usatvline Chapter 322 Consort Fucha
Chapter 322 Consort Fucha
Not long after sending Mog and Princess Chaogui away,
Nian Shilan rarely puts aside her work to go to Kunning Palace to find Fucha Peiyun.
Nian Shilan entered Kunning Palace and went directly to Fucha Peiyun's study.
Nian Shilan entered the study and saw Fucha Peiyun intently writing and drawing at her desk.
Nian Shilan stepped forward, glanced at it, and saw that it was the homework of those little brats in the Imperial Study.
Nian Shilan immediately lost interest and sat down to wait for Fucha Peiyun to finish her work.
Fucha Peiyun had already noticed Nian Shilan's arrival.
But since he hadn't finished what he was doing, he didn't look up, but asked in a low voice:
"Shilan, what brings you here today?"
Nian Shilan smiled slightly and leaned back lazily in her chair.
His eyes held a hint of languor, yet also a profound meaning:
"It's nothing, I just think Empress Dowager sounds better than Empress Dowager."
Fucha Peiyun paused slightly with her pen, but quickly regained her composure.
She continued with her work, speaking calmly:
"I've been so busy lately that I've almost forgotten about him. It's about time."
Seeing that Fucha Peiyun agreed, Nian Shilan said, "Since you agree, I will send a letter to the Yuanmingyuan right away."
Fucha Peiyun said, "Let's leave this matter to Consort Wen."
Nian Shilan was slightly taken aback, then raised an eyebrow, and said nonchalantly.
"Then leave it to her. You continue with your work, I'll head back now."
Nian Shilan got up, gently patted her clothes, and turned to walk towards the door.
Soon after, news of the Empress Dowager's death arrived from the Yuanmingyuan.
This news reached the palace not long ago.
Then came the devastating news that the Empress Dowager had passed away. Overwhelmed with grief, the Emperor Emeritus also succumbed to his illness.
These successive misfortunes plunged the imperial harem into a state of grief.
The palace bells tolled
Everyone removed their brightly colored jewelry and changed into plain-colored clothes.
The palace maids and eunuchs took down all the red silk ribbons and colorful lanterns that were hanging in the palace.
With the addition of plain-colored curtains and white lanterns, the entire palace appeared exceptionally solemn.
The Imperial Household Department was extremely busy preparing for the funerals of the Empress Dowager and the Emperor Emeritus.
Empress Dowagers Fucha, Peiyun, and Nian Shilan could finally refer to themselves as "Aijia" (哀家).
They removed the ornate phoenix hairpins and velvet flowers from their hair, replacing them with plain silver hairpins and simple cheongsams.
Busy directing palace staff to prepare for the arrival of the remains of the Empress Dowager and the Emperor Emeritus into the palace.
Guarjia Wenyuan and others from the Yuanmingyuan, along with several young princesses, also returned to the palace.
The officials who were about to propose the selection of officials for Hongchang were caught off guard by this sudden news.
Upon hearing the news of the passing of the Empress Dowager and the Emperor Emeritus, Hongchang...
His face immediately turned sorrowful; he had little affection for the Empress Dowager.
But his father treated him very well when he was a child.
Back then, his father would personally hold him and teach him to read and write.
Before he was eight years old, his father had always treated him very well.
With care and love, and with all his might in raising and nurturing, the Emperor was also proud of his outstanding progress.
As the Emperor grew older,
His excellence no longer pleased his father, the Emperor; instead, it only instilled fear in him.
He was heartbroken, lost, and disappointed, but death extinguishes all light.
His disappointment with his father, the Emperor, vanished with his passing.
Hongchang took a deep breath and quickly calmed himself down.
They began to handle matters related to the funeral.
Immediately arrange for people to escort the remains of the Empress Dowager and the Emperor Emeritus back to the palace.
Meanwhile, in the imperial court, the ministers whose original plans had been disrupted all restrained their thoughts.
They devoted themselves to the preparations for the funeral and the discussion of follow-up matters.
The passing of the Empress Dowager and the Emperor Emeritus is a major event.
Everything else has to wait.
Hongchang arranged for the Ministry of Rites and the Imperial Household Department to be responsible for coordinating the funeral arrangements for the Empress Dowager and the Emperor Emeritus.
It is required that the ceremony be solemn, dignified, and perfect in order to demonstrate the nobility and majesty of the royal family.
The officials of the Ministry of Rites acted swiftly.
They began to peruse ancient texts, searching for details of funeral regulations and rituals throughout history.
From the making of the coffin to its placement,
From the procedures of the memorial service to the posthumous titles,
Every step requires careful consideration and meticulous design.
They also urgently summoned the most renowned carpenters, painters, and embroiderers in the capital.
Working day and night to prepare the necessary coffins, elegiac couplets, and mourning garments.
The Imperial Household Department was responsible for coordinating the palace's manpower and resources, and arranging for palace maids and eunuchs to decorate the palace according to etiquette requirements.
Clear the roads to ensure everything is in order.
Princess Wenyi, Feng Ruozhao, and others who were busy outside the palace also quickly received the news.
He hurriedly put down what he was doing and rushed back to the palace.
Soon after, the remains of the Empress Dowager and the Emperor Emeritus were transported back to the palace, where a somber atmosphere prevailed.
Hongchang, dressed in plain mourning clothes, with a solemn expression, personally led a large group of officials...
All the concubines of the retired emperor in the harem
And his brothers and sisters, including Hongzhou and Wenyi, as well as other relatives and nobles,
Together they arrived at the Meridian Gate to receive the coffins of the Empress Dowager and the Emperor Emeritus.
Everyone was dressed in plain clothes, their expressions solemn, and their steps heavy.
A gentle breeze swept across the Meridian Gate Square, bringing a touch of coolness and adding to the desolate atmosphere.
Soon, the long queue slowly came into view.
Suddenly, cries arose, echoing throughout the Meridian Gate Square.
When the coffin was carried into the Hall of Supreme Harmony and placed in the center, Hongchang led everyone in kneeling down in unison.
Perform the ritual of three kneelings and nine kowtows.
This was to express deep respect and endless sorrow for the Empress Dowager and the Emperor Emeritus.
Fucha Peiyun and Nian Shilan stood at the front of the imperial concubines.
They were all dressed in plain-colored qipaos, and their once-luxurious headdresses had been replaced with white silk flowers.
They all looked sorrowful, their faces covered in tears.
She gently wiped the corners of her eyes with a handkerchief, sobbing softly.
Everyone present cried genuinely.
But Fucha Peiyun knew that the people who were truly heartbroken for Uya and the big fat orange were not...
The funeral rites for the Empress Dowager and the Emperor Emeritus lasted for several days, and the entire palace was immersed in a somber atmosphere.
During this period, to show his filial piety, Hongchang would spend his days after finishing his official duties...
They would all take time to offer incense at the altars of the Empress Dowager and the Emperor Emeritus, and personally keep vigil until late at night.
Fortunately, he had practiced martial arts since childhood, and with the meticulous care of Fucha Peiyun, he was able to withstand the high intensity of his work.
The funeral for Uya and Da Pangju lasted for a full twenty-seven days.
After the funeral rites were completed, Hongchang announced that he would observe a three-year mourning period for them.
Once this news spread, those who had originally planned to propose it at a suitable time...
This threw the ministers in charge of the Hongchang selection into disarray.
These ministers all harbored their own selfish motives.
They hoped that their daughters could enter the palace and become empresses or imperial concubines.
This brings glory and benefits to the family.
However, now that the Emperor has decided to observe three years of mourning, this is a manifestation of filial piety.
They simply couldn't find any suitable reason to persuade Hongchang to change his mind.
Left with no other option, these ministers could not oppose Hongchang's decision.
Instead, they would lavish praise on his filial piety to show their support and respect for the emperor.