Chapter 149 - 97: The Stubborn Man, Mr. Liu
In the peaceful days at the Funeral Shop, even though the nearby Paper Mache Shop had been quieter lately, Xu Qing maintained his spirited scholarly pursuit.
With a scripture in his hands, incense burning, and swallows chirping under the eaves, the shop had cats, chickens, and a silent maid busy with housekeeping duties.
This tranquil life was so precious that even an emperor would hesitate to exchange places!
Contrary to Xu Qing’s serenity, the heir apparent at the Jinmen Changting Royal Mansion was in a treacherous situation.
Ever since Prince Changting, loyal to the state, took his own life at the mouth of the Baishui River following the late Emperor’s passing, many ’rumors’ had spread among the people.
In the eyes of the populace, the death of the late Emperor was of little consequence, and they might even celebrate with an extra chicken leg for dinner if he had indeed died.
But not so for Prince Changting. He was a true statesman, one who had eradicated national traitors, driven out barbarians, and safeguarded the nation’s borders, ensuring decades of peace and prosperity...
How could such a savior of the realm die so inexplicably?
In no time, rumors of poisoning, ambush assassination, royal suspicion, and the monarch forcing his loyal subject to death spread swiftly through the streets and alleys of the Capital City.
The mixture of truth and falsehood clouded the narratives, even the detail of the late Emperor summoning Prince Changting before his death somehow leaked out.
The current reigning Emperor, Zhao Rong, was initially indifferent, as these events and their aftermath had been foreseen by the late Emperor, who intended to bear all blame. As long as the turmoil did not touch him, the events would eventually fade with time.