Love Affairs in Chang'an - Chapter 254

Chapter 254 Tearless
The princess left, leaving a smile on the face of the world.

This smile made Ku Hao’s face look dazzling, like a white lotus blooming in a red lotus pond, so beautiful that it was suffocating, so beautiful that it made one’s heart ache.

Li Ke fainted.

It turned out that there really was a psychological connection between people. Three days ago, when Qin Mubai was writing the urgent letter urging him to return to the capital, he was accompanying his royal elder brother to a banquet in the Eastern Palace of the Crown Prince. Everything was normal during the banquet, but he suddenly felt a burst of inexplicable heartache. It was as painful as a knife twisting. Even the wine glass could not hold itself and fell onto the table. The princess’ smile involuntarily appeared in his mind. Without making any preparations for the mission, he borrowed a few horses from the Eastern Palace and immediately set off with a few accompanying guards. He quickly whipped the horses for three days and three nights without stopping. Four horses died and finally arrived at the time when the princess was dying to send her off on her final journey.

The guards accompanying them were all veterans of King Wu’s Mansion. They were frightened and thought that King Wu had suddenly lost his mind. It was because they had accompanied King Wu for nearly ten years and had never seen him so mad.

Dao Sect Li placed the Little Princess next to her mother, who had just passed away and was still warm. The little girl, who was less than one year old, stopped crying, rolled over and climbed onto her, squeezed open the blankets to take away the clothes on her chest.

She’s hungry.

The entire room burst into tears. Li Daozong’s resolute face, which was clearly marked with edges and corners, was instantly absent-minded, and tears unconsciously flowed down his face.

Qin Mubai’s throat suddenly clogged up and she burst into tears.

In his life, he could not see the tears of a man. Especially the tears of a man like Li Daozong.

“Mubai, bring Ke’er down to rest and call the doctor to take a pulse.” Li Daozong instructed, “Listen, everyone in the palace is busy preparing for the funeral of the princess. All the officials under the rule of Fanxiang Prefecture will send posters to invite them to the funeral, and Prince Qi of Deng Prefecture will also invite them. This prince will personally write the court’s eulogy. Now, apart from the princess’ personal maids, everyone else will disperse!”

“Yes, Your Highness!”

Everyone obeyed.

In just a few words, Qin Mubai deeply felt the calm and magnanimity of the Li Dao Sect. The charm of a man blossomed from his words and deeds as if he was running towards Hong Ji.

Thinking about it, Li Daozong was still calm and composed in the face of the attacks of thousands of troops. Even though he was crying sadly, how could he lose his balance?

Qin Mubai carried away Li Ke, who had fainted, along with a few guards. Qin Mubai also brought Princess Gao Yang, who was crying bitterly, out of the room.

Li Ke’s face was like a vegetable, and his eyes were sunken. He smelled of sweat, his hair was almost knotted, and his clothes were rather dirty.

After lifting him up from his bedroom, Qin Mubai called someone to fill a large bucket of hot water, peeled him clean and threw him in, and called a few King Wu waitresses to help him bathe. During this time, Li Ke never woke up.

Three days and three nights, running 1,100 miles without sleep, even if they were made of iron, they would be half-dead tired, not to mention the prince who had been well-fed since childhood. Perhaps, he had never experienced such hardship since he was young. This time, it was because of the fear and anxiety in his heart that he made such a shocking move.

Qin Mubai knew that he was a little touched. Normally, Li Ke was full of romance and cynicism. The women beside him changed more frequently than others, but this action of his was enough to show how deeply he felt for the princess.

In the past, he didn’t even reveal anything. At one time, Qin Mubai thought that there was only a “political marriage” between him and Princess Wu’s Yang family. They respected each other, but there didn’t seem to be much emotion between them.

Like Li Shimin, he was lecherous, but he was also someone who valued affection. Didn’t Li Shimin go to the Zhaoling Mausoleum privately to celebrate the birthday of the Eldest Sun Empress and play the pipa for her?

The attitudes of men in the Great Tang towards emotions are naturally different from those of men in the 21st century. In the polygamous world, especially in the imperial marquises, people with temperaments like their father and son were already rare.

…

Three days later, Li Ke opened his eyes. Seeing Qin Mubai sitting beside his bed, his throat slid with difficulty and he said in a low and dry voice, “Is she gone?”

“Yes. The palace is holding a funeral.” Qin Mubai said.

Li Ke closed his eyes again, closing them a little hard. Perhaps it was because he wasn’t used to the intense light, or perhaps it was because he felt too much pain in his heart.

After a long time, Li Ke muttered softly, “Is she … okay?”

“There’s a smile on his face. It’s very sweet.” Qin Mubai said.

“That’s good” Li Ke let out a long sigh and fell into a long silence.

Qin Mubai called for the maids and maids to get some porridge and helped Li Ke sit up and barely eat some. In his coma, he didn’t eat anything, but Qin Mubai forced some soup into his mouth, so he felt nauseous after eating a little. After tossing and turning for a long time, he ate a few spoonfuls.

Looking at him now, he was really a lot haggard, and he had lost a whole circle of weight.

“Mubai, help me up and take a look at the mourning hall.” Li Ke struggled to get up.

“You’d better lie down.” Qin Mubai said, “Jiang Xia King is taking care of everything. Don’t worry.”

There was a saying that Qin Mubai did not want to say, but Li Ke definitely understood and thought about it. Many civil and military officials of Xiangzhou worshiped in the mourning hall. It was not appropriate for Li Ke to show himself at this time.

“It’s fine, go!” Li Ke insisted. Qin Mubai could not say anything more, so she could only help him up. Although Li Ke did not show any filial piety, he insisted on wearing a golden-white dress.

The mourning hall was located in the main hall of the residence in the backyard of the secretariat’s mansion. Soul banners stood in a vast expanse of white. All the officials under the rule of Xiang Zhou worshipped them in turn and hung up their filial piety. Princess Wu believed in Buddhism when she was alive, so the Li Daoist Sect ignored the Li Clan’s family tradition of valuing Taoism and invited monks to serve as temples for the princess.

Li Ke’s bedroom was two corridors away from the main hall. Qin Mubai helped him walk a few steps, but Li Ke insisted on walking on his own. Although he was slow, he walked step by step with his hands cut off from his back.

As they passed by a room, they could vaguely hear the whispers of a few women.

“The princess has passed away. It’s actually Imperial Uncle who is presiding over the funeral. What a glorious sight!”

“Can it not be glorious? She is the matriarch. How can she be compared to a woman like us?”

“That’s right, that’s right. We are the playthings that His Highness waved around as he waved his hand! Ah! I wonder if His Highness will continue to play in the main room after Princess Wu’s departure?”

“Ah, even if it’s the main hall, I’m afraid we won’t be able to do anything! Actually, there’s no hope for me to stay here and not be driven away. If I can be a servant, I’ll burn incense to thank Ancestor!”

Li Ke stopped and listened for a while. Qin Mubai saw that his expression did not change at all. Perhaps he was too weak to make an expression, but his eyes were filled with anger.

“Bang!”

With a loud explosion, the sickly Li Ke who didn’t seem to have the slightest bit of strength suddenly exploded like a lion and kicked open the door.

The four women-the waitresses who usually served Li Ke in the middle of the bed-were so frightened that they even jumped up with ghostly cries.

“Get lost!-Get lost!” Li Ke shouted in a deep voice.

That voice was solemn!

“Your Highness, please spare my life! Your Highness, forgive me! This lowly concubine is truly speaking carelessly!” The women were scared out of their wits and knelt down in the room, kowtowing desperately to apologize.

“If you don’t fuck off, you’ll have to compensate the princess for her burial.” Li Ke did not roar, but said in a hoarse voice.

‘”Woo!” The four women were so frightened that they rolled their pants. They hurriedly climbed up, hugged their heads, and ran out of the room.

After the girls ran away, Qin Mubai said, “Your Highness, don’t be angry. You don’t need to hurt yourself.”

“Yes.” Li Ke replied softly and waved his hand, “Let’s go to the mourning hall.”

After walking through a corridor, Li Ke stopped and said, “Mubai, please tell the housekeeper to give these women some money to get married. After all, they have been with me for a while. Although they are nameless and have no feelings for each other, I don’t want to be mean to them.”

“Alright.” Qin Mubai nodded and thought to herself, “Only by doing this can I be honest.” Love and righteousness belong to the business of love and righteousness. Li Ke is a person who attaches great importance to etiquette and distinguishes between grudges and grudges.

When they arrived at the mourning hall, everyone was shocked to see Li Ke.

“King Wu is here!”

All the officials made way for him to go in. Li Ke did not greet anyone. He looked straight at the large coffin wrapped in the mourning hall and walked in step by step.

King Qi, Li You, has already arrived. He and Princess Gao Yang are together in the mourning hall as a gift to the family. Li Daozong stood outside the mourning hall and presided over the overall situation. When he saw Li Ke walking over, he stepped forward to stop him.

“Ke’er, why are you here?” Dao Sect Li whispered, his voice filled with pity and reproach.

Li Ke cupped his hands and said apologetically, “I really have to trouble you, Royal Uncle, but I just want to take a look.”

“No.” Dao Sect Li shook his head, his words resolute and irrefutable.

Li Ke’s face trembled slightly and he lowered his head for a long time without saying anything.

“Go back and rest. As long as I’m here.” Dao Sect Li comforted Qin Mubai softly and said to him, “Mubai, take him away.”

“Royal Uncle.” Li Ke raised his head and frowned deeply, “I beg you.”

Dao Sect Li and Qin Mubai were stunned at the same time.

Li Ke said–“beg”.

Qin Mubai had known him for so long and had never heard him say such a word.

Dao Sect Li didn’t say anything as he moved to the side.

“Thank you, Royal Uncle.”

The crowd of one or two hundred people fell silent as they watched Qin Mubai walk into the mourning hall with Li Ke in hand.

After the two of them entered, Princess Gaoyang and Li You came forward together to comfort Li Ke. Li Ke waved his hand and the two of them could not say anything, so they could only stand to the side.

Li Ke walked to the side of the coffin and gently stroked the ice-cold new lacquer coffin. He was stunned.

“Open the coffin.” Qin Mubai said.

Li Ke was stunned and turned to look at Qin Mubai, his eyes filled with gratitude.

The ceremonial host hurriedly came forward and said, “The mage said that it is inappropriate to open the coffin after closing it.”

“Open the coffin.” Qin Mubai repeated in an aggravated tone. The Master of Ceremony was so shocked that she flicked her body. She hurriedly retreated and summoned a few words from the monk to open the coffin.

The coffin was made of fine incense wood. The princess’ corpse was also preserved with spices. The weather was not hot, so the princess’ corpse remained intact. There was still a smile on her face. She wore colorful makeup and beautiful bead headgear. She was still elegant and beautiful.

“She slept soundly.” Li Ke said in a low voice. He reached into the coffin and kissed the princess’ face.

Princess Gaoyang burst into tears and Li You hurriedly hugged her.

“Go at ease. I will take good care of our daughter.” Li Ke said softly, just like the honeyed words that his lover said at his temples when he was hugging her, he slowly said, “The fate of this life is shallow. In the next life, we will continue.”

With that, Li Ke bent down and gently kissed the princess on her forehead under the gaze of the crowd.

“Cover the coffin.” Li Ke stood up and said two words. He turned around and walked out of the mourning hall. When he passed Qin Mubai, he said, “Mubai, give me a stick of incense. She knows you. Tell her that she will understand.”

“Yes.”

Li Ke nodded his head and walked away with almost no expression on his face.

From beginning to end, Li Ke did not shed tears.

However, everyone present could feel the extremely hurtful aura emanating from his body.

It turned out that the pain was so deep that tears would flow out of her eyes.

Li Ke left.

However, the atmosphere at the scene was still stagnant, and everyone seemed to have yet to regain their senses. In the end, it was Li Daozong who ordered the mourning ceremony to continue. Only then did the mourning hall recover.

Qin Mubai lit up an incense stick and respected the princess. He sighed in his heart, “Only after experiencing loss would he know how to cherish it.” Prince Wu, Princess Wang, I hope that in your next life, you will truly be able to renew your previous fate.

At this moment, Qin Mubai couldn’t help but recall what the Princess had said when she was alive, and she sighed in her heart. Until her death, the princess was still worried about Li Ke’s future life. She understood his heart deeply and knew what he was thinking, what kind of person he needed, and what kind of person he was suitable for.

‘”Now that the princess’s bones are still cold, why would I shamelessly mention Shuang’er to him? Let them do as they please! I shouldn’t even think about such a question now. It’s simply a sin!”

After offering incense in front of the princess’ spirit, the Li Dao Sect asked Qin Mubai to accompany Li Ke.

Before Qin Mubai could speak, Li Ke came to Li Ke’s bedroom and asked, “How are the preparations for the Yang Emperor’s Mausoleum’s sacrifice?”

Qin Mubai was still stunned for a moment, then nodded and said, “It’s progressing smoothly. The sacrifice ceremony can proceed normally in ten days.”

“That’s good. It’s been a hard time for you these days.” Li Ke was sitting on the couch. Apart from his hoarse and deep voice, he did not have any abnormal expressions. He said, “I heard your jade seal. As a result, Father Emperor was really happy. I have never seen his happiness from the bottom of my heart.” He left me in the palace for more than a month and kept me company day and night. Apart from not growing up when I was young, I have never accompanied Father Emperor for such a long time. He even made an exception to take me to the Imperial Garden to hunt, rafting in the Taiyi River to play chess, and even let me accompany him in the Imperial Study to criticize the memorials. “Did you know that Fourth’s face is turning green? Haha!”

After laughing twice, Li Ke coughed again. He traveled a thousand miles day and night, overworked and cold. It seemed like he was suffering from a cold wind.

Qin Mubai could hear countless sadness, helplessness, and sorrow in his pale laughter.

Li Ke was a very strong person, he would not easily reveal his weakness and grief after being injured in front of outsiders. Many men were like this, and as a prince, he was even more so. At this moment, he was only intentionally changing the topic, wanting to distract and conceal these things.

“Oh right, I’ve seen Wu Meiniang in Chang’an. She seems to be more beautiful than before.” Li Ke joked and said, “The business of the Qin Immortal Pavilion is really good. After the renovation, it is more dignified and beautiful than before. It is popular in Chang’an.” I also informed Zheng Anshun who returned to the capital and told her to come to Xiang Zhou to do business. She readily agreed and immediately began to arrange to leave the capital for Xiang Zhou. Originally, we had agreed to come together, but I didn’t expect that I would break my promise and leave first. If you encounter her and scold me in the future, you must help me block it! ”

Qin Mubai smiled and said, “Are you tired?”

The corner of Li Ke’s mouth slightly stirred and he nodded his head, “I really feel a little tired when you say that.”

“Then you should rest. I won’t disturb you anymore.” After Qin Mubai finished speaking, she got up and walked out.

“Mubai!”

“What?” Qin Mubai turned around and looked at him.

Li Ke smiled, “Thank you.”

Qin Mubai replied with a smile, “Excess.”

After walking out of the room, Qin Mubai gently closed the door and heaved a sigh of relief.

The entire room was suffused with a sad aura that Li Ke couldn’t get rid of, making Qin Mubai feel as if he was immersed in a pool of water of sorrow. Walking out of the room, he felt relieved.

“Now, if you want to cry, cry. If you want to cry, cry. No one will see you.” Qin Mubai sighed softly and said in his heart, “Who said that a man must have no tears?”