latelenovela Chapter 136 We are both women; if one of us is gone, the other will be gone too.
Chapter 136 We are both women; if one of us is gone, the other will be gone too.
This move effectively thwarted half of King Ping's plans.
He originally intended to use the funeral of the princess as a pretext to lift the confinement, but now that Lin Shiming has left with the words "You are not allowed to come or go" and left, isn't that no different from the previous days?
King Ping trembled with rage, feeling that nothing was going right. In his fury, he couldn't help but kick the table in front of his wife's coffin, where incense burners and offerings were placed.
With a crash, the table was kicked over, and the items on it were scattered all over the floor, leaving the main hall in a mess.
To make matters worse, several fallen incense sticks landed on the prayer mat, and within moments they ignited it, sending thick smoke billowing out and heading straight for Prince Ping.
The concubines nearby screamed in fright, becoming even more terrified. They instinctively huddled together for warmth. The Prince's face, already blackened by the smoke, turned even darker. As he ran away, he shouted angrily at the servants and attendants around him.
"Hurry up and call someone to put out the fire! Do you want to suffocate me?"
King Ping's shout finally brought the panicked servants back to their senses. They immediately began fetching water, opening doors, calling for help, and even helping their masters escape.
In the chaotic main hall, only the two maids who had accompanied Princess Ping on her dowry were seen weeping and rushing forward to protect their mistress's coffin.
Fortunately, the prayer mat was thick enough, and the main hall was paved with stone bricks. As soon as the servants and boys escorted Prince Ping and his concubines out of the main hall, the small fire was extinguished. Princess Ping's coffin was not damaged and was not even stained with a speck of ash.
The funeral hall was indeed a mess, almost completely destroyed.
Prince Ping, still shaken and furious, fled to the courtyard. Lin Shiming had just ordered him to commit suicide for love, and now the main hall was on fire. If people found out, they might really think he was going to die for love!
King Ping's face darkened with anger. He had only come here to put on a show for others, and now that there was no audience, he naturally didn't want to stay here any longer, kneeling and crying, suffering the torment of playing the role of a deeply affectionate and aggrieved husband.
Not to mention that his persona had already been exposed by Lin Shiming just now, and almost everyone in the manor had already guessed his true colors, so there was really no need for him to stay and pretend any longer.
Right now, he can only hope that Shen Lin's arrangements outside the mansion will be effective; the rumors among the people are the main part of their scheme.
Thinking of this, Prince Ping's eyes darkened, and he immediately prepared to find a way to investigate the situation outside. In his haste, he didn't even think to wipe the soot off his face. He only cursed "bad luck" with utter disgust before flicking his sleeves and leaving the main courtyard.
Only a group of concubines, still huddled together and trembling, were left to face the servants' questions.
"The prince has left us, what are we going to do with the mourning hall! My masters, you must give us some advice!"
Today's events have left everyone present feeling a pang of sympathy for Prince Ping's cold-heartedness. They too have begun to question the cause of death of Prince Ping's wife and the young princess. If what the Crown Princess said is true...
For the sake of profit, he would even scheme against his wife and his own children.
A chill suddenly ran through them.
The concubines exchanged glances, and it was the highest-ranking concubine, who usually didn't get along with Princess Ping, who spoke up.
"Keep today's events confidential and do not let anyone know. As for the mourning hall, have it thoroughly cleaned and rearranged. If anything is missing, fetch it from my concubine's quarters. We will go change and wash up, and then return soon to continue keeping vigil for the mistress."
As women, they were bound by a deep connection. But in this situation, all they could do was keep vigil for Princess Ping and wish her peace and happiness in her next life.
*
When we arrived at the gate of Prince Ping's mansion, it was late afternoon.
The sun had not yet completely set, hanging crookedly in the sky. The early summer breeze brushed against Lin Shiming's face, gentle and warm, but it could not soothe the melancholy in his heart.
With a sigh, Lin Shiming forced down his displeasure and strode out.
But as soon as he stepped out of the gates of Prince Ping's residence, he saw a large number of officials gathered outside the area guarded by the Imperial Guards. With the setting sun's glow, Lin Shiming could clearly see their faces.
Prince Ping was smarter than Lu Yuchen. He summoned officials from all levels and departments, so he would not let Lin Shiming use this as an excuse to wipe them all out.
Lin Shiming chuckled and calmly walked down the steps to the group of officials.
"Your subject pays respects to Her Highness the Crown Princess."
"Get up."
"Thank you, Your Highness."
The officials slowly got up, and Lin Shiming asked them in a calm and unhurried manner.
"What are you all doing blocking this place?"
“Your Highness,” Liang Zhang replied with difficulty, squeezing through the crowd and bowing, “we have come to offer our condolences upon hearing the news of the passing of Princess Ping.”
When a princess passes away, it is an indispensable custom for officials to come and pay their respects.
Where did you hear that?
Liang Zhang carefully chose his words to convey the message to Lin Shiming: "Officials who are acquainted with each other, or colleagues, pass on messages to each other."
Lin Shiming understood. This meant that under the influence of acquaintances and shared interests, everyone would protect each other, making it impossible to find the person who initially passed on the message. However, there was really no need to look for him. Lin Shiming knew perfectly well that it was the Prince of Ping's faction that did it, and it was just the same group of people involved. There was no need to waste time on these officials.
He has more important things to do.
"There's no need to hold a mourning ceremony today. Father has not yet issued an edict allowing the Prince Ping's residence to be unsealed. We can come later when the edict is issued."
“Your Highness!” Princess Ping’s father, Yue Chunliu, the Minister of the Court of State Ceremonies, emerged from the crowd with tears streaming down his face. “Your Highness, the one who died was my own daughter. I beg Your Highness to set aside past grievances and, for the sake of Princess Ping’s sacrifice for the sake of the royal family, let me in to bid farewell to my daughter.”
No sooner had he finished speaking than Yue Chunliu pushed away the servant's hand that was supporting him, knelt down with tears streaming down his face, and kowtowed, his cries filled with sorrow and earnestness.
Lin Shiming sighed.
Anyone in Prince Ping's faction could have been involved in the death of Princess Ping, but the Yue family was the only exception. The Yue family sacrificed their most powerful and influential elder for Prince Ping, and Princess Ping was their last connection with him. Regardless of emotion or reason, they had no reason, nor could they, agree to Prince Ping's actions in this way.
It's like trying to negotiate with a tiger for its skin; Lin Shiming didn't know how to evaluate his in-laws.
"It's not that I'm heartless, but there is indeed a major case involving foreign spies that needs to be investigated today, so the Prince Ping's residence cannot be freely entered or exited for the time being." Lin Shiming gestured for Liang Zhang to help the man up, his tone calm.
"Your Highness! Please, Your Highness, have mercy!"
Yue Chunliu was so exhausted from crying that his hands were numb. He was even suffering from respiratory alkalosis. Lin Shiming frowned and casually pointed to an Imperial Guard, "Go find a doctor to take a look at Lord Yue."
No matter what, one cannot fall at the gate of Prince Ping's mansion.
"Your Highness, this old minister need not see a doctor, this old minister..."
"Alright." Lin Shiming interrupted Yue Chunliu. "If Lord Yue really wishes to go in today, that's fine too. But I'll have to trouble everyone to join me in hearing this case."