyue looked at Zhang Tao.

Zhang Tao’s face turned pale and he lost his words for a moment before looking over at Ye Tianyi.

"Mother has special circumstances; Father loved her son dearly. He can understand Mother's physical hardship." Ye Tianyi glanced at Zhang Tao and instructed Guan Nanny, "Nanny, please fetch an incense pot for Mother!"

“Yes!” Guan nanny immediately went to fetch the hand warmer.

Yun Qianyue did not speak anymore, nor did anyone else. The area fell silent.

A short while later, Guan Nanny returned with an incense pot. Yun Qianyue stretched out her hand to take it and pushed it into the Empress Dowager’s hands. The Empress Dowager looked at Yun Qianyue gently and smiled, saying, "Moonie truly knows if I’m cold or not."

Yun Qianyue smiled as well, her eyes growing moist looking at the empress dowager's gaunt figure. She said softly, “As long as Auntie is alright, that makes me happy!”

The Empress Dowager patted Yun Qianyue’s head and tears welled up in her own eyes.

"Regent, auspicious time has begun. Prince Xiao Rang is still not here. Should we send someone to催促" Zhang Tao said again.

Ye Tianyi's gaze moved toward the palace gate but he did not speak.

"Regent, shall this old minister go to催促my son" The Prince of Virtuous Kin had long been unable to stand still. With Rong Jing and Yun Qianyue already here, Night Qingran still hadn’t come. As a member of the imperial family, he could not not attend.

"Wait a little longer; Night Qingran won't be late," Ye Tianyi shook his head.

The Regent nodded silently and watched anxiously in the direction of the palace gate.

After another moment, as auspicious time approached, Night Qingran finally appeared before everyone. He was still dressed as usual but there was something different about him today. No longer flamboyant or carefree, he exuded a coldness that seemed to come from the heart, like a sword after rigorous honing.

With steady steps, he walked forward without any hint of his former self.

Yun Qianyue looked at Night Qingran and suddenly felt a deep sense of desolation. It was like when he stood in her courtyard yesterday, making her feel cold all over. She turned away from him, lowering her eyelids as if she hadn’t seen him come.

Everyone watched Night Qingran but no one spoke.

A short while later, Night Qingran arrived outside the Holy Yang Hall with the hourglass showing auspicious time exactly.

"Let’s start," Ye Tianyi instructed the Astronomical Bureau.

Master Zhang hurriedly nodded and took out a square piece of cloth from his sleeve. He spread it open, shook his hand, and the cloth flew out of his hands, suspending in mid-air. He shouted loudly, "The Grand Administrator Emperor has passed away; we send him off!"

"Long live the late emperor! Long live the late emperor! May he live long and prosper!" The civil and military officials, palace concubines, and monks from Lingtai Temple all knelt down.

The only ones who did not kneel were Empress Dowager Yun, Cloud Shallow Moon, and Rong Jing.

"Young Prince Jing, why do you not kneel" Night Tianyi, kneeling on the ground, looked at Rong Jing.

Rong Jing had stood quietly since he arrived. Upon hearing this, he looked at the late emperor’s coffin and said, "His Majesty once decreed that I need not kneel when alive; neither do I have to now."

No fault, no bow in life; no worship after death.

Night Tianyi turned his gaze to Cloud Shallow Moon.

Cloud Shallow Moon said calmly, "Though I did not receive special permission from Emperor Uncle, he never scolded me when I was alive for not kneeling. Even now that he is dead, he will not blame me."

Night Tianyi retracted his gaze and didn’t say anything more. No one else spoke either.

Master Zhang glanced at Rong Jing, Cloud Shallow Moon, and Night Tianyi before reciting the words on the cloth.

Cloud Shallow Moon looked up at the suspended piece of cloth and thought that this Daoist Priest Zhang was quite capable. However, what he did was nothing more than using his energy to cause the cloth to float in the air. The text written on it recited all of the late emperor's achievements. It was customary for emperors to be praised for their accomplishments upon death, and no one would mention any mistakes they had made during their lifetime. This was no exception with the late emperor.

When he finished reading the eulogy written on the cloth, Master Zhang retrieved it and looked at Prince Cloud.

Prince Cloud oversaw the Ministry of Rites; therefore, the funeral rites were naturally overseen by that ministry as well.

Prince Cloud stood up, took out a piece of cloth from his sleeve, and read aloud, "The Grand Administrator Emperor has passed away; we send him off! First style: The monks from Lingtai Temple will perform mourning rituals to express the grace bestowed upon them by heaven!"

Venerable Ciyun and the other monks sat in meditation while reciting scriptures.

Everyone listened quietly, and the entire palace was filled with the sound of recitations.

An hour later, when the recitation ended, Prince Cloud said again, "The Grand Administrator Emperor has passed away; we send him off! Second style: The new emperor leads the civil and military officials in mourning!"

The Empress Dowager carried a hand warmer and walked toward the late emperor’s coffin. Wen Lai immediately presented her with paper money which she gently placed into the fire basin before the coffin. The paper money caught on fire instantly.

"Regent Prince, your mourning!" Prince Cloud called out again.

Night Tianyi stepped forward, and Wen Lai handed him more paper money. He bowed three times and placed it in the fire basin.

"Young Prince Jing, your turn to mourn!" Prince Cloud said.

Rong Jing walked up as well, and Wen Lai presented him with some paper money too. Rong Jing gently raised his hand and put them into the basin. The paper money ignited immediately upon contact with fire; in an instant, it turned to ashes, falling out of the basin. Rong Jing glanced at it indifferently before stepping back.

"Duke Regent De mourns!"

"Duke Regent Xiao mourns!"

"Xiao Crown Prince morns!"

"Cold Little Duke mourns!"

...

The civil and military officials who were called out one by one went forward to pay their respects.

After a hundred people had paid respect, it was the turn of the princesses and princes. The sixth and seventh princesses each stepped forward in turn to pay their respects. After the princesses and princes finished paying their respects, the palace concubines took their turns.

Just as Prince Cloud was about to announce the hierarchy of the concubines, Empress Dowager’s cold voice rang out, "Wait!"

The people looked at her; Prince Cloud stopped talking.

"Where is Ming Taifei" she asked the palace concubines.

All the palace concubines shook their heads.

Yun Qianyue knew that her aunt was referring to the Ming Fei, and she thought that once an emperor passed away, some people's statuses would change: empresses would become dowager empresses and concubines like Ming Fei would naturally become dowager consorts.

"Eunuch Wen, do you know" The Dowager Empress asked Wen Lai.

Wen Lai also hurriedly shook his head. "Your Majesty the Dowager Empress, your servant doesn't know either. After His Majesty passed away that day, the Ming Dowager Consort suffered a severe injury and returned to the palace for recuperation, but I haven't seen her since then."

"She was the one most favored by the emperor in life; she enjoyed his favor for over twenty years without decline. Now that His Majesty has passed away, how could there be no sign of her If she isn't here, His Majesty would surely miss and long for her. I doubt this spirit carriage would even move." The Dowager Empress said solemnly, "Regent Wang, what do you think"

"Mother is absolutely right!" Ye Tianyi nodded and instructed Wen Lai to go to the Ming Dowager Consort's palace to invite her.

"Yes, Your Excellency," Wen Lai immediately responded and left.

"Let’s proceed without the Ming Dowager Consort for now," Ye Tianyi said.

The Dowager Empress had no objections. The Cloud Prince continued reading out the ranks of the concubines according to their status, with each person paying respects in turn.

Below the Dowager Empress, the Ming Dowager Consort was absent. Only the Cold Noble Consort remained, who used to be the Cold Noble Consort. After her face was disfigured by Yun Qianyue, she lost favor from the old emperor and later found it even more difficult when the dowager empress became pregnant with a son and took control of the harem. However, due to her status as a noble consort and support from Prince Xiaoqin, she had gained some insights during this period; now she appeared calm and quiet, much like someone who had seen through worldly affairs.

After Cold Noble Consort completed her respects, other concubines followed suit.

Once the ritual was complete, Wen Lai returned with a very grim expression. He reported to the Dowager Empress and Ye Tianyi: "Your Majesty the Dowager Empress, Your Excellency Regent Wang, people in the Ming Dowager Consort's palace say that she has gone missing."

"Missing" The Dowager Empress raised her eyebrows at this news.

"Your Majesty, those from the Ming Dowager Consort's palace indeed said so! She has been missing for several days now. They were afraid you and Your Excellency would blame them, hence they didn’t report it," Wen Lai immediately explained.

"This is interesting! Now people just disappear without reason" The Dowager Empress suddenly smiled coldly but continued, "Several months ago, Qin Miss from the former Prime Minister's family went missing. Just when the Second and Fourth Princes forced their way into the palace to take over the throne, she conveniently reappeared. And now His Majesty has passed away, her most beloved concubine is also missing. Does this mean another few months later, we will be surprised by her sudden reappearance"

No one spoke.

Among the court ladies and their family members, Qin Yuling’s face paled dramatically.

"Qin Miss's disappearance is related to the Prime Minister's household. However, a concubine going missing concerns the imperial family. Regent Wang, what do you think of this situation" The Dowager Empress looked at Qin Yuling sternly and then asked Ye Tianyi for his opinion.

Ye Tianyi seemed to be pondering for a moment before saying solemnly: "Mother, according to His Majesty's affection towards the Ming Dowager Consort, she should join him in death. But since she is missing now, there must be reasons behind it. It’s too late to find her now; we can’t delay today’s funeral ceremony of His Majesty due to one concubine. In my view, let’s exclude her and proceed with the funeral!"

"How could that work She was His Majesty's most beloved woman! How can she not accompany him" The Dowager Empress argued.

"I will order people to find the Ming Dowager Consort. Once found, we’ll send her off to join His Majesty. What does Mother think of this idea" Ye Tianyi asked the Dowager Empress.

The Dowager Empress nodded solemnly. "Then let’s do that! We must locate the Ming Dowager Consort; otherwise, His Majesty will miss her."

Ye Tianyi nodded and looked at the Cloud Prince.

The prince immediately understood and shouted loudly: "His Majesty has passed away—let’s proceed with his funeral rites. Raise the spirit carriage!"

Ye Tianyi waved, and everyone who was kneeling rose to their feet as the palace bell tolled for mourning. The pallbearers carried the spirit carriage out of the Shengyang Palace, while Buddhist monks chanted scriptures in front as the imperial guards held aloft flags and parasols leading the procession.

With the new emperor (in the dowager empress' womb) at the head of the line came Regent Wang Ye Tianyi, Chancellor Rong Jing, Prince Deqin, Prince Xiaoqin, the Cloud Prince, young Princes Ran and Leng, and the Marquis Shizhi Rong Feng. The prince and princesses followed them, then harem women, and finally officials from the Bureau of Astronomy. Imperial guards escorted the procession as it marched grandly towards the palace gates.

This was the first time Yun Qianyue had witnessed an emperor’s funeral in this world; she accompanied the Dowager Empress at the forefront with no objections. Her status as a daughter of the Cloud Family made her indispensible, even though the First Emperor's precepts had been abolished, she still represented the supreme position of the Cloud Family.

The procession exited the palace and proceeded grandly towards the imperial mausoleum.

Located in the north of Yulong Mountain, part of the Western Range, the imperial mausoleum was built at its peak resembling a dragon’s head. This mountain used to be where the previous dynasty’s emperor, Mo Mu, was buried; however, for reverence towards dragons, they had chosen to build their tombs at the tail end instead. When Emperor Shizheng came into power, no descendants of the Mo Mu family remained, and thus this imperial mausoleum fell into disrepair.

Outside the palace, every intersection was marked by people shouting directions; everyone behind would kneel to pay respects, with prince and princesses crying over their deceased relative’s spirit carriage.

The procession exited the city gates and headed westward.

About five miles down the road, those carrying the spirit carriage suddenly fell to the ground spewing white foam, causing it to crash heavily onto the earth with a deafening sound.

Everyone was startled. Chanting ceased along with wailing as everyone stared in shock at the fallen spirit carriage.

"What's going on" Night Tianyi asked sternly.

No one answered.

Immediately, Night Tianyi walked forward. At the same time, Rong Jing also approached, followed by Ye Qingran behind him. Although all three of them stepped forward, no one checked the pulse and they were only quietly observing.

A moment later, Night Tianyi turned to look at Rong Jing, "Young Prince Jing, can you tell what's happening"

"It looks like they ate something poisonous, but it shouldn't be fatal," Rong Jing said slowly.

"Change them!" Night Tianyi waved his hand.

A group of people immediately stepped forward and lifted the spirit sedan again. The person lying on the ground was quickly carried away by others. The line started to move again. Not long after, the bearers carrying the coffin fell down simultaneously, spitting out white foam, and the spirit sedan crashed onto the ground with a loud thud, just like before.

No sooner did this happen that Night Tianyi's expression darkened instantly as he looked at Cloud Duke, "Duke Yun, what is going on!"

The cloud duke seemed to be frightened into silence, shaking his head repeatedly, "Your Excellency the Regent, I don't know either. Although I oversee the Ministry of Rites and am responsible for the funeral arrangements of the emperor, these bearers were not chosen by me..."

"Who chose them" Night Tianyi asked in a deep voice.

“I did!” Ye Qingran looked at the spitting bearers with a somewhat grim face. They were in the same condition as those from earlier.

“What’s going on” Night Tianyi turned to look at Ye Qingran.

"From the day His Majesty passed away, their meals have been regulated," Ye Qingran said calmly: "Regent, we can investigate this later. The urgent matter now is to get His Majesty buried in the imperial tomb before the auspicious hour."

Night Tianyi nodded and waved his hand, "Change another group!"

"I don't think it's necessary," Rong Jing interjected: "They all ate the same food. There's a chance this situation will be repeated." “Use palace guards or soldiers under Little Prince Ran instead.”

“Prince Jing, that won’t work,” Zhang Taoist from the Astronomical Bureau immediately spoke up, "Bearers must have compatible birth dates with His Majesty’s. We picked these people ahead of time. It would take too long to pick palace guards or soldiers who match now.”

Rong Jing looked at Zhang Taoist and said coolly: “If we don’t do this, will it be better than using another batch of bearers While the coffin is made from high-quality redwood, it won't withstand such treatment. If we drop it again, not only will the coffin break apart, but His Majesty’s remains might also suffer damage. In that case, wouldn't this situation be worse”

Zhang Taoist immediately fell silent.

Ye Qingran glanced at Rong Jing and didn’t speak.

"Use the palace guards then!" Night Tianyi looked at Rong Jing too before waving his hand again.

A group of palace guards stepped forward to lift the spirit sedan. The people lying on the ground who were spitting foam were lifted once more, and the line started moving again.

The palace guards weren’t trained bearers. They couldn’t step in unison, but after walking about two miles, their steps became inconsistent. With a loud thud, the spirit sedan crashed onto the ground once more, causing the redwood coffin to roll off and crack wide open.

Everyone was shocked again.

Night Tianyi’s face had completely darkened by now.

Ye Qingran's complexion also looked grim. Dukes of Virtue and Filial Piety, Duke Yun, and other officials didn’t dare to breathe loudly.

"Prince Jing, this is your brilliant idea" Night Tianyi turned his head and glared at Rong Jing angrily.

Rong Jing rubbed his forehead with one hand and said calmly: "It was my oversight, but the situation just now really meant that those prepared bearers couldn't be used again. It's true that I suggested using palace guards, but Your Excellency the Regent and all the officials agreed to it."

Night Tianyi had no words to refute this, so he turned back around and looked at everyone angrily: "Useless! They can’t even carry a coffin properly. Get these people out of here and execute them!"

The faces of those being addressed changed instantly.

"Your Excellency the Regent, every person has their own suitable role; bearers do what they are supposed to do, while palace guards protect the palace. Asking palace guards to carry coffins is like asking ducks to lay eggs. It's normal for them to not be good at it. This funeral needs to follow the auspicious hour today and shouldn’t involve any bloodshed. Let these people go," Rong Jing said slowly.

"Prince Jing, you’re so merciful!" Night Tianyi glared at Rong Jing with a stern expression.

“They say that both life’s journey and the path to the netherworld will be fraught with tribulations. One can only achieve enlightenment after enduring such hardships. Now that His Majesty has passed away, his soul has transcended into the heavenly realm, but he still needs to go through this journey of the underworld. This might just be one of those trials,” Rong Jing said and then looked at Zhang Taoist from the Astronomical Bureau: “Is there any such saying”

"This..." Master Zhang looked at Rong Jing, and when he caught a glimpse of his indifferent expression, he quickly nodded in agreement, "That's right!"

"Therefore, if they manage to overcome these three difficulties, we should be fine!" Rong Jing said as he glanced at the people lying on the ground. "Let them give it another try! They lacked experience just now, but with this lesson learned, they will do better next time."

"Regent, please give us one more chance!" As soon as Rong Jing spoke, all the palace guards lying on the ground pleaded.

"Regent, Prince Rong is absolutely correct. Give them another chance," said the Empress Dowager at this moment.

"What should we do about this coffin It already has cracks!" Ye Tianyi looked at the redwood coffin with its broken crack and asked somberly.

No one responded to him.

"Master Zhang, could you adjust the time of the funeral" Ye Tianyi turned to ask Master Zhang.

Master Zhang shook his head. "Your Excellency Regent, there's no precedence for this in ancient times. Changing the date of the funeral wouldn't be a good idea as we're halfway through it. The late emperor’s funeral is not just about burial but also affects the nation's fortune!"

"What if we make a new coffin and use that instead" Ye Tianyi asked again.

"This... this wouldn't be appropriate either, to make a new coffin and replace it. There’s no precedence for this in ancient times. Moreover, the body has already been placed inside; the nation's fortune is sealed within the coffin. If we were to open it again..." Master Zhang shook his head as he spoke, "That might not work."

"Then what should we do Should His Majesty be buried in a coffin with cracks" Ye Tianyi asked angrily.

Master Zhang was speechless.

No one made any sound, everyone was pondering this question. Neither changing the date nor switching to another coffin would work; could it really come down to burying His Majesty in a cracked coffin Could there be any emperor who had done such a thing before

"Prince Rong, what do you think should we do about this matter" Ye Tianyi turned to look at Rong Jing and asked solemnly.

Rong Jing shook his head. "I don’t know, Your Excellency Regent. Think of a solution!"

"Prince Rong is exceptionally talented; shouldn't you be able to solve such matters Or do you have a way but won't share it Are you hoping for His Majesty’s funeral to proceed this way" Ye Tianyi's words became increasingly sharp.

"Your Excellency Regent, I understand that your anger towards me is due to personal reasons. However, the late emperor has always been kind to Prince Rong and I will never forget his kindness and respect for him. If I had a way out of this situation, naturally, I would do all in my power. But given the current circumstances, other than continuing ahead or proceeding with the burial as it is, what other solutions are there" Rong Jing said coolly, reminding him: "Your Excellency Regent, if we don't continue moving forward, it will delay the timely arrival at the imperial mausoleum."

Ye Tianyi pursed his lips silently and did not speak.

All eyes were on Ye Tianyi; no one could think of a solution that would work.

"Your Excellency Regent, what if we repair the coffin now" Prince Deyi said at this moment.

Prince Deyi looked at the late emperor’s coffin, which was cracked right down the middle. "Since it's not possible to replace the coffin, let's find a piece of wood and fix it up! We can't bury him like this."

"Burying him like this would indeed be improper, but Prince Deyi, have you considered that this is a fine redwood coffin made especially for His Majesty Where could we possibly find another one now Moreover, the coffin of the emperor’s resting place, how can it be patched up in such a manner If word got out about this, wouldn't it invite ridicule from everyone" Rong Jing said calmly.

Prince Deyi fell silent.

The Prince Xianyi also spoke, "Your Majesty the Empress Dowager is right. The Emperor’s coffin cannot be patched up; we might as well leave it as is. Even if we were to patch it and find a redwood of equal quality, time would be wasted which would certainly delay the auspicious moment. That would only make things worse."

The Cloud Prince nodded in agreement, "That's correct! Your Excellency Regent must decide quickly; time waits for no one!"

Ye Tianyi remained silent with a very grim expression.

"Your Excellency Regent, let me say something. If these three accidents truly are what Prince Rong and Master Zhang said—His Majesty’s tribulations—then we should proceed as is! This is the will of heaven; one cannot go against it," the Empress Dowager spoke up.

Everyone nodded in unison when they heard "the will of heaven."

Ye Tianyi was silent for a moment before he suddenly waved his hand, his expression dark. "Let's do this! Raise the spirit sedan and proceed to the imperial mausoleum!"

The palace guards lying on the ground all got up when they heard this, once again shouldering the spirit sedan. With the experience from the previous attempt, everyone carefully coordinated their steps as they lifted the sedan, moving steadily forward. The procession moved majestically and solemnly. Monks ceased chanting scriptures, concubines stopped wailing, each watching the spirit sedan attentively to prevent any further mishaps.

Extraneous Thoughts:ly entered.Yun Qianyue walked to the table. Seeing that Wen Lai had laid out the rice paper and was grinding the ink proficiently, she then respectfully handed Yun Qianyue the brush after completing a...