Chapter 614: Returned Posthumous Conferment 2
"You could have bestowed any other posthumous honor! Why did it have to be Crown Princess Consort? Do you want the Crown Prince to be a laughingstock for the rest of his life?" Consort Yuan was furious.
"The dead are soon forgotten. No one will dare to say a word."
"I don’t care! She can be buried in the imperial mausoleum, but not with the title of Crown Princess Consort."
"The imperial decree has been issued. It cannot be changed. I know this is unfair to you and the Crown Prince, and I will compensate you both." The Beili Emperor sounded helpless.
The elder of the Zhong family had personally stepped in to address the matter. His only choices were to punish Yuan Yintang and the Consort, or to grant Ye Qianning this supreme honor to pacify them.
This would show everyone that the imperial family was truly aggrieved by Ye Qianning’s death. Only by having her interred in the imperial mausoleum as the Crown Princess Consort would people understand how much the imperial clan valued her.
"I don’t want any compensation," Consort Yuan began to sob. "Your Majesty, you know full well what the prominent families of the Capital City are like. Even if they say nothing to our faces, they’ll gossip behind our backs. A stain like this can’t be washed away. Someone will always remember."
"Enough. Stop crying." The Beili Emperor was already vexed and had little patience. When his attempts to placate her failed, his expression soured.
"Your Majesty, I’m begging you."
"The decree has been given; there is no taking it back. When it comes down to it, isn’t this all because of your own mistakes? Am I not doing this for your sake?" The Beili Emperor frowned. "Leave me. I am exhausted and wish to speak no more."
Consort Yuan dabbed at her eyes, secretly watching his face. Seeing his expression, she knew the outcome was set. ’That damned Ye Qianning. Dragging the Crown Prince down with her even in death.’
’How detestable!’
"Your Majesty, the Crown Prince requests an audience."
The Beili Emperor looked up. "Send him in."
Consort Yuan was surprised. ’Why is the Crown Prince back at the palace?’
"Your son greets Imperial Father and Mother Consort." Sang Qi entered and stepped forward to bow.
"You may rise."
"Thank you, Imperial Father." Sang Qi rose to his feet.
"It’s not a rest day. Why have you returned to the palace?" The Beili Emperor gestured for him to sit.
Sang Qi obediently took a seat, his young face puffed out. "Replying to Imperial Father, your son... heard about what happened at Four-direction Mountain."
"News travels fast to the academy, then? It seems Dean Chen has grown lax in his duties." The Beili Emperor’s voice was level as he rubbed his temples.
Sang Qi sat quietly, his young face a little pale. "Your son wishes to go to the General’s Manor to pay his respects. I ask for Imperial Father’s permission."
The Beili Emperor was surprised at his words, but his surprise quickly turned to pleasure. "Permission granted," he said, a smile in his voice.
Consort Yuan was also stunned.
"Thank you, Imperial Father."
"Qi’er, you... why would you want to go pay your respects to *her*?" Consort Yuan snapped back to reality, her tone incredulous.
"She was betrothed to me. Now that she is dead, it is my duty to pay my respects," Sang Qi said earnestly.
"Absolutely not! As the Crown Prince, you cannot go and pay respects to her. Such an act is beneath your station!" Consort Yuan refused flatly.
Sang Qi looked at Consort Yuan. "Mother Consort, my tutors have taught me that we must honor the dead. Even if she was willful and unreasonable when she was alive, and I truly did dislike her, she is dead now. All past conflicts should be put to rest."
"If you go, wouldn’t that be as good as—"
"Excellent." The Beili Emperor’s voice, full of praise, cut Consort Yuan off.
Consort Yuan twisted her handkerchief, thoroughly displeased.
"Worthy of being my son. You see the bigger picture. Tomorrow, I will arrange an escort to take you to the General’s Manor." The Beili Emperor was delighted.
"Your Majesty!" Consort Yuan said, alarmed.
’If the Crown Prince goes, it will all but cement Ye Qianning’s status as Crown Princess Consort.’
"That’s enough. The Crown Prince, young as he is, has a better grasp of the situation than you do. What more is there to say?" The Beili Emperor’s tone left no room for argument.
Consort Yuan pressed her lips together, furious with the Emperor’s decision and a little resentful of her son. ’What kind of nonsense are they teaching him at that academy? Honor the dead?’
’A worthless life only becomes more worthless in death. Dying doesn’t make you noble!’
Sang Qi pursed his lips and lowered his gaze. He had been to the General’s Manor. The estate was hung with white mourning lanterns, and from outside, he could hear the sounds of wailing within.
He hadn’t dared to go inside.
As much as he’d disliked Ye Qianning, he had never wished for her death.
"Imperial Father, what exactly happened at Four-direction Mountain?"
"The word is that it was men from East Shu. I have already dispatched men to investigate, so you need not concern yourself with it. After you pay your respects tomorrow, return directly to the academy. You mustn’t fall behind in your studies." The Beili Emperor did not want the Crown Prince to know too much.
"Your son obeys."
"Your Majesty," a young eunuch rushed in.
"What is the cause for such alarm?"
"Dean Chen, Old Master Zhan, and Chancellor Qian request an audience."
Upon hearing this, the Beili Emperor’s good mood vanished. ’Those three, coming to the palace together... this can’t be good.’ "Has Mr. Li returned to the palace?"
"Mr. Li is also outside the hall."
"Show them in."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
The young eunuch backed out of the room.
"Consort, you and the Crown Prince may leave us."
"Yes, Father. Your son takes his leave." Sang Qi rose and bowed.
"Your servant takes her leave."
Consort Yuan bowed and was leading Sang Qi out when they came face-to-face with Dean Chen and his party as they were entering.
"Dean," Sang Qi said respectfully, clasping his hands in a salute.
"Your Highness," Dean Chen asked, "today is not a rest day, is it? Why have you returned to the palace?"
"I heard about the incident at the General’s Manor and broke academy rules by leaving without informing my tutor. When I return tomorrow, I will go to my tutor to accept my punishment." Sang Qi’s speech and demeanor were far more composed than usual.
Hearing him mention the General’s Manor, Dean Chen’s expression faltered for a moment. He merely grunted in acknowledgment before walking into the hall.
Behind him, Zhan Yi and Qian Fu offered only a perfunctory bow. Without a word, and without waiting for a response, they walked past with cold expressions.
Consort Yuan watched Zhan Yi walk past, displeased. ’Hmph,’ she thought with a sneer. ’Arrogant beyond belief.’
"Greetings, Your Ladyship, Your Highness." Mr. Li gave a proper, formal bow.
Consort Yuan glanced back and noticed the imperial edict in his hands. A flicker of confusion crossed her eyes. ’Didn’t Mr. Li go to the General’s Manor to announce the decree?’
’Why has he returned with it?’
’Could it be that...?’
"Mother Consort, let’s go," Sang Qi said.
Consort Yuan spared it another glance before slowly walking out the door.
She descended the steps of Dragon and Qilin Hall numbly. The more she thought about it, the more something felt wrong. She stopped in her tracks.
"Mother Consort, what’s wrong?" Sang Qi asked, confused.
"Qi’er, you return to the Eastern Palace first. I will come find you later."
"Is something the matter?"
"Yes. Qi’er, go on ahead." Consort Yuan was agitated. Ignoring Sang Qi’s confusion, she turned and walked back up the steps.
The young eunuch at the door blocked her path. "Your Ladyship, allow this servant to announce you."
"There’s no need. I will wait here for the Emperor." Consort Yuan stood at the entrance, straining to hear the sounds from within the hall.
Seeing his mother’s actions, Sang Qi instantly guessed her intent. He frowned slightly, then also walked back up the steps. ’Eavesdropping is the act of a common scoundrel.’
「Inside the hall.」
"Greetings, Your Majesty."
Dean Chen and the others bowed in unison.
Mr. Li stood at the very back, holding the imperial decree, his heart tight with anxiety. ’No one has ever dared to refuse an imperial decree. It goes without saying that the Emperor will be furious.’
The Beili Emperor raised a hand, gesturing for them to rise. "Teacher, what brings you to the palace so late at night?"