Chapter 321 Palace Coup

Qiu Heng walked in the massive procession, inconspicuous but with a sorrowful expression on her face, just like anyone else in sight.

On an occasion like this, not making any mistakes was the best you could do.

Emperor Jingping's coffin was ahead, with the new emperor closest to it. Looking around, everyone was in mourning attire, and a solemn, heavy atmosphere enveloped the entire procession.

They reached the imperial mausoleum, and the procession passed through gate after gate to arrive at the worship hall, where Emperor Jingping's coffin was placed. The grand and elaborate funeral ceremony began.

Everyone knelt and wailed in mourning, arranged by their blood relation and official rank.

Qiu Heng waited with the crowd and, seeing Prince Fu ahead of her grieving bitterly, she twitched the corner of her mouth.

Quite the act.

"Prince Fu!"

Amidst the exclamations, Prince Fu actually cried so hard he passed out and was helped to the side by those nearby.

Qiu Heng's eyes showed admiration.

Being such a good actor, no wonder he got along best among the princes and even had Emperor Jingping killed through Xue Quan's hands. It was likely that the Crown Prince's death during the autumn hunt was also Prince Fu's doing.

Fortunately, she had encountered Xue Han, who relied on raw power to cut through all schemes. He didn't need evidence or others' approval; he just struck them down directly.

Thinking about Xue Han's original fate, Qiu Heng couldn't help but look for him, and their gazes met.

Their gazes briefly touched before parting.

When it was the turn of noblewomen who held the title of Commandery Princess like Qiu Heng to pay respects, quite some time had passed.

Once everyone had finished paying their respects, Emperor Jingping's coffin was moved out of the worship hall and taken into the underground palace by a group of selected officials and eunuchs for subsequent mourning rituals.

By the time everything was fully concluded, half the day was gone.

Everyone had red eyes and sorrowful faces, but they were finally able to relax.

The new emperor returned to the temporary palace, while others were either busy with the follow-up or heading back to their lodgings to rest.

Qiu Heng stayed with the people from Prince Kang's mansion, just like during the autumn hunt, but with the difference that Princess Kang's attitude was like night and day.

Qiu Heng didn't care about the change in Princess Kang's attitude. Whether it was disdain or fondness, since Princess Kang wasn't someone Qiu Heng cared about, her attitude meant nothing.

Xue Han found a moment to stop by.

"It could be tonight. It shouldn't reach this side."

"Xue Han, be careful."

"I will." Xue Han gave Qiu Heng a light hug and quickly parted, saying, "Just wait for good news."

Soon night fell. Qiu Heng had a good meal, changed into dark, easy-to-move-in clothes, and fingered the soft sword at her waist.

She couldn't just wait idly; even if she wasn't directly involved, she wanted to take a look when the chaos started.

Time ticked by, and the night grew late.

Qiu Heng lay on the bed fully dressed, resting with her eyes shut.

It was very quiet outside. The wind grew louder, and leaves rustled.

She could hear vague sounds of movement.

Qiu Heng got up from the bed and walked to the window.

She had left the window open on purpose. Looking out, the sky was tinged with a red glow—from the direction of the imperial mausoleum.

Was he going to use the fire at the imperial mausoleum to stir up trouble?

You have to admit Prince Fu was quite clever. Once something happened at the imperial mausoleum, the guards would inevitably rush over, and even the new emperor couldn't just sit safely in his chambers.

Clever, and even more ruthless at heart.

The imperial mausoleum also housed Prince Fu's ancestors. He was even willing to disturb his own ancestors' graves. No wonder he could push his daughter into a political marriage without hesitation.

The noises outside grew louder.

Qiu Heng no longer hesitated. She directly jumped out of the window and vanished into the night in a few quick leaps.

Princess Rongning was also looking up at the glow.

Realizing the fire came from the direction of the imperial mausoleum, she had the same thought as Qiu Heng.

"This is nothing compared to the real storm," Princess Rongning muttered with a sarcastic smirk, as she walked into the courtyard.

Hearing the noise, Princess Consort Fu hastily dressed and came out, her heart pounding. She grabbed Princess Rongning and asked, "Rongning, what are you saying?"

"Nothing. Mother, why did you come out?"

"I—" Princess Consort Fu wanted to say that she woke up feeling inexplicably anxious, but fearing her daughter would worry, she forced a smile and said, "I heard quite a commotion outside, so I came out to check."

"Mother, sister, why are you both outside?" Third Brother asked.

Princess Rongning looked over and saw it was her third brother speaking.

"Mother, sister, get back inside quickly," Third Brother said.

Princess Consort Fu grew more anxious, and she asked in a trembling voice, "Third Brother, where are your father and eldest brother?"

This place wasn't like the spacious Prince Fu's mansion. It was a small courtyard where the whole family was staying. Even she and Rongning had come out, but the prince and his two oldest sons were nowhere in sight. Wasn't that too strange?

"Mother, go back to rest," Third Brother said, ignoring Princess Consort Fu's question. He took her arm and started steering her back inside.

Princess Rongning stared at her third brother as he dodged the question, despair in her eyes.

Third Brother knew too! They all knew!

And... they were all going to die...

Seeing the despair on Princess Rongning's face, Third Brother frowned. "Sister?"

Princess Rongning held his gaze and asked, "Third Brother, aren't you afraid?"

Third Brother's expression flickered, and the look in his eyes toward Princess Rongning changed.

How does Rongning know?

"I don't know what you're talking about," Third Brother said, his face hardening as he supported Princess Consort Fu and steered her inside.

"San Lang, what happened?"

"Mother, don't ask. You'll know tomorrow."

Princess Consort Fu was all but forced into the room. Pale-faced, she collapsed into a chair and grabbed Princess Rongning's hand. "Rong Ning—your father and the others, they—"

They're rebelling?

She didn't dare voice the question, but in her heart she already knew.

"Mother." Princess Rongning hugged the trembling Princess Consort tightly and said firmly, "You still have me."

Princess Consort Fu wept silently.

In the temporary palace, hurried footsteps could be heard.

"Your Majesty, the imperial mausoleum is on fire!" the eunuch messenger said in an urgent tone.

The new emperor hurriedly dressed and walked outside.

The imperial mausoleum was a considerable distance from the temporary palace. Many of the imperial guards protecting the palace were diverted to the mausoleum area, and the officials and nobility staying in the official residences also stepped outside upon hearing the commotion.

Amidst the noise and chaos, a squad of imperial guards quietly approached the palace gate. Before the gatekeepers could utter a sound, they were cut down with a single blow.

This squad of imperial guards cut down anyone they encountered. Though not large in number, they charged into the palace unstoppable, like a flood breaching a levee.

The clash of weapons was also heard in the consorts' quarters.

Consort Shu rushed into the Fifth Prince's chambers. Seeing that he was still asleep, she couldn't help breathing a sigh of relief.

Children of this age always have such enviable sleep.

"Your Highness—"

Consort Shu dismissed the attendants with a gesture, then sat on the bed and took his hand.

Maybe because her hand was too cold, the Fifth Prince woke up regardless.

"Mother?" The Fifth Prince sat up, looking bewildered. "Did something happen?"

Consort Shu ruffled his hair. "It's nothing."

The Fifth Prince's eyes cleared. "Mother, what's that noise outside? It sounds like fighting."

"Put on your clothes and don't pay attention." Consort Shu looked out; her face was pale.

She had already ordered the courtyard gate to be barricaded from the inside. There was nothing else she could do.

It seemed... a coup was happening.

Consort Shu—now actually Consort Dowager Shu—gripped her son's hand tightly, with only one thought: no matter what, mother and son would stay together.

Note:

Attending the annual meeting today, requesting a day off.