The Princess Royal looked at her son who was running towards her. Her face was as red as a sixteen year old girl's, and the smile on her face became gentler and gentler.
"Walk again, walk again, and bid farewell to my husband. Thousands of miles away from each other, we are at opposite ends of the world … Missing you makes me grow old, but it's getting late … Give up the donation and don't go back to Taoism. Try your best to eat more … "Great Elder Princess put her hand in Ban Huai's and murmured," Try your best to eat more … more … "
She seemed to be suddenly energized, and her eyes were as bright as the stars in the sky.
"Shui Qing," she smiled and looked at her son, "Our Huahua's little husband is really handsome. I'll tell your father when we get back."
"Mm." Ban Huai choked with sobs.
Suddenly, the Princess Royal's hand fell down weakly, and her bright eyes slowly closed. She fell asleep with a smile, but she would never wake up again.
Ban Huai opened his mouth and kept twitching, but he couldn't make a single sound. He couldn't even shed a single tear. He was like a fish that had jumped out of the pond. He tried his best to open his mouth, but he didn't know where to find salvation.
"De Ning Princess Royal … passed away."
"Marquis." The Yin Clan took Ban Huai into his arms and gently patted his back, again and again. Finally, Ban Huai cried out. He was like a swallow that had lost its mother, and each cry was more desperate than the last.
Ban Han sat on the ground in a daze, murmuring something in a low voice, as if he had lost his mind. Rong Xia grabbed her tightly clenched hand and slowly pried open her fingers, only to find that her palm was already badly mutilated. He didn't know when it was broken by her fingernails, but the flesh was sticky, and it was a ghastly sight.
"I'm useless …"
Rong Xia heard what Ban Han said clearly. He held her cold hand and firmly said, "It's not your fault. It's not your fault." He turned around and looked at the imperial doctor kneeling outside, "The princess' hand is injured."
Emperor Yunqing reacted and waved for the imperial physician to come over. "Be careful. Don't hurt the princess."
When the Imperial Physician saw the death of the Ban Family, his heart was filled with mixed feelings. When he heard the Emperor's order, he suddenly came back to his senses: "Yes." When he saw who was holding Princess Fule's wrist, he looked at Rong Xia in surprise, then lowered his head to treat the wound on Ban Han's palm.
"Your Majesty." After Ban Han's wounds were treated, Rong Xia walked in front of Emperor Yunqing, knelt down, and said, "This subject has just ruined Junzhu's reputation in front of so many people. This subject is willing to marry Junzhu to improve Junzhu's reputation."
Emperor Yunqing and the Empress froze when they heard this. They suddenly remembered that Rong Xia had carried Ban Han into the hall and said in front of the Princess Royal that he was Ban Han's husband. This was originally a temporary measure and shouldn't be taken seriously. But today, there were imperial physicians, palace maids, and eunuchs present. If this spread out, it would be detrimental to Ban Han's reputation.
"Jun Po, Zhen knows you are a gentleman and can't bear to ruin a woman's reputation. But …" Emperor Yunqing looked at the sorrowful Ban Family, "Marriage is an important matter. You don't have to wrong yourself like this."
He knew that Rong Xia was admired by many women in the capital. It wasn't difficult for such a man to marry a woman with both beauty and talent. He probably didn't like a woman like Ban Han.
Because he was worried that a woman's reputation would be damaged, he asked to marry her. This kind of man was indeed a rare gentleman.
"Junzhu is kind and lovely. This humble official likes Junzhu. To be able to marry her is this humble official's fortune." Rong Xia knelt down in front of Emperor Yunqing, "May Your Majesty and Niangniang be the matchmaker for this humble official."
Emperor Yunqing sighed inwardly. A gentleman should be like Rong Xia. This kind of speech actually helped the woman's reputation. No one could find any fault with it. Even though he and the Empress both knew that Rong Xia didn't like Huahua, they couldn't say anything at this moment.
"Wait a moment. When the Princess Royal …"
Emperor Yunqing's throat moved. His eyes reddened, but he couldn't say anything.
The people from the Ministry of Rites came and left. There seemed to be other people coming and going as well. The four members of the Ban Family could only blankly listen to the Emperor's orders. Even when the Emperor said that the Princess Royal's mourning hall should be set in the palace and that the funeral etiquette was only slightly lower than the Empress Dowager's, the Ban Family didn't show much joy on their faces. They were like confused children. Whatever the Emperor Yunqing said, they didn't doubt him at all.
The more they acted like this, the more guilty the Emperor Yunqing felt. His aunt died for him. If it wasn't for his aunt, then the person lying in the mourning hall right now would be him and not his aunt.
The more he thought about it, the more solemn the funeral he held for the Princess Royal. According to the Empress Dowager's funeral etiquette, her coffin should be stopped for twenty-seven days. She would be redeemed by monks and Taoists. The entire country would observe mourning for six months. Emperor Yunqing wanted to follow the Empress Dowager's rules, but there was no precedent. He had no choice but to follow the rules of the Princess Royal's funeral that were recorded in the history books.
The coffin would be stopped for twenty-four days. All third-ranked officials and officials in the capital had to come and weep for the Princess Royal. The entire country observed mourning for three months. No drinking, no merrymaking, and no marriage. If there was a breach of etiquette, they would be severely punished.
The entire country knew that the Princess Royal died to save the Emperor. Therefore, no one was blind enough to say anything in front of the Emperor. There were also some scholars who wrote books about the Princess Royal's actions. Some praised her for her loyalty, some praised her for her benevolence. All kinds of praises were given to the Princess Royal.
The Jingting Marquessate, which had always been lively in the past, seemed to have quieted down these days. No matter what the rumors were, they didn't say a word.
"Junzhu," Chang mama bowed three times in front of Ban Han, "This old servant is following Her Highness' orders to come and serve Junzhu."
"Chang mama," Ban Han personally helped Chang mama up. Her eyes were red and swollen as she asked, "Did grandmother say anything?"
Chang mama looked at the junzhu who had lost a lot of weight. She smiled in relief and said: "Her Highness said that you are the most like her. She hoped that you could live like she did when she was young, free and lively."
Ban Han walked to the window and looked at the white lanterns hanging outside the yard. Her voice was hoarse as she said: "When grandmother was young, she must have been very beautiful."
"Yes," Chang mama picked up a cloak and put it on Ban Han's shoulders, "This servant heard that before Her Highness married, she was the most beautiful person in Daye. The young masters of noble families who wanted to marry her could line up from the east to the west of the city."
Ban Han's lips trembled: "I'm not as good as grandmother."
"No, you are very good." Chang mama looked kindly at Ban Han, "You are as good as Her Highness."
Ban Han looked out of the window in a daze. After a long time, she said: "It's snowing again."
Chang mama looked at the pure white yard and silently stood beside Ban Han, not saying a word.
Not long after New Year's Eve, the Princess Royal was buried. The path to the funeral was filled with offerings from various families.
The Princess Royal Mausoleum had been built a long time ago. After her death, she could finally lie together with her beloved husband.
They were born at different times, but died in the same grave. She hoped that the two of them would love each other in the next life and never be separated.
Ban Han bowed three times and kowtowed nine times in front of the mausoleum. She kowtowed heavily with each kowtow. The dull sound was like her longing for her grandmother. Even though she was very reluctant, she could only watch as her grandmother was buried in this gorgeous but lifeless mausoleum.
"Close the mausoleum!"
The moment the mausoleum's door closed, countless mechanisms in the mausoleum made clicking sounds. Ban Han looked at everything in front of her in a daze, allowing the snow to fall on her head.
"Biaomei, please restrain your grief." The Crown Prince, dressed in plain clothing, walked behind Ban Han. He had the taijian behind him hold up an umbrella for Ban Han to shield her from the falling snow. "Great-grandmother's spirit in heaven must wish for you to live well, and not be sad because of her."
"Crown Prince Cousin." Ban Han turned her head to look at the Crown Prince. After a moment, she said: "Thank you."
The Crown Prince knew that she did not listen to his words and could only say to her: "The snow is getting heavier. Go back."
Ban Han pressed her lips together and strode to the gravestone. She used her hand to wipe away the snow on the gravestone and said softly: "Great-grandmother, in the future, I will come often to see you and grandfather. You have a good life in heaven. When … Huahua comes to find you, don't despise Huahua."
"Your Highness Crown Prince." Rong Xia walked to the Crown Prince's side with an umbrella. After bowing to the Crown Prince, he walked towards Ban Han.
Ban Han was wearing mourning clothing. She did not wear any makeup. Even her hair was fixed into a bun with a plain silver hairpin. There were no other accessories. Rong Xia put the umbrella on the ground. He took off his plain white cloak and draped it over Ban Han. Then he picked up the umbrella on the ground and held it over Ban Han's head: "Junzhu."
"Duke Rong." Ban Han wiped the corners of her eyes, "Why have you come?"
"Seeing Junzhu wearing thin clothing standing in the snow, this one came to see." Rong Xia paused, "Your family is waiting for you over there."
Ban Han turned her head and saw her father, mother, and younger brother standing not too far away. Her cold heart gradually warmed. She bowed to Rong Xia, "Many thanks, Duke."
She walked out from under the umbrella and dashed towards the Ban Family.
Rong Xia quietly watched her leave. Then, she went under the umbrella that her mother was holding. She turned back to look at the tombstone that was covered with a thin layer of snow. Reaching out, she gently brushed away the layer of snow, took a step back, put down the umbrella, and bowed to the tombstone.
"Sister, what are you looking at?" Ban Heng noticed that Ban Han had stopped. He was worried that she was still sad. He reached out and held her sleeve, "Watch your step."
Ban Han looked at the person bowing to her grandmother in the snow. She looked away and whispered: "En, we all have to watch our step."
The Princess Royal died. For many people, this was not a big deal. But for some people, it was something to be happy about.
Because the Princess Royal died, the Ban Family lost their support. The people who had been bullied by the Ban Family started to feel restless. However, three days after the Princess Royal's burial, the palace issued an edict. Ban Huai was promoted to the Duke Of Jingting and enjoyed the privileges of a Royal Prince.
After the Princess Royal died, the Emperor was so sad that he did not attend court for three days. On the day of the Princess Royal's burial, he cried so hard that he could not stand. The people who originally wanted to take revenge on the Ban Family suddenly realized that the Princess Royal died for the Emperor. As long as the Jiang Family wanted to save face, as long as the Ban Family did not commit a serious crime, the Emperor and the next Emperor would treat the Ban Family well.
This assassination case ended with the Princess Royal dying from serious injuries. However, the mastermind behind the assassination had not been found. The Emperor was furious and ordered a strict investigation. At the same time, the Commander and Deputy Commander of the Imperial Guards were severely punished.
"Have you found out?" Emperor Yunqing thought that the people who served him might want to kill him, so he couldn't eat or sleep well. After checking the entire harem several times, he still couldn't feel at ease. It wasn't until the mastermind behind the assassination was exposed.
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