From now on, he no longer has to be embarrassed, sad, angry or entangled with her.
This was something that had been expected for a long time. A month ago, Mr. Feng mentioned in his letter that Jiang's illness was getting worse, and tactfully hinted that Jiang's death was not long. He had already been mentally prepared.
This moment really came. He couldn't calm down at all, and his heart felt as uncomfortable as acupuncture.
Shen You's eyes flashed with water.
Feng Shaojun sighed secretly, got up and lay down, hugging him.
Jiang is hateful in many ways, but after all she is his own mother. The ties of blood will never be let go.
Death is like a lamp going out, and all grievances and entanglements disappear like the wind.
Shen You remained silent, silently holding his wife tightly in his arms.
After a long time, Feng Shaojun opened his mouth and said: "Have people remove the red lanterns and red couplet window grilles inside and outside the yard, and replace them with white lanterns. We will change into plain clothes from today on."
When the mother dies, the son and daughter-in-law must obey the filial piety.
Shen You hummed.
Feng Shaojun's shoulders were wet.
That night, white lanterns were hung inside and outside Shen's house. The maids and guards all changed into plain clothes.
Shen Jia was right next door. When he saw something was wrong, he came over immediately.
Shen You changed into white plain clothes, and there was no expression on his handsome face. However, Shen Jia had been with his brother for many years and knew his temperament well. How could we not see that Shen You was in a heavy and obscure mood at this time?
But what words can comfort the pain of losing a mother?
Shen Jia sighed, walked to Shen You, and patted Shen You on the shoulder: "Fourth brother, if you feel uncomfortable, just talk to me. Don't keep everything in your heart."
Shen You's eyes were red and he didn't open his mouth to speak.
Shen Jia did not offer any more comfort and stayed silently beside Shen You.
I don't know how much time passed before Shen You said in a low voice: "Third brother, I feel a little uncomfortable. But you don't have to worry too much, I can hold on."
"In her whole life, she has been greedy for glory, but she cannot get it. Instead of living like this full of resentment, it is better to just give up and go away. In the next life, I hope she will have a good pregnancy, marry a husband as she wishes, and be rich and honorable throughout her life."
Shen Jia sighed: "Now that things have happened, I can only think of the good. When encountering such a thing, you can stay at home and observe your filial piety. After the holiday, I will go to General Meng to ask for leave on your behalf."
Shen You said, "There is no need to ask for leave. The army is busy with affairs, and a new military camp has to be built. There are so many things, how can I stay at home. After the fifth day of the Lunar New Year, I will go to the military camp."
…
On the first day of the new year, a palace banquet was held in the palace.
Prince Zhu Yun, who has been recuperating in the East Palace, finally appeared in front of people today.
Of course, there were not many people at the palace banquet. Emperor Qing'an only had one wife, Queen Yuan, and the prince had only the princess. The prince Liangdi in the East Palace was ill today, but Sister Rong was taken out by the wet nurse. Sitting quietly next to Brother Liang, he was so well-behaved that it made people feel distressed.
Also entering the palace for the banquet were King Zhao and Princess Zhao. The Crown Prince of Zhao was fined and grounded, and he had been severely beaten before, so he had no choice but to stay in Prince Zhao's palace.
Prince Fu and his son also entered the palace for the banquet today. Zhu Yang and Ding Lang are as miserable as Prince Zhao and are still locked up in the courtyard.
Compared with the bustling crowds in previous years, the palace banquets nowadays always seem a bit deserted.
Emperor Qing'an didn't like silk and bamboo singing and dancing, so the palace banquet lasted for an hour and then broke up quickly.
Zhu Yun took his wife and children back to the East Palace. Yuan Min immediately brought hot ginger soup and served it to her husband himself.
Zhu Yun's face turned pale due to the cold wind. When he took the warm ginger soup into his mouth, his face gained a little more color. His hands and feet gradually became warmer.
"How are you now?" Yuan Min asked softly.
Zhu Yun chuckled and held Yuan Min's hand in a non-serious manner: "This bowl of hot ginger soup warms my heart and lungs. I'm feeling very good now."
Yuan Min smiled and glared at him: "You haven't recovered yet, so don't be brave and go to the couch to rest."
Zhu Yun's physical strength was damaged. After nearly half a year of recovery, he can now walk without any problems. However, he should not be tired. Like today, he stayed in Jiaofang Hall for most of the day, and he was sweating on his forehead as soon as he came back.
Zhu Yun smiled self-deprecatingly: "Now I have become a delicate flower and need someone to take care of me all the time."
Yuan Min helped him walk to the bed, took off his clothes, and helped him get on the bed. Zhu Yun laughed: "I am weak, but it's not like I have lost my limbs. I don't need you to serve me like this."
Yuan Min was not happy to hear this and glared at him. Zhu Yun immediately became obedient and let his wife take care of him. He lay down and closed his eyes. Yuan Min had no time to spare and went to see if his children had washed themselves and went to bed.
After Yuan Min left, Zhu Yun opened his eyes and thought silently.
Jiang died of illness two years ago, and his funeral letter should have been sent to the border!
How would Shen You react when he saw the loss of faith?
Was there any instruction from Emperor Qing'an behind Jiang's "death of illness"?
Everyone hid the news of Jiang's death from Empress Yuan. They wanted Empress Yuan to spend the New Year happily. By then, I don't know how Empress Yuan would be sad.
Zhu Yun had a flood of thoughts in his mind, which were confusing and obscure. It took him a long time before he let out a long sigh.
…
There were several charcoal basins burning in the bedroom of Jiaofang Hall, making it warm.
Queen Yuan took off her makeup, put on soft Chinese clothes after bathing, and sat in front of the dressing mirror. Emperor Qing'an patiently wiped Queen Yuan's wet long hair with a soft cotton cloth.
In the glorious bronze mirror, the figures of a loving couple were reflected.
Empress Yuan smiled and sighed: "It's another year, and I'm another year older."
Emperor Qing'an laughed softly and said: "You are not old at all. In the eyes of the outside world, you are still the same as before."
Who would have thought that the emperor, who was so cold and majestic on the outside, could have such a tender side in private. Empress Yuan was so coaxed that she relaxed her body and nestled in Emperor Qing'an's arms.
Emperor Qing'an smiled silently.
As soon as Jiang died, the darkness that had weighed on his heart for more than twenty years was gone. In the past few days, he felt happy in his heart.
Occasionally he thought of Shen You... Anyway, now that he had made a decision, there was no need to regret or feel guilty. Emperor Qing'an calmed down and continued to wipe Empress Yuan's long hair.
Queen Yuan was casually chatting with Emperor Qing'an, and somehow she mentioned Shen You who was far away in the border town: "It must have been a few months since Shen You went to the border army! Suddenly there is a familiar face missing from your side. It always seems like a young man."
Something like that.”
Emperor Qing'an's expression did not change, and he seemed to say casually: "A good man, you should ride your horse and lead the troops and make great achievements. Staying in the palace all day is like putting a sword into a sheath and a pearl into a box."
Empress Yuan sighed softly: "After he leaves, he will not return to the capital for a few years. Last month I sent Hongyu to visit Sister Jiang at Qiu's house. Hongyu said that Sister Jiang's illness is getting worse day by day.
As soon as I let go and went west, I would never see my son again."
Emperor Qing'an had a cold look in his eyes and quickly changed the subject.
