Chapter 311 – Madame Kong
Leaving the Capital
The Crown Prince's funeral was carried out in a grand manner. Although Jing Hua had been deposed when he was alive, all the funeral rites were carried out according to the Crown Prince's specifications.
Even Kong Yu's funeral rites were carried out according to the Crown Prince's specifications.
Both of them were buried in the same tomb.
Qi Zhen Emperor had specifically instructed them not to share the same room during life, but to share the same tomb after death.
After the funeral was over, Jing Rong left the mausoleum.
Jing Rong left the mausoleum. When he came out, someone handed him a brocade box wrapped in cloth and a scroll of painting.
That person replied, "Your Highness, everything has been settled."
"Mm."
He took the box and painting and boarded the carriage. Instead of returning to the Rong Estate, he went to the Kong Estate.
In the Kong Estate.
Madame Kong had sealed the Buddha hall and removed all the incense and candles. The Buddha statue inside was moved to the temple to be worshiped.
The entire estate was no longer filled with the scent of incense and candles like before.
It wasn't pungent, but rather had a faint fragrance.
When Jing Rong arrived, Madame Kong was packing her things, planning to leave the capital that day.
Juan 'er was helping at the side, flustered.
After Ji Yunshu's last visit, Madame Kong brought Juan 'er out of the palace.
Seeing Jing Rong, Madame Kong put down her work and hurried forward to bow.
"Greetings, Prince Rong."
"Madame Kong, there's no need to be so courteous."
"Why is Your Highness here?"
Logically speaking, Jing Rong should still be in the mausoleum, or in the palace. Why is he here?
Jing Rong glanced at Juan 'er.
When the time came, Juan 'er tactfully dropped the work in her hands and hurried out.
Only Jing Rong and Madame Kong were left in the room.
Jing Rong said, "Madame Kong, this Prince is here to give you something."
'Something?'
She was puzzled.
Jing Rong took out the painting he brought and handed it to Madame Kong. He explained, "This is a painting, take a look."
Madame Kong carefully took it and opened it.
In the painting, a woman stood under a peach blossom tree. Her embroidered hand gently plucked a peach blossom and placed it on the tip of her nose to smell it. She wore a light blue dress that fluttered in the wind. The peach blossom petals fell on her skirt like scattered paint.
Hazy!
And that delicate and pretty face was set off by the peach blossoms, and her almond-shaped eyes were slightly curved like spring water. Her small and delicate lips were pursed together, suffused with light red dots of light, faintly seductive.
Beautiful!
Very beautiful!
"This is Yu Er!"
Madam Kong's voice trembled.
His hands, which were holding the two ends of the painting, began to tremble in disbelief.
Jing Rong said, "This portrait was drawn by Teacher Ji. Keep it as a memento."
"Yu 'er …" Madame Kong's eyes reddened, and her fingers caressed the portrait. After a long time, she sniffled and carefully rolled up the portrait.
"I'll have to trouble your Highness to thank Teacher Ji on my behalf. I will never forget this kindness for the rest of my life."
"Yes."
"The person I've let down the most is Yu 'er. When His Majesty conferred her the title of Princess, I should have opposed it with all my might. If not, this would not have happened."
"Madam Kong, there's no need to blame yourself. This prince is also at fault. If I had given her an answer earlier, she wouldn't have waited for so long."
His tone was filled with guilt.
Madame Kong said, "I believe that Yu 'er has never regretted waiting for your Highness."
Of course!
Jing Rong lowered his brows and took a deep breath. He did not continue on this topic.
Then, he handed the box to Madame Kong. "This time, this prince made the decision to burn Kong Yu's body. This box contains her ashes. You should take her away from the capital. Be it the Imperial Palace or the Imperial Mausoleum, none of them are places she wants to go."
"This …"
Madame Kong was shocked. After putting down the portrait, she held the box with both hands, tears streaming down her cheeks.
She slowly lifted the cloth covering the box and gently touched the tiny patterns on it, as if she was holding her own daughter's face. Her benevolent face was tinged with sorrow.
She worriedly asked Jing Rong, "Your Highness, if you burn Kong Yu 'er's body, then the ones in the Imperial Mausoleum …"
"Only the Crown Prince's remains. The other coffin is empty. Don't worry, this prince is in charge of the Crown Prince's funeral. No one will find out. Moreover, the Crown Prince has already been buried. No one will open the coffin again. You can take Kong Yu's ashes and bury them in the Kong Clan. Or, you can scatter them in the Peach Blossom Forest."
Jing Rong's tone was very gentle.
He knew that Kong Yu liked peach blossoms.
His Peach Blossom Forest was indeed planted for Kong Yu. It was just that he had never mentioned it before.
Madame Kong hugged the box and nodded. Her body could no longer support herself and she sat down on the side.
Because Jing Rong still had to enter the palace, he did not linger and left.
When Juan 'er saw him leave, she entered the room and saw her madame crying while hugging the portrait and the box.
"Madame, are you alright?"
"I'm fine!" Madame Kong lifted her sleeve and wiped away her tears.
Juan 'er's eyes also reddened. She sniffled and looked at the portrait and the box. She cautiously asked, "Madame, are these two items related to the young miss?"
Madame Kong nodded and gently patted the back of Juan 'er's hand.
"From now on, we won't come to the capital anymore. Let's go to Emerald Retreat. There's a peach blossom forest there. We'll bring Yu 'er there."
"Yes!"
Juan 'er firmly nodded.
… …
After Jing Rong left, he hurriedly entered the palace. Just as he arrived at the city gates, he heard the Capital Governor's voice coming from outside.
"The First Prince's funeral has been pressing for the past two days. Now, there's another vexing matter."
He sighed, full of complaints.
The official beside him asked, "Lord Yi (Capital Governor), what matter is more vexing than the First Prince's funeral?"
"In the past few days, a woman from Yufu County has repeatedly come to the capital to submit a petition. She has no evidence and no witnesses. Moreover, the case happened several years ago. Now, she came to the capital to reverse the verdict. This is a difficult matter to handle. Moreover, the case was closed a few years ago. Now, she wants to appeal to reverse the verdict. Isn't this making things difficult for you?"
"Isn't this handled by the Supreme Court?"
It would have been better if he hadn't mentioned it. Now that he mentioned it, the Capital Governor seemed to have been injected with chicken blood.
Panting with rage, he said, "The position of the Judge of the Ministry of Justice was revoked by the Emperor a few years ago. Logically speaking, local cases should be handled by the Supreme Court. However, this case is too difficult. That woman didn't go through the proper procedures and directly came to the capital to appeal. Naturally, the Supreme Court wouldn't accept it. She could only come to my office. Don't you think it's tragic? If the position of the Judge of the Ministry of Justice hadn't been revoked, I wouldn't have to go through the necessary procedures. "
He sighed.
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