vrcanaries Chapter 528 Acting School
Chapter 528 Acting School
"But I didn't expect that he would sneak out of the palace without my knowledge. He has been away for two years. Emperor Chu was seriously ill and couldn't attend court, so I took over this position and helped to run the government."
"I had originally thought that when the crown prince came back, I would give him the throne and let him take over the position. But I didn't expect that what he would return with was his charred corpse, and even the last bloodline left by Emperor Chu was not saved."
"I have let down the late emperor and the Chu royal family in my entire life!"
As Empress Dowager Yuan said this, she actually burst into tears in front of all the ministers.
She was sobbing and her body was shaking. The ministers present all tried to comfort her.
"Your Highness, please accept my condolences. You have already given enough for the Kingdom of West Shu. Although the Crown Prince passed away at a young age, it was not your fault. Please do not blame yourself too much."
"Yes, Queen Mother, we no longer have His Royal Highness the Crown Prince. You must take good care of yourself now. The Western Shu Kingdom cannot do without you, and the court cannot do without you. We all still need your leadership!"
"If the Crown Prince's spirit in heaven saw you crying so sadly, the Queen Mother, he would definitely be sad too. Please accept my condolences and take care of yourself."
After the last minister finished speaking, all the ministers knelt on the ground and said in unison: "Please accept our condolences, Queen Mother, and take care of yourself."
Seeing this, Empress Dowager Yuan smiled for a moment, but it was gone in an instant. She choked up and said, "My dear ministers, please stand up quickly. I have noticed your concern for me."
"It is an honor for our country, and also an honor for me, to have talented people like you."
"The prince has left us. Even if not for myself, I will take good care of myself for the Chu royal family and the Western Shu Kingdom."
"I promise all my dear ministers that I will make the Western Shu Kingdom flourish and will not let the late emperor and the people of the Western Shu Kingdom down."
As soon as these words were spoken, all the ministers showed flattering expressions on their faces, except Shen Xiangming who stood aside and frowned.
If he had not seen it wrong just now, Queen Dowager Yuan curled up the corners of her mouth in front of everyone.
But it soon disappeared.
In the past, Shen Xiangming might not have thought too much about it, but when he learned that Chu Yi was not dead, his feelings towards Empress Dowager Yuan became strange.
If this isn’t disguise, what is?
He knew Empress Dowager Yuan's ambitions, and he also knew what she had done to Chu Yi over the years.
It was at her hands that all the members of the Chu royal family were killed, but she still pretended to be magnanimous and affectionate, telling others about her great achievements.
What's funny is that she still wanted to stand on the moral high ground and belittle Chu Yi, and the ministers present all supported her.
This is a bit too ironic!
Shen Xiangming didn't say anything. He came here today just to follow Hua Feixue's instructions and go through the motions.
He knew that Ji Yuntang and Hua Feixue had their own plans, and he would not take action unless they asked him to.
Queen Dowager Yuan cried hypocritically for a while, and when she saw that the time had come, she asked the officials to begin the burial ceremony.
The burial ceremony of the prince generally has three steps.
One is that there are special kind-hearted people who are responsible for cleaning his body, dressing him and putting him into the hearse.
The body of the fake prince was burnt and could not be cleaned, so this step was skipped and clothes were directly put on the outside.
The second process is that officials prepare tablets and offerings, and the imperial master comes forward to perform rituals to help the fake prince to be reborn.
The Imperial Master was wearing a yellow Taoist robe today, holding a whisk in his hand, and walking with an otherworldly look.
He pretended to pay his respects to Queen Dowager Yuan, and the two of them exchanged glances inadvertently, and then set up the altar and performed a ritual.
After working for about half an hour, he stopped.
The third process is the funeral ceremony of the fake prince.
After the sacrifice was completed, his body was taken directly to the imperial mausoleum.
Upon seeing this, Empress Dowager Yuan burst into tears again, "Yier, I can't bear to let you go at such a young age. It's because I didn't take good care of you on behalf of your father and mother. You must be reborn into a good family in the next life..."
As she cried, she actually fainted, and the ministers around her were in a panic.
On the other side, Ji Yuntang finished developing the photos and was about to go out when he was stopped by Xinyue.
She accepted the hairpin given by Ji Yuntang, and changed her previous arrogance to a gentler attitude.
"Miss Yun, today is the day of the Crown Prince's funeral. There are many people outside. The Queen Mother has specifically instructed you to stay in your room and not go out. If there is anything, she will send someone to summon you."
Seeing Ji Yuntang frowned, Xinyue explained: "Miss Yun, don't think too much. The Queen Mother is also worried that you don't understand the rules of the palace and offend the nobles and cause trouble."
"She did this for Miss Yun's sake. If Miss Yun needs anything, you can tell me and I will find it for you."
Ji Yuntang sneered in her heart. She knew very well that Empress Dowager Yuan wanted to put her under house arrest.
He seemed to be very good to her and willing to satisfy her in everything, but in fact he restricted her freedom.
Ji Yuntang didn't have to go out to watch the old witch's performance. She was thinking that when the old witch was not in the Cining Palace, she would steal the key to the iron chain that locked Emperor Chu.
Just as she was about to go into the house and use the space to run out, Nanny An ran over with a panicked look on her face.
"Doctor Yun, Doctor Yun, something's wrong. The Queen Mother is so sad that she has fainted. Please come with me to see her!"
Ji Yuntang's eyes lit up. She was just worrying that she had to go, so now the opportunity had come.
She immediately followed Nanny An out.
When they reached a place where there was no one, Nanny An suddenly stopped and grabbed her.
Ji Yuntang looked at her in confusion, "Let's go, didn't you say that the Queen Mother fainted and you should go and treat her? Why are you stopping me now?"
Nanny An glanced at her and her voice gradually lowered.
"The Queen Mother fainted, but it was not due to any physical reasons."
"Doctor Yun, you should know what to say in front of all the civil and military officials later, right?"
Ji Yuntang: "..."
Almost instantly, she understood the hidden meaning behind Nanny An's words.
It turns out that the old witch was pretending to be unconscious!
He deliberately pretended to be extremely sad in front of the civil and military officials.
Ji Yuntang smiled at Nanny An and patted his chest to assure her: "I understand, I understand. I understand too well. Nanny, you can rest assured."