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墨書 Inktalez
Mingze glanced at the pile of bones and quickly turned away, muttering "Amitabha" repeatedly. His peripheral vision caught sight of the bones again, and he sighed, wondering how long they would have to dig. The people on the mountain would not retreat until they saw Prince Chen. If they continued at this slow pace, even doubling their numbers might not be enough to stop them.
"I have a suggestion," Sang Qingxiao raised her hand. "If my previous guess is correct, before the calamity strikes, the entire team will want to protect Prince Chen the most. Staying at the Bottom of the Valley only leads to death; they must push upward for a chance of survival."
Shi Yun suddenly understood and added, "So, Prince Chen's remains might be on the outskirts." The guards around him should be the most numerous, and the injuries on the attendants should also be the most severe.
Shi Yun immediately adjusted their digging direction, sending most people to the outskirts to dig a pit at intervals, first assessing the depth of the remains and choosing to excavate where it was shallowest.
After adjusting their strategy, three hours passed with no results. Sang Qingxiao yawned several times in succession. Shi Yun wouldn't let her leave, so she had no choice but to stay with him.
It was still Mingze who couldn't bear to see her suffer and suggested she rest in his carriage. After Sang Qingxiao went up the mountain, she unexpectedly saw Lian Baoying, the Matriarch of the Lian Family, who was accompanying her.
Meanwhile, her own black cat was happily sitting in the Matriarch's lap, enjoying being petted.
As soon as Sang Qingxiao approached, Li Cu made a face of disgust. "It stinks."
"I used a talisman to block the smell."
"Oh really? I guess after smelling that foul odor for too long, my nose has gone bad."
After asking the Matriarch a few questions, Sang Qingxiao quietly inquired Lian Baoying, "Was your family once part of Prince Chen's old faction?"
Lian Baoying looked confused. "I don't know anything about that. My grandfather is coming; I can't stop him. But I feel like with a new emperor comes new subjects. The Xuande Emperor is still alive; all these old factions rushing over without even attending court—aren't they slapping Xuande Emperor in the face?"
As Lian Baoying spoke, her voice rose slightly as if she wanted her grandfather to hear.
Old Madam listened with a pleased expression; it seemed she had gained some wisdom and could read the political situation.
Prince Chen had shown favor to the Lian Family. Your grandfather wanted to support Prince Chen's old faction, but unfortunately missed the timing; before he could pledge allegiance, Prince Chen had already fallen.
This had been a thorn in your grandfather's heart. I lived with him for a lifetime and still heard him sigh about how unfortunate it was for Prince Chen from time to time.
With your grandfather gone, I came to see for him. Even if Xuande Emperor is displeased, he won't vent his anger on the Lian Family; those truly loyal are still kneeling there.
Indeed, many were kneeling on the mountain.
Sang Qingxiao asked, "Have they been kneeling all this time?"
Lian Baoying replied, "Not just kneeling; they're crying and wailing too—it's giving me a headache."
Sang Qingxiao updated them on their progress below. Seeing how pitifully sleepy she looked, the Matriarch allowed her to sleep in her carriage.
Uncertain how long she had been asleep, she was jolted awake by the noise outside. Looking out the window, she realized it was dusk once again.
Everyone was getting on in years, yet they still managed to endure. What was going on? Sang Qingxiao felt a bit dazed. After Lian Baoying inquired, she informed her that they had found Prince Chen's remains, with the Succession Edict and the Imperial Jade Seal hidden in his clothing.
What? The missing Imperial Jade Seal was actually on Prince Chen? Why would he carry such a thing with him? Wasn't it meant to safeguard the nation? How could it be so easily taken out and removed from the capital?
Outside, the attention of Prince Chen's former subordinates was solely focused on him. Upon discovering the body, it seemed as if a heavy stone had been lifted from their hearts, and they all released their pent-up emotions through cries of grief. Once they had vented their sorrow, various doubts began to surface.
Why had Prince Chen and his Tiger Brigade met such a fate here? Wasn't it said that during his inspection for His Majesty, he had perished in the Nujiang River, with no remains left behind?
Indeed, it was later reported that there had been a conflict between the Sang Family and Prince Chen, leading to revenge from the Sang Family that resulted in the sinking of the ship. At that time, some had questioned this narrative, but the evidence piled up high, and upon closer inspection, it seemed convincing enough for them to believe.
When Prince Chen set out, it was reported by none other than the Chongjing Sweet Emperor. It was also he who claimed that the Sang Family were the main culprits. And now, with the Sang Family destroyed, it appeared that the one who benefited most from this series of events was none other than the Chongjing Emperor.
Thinking deeply sent chills down their spines. Could it be that they were being played by the Chongjing Emperor? The Chongjing Emperor had long since passed away; what relationship did His Majesty have with him? In their anger and grief, they spoke without restraint.
Sang Qingxiao hadn't expected them to connect these dots so quickly. This couldn't just be brushed aside; Prince Chen was no ordinary figure. His death could not be a mere oversight. If Chongjing Emperor truly usurped power unjustly, then the Royal Tomb should be handed over for their Prince Chen to reside!
Wow! That was quite a bold statement; their spirits were undeniably high.
They waited until Prince Chen's remains were brought up and witnessed it with their own eyes before crying out once more. Only then did they manage to rein in their emotions and shift their focus to another battlefield outside the palace gates.
Inside the palace, Cai Zhuo received word from Gentle that a large group of court officials was rushing toward the palace gates. Realizing that they could no longer conceal the situation, Cai Zhuo tried to calm himself as he informed Xuande Emperor about Prince Chen's circumstances.
Upon hearing this, Xuande Emperor's fury flared up. So, the Imperial Jade Seal I possess is actually a counterfeit! Does this mean I am also a fake? What kind of emperor am I if I don't even have the Imperial Jade Seal?
Uh... Xuande Emperor's focus...
Your Majesty, whether true or false lies within your thoughts alone; Prince Chen has passed away.
Why bother quarreling with a dead man? Recovering the genuine article is certainly better than losing it altogether.
Is death an excuse for silence? The Imperial Jade Seal should never have left the imperial city! Stealing it is a capital offense; even if he were the crown prince, he wouldn't escape punishment!
If you ask me, he deserved to die. Wherever he went, my father never truly saw us! Even in death, he still wants me to take charge for him; what a sinner! I haven't even dragged his remains out for punishment—consider that mercy!
Cai Zhuo couldn't understand why Xuande Emperor harbored such resentment toward Prince Chen; perhaps it stemmed from jealousy.
But at this moment, it was not the time for jealousy. Prince Chen's former subordinates were about to cause a scene outside the palace gates.
Cai Zhuo asked Xuan De Emperor for a seal, but Xuan De Emperor was too preoccupied with his own anger to care. "Let them kneel if they want! Since they are so devoted to their old master, I might as well issue an imperial decree allowing them to accompany him in death!"
"Your Majesty! This cannot be done!"
Xuan De Emperor scoffed, speaking out of anger. "Look how frightened you are! But indeed, I do not wish to give them any face. Let’s just leave them be for a while."
"And bring my Imperial Jade Seal back to me as soon as possible!"
That very day, Xuan De Emperor received the Imperial Jade Seal. He didn’t mind that it had been dug up from a pile of corpses; after carefully cleaning it, he even held it close and slept soundly through the night.
Upon waking, he stretched comfortably and realized that his frequent insomnia had been due to the absence of the seal. "Prince Chen, you deserve to die!"
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