Volume One: Carefree Journey Amidst Uncertain Leaves Chapter Forty-Eight: The Funeral Procession

The situation in the capital of Jianye was just as Duan Canghai had predicted. The Black Blade Battalion was called into the city to garrison the imperial palace, while the Yulin Battalion, originally responsible for the palace’s defense, was reassigned to a post fifteen miles north of the city. That very night, a curfew was imposed throughout the city.

Even in a border town, a curfew would not be enacted unless the situation was dire, let alone in the capital of an empire. Such a measure signaled that some earth-shattering event was about to unfold.

The Black Blade Battalion guarded the imperial palace, while the city gates of Jianye’s outer city were watched over by the Tiger God Battalion. Additionally, a part of the Tiger God Battalion joined forces with the constables of the capital to patrol every street and alleyway. For Jianye, such a heavy and oppressive atmosphere had not been seen in years.

On the day of Marquis Jinyi Qi Jing’s funeral, the city remained under curfew. Few officials from the capital came to pay their respects, but common folk gathered silently along the route, mourning in their own way as the procession passed.

Given Marquis Jinyi Qi Jing’s status and contributions to the empire, the funeral procession appeared rather modest. Qi Jing was to be buried east of the capital, by the side of Mount Zhong, in a vast necropolis known as the Tombs of Loyalty. This monumental ground had been established by the founding emperor of Great Chu, intended as the resting place for loyal ministers and great generals who had rendered outstanding service to the empire. To be buried here after death was the highest honor.

Qi Jing, a pillar of Great Chu, naturally had his place among the Tombs of Loyalty.

The journey from the capital to the Tombs of Loyalty took a full day, and the entire burial process would last at least three days. As the legitimate eldest son, Yang Ning was of course obliged to lead the funeral procession.

This time, the third patriarch accompanied the procession, but the fifth and sixth patriarchs were absent.

The funeral cortege set out from the Marquis Jinyi Residence with only about two hundred people, but as they made their way eastward toward the city gate, more and more people joined in, mostly citizens of the capital who wished to honor Qi Jing. By the time they reached the East Gate, the procession had swelled to nearly a thousand, forming a long, winding column.

Although the city was under curfew and all gates were closed, the East Gate swung open as soon as the procession approached. On either side, every few paces stood an armored soldier, solemnly holding a spear. As the procession passed, the soldiers knelt with their spears, paying their respects to the great general.

Yang Ning observed all this and realized just how extraordinary Qi Jing’s standing was in the hearts of Chu’s soldiers.

Not far ahead lay the East Gate. Yang Ning saw a great crowd gathered in its shadow. As the cortege drew nearer, a group quickly came forward.

Leading them was a tall man in black armor, not yet forty, moving with the stride of a dragon and the vigor of a tiger—a hero through and through.

Chief Steward Qiu raised his hand, signaling the cortege to halt. The black-armored man strode forward, suddenly knelt, removed his helmet, and, along with his soldiers, repeatedly kowtowed before Qi Jing’s coffin, their helmets laid aside.

Steward Qiu came up to Yang Ning and whispered, “Young Lord, that is Commander Xue Lingfeng of the Tiger God Battalion, a loyal subordinate of the general.”

Before the funeral, Gu Qinghan had carefully instructed Yang Ning in all the necessary rituals he would encounter. Remembering her guidance, Yang Ning knew he should step forward to return the salute.

Accompanied by Steward Qiu, he approached. Xue Lingfeng’s face was grave, his eyes rimmed red, and he continued his kowtows until his forehead split open and blood streamed down.

“Commander Xue, please rise, please rise!” Steward Qiu stepped forward to help Xue Lingfeng up. “Your devotion, if the general’s spirit knows, will surely bring him comfort.”

Yang Ning had already paid his respects to Xue Lingfeng and the assembled soldiers. Xue Lingfeng rose, ignoring the steward, and came to stand before Yang Ning. He loomed over him, pondered for a moment, then spoke: “Young Lord, I served under the general. I will never forget his kindness to me as long as I live. Should you ever find yourself in difficulty, come to me; as long as it is within my power, I will never refuse!”

Yang Ning bowed. “Uncle Xue, with my father gone, I will surely have much to trouble you with in the future. Allow me to thank you in advance!”

A trace of surprise flickered in Xue Lingfeng’s eyes, as if he hadn’t expected Yang Ning to be so composed. A glint of satisfaction showed as he nodded, stepped aside, and solemnly declared, “Escort the general!” Once again, he knelt on one knee, as did all the soldiers along the city wall, lending the scene an air of profound gravity.

Steward Qiu was about to signal the cortege to proceed when a voice called from behind, “Wait!” The cry was loud and clear, followed by the sound of galloping hooves. People turned to see the crowd part, and several riders spurred their horses forward. At their head was a man in a light yellow brocade robe, wearing a court cap, his long beard flowing. As he drew near, he dismounted with swift agility.

“That’s the Prince of Huainan!” Steward Qiu exclaimed. “Young Lord, quickly, go welcome the Prince of Huainan.”

Yang Ning was startled. Though he was not well-versed in Chu’s hierarchy, he knew a prince outranked a marquis. He hadn’t expected a Prince of Huainan to appear at such a moment.

The Prince of Huainan, just past forty, carried himself with regal dignity. After dismounting, he hurried over to the coffin, suddenly threw himself onto it, and, tears streaming, cried out in anguish, “Heaven is unjust! Marquis Jinyi, hero of a lifetime, invincible on the battlefield, now... now your soul returns to the underworld, the pillar of Great Chu has fallen, and my heart is torn asunder...!”

The mourners were already grieving, and now, with the prince’s loud lament, many began to weep openly, even the kneeling soldiers on either side wiping tears from their eyes.

Yang Ning stood in a daze, wondering who this Prince of Huainan truly was. His grief seemed sincere, his sorrow contagious. Yet, he couldn’t understand why Gu Qinghan had never mentioned the Prince of Huainan, nor had he seen the prince come to pay respects at the Marquis’s residence.

The prince, face full of sorrow, suddenly stepped back and was about to kneel when Steward Qiu rushed to his side, quickly trying to stop him. “Your Highness, you must not, you must not! This is not in accordance with propriety!”

The prince retorted, “Why not? Just because I am a prince, I cannot kneel to the Marquis Jinyi? The marquis rendered extraordinary service to Great Chu. Our peace and prosperity were bought by his blood and that of countless soldiers. Not only should I kneel, but I would gladly give my life in exchange for his!” He pushed Steward Qiu aside and actually knelt down.

A flurry of whispers swept through the onlookers, many faces showing admiration.

The Prince of Huainan kowtowed several times before being helped up. Turning to see Yang Ning standing nearby, he approached, took Yang Ning’s hand warmly, and said, “This must be the Young Marquis Jinyi?”

Steward Qiu quickly replied, “Indeed!” and gave Yang Ning a look. Yang Ning responded, “Qi Ning greets Your Highness!” He made to kneel, but the prince held him up, saying, “No need. I am here simply to accompany the Marquis Jinyi on his final journey. I could not let him depart in such desolation.”

His words seemed innocuous, but Yang Ning sensed a hidden meaning. After all, the funeral procession was hardly small, with many citizens paying their respects along the way. It was somber, but hardly desolate. The prince’s choice of words was suspicious.

At that moment, the sound of hooves rang out again, followed by a sharp voice: “Wait! Wait! An imperial decree from His Majesty!”

Several swift horses galloped up. Yang Ning thought to himself, these people really know how to pick their moments. During the period of mourning at the marquis’s residence, neither the Prince of Huainan nor anyone from the palace appeared, but now, just as the cortege was about to leave the city, both the prince and the emperor’s decree arrived in quick succession.

“Ah, that’s Eunuch Fan from the palace!” Steward Qiu whispered to Yang Ning. “Young Lord, Eunuch Fan is the chief of the Directorate of Ceremonial Affairs.”

Eunuch Fan, nearly fifty, was slightly plump but had a kindly face. His eyes seemed almost always half-closed, and as he drew near, Yang Ning noted that the man was naturally narrow-eyed.

Behind Eunuch Fan trailed four or five subordinate eunuchs. Seeing the Prince of Huainan nearby, Eunuch Fan smiled and bowed. “Your Highness!”

The prince replied coolly, “Eunuch Fan, you are just in time. Any later, and Marquis Jinyi would already have left the city. To be able to deliver His Majesty’s decree at the final moment, the Marquis Jinyi’s spirit will surely rest easy.”

Yang Ning heard the veiled sarcasm in the prince’s tone and was surprised by his boldness—daring to mock the emperor’s timing in front of the chief eunuch. He wondered whether the prince bore a grudge against the emperor, or was simply defending the marquis’s honor.

Eunuch Fan maintained his smile. “The Marquis Jinyi is a hero of Great Chu. His Majesty will never forget him.” He cleared his throat and raised his shrill voice: “By imperial command, Young Marquis Jinyi, receive the decree!”

Yang Ning had never witnessed such a scene before, and Gu Qinghan hadn’t anticipated an imperial decree at this moment, so he was unsure what the proper etiquette was.

Seeing his hesitation, Eunuch Fan smiled, “No need to overthink, Young Lord. This isn’t the residence—no need for elaborate ceremony, just kneel and receive the decree.”

Yang Ning was inwardly frustrated. Life in this era was not easy. Though his assumed status as young marquis was lofty, he had not gone long before being required to kneel every few days. Even his knees could hardly bear it. Yet under so many watching eyes, he had no choice.

Still, he thought, an imperial decree ought to include some reward. The Marquis Jinyi residence was running short of funds, the tax silver from Jiangling was delayed, and Gu Qinghan had been worrying about money these past days. If the palace granted a reward now, it would be timely relief.

Before Eunuch Fan began reading the decree, more hoofbeats sounded. Yang Ning noticed that the Prince of Huainan had already mounted his horse and left with his retinue.

“By the Mandate of Heaven...!” Eunuch Fan unfurled the decree and read it aloud. Yang Ning cared little for the flowery language, focusing intently, eager to know what reward the palace would grant. But Eunuch Fan droned on, chanting the marquis’s merits, lamenting his passing, and after much rambling, finally rolled up the decree—without mentioning a single word about any reward.

“Young Lord, restrain your grief. The passing of the Marquis Jinyi is a loss mourned by all. You must take care of your health,” Eunuch Fan said, handing over the decree. Yang Ning accepted it, cursing inwardly: “Mourn, mourn, mourn your damned head! Such a mighty court, such a great general, and all the imperial decree offers is empty words. No reward at all—this is true sorrow!”

Angry as he was, he dared not show it. He was about to offer thanks when he noticed a pair of eyes fixed on his face from behind Eunuch Fan. Glancing over, he saw that while the other eunuchs stood quietly with bowed heads, one was looking at him intently. Yang Ning was about to rebuke the impertinent eunuch, when he caught sight of the man’s face, froze, and suddenly felt a chill run through him.