Chapter 218: The Scholars’ Request
Life in the Capital continued beyond just the struggle for the throne. Officials still had to attend court, common people still had to make a living. Throughout winter, babies were still born and the elderly still passed away.
In the middle of January, Princess Hengyang died at home. There were various accounts of her death – some said she died in a fit of rage after a meal, while others claimed she died from excessive laughter.
As the Martial Emperor’s sister, Princess Hengyang had built up considerable influence around the Chai family. Her death was a significant event for the court.
In early February, the Chai family held her funeral. Given her royal status, she would not be buried in the Chai family tomb but rather in the imperial mausoleum to rest with her father and brother.
The funeral was grand and elaborate, lasting an entire day. Decorated canopies lined the route from inside the city to outside, drawing countless spectators – rivaling the Lantern Festival crowds. All the nobles and officials of the Capital came to pay respects, and Weary Marquis Han Ruzi was no exception.
These social obligations were not up to Han Ruzi himself – the Ministry of Rites and the Bureau of Imperial Clan Affairs made the arrangements. Though there was no palace approval, adding some complications, the proper ceremonies could not be omitted. Since there was no imperial edict, everything proceeded according to custom.
The Weary Marquis’s household contributed money and effort, setting up canopies along the funeral route. Han Ruzi had not wanted to attend personally, as Princess Hengyang had despised him deeply. There were rumors that whether she died from extreme joy or anger, it had something to do with the Weary Marquis.
Yang Feng advised him to make an appearance as a gesture of reconciliation, saying that someone aspiring to be emperor should minimize personal grudges. Even if they couldn’t be fully resolved, others should see that the fault did not lie with the Weary Marquis.
Han Ruzi didn’t need to participate in the entire funeral procession – he only needed to show his face from his household’s canopy when the procession passed by, not even having to step down from his sedan chair.