Ji Lan ordered that the empress’s funeral be kept simple.
The relationship between the emperor and the empress was not harmonious, and it was well known that the empress did not enjoy the emperor’s favor. Now, with the new year approaching and envoys from all over coming to offer their congratulations, Ji Lan’s order to keep the funeral simple did not surprise anyone.
A eunuch rushed to Ji Lan’s hall to report on the arrangements for Sun Yinzhu’s funeral. Ji Lan sat by the chess table, holding a black piece in one hand and a white piece in the other, playing against himself. He listened to the eunuch’s report with little interest. When the eunuch finished, he casually said, “The empress suffocated in a small side room before she died. Choose a lighter coffin for her and place some water and food inside.”
The eunuch was quite surprised. Throughout history, the items buried with the deceased varied greatly, often consisting of valuable treasures for the nobility. This was the first time he had heard of placing water and food in a coffin.
However, considering how the empress had died, the eunuch understood Ji Lan’s intention. He thought to himself—His Majesty still cares for the empress!
Because of the upcoming New Year, Sun Yinzhu’s burial was scheduled for the 29th day of the 12th lunar month.
As darkness fell, Ji Lan put down his vermilion brush. He walked to the window and gazed at the night sky, standing still for a long time. After a while, he turned and left the hall. A young eunuch quickly handed him a cloak and followed him.
“No need to follow.”
Ji Lan walked alone under the red walls to the place where Sun Yinzhu’s coffin was kept.
The palace attendants guarding the funeral knelt on the ground.
Ji Lan waved his hand, dismissing everyone.
He slowly walked to the coffin and stood beside it, looking at Sun Yinzhu lying inside. Sun Yinzhu’s face was devoid of color. Despite her elaborate makeup, her pallor and coldness were unmistakable. She was dressed in the intricate and solemn palace attire she had worn on the day she married into the palace.
Ji Lan stood by the coffin for a long time, suddenly murmuring as if to himself, “Was it necessary…”
To others, he might seem sinister, ruthless, and unscrupulous, someone to be avoided like a viper.
He chuckled, his slightly curved lips outlining his usual gentle and elegant demeanor.
Indeed, he had always been that kind of person.
Ji Lan turned to leave. As soon as he stepped out of the hall, the cold night wind blew in, chilling him to the bone. He pulled his cloak tighter and walked away slowly.
While Sun Yinzhu’s funeral was being arranged, preparations for the state banquet were also underway. The state banquet was held annually on New Year’s Eve, New Year’s Day, or sometimes the second day of the new year. This year, it was scheduled for New Year’s Day.
On New Year’s Eve, Ji Lan walked alone along the red walls and green tiles, slowly traversing the entire palace, stepping on every blue brick. At midnight, as the sound of firecrackers filled the air, he stood alone at the highest lookout tower in the palace, overlooking the entire city of Yong’an.
“Your Majesty?” A young eunuch, carrying a cotton coat on his arm, ran up the stone steps and silently stood by Ji Lan’s side, bowing respectfully. “Your Majesty, the wind is strong here, and the night is cold. You should return.”
Ji Lan did not take his eyes off the distance. Smiling, he asked, “Xiao Jiangzi, look at Yong’an City. The fireworks and countless lights, at this hour, everyone should be staying up to welcome the new year.”
Xiao Jiangzi glanced at the view and smiled in agreement. “It’s picturesque! Truly beautiful!”
Ji Lan smiled faintly and nodded, saying, “It’s beautiful, so we should look at it more. Who knows if there will be another chance to see it in the future.”
Xiao Jiangzi did not understand, his small, crossed eyes darting around as he tried to fathom the emperor’s meaning. Ji Lan, however, had already turned and was slowly descending the white stone steps.
Compared to the calm in the palace, the small village hidden deep within the snowy mountains was bustling with New Year celebrations. These were people who had survived many near-death experiences. Having found safety in this secluded spot, their ways of seeking enjoyment were simple, and their lives were pure.
Gu Jianli and his group were still staying here, not having left.
Jixia had broken her leg, and Yuanping and Yuan’an had caught severe colds. The others were also feeling unwell to varying degrees. These were delicate women who had been forced to flee day and night without rest. They couldn’t handle it, and even after resting for a few days, they had not yet recovered.
A few maidservants went into the kitchen and, using various meats and vegetables provided by the villagers, planned to cook ten different dishes, symbolizing perfection in all aspects.
Ji Xinglou and Ji Xinglan were diligently building snowmen in the courtyard. Over the past few days, they had built several snowmen. The snowmen, of various sizes, stood shoulder to shoulder, filling the small courtyard.
Wen Jingshan, supported by Xiaohe, came out of the house and sat on the steps under the eaves, her gaze gentle and smiling as she watched Ji Xinglou. The sound of Ji Xinglou’s laughter brought joy to her heart.
Xiaohe carefully wrapped another cotton coat around Wen Jingshan and said, “Madam, it’s very cold outside. If you feel cold, don’t force yourself. We can go back inside.”
Wen Jingshan nodded casually.
Xiaohe’s words were overheard by Ji Xinglou. Ji Xinglou’s small hands patted the round belly of the snowman, and his movements gradually slowed down. He looked back at Wen Jingshan. He lowered his head, thought for a moment, and suddenly had an idea.
“Wait for me, I’ll be back soon!” Ji Xinglou said to Ji Xinglan before running into the house like a gust of wind.
Wen Jingshan called out, “The ground is slippery, be careful!”
Before she could finish her sentence, Ji Xinglou had already run past her and into the house. Ji Xinglou lingered in the house for a long time, causing Ji Xinglan to frequently glance in its direction. The snow was cold, turning her small hands red. She cupped her small hands to her lips, puffing her cheeks to warm them. The task of solidifying the snowman made her hands cold and painful. She decided to wait for her brother to handle it.
Wen Jingshan had come outside just to watch Ji Xinglou play. Now that he had gone back inside, she waited and waited but didn’t see him come out. Supported by Xiaohe, she was about to get up and go back inside when Ji Xinglou ran out again like a gust of wind.
“Here!” Ji Xinglou stuffed something warm into Wen Jingshan’s hands.
Wen Jingshan’s eyes followed Ji Xinglou as he ran over to Ji Xinglan, took her hand, and continued building snowmen while chatting with her.
It took Wen Jingshan a moment to look down at what Ji Xinglou had given her.
It was a stone, which had been heated in the fire. It served as a crude hand warmer. Wen Jingshan could see that Ji Xinglou had used a cloth to wipe the stone after taking it from the fire. However, being just a child, he wasn’t thorough, and the stone had not been completely cleaned. The soot on the stone had stained Wen Jingshan’s hand.
Wen Jingshan looked at the blackened soot in her palm and found it endearing. She smiled gently.
Yuanshun came out of the kitchen with a basin of dirty water. After dumping the water, she saw Changsheng entering the courtyard from outside.
“Changsheng!” Yuanshun called out loudly.
Changsheng, looking dispirited, raised his head at the sound and looked at her.
Yuanshun waved him over, “No slacking off! Come to the kitchen and help out.”
Changsheng, with his head hanging, walked towards the kitchen.
A group of people were either sick or injured. Today, only Yuanshun, Jixia, and Lizi were busy in the kitchen preparing the New Year’s Eve dinner. Jixia had hurt her leg and was sitting on a bench shelling beans. Lizi, who didn’t know much, was only given some simple tasks.
“Why are you so down?” Yuanshun asked while deftly cutting the meat.
Jixia, who was shelling beans, looked up curiously at Changsheng and noticed a bruise on his face. She paused and asked in surprise, “What happened to your face?”
Changsheng sighed, sat down at the stove to light the fire, and said gloomily, “I don’t know what madness has gotten into Changfeng. He’s been insisting on sparring with me these past two days.”
So it was sparring. Hearing this, Jixia was slightly relieved. She lowered her head and continued shelling beans, saying casually, “Then why are you sighing?”
Throwing more firewood into the fire, Changsheng replied sullenly, “I can’t beat him!”
Jixia smiled with her eyes curved, saying, “Then work harder and beat him as soon as possible.”
“Bah! If I could beat him, I would have become one of the Twelve Disciples of the Xuanjing Sect long ago. I wouldn’t be here lighting the fire and cooking!”
Yuanshun gave Changsheng a strange look, thinking that even Changfeng had lit the fire before…
Changsheng muttered softly, “Why doesn’t he go find Changlin if he’s itching for a fight? Why does he have to pick on me…”
Jixia put down the beans, cupped her hands around her mouth, and mimicked the parrot that Changsheng kept, “Changsheng! Fool——”
“You!” Changsheng pointed at Jixia, about to say something, but then swallowed his words. He stood up abruptly and headed outside.
Jixia called after him, “Where are you going? Don’t slack off, come back and light the fire!”
“To find a wife!” Changsheng walked into the courtyard and happened to meet Changfeng.
Changfeng frowned and asked, “What wife?”
“Going to ask the lady for Jixia! Oh, and the kitchen is short-handed, you go help light the fire.” Changsheng patted Changfeng on the shoulder and continued on his way to find Gu Jianli.
“Jixia?” Changfeng repeated. His stern eyebrows relaxed a bit, and the coldness in his expression slightly thawed.
From then on, Changfeng never actively sought out Changsheng for sparring again. Instead, it was Changsheng who kept pestering him frequently.
During the New Year’s Eve dinner, everyone gathered together, regardless of status. Gu Jianli put down her chopsticks and said, “There’s something I want to say.”
Everyone stopped and looked at her.
“Whether it’s Changsheng asking for Jixia or Changfeng asking for Yuanshun, my answer is the same. You don’t need to ask me. If they are willing to be with you, it would be best if you both come to me together to ask for a blessing.” Gu Jianli’s gentle gaze swept over Jixia, Yuanping, Yuan’an, and Yuanshun, “Of course, if you have any grievances, you can come to me, and I will back you up.”
Ji Wujing scoffed, lifted his eyes to look at Gu Jianli, and asked, “If I have grievances, will you back me up?”
Gu Jianli was taken aback and quickly asked, “What’s wrong?”
Ji Wujing threw down his chopsticks, his perfectly handsome face showing a listless expression. He said, “The fish in this village are all too terrible.”
Changlin couldn’t hold back and burst out laughing.
Ji Wujing glanced at him with disdain and said, “It’s just a bit of snow, yet both Changfeng and Changsheng are close to getting wives. And you? Useless.”
Changlin froze, instantly feeling embarrassed.
Changsheng, feeling playful, joked, “There are still Yuanping and Yuan’an over there. Have you taken a fancy to any of them? If not, there’s still Xiaohe and Yansui, who isn’t here.”
“Don’t, don’t say such things!” Changlin stuttered nervously, his face turning red.
Gu Jianli smiled gently, “Changlin seems like a reliable person, Changsheng, don’t tease him.”
Ji Wujing scoffed, “He’s the most reliable when it comes to killing people.”